Records
(Illyasviel)
Hmmm~ As though he could hear her gaze, Shirou turned around to his older sister watching him thoughtfully. "Something on your mind?"
"I was wondering if you happened to also inherit Father's Magic Crest... I see not." If he had absorbed enough Grail corruption to be so quickly fatal, Avalon or not, it was probably a lost cause.
"Can you tell me something about him?" he asked. "When I was younger I thought Taiga knew him rather well, but apparently his main contact was with her grandfather, and they understandably were doing things his granddaughter was better off not knowing."
"Such as?" By the feel of it, though she apparently had a much larger magical energy reservoir in the form of her Bounded Field, Caster had a much better control over their link, compared to Berserker's rather wild and oftentimes jarring draws from her. Not that handling him was a problem for me though.
"What was he fighting in the previous War for?"
Straightforward enough. "Attempting to make a world without conflict."
"I see. That would have been a good use of a wish."
Her laugh was anything but mirth. "If the Grail hadn't been corrupted, perhaps. No, even then it is possible that our world-branch would have simply gotten pruned. Same with any world in which Camelot did not fall, according to Gilgamesh."
Shirou paused for a moment. "What's 'getting pruned' like?"
"You just no longer exist, I assume. However, keep in mind it doesn't have to be as extreme as that, most branches are apparently pruned because the World only keeps so many around, and they multiply far above that number in between prunings. In a sense, more people end by their branch being pruned than dying 'normally'."
"So it is doubly impossible to save everyone."
She frowned upon hearing the implied question. "Ironically, no. Just that World will always pick a branch in which you didn't. The distinction is where Gilgamesh and his friends back in the Throne come in; anyone or anything able to cause trouble across obvious critical fixed points in history might break reality itself. If they somehow ever succeed anytime, anywhere, the whole system might cease to function."
He thought for a moment. "Even with a Chaldea, whatever that is, you wouldn't be able to cover all the branches simultaneously."
"Actually, the Grail and Throne are consistent across all branches. Utilizing Servant summoning might work, as there might be one of them but as many Chaldeas as there were branches with them. Or we form it once and all branches that come from us will be preserved by the World to protect itself."
Shirou nodded. "Seems odd that being the ones stuck inside would be an advantage, but I guess this is analogous to a defensive action."
The homunculus scrutinized him while adding, "Though that means that we might have to ensure that unfortunate events like wars or civilization collapse occur 'on schedule'. Would you be fine with that?"
He noticed this and simply shrugged. "It's the World's fault for 'deciding' that such things are absolutely necessary. Unless you are implying there's an alternative."
Illya kept her tone neutral. "There's space outside of, or straddling, the branches. If you could get there, you might escape from the rule of the World. If you had the ability to construct a whole nation there, anyway. It's odd, but then again attaining the Root or various religions around enlightenment have surface similarities. Yes I know, no one is hosting parties at the Root, or likely Nirvana, but Heroic Spirits do still do stuff in the Throne."
"What." Shirou's expression sharpened. "Is that what Caster suggested to you?"
"No, just thinking aloud. But I'd like to see the look on that smug Archer's face if we pulled it off. He tried to pull one over Lancer by telling her that Camelot's fall was never avoidable. Father got that one back by pointing out that a wide range of outcomes could quality, so it meant striving for the best of those was not wasted. In many ways it felt like the two of them were really the ones at odds, with Lancer being more of a bystander."
"Sounds like a wonderful conversation partner," he snorted as Medusa appeared with Sakura in tow. Shirou's momentary confusion was probably over the fact that Rider was wearing some of Kuro's clothes rather than her armor.
"Were you looking for me?" Shirou asked quickly. Rider nodded as Sakura explained. "We should head down to the police now, after seeing the news and all."
"That would be the natural response I suppose," he said, taking her hand. "I guess Rider is coming just in case?"
"Yes." She looked vaguely unhappy about her outfit, though it passed quickly. "Though in Spirit Form to avoid complicating matters."
l
(Rin)
She watched the pair leave, closing the door behind them, before turning to the swordsman next to her. "I should have done something."
