REPOSTED Author's Note from last chapter (DONT SKIP)
I SHOT MYSELF IN THE FOOT. I didn't mean to confuse everyone that I shipped Kiritsugu x Arturia. I specifically separated "Arturia" and "his family" because they count as two different things, we wouldn't have Illyasviel in this world if I shipped the two. Irisviel would come from the grave to murder me for NTR. The plot bomb was more like the introduction of Einzbern connection to the sisters, and that Saber has already been summoned into this world by Irisviel (remember that they are summonable legends now, no need Holy Grail War).
I'm not that evil I promise!
As compensation for the big misunderstanding, I'll drop a leak myself. Einzbern-Kriegsmarine connection will play a major role in Volume 6 later on. (YES! I have a plot developed that far ahead!)
Thank you for the critical review, AquaWhite.
Yes, I know I already fucked around with the usual "Nasuverse only" universe. It gets crazier down the line. I wanted something crazy, something unique and explosive that's out of the normal for this fandom.
I can't drop the full list of crossovers I have already planned out, but all I can say is, get ready for the shitstorm. The crossovers will be very limited, mostly locked within each volume. None of them will become an overarching plot spanning multiple volumes.
I won't lie that this will be a mess, but I want it to be my mess. Maybe someday, I'll write a serious fanfic once I have more experience. But for now, I'm still making mistakes and building on the lessons. Thank you for throwing some critical reviews my way.
Do give some leeway for my first fanfic though, thanks for telling me that I started with a good beginning.
Late summer, half a year prior.
9 year old Sakura casted a basic barrier spell to push back the group of skeletons, followed by a silent fire wave to burn the undead creatures, spawned from the local underground dungeon.
This was the last time Sakura would be in a dungeon for quite a while. So Garamm decided that it would be good to spend a few hours in the dungeon underneath Fuyuki city.
Soon, they would be leaving Nihonn. Garamm had finished his assignment in the country and would be travelling back to the Albion Isles. The Isles were west of the central continent, which was a long distance to travel even by using magical transportation. A straight path was impossible due to how far Nihonn was to the Albion Isles; that even taking connecting routes from each city would take years.
So the plan was to arrive in time for the Winter Solstice, one of the two days in which the Grand Continental Gates were open. The gates were magical portals created to connect the four outlying continents with the central continent, allowing for people to teleport in between the continents without having to spend years travelling. But that was only between gates, which were built in the center of each continent. Normal means were still required to reach other places.
The Grand Continental Gates were supermassive magical constructs. The space required to lay down the thaumaturgical construct was immense, the matrix being composed of thousands of spell codes interwoven together to warp the space within.
Who said teleporting was easy? The sheer amount of space being torn between to connect two different locations was already a feat in itself, but to do the mystery on such a large scale, and on such a long distance was practically a miracle. The distance between the central and eastern gates alone were roughly estimated to be close to the distance of the Earth's entire equator.
40,000 kilometers.
If Shirou ever learned of this, he would be crying for the invention of airplanes. The sheer distance required 46 hours or more of plane travel. But this world's fastest form of transportation were flying magical galleons, easily the same speed of their magical water counterparts, which were already thrice as fast as normal galleons. Magical galleons covered 280 kilometers in a day, which would take 5 months just to travel the same distance, but that was only if full speed was kept for the duration, with no docking and refueling.
Just a small bit faster than the 6 months spent waiting for the gates to activate.
Why was the gate only active twice a year? That was primarily due to the massive amounts of energy it consumed to operate for one entire day. It was active during the Winter and Summer Solstice, the two days where magical energy spiked to supernatural levels, making magic easier, while also causing magical events to occur. During this time, the gates find it easier to break the fabric of space and connect to one another.
The plan was to take a flying galleon across the sea, then take the normal transport routes to the Eastern Continental Gate. The trip would take a month, leaving only two more months to wait for the Winter Solstice. Then, Garamm and Sakura would arrive in the central continent. Two more months would be needed to reach the Albion Isles after that.
The total trip would take 3 months, considering the gate massively cut down the time needed. Normally, it would've taken 9 months, reaching up to one year and a half for a full round trip.
It just goes to show how much larger this world was.
