Finally I got this done and only after... three months. Oh boy. Yeah, life really does go at you fast huh? Well, I guess I set too high a bar with the two updates a month. Anyway, enough about that on with the story as its why everyone is here.

Disclaimer: I just don't own the franchise. Simple as.

If you asked Shirou about his relationship with Illya it was rather straightforward for the last few years. She was his adopted sister, the daughter of the man who adopted him. Even with his memories returned as Shirou Sakatsuki, that to him still stood as fact. After all, he technically didn't even have a father until Kiritsugu adopted him. Although, things did seem to change a bit as they had gotten older. Luvia's comment did help at all and now that whole worldview had been turned on its head. Which he was strangely not as surprised as he felt he should have been.

That said a lot about Shirou if he was being honest with himself. Especially given he did have feelings that were more than just normal siblings for her. Illya had been overjoyed to hear that. 'She's a bit too eager with this though.'

Shirou had to convince her not to immediately tell Taiga about this or really anyone else. Taiga might know the truth of how things are but telling her that they had just entered into a relationship was another matter. It may take some time to ease her into it or the right moment. Rin and Luvia would probably be two people that could tell. Anyone else was completely oug of the picture. Even if they are only siblings by adoption it would still be seen as utterly weird. 'Weird for most people to see but for mages it isn't outside the realms of possibility.'

Now on that front the issue was the fact that Shirou was a Dead Apostle. Not just any Dead Apostle, a Successor who was aligned technically to the faction of the Black Princess. Technically, being the correct word as he didn't really have to stay within her group but it was kind of something that was traditionally expected of him. His creator/mother was one of hers and by extension so was every Dead Apostle, familiar, and Dead under her. Including him as her son and Successor. Which also meant that anyone who was with him in a close capacity, like a girlfriend or wife,would be treated as a part of the Black Princess' faction.

"Illya was right to make for her a Mystic Code," Besides the Mage's Association, and the Holy Church, the other competing Dead Apostles would be a problem for them both. Sure, the Black faction shouldn't be a threat to them, theoretically at least, and neither would some of the more neutral Dead Apostles. However, those affiliated with the White faction, those who aligned with other groups, or even neutrally aligned themselves could be an issue.

That got him thinking for a bit about the kind of dangers that were out their amongst their ranks. Despite technically being able to claim the position of a Dead Apostle Ancestor himself Shirou knew that he was basically on the lower end. He was supposed to be comparable to his mother in terms of the weight of his mystery. Compared to most modern mages such a thing would be a nightmare to face. When compared to many in the Twenty-seven though he was kind of lacking.

Such a thing really couldn't be helped given that those that lived longer tended to become harder to kill and more powerful. Then there was the more weird amongst their members which reflected that Dead Apostle was also a board term as much as a species in itself. 'Maybe I should have some plans of action just in case we do end up dealing with them.'

The Reverse Side of the World. A term used for the Textures of the World were the Gods, most Elementals, and most Phantasmal Beasts ended up. A place that was deemed nigh impossible for a mage to properly pull from, and a danger to anyone born in the modern day if they should enter. A place that Sakura had entered by accident, left, and if she so chose she could jump to and from at will. Of course, Sakura didn't really care much about her surprising development in terms of magecraft. Sure, her first time visiting it was by accident and it took some getting use too, however, it just now seemed like a place she could go too.

Shinji, however, had a completely different view when it came to this. Teaching the Reverse Side of The World was naturally difficult for any mage who tried it. In certain cases and scenarios one could pull something from the Textures that made it up but heading there themselves was extremely dangerous. Casual travel that Sakura had discovered was something that would have the Mages Association all over her. "Do you know just what you have accomplished?"

Going too and from the Reverse Side would be seen as something amazing but to do it whenever would be a feat that was almost as impressive as finding a way to the Root. Any mage would immediately either guard this secret and exploit what it meant to all hell. Sakura was not completely blind to the impressive feat. "Let me guess it's something that any proper mage family would try to kill me just for a single trip?"

"It's more like the Mage's Association would give you a Sealing Designation and keep you trapped for the rest of your life," Given Sakura was no longer human who knew how long that would be. Even the protection of the Church would probably be nothing if they learned just what she could do.

