Chapter 08: The Burning Sky
Blood was a novelty in moonlit world, from simply the staple diet of Dead Apostle to most common medium for Magecraft. Vongola with their divine ancestry prized their blood more than any other, as it was both legacy and power. The potency was off the chart, like premium fuel mana would burn like no other. Pretty strange in his personal opinion that family that used flame had fuel for blood.
"What are you doing?! Ruler!"
Ruler didn't share their sentiment. "Blood is an ultimate mana medium." He explained calmly. "And the cut I make is pretty shallow… no need to fret."
Irisviel glared at him, "You still scare us!"
"Forgive me, Master." He offered his bleeding wrist Irisviel promptly healed in no time.
The homunculus used her handkerchief to wipe the excess blood and stopped. "Your blood… the color is different from normal human." It was as red as normal blood but there was different sheen like it was sprinkled by amber dust.
"Well, it's part of our family trait… and I hope you don't have attachment to this handkerchief because I have to burn it."
Irisviel nodded, "Of course." She was not going to give her servant trouble and let Ruler to burn the cloth to ashes.
He inhaled deeply as he approached Saber who was looking at her bloody sword in bewilderment. "Saber, stay still and calm… I am not going to hurt you." That was the only warning she got when he knelt and channeled his flame, and her own sword burst in golden flame.
Harmony forged by blood and flame of Sephira,
Our great ancestor.
I announce myself, the one whose time recorded within the ring,
I hereby swear, as the Sky who accept all
My sword reject chaos.
My forge burn imbalance.
Accept my prayer!
Saber stayed still, the flame surprisingly comforting to the touch. It was warm and giving sense of calmness she couldn't explain. Excalibur also felt different, like it was being polished and cleaned from nonexistent rust she didn't know exist.
"That should do it." Ruler nodded to himself, before turning to his master who looked slightly winded. "Are you alright, Master?"
Irisviel nodded, "I am just surprised by the mana drain, but I am okay!"
The female knight inspected her sword warily, "What did you do?"
"Adding 'harmony' properties to your sword." Ruler answered, rolling his shoulders. "Nothing fancy but it will gives Excalibur some boost against Caster's black magic."
"...Nothing like Gae Dearg I suppose?"
"Of course not, and frankly Excalibur's status as holy sword is a bit weird considering it's made by Fairies and… Sephira I suppose. By all right it should be neither good nor evil."
Saber frowned, "I almost afraid to ask but… is one of Excalibur's materials is blood of people like you?"
Ruler stopped at his track at that, "Aha ha… ask the faeries, I am not going to answer that." She glared harder. "Weapon of my people traditionally mix some blood with the metal, but I am sure as hell have no idea how embodiment of prayer for victory is made."
He could find out if he delve deeper into Excalibur's history off course, but browsing the detail would be a pain and a half. Also he would be breaching into Giglio Nero's secret, and while he had not met Aria he knew enough each family had their own secret. He had special attachment for both Caliburn and Excalibur as eternal memento of Saber in his world, he never went that far even before his induction back to Vongola famiglia.
Instinctively he already knew that was forbidden place he shouldn't reach.
"I suppose it's a mystery for everyone."
Somewhere unknown…
Irisviel wasn't suppose to be a master when her family decided to hire Kiritsugu, though by design she could be one with her massive mana capacity. It didn't stop her from reading record made by her predecessors, homunculus master before her. They spoke of dream of heroes from the past, seeing the world of lost age through the eyes of their champion.
Homunculus was made to be a tool of Einzbern, and model before her was less human but… Irisviel believed they were happy when they lived the dream of heroes. She yearned the same, and when she unexpectedly blessed by the grail to be a Master she was overjoyed. She wanted to see the world through the eyes of her servant, Ruler.
Since the first day she got him, Irisviel was waiting for the dream to start. Surprisingly by the first night Irisviel already could catch some glimpse of his world. The world filled with blades, eternal twilight, flame and smoke. Upon the hill full of swords, Ruler would stand alone and unmoving as watching the gears hanging upon the sky.
Twas the night of their departure this majestic and forlorn world changed. Irisviel who dreamed as Ruler felt a gentle hand grabbing his and pulled him out of the hill. Irisviel saw a boy who couldn't be older than fifteen or perhaps was in short side , he has fair skin, spiky yet soft looking brown hair and the same amber eyes she saw in Ruler. A beautiful boy with gentlest smile that warm your heart and Irisviel felt her heart clench.
The forlorn world then became rewritten, and Irisviel was welcomed by a sight of castle unlike Einzbern in black forest. It was similar to Italian renaissance castle Irisviel saw in books, the azure sky was heart-rending, scent of amaryllis and fresh grass tickled her nose, and the hand in hers was warmer than anyone she ever touch but comforting.
"It's alright, you're welcome here. You belong here…" The boy repeated over and over as his eyes looked straight at her, as if words alone was not enough to convey it.
Irisviel was confused by the desperation, but soon understood when she walked through the mansion on her own. There were peoples who were wary of Ruler, calling him a deviation for a Sky. He was tainted, polluted, dirty, and… every hurtful words that said he didn't belong to this pure and beautiful world.
But it was alright, because if this one person accepted him, he would endure.
Irisviel couldn't help but feel jealous of Ruler, as she quickly realize this boy was the cousin he mentioned from time to time. The leader of Vongola family of his era. In her family outside her small one, she was isolated and seen as transience existence that would be gone soon. She loved Kiritsugu and Ilya but she couldn't help but enjoyed the attention Ruler's family bestowed to him. It was like an utopia to her, the castle of Vongola and the family of sky.
