A journey with no destination;
a voyage at sea with no map.
What awaits after drifting lost
is only a miserable death.
...And yet.
You draw sustenance from fish,
memorize the pilgrimage of the stars,
and land upon nameless shores.
We start as novice navigators, but...
Rudderless boats never find the grail.
.
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2nd WEEK- The second selection
Combatants remaining- 064
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"...kuno! Oi, Hakuno!"
The girl slowly cracks open her eyes, letting out a groan in response. Slowly lifting her head from the table, she blinks groggily, rubbing at her eyes a moment later. She slowly looks around, taking in her surroundings and realizing that she was inside her classroom. That's odd...had she fallen asleep? Maybe it was because she had been feeling tired lately...
"Heh, finally woken up?" A voice draws her back to reality, her eyes shifting to meet a familiar classmate who was seating next to her. "Shinji..." The boy smirks, shaking his head. "Falling asleep as soon as you arrive, and homeroom hasn't even begun. Really...you sure are an odd one. Had a rough night?"
She wrinkles her eyebrows at him, still feeling somewhat sleepy and disoriented. Somehow...she was finding it difficult to focus on what he was saying...
"Are you even listening to me?!" She slowly nods her head, blinking profusely at the blue-haired man. Shinji sighs in response, crossing his arms over his chest. "Hmph, still spacing out as always. Do you think you can afford to act so carefree and clueless when exams are right around the corner?" Were exams coming up? Funny, she couldn't quite remember...
The girl lets out a sheepish chuckle before she winces, feeling her head starting to throb. What was going on? Was she not feeling well? Shinji's voice was beginning to sound even more distant to her ears than before.
"Hey hey, don't go zoning out on me! You doing ok? Your complexion looks super pale right now, hahaha!" Her eyes narrow as she presses a hand to her head, the pain intensifying to a highly uncomfortable degree. Perhaps the headache was interfering with her ability to properly comprehend Shinji's words, but he wasn't wrong; she felt terrible. Maybe she should go to the infirmary and ask for some painkillers...
"Ooh, you're so smart Matou-kun! Teach me how to solve this question next!" Hakuno glances over Shinji's desk to see a flock of girls standing over his desk. ...Who were they again? For some reason, she was having trouble remembering their names...
The man lets out a laugh, twirling a pen around his fingers. "Sheesh, you girls don't know how to answer this problem either? Oh well, guess this naturally gifted genius will teach you then!"
With his attention now on those girls, the brown-haired girl sighs before she stands from her desk. Staggering, she begins walking towards the door, her legs wobbling with each step. She barely makes it out the classroom when her legs start to give away.
Before she collapses onto the ground however, she feels a pair of arms support her, lifting her upright. "Whoa whoa, you ok there?! Be careful!" Looking up, she sees a familiar face staring back at her in concern. Tanned skin...ebony-black hair in a Bob cut...and those energetic-looking eyes...they all looked so familiar to her...but who...?
A field of static appears, obscuring her vision. Wincing once again, Hakuno grasps her head. Just what was going on? "Hey...you OK? You don't look too good Hakuno." This girl...she knew her name? And the way she was talking to her...it was almost as if the two of them knew each other for quite some time already...and yet...why couldn't she remember who this girl was?
Almost as if sensing her confusion, the girl chuckles. "Dang, it hurts when you're looking at me like I'm some sort of stranger. Aren't we friends?" Friends...were they friends? Despite how hard she was trying, Hakuno had no past recollection of the individual standing before her.
"It's Nagisa. That name ring any bells for you?" The brown-haired student blinks slowly...processing the name. Nagisa...Nagisa...wait a moment...!
With her eyes widening, she suddenly finds her body being violently jerked forward, the girl suddenly being surrounded by darkness. Looking around frantically, she tries calling out to the girl who had mysteriously vanished. "Nagisa! Nagisa, where are you?!"
There was no response as silence hung in the air. Gritting her teeth, she curses aloud and continues to look around for any sign of the girl. Just where and what was this place?! How did she even end up here?!
"Ahhh...AHHHHHHHH!" An ear-piercing shriek ripped through the silence as Hakuno whips her head behind her to see Shinji. Gasping, her eyes widened even further upon seeing blood trickling down his mouth, along with other numerous wounds slowly appearing on his body. "Shinji...?! Wh-What...?!"