"Imprisonment is all they got?" To Sakura that seemed less than threatening. With her gaps she could bypass any Bounded Field so that wasn't a prison. An Imaginary Number cage of some sort would be the worst thing they could try. "Well, if they want I could take their secrets as payment for the attempt."

Did she really care enough to try something like that? No, none of the secrets mattered to her. However, it did matter to any family with power within the Clocktower. Having their workshop raided and all their secrets given out for free would destroy the family. A politically powerful one could be reduced to nothing. Sakura figured it was a perfectly viable retaliation if they tried to give her the "honor" of a Sealing Designation. She'll just give them the "honor" of forceful charity.

Shinji was uncertain on how to feel about how little Sakura cared about the possibility of imprisonment and study. Although, given how little it probably mattered to a being who could open up a pathway to the Reserve Side of The World so casually it probably was nothing to care about. "Look just don't go telling everyone about it, ok."

Some part of Shinji really did want to see if he could end up going to the Reserve Side and maybe getting resources that most modern mages only dreamed about. Only issue was that he was a human of the modern day. Setting foot may not be an issue with Sakura being able to send him there but not dying was another one. 'Great, I could have gotten the most out of my abilities if only I could survive there.' While he was lamenting his luck something did cross his mind. "Wait, how did you survive being in the Reverse Side for weeks without dying?!"

Besides the oppressive amount of prana that was in the air there was also the fact that a lot of the world's Phantasmal species, Nature Spirits, and the Gods themselves had fled too. Not all mind you, Shinji had read that Zouken knew about a few Phantasmals who cling to the Outer Texture, and there were a few sightings of Nature Spirits appearing every now and again mostly under certain circumstances that the now deceased had heard of over the centuries. However, those were arguably nothing but a shadow when compared to the Reverse Side.

"Oh, well when I entered it was rather unpleasant but I managed to adapt to the amount of prana in the air," That Shinji was the least bit surprised by. Sakura was a Phantasmal Beast now so besides some kind of sudden shock she could adapt to the Reserve Side. At least that was the theory to go with it wasn't any Phantasmals who to test it with besides the one in front of him. The one that just proved the theory correct. "Nothing seemed to bother me, though I did see a few tracks of something every now and again."

It was luck that seemed to be on her side or perhaps just she was at the right time to not be found. Either that or whatever was in the area was put off by the collapsing rifts opening up to Void Space that she had attempted. As for the tracks she found they were hard to make out if they belonged to something that was a beast or something that was more of the sentient sort of creature. Sakura was a bit tempted though to find out by passing by the Texture next she traveled through Void Space. Just to get a better idea of what was there.

Meanwhile Shinji was a bit conflicted on what he had learned and heard. On one hand she had just disappeared for way longer then she should. On another she ended up discovering a way to the Reverse Side of The World that could be constantly traveled which meant that they could get materials that no longer could be gained by most in the modern day. Although, Shinji did remember something important as he had this little conflict within him. Sakura was only fourteen years old and furthermore her understanding of magecraft was pretty much terrible.

"Sakura you shouldn't go back there at least not until we have an idea on what exactly you are capable of," He spoke with a strange mix of worry on his facial expression but his tone of voice was more authoritative. A bit more in line with an older sibling telling his younger sibling not to do something. "Actually, you know what we should figure out just what you are before you even leave the house and interact with the populace."

Just because she wasn't a Dead Apostle didn't mean whatever she was wasn't a threat to other humans. Either that or she'll have strange behaviour quirks that would be too odd for any human to naturally possess. Shinji immediately reminded himself that she did indeed possess one. She would only eat her food raw. Sakura could tolerate cooked vegetables, grains, and had no issue with processed foods like candy. She could not tolerate cooked meat, finding the taste utterly disgusting. That was a minor issue yes, but something told him that might not be the only issue that Sakura might have.

Normally, any teenager would probably not go along with being put under house arrest by someone who is only a year older than them. Especially, when technically speaking she should be the head of the family. However, Sakura didn't care enough to even fight this right now. "Alright."

"Now, that is strange," Kirei turned over as he watched Ruler standing in her magic circle as she seemed in thought. As she began the process of altering the settings in the Greater Grail something had become apparent. "The first participant was already selected by the Greater Grail."