The dream today was different, and she was looking forward for the new chapter of Ruler's life while secretly feeling like a shameless peeping tom.
Irisviel or rather… Ruler was coming back from a mission, and he was angry while holding onto a boy around Ilya's age in his arms. The dark haired child was hurt, the left side of his body was covered in burns but he was smiling as if he had won a prize.
Ruler dropped the child with someone to take care of the injury and marched towards his cousin's office. For the first time, Ruler raised his voice at his cousin. It supposed to be a simple mission of retrieving an artifact from someone named Talbot, and the boy's task in this mission was just accompanying him. Yet, when they were ambushed the boy escaped Ruler's watchful eyes and make himself a bait.
Because it was his role as the guardian of lightning.
"An eight years old boy shouldn't be thinking of protecting an adult! What duty?! Why is he wearing that ring in the first place?! There should be no place for a child in your guardian rank!" Ruler was beyond livid, "He said… it's his job to draw damage to himself and away from the rest of the Famiglia, serving as a lightning rod." Then Ruler stopped, "It's not you who give a child a role to be sacrificial lamb, are you?"
The pure sky let Ruler to unleash all the rage and frustration he felt, accepting them. "I… It's my decision to choose them to be my friends, brothers and family. Well, it's more correct to say we choose each other." He admitted in solemn voice. "But I have never given the choice to make them my guardians."
Her heart clench at the sadness in the boy's voice, for the first time Irisviel remember head of family or not… he was just a boy.
"The Vongola ring of lightning was given to Lambo without him knowing any better, slipped to his person like a cursed artifact it is." He let out a mirthless laugh, "I was as enraged as you're now, but nothing I said could change the decision that of all people I draw as a sky, he had been chosen because of his talent. To my father it doesn't matter he is just a child, a baby even… I need a lightning guardian to win the boss seat and that's it."
"Your father…"
"I swear, we're cursed to have rotten luck with blood relative of ours." He murmured with shadowed face. "Back then my only choice was to forfeit Lightning battle, in hope the rest could win somehow and we may live. Again… I was wrong… apparently I have no right to protect him from his own battle. I was sick to the core and when he got hurt badly, I couldn't bring myself to care anymore and forfeit two rings in exchange…"
The boy who never wanted the throne, but obligated to take it.
"As you can see though, I somehow won the Sky Battle. The way people see it, I won my birthright to lead Vongola. To me… I won just to protect them, if I have to be in this accursed seat so be it." He intoned, "I thought he is content to be my spoiled little brother, that he is fine I don't want him to be my lightning. I was too caught up protecting my family, blinded by my own intuition, and…" He was shaking now and Ruler moved to his side. "My own damned pride."
"...Tsu…"
"I put that boy behind my back to protect him! I didn't look at him, and when I did he already caught up in thirst to prove himself that he deserve to be my lightning! I can't tell him to stop because he is a child, I will break his heart! Out of all guardians of mine, I failed Lambo the most!"
Ruler snapped, "You haven't failed yet! Stop getting caught up in Utopia of your image!"
"Huh?"
"I can't believe you are just like that girl! Trying desperately to live up to impossible expectation of others and yourself and then make everything that goes wrong as your fault alone! Stop that… I don't want you to go down that path like her in search for impossible Utopia."
Irisviel wondered who was Ruler talking about, a girl Ruler talked about with so much pain and grief. However she also didn't miss the love and longing in his voice.
End of the dream
Einzbern's main dining room
The dream left deep impression in her heart and mind, but she dared not to look at her servant who was oblivious that his master had been peeping on his life"– Are you tired, Iri?"Kiritsugu asked. Irisviel hid her melancholic expression and shook her head with a smile.
"It's nothing, I'm not tired. Keep going." She urged her husband and sipped the ginger tea Ruler prepared for them.
Kiritsugu continued to talk at her urging, his hands move across the map of Fuyuki city. "– Two locations are the heart of the entire area. One is the residence of the Second Master, Tohsaka. The other goes without saying; that is Mount Enzō. All the leylines in the surrounding area gather at Mount Enzō. The details are just as Head of the Household Acht had said – "
She was tired but he had at least rested in bed for a little while, not quite a good rest with dreaming an all but her husband had not rested at all. After everything that happened, Kiritsugu didn't even show a sliver of exhaustion, then there's no reason for Irisviel to complain of tiredness either.
"– A powerful bounded field was established with the Ryūdō temple on top of Mount Enzō as its base. As a result, apart from Servants, all other natural creatures can only enter the bounded field through the mountain path. Saber and Ruler needs to be careful of this when they're approaching this location."
While Kiritsugu didn't even look at Saber when saying this, he made a point to look at her servant in the eye. At first, Irisviel thought Kiritsugu was just respecting Ruler who had been very good servant for them but the challenging glint on his eyes said otherwise. Ruler sighed in respond as if her husband had completely missing a point. Saber whispered something to Ruler, a sign the knight knew what this was about.
"Also, apart from these two locations, there are two more key positions in Shinto where leylines gather. One is the Fuyuki church on top of the southern hill, and the other is the new housing development to the east of the CBD. To conclude, there are four key spiritual grounds in Fuyuki where it is properly equipped to carry out the Holy Grail's descent."
"Then, once the war enters the ending phase and the number of Servants have been narrowed down, we must take control of one of these locations?"
"Correct. Any questions concerning the topography?"