Another wave of skeletons appeared, Sakura rapidly retreating to keep them at range. Garamm was watching from behind, prepared to intervene if Sakura failed to keep the hoard at bay. Not much of a hoard really, there were only a dozen of them.
One year of training had brought Sakura far, she went from discovering magic, to blazing past the novice(E) and beginner stages(D), placing her at the early portion of intermediate(C). Her official adventurer rank even reflected that status, which was quickly noticed. A 9 year old C- ranked mage, apprenticed by an S rank.
Sakura was slowly building a reputation for herself.
She didn't know it yet, having been busy travelling around with Garamm. They didn't stay in any place too long, moving from city to city each month. Most of their time was spent on the road flying from one place to another. Garamm's earth magic proved convenient in that regard.
Sakura stomped the ground in front of her, channeling mana through her legs and into the floor, sending a shockwave through the ground. The unprepared skeletons collapsed from the sudden tremors that reached them. Skeletons weren't intelligent, so they wouldn't really know how to react to such an attack.
She burst forth after the tremor ended, attacking the downed mobs with magically enhanced fists and kicks. Using a magical attack would've just been a waste of her repertoire. So Sakura had to settle for beating the skeletons with melee. Thankfully, she was allowed to lightly enhance her body with magic, technically not counted as a spell but a technique.
That was the challenge Garamm had set for her.
Sakura was told to defend from dungeon mobs with a handicap. She was limited to casting a spell once, before having it banned from her repertoire. Thankfully, she was only facing D ranked skeleton mobs. Had it been a variety of mobs, Sakura would have run out of spells earlier. The skeletons only needed their mobility to be disabled before she would break them apart.
But it had been 15 minutes already, and she was nearly out of options. Sakura was beginning to run out of energy already, judging by the lethargic movements she used to dismantle the last wave of skeletons.
Further ahead, another group was already making its way towards them. 15 minutes for a dungeon raid was nothing, especially when you had a dedicated raid group around you to share the burden. But constantly fighting waves alone was practically suicide.
"Alright that's enough." Garamm waved his hand, casting tiny mana balls, each one quickly homing on a target exploding at contact. In an instant, the group was easily destroyed and their forms crumpled from the sudden disappearance of a large portion of their bodies."You did well. Let's head back up."
Sakura caught her breath as Garamm intercepted the wave in her stead. Running low on magical energy was akin to exhausting your muscles. Her prana circuits were burning, but Garamm intervened before she reached critical levels. The focus of the entire exercise was to build her endurance for prolonged fights, overloading her mana system was going to be detrimental to her progress.
After clearing the nearby mobs, Garamm casted a boundary over them. The barrier was tied to him as the center, making it flexible. Sakura was able to relax a bit more after the barrier was erected. She had seen Garamm's barrier in action and while she didn't understand the true extent of its capabilities, Sakura had learned that it was one of his talents.
Of the several dungeon raids they had joined in the past year, Sakura had yet to see any attack reach Garamm. Even the more powerful attacks simply fizzled out like smoke the deeper they penetrated.
Garamm explained to her that his barrier was a result of his boundary magic. Boundary magic which he studied in the Albion Isles. Specifically, the "domain" magic that the dragon Albion erected over the Albion Isles during the First Era.
Domains are magical territories created by the presence of powerful beings. The dragon domain Albion used to mark his claim over the isles was a reflection of his strength, able to maintain itself independently without him.
Garamm studied the dragonic domain for decades, only managing to understand and apply a small portion of the domain's intricate work into his magecraft. But that small portion was enough to augment his boundary magic leagues beyond what was thought in the New World Association. With a real domain to research, his boundary magic was one of the most advanced, bridging the gap between extraterrestrial domains and human magic.
Garamm's boundary magic was nearly a miniature domain replica.
He saturated the boundary with not only his presence, but also his energy. It acted as a filter, weakening external mana because of the density increase from the combined ambient and human mana flooding the space.
Any spells and objects entering the space would be noticed immediately, boosting his awareness beyond normal human limits. Combined with his battlefield arts, it gave him extraordinary ability to attack the enemy without having visual contact with the target.
Earth magic was heard behind a few corners, jolting Sakura back to her feet.