In the weeks since any question that Kirei had about the Fuyuki Grail had been answered and furthermore he was made aware of things about how the Grail functioned that likely only the Einzberns knew about. One of which being how participants are actually selected by the Fuyuki Grail. Popular belief taught and understood by everyone taking part was the idea that the Fuyuki Grail would pick those with strong desires and also guarantee a spot for the three families. Turns out this was only a partial explanation on how the whole thing functioned.

Priority and proximity was the deciding factor as it turned out. The Three Families received absolute priority and as such was guaranteed a spot in the Holy Grail War by default. Everyone else was subjected to what amounted to a lottery based around various factors from affiliation, strength of their desire, how likely they are to achieve it on their own, proximity to the Fuyuki Grail, and finally if they hadn't taken part in the Grail War before. That last one kind of disqualified Kirei from summoning in the next Holy Grail War as they all learned.

"Strange I haven't informed the Mage's Association or the Church about the status of the Fuyuki Grail," Nor had he received a call about it which would have happened had a mage of the Association or a spell user of the Church received Command Seals. Freelancers or perhaps a smaller affiliation would choose to hide it so there was a possibility but even that was unlikely. "Do you know who it is?"

Ruler shook her head at this question. The giving out of Command Seals was something that was more automatic when someone met the requirements. Knowing who exactly they are was not needed for the Fuyuki Grail. "That process is not something that allows me to know their na-" As she said that she realized that something was a bit off about this. "I see whomever they are they used a Command Seal from an older Grail War to give themselves priority to be chosen."

This was all that she could get and it was rather surprising that such a loophole existed. In theory this might even break the Grails restrictions that Zelretch had asked to be put on in deciding possible candidates. Kirei was a little bit surprised to hear that given as Overseer he was supposed to have the unused Command Seals. "I thought all unused Command Seals were given to me."

"Most are though it seems someone didn't hand over their last Command Seal," That was technically possible. A Master loses but they don't technically have to go to the Overseer for sanctuary. In fact, just leaving as the fighting continued was perfectly viable. "Probably kept it in hopes that they could trick the Greater Grail into letting them take a second shot or decided that they could use it for something else."

Justeaze had some idea of what the Command Seals could be used for outside of just giving commands to Servants. Amplification of magecraft to a higher level was theoretically possible, as was reinforcing a human body to survive attacks they normally wouldn't be able to, or something else. How they could be used for that was something that only the now deceased Zouken Matou probably understood at one point. As for the other possibility, that was mostly pointless. The unused Command Seal would be useless for the person that kept it, their descendants, and anyone who already had taken part in the Holy Grail War. Only someone completely different could make use of it for that purpose.

"Did the Grail always work like this?" Kirei didn't have the curiosity for being a magus but even he had become more curious on how such the magical ritual operated. After all, before him was probably a copy of the core of the Fuyuki Grail.

All that Kirei had learned about the workings of the Grail ritual was not wrong so much as being incomplete. Perhaps, the Einzberns understood the full workings but of the Three Families they refused to talk much about the workings. "Originally no."

One would think that the Fuyuki Grail was made as is with no alterations from how it was originally made. Of course, Kirei had learned from the Fourth War that was not the case. However, even that was not the whole story. "As you likely know the original purpose of the Holy Grail War is to reach the Root."

Kirei gave a nod as he knew this. The true purpose of the Holy Grail War was to use the summoned Servants in a grand ritual to open a pathway to the Root in order to gain True Magic. The Seven Servants were needed to be sacrificed to open the gateway though if Six were gathered the amount of raw energy would be able to affect the World itself based on the desire of those who held it. In essence it could grant a wish. While that wasn't what it was supposed to do it could still do that which was how the Three Families originally was able to get four others to help them unwittingly.

"Now, the thing is while it was made with the possibility of multiple versions of the ritual happening, as failure the first time was a possibility, the thing is the centuries of existence had altered the system and rules overtime," Nothing too drastic as the ritual would be unable to do what it did if it was drastically altered. More like adapting to the situations of how the whole ritual was going on based on what could be said to fill in the gaps between point A to point B. "The priority picks was set up after the first instance, as is given the remaining Command Seals to a neutral observer, and after the Third War a bypass exists allowing Anti-Heroes to take part in the Holy Grail War."