"...Saber, Ruler, is there anything you are not certain of?" These two had been too quiet for her liking.
The girl Servant smiled and shook her head. "Nothing in particular. It was a sufficient explanation." Followed by Ruler's own equally flippant reply, who unlike Saber who was unaware, he was being purposely sarcastic. "It's very enlightening, Master… so nothing on my part either."
With a sigh, Irisviel continued. "So, as for our policies from now on... It seems all the other Masters will hunt down Caster first, right, Kiritsugu?"
"Yeah, that seems to be the case. The supervisor did say he would compensate us for the effort." Kiritsugu turned to Ruler once again. "I have to say, you offering assistance in form of your own command seal in unnecessary."
Ruler didn't even waver, "If the supervisor has offered to compensate the Masters, I should do the same as befitting of my role to preside this war. Not to mention this way, the Masters would be inclined to contact me when they face Caster… enabling us to move as well."
Kiritsugu sighed, "I suppose that works too, Ruler. I can work around that, as it would be more advantageous if we did not join with the other Masters." Then he added, "Other Master hopefully will let their guard down with Iri volunteering Caster's true name but I'd prefer if we keep it to ourselves."
"I assure you." Ruler interjected, "Keeping it to ourselves is not advantageous at all considering his dabbling in dark arts is glossed over in history record… with how vicious he is gathering Mana it's already obvious his stats is low and his master is no Magus."
"In short, speeding up other master's effort to get to him is more beneficial."
"I don't think it will hinder you from taking advantage of the situation." Ruler offered his opinion.
Saber frowned, "Ruler…"
Ruler just shook his head, and Kiritsugu couldn't help but wonder since when this dynamic between Saber and Ruler existed. While Ruler was no knight, he had sarcastic sense of honor and he tolerated Saber's honor and ideal. He didn't reject her, he worked around her delicately and dare Kiritsugu say it… kindly to make sure Einzbern faction had semblance of teamwork in spite of extreme difference in principle.
Kiritsugu, his lips crooked by a cynical smile, continued. "Maa… anyway it's still to our advantage Caster have lost his mind if he's prowling after Saber like that, thinking that she is Joan of Arc. This guy is useful. We don't even need to drive him away, just set our nets and wait."
"Master, that is not enough." Saber spoke up, "While I'm willing to play bait to slay that monster, we also have to take account that he has kidnapped children. As he is now… unless he resort to foul tactic such as baiting us with hostage he won't achieve anything but naught by coming here. He might be mad, but he was a general…"
Kiritsugu of course knew of this but he continued. "...We have no need to confront Caster directly when he appears. All you need to do is to use the advantage of the terrain to the maximum. Saber can just run away and confuse the enemy's line of sight."
Irisviel was shocked. When Saber heard this from Kiritsugu, she was gaping with anger. "Not… fighting Caster?" Ruler was still, a hand on his temple as if he had a headache.
"All the other Masters have set their aim at Caster. Someone is bound to deal with Caster without us lifting a finger. Therefore, we have no need to commit this extra act." Kiritsugu seemed to be off of his own world at the thought of other Masters letting their guard down in their greed to get extra command seal.
"Caster is rich picking for all those Masters, they are chasing Caster with bloodshot eyes. Caster's sight is locked on Saber. As long as Caster makes a move, then one or two of the Masters pursuing Caster would definitely set foot in this forest and we can attack these Masters sideways. The Master who gave pursuing Caster all their attention would never think that they would change from the role of the hunter to the hunted."
Truly amazing, Kiritsugu the Magus Killer who discarded both moral as human and pride as a Magus. In his eyes now, Kiritsugu was a perfect predator with machine like mind who calculate the highest chance of success, with survival of the fittest formula at his command.
Saber was shaking with rage. "Master, you… just how despica-" She stopped as Ruler stepped forward and raised his hand before her.
"My deepest apologies to disturb your predatory daydream, Kiritsugu… but may I remind you that a Master or two would go after you? You're not the only hunter tonight… and certainly not the apex predator."
Kiritsugu froze at that, "...Is that so?"
If Saber had finished her sentence she was surely would be ignored again, but Ruler's words hit her Master hard. Even though he tried to hide it, Saber could see how shaken he was.
Ruler was sighing now, "You may care only for one of them, but it's no good to underestimate Lancer's master either."
"I will fight him with all I have regardless of my opinion of him."
"Then I recommend to open the front door when he honorably come to challenge you to a duel, I would hate to see him wrecking the entrance to get in." It was weird to see a Vongola so concerned about material damage.
"You're so sure the man who hid in the shadow back in warehouse would show himself now, Ruler? Or is it your intuition again?"
Ruler shook his head, "One didn't need Hyper Intuition to guess, you refused to play by his rule once so he will come forward to make you." He shrugged, "An amateur in war perhaps, but surely by now he learn some trick to work around his servant, let Lancer move accordingly to his chivalrous ideal while he finish his business with you… I'd say he learns from you, Kiritsugu."
Saber couldn't help but quirked up her lips at Ruler's not so subtle jab.
Kiritsugu now was sure Ruler partly acted on behalf of Saber, "How flattering."
"So you see, how your plan to catch any Master unaware tonight will most likely fail? So please give it up and concentrate on defending yourself for tonight, Kiritsugu." Ruler suggested, chuckling softly when Saber released a relieved sigh beside him.
Kiritsugu glared at the pair of servant, which surprised Saber that at last her master act like she existed. "Must you poke holes in my plan?"
