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The following is a fan-based
FICTION
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Chapter 13: Game, Friendship and Worm
If there was something that Leysritt was unsure in that very easy-to-understand situation was… how she was dealing with Shinji Matou.
While the young maid had been keen to avoid appearing too much interested by the child, she couldn't help but scope him in her hold as they all reached the living room. The place was big enough to house the small group formed mostly by children, yet it all seemed rather… small to her.
It was a subjective detail that defied anything factual about the very room she had been spending most of her time here in Fuyuki. This was her haven, her safe place, and yet Liz felt far from calm as she noticed how tense the boy was in her pseudo-hug. They were both sitting, the rest taking their place around the small tabletop game Irisviel had used against Sella not so long ago.
The game was simple as only those that 'hosted' the game were able to avoid any of the impish repercussions that would soon fall on the contestants- or rather the diluted version of those.
As much as it would be… amusing to have Sella deal with the incredibly-awkward predicament, maybe to see how her fellow maid would solve such a horrifying situation without going berserk against her.
Liz wouldn't have minded some loud rants directed at her, but the fact she had to also be mindful of the other children, young and impressionable youths that could easily mistake a simple action to something much more complex and traumatic, made the whole idea kind of unacceptable.
And she also wanted to make a good impression with Shinji. Especially with Shinji, at least.
The Einzbern maid couldn't see the boy's current expression because of the position they had both taken, but she could perceive some tension still-present and visible form his shoulders.
Red eyes blinked, trying to quietly guess why he would appear this much… unnerved. It wasn't overall unpleasantness, but Leysritt was feeling rather guilty for some reason.
She wasn't truly hugging him, only letting him rest on her lap as the game began.
Illya was the first one to face the 'family-friendly' dares left in the deck for this occasion.
The little Einzbern was given the card, she quickly read the kanji and… blushed. There was silence just for a few moments, then she glanced at her recently-gained friend, Miyu Edelfelt, and leaned in to… plant a kiss on her cheek.
It was a swift act, particularly harmless in Liz's mind, yet both girls' faces were now sporting the same shade of red as they returned to their initial seats.
Leysritt's confusion was shared by the young blonde that was little Luviagelita. The girl, differently from her older counterpart, did seem rather… shy and reserved. Very polite and showing none of the eccentric attitude the young woman going after Shirou's heart revealed in spades.
Kuro and Gilgamesh looked uncaring of the scene, the former not even deigning a glance their way while the blond merely smiling and nodding placidly.
Sella looked partly-surprised at the reaction, but she was also looking conflicted about what was going on with the two classmates.
Shinji… merely sighed. There wasn't anything else she could pick up, mostly because of the limiting point of view she had over him.
Time passed and the turn proceeded smoothly with little worth of interest. After Illya's and Miyu's card, the rest revealed to be rather tame and… dull.
Leysritt bit down a sigh as it was her turn and…
How odd.
Without deigning a comment over the curious 'dare' of the card, the maid was quick to hover her free palm over Shinji's head as she started to softly ruffle his hair.
He tensed up even more, his head slowly turning to give her a wide one-eyed look of surprise, urging her to reveal the card's content to the other players.
'Head-pat the closest player for the entire duration of the game.'
The written dare was received with mixed reactions. Once more Gilgamesh, with Miyu and Illya following his example, looked quite fine with it but… the rest of the group looked quite annoyed.
Luvia wasn't sparing herself with the pouty glare she was throwing at Leysritt, the child's arms crossed close to her chest. Her stare moved to Sella, the fellow maid frowning and showing annoyance at the curious dare Liz was meant to continue for the rest of the game.
Finally, red eyes met with bright orange ones and…
Kuro was far from angry. She was also far from expressive… and yet the most interesting one in the group.
Her stare was coldly fixed on the maid, sending a shiver down her spine, her blank expression mirroring to a terrifying degree those that only the normal Homunculi of the Einzbern Clan- No.
She stopped in her own thoughts, eyes widening just a fraction as she realized that she was wrong with this assumption. The regal scowl, the well-crafted look that showed displeasure while also revealing nothing else from the owner of such expression…
This was Justeaze's trademark look. The one that their creator, Jubstacheit, had been keen to impress upon all the various models of homunculi.