The last part was all on the fault of the Einzberns and not for the reasons someone like Kirei or the late Kiritsugu realized. True the presence of Angra Mainyu had opened the door to any sort of Heroic Spirits. Something that was for two other Grail Wars before it was seen as an impossibility. The truth is the bypass the Einzbern had put to summon him in order to get around the rule was not closed. Nor could it ever be closed anymore unless the Fuyuki Grail as it stands was reset. A process that would only happen if the Fuyuki Grail either opened a pathway to the Root, if it had at least granted the wish promised to the victor, or the core soul within the Greater Grail was replaced with a new substitute.

"What about the wish that is offered?" Kirei had not thought about it much as he knew the pointless of wishing on the Lesser Grail now. Any wish would be twisted in a way to either maximize destruction or suffering.

While the offer of a wish was not what the Grail was originally made for it was certainly what the gathered energy could easily do. "For a moment only the energy within the Grail is able to overcome the World allowing in theory anything to be granted but in practice things are more nuanced," Ruler knew that the more broad the wish was the less effective it would be for the long term. "Say, you wished for world peace, the wish would be granted though the energy within would be unable to make it permanent as it is too much even if both Master and Servant wished for it."

An unfortunate truth for anyone expecting is that even the miracle would have factors on if it was temporary or not. Altering an event in the distant past was possible and would create an alternate timeline. The Grail wouldn't be able to ensure the alternate timeline could survive or that what had happened couldn't happen again. Anything immediate would most certainly be granted without issue. Even reviving the dead, something that was almost night-impossible, could be done with the power granted in that instant. Though all of it was in theory as no one had actually been able to win a wish from the Fuyuki Grail. A wish that was technically already trying to be granted.

"If you mind me asking but do you know what Gilgamesh desires with the Grail?" Watching him look over her work she could tell he was keeping check on her progress. It was more along the lines of someone checking up on the object he ordered made. It was very clear to her he had a vested interest in the Grail even if he didn't wish to participate in the upcoming Grail War as a master.

The priest wasn't at all surprised by the question either. Gilgamesh had voiced a few times his displeasure with the modern world. The population of humanity had grown with technology had achieved many things, though at the expense of humans being weaker then they were during his time. There was also the fact that the massive population made each human life seemingly worthless in the King's eyes. Kill one in any field of work and another ten could be found to take their place.

There was also that bit about him wanting the Saber Servant of Kiritsugu Emiya as his own. To Kirei such a thing seemed rather pointless. After all, it was extremely unlikely the King of Knights would return for a second Holy Grail War. "His desire seems to be to use the Grail to cleanse the world of what he deemed as the excess parts of humanity."

So, it was as she suspected with him. Gilgamesh's desire was born it seems by looking at the vast numbers of modern mankind and how utterly rare it seems for one to hold value compared to the humans of his own time. A sentiment that from her understanding was something that his far older and younger self would likely not share for different reasons. "Gilgamesh's wish is impossible to accomplish."

His desire to purge the excess of humanity was pointless. The Greater Grail was already granting the wish of unleashing all of mankind's evils right back at themselves. His wish will be granted but under this wish. Which will end, of course, with the purge of all of humanity. Including Gilgamesh himself as he was an excess from a time long dead. Really, he'll have better luck trying to whip the billions of humans into shape then he would with the wish not killing everyone. Then again what more did she expect from a King who claimed to rule the world.

A claim that Ruler figured had no real legitimacy to think that. In life he never really ruled the whole of the earth. Gaia very clearly didn't recognize him as the planet's ruler. All things considered the will of the planet would probably find some way to humiliate or kill him for claiming such assuming Gaia would even bother. As for Alaya the collective subconscious will of mankind held no care for anyone being completely incapable of such things as love or malice. At most Alaya will only acknowledge him as a threat and end his new life if he decided to get uppity.

Figuring out what Sakura is was something that was a little harder than first thought. Her physical traits of being almost human in appearance did not help. There used to be a few Phantasmals who processed similar appearances though as time went on the number became fewer and fewer. Dead Apostle was as always written out, or at least the typical vampire that was a Dead Apostle. Zouken was a colony of insects but he counted because of the way Dead Apostles are treated. Despite Sakura having a thing for raw meat she didn't seem to have a taste for human flesh and blood. Beyond that the two of them spent part of the night trying to draw some comparison between Sakura and any other Phantasmal they could find.