Saber caught on immediately, as usual. "If it took Servants to do, I doubt you would have been able to pry her away from Matou." Or perhaps not.
"I didn't mean something like that. But I honestly didn't want to disturb the life she had. That I thought she had." It was quite clear from the day's events that something big had been going on in that household and by Sakura's reaction, nothing good."
"Your best choice, had you known, would be like that homunculus; wait for a Grail War and use a Servant's strength. After all, Kuro played an important part."
"I'm a bit surprised you don't disapprove of relying on others. Would have thought that went against a warrior's honor or something."
He raised an eyebrow. "I didn't know you claimed to be a warrior."
"... I guess not."
"Just as well, since you're done learning swordplay from me."
Rin paused for a moment. Did he get tired of it? "I didn't know we were through."
"Doesn't Caster have everything needed for your magecraft project?" He looked at her expectantly. "I know that was your objective."
"Yes, but it doesn't mean I don't still want to..." she mumbled. "I shouldn't need a better reason than not wanting to give up."
"That's true."
They shared a moment of silence before Kuro bounced up. "I'm going to follow those two just in case. We'll practice more later, okay?" Rin and Kojirou both nodded in her direction as she disappeared.
"Tea?" Rin offered.
"I have time."
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(Medusa)
Now that they were out of the house, though there were more people around, she was able to collect her thoughts since they weren't trying to talk to, play with, or spar with her.
The last day had been like an odd dream. A wonderful one to be sure, but so much so it was almost suspiciously good, despite the closing battle. It hadn't really hit home until that morning when Sakura had asked her to look after Rin and the rest (since Kuro would be staying at home) and simply handed her Caster's uniform to wear. And they were actually a little loose on her now!
Ah. I should've borrowed something of hers rather than Kuro's. That Archer tricked me.
Thankfully no one really took notice of when she gave in to the urge to dance in place or hop about a bit, probably because Kuro did so. They couldn't have guessed, though perhaps Gilgamesh had, given how blase he had been about the youth potion dosage, that she had pretty much gone as far back as was possible for her, namely the 'perfect' form she had been born as.
Just like her sisters. Truer than ever, since Servants also didn't change. While Kuro and the others had understandable concerns due to, probably, not existing on the Throne, she couldn't help but wonder if Medusa-like-now could get in a second time. Or better yet, if she was truly in that perfect point, would it be possible to reach the Throne of Gods? Assuming they were there...
Wait.
She wasn't exactly as-born, what with holding the weapon that had actually killed her monstrous later self. Added to which, her sisters had been on a conceptual basis totally helpless, which again was untrue for her now and even when she was born. Granted, there seemed to ways around anything and everything in this world. All these complications only opened more questions.
Gilgamesh had to know. If anything, he wanted as many of them as possible to not only want to build his Chaldea idea, but also ensure he was summoned back again. Then again, even if it was all part of a scheme, he hadn't really done anything explicitly bad, had he?
"Rider, is everything okay?" Sakura's telepathic voice broke into her thoughts, reminding her of the task at hand.
"Sorry, I got distracted."
"Hmm. Kuro is around, so don't be alarmed if you happen to detect a single Servant nearby." So she said, but actually detecting a Servant in Spirit Form was not trivial, especially if one was also in the same state. Oddly enough, it wasn't as though two Servants could engage one another like that, though a Bounded Field could block one, and even differentiate between different Servants.
"I'll keep that in mind."
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(Kuro)
She wasn't quite sure what to make of her Master's connection with Saber. The man himself seemed to think she was simply looking for support from someone relatively unrelated to Sakura due to their circumstances, but that held up about as well as being 'just friends' in one of those romantic comedy manga. If anything though, going by the gender ratio in the house, one would easily imagine a cheap harem anime spinoff. Though, Shirou back at home actually did have a bit of that, come to think of it, despite being much younger than here.
... but here-Illya was another case. Most likely, the reason she couldn't live past twenty was all the modifications the Einzbern had done. Sadly ironic, since Kuro had gotten a much more massive boost from Magical Ruby. But that wouldn't help Illya at this point, since the Mystic Code couldn't simply add to her now-diminished lifespan.