"Surely at this point you're used that nothing goes according to your plan?" Ruler offered, "So change of plan, or plan B is just a logical conclusion by now, don't you think? Our fearsome Magus Killer-san?"
He sighed, sometimes he hated Ruler very much if not for how useful this servant and his intuition was. "Fine, let's adjust our plan to work with these… unexpected factors."
Ruler nodded sagely, "Oh, Kiritsugu… if you don't mind may I scout the forest first? I know my Master have the whole forest under her watch but it would be also prudent to give impression I am acting independently as servant Ruler."
Kiritsugu considered that suggestion, "I'd rather you to stay close with Iri, Ruler. Unless you have a better reason I can't have you at the frontline."
"Saber can protect my Master, it's part of your original plan to get Saber far away from Caster." Inwardly Ruler apologized to everyone in the room he had tiny bit of personal reason to agree with part of Kiritsugu's original plan. "Caster will bring hostage with him, and I'd like to confirm their condition before we make any rash move."
Saber glared at him, "And what's the point of boosting my sword then?"
"Insurance in case Caster escape from me of course." And also because if Saber had to face the bastard, Ruler wanted to make sure she could inflict pain on Caster. Sky and magic didn't mix, he was the only deviation that ever existed in between.
Kiritsugu sighed, "Very well… you will wait for Caster while Saber will protect Iri. Then-" It took fifteen minutes for Kiritsugu to alter his original plan to work in scenario of uninvited guests. Ruler was pretty quiet after his first suggestion, opting to be silent in his spot beside Saber. "Then the meeting's over. Irisviel and I will remain in the castle and prepare for Caster's and possibly Kayneth Archibald's assault. Maiya is to return to the city and gather intelligence. Report it to me if there are any changers there."
Mion Riverside
When everyone was busy preparing for hunting Caster, Rider and Waver were patrolling the city while looking for Caster's Master and lair, not Caster himself. Rider said because Waver had full three command seal he shouldn't aim for more, because that's what everyone does. Rider was alright competing with other servant to slay Caster, but he'd rather not throw his Magus in training master in all out competition with other Master.
It would be full of overstepping and sabotage, something Rider admitted he was ill-equipped to deal with Magus. Which was why upon appraising his Master as a child with a long way to go in his art, Rider decide to keep the boy as close as possible. A fine idea in the end if Ruler's warning was anything to go by.
His second reason was… he also had his pride, and it was an insult to him that a King needed a prize to slay a monster like Caster. A sentiment he shared with Saber, seriously these Magi! There was a mass murderer targeting children and they couldn't care to show a semblance of morality? Well, his master and Ruler's seemed to be alone in that regard.
So here was Rider… Following Ruler's rule, not risking his Master's life as much as possible… they opted to look for Caster's lair. Iskandar was crouching by Mion riverside, collecting sample of water like a good servant. He had no idea what Waver was up to, but he was not the Magus here.
But still… Mion River was a pretty long body of water. "And I am missing all the excitement tonight to pick sample of water, pity it isn't wine." Ruler had warned him to stay away from the forest for tonight, and take the chance to hunt different prey.
Wine… hm, that would be an idea to look forward to. For now though, back to work.
Einzbern Castle
"… Kiritsugu."Irisviel was worried for her husband, especially since she saw his unusual reaction to what her servant said to him.
Kiritsugu was standing by the balcony, unsurprised by her presence as he turned around slowly to face her. Kiritsugu's expression was like a hurt and helpless child, for some reason unknown to Irisviel her husband felt cornered.
"Kiritsugu, you –" Kiritsugu didn't speak, hugging the confused Irisviel tightly. What was wrong with the strong man her husband supposed to be? Irisviel thought as she returned his embrace.
He was stammering, "If I –" He began with shaking voice. "If right now I decide to throw away everything and run away from here – Iri, will you leave with me?"
That was not what she expected him to ask, "Our Ilya is still in the castle, if we-"
Kiritsugu growled, "We go back to the castle and bring her out. If we have to, we will just kill everyone standing on our way!" he declared without hesitation. "After that – I'll give everything I have for our family. I'll protect Ilya and you with my life."
It was strange that only now Irisviel realized how much she changed him from Magus Killer nine years ago, became a man who had something to lose -her and Ilya- and now he was shaken with fear that he would lose them.
"Are we able to run away? We…"
"We can. Now there's still a chance."
He sounded very sure about it but Irisviel knew Kiritsugu was unsure. "Kiritsugu… did Ruler say something to you?" Something flashed in his eyes and Irisviel knew she was right. "What is it?"
"He… spoke to Kotomine Kirei, and told me that Kirei was just looking for answer from him. On instinctual level, Kirei thinks… Ruler could give him an answer and-"
※※※※※
Flashback
After their meeting was over Ruler stopped him from leaving to take a breather. "Kiritsugu, you never let me tell you anything about what I talked about with Kirei."
"I know enough."
"No, you don't… and as result you have irrational fear for a man lost in road of life." Ruler told him in even tone. "And you knew it, you're being unreasonably afraid of a man you know just from paper."
Kiritsugu glared at him. "Fine, tell me then!"
Ruler was shaking his head now, "Kotomine Kirei is a man who didn't find everything he achieved in life worthwhile, he feels nothing… and he is targeting you because somehow both of you see each other as kindred soul. You fear him because he reminds you of old you while Kirei thinks you're someone who has been in his shoes and found what he should be looking for."