"H-How could you do this to me Hakuno?!" The girl's body stiffens as she slowly backs away. What? This...was this her doing?! Shinji looks at Hakuno with both desperation and hatred. "This is all your fault! You...you did this to me!" The girl slowly shakes her head, her heart rate accelerating. No...she didn't...this couldn't...
"A-Ahhh...oh no...! H-Help, help me Hakuno! Save me!" The brown-haired female becomes horrified as she watches Shinji's body rapidly begin to disintegrate. "Shinji, hang on!" Just as she was about to run over to his side, a red barrier appears, blocking her path. The girl pounds onto the red barrier, watching as the man before her began to disappear. "Shinji...!" she calls out his name in a futile effort.
The man looks defeated as he looks at her hopelessly just as he vanishes before her very eyes. The girl goes silent at what had just occurred. She doesn't get to even properly take in the events however, as Nagisa once again appears before her. "Nagisa...! This...what's going on?! Shinji...he...!"
The black-haired girl stares back at her with a neutral expression. "Why do you seem so frightened?" This causes her to pause, her fingers begin to tremble. "W-What? But Shinji...he was...he...!" She couldn't even form coherent sentences at this point, too shocked over what had just happened.
Staring at the girl before her in disbelief, she could only watch as Nagisa casually places her hands behind her back. "I mean...what he said wasn't wrong. You did that to him after all." The headache from before throbbed intensely to a point where it felt like her head was getting bashed repeatedly against a wall. Just what was Nagisa saying?! "I don't get this at all! Tell me what's going on!"
"Trying to deny it? How ruthless. Then again, you were the one who killed him." The girl could feel her heart drop to her stomach. Wait...what...? It was as if a dam had been broken as the memories began flooding back to her. The Holy Grail War..the Elimination Battle...and Shinji was...her first round opponent. But that means...!
"You killed him to survive." Looking back up at her, the girl could feel her throat constricting at the sight of Nagisa now being covered in blood as well. "You killed him for your own selfish desire to win. You murdered him." That's not it. She...she didn't mean to...!
Nagisa cocks her head at her, the tips of her lips curling upward sending shivers down her spine. She had never seen Nagisa like this...she seemed so...different. "Still trying to play the good person here? When your hands are soaked in his blood?" This prompts her to look at her hands, now realising that both of them were stained in blood. Her breathing began began to quicken as she stared at her fingers, paralysed in fear. This couldn't be...no...not like this...!
"That's right. You killed Shinji Matou. His existence is gone from this world...because of you." The girl wanted to cover her ears. She didn't want to hear this! She finally sinks to her knees, her form curling up into a ball like a scared child.
"Look at me Hakuno." Through fearful eyes, the brown-haired girl could only watch as Nagisa began disappearing before her as well. "N-Nagisa!" Nagisa was going to vanish, just like Shinji, she too...! But this can't be!
"You lived on, while I perished, remember?" Nagisa let's out a calm, quiet chuckle despite the fact that her body was disintegrating. "I wished I could've lived a little longer, but oh well...this is as far as I go." Slowly backing away from the scared girl, she offers Hakuno a sad smile. "You're really selfish, aren't you Hakuno? Going to the second round while I get to die, isn't fate utterly cruel?"
She turns her back towards her, Hakuno unable to see the face she is making next as she slowly begins walking away. Hakuno stretches her hand out despite knowing how foolish her action was, yelling out the person's name. "Nagisa, no! Don't go!"
The tanned girl stops, glancing back the at the helpless girl on the ground. "...No can do. I'm not part of the living anymore...so it's my time to leave as well. How nice that you get to live on...I'm envious." The girl can't tell what expression Nagisa is showing her, but she nonetheless hears the sadness and regret tinged in her voice as the last bits of her body fade away. "Farewell...Hakuno."
Hakuno doesn't get to reply as Nagisa finally disappears. She feels tears streaming down her face as her vision blurs, but she's all too shocked to wipe them away. Nagisa was gone...and so was Shinji too. They were...both...dead...
The girl begins to sob, weeping in the darkness by herself as her cries echoed across the abyss she was stuck in. This couldn't be happening! There was no way that those two were dead! Clenching her hands into fists, the girl now feels hopeless at the situation, afraid and alone. Just what was she going to do now? How was she going to continue from here?