A stare of power, of undeniable respect and… a sign of possible danger for the one it was directed at.
Liz's instincts were quick to give her an answer, one that she couldn't exactly commit to as… it meant letting go ruffling Shinji's fluffy hair.
She couldn't exactly say this out-loud, she didn't need to- but the boy's hair was just so… soft.
Her hand was literally in fluff heaven, a place where only those that knows how delightful is to head-pat someone with well-cared hair.
Something that Liz was very aware of as… she did take care of Illya when her parents weren't around, giving her baths, helping her clean up and… her soft hair.
She could remember trying to do something like that with Shirou but… the boy had been quite keen to tell her to not 'enter the bathroom when he was in'. A little hurtful, but Irisviel did mention that boys were less prone to accept a female in the bathroom they were using if it wasn't their mother or their lover.
Yet the red-haired teen also rejected Irisviel when she asked moments after the boy had refused the maid in.
In the end, the matter was fairly simple: there wasn't nothing wrong to get the chance to head-pat someone or something this adorable and… the woman wasn't backing away from this opportunity!
Tension didn't simmer much to the rest of the group's chagrin and the game resumed with a less-happier tone. Something that was clear to both females, but none seemed to be willing to show more than they had.
And if the Matou was aware or not that he had just become a reason for some cold war, he wasn't giving any sign of knowing about it. Hopefully he was blissfully unaware.
Moments later, with Shinji picking up a mere 'What is your favorite animal?' question, it was Kuro's turn and… the girl gracefully took the little card atop the reduced deck in her hands and glanced just briefly at it before returning her sight at the fellow Einzbern.
Her whole demeanor suddenly changed, a subtle but 'victorious' smirk replacing the scowl as her sight lowered to Shinji and… she started to crawl towards them.
Liz frowned, something was missing from that strange situation, a context more than necessary to understand the unexplained smug exuding from the tanned girl and… her arms wrapped around the Matou, creating a small barrier between the maid and the boy.
Her red eyes gave a surprise expression, ready to silently question such a behavior and-
The scowl was back, this time fully channeled onto Leysritt. The Einzbern homunculus froze as she was suddenly hit by the domineering effects of the glance, strong enough to have her froze in her act and retract her hand away from Shinji's head.
The paper, the little card, it was now revealed too as Kuro held it close to her face.
'Hug the closest player for the entire duration of the game.'
A successful overrule of the previous card, something that the maid had completely forgot about.
The girl seemingly didn't care of the shock visible through the red eyes as she picked up the boy, much to his minor discomfort and took him back to her previous seat.
Something bubbled within Leysritt's chest and it wasn't hunger. It was primal and… incredibly nagging at her.
It was a need, a crave to show the 'thief' how that slight wasn't something a Einzbern maid could certainly allow to pass without consequences.
Just as Sella got a card that merely asked for her 'weight', which for some reason sent her on a brief mumbled rant, Shinji decided to interrupt the beginning of the second round.
"I think this game is turning a little… too aggressive." He said from within the clutches of the tanned girl. "Can we call a vote and see who wants to continue?"
Dreadful news for both maids' plan, yet it was surprisingly only Liz that took it the worst considering how the more introverted of the two had yet to get a 'chance' to do something with Shinji.
"Those who wish to continue?" Liz, Kuro and a hesitant Sella lifted their hands up, confirming three votes out of eight.
Chloe's eyes snapped at Luvia, the girl looking calm as she refused to join in that coalition. There was a strange gleam in the blonde's eyes and then… it was the turn for the other part of the vote.
"Those who wish to end this here now?"
Illya, Gilgamesh, Miyu, Shinji and… Luvia all voted to end the game.
A strange development indeed, one that Shinji put an end by addressing both Illya and Miyu.
"Also, from what I understand, you two wish to talk with me, right?"
The girls looked a little surprised, but both shared a nod to confirm the guess as the Matou stood up from Kuro's shell-shocked self and followed the two Magical Girls towards the staircase that led to the upper floor.
Gilgamesh joined in, same for Luvia and… the still-gobsmacked tanned female.