The Magus Killer couldn't help but look at Ruler in disbelief. "That's…"
"If you see him just answer his question, he is not a shadow of your past self coming to kill you." Ruler looked annoyed beyond words as he said this. "And-" Ruler opened his mouth again as if he was about to say more but he clamped his mouth shut again. "Nevermind… but I will warn you now, shutting down all emotions your family awaken from the old you… or returning to the man you used to be… it won't help you. It would be just an escape."
Kiritsugu snapped, "What do you know?!"
"Considering who I am, more than you do." He returned promptly, without an inch of doubt that quelled Kiritsugu's anger like a bucket of ice cold water. "I know you have done extensive research on my family history." Kiritsugu tensed, "Pretty sure you get nowhere aside from the bloody history…" Ruler hissed. "If there's anything, I wish you get a clue where this road you're taking is heading."
"I…"
"It's hell."
End of flashback
※※※※※
Irisviel covered her mouth, Ruler put doubt in Kiritsugu's mind? Why? She would have words with her servant later but for now. "– You're lying." She was being gentle, but also cruel. "That's impossible. Emiya Kiritsugu, it's impossible for you to run away. Giving up everything your ideal to save the world, you would never forgive yourself! You would make yourself miserable… "
He understood that too. He had no choices left since a long time ago.
Not far, on the rooftop
"Human enough to you now I hope? Your Master, Kiritsugu…" Ruler said to his companion, both of them were sitting on the edge of the roof as spying on their Masters.
Saber felt guilty, "I don't want to spy on them." But it was nice to know Kiritsugu was not as unfeeling as she thought.
"To be fair, we're in balcony first before Kiritsugu came." Ruler pointed out with a sigh. "We can't hear them from here but it seems my Master undo all the good work I did to yours."
"You're playing too many mind games just like Mer-"
"Right, please stop there." Ruler stopped Saber from finishing the name. "I just want Kiritsugu to remember he is human and he is allowed to act like one. He is struggling with humanity now and you see how hard he is trying to be a machine to achieve his goal."
Saber tensed, recalling her own experience and how well it ended up. "Ah..."
Ruler sighed, "Seriously, you would think my Master won't give me any trouble but apparently Irisviel have her own problem."
"You told me I can't complain about Kiritsugu and now you start-"
"I am not trying to be a hypocrite here, but if Irisviel would throw herself to danger just to make sure Kiritsugu wins… I have all the right in the world to complaint."
Saber frowned at that, "I suppose…" Saber herself was slightly wary since the start with how Irisviel seemed to accept every decision Kiritsugu made. Especially with how she put her husband's ideal above herself.
"But the biggest problem is… I am not sure if my Master fully understand Kiritsugu's ideal, or where is the end." And she didn't mind to die for it regardless.
Now Saber sees Ruler's problem, irisviel was borderline if not a blind follower of Kiritsugu's ideal.
On the way to Einzbern Castle
Nearby, on the highway, Kayneth and Lancer sat in the back of a taxi with a hypnotized driver as company. Because of rumors cropping up about castle in the middle of cursed forest, coming to Einzbern's base openly would attract attention. It seemed in sixty years of absence, some people fell victim to Einzbern's bounded field, turning the site to infamous haunting ground to Fuyuki's citizens.
Hence, the need for some mind manipulation. As a noble he was gracious and honorable enough to leave generous tip for the poor mundane for the trouble, and send the man back to Fuyuki. He turned to his unseen servant and said.
"Go find Caster and fulfill your duty… if you have to cooperate with Saber so be it." If that meant Einzbern would lower their guard, thinking Lancer was helping them. Well, Lancer did but Kayneth won't. "Don't be a honorable idiot for tonight, and do your job properly without giving me trouble."
Lancer flinched slightly at that,
"-Make a show to impress and don't embarrass me… Is that clear?"
Lancer bowed his his head. "Yes, my lord. I will endeavor not to embarrass you again."
Back in Einzbern Castle
The blade of sky clanked noisily as the tip touched the stone floor of west terrace, one hand grasping the hexagonal hilt in loose grip as he and the sword began to float above the ground. Ruler craned his neck, "Hm…"
Saber and Irisviel stared at him, while Kiritsugu watched with interest. "You're flying using sword?"
"Surely as Saber you know the versatility of sharp and pointy partner in battle." Ruler rolled his eyes. "Like I said, I can fly but I don't have a chariot."
Saber was still looking bewildered by his 'method' of flying, "You seems to float both yourself and the sword…"
"Yes, the sword is my crutch to clear gravity…" He shifted his hold so now he was standing on the blade, rather than flying it was more correct to call it surfing. "There."
Kiritsugu frowned, "That doesn't seems safe for Iri."
Ruler looked offended, "I don't want to be told that by the husband who didn't teach my Master what speed limit is." He shot back and Iri laughed nervously. "Or how to drive safely."
"..." Ruler was still sore about his carelessness on that apparently.
He nodded to himself and said, "I am off Master, and I will submit myself to all scolding you save for me later."
Irisviel's eyes widened but before she could reply Ruler's sword bust in jet like flame and disappeared from sight. "Iri." Kiritsugu began, "I forbid you from hitching a ride with Ruler, ever…"
The homunculus Master pouted, 'It seems fun…' She would scold Ruler later, and if she pouted long enough she was sure Ruler and Kiritsugu would let her.
Einzbern Forest
Tsuna had been pretty amused when revealed sword fragment representing sky flame was… an impractical sword too heavy for frontal combat and simply a surfboard for him to fly with. The elders were pretty outraged that he reduced sacred and rare flame of sky to mere rocket, and Shirou had to remind Coyote that purity level of his flame was shit so he couldn't complain what practical use Shirou could get out of it.