Amidst her crying, she hears slow footsteps approach her. "Stop crying, Praetor." The voice is commanding, yet soft and caring all the while. She pauses, though the tears continue to flow out of her eyes. It was a strange feeling, with the voice sounding both foreign and familiar to her ears...and yet...where had she heard it before?
Slowly looking up through red, tear-filled eyes, she stares at the being who had appeared before her in silence. There, standing before her, was a short woman with blonde hair. The woman wore a fancy crimson ballgown with gold accents decorating the attire, and while Hakuno was questioning how revealing it was, she was instead fixated on the woman's mesmerizing green eyes, looking down at her confidently and with no hesitation. "It's been a while, Praetor. How have you been?"
Well...if she had to respond to that question, she certainly wasn't feeling great at the moment. That aside...a part of her felt like she had known this woman for a long time...and yet...she couldn't pinpoint who she was, or where they had met. She had met this woman before...and she should know her...yet...why doesn't she remember her then? She continues to stare at the woman with wide eyes, before she slowly croaks out, "Who...who are you...?"
The woman puffs out her chest, pouting as she places her hands on her hips in disapproval. "My, the sheer audacity to ask such a question. To think that you would actually forget me...I am hurt." Hakuno flinches at the response, shrinking in shame. "I...I am sorry...but..."
The woman's expression softens at her, a brilliant smile tugging at her lips. "Well...no matter. I do not blame you for forgetting, for there was no way to change the circumstances. You'll probably remember in due time. Even if you don't, I'm sure you'll at least have a faint idea who I am by the end of this journey." So she indeed had met this woman before. This woman was speaking to her with such familiarity...and yet...she couldn't help but feel bad that no memories of her existence was surfacing in her mind at the moment.
"Do not look so glum. You'll ruin your wonderful face, Praetor." Praetor...the way she addressed her was both unusual and at the same time heartwarming and endearing. And the look she was giving her...it was definitely one of affection and respect. The woman before her slowly extends her hand, with Hakuno staring at it with slight hesitance, before she slowly reaches out and takes ahold of it, with the woman pulling her back up to her feet.
The person's hand is warm that the feeling practically engulfs her entire being. It was...a pleasant feeling, but also made her more curious as to who this woman really was. It seems that she wants her to find out on her own though, and doesn't intend to reveal her identity so easily. "To think that we meet again makes me beyond overjoyed. However..."
The girl watches as the woman slowly extends her hand and brushes her fingers over her remaining tears.Her fingers were tiny and dainty, and yet Hakuno could somewhat tell that this woman was strong, and possessed an absurd amount of power. A servant then? But...that couldn't be the case.
"...I wouldn't say it is a lovely sight to see you in tears during our long-awaited reunion. Tell me...what has happened for you to be in such a state, Praetor?" Hakuno blinks, the woman's question prompting her to bite down on her lower lip. Even now, she could not shake the memory of Shinji's death from her head. And Nagisa...she was gone too...
Bringing her other hand up, the woman slowly cups Hakuno's face, her eyebrows wrinkling in understanding. "...I see. So you have faced off against Shinji Matou. From the looks of it, it seems that you have also already met that girl, Nagisa." Hakuno's eyes go wide in response. She knew Shinji and Nagisa? But...how?
A light hearted chuckle escapes the woman's lips as she shakes her head. "Why are you so surprised? Of course I know those two, especially that insufferable boy. It seems that he hasn't changed much. But...how I know them is not of importance for now. I can tell that their deaths are causing you immense grief, and it pains me to see you like this." Once again, her fingers lightly brush over her the edges of her eyes, careful and delicate in the action.
Slowly, Hakuno places her hands against the back of the woman's palms, her eyes narrowing. The woman doesn't seem to be disgusted in the slightest that Hakuno's hands were still bloody as the master lets out a shuddering breath. "I...I killed him. It was my fault that he died...and I...couldn't do anything. I couldn't prevent his death...and Nagisa's death too..."
Yes...she could only watch in fear as Shinji slowly disappeared, and she couldn't do anything to stop Nagisa from perishing in the first round either. She was despicable and useless...being selfish and only caring whether she lived or not...!