Such a thing came about with little to show for it. Zouken had notes on Werewolves who still lingered on and some books about the fae but neither was what Sakura was as they could safely say. Reading the books on the fae though did get Sakura thinking for a bit about some of the old stories her grandparents, or former grandparents, used to tell her when she was growing up. Stories about the youkai. Tales that most nowadays thought are nothing but that. Stories and tales from a time of a superstitious people.

Of course, those who were aware of magecraft, of mystery, and of the supernatural that hid behind a facade knew that to call it all a delusion was objectively false. In fact, the world of science and technology, all of current human knowledge about the universe, that was just a grand lie. For in times past the Gods walked the earth, monsters roamed the planet, and magecraft was almost indistinguishable from magic. All of this knowledge was something that Sakura didn't need to read about as Zouken used to spend time just talking about history of the past during her "training" sessions every now and again. Probably, as some sort of means to have her know the barest minimum incase of someone coming to check on her.

'Not this one either,' It was a longshot to compare accounts but Sakura wanted to be sure. Closing the last book a gap was opened as she returned the book to the local library discreetly.

Looking up from her position she saw the suns rays shining through the window. She had stayed up all night and barely felt worse for ware. "I guess I might as well get something to eat," Another gap opened as Sakura reached in and found that there was nothing on the other side. "Oh, right Shinji said we needed to go to the store."

Pulling her hand back Sakura closed the gap with a wave. For a moment she thought about just opening another, leaving the house and appearing within the store to get a bite to eat. Actually, nothing really could stop her from doing that other than herself. Sure, Shinji wanted her to stay in the Matou residence, for the good of others as well as herself, but realistically he had no means to stop her. Sakura had found a way to travel between the very Textures of the world after all. 'Maybe I can just…'

The sound of the doorbell ringing caught her attention as she was stopped for her thoughts. For a brief second she wondered if she should go to open the door and figured it didn't matter if she didn't. With her mind made up she headed to the front door and decided to see just who it was. Opening the door she was greeted with the sight of Illya. "Illya what brings you here?"

Illya's eyes immediately fell on Sakura's now blonde hair, being a little bit surprised by that. That and the fact that Sakura had actually showed up. "Sakura, did you dye your hair?"

"Oh, no this isn't dye," Sakura knew she might be getting that question a lot given how long she's been known to have purple hair. Finding a way around that tidbit would be easy enough as a little hypnosis should do the trick. "Didn't Rin tell you about what happened to me?"

Sakura may have not talked about it with both of the Emiya siblings but Sakura had known that they had to be a mage family. She never talked about it much but she could figure that they had to be one. Given that she had already talked to Rin Sakura was certain her former sister would have told them about her changes. Although, maybe Rin didn't tell them about the change to her hair as it was such a minor thing to her? "What are you talking about?"

Rin hadn't told Illya about what had happened to her. Sakura would be lying if she said she wasn't surprised. To be honest a part of her used to be a bit jealous by how close Rin had been with them. That jealousy was nonexistent now as it was just memories of her at rather low points in her life. "So, she didn't tell you?"

Waking up early was never something that Rin Tohsaka liked but unfortunately for her she had too. The flight back to Finland was far earlier in the day which necessitated it. Even though she had gone to bed earlier then she usually did she still found waking up annoying. Rin knew without a shadow of a doubt that there was no way she could ever become a morning person. 'Next time Luvia booked a flight for us I will make sure it is at least in the afternoon!'

Rin looked at the small amount of gems that she still had on hand as she packed them away. Her sparring matches with Shirou in hopes to help her unlock the Ideal Blood would have eaten away with her gem supply if it wasn't for Illya's alchemy made jewels she probably would have. That did solve the issue of the expensive nature of her magecraft as Illya was willing to give them to her without much in return owing to their friendship. Financially speaking this was a huge burden lifted off her shoulders. Which as she got an idea of where her finances currently rested said a lot.

While the Edelfelts did temporarily take over management to ensure their new branch family were not under issue the Tohsaka real holding had basically been cut in half. Rin wanted to blame it as something intentional by Kirei but the truth was that the priest had actually tried not to cause this. It seems that putting someone who lived his whole life within a religious organization that took care for his financial needs and lived rather humbly would lead to poor business decisions. Still, the gems she needed were not cheap though thankfully that problem was solved. 'Maybe I wouldn't need to use them if I can just get the Ideal Blood to work.'

