The Story of Illya Emiya
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Fate Stay franchise or the characters associated with them.
"talking"
Thoughts
Praesens
~ Fuyuki city ~
Walking around the streets was a very handsome man dressed in a business suit.
Moon light hair with an average build, anyone would think he was a super model. Just walking by he easily caught the eyes of everyone.
Children stared at awe.
Women blushed and gawk.
Men could only admire and envy at the same time.
But it couldn't be helped. Everyone knew or even heard of his name from time to time as one of the greatest legends of human history.
He was Merlin the magus of flowers.
A man born between a human mother and an incubus father. Blessed with incredible magical potential, he also took after his father quite a bit. That was his charm which had caused him quite a few love affairs over his lifetime. A whimsical individual which just seemed to brew trouble.
However things were not going according to his plan. Through a series of other events he was successfully summoned and known now as Caster. But for who summoned him, that was not expected. Though he did everything he could to resist, he was forced into servitude by 'her'. For what he did now, he did without choice.
Now in the middle of the afternoon, Caster had arrived at his destination. "Emiya residence . . . ." as he looked around the large estate. Walking up to the front door he knocked as soon a silver haired woman greeted him.
"Hello, is there something I can help you with?" asked Sella.
". . . . Yes, I'm afraid so".
~ Emiya residence ~ (early that morning)
Squeezing out a wet towel, Illya tended to Miyu as it had been two days now since her best friend arrived at her door.
Since arriving she would waver in and out of consciousness not long enough to answer any questions.
As for the owl she brought, it's condition had significantly improved yet was also resting. Regardless she didn't think she would get much answers out of it for obvious reasons even if it was a familiar.
"Illya" as Sella walked in. "You better get going now or you'll be late for school".
"I know . . . ."
"I understand you are concerned for her. But you have nothing to worry about as Leysritt and I will be here when she wakes. Sakura will also return home early to help out. So please try to relax or else everyone is going to get worried".
Illya just looked sad as she didn't want to be apart from her. She had spent every waking moment at her side praying she'd wake up. But after a bit she forcefully put on a strained cheerful smile. "OK . . . . Please notify me as soon as possible when she wakes up".
"Of course" Sella bowed.
Leaving for school with Kuro, Shirou, Saber, and Sakura they soon met up with Rin along the main road. Walking along they discussed their main focus. That was Luvia and her servant Caster.
Discussing the possibilities and recent events they came to the theory that Luvia was the one responsible for all those public incidents. Rin had trouble accepting this. Though a dream come true and making things easier in the long run painting her long time rival as a villain. However she had known the blond magus for quite a few years. Though she had some very annoying personality traits, she couldn't imagine her doing such horrid things border lining on heresy. But then as Rin continued to think about it, can one truly ever know a person?
Saber was also of the same opinion of Caster. She may not have known much about Luvia, but she did know plenty about the magus of flowers. Though a troublesome adult who just loves to brew all kinds of problems he was a good man at heart. So she couldn't understand him scheming or even being a part of these evil acts. But just as strange was him actually harvesting mana. There was no reason for him to do so. Though she kept this fact to herself as she had promised her mentor never to share the reason behind it.
Once at school Luvia had spotted the group as they had just recently crossed the front gate. For some time now she and her partner had been patiently gathering all they needed before making their move. Once their preparation were complete there would have been no one capable of stopping them. Even if all the servants and masters were to gather together now they would have been crushed all the same against their overwhelming war potential. Though they still had a little ways to go they had to move up their plans.
Miyu was a key component after discovering her 'unique' feature. Since she escaped, they not only had to retrieve her but also had to assume she might have told someone what they were up too. But if not possible, there were three other replacements to suit their needs. However the stoic girl was the easier target to claim.
Needing to retrieve her, there was really only one place she would've ran. Thus with no one around to protect it, Caster was sent to retrieve her.
~ Emiya residence ~ (mid-afternoon)
Sakura had returned early from school with no classes or clubs to attend too. As it was like just another day, Sella cleaned around while Leysritt pawed at the Matou heir to cook something for her.