"Just another group of skeletons, don't mind them." Garamm answered. He began retracing their steps back to the dungeon entrance. Sakura followed behind while downing a small water bottle from her spatial ring. Constant fighting had made her thirsty and the numerous enemies didn't allow her to take a break.
"Once we return to our accommodations, you have an hour to rest. Then we will begin preparing for the gathering."
Sakura nodded. She didn't want to attend, but Garamm had been training her on how to behave in formal parties. It was going to be a part of her future duties after all. Attending high-class events organized by nobles was a requirement if she was to become a subordinate to a future candidate for the leadership of the El-Melloi family.
"Are you ready? You will be accompanying me on stage when I give my speech." Garamm was concerned about how Sakura would perform on the balcony. All her previous gatherings were spent on the sidelines, learning the ropes and conversing with interested parties about her connection with Garamm.
This time, she would be in the center of attention. In the past year, word had spread about Garamm's prodigious student. Attendees in the event would be watching her every move, curious about the 9 year old magus student.
"I-I'm ready." Sakura convinced herself. All she had to do was stand behind Garamm as he addressed the new generation of hopefuls who dreamed of studying under the magical academies. The event was organized by the Tohsaka and Makiri families, both families are irrefutable proof of the success in graduating from the academies.
The Makiri were foreigners, their homeland being somewhere in the northern continent. One of their ancestors graduated from Natallhyre, the greatest of the northern academies. Natallhyre represented the ability of the north, considered as one of the five greatest magical institutes, the other four being the academic institutes from the four other continents.
In comparison, the Tohsakas were a local clan. A Nihonnian family that gained reputation after their ancestor graduated from the central continent's leading academy, Eurowyyn. Upon returning to Nihonn, the ancestor went and built the renowned Tohsaka clan known today.
The Tohsaka and Makiri clans invited other magus families to attend the event along with many other guests. Some professors from eastern magical academies also accepted invitations to the gathering. Already, the event was looking to become one of the biggest gatherings in the past year.
Sakura was nervous, but Garamm wasn't going to take no for an answer. As such, she had spent much of the past week preparing for the event, reviewing her etiquette with Garamm for multiple hours.
It was a good thing that Sakura and Garamm were sitting with the Makiri and Tohsaka family hosts at the head table, limiting the amount of interaction during dinner. But before that, she had to survive associating with many strangers.
It was going to be a nightmare.
…
Sakura smiled at another guest who approached her. This was the thirtieth time she had been engaged in conversation with a stranger she didn't recognize. She had spent some time going over well known individuals who might've attended the gathering, but so far none of them had approached her.
She glanced further away to Garamm's location. It seemed that they were content enough to talk with him instead. A small blessing for her, since she wasn't sure how to converse with them. At least the ones talking with her now weren't very confident and backed off after an exchange or two.
Now if only they wouldn't approach bringing boys her age. Most of them had been praising her talent, followed by an introduction to their son. It was fine, Sakura only assumed that they were only giving her a chance to talk with someone her age.
Except that the boys were busy showering her with too many cheesy compliments. It was uncomfortable when one particular boy went as far as calling her an angel on earth.
She quickly retreated from that one.
Sakura didn't know it, but they were trying to woo her attention. Something that never crossed her mind. Behind the graceful and calm exterior she portrayed was a 9 year old country girl who was too young to understand the intentions behind the subtle actions of others.
She retreated to one of the balconies outside the grand event hall, hoping to avoid any more awkward confrontations. Built on the precipice of the hilltop, the balcony overlooked the sprawling Fuyuki city below. Sakura neared the parapet, entranced by the sight in front of her. A year of travelling had introduced her to new panoramas, but the cityscape still awed her the most.
It was just very different compared to the natural landscape she had grown up with.
The city remained alive at night. The streets lit up with lamps, bouncing off walls and people alike. It was comparable to the twinkling stars in the open sky above.
It was calming, standing on the open balcony, watching the sky and the city. The inaudible murmur of the crowd in the hall only accentuated the contrast between her quiet village and the bustling metropolis she found herself in.
For some time, Sakura enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. A few other people also wandered the patio, but none paid attention to her. Here, she was allowed to be left at peace.
"May I ask the name of this beautiful flower basking in the moonlight?"
Until someone decided to ruin it.
Sakura turned towards the person. It was a boy older than her, with blue hair and grayish blue eyes.