Those stickler for tradition could shove their-
Ruler craned his neck as he sensed more people entering the forest, Caster and Lancer team. He turned on the radio and reported. "Lancer and Caster just entered the forest, at this rate Lancer will get to him first."
"Let Lancer confront Caster first…" Kiritsugu ordered.
"His master is also here… well hidden." Kayneth could fool Irisviel's detection but not his. "Taking separate route and coming to Einzbern Castle as predicted. From the front no less..." He hummed softly, "Should I intersect him or…"
Kiritsugu decided, "Let him come to us."
Ruler smirked, "As you wish." And ended the line. "Well… Lancer you really have a rotten luck with your choice of Lord."
The idiot was walking to his death, still thinking Kiritsugu would play his game and he would emerge victorious. Kayneth had learned he could get more things done leaving Lancer to his own battle, while attacking other Master. However he chose the wrong target, a Magus openly going after a Magus Killer was the high of stupidity. One didn't get title as ominous as Magus Killer just with being a silent killer.
"And as servant Ruler I think it's fair to leave Kayneth be." He was the one breaking the cease fire first and Kiritsugu had all the right to defend himself.
Meeting Room
It was strange to see Kiritsugu was being somewhat honorable with welcoming Lancer's Master for a duel. Saber was sure the fight would be full of trickery but she wasn't going to criticize how Magi fight their duel. After all no Magus was like Merlin, who'd rather fight with a sword than magic because he was prone to bite his tongue when chanting.*
Above the forest, Ruler sneezed.
"Caster is here." Irisviel announced, her hands hovered by the side of scrying crystal ball.
Kiritsugu narrowed his eyes at their sort of invited guest. Caster was a man with gaunt visage, nothing like a knight he used to be. He donned an inky black cassock, and an evil aura reeled about it. Also, the patterns dyed crimson red on the cloth was as if stained with blood, wavering in and out of view in the forest.
"So this is Caster?" First time seeing their target, and their servants were right he didn't seem to be a strong enough individual to launch a frontal attack.
He was not alone, as they expected… he had hostages. Caster led ten or so childrenbehind him, and sauntered forward in the forest. All the children wobbled as they walked like they were sleep-walking, while Caster walked at the front leading them on. Undoubtedly, these children were controlled by Caster's magecraft.
Ruler's voice came in from their radio. "He is a servant, most likely Caster saw the notice from mediator, and bring them to stall the servants gunning from him."
Truly a foul servant, "Iri, what's the location of that guy?"
"Within two kilometres northwest of the castle. Looks like Caster doesn't intend to go further into the forest." He was already within the bounded field, which expanded in the forest is a circle with a diameter of five kilometers and has the castle as its center.
They wanted him to come deeper, but he didn't. He saw through their intention to lure him to a trap. "Irisviel, the enemy is baiting us to come out." Saber pointed out.
From radio they could hear a sigh, "He has no intention playing by our rules… I don't think he will go anywhere near our castle at this rate. First stage of plan A, fail."
Kiritsugu sighed. "You just have to point out the obvious."
"Triggering the pre-set traps and machinations would harm those children. Only if Ruler or I go and defeat Caster can these children be saved." Saber declared resolutely.
"Saber, stay there and don't you dare jumping to his trap." Ruler said with conviction, "If he isn't play by our rule, we're not going by his either."
Saber hissed, "But those children are-"
Irisviel gasped, cutting Saber's protest. "He know we're watching him!" Caster was looking up at her, and smiling eerily.
Caster stared at Irisviel's direction and flatteringly lifted his arms and bowed at Irisviel. It was such a simple thing to do for the magus Heroic Spirit. "I came here specially to visit you according to last night's promise."
He was speaking with such delight, one would mistook him requesting for lady of the house to come entertaining a guest instead of a threat. "Now, please give the order, to let me be in the presence of that beautiful holy maiden again."
There was a long silence as Saber turned to look at Irisviel and Kiritsugu for an order, Ruler's voice came through instead. "I am on him, stay still!"
His Master agreed, giving Caster what he wanted would just make the servant of spell to demand for more. As if he saw through Irisviel's thoughts, Caster spat out a laugh as if he was acting in a one-man's-show, and said:
"… Ah, looks like you still can't make up your mind. I expected to wait for a long while too, so just take your time making preparations. C'mon, this is such a boring game – can I borrow a corner of your territory?"
Caster clicked his fingers, and the eyes of children cleared up as they were snapped a wake. "Listen children, we're gonna play hide-and-seek. The rules are simple. Just run away from me. If I catch you – " Caster's hand stretched out from the sleeve of the robe with a swish, and caught a child beside him.
"Stop!" Saber knew it was futile to shout at Caster, but she couldn't help it.
The child died in most horrific manner, his skull crushed and blood soaking the ground, Caster stood still and enjoying the iron taste of blood in his digits like coinnesour.
"Hurry up and run. I'm gonna start chasing you after I count to a hundred. So Jeanne, before I catch all the children, how long are you going to prepare?"
Irisviel couldn't take it anymore, as a mother she couldn't help but feel enraged of what Caster had done. "Ruler!" She shouted through their link. "Destroy that monster for me and save those children!"
She could feel Ruler was catching up with Caster, "As you-" Then her servant stopped on his track. "Master… I am sorry, I can't fulfill your second order."