Being able to create and control crystals would be a huge benefit to her craft. Just creating a gem via its crystalline makeup would solve so many issues in of itself but Shirou believed she wouldn't even need to do that. The principle of crystal would be applied on her when she activated it which he believed would mean she could use any of her spells without the cost of a gem. In essence she became a multi use gemstone basically. All her problems are forever solved when she finally activates it. Well, accept for the fact that passing it on would be an issue.

Shirou had been a bit detailed on what he knew about the dangers. Over eager Dead Apostles Successors could find themselves dead from the effects of being unable to handle the curse that manifested whenever the Ideal Blood was passed on to them. Even if it was Rin's own child who would have a similarity to her Shirou had drilled into her that it wouldn't be like the side effects of passing on her Magic Crest. Passing on the Magic Crest was a cakewalk compared to an Ideal Blood.

'A cakewalk,' Rin looked at the tea she had nearby. The side effects of her own crest was rather mild compared to some of the more severe. 'Just how dangerous is this?'

A few minutes later having finally finished her packing Rin was ready to leave the house and head over to Luvia's little "vacation home" she had set up for herself. Of course, a mansion that was made practically overnight that existed just because she didn't want to take one of the two runned down estates her family formerly had in the area. 'I wonder what she is hoping to do with the place when she doesn't have to keep coming here?'

Rin had an idea that she was hoping to take part in the next Grail War or want to have it as a second workshop of some sort. The former of the two was something that Rin knew was decades away. As for the latter, that was unusual but not unheard of. The Einzbern's had their castle within the Fuyuki forest after all. 'I wonder if Shirou is always feeding in the forest has he come across the Castle?'

It was unlikely he had actually set foot in the place. The Einzberns had a bounded field up to knock back any human or humanoid intruders. Shirou would probably have been knocked back and the Einzberns would contact the Church Overseer or the Second Owner to deal with the incident. Right now both roles are being filled by Kirei and Rin was a bit concerned if Shirou ended up in such a scenario. Did she fear that Kirei could kill him? Not in the slightest given that Shirou was the son/Successor of a Dead Apostle Ancestor.

No, the real issue was the possibility of the Burial Agency getting involved. A Dead Apostle Ancestor or a Successor just living about in the middle of a populated city without anyone knowing, well until recently that is, would look horrible on her. It wouldn't matter if Shirou's threat was low priority or nonexistent. His mother was reason enough to take him out. 'The Church is fanatical and paranoid but I can't say they are wrong in that regard.'

From any outsider's perspective without knowing him Shirou's existence is an extraordinarily horrific thing. Dead Apostles were mostly manageable as they are because of the time and effort needed to become an Ancestor. The infighting and disorganization within the Dead Apostle Ancestors was currently the only thing that kept them from becoming a threat to the world itself. Just to have one made with going through the process of being turned was unsettling. Having said creation be on par with an Ancestor though was a different matter. Not even the Mages Association would be keen on learning how that was done. 'Wait, does Shirou even know how he was made?'

That was something that Rin hadn't bothered to ask. Obviously, he was artificially born, Dead Apostles can't actually reproduce unless they were non standard after all, but he also wasn't obviously a clone of his mother. 'Maybe I should ask him about it sometime.'

Growing up for eight years of her life within the Einzbern Castle, Illya had learned a few things about the Matou family. Most would have assumed given the distaste for having to rely on both the Matou and the Tohsaka that the Einzberns would have a negative view on the two other families. In a way they were right but also surprisingly wrong as they had something of a respect for Makiri Zolgen. Though respect was only for him and from what she had overheard the old Golem did not like him as he was now.

Hearimg what Sakura had been put through she could understand why. However, what was really unsettling was how detached Sakura seemed with recalling the whole thing. By her own words she had been basically sexual assaulted for almost ten years by Chest Worms. Tortured by the creatures as they altered her flesh in order to make her compatible with the Matou's magecraft. A load of crap as Sakura revealed that she kind of never learned much of anything and figured it was for something else entirely. Hearing her speak so casually about what she had gone through, the utter disconnect of talking about what should be traumatizing, was so wrong that Illya wondered what caused this.