"You fool! Do not think in such a depressing manner!" The brown-haired master blinks, confused at the woman's sudden outburst. The woman frowns at her, shaking her head. "I am not saying you shouldn't mourn for the deaths of others. However, you shouldn't let the dead stop you from progressing!" Her expression is stern, and Hakuno couldn't help but feel both awkward and ashamed with how she berated her. "But...even so..."
"That girl...Nagisa...told you to live on did she not?" The brown-haired master goes silent in response, slowly nodding a moment later. "Hmph, so even now, she's still the same girl as back then, huh?" 'Back then?' Had this woman already met Nagisa in the past somewhere? She doesn't get to question it however, as the woman's grip on her cheeks tightens.
"Nagisa told you to live on. She had left with those last words. Are you going to ignore them then?" Hakuno's shoulders go rigid. Nagisa...yes...Leo had told her about her dying message. Nagisa knew that her death would hurt her, but wanted her to live on no matter what. This woman had a point, but even so...Shinji had died before her very eyes. To advance onto the second round and forget about it...could she really do that?
"Shinji Matou died, but do remember...you had no choice in the matter, Praetor. It was either him or yourself." Her frown deepens as she goes on. "You chose to live. Remember that. You wanted to live on, to continue fighting. That other girl...Rin Tohsaka, she had mentioned it herself as well, had she not? She told you that you shouldn't be ashamed of wanting to stay alive." So this woman knew Rin too? The relationship that the two of them had must be more than just mere acquaintances then.
"But...even so...what should I...how do I go on from this point? Killing others so I can live...that's just..." The woman before her smiles before she gently leans in and touches her forehead with her own. The action itself surprises the master, but Hakuno doesn't pull away. "...Indeed, taking a life of someone else isn't a small matter. Worrying about it is what makes you human, Praetor."
Her breath tickles Hakuno's neck as she slowly opens her eyes, her shining green eyes gazing deep into Hakuno's chocolate orbs. "...Do not back down Praetor. I understand that you have many worries and fears, but do not let that keep you down."
She pulls away, a radiant smile on her features. "You are more intelligent and braver than you give yourself credit for! Whatever happens, you will surely find a way to overcome it no matter what! Even if death looms over you, even if sadness takes you by the soul, you will get through it! So lift up your chin! You can surely beat this!"
Her smile is so bright that it almost blinds her. Grasping onto her hands tightly, Hakuno looks at her with an expression she hopes isn't one of misery. "Why...why do you sound so confident that I can do it? Why do you seem so sure of it? Just why..." She slowly trails off, going silent. Why do you believe in me?
The woman laughs, the sound of it both soft yet melodious to Hakuno's ears as her smile widens. "Why would I not believe in you? This may seem hard to imagine, but you have already proven to me that you can overcome these challenges, and I am confident that you can do it again."
Another pout makes its way to her lips. "While it is indeed a shame that I cannot witness your amazing feats by your side, and...nghhh...it is incredibly vexing that you have that...infuriating man as your servant, I am certain that you can make it this time with him by your side. Even with how flawed his personality is, I cannot deny his skills as a servant. He is certainly powerful, and reliable too when it counts. I'm sure you can depend on him." She almost sounds frustrated saying that. But... 'this time'? What did she mean by that?
Hakuno doesn't get to ask anymore questions however, as she begins to see the woman fade. Panic begins to envelop her being as she takes ahold of the woman's hand. Hang on, was she just going to disappear like this?! But...she hasn't...!
As if sensing her anxiety, the woman chuckles. "It seems that it is time. What a shame, I was hoping to catch up with you more. But do not fear Praetor. I am not fading away for good. I am not sure when the next opportunity will arrive, but we will surely meet again."
Lifting Hakuno's hand to her face, she kisses her fingertips, almost as if she was pledging a silent promise to her. "Continue your journey with your head held high. I wish you the best of luck, and that you may be able to face whatever obstacles coming your way with vigour and courage."
She gives Hakuno one last time, a smile that is ever so dazzling and beautiful that it leaves Hakuno breathless at the sight. "When the time comes that we reunite once again, I do hope that you have grown as a master by then. It will not do to have you weeping before me every time we cross paths, after all."