Hearing a knock at the door was the moment trouble was invited in.
Answering, Sella was dazed at the man before her. As an Einzbern homunculus, any 'normal' human traits were weeded out if it was deemed unnecessary for their design. Her function was too only serve as a teacher and caretaker to Illya. Yet oddly some part of her felt drawn to him. Though not enough to devolve into some swooning woman. So, "I'm sorry, who are you?"
Caster was doing everything in his power to resist. Yet, "forgive me for what I'm about to do".
Elsewhere in the house Miyu was still unconscious as well as Archimedes. The moment the knock was heard, the silver owl popped up. Trying to flap his wings, several of it's primary feathers were damaged. Closing his eyes and focusing, a white aura surrounded him as the feathers were instantly repaired as he then jumped down to Miyu pecking her on the arm.
"Hoot! Hoot!" as Archimedes desperately tried to awaken her. With no effect, the owl focused again as that same aura appeared around the stoic girl as she soon abruptly sat up taking a deep breath.
Covered in cold sweat while grasping her chest, Miyu quickly looked around to understand the situation. Feeling pecks on the arm she looked to see the owl trying to get her attention. Seeing it's panicked state, it only meant one thing as the front door was being answered. Quickly throwing off the blanket while running out, Archimedes flew right behind her. Just reaching the corner rounding to the front door it was too late.
Sella was thrown back slowly retreating while holding a bloody wound on her arm.
"We have to get away now!" said Miyu desperately. "We're no match for Caster!"
The Einzbern maid didn't have time to react to her guests sudden recovery or the intruder being a servant. She needed to focus on her duties. "Get behind me! I had promised Illya to keep you safe and that's what I intend to do".
Caster had just calmly walked in and closed the door behind him while taking his shoes off at the entrance. It was kind of disturbing in principle how nonchalant he was. But he tried to buy every little moment he could for the people he was about to assault.
Sella could only cringe as she protectively stood in front of Miyu. In terms of magic, she was completely out of her league against this man. Running would equally be near pointless. However she was not the only guardian of the house. "Leysritt!"
Reacting like an attack dog, the other Einzbern maid came blitzing in with her halberd.
In response Caster summoned his staff for battle.
As the two battled in the hall, "what's going on?!" as Sakura came in to find this scene.
"Both of you, escape now. Leysritt and I will hold him here. Now go!"
"I'm afraid that is no longer possible" said Caster sadly. Trying to keep his mouth closed with his teeth clenched tight his lips started to tremble as he tried not to utter his most dangerous spell. Yet the words still whimpered out of him.
Understanding what was about to happen, "Leysritt! Hurry! Don't let him finish!" Sella shouted.
Fighting skillfully in the hall, Leysritt tried to land a clean hit against the spell based servant. Regardless of her increased ferocity Caster kept eluding her strikes even though it seemed like she was hitting at every angle with super human speed and precision.
Muttering the final words as the magus of flowers finished his spell, there was nothing his opponents could do anymore.
~ Homurahara academy ~ (late afternoon)
Walking home together with Illya were Kuro, Saber, Shirou, and Rin.
But after a bit, "that's odd" said Kuro as she blinked at this realization.
"Huh?" Illya quirked. "What is?"
"Haven't we walked by this corner for the third time now?"
"Wait, now that you mention it . . . ." as Shirou looked back.
"Then we just walked by your house three times now" said Rin.
Realizing this fact the four magus and the servant double backed. Obviously something was up as the only explanation was that someone had set up an incredibly powerful bounded field forcing everyone in the area to avoid it. Walking through it, they all felt it's power pelting against their senses telling them to turn around and go the other way. But knowing it was going on, it was simple enough to ignore it.
But the more troubling part was that the closer they got to home the stronger the feeling was as well as the sense of foreboding.
Standing right in front of the house, Illya felt her insides twist as it was the source of the disturbance as everything 'appeared' alright from the outside. Casting a counter spell, nothing could prepare her for what she was about to see.
Once the field was disabled everything became clear.
The house looked like it's been through a terrible battle. All the windows were shattered. Several walls were completely decimated. Quite a few holes were punched through the roof. The trees and garden were in shambles. For everything else was littered with either burns of some sort or slash marks.