The first person she recognized during the entire night. The current heir of the Makiri clan, Shinji Makiri.
He slid a hand through his hair while swiping a flower from the veranda, before presenting it to Sakura in a pose. He knelt on one foot, his hand extending the flower towards her.
"Beautiful maiden, would this lowly mortal have the honor of knowing thy name?"
He didn't recognize her? Sakura was already feeling uncomfortable with the way he was speaking. Even the others didn't approach her like that.
"I-I'm sorry. Is this how the Makiri heir is supposed to act?" Sakura stammered on her words.
She had been caught off guard. This was the first time someone didn't act formally in front of her.
"I see that my reputation has reached you, milady. Forgive me for your beauty has entranced me so..." Shinji stood from his kneeling position and moved closer.
Sakura took a step back. The Makiri heir was getting too close for her liking.
"Y-your compliments are well received, but I cannot stay for too long. The speeches are about to begin." Sakura tried to make excuses, hurrying back to Garamm was better than dealing with this.
Shinji silently slid between her and the entrance. Somehow, the flower moved from his hand to his lips.
"Surely, a few minutes of your time would be enough?"
This was really unnerving Sakura. What did this boy want from her? The attention he was showering on her was different from the others.
Aggressive was one way to put it.
Sakura paused in front of the Makiri heir. Taking her pause as a cue, Shinji smirked and took the rose from his mouth, presenting it to the stunned lady.
A flash of uncertainty crossed Sakura's face. If she declined again, would the Makiri heir make a fuss about it? Garamm had been teaching her to deflect, but this boy was not taking no for an answer. She didn't want to make any enemies with her actions, and Garamm wouldn't be happy if she returned with problems.
"I knew you were up to no good. Back off and leave the poor girl alone." A voice came from behind the boy.
Shinji paled immediately and turned around to face the stranger.
"Aha…nice to see you Rin! Not busy entertaining guests?" He started sweating. Rin was never one to put up with his charade.
"Y-you idiot! You don't recognize her?!" Rin gasped in shock once she saw the girl Shinji had been wooing.
"Huh? What do you mean?" The Makiri heir glanced at Sakura with confusion. Clearly, he didn;t know who she was.
"That's Garamm's student you utter buffoon! You're going to drag us down with you once this reaches him!" She snarled. The bloody idiot was screwing the reputation of both hosting families!
Shinji's eyes widened in horror. He was too used to approaching girls and getting the attention he wanted. But this girl was clearly someone he shouldn't have flirted with.
Rin shot him a burning glare. The message behind her eyes was obvious.
Get lost before you make things worse.
Shinji quickly scampered off after getting Rin's extremely pissed off glare number 3.
"A-ah. Thank you Miss Tohsaka." Sakura gratefully thanked the newcomer. The Tohsaka heiress had rescued her from the strange Makiri heir.
"I hope you'll forgive us for his actions. Shinji has never been one to behave well." Rin extended her hand towards Sakura. "I am Rin Tohsaka, the heiress of the Tohsaka family. It is a pleasure to finally meet Garamm's student."
"My name is Sakura. Likewise, it is an honor to meet you." Sakura shook the outstretched hand.
Introductions were finished. Now, Rin needed a topic. Something to divert Sakura's mind from the humiliating events from earlier.
"How is the party so far? Is it to your liking?" Rin asked. As a member of the hosting family, it was part of her responsibility to keep the guests content.
"It has been quite nice." Sakura replied. The party in itself was impressive, just like many other events she had attended. The only issue was that Sakura still found it hard to accustom herself to the environment.
Everything was too prim for her liking. But that wasn't something she could say now could she? Especially when Garamm wanted her to adjust to such activities.
Rin idly noted Sakura's quiet answer. The telling signs were obvious once she connected the pieces.
Unfamiliarity in dealing with people like Shinji.
Spending time alone on the veranda.
Sakura's formality was textbook, practically a newbie in her eyes.
Rin had already pieced together the clues. Sakura was uncomfortable with the party. Well then, it was her job to entertain such important guests like Sakura.
"I heard you unlocked your magic at 8 years old? That's quite the achievement." Rin began the conversation. It was something simple, enough for Sakura to latch on to the topic.