Soon the living room was deserted, leaving just Leysritt and Sella behind to pick up the pieces of… what had just happened.
And to pick up the used cards and put everything back to normal… well, that actually something that only Sella had to do. Lazy-mode Engaged!
I should have seen that one coming… somehow.
I know that over-thinking was my forte and that missing something that was blatantly visible to everyone was still my major flaw, yet the way Kuro reacted to the mere and harmless session of head-patting (as much as unnerving as it was) was more than enough to leave me with some suspicions regarding why she behaved like this.
Affectionate? Yes.
But Yandere-level of obsession? Kind of overboard even for her.
Something I was missing in front of me, something that had to do with me for some unspecified and unexplained reasons.
I was glad that Illya did ask for some private time to discuss more about… the overall situation. She was more than entitled to know a little more about why she was supposed to put her life on the line while also allowing me to be taken away from an explosion in the making.
We reached her room and… yep, it was like the one showed in the series.
Seriously, why do I feel dirty all so suddenly?!
Ignoring the sins crawling on my back, I was given the only chair in the room as both Illya and Miyu took a seat in the former's bed. Kuro leaned on the medium-sized wardrobe, while Gilgamesh and Luvia decided to sit by the floor.
"So, I know that you have tons to ask, but I have to ask one little question before you have a go at it." I threw this sudden premise, my sight fixing on the adopted Edelfelt. "Miyu, I want to know if I can say to Illya something more about your situation. Your 'unique' dimensional state and… why you are connected to all of this." I calmly said and I waited for a response.
She tensed at the blunt request, something that she had to have expected to happen now of all times, but that she couldn't have been truly prepared for.
The girl nodded slowly and sighed. "I-If it helps- then yes, please go ahead."
I hummed, smiling a little as I turned to Illya. "So… what is your first question?"
The Einzbern blinked, surprised for being given the chance of asking first and… she settled for something 'light'.
"S-Shinji-san, if it isn't asking too much… can you tell me what happened to 'me' in your dimension?"
I shifted nervously at that very query before… sighing tiredly. Seriously, why did she hit me with something thatheavy.
"This is a question that has a lengthy answer. I wish to ask you how much you know about the Einzberns, how much did your parents tell you about them?" I asked once more, getting a frown from the girl.
There was a brief confused pause before Illya spoke again. "I- I think it's a rich family based in Europe." She explained the best way she knew. "Mama said that they didn't like moving and… that's why they ceased contacts with Mama and Papa."
So terribly lacking and prone for traumas once I'm done with this.
"The Einzbern clan is considered one of the most powerful families in the Moonlit World, the 'place' in the world where Magus live away from mundane people's knowledge." I started with something… lenient. I knew that I could go far and wide with their history, but I had other things to do in that interrogation. "Their most recent greatest leader being… Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern, a prime Homunculus that served as the Head of the family for almost a century."
Red eyes widened. "A-A Homunculus?"
Of course she would end up interested about the term.
I prepared myself for some deep-lore exploration, trying to keep my tone as mindful as attentive of the girl's reaction to what was going on be said now.
"A Homunculus is a more humane version of a Golem, a creature born from alchemy and magecraft." I stated as calmly as I could. "The Einzbern Clan is known for two important subjects they were the most adept at: Wishcraft, which is something that will be important later in the explanation, and Homunculus-crafting."
"Y-You mean that they created… human-sized puppets?" There was a little hesitation in Illya's tone. "B-But why? Why would they need to have these… Homunculus?"
"The plural is 'Homunculi'," I corrected quickly before answering her query. "And the reason is… because they wanted to achieve immortality."
… "W-What?" Miyu finally blurted in shock, glancing at the pale Einzbern in surprise. "I-Immortality, but-"
"'To be a Magus, you have to always walk the fine line between life and death.'. The Einzbern once had the knowledge of the Third Magic, the Heaven's Feel, something that allowed their soul to not disperse once they reached the end of their bodies. The Magic itself focused on denying the soul from dispersing by the end of their lives, giving the chance for… a new body to be given and continue to work at their projects." I took a breather, this was going to be a difficult task but… I think I was doing alright. "The Third Magic was lost a thousand of years or so, leaving the Einzbern with only the capacity to create Homunculi and… nothing to keep a real soul to perfectly integrate with the new bodies."