Seeing your home is such a state, one couldn't help but feel vulnerable at how personal of an attack it was.
But more then that were the people who were living there.
"Sella! Leysritt! Miyu! Sakura!" they screamed out in desperation. Quickly running into the house they could only pray for the best.
Yet the moment they stepped in Illya could only feel her heart stall. Her family/maids were battered and mutilated in a horrific way.
Leysritt was impaled into the wall with one sword stuck in her shoulder and another from her stomach. Lying just a few feet away was her severed right leg and arm still holding her halberd.
Sella was faring no better as smears of her blood painted the floor and walls. Suffering a deep wound to her stomach, if even the slightest movement was made her innards might have spilled out.
Feeling tears well up in her eyes, Illya bit her lip as this was not the time for it. Checking on them, they were both alive but barely as they were hanging on by a thread.
Getting to work Illya and Saber tended to Sella while Shirou, Rin, and Kuro did what they could for Leysritt. For every second was a crucial moment they couldn't afford to waste. As great as magic was, it too also had it's limitations.
So concentrating every ounce of their focus Illya, Kuro, and Rin healed while Shirou and Saber gave whatever support they could.
"Come on! Hang in there!" Illya cried out desperately. "If you die on me I'll never forgive you!" as she poured every bit of mana she could into healing.
"Focus on what you're doing!" Kuro barked out. "I can only do one thing at a time here!"
"I generally don't ever do healing alright!" Rin shot back. "So lay off!"
"Saber, make sure to apply even pressure over the wound" said Shirou. "We need to stop the bleeding as much as we can".
"Of course" said Saber.
For at least thirty minutes it was an up hill battle for both Sella and Leysritt. For a few moments at a time, the cold hands of death had tried to claim them only to be swatted away by Illya and the others efforts. Finally after a full hour of struggling, both Einzbern maids were in the clear as they were now resting in their rooms.
Sitting around to calm themselves while recuperating mana, Illya's face became dead serious as she stood up while making her way to the door. With her back faced to them, they were all curious to what she was doing. It was obvious who was responsible for this. Also to where Miyu and Sakura were. Thus "everyone . . . . Please stay here and watch over Sella and Leysritt. Saber and I have some business at Luvia's house".
"Hold on a moment" said Shirou. "You're not going alone into something like this either".
". . . . I know exactly what I'm walking into".
"Huh?"
Kuro's feature stiffened as all the pieces had fallen into place as she like Illya have finally understood what Luvia was up too. But concerning Miyu out of respect to her she would omit her part to play in all this. Thus she summed it up and filled everyone else in. "Luvia . . . . She's planning to do something crazy. With all the mana she had managed to harvest she's going to forcibly open the grail and make a wish on it".
"And how does she plan to do that without you or Illya?" then asked Rin.
"Because Sakura is also a grail unit . . . ." Illya answered. "With enough mana and the right ritual, Sakura will be used as a sacrifice to summon the greater grail for a wish to be made".
With stunned looks to go around, the brunette magus could only clench her teeth as she angrily turned Illya around grabbing her by her shirt collar and shoved her into a wall. Shirou and Saber were dumbstruck to act while Kuro could only remain silent for not saying anything about it.
"Why didn't you tell me that thing was inside my sister?!" Rin screamed in outrage. "How long did you know?! Or did you not care to tell anyone about it?!"
The young homunculus didn't even react as she calmly took her rage. Gently placing her hand on hers, "because she didn't want to make you worry with everything that's been happening lately. But you can ask her yourself when I finish picking her up at Luvia's place".
"You're not going anywhere without me" said Rin. "If anyone is going to kick that blond drills ass it's going to be me".
"I'm going too" said Shirou. "There is no way I can sit this one out".
"Count me in too" as Kuro stepped in. "You're going to need all the fire power you can get. Besides, Sella and Leysritt will be fine for a while. So let's wrap this up before dinner alright".
Seeing everyone's determined faces, Illya could only sigh. "Ten minutes then. Get what you need".