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The girl wakes up, blinking slowly. She stares at the ceiling with a blank expression, realizing that she had fallen asleep. Perhaps it was the exhaustion that got to her. Slowly getting up into a sitting position, she rubs her eyes, feeling that they were still somewhat wet from tears; she must've been crying in her sleep then.
That dream she had...about Shinji and Nagisa. She didn't know if the initial part of it was a past memory, or just her subconscious mind leading her to wake up in the classroom, but it certainly evolved into a horrific nightmare. And that woman...just who was she? Why did that woman know her?
"Good morning, Master." A voice brings her out of her thoughts, as she glances over towards her servant who was sitting on his throne of chairs as usual. That woman...she did briefly mention Archer too. Did the two of them know each other then? The woman didn't seem to have an entirely favourable opinion about him though...
Hakuno doesn't notice that she had been staring at her servant in silence before he raises an eyebrow at her and clears his throat. Blinking at him, she opens her mouth and greets him a moment later. "Ah, good morning...Archer."
The servant nods back at her. "Did you rest well? We have another long week ahead of us. The second round has begun after all." Hearing him say it causes her to instantly break out of her daze, her body stiffening in response. Right...today marks the start of the second round. The first round had already ended yesterday...and she...towards Shinji Matou...she had...
"...Are you thinking about yesterday's events again?" Unlike yesterday after the battle, her servant is definitely being more vocal about his thoughts, frequently asking her questions as soon as she woke up. She grips onto the bedsheets tightly, forcing herself to try and not think about the scene once again. "Well...I mean...that's..."
Again, she knew that there was no point in lying to him. She was almost like an open book in her servant's eyes; he would definitely have an idea of what she was thinking and worrying about.
Honestly, she feels ripped apart to the core. There's Shinji's and Nagisa's deaths...and there's also what Rin said. She knows Rin was right, and that her words were logical...but emotionally, she just couldn't deal with it.
How was anyone normal supposed to deal with someone else's death, especially if they literally just died yesterday? So instead, she retreats into silence, choosing to stare at anything but him, with the tanned man soon letting out a sigh.
Unable to let it pass unnoticed, her servant chooses to speak up. "I understand your worries and frustrations. It's not easy to forget about what happened, especially with that soft-hearted nature of yours." Standing from his spot, he slowly walks over towards her.
"...But even so, you can't continue to mourn over their deaths forever. In any war, people will inevitably die...be it your own comrades or your enemies. The remaining soldiers or warriors that live on to continue fighting the battle...they can't just sit around idly and mourn for any those deaths even if they want to. It would be a disgrace and insult to those who sacrificed their lives." His eyebrows crease together as he elaborates, and Hakuno has a feeling that he is speaking from past experience.
"Shinji lost and died in order for you to live...those are the rules here in the Holy Grail War, and you can't change them even if you want to. And Nagisa...she wanted you to survive no matter what. Staying depressed forever instead of honouring her last wish...you wouldn't want that, would you?" Indeed, he wasn't wrong...and the woman back then spoke of a similar point, but how was she to continue going on knowing that she would have to take more lives with each round? And to do so when she doesn't even have a wish or desire for the Holy Grail yet either...that's...
"That girl...Rin, also had a point. You still lack a wish for the Holy Grail. A person who fights without a reason is no better than a machine." Crossing his arms, Archer begins drumming his fingers over them, as if figuring out how to phrase his words. "But...masters call forth servants they're compatible with, and you ended up summoning stubborn me."
It was odd that he was sorta insulting himself by saying that, but Hakuno more or less had an idea of what he was trying to get across. "My unbending conviction is what made me a Legendary Soul, really. So in a way, you too, must be stubborn."
He begins scratching the back of his head awkwardly, letting out another sigh. "So don't worry if at some point I get overbearingly stubborn. As for you, just like the first round, focus on not dying for now. There's no time to construct more elaborate of a motivation."
Hakuno bites down on her lower lip, silence once again engulfing the room with only the sound of the ticking clock to be heard. Indeed, she had nothing to refute against his statements, but even then, Archer didn't need to drive the point home so hard.
With that being said, he was basically telling her that even if she was lost now, she had to find a moral compass regardless before the next Elimination Battle...or else. If her issues are still unresolved when that time comes...she'll die, that was a given.
"I...I'll go wash up and prepare," was all she could weakly muster a moment later, getting off the bed and heading towards the bathroom without another word. Shutting the door behind her, she let's out a shaky breath, before her eyes slowly drift towards the mirror in front of her.