"It's nothing really. It wouldn't have been unlocked if not for the circumstances." Sakura was reminded of the day she was appraised. She didn't want to be reminded of it, but people kept bringing up the memory.
"Then that means I'm just as lucky as you are. My family discovered my awakening 2 years ago, when I was 8 years old." Rin nodded along. "But the age you awaken doesn't necessarily mean talent. The amount of effort to nurture that ability is still required."
Sakura looked at Rin with interest. The Tohsaka heiress had also unlocked her magic at the same age? That was a feat in itself. Most if not all the children in the hall were still unable to use magic. Not until they reached the age of awakening at thirteen.
The two of them were outliers, far ahead of the rest.
"When did you start learning? Sir Garamm had taught me starting from the first day he apprenticed me, roughly two months after I awakened." Sakura was eager to ask Rin many questions. Here was a girl her age, undergoing the same experience she was.
"Father started teaching me one month after I opened my pathways. He had to reschedule a lot of work to accommodate my education." Rin could remember the shock on her father's face, followed by delight at learning of her awakening.
"Does he also push you to study a lot? Sir Garamm makes me practice all the time."
"Naturally. I'm expected to spend 8 hours of my day learning magic."
Rin and Sakura blinked at each other. Even Shinji still hadn't unlocked his magic.
"So…I heard the Tohsaka family were proficient in jewelcraft. Isn't that expensive?" Sakura learned about jewels when some quests replaced the monetary award with equivalent materials. Jewels were the most common replacements.
Rin's eyes darted to the side. Despite her more than generous allowance, she still managed to run out of funds the last time her father allowed her to tinker freely with jewels.
It wasn't her fault that learning jewelcraft was fun! Nor that they all exploded from the ideas she had in mind, but that was mostly a problem from her lack of control.
Her father had decided not to let her experiment until she was older.
The two passed the time talking until the start of the talks.
…
It was finally beginning. Sakura's most dreaded part of the night.
The beginning of the speeches from the invited guests.
Garamm was the third in line, after the Makiri and Tohsaka family heads. As hosts, they reserved the right to begin the speeches.
They had finished addressing the guests a few moments earlier. Soon, Sakura and Garamm would be walking on the main balcony overlooking the audience.
A magical enhanced voice reverberated through the air, announcing the next speaker's turn. Garamm and Sakura took the cue to start walking towards the balcony.
The curtains parted before them, revealing the scene behind it. Thousands of guests had been invited by the Makiri and Tohsaka family to attend, and the venue reflected the enthusiasm with how packed the grand ballroom was.
The ballroom usually catered to dances, but hosted a different sort of party today.
Garamm stopped in the middle of the balcony, while Sakura stood a few steps behind and a little towards the side.
After today, Sakura will be launched into the spotlight. No longer will she be able to hide her identity. Without Garamm's confirmation in the past year, her status as his apprentice had been a rumor except for the few who had talked in person with him.
That would all change from this point onward.
Standing with Garamm in front of the crowd was as much an announcement as the next words that came from the person introducing them.
"...and our third speaker for tonight, coming all the way from the Albion Isles, Garamm El-melloi Archisorte! Accompanying him on the balcony is his new student, Sakura!"
A wave of applause erupted from the crowd.
Sakura swallowed. She could feel the entire hall focus on the both of them.
This was going to be harder than she thought.
…
Thankfully, Garamm's speech didn't last too long. Once he was finished, the two of them joined the Makiri and Tohsaka hosts at the VIP area to listen to the rest of the guest speakers.
After the talks ended, tables were summoned, food was brought in, and a live band played music while the people dined.
It was a nice atmosphere, one that Sakura enjoyed until the party neared its conclusion.
Sakura and Rin were in the veranda overlooking the city, talking about the future.
"Do you plan to study in the central continent?"
Sakura hoped that she would be able to see her newfound friend once she enrolled in Eurowyyn. Garamm had mentioned about her enrolling at the same time as the candidate he had chosen.
"I don't think so. Eurowyyn is too far away. Ansu is much closer."
Ansu, another of the big 5, the leading academy hailing from the eastern continent.
"Oh…that makes sense…"
Sakura looked down on the floor dejectedly. The short time she spent with Rin was nice, the only other person she didn't feel uncomfortable talking to aside from Garamm.