Shirou had all he needed with his projection and reinforcement magecraft. He was a walking factory of weapons as he was confident he would be able to hold his own. But if he was going to fight he was going to be comfortable as he slipped into his jeans, blue white sleeve shirt, and a black white jacket.
Since Rin visited the Emiya residence constantly she practically had her own room there now. Thus she ended up keeping a small chest of gems there just in case. The stones functioned like an extra battery without dipping into her own current mana reserves. It allowed her to cast powerful spells without worry. However such a magic tool was both expensive and time consuming to build up and manage. But for Sakura, it was a price she was willing to pay. Waving her hand, Archer appeared as he followed right behind her.
With Illya and her servant abilities, Kuro for the time being would be borrowing the origin scarf and Leysritt's halberd.
Being that she didn't want to waste a second more, Illya had been maintaining her diligence in rebuilding the Emiya magic crest as she had successfully created a new spell. It was essentially teleportation by exchanging two points in space with each other. However she was only able to go to places she knew or saw and was only able to bring those within the 'field' of her spell. Once everyone was gathered, "space alter! Exchange!" Instantaneously experiencing the transition, Illya's group now stood in front of Luvia's home just outside the mansion's gates.
Draping on her black coat, Illya kicked open the gate as they went in.
Hearing explosions going on from within, "looks like someone started the party before us" said Kuro.
"Let's go" said Illya as everyone ran in. Kicking open the doors, they found the source of the disturbance.
Running on the second floor walk way, Miyu was barely staying ahead of Caster as bolts of energy were being fired at her. Flying at her side was Archimedes as the owl was projecting a barrier shielding the girl from his master. Like before the owl had barely managed their escape as they were trying to get to an exit. "Hurry Archimedes! This way!" Miyu exclaimed. "We're almost there!"
"Miyu!"
Looking down, she was surprised who was there. "Illya?!"
This was a mess she would have to sort out with her friend later. But first came her safety. Placing her hand on Saber's shoulder, she timed for the exact moment Miyu crossed a certain area as she needed to be precise about it. Reaching that exact spot, "space alter! Exchange!" Switching places, Miyu and Archimedes were with the others as she and Saber stood before Caster.
Facing her friend, the knightly servant went into guard stance as a slight frown graced her lips. "I'm sorry we had to meet again like this under such unpleasant circumstances" said Saber. "But you give us no choice now for what I must do!" as she charged at the magus of flowers. Firing multiple bolts of energy, the knightly servant skillfully either side stepped them or deflected them with her sword. Knowing the power Caster possessed she would end this in one strike. Her heart was in disarray for what she must do. But for the burdened weight she carried, there was no other way. Unsheathing Excalibur from it's concealing wind, it's brilliance started to shine. At point blank range she was ready to strike at her long time friend and mentor.
As the two servants were about to clash "stop!" Miyu screamed out. "You don't understand! He's not the real enemy!"
"What?"
But in that moment of hesitation Caster erupted an area blast blowing up the section they were standing on.
Saber protected her master from the blast as they started to fall.
"Space alter!" Illya shouted. "Exchange!" as she and Saber safely landed next to her group as some debris was shifted with them. Pulled to their feet, the young homunculus didn't know what she wanted to do first. Either hug her friend or demand answers from her. Then there was also the fact that she just performed magic in front of her which she might have to explain.
But before she could even decide, "things are not what they appear to be" said Miyu. "There is too much to explain at once. But Luvia is not the one controlling him!"
"What are you talking about?" asked Rin. "Of course she is".
"You don't understand!" as Miyu was trying to convey the most important pieces of information. "Merlin was not the Caster she summoned. I don't know who the servant was. But I'm absolutely certain it was a woman".
"My my, haven't someone been a nasty gossip".
Everyone looked up to see the guest of honor herself as Luvia walked out. However it was not her voice that they heard as another woman came out from right behind her. Dressed elegantly like a noble, this woman was incredibly beautiful with dark hair and fair skin in which it was only equal to her radiance.
"That's her" as Miyu was wide eye. "That's the one Luvia summoned".