Examining her reflection in the mirror, she notes that her complexion was slightly paler than usual, and the corners of her eyes were still red from crying as well. Light eyebags traced the edges of her eyes...and all in all, she looked terrible. Regardless of her condition however, there was still yet another Elimination Battle to prepare for...another opponent to fight and kill.She shouldn't be hesitating now.
Gripping the edges of the sink, she takes in a deep breath. She could still hear Shinji's voice in her mind...almost as if he was a ghost that was haunting her. Slowly bringing a hand to her cheek, she shudders, recalling the feeling of blood splattering onto her face. She could almost still feel the blood staining her face and hands...Shinji's blood. The sight of blood...the sight of Shinji dying...
The master suddenly felt sick, a nauseous feeling welling up inside of her. She begins violently coughing, clutching her mouth. She honestly feels like puking, and nearly collapses on her knees if it weren't for the fact that she was supporting herself using the sink.
Hakuno doesn't know how long the coughing episode lasts, but eventually, they die down, and it takes her an incredible amount of energy not to start crying again. Her throat felt hoarse, her eyes hurt, and she felt like shit. How long was this war going to last? She had to keep it together, she couldn't fall apart now. She had to do this...she knows that she needs to...and yet...
Why...why was she finding it so hard to do so?
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Archer wasn't surprised seeing Shinji and Rider slowly fade into oblivion. After all, those were the rules of the Moon Cell's Holy Grail War. Any master should be prepared for this cruel fate even if they didn't die by their opponent's hand.
Francis Drake...she was indeed a powerful foe. While Archer would've probably had an easier time fighting against her if he had more power and his locked abilities at his disposal, he was glad that they managed to beat their first round opponent anyway. Unlike Shinji, the woman wasn't crying aloud or whining, and she just stood there, her form relaxed and accepting her death as it was. They were servants after all...so death wasn't something to get worked up over.
However, what he wasn't expecting was for his master to get so worked up over it. He knew that she always had a soft spot, but even so, to see her react so strongly and oppose Shinji's death after what the man put her through was astonishing to see.
The tanned man could only watch as the female master pounded harshly against the red barrier separating her and her opponent. She probably knew that what she was doing was pointless, but still tried to save Shinji regardless. Really...her kindness and naivety knows no bounds.
Archer watched as Shinji continued to screamed even as parts of his body began to vanish. The process was relatively slow, but wasn't stopping. Shinji Matou was going to disappear out of existence. Somehow...he found this scenario to be rather ironic given how Shinji's counterpart almost always managed to narrowly escape death.
Did he pity this man? If he had to be honest...not really. The servant himself had lost a lot of his humanity and ability to feel empathy for his foes after all the battles he had fought. If anything, he only pitied his master for having to witness the death of her own classmate with her own eyes.
At last, the process of deletion is completed, and Shinji Matou is gone from this world for good. The tanned servant glances over towards Hakuno, noticing that she had gone silent, unmoving. The girl was probably in shock over what she saw. Internally sighing, Archer walks over, calling out to her. He supposed they should be on their way back to the school. There was no need to linger on the battlefield.
Just as he touched her shoulder however, the man blinks in surprise as his master jerked away from him. Her eyes...they looked lost and frightened. She probably wasn't well aware of the harsh consequences for the losers of this war...but there was no reversing what had already happened. They were the winner of this round, and as the rules stated, the losers had to die.
Her master goes into a state of hysteria, breaking down and screaming aloud. It certainly took a while before Archer could get her to snap out of it, the master looking into his eyes. There they were again...just like the night she first experienced that nightmare...those fear-filled eyes, almost as if she was begging for someone to save her and bring her out of this hellish war.
The servant didn't know what to do as his master continuously pleaded to him to bring Shinji back. He was no god, he had no powers to revive and bring the dead. back to life. Instead, he could only silently try and comfort her as she cried in front of him, tightly grasping onto his arms as if they were a lifeline.
In that moment, he was made aware of how fragile his master was. Just the death of someone she shouldn't care about had her in tears, her eyes filled with sorrow and despair. It was then that he remembered how she wasn't cut out for participating in this bloodshed.