"Don't feel so down about it. We can still scry each other using mirrors right? Here, take this." Rin handed her a small red jewel. "It contains my magical energy. Once you learn how to scry, use this as the catalyst to see me."
Sakura blinked at the jewel. She had covered the topic briefly with Garamm. She held the small gen tightly, already a precious gift in her eyes.
"Thank you…you don't know how much this means to me." She smiled at Rin happily.
"Please if anything, I should be the one thanking you. You're the only person who can understand me.. None of the other children have yet to undergo magical training like we have." Rin glanced at the direction of the party.
It was true. Rin was 10, and Sakura was 9. Even Shinji, who was the son of the current Makiri head, hadn't awakened his magic yet. All the other children were expected to start learning at 13 years of age, some others might even awaken later, or not at all.
The two girls turned as they heard a pair of footsteps approach them.
"Once again, thank you for inviting us to this delightful party." Garamm expressed his gratitude, a common show of respect for a guest to the host.
"Think nothing of it, it has been an honor having you and your apprentice with us tonight." Tokiomi smiled at the aged magus.
"Sakura, it is getting late. We need to rest before catching our ship tomorrow."
Sakura frowned. Was it already time? Garamm had told her that they couldn't stay for the entire duration because of their schedule. This party was the last affair they had in Nihonn before travelling across the strait towards the Eastern Continental Gate.
She glanced at Rin silently. As much as she wanted to stay, would she be able to convince Garamm? The elderly mage was hard to persuade.
Garamm didn't miss the small detail. "If you wish to spend more time with the Tohsaka heiress, will you be prepared to take responsibility for your reduced sleep? I will deduct it from our schedule."
Sakura's eyes brightened up eagerly. "Yes sir! I would like that very much!" She bowed down gratefully to her master.
Rin smiled and the two girls went off to enjoy the remainder of the party away from the two adults.
"Are you sure about this Lord Garamm? I believe your ship leaves early in the morning." Tokiomi inquired quietly.
"I wouldn't wish to deprive Sakura of newfound friendship. Besides, it will also be a lesson of responsibility for her actions. Something she needs to learn." Garamm smiled slightly.
Tokiomi caught the near-invisible emotion that crept on the old magus. It was the first real emotion he had shown the entire night. Garamm had been content to present a solemn appearance befitting of his reputation until then.
"I see. It would do well for Rin to have a friend. She had always been a bit distant with others her age." Tokiomi had noticed the girl's detachment from the others, a price she paid once the world had placed her on a pedestal as a prodigy.
In the back of their minds, the small possibility of building a beneficial partnership between their young students was pushed back in favor of letting the girls enjoy themselves. It was a good experience for the girls to connect without all the fuss of benefits and whatnot.
As they say, friends are the family you choose.
…
"Father…I have a question." Rin asked after they greeted the final guests farewell.
The party had ended a short while ago, and the Makiri and Tohsaka families were left behind. They were helping manage the cleanup along with the servants from both families.
Tokiomi closed his eyes. He knew what Rin was asking about, especially after what he had seen today.
"This is connected to "that" incident, am I right?" Tokiomi clarified.
Rin nodded. Her mind was jumbled ever since meeting Sakura, and a subtle feeling had been aroused from within her.
"Do you think…that you could've saved her?"
She was referring to the disaster that befell her family. It was an accident that her father had wished to hide, burying the memory underneath all his work.
The day that Rin Tohsaka lost her mother and sister.
An assassination attempt during their journey to another city.
"I…I did what I had to do Rin…I would save what I can, rather than lose all of you…" Tokiomi mumbled quietly.
The attack claimed the lives of their entire guard. Aoi Tohsaka had perished in the attack, and Sakura Tohsaka had disappeared in the chaos.
With their remaining guards dying in their duty to protect their lord, Tokiomi had been forced to answer their final wishes.
He ran away, carrying Rin in his arms as his men died to unknown assailants from a rival family.
Had Tokiomi stayed to find Sakura, he would've risked dying along with Rin.
Silence settled on the heavy air surrounding the father and daughter duo. A few minutes passed until Rin found the strength to continue asking.
"Sakura…looked a lot like mother didn't she?" It was one of the first observations Rin noted.