She didn't need to wonder long as Sakura just casually dropped the fact that she was no longer human anymore. Somehow she had become some kind of Phantasmal. 'She's just so casual at telling me all of this.'

For her part Sakura knew that telling Illya all about this would have probably made Shinji mad. Revealing what she was to Rin was somewhat of a risk but Rin it seems didn't tell anyone about it anyway. Either because of their former relationship or perhaps because of what she went through. As for Illya she didn't need to worry about her contacting the Mages Association or any other group. Based on her grandfather's notes it turned out that her brother Shirou was a Dead Apostle. Something that she had to file away for later.

"As for why I haven't shown up I been a bit preoccupied with taking over the Matou family, learning magecraft, and trying to figure out just what I even am," Sakura left out the whole crossing over into the Reserve Side of the World. Telling anyone about her ability to travel between Textures would, of course, remain a secret. "That last one has caused my brother to demand I stay within the house until we have some clue as to what I am, mainly for others safety."

Illya wanted to commit about that but quickly stopped herself as she started to understand why. Sakura had become a Phantasmal with no idea what she really was. It wasn't like Shirou who as a Dead Apostle could control and knew everything about himself to live amongst humans safely. If by some chance she had a quirk about herself that made it difficult, or worse she was actively hostile to humans under certain circumstances, then she would need to know. "Wait, have you used Structural Grasping on yourself?"

"Structural Grasping?" Sakura had a vague memory of what she believed she was talking about. It was a basic spell and one that was to her recall supposed to analyze something or other.

"Yeah, its a basic spell that you can use to analyze yourself to get an idea of what you are," Sure, the spell was best with an object and if physically touching someone could only get a limited idea of them. Sure, it might not actually work in helping Sakura figure out just what she was. Shirou was the best at it, to her knowledge, and even he had a hard time getting much of anything from people. Although, that might be more to do with his own Element then anything else.

The merit of such an idea or if it was possible wasn't something that bothered Sakura in the least. Mainly because she didn't know the limitations and because she didn't really have any better option. "I think I know what you are talking about," Finding out about herself was needed to at least give Shinji some peace of mind if not help her know what she could do. "Now, is thrre anything you wanted to talk to me about seeing how you have come all this wah here."

Originally, Illya would have come by to check up on her, to see about dealing with Shinji, and maybe something like bring her over to watch anime with her. It was fair to say that after everything that she had learned that was far from her mind. In fact, she was honestly a bit uncomfortable with staying around Sakura for right now. "No, I think I'll be on my way."

A nod was given by Sakura as Illya got up and left the Matou residence. It was very obvious to the new Matou head that she would tell Shirou about what had happened. 'Maybe I should tell Shinji about it.'

As the Einzbern Homunculus had left Sakura now had a moment to herself to think about Illya's idea to use Structural Grasping on herself. She believed she had an idea of how to use the spell without needing to read about it. Thinking about it she did remember trying it before she had been given to the Matous. While said memory was faded away she could at least pull from what had happened from it. If anyone had been onlooking they probably would have noticed that while Sakura was recalling the spell there was something a bit wrong with it. Much like with her attempt as Projection Sakura was twisting how the spell was supposed to be done.

Closing her eyes she placed her right hand on her left arm and she used the spell. Mentally she was immediately bombarded as if her mind was back within Void Space. Yet what she sensed and what she knew was difficult to put into words for a human mind. Owed to her not understanding some rather vital things. Imagery Numbers dealt with both the Void Space that she had entered but also with spirits. The latter was the reason that Zouken was rather accepting of the deal to take her. Such a thing wouldn't have any real effect on the spell, in fact it might have just enhanced what was learned. The one issue was that this spell was scanning herself. Mentally, had Sakura been human such an event would have probably broken her mind or wrapped it. Her grasping was able to invoke her own soul, her whole history, and along with a detailed understanding of her body as it was now.