While he obviously didn't like seeing her in this state, there wasn't much he could do either except to silently console her, placing a hand to her shivering back. The action itself felt awkward, but the servant chose to focus more on his master for now.
It took quite a while before his master began to calm down, but he could still sense the turmoil of negative emotions going through her. The elevator ride was nothing but tense silence throughout, with Archer choosing to be considerate for once and keeping his mouth shut.
Saying something inappropriate might only make her even more upset, and he didn't want her to start bursting into tears again. It wasn't like he knew how to properly cheer her up anyway, so the best option would just be to stay quiet and let his master get it out of her system.
It was only after they had arrived back on school grounds and got out of the elevator that the servant felt the need to speak, to at least say something to clear the cloud of worries over his master's head, to give some form of reassurance for her. That was the least he could do as a servant...and he figured that going forth into the second round with his master looking this distraught wouldn't be a good idea too.
However, the man doesn't get the chance to speak, as he quickly dematerializes into astral form upon noticing Rin Tohsaka walk over towards them. Rin Tohsaka doesn't even spare his master an ounce of empathy as she goes on talking, saying how foolish Shinji must've been to not take the war seriously. Well...he couldn't disagree with her on that.
Her master's eyes shows disapproval, but doesn't take a stand against Rin's words as hesitance continues to linger in her irises. She knows how idiotic she would sound doing so...because Rin was technically speaking the truth. Rin continues, mentioning how his master still didn't have a wish for the grail while questioning her readiness in the war.
His master responds with a curt reply, not even daring to look straight into Rin's eyes before Rin promptly walks away, ending the conversation. He had hoped for them to be able to return to their private room as soon as possible, but soon sees Leo approaching them.
He curses under his breath, practically scowling at the blond master for his appearance. Could they not catch a break here? However, he roughly knows what the man's agenda was, eyes narrowing. If he was here...then that meant...that girl was...
The reveal of Nagisa's death came as yet another horrifying surprise to his master, her eyes widening and mouth falling open slightly. She watches as Leo pardons himself and soon walks away, but doesn't move from her spot. To her, the death of two people she knew about must've been incredibly heartbreaking, especially since one of them was supposedly a dear friend.
The servant now glances back at his master. Hakuno by now had already fallen asleep, the fatigue and exhaustion getting to her after she cried and mourned for them. Slowly rising from his seat, he brings a hand to her sleeping face, lightly brushing his fingers over her red eyes that were still wet with tears. Her complexion, fair as it may be, was paler than usual, looking almost sickly.
He had already warned her since the start of the first round, but he supposed that she couldn't help but unconsciously warm up towards that girl regardless. Placing a hand to his forehead, he gives out a long and frustrated sigh.
What a troublesome master he had, to not only have to deal with protecting and fighting for her...but also with her mental state. He could only hope that she recovered soon, and could get back on her feet. If she were to advance onto the second round in that state...he could already see the possible issues arising and feared for the worse.
The man continues to quietly gaze at his master's face, not wanting to disturb her or wake her up from her slumber. She needed the rest after exhausting most of her mana in that fight after all. Pulling his hand back to his side, the man soon returns to his throne of chairs, his eyes drifting towards the virtual blue moon outside.
So they had managed to get through the first round. While his master acted sort of questionably while on the battlefield, he supposed he should just be glad that they won and survived. He initially wasn't expecting them to even last past the first round after all.
And now...he had to fight for her again for the second round. The man leans back in his seat, already feeling somewhat tired imagining the situation. Well...no matter, there was nothing much he could do. He was still stuck with this amnesiac master of his, and so as her servant...just like the first round, he would try his best to keep them both alive.
The man let's out a chuckle at his situation, shaking his head. A lot had indeed happened over the course of the week, and more was to come with the second round commencing of course. He could only hope that their opponent wasn't as annoying as Shinji.
"Man...seeing me like this, you would definitely laugh, wouldn't you?" he mutters out loud to no one in particular. His mind briefly flashed back to another certain master. She would probably be somewhat affected by Shinji's death herself, but would try not to show it on her face or let it get to her.
The man sighs once again. No...he shouldn't be thinking back on the past. There was no point in recalling those past incidents, especially now that he was in a different Holy Grail War. Settling into a more comfortable position, the man looks over at his master one last time, before closing his eyes and getting some well needed rest himself.