Afterwards, it was just a matter of digging for the information.
"Indeed…that girl resembled your mother." In his heart, a weight slowly rose, one that had been there since the day he lost his second child.
"D-do you think Sakura is my sister?"
The coincidences were far too large to ignore.
Awakening magic at the same age, carrying the same name as her lost baby sister from a decade ago, and the heavy resemblance.
Rin hadn't been prepared for such a possibility.
"If she is, then I am thankful for whatever deity out there blessed her."
Rin understood what her father had meant. If Sakura was indeed the same sister she had lost, then being found by a powerful magus family like the El-Melloi was a stroke of fortune.
There, she would be safe. The El-Melloi wouldn't fail like the Tohsakas had.
"I'll find the answer one day father. Even if I have to go to the Albion Isles and beg in front of the El-Melloi to see her. I promise."
Tokiomi closed his eyes. "Thank you…Rin."
Maybe, just maybe, he could at least ease his heart knowing his second child was in safe hands.
One day.
"Mama, I'm bored."
Lunea was pouting. She was spending most of her time in the pocket dimension now. Shirou and the sisters had been spending far more time in cities than what she would've preferred. As a result, she had been kept inside for prolonged periods of time.
The only times she was allowed out was when the trio were on the roads, or in the privacy of the tavern rooms they rented.
Lunea didn't like being left out.
Especially when Shirou seemed agitated sometimes. She tried to prod into the problem, but Shirou was quick to deflect the topic.
Was it really that easy to distract her?! It's not her fault his cooked snacks were too good!
Lunea pouted harder.
"They are only doing it to keep you safe, Lunea. The human realm is a greedy realm. Should people find a phantasmal beast in their midst, there would be numerous attempts to abduct you." Lunulupae answered.
Her daughter had been grumbling about this issue for a few weeks now.
"But I also want to join them! Shirou has been teaching me English and Nihonnian! All the stories I hear about their adventures sound fun! But they won't let me come!"
Shirou had been covering the jobs he undertook with Heinrich and Eugen by spinning them into stories for the little wolf. He didn't want Lunea to find out the truth until she was older.
You couldn't keep secrets forever after all.
Not when the secret was as big as Akatsuki. Sooner or later, Lunea would find out.
"If you really wanted to join them, I could teach you how to integrate yourself with the humans."
Lunulupae had spent thousands of years observing humans. She even went as far learning to transform herself into a humanoid form to blend with the people. All she had to do was hide the phantasmal energy to infiltrate the masses.
After all, there were beast populations among humans. Anthromorphic creatures were far more common than one would think.
Shirou found that the hard way. You could only imagine his shock at watching a lizardman sell his wares.
So it wasn't too far off to imagine humans with animal appendages. Fox tails, cat ears, claws, and more.
Lunulupae's human form had her wolf ears and tail remain. She could control it to become more animal than human, but she found that adapting a more human form allowed her more leeway. She still kept her multiple tails just because it felt right.
"Really mama? Can you teach me?!" Lunea brightened up. She quickly ran in front of her mother and begged. "Please! Please! Pleaseeee!"
Lunulupae smiled at her daughter's earnest request.
"Alright, but I will only allow you to join them once you master the art."
"Yayyyyy!"
Shirou was going to get himself another problem sooner than he predicted.
Author's Note
Sorry for the slow update on this one. I had a busy week on campus and my brain decided to have a mental block for a few days. I had a hard time grinding out this chapter and it still seems messy even after rewriting it. Kind of disappointing for this chapter to be the one to break the 100k words milestone.
When I started this fanfiction, I set the bar low for expectations. I even decided not to take the plot too seriously because I wouldn't know how to make a "proper" Fate plot in the first place.
I didn't expect to get this far after 3 months of writing, nor did I expect to reach 100k+ words within such a small time frame. Originally I planned 5k words per weekly update, which is around 70k words by this week. Instead, I've breached 100k+ which is a big milestone!
As thanks, I might as well share with everyone the milestones I've been keeping track of since I began!
Fate Fanfiction Category ACHIEVEMENTS
Top700 Favourites 7/29/22
Top525 Follows 7/29/22
40k Reads 7/26/22
100k Words 7/29/22