…
"B-But- Why- How does this connect to m-me, Shinji-san?" Illya asked, her mind still trying and failing to grasp the complex depiction of her 'mysterious' family.
I nodded. "Wish-craft is the response of the family to recover the Third Magic. Given a powerful construct with immense prana the rightful runes to activate a Wish-craft device, a Miracle can be achieved. The opportunity to do something that shouldn't be happening, even with Magic itself." I continued to say much to her ever-growing confusion and then… pointed my finger at her.
"When you fought the Saber card and you used the Archer Card-" I paused to glance at Kuro, the girl blinking in surprise but nodding in remembrance of the event. "You made use of the Wish-craft magecraft only the Einzbern could use and, with the prowess of Archer in creating copies of swords, you ended up copying for more than a few moments… a true projection of a Divine Construct."
Miyu's eyes widened. "That golden sword?" She asked, Illya looking at her for a moment before turning her attention back at me.
"Excalibur, the Sword of Promised Victory." I named the blade. "This weapon is one of the strongest, if not the strongest excluding Gilgamesh's Noble Phantasm." I paused just a moment and then sighed. "The thing with Archer is… he can project copies of swords, but he can't truly replicate the full effect of Noble Phantasm. But you, Illyasviel von Einzbern, not only recreated the blade but you brought with it the whole power it is known for."
There was silence, the two girls giving their all to absorb this new information while… Gilgamesh decided to pipe in.
"So that's why her blade isn't in my treasury?" The blond asked out of curiosity. "I've never learned about this but… why is it called a 'Divine Construct'? Does it have to do with Gods?"
I nodded, getting a gasp from Luvia. "Y-You mean that Gods e-exist?"
"Many deities have existed before the end of the Age of Magic." I replied quickly. "And yes, most of them were responsible for Excalibur's creation. A sword born from the crystallized wishes of Mankind as a whole, its main duty to protect the world against dangerous threats." I finished to explain.
"But I think I can return to the main story rather than digress further." I admitted with a sigh. "The little reminder is to explain… how the Grail works. Or at least how the Grail partially works."
"I- Can I try to… guess?" Illya lifted her hand up and I nodded with a small smile. "T-This Grail makes u-use of an abnormal amount of energy a-and activate the chance for a… miracle?"
"That's the simple explanation, yes." Kuro butted in with a calm tone, surprising us all as she took the lead. "Yet the system has some… other requirements. Seven Servants' souls that are filtered inside the construct… via a Lesser Grail."
Miyu tensed a little, possibly remembering that it was her role in the Ainsworth's Holy Grail War.
"A-A human sacrifice?" She asked fearful, drawing Illya's surprised but supportive look as she received a nod back.
"The human sacrifice bit is… partly different between Einzberns and Ainsworths. While the latter make use of full humans… the Einzbern used Justeaze-model Homunculi."
…
"No." Illya said in a dull tone. "Y-You aren't telling me that-"
"In the Fourth War, you mother was meant to be the Lesser Grail." I decided to drop all at once, ignoring the horrified look on her face. "...And you were going to be the one for the Fifth."
"W-WHAT?!" Kuro leaned off from the wardrobe and glanced at me with a shocked expression. "A Fifth War? I thought the Fourth would-"
"The Grail is terribly corrupted, no real wish can be made without the worst version of it to happen." I interjected strongly. "A-And… this is actually the only route where Illyasviel von Einzbern survives… with the rest of the Emiya family."
"Mama… Papa and… Niichan." Illya blinked, tears slowly flowing. "A-And Sella and L-Leysritt."
"Shirou… survives." I glanced at Kuro while saying this. "But he ends up living a terrible life, one that he comes to regret."
The following silence was… gloomier. I think I should have sweetened the fall for Illya, the girl already dealing with her own problem and… me telling her how this is the only known timeline where she survives? Not a pleasant situation.
"Still," I continued with a steel-like voice. "There are a few details that are worth to mention as… this isn't a situation that is going to happen again."
… "W-What?" The pale Einzbern asked once more.