"Excuse me," a nearby woman said while adjusting her hat, prompting Kuro to move to the side a bit. Wait a minute... I'm in Spirit Form, how?
"Show yourself," she continued, looking right at her location where they were on an isolated rooftop. "What are you up to?" Ruler!
"I'm not up to anything," she protested, quickly materializing. "Sak- er, Matou is going to the police because her house blew up."
"Oh, that. Fair enough. Your handiwork, I take it?" Kuro simply nodded, since it appeared Ruler had already investigated the incident. "I'll say; Try not to make more work for me, but I should also thank you for dealing with Zouken."
"I didn't know the Church had it in for him." She wasn't really familiar with Zouken, though it seemed he was far from harmless in this world.
"I didn't say it did, Rulers serve the Holy Grail."
"Er, ok. Can I go? Not that I distrust your no-hostilities thing, but I was busy."
"Go. I was doing something sim- Hmph." Kuro had already left. Ruler looked up at where her friend was circling far overhead. "A clean battle would be good, for once."
l
(Shirou)
As expected, he was largely ignored when they reached the local police station. However, he did catch a brief exchange between the Sakura and an officer, where the latter complained (whole explaining) about how some specialist counter-terrorism unit had 'requested' the Matou house be undisturbed once any rescue and firefighting efforts had ended, while she made understanding sounds.
It seems the Church had someone step up to Kotomine's role pretty quick.
Shirou frowned while looking at some of the shops outside. Even though he had said it earlier, it would take a fool to not see that he was more likely to end up being protected by Sakura than the other way around.
Well, even more reason to try and improve myself. Naturally, the thing that came to mind was to ask Saber, but...
"That's not an ideal choice," he explained after a moment. "There's a reason humans use firearms. But more importantly, you don't have 'inventories' like Servants and your Realm's Armory access is limited outside your home."
That made sense, actually. In many scenarios, actually being armed would be impractical. Wait. A flash of inspiration hit him. "How hard is using Kuro's style?"
There was only silence in response. Shirou started as someone tapped him on the shoulder. "Eh? Oh, it's you." With uncanny timing, Kuro had appeared next to him while he was distracted. The two of them strolled around a nearby corner where they were soon joined by Medusa, though she quickly disappeared again to follow Sakura when he told her she was still in the station.
"Honestly, you'd be better off learning something like Gandr," the Archer explained, having been caught up by Rin apparently. "However, I have a hunch that you'll take to the weapon-projection system."
"Really... perhaps the version of me in your world used that?" That certainly would change matters, since learning and use of magecraft had to do with details like Elements and Origins, which would probably be similar between them.
"Yeah," she replied simply before falling into an uncomfortable silence. "Ah, well, he was also adopted by Father. So that onii-chan really was my brother..."
"I'm sorry, didn't mean to- wait what are you-?" Shirou watched warily as Kuro sidled up to him with a grin that did not hide her intentions at all.
"Quit that," Medusa grabbed Kuro from behind, as Shirou backed into Sakura, who had been following her Servant. "Oh, there you ar-" For a span of time just long enough for him to notice it, Sakura seemed as immovable as a wall - and then they toppled over.
"Lucky pervert," Kuro mumbled, unheard, while shaking off Rider. Due to Medusa distracting her, she hadn't noticed that rather than freezing or trying to push Shirou, Sakura had instead grabbed hold of him, making their fall inevitable by preventing him from recovering his balance.
"Are you alright?" she asked with some concern as he got to his feet.
"Yes, you?" He turned around to help her up, blinking when their eyes met. They're not black any more? While still significantly darker than her usual, he could clearly tell that they were a purple color, though it wasn't obvious what that meant.
Sakura colored under his scrutiny, and he realized that he might have been staring. Not that she seems to mind. "I take it we're done here?" he prompted her.
"Yes, let's head back."
As they made the trip back, he couldn't help but wonder what had happened to the 'other' him which had caused Kuro such distress. It clearly wasn't just being separated. Perhaps he was always going to get into one dangerous spot or another.