Freedom, that was the wish she gave to the Lesser Grail that had been grafted into her. Now she knew what had happened. Zouken had intended to use her as a Lesser Grail. To get his wish from her once she had been readied. The rotting remains of his soul, or rather the biggest part, had been within the worm around her heart. Right at the focus relative to her being when the wish was done and having been so close that a soul fragment had practically been ripped into and through Lesser Grail within her before what remained was gone, fading away into something that unknown to her was the Root itself. Speaking of herself, Sakura's mind was given an almost detailed understanding of herself during the process of her death and rebirth.

She had died, if only for a temporary moment with her soul being basically suspended and attached to her form. Left floating about and then altered by both the new body it inhabited as well as being subjected to the feeling of something. Her existence locked at the border of life and death until it was dragged back. Her soul had repressed the feeling out of instinct as its fundamental nature was wrapped and alongside the body. Finally, her mind returned to the now no longer locked within memory and overflowing with the information gleaned by her incorrect use of a simple spell.

"That was…" Her mind hurt as her vision blurred. Sakura found herself losing control of her legs and fell to the ground. For a moment her mind almost fell into unconsciousness before her thoughts started to slowly return to normal. Everything she needed to know was now known to her.

Yuuka looked over the remains of what had been the lair for the sect of Dead Apostles. The Dead Apostles that both her and Rizo- were supposed to meet up when they had gotten to Greece. A weakened Bounded Field had been the first sign that something was up and it was something that had caught her attention immediately. Inside their had been signs of a battle, furniture that had been collected destroyed, the walls blasted with holes through them, and objects smashed to pieces.

Bodies though were not something they could find which wasn't surprising. Once killed a Dead Apostle's body was known to break down rapidly turning seemingly to dust. Yet, just seeing everything Rizo-Waal was adamant that it was unlikely anyone survived the attack. "This wasn't a group if I had to guess only one attacker."

"By the looks of it whoever they are didn't seem to linger here long after the fact," By the looks of things the attack couldn't have been no more then a few hours ago. Two things stood out though to him about this situation. For one there was no signs of blood, even a surprise attack from a member of the Burial Agency should at least have that possibility, especially given the damage wasn't overwhelmingly massive. That meant whomever was here had fought them and limited the damage on preference. 'That means it has to be a Dead Apostle who did this.'

A list of possible names passed through his mind as he ran down the possibilities. Most of the noteworthy Dead Apostle Superiors were crossed out, as were any candidates for the vacant positions as both had no desire to start crap with the faction of the Black Princess. Next came the Ancestors and again he eliminated many possible candidates that didn't have a reason to do so. What remained of those that did he compared to how they usually went about attacks like this and found only one that fit the most out of them. The Renegade of the Twenty-seven, and the current Eighteenth seat.

Normally, Rizo-Waal would probably be eager to track down and put him within his place. Especially, given that he wanted to test the might of the Dead Apostle Ancestor who went about killing their kind. Right now though he was on another mission. 'Business before pleasure as the saying goes,' Maybe if there was time after they got their hands on a Catalyst he could track down and fight the Renegade Ancestor. "The Eighteenth was here and is very likely still in the area."

Yuuka knew this would probably not have been easy as the both of them had to prevent any attention being drawn to them. Though that was with the original plan which had been destroyed thanks to the actions of someone who was more than likely ok with fighting them both if they ever did meet. 'At least the both of us should be more than enough to take him out.'

Enhance had gotten his position via killing the previous holder but from what was learned it was less that he had the raw power to do it and more he had used the previous Eighteenth own weapon against them. A tactic that had succeeded in killing a Dead Apostle Ancestor, earning him the title as no rivals existed, but meant that he wasn't much more than an upstart. Though after his meeting with, and working with, the Church the very obvious Dead Apostle Lesser had shot up conceivably. Still, he hadn't faced anyone strong enough to be a proper Ancestor. Rizo-Waal was a bit more curious than unconcerned about the Eighteenth given the sudden rise in power he had exhibited. 'I wonder if they had given him…'

Alright, I just about finished Sakura's arc as I had planned from early on. I just realized that I am twenty chapters into this story. I didn't really think I would get this far but I am committed to hopefully finishing this. The slowed updates are something I might not be able to fix given that well, life does things after all. Anyway, yes the story will go a bit into the acquiring of a Catalyst and what problems that will entitle. I figured I give a bit with Shirou's mom before hitting back with the last bit of build up before the Grail War begins.

You don't want to miss that. Trust me.

I'll cya all next chapter.