"Who is she?" asked Shirou.
"Saber?" as Illya looked to servant with concern. She had never seen or even thought she could react in such a way as her face and body posture trembled radically. She seemed almost like glass to which if she was even touched a little she would shatter. "Saber?" she repeated again. "What's wrong? Do you know her?"
"It's been a while Arturia or do you prefer Saber now?" the servant woman asked.
Saber was barely holding her composure together. Regardless of her claims she still felt some very strong human feelings beginning to overwhelm her senses. Gritting her teeth, ". . . . Sister" she muttered out.
"Sister?! Wait, that could only mean . . . . !" as Illya looked back.
"Morgan Le Fey" said Kuro.
"With pride" as the female Caster gave a slight bow. "But where are my manners. We have guests as my own sibling has taken the time to come here to visit. Especially when we have a family reunion". On that note another woman had walked out stunning everyone as she looked just like Saber but in a red color scheme.
For a second time the knightly servant was taken back. " . . . . Mordred" she choked out.
"Since we're all here I believe the rest should be called as well" as the witch queen conveyed her will over her counter part.
Struggling to resist, the magus of flowers had no other choice as he started to perform his spell. "This is the declaration of my will. The sorrows of the past and the hope that lays ahead. A wish united in the hearts of all. Wielding the souls of the brave. You shall never stand alone. Bound by honor and tradition. Battle is waged in the name of the many. The brave who uphold these far off ideals . . . ." as eight of the ten verses had been recited.
"Oh no" as Illya's group knew what was coming.
"For this time you are needed once again. Come forth, the knights of Camelot". In a bright flash of light everyone was swallowed into the reality marble. As their eyes adjusted they soon found themselves in a world beyond their own. Standing within a castle's courtyard Illya's group found themselves completely outnumbered and out gunned against countless knights armed with armor, swords, spears, axes, maces, arrows, and shields. No doubt in their minds that each of them were on the level of servants. Standing as their superiors before this mighty army were the legendary knights of the round.
"No . . . ." as Saber felt her spirit shaken. These were her knights as she was being forced to face them now as enemies.
"Didn't I tell once father" as Mordred jumped out in front. "Everything you have would belong to me".
"Mordred!" as Saber's face barely contained her outrage as she went into guard stance.
"Please father" she smirked. "Call me Assassin".
To be continued . . . .
Author's notes: Thus another chapter to which I hope it was OK. Now onto some notes.
I'm still developing the Emiya magic crest as Illya is still building up it's abilities. So as noted she can now perform space alter, exchange. As the name implies she exchanges the space between two places. Equally as noted, it's not a broken skill like instantaneous teleportation. Additional information she just can't switch places with someone else unless it's perfectly timed. But in live combat, perfect timing is not always possible.
I'll go into more information next chapter to how Luvia summoned both Merlin and Morgan Le Fey. But it goes back to her sorcery trait ores scales to which I'll elaborate later in the following chapter.
Now concerning the magus of flowers and the witch queen, their abilities are a complete mystery as it's mostly assumptions based on some vague information. So I'll develop them as I go to figure out how to make them work. But what I do know is that their powers are supposed to be closely matched to each other. However Merlin is just a head of her. Still looking into it.
But since Merlin's abilities is such a big question mark it left plenty of room to build it up. According to the lexicon, it wouldn't be too far fetched if a Caster possessed a reality marble. Going along that line of thought, it was Merlin who set the gears into motion creating Camelot. So it would make sense that if he did have a reality marble it would be related to it. So I decided to make it a ten verse aria in order to summon it. However there aren't a lot of examples of reality marbles as I only know a few rules about them. So bare with me on this one.
Mordred's role as Assassin applies here as that was her essential purpose in taking out Arturia for the throne. As noted in the lexicon she also shares traits with the Saber and Berserker class. Now obviously all Assassin class carries the trait of the skull mask. If you don't possess one then technically you're not a true Assassin by the basis of the grail war. But once again it's something I'll cover later.
So if there any questions or concerns feel free to ask to which I'll try my best to answer.
Thank you for reading and I further extend my gratitude if you can review as well.