Irisviel felt dread on the pit of her stomach, "Why?" Ruler felt something through his intuition, her hero wouldn't deny her order if that was not the case. "Why, Ruler…"
Then she saw it through Ruler's eyes, or rather senses. The children Caster was playing hide and seek with, they reeked of foul smell of decay mixed with other cloying scent she couldn't recognize. Something tell her it was all wrong, foul, and should be corrected. Irisviel stand up abruptly, knocking her chair and covered her mouth. She felt sick.
"Cough! Cough!" Ruler cut off their linked senses right away, sensing his master's distress. "Ha-aah."
"Iri!" Kiritsugu was by Irisviel's side in instance.
Ruler groaned, "Master, please don't link your senses with mine in the middle of this situation… my sensory perception is a tad too strong for you." Came Ruler's voice.
Irisviel was crying now, tears flowed from her ruby like eyes. Saber looked ready to fled to the forest but Irisviel grabbed her hand in iron grip. "That foul man…" She sobbed, "He didn't bring any children for you to save… they're already- hic hic… he did something to them. To Ruler's intuition… they already reek of death." Irisviel didn't understand it herself, but somehow through Ruler's senses she knew they were already beyond saving.
Saber's eyes widened in shock, "It can't be…"
Kiritsugu sighed, "I see… some sort of necromancy? Or perhaps familiar in children's skin."
"Whatever it is, his Magecraft has one of foulest scent I ever smell." Ruler grunted, "Lancer is on him, I propose letting him to have a go at Caster first."
"Let him." Kiritsugu agreed.
"Ruler…" Saber was growling now.
He sighed, "I will assist him, no one deserve to get beaten by Caster."
Back in the forest…
Lancer saw the children and desperately hoped he could at least saved one. With his superior speed he managed to get to three children running together before Caster did. His spears poised to kill the foul monster. "So you're the child murderer we're looking for." Lancer narrowed his eyes, "Hunting helpless children, now it's your turn to be hunted like the best you are."
Caster snarled, "I don't want you! I want Jeanne! Oh, Jeanneeeeeeeeee!" He wailed, "My holy maiden, why did you forsake these children?!"
To prepare him, Kayneth had given Lancer some information about Gilles de Rais and what he learned made the Irish knight sick. "The holy maiden is a honorable hero to your country! And you commit cruelty in her name?! You have dishonored her sacrifice with your crime!"
"Honorable?!" Caster spat out in fury, "Our country killed her! They threw Jeanne to that fire after everything she had done for them! The King did nothing to help her! God didn't save her! So I, Gilles de Rais… her most loyal companion would curse God for abandoning her, no! The world itself and return her to my side!"
"With becoming a demon?! Just to see her?!"
"I became a demon just so I can see Jeanne? Yes, that's right. Of course, I want to see her, then defile her. So that she will open her eyes to cruelty of the world that has forsaken her!"*
Then the shivering children behind him stopped, before morphing to grotesque monster with starfish like body covered with suckers as big as fish gills. Those tentacles, as thick as a man's arms, extended in the blink of an eye to grab servant of Lance. It was his speed that saved him from being caught, rolling on the ground to avoid the long limbs before he gracefully back on his feet.
"What have you done to these children?!" Lancer cursed before he tore the monster coming after him in two. Much to his shock instead of killing the monster, the two split made new monster. It seemed having a mana nullifier spear was not a sure way to defeat Caster now.
Back in Einzbern Castle
"That foul demon!" Saber was sharing the same thought as Lancer now. "Playing with our conscience like that… just how low and despicable he could be?!" Irisviel and Ruler had warned them, but it didn't stop Saber to hope for once Ruler's intuition was wrong.
Irisviel didn't say anything but in her opinion Caster had already hit rock bottom before he died. "This is bad, knight class servant can't have upper hand with their magic resistance. Knight class's magic resistance ability can only be activated when someone targets them with magecraft. It could not stop Caster from summoning monsters from other worlds. Moreover, once those monsters are summoned, they would materialize and inflict physical harm instead of magical. "
Which mean their usual advantage over Caster class was nulled. "I…" Saber gritted her teeth. "Please allow me to go assist Ruler and Lancer." She knew it was against their plan but she couldn't bear sitting idly by.
Kiritsugu sighed, "Iri… where's Kayneth?"
"Kayneth?" Iri faltered, "I can barely sense him circling around our base but…"
"Ruler?" Kiritsugu called out.
The servant of balance huffed, "Just southwest of the castle, he must have realized Saber is with you. He didn't expect Saber to stay in the castle instead of confronting Caster most likely."
The Magus Killer nodded to himself, "Well… I should clear the way for him then."
"Kiritsugu, I respectfully disagree for Saber to-"
Kiritsugu turned the radio off.
Saber glared at her master, and Irisviel sighed before relaying the unspoken order from her Master, "You may go, Saber…"
She had a mixed feeling, that she was allowed to help her fellow servants just so her master could kill Lancer's master. It was not much a comfort that both Magus wanted to kill each other. But Saber could accept it for now and got herself out of their way. Ruler truly had the right idea how to deal with her Master, leave him be to do his business.
Meanwhile…
'Old man, you idiot...'
Ruler EMIYA was very unhappy now, with out of hand Caster became. From his own experience with Caster of fifth war, he already expect monstrous familiar of some kind from this war's caster. A botched spell-caster or not, Gilles de Rais should be capable of some Magecraft to be servant class Caster. Still, why it had to be this kind of monster? He'd take Medea's skeleton soldiers over disgusting octopi tentacle any day.