"The Illya from my timeline is still in the Einzbern's Castle in Germany." I confided with certainty, smiling a little. "Once I'm done with the Ainsworths and we are back to my timeline, I will make sure your version is taken out from the Einzbern clan's possession and put in a safer place."
"A-And Mama and Papa?" Her tone was… frail, slightly hopeful as my words were now lifting her off the floor.
"I will make sure they are both saved too. I will save people, I will prevent the Fourth Holy Grail War and… I will destroy the Grail myself." I re-affirmed by promise, getting all their eyes on me.
It was one of the few times I seemed so serious, so hell-bent on doing something this massive. I knew the risks, I knew the costs that would scar upon my own soul, but there was no alternatives and-
"Thank you." Illya muttered with a soft voice. "Y-You, You are meaning it. I-I can tell."
My lips twitched and I sighed as I stood up from my chair, made just a few steps towards her and…
She started to sob a little louder, head pressing on my chest, as I pulled her in a hug.
I patted her head as I ended up turning to see… a slightly sniffling Miyu. I sighed at the Sakatsuki and nodded opening the hug a little as the other girl didn't hesitate to jump at the opportunity.
I tended to the two sobbing magical girls as I tried to make sense of what I was supposed to do here.
"Both of you are… good people." I began to say. "You two are responsible for saving Fuyuki multiple times now and I know you will do more in the future. I want you to know that you are doing a good job."
I relented the embrace a little, just enough for the two girls to look at me.
"Miyu, I… I will be honest with you. I know that this might sound weird but… when you feel down, when you feel the need to cry, remember that you have Illya." I turned to the aforementioned girl. "The same applied to you too."
They both blushed a little and I sighed. "Hugging is by no means something perverted. So cease at once with the day-dreaming and remember that you two are good friends." I huffed and relaxed a little. "And there is also the fact that Miyu is her dimension's Shirou's Imouto."
The silence that followed was brief but also amusing as the little Einzbern jumped in surprise with a 'What?!' while the 'Emiya' blushed a little in embarrassment.
"So yes, you two are step-sisters… to a degree, and I want you both to remember that you can trust each other." I concluded, feeling the burden lessened from my back… FINALLY!
Just as I expected this emotional moment to be concluded, we were all distracted by… fake hand-clapping from… Ruby?
The Mystic Code was floating by the… open window?
"Outstanding ovation, Shinji-sama! Truly an emotional moment, to show those poor girls proper kindness and manners!" She commented happily and over-the-top… yet I could sense that something was off about her.
I opened my mouth, ready to ask her if she was alright when…
"You know, I think we should really poke more about this Sakura girl, Sapphire. I think she has potential for- UH!?"
The door slowly opened to reveal another Ruby and Miyu's Sapphire.
The Mystic Codes stopped and soon even Luvia's Sapphire left the safety of the blonde's pocket, approaching the giddy-looking 'impostor'?
Then… she spoke. "N-Neesan?"
A giggle, then she floated closer… towards me. "That is correct, Sapphi-chan! I, the legendary Ruby, managed to escape the evil clutches of our creator to..."
I took a step back as I knew what was going on already. My legs never moved this fast as I was being chased by a flying magical stick.
"Shinji-samaaa! I just want to become your best friend!"
HELL NO! I'M NOT DOING THIS!
I rushed away from that room, ready to make my last stand by leaving Fuyuki by feet if forced to
Shinji Matou would concede half an hour later, barely three blocks away from the Emiya's household, his poor body unable to keep up with the endless bundle of energy known as Magical Ruby and the forced bonding would leave him without a chance of getting out from the madness in the making.
Look and behold, the CLAW!Ruby-chan is now in town!
AN
This chapter is packed with stuff. Hopefully with little mistakes too (an empty hope, just like Kiritsugu's dream).
P a treon . com (slash) socialistbukharin
REVIEW Q&A!
LukeSky001: He does!
JD91B: Nah, I understand. I kind of pour part of my emotions within my words. SO when I write something gloomy is more about I remember something bad and I pour it in my chapters. But no, I'm not depressed, just normally annoyed and… nothing else. (Like seriously, I am fine and well, enjoying my simple life and my achievements.)