And the bastard was trying to lure Saber towards these?! Caster was already on hit list for being child murderer, and the former French general was climbing up the list very quickly. It was decided, Caster would die in his hand.
He took a deep breath and shouted. "Lancer! Get away!"
Lancer heard the warning which followed by sound that reminded him of dragon exhaling fire breath, he never met one but he was sure this was how the phantasmal beast would roar. Even if he didn't trust the warning, the roar and rapidly raising temperature convinced him to flee for his life. He didn't regret it when something heavy hit the ground and a ring of fire burst to every direction from the center.
He turned around to see what he had just dodged, and his mouth dropped open. What had fallen from the sky was an enormous greatsword the size of an adult man, the tip was half-buried on the ground and someone was standing over the forte of tilted sword. This someone was Ruler, the servant of balance.
"Ruler?"
The red clad servant was still as he surveyed the destruction he caused, the place was a crater and still burning like it was struck by a small meteor. Lancer didn't miss that the unkillable monster writhed as they burned away slowly, out of curiosity he struck them down and this time they were unmoving.
"Good night to you, Lancer…" Ruler greeted him, not even looking at him as gold dust like fragment gathered in his hand to form a western bow. "I hope you don't mind I am joining the hunt."
"Of course not." Whatever he did, Ruler made the monster killable.
Caster was shrieking madly in the background, "Gaaaaaah, how dare you standing between me and Jeanne! And that fire! Is that the same fire that burned my Jeanne! God, how dare you send this fire to separate me and my Holy Maiden aga-" Caster never get to finish his sentence as a arrow narrowly missed his head as he threw himself to the side and the ground behind him explode.
BOOM!
On Ruler's hand was a familiar black bow and he was nocking another arrow made of his sword of choice. "I am the bone of my sword." He chanted and let the arrow fly towards Caster followed by another barrage of arrows.
BOOM! CRACK! CRASH! BOOM!
"GYAAA!" Caster ran for his life, he wasn't given a chance to summon more monster to defend himself.
Lancer gaped at sheer destruction Ruler caused, and how the ground shook by each explosion. "Ruler! This is too much, your explosion will attract too much attention!"
BOOM!
"There's a bounded field Einzbern erected here!" Ruler answered, before he added as he could feel Caster had used the dust and smoke as cover to flee. "And please close your ears."
Learning that Ruler's warning was usually fatal to be ignored, Lancer did so and for a good measure he moved as far as he could.
So he didn't hear what Ruler chanted when an irregular shaped sword was materialized as ammo. "Hrunting!" The hunter of red plain flew with speed reaching mach 10 and ear piercing explosion erupted once again.
Lancer was pretty terrified at this point, the sheer destruction was pretty normal for heroic spirit but the viciousness Ruler displayed in hunting down Caster was completely different matter. His ears were ringing from ensuing explosion the black arrow caused, or was it red?
"Che." Ruler clicked his tongue. "He used his summon as meat shield at last second."
It was a blessing this man was not competing with them, truly it was.
Back with Kiritsugu and co
"I can't see anything." Irisviel said as the vision of scrying crystal was filled by cloud of dust and flame.
Kiritsugu face-palmed. "That guy is so subtle in everything he did, I almost forget who he is…" A damned Vongola. "Of course he can't fight without changing the landscape." Not an explosive expert indeed. "What's with this viciousness to blow Caster to bits, anyway?"
"I am not sure?" For some reason Ruler seemed to take Caster's action as personal insult.
Back in the forest…
Saber stared at pillar of smoke and flame in far north of the forest, she knew Ruler could be destructive from his little display back at the warehouse but…
"Ruler, you're trying to kill one man or burning our front yard?" She wondered out loud. "What are you doing-"
Then someone squealed, it was Caster but the man looked nothing like eerie and enthusiastic mad man who demanded her presence. "Jeanne!"
His robe was singed and it seemed he had lost a good chunk of hair from the left side of his head. Also, from closer look his tattered sleeve expose bad burn on his right arm, he was also covered in soot as back as his robe. The man looked like he had been through hell where he belonged.
"Jeanne! God has sent an angel with flaming arrow, run! And let this loyal Gilles to defend you!" He declared bravely.
Saber stared at the mad man in disbelief and concluded, it seemed Ruler had driven Caster further to the pit of insanity.
Review Please
AN:
Precelti Sette Frammenti: Cielo
A sword or rather flame weapon shaped like a sword that couldn't be used for straight combat but served as surfbord. Used by Shirou as flying tool because of his poor flame purity. However it still could serve as weapon of mass destruction, used like Medusa's Pegasus with crashing said sword from above. The sword was aproximately six and half feet in length and one foot in width.
The design exasperated Shirou to no end because... a sword shaped flying surfboard?
I hope there's enough angst to balance the funny part.
*Merlin and sword, this is canon according to FGO chara material. An insult to all Magus everywhere if they know one of greatest Magus alive is this clumsy.
*Giles on Jeanne
If you're dsturbed, so am I. To be fair aside from Fate/Zero I also mix his counterpartt from Devil and Realist to spice things up.
Next Preview:
Saber felt her breath stopped when she saw the man Ruler was arguing with, that pale complexion, dark eyes and white hair with eerie sheen under the light could be no other than...
"Our contract is absolute, you don't have to-" Ruler froze, "Saber?"
The King of knight uttered a name of her mentor. "Merlin?"
Stay tuned!