The vast silence within the Emiya household resembled that of the silence in presence in space, only being modified by the soft thumping of Shirou and Rin's shoes slapping against the wooden floor as they abandon them. The hallway of Shirou's was a barren as ever as no pictures adorn it or furniture is present as the two teenagers casually stroll down the length of the open space. As Rin enters into the living area of Shirou's house, she carefully surveys the room to find that the small, brown, table sat planted in the middle of the room, the black television stood against the far wall, and the yellow plant stood within its silver vase on the counter beside the door all were exactly as they were the last time she was present. The floor of Shirou's home hadn't changed either as Rin's legs meet with an all too familiar pain as the weight of her body pushes down on its hard surface causing her to squirm and adjust her posture to accommodate for this.
"What news you have for me Tohsaka," Shirou asks not noticing the magus's discomfort.
"Impatient as ever aren't you Shirou," Rin says finally adjusting herself so that her legs feel at ease.
"I'm sorry, but I really want to know what you have to say." he replies slightly lowers his head apologetically.
"As you should be," She says scolding the young redhead. "Now that you have apologized for your rudeness I will tell you what you want to hear."
Within the well lit room of the Council's meeting room, rows of circular seats spiral upwards like the stairs of an archaic tower. Each seat is filled with men and women wearing the uniform black robes, with their hoods not showering their heads. At the base of the ascending spiral, the center of the room held a slightly raised platform that is home to a table with five individuals sitting at it wearing purple robes, however; their faces were hidden behind their oversized hoods. Rin Tohsaka sits upright and with a look of attentiveness from her third story seat as the monotone voices of the hooded figures in the center of the room voices echo throughout the space. The young magus covers her mouth as a small yawn escapes breaks of stature of professionalism. Slowly her attention span begins to crumble piece by piece like a stone wall being beaten down by a battering ram by monotonous voices of those talking.
"Rin Tohsaka, if you would be so kind as to stand," the council member to her far left says snapping her attention to her surroundings again.
The scrubbing of her chair against the stone floor echoes in the quiet space as her body gains its upright position. As Rin stares at the individual that has the back of her chair, the hairs of her neck stood on the end as the watchful gazes of her surrounding magi zeroed in solely on her.
"In light of the events during the recent Grail War, could you tell us about Shirou Emiya and his servant?"
Rin raises an eyebrow in surprise that the Council would be asking her about information on Shirou. She stands in her position unaware of the lingering pause in between the individual asking her the question and her actually providing an answer.
"Ms. Tohsaka…"
Rin shakes her, throwing away the dazed aura that she possess.
"As a magus, Shirou has the potential, if the proper training were given to him. As for the Grail War, he was the victor, however; instead of acquiring the grail and making a wish, he and his servant Saber chose to destroy it. That is all I know on that subject. On the subject of combat, his Saber servant was an exceptional fighter. Even at his amateur level of magical talent the duo was able to hold off, Archer and myself, as well as defeat the mighty Berserker and Illyasviel von Einzbern."
A deafening silence hangs around the countless members lining the sides of the hall. The multiple figures that had started the conversation with Rin have their heads turned to each with their hands constantly making small hand motions as well as their heads slightly bobbing up and down. Rin's eyesight remains focused on the individuals below her as if she was waiting for them to relay to her some information that she didn't know. With one final head nod between all of the purple robed members, the openings of their hoods all point towards the ex Grail War participant.
"Rin Tohsaka, since you have the most experience with Shirou Emiya and his partner Saber, as well as that area being within your jurisdiction, the council has decided to give you a mission that you are to complete as soon as possible."
"The magus Council is a joke," a child's voice rings out breaking Rin's flow of storytelling.
Almost as if on cue, a short, silver haired girl enters into the room in full sprint, throwing herself onto Shirou causing him to almost lose balance and topple over.
"I missed you Shirou!" the girl says harshly nuzzling his arm.
Rin's face becomes as red as a tomato as she witnesses the girl throw herself over her host. Not only does she find it rude that she has interrupted her while she was telling Shirou a story, but Rin still held a slight grudge against the child for killing off Archer.
"Will you go away Illiya? We adults are discussing important matters."
Illiya's head turns at a neck breaking speed to stare at Rin due to her insulting insinuation that she can't handle what the two are discussing. Illiya releases her grip from Shirou's arm and stands herself up on top of table staring down at the fiery female magus with her own fiery red face.
"Blah Blah Blah, I've been listening to this boring tale you've been telling Shirou and I feel sorry for you if those half wits had to tell you about what's going on." Illiya spits leaning over with her hands on her sides putting her face closer to Shirou's guest.
A loud slam ring throughout the house as Rin slams her hands on the wooden furniture, standing up to stare the girl down with a death glare. Beads of sweat begin to run down the redhead's face as the electricity between the two can be felt on his side of the table.
"Who are you to criticize my skills you shrimp."
"I'm just pointing out the obvious Rin."
The sweat on Shirou's face begins to increase in development as the heat in the room increases, or as the steam that the two are releasing in their petty war of words is causing the Emiya residence's owner to worry more about the developing situation. Smashing and the eruption of fire sound off in his head he envisions what the near future may hold if he doesn't do something about the two quarreling females.
"Alright girls that's enough," He says pulling Illiya off the table and making her take a seat beside him.
The atmosphere of the house seems to cool down as the both girls still give each other death glances from their current positions. Shirou shakes his head in embarrassment to see that the two women still aren't able to get along even after the ordeal they've gone through together during the Grail War.
"Place continue Tohsaka."
Darkness resides in Rin's vision as she collects herself by closing her eyes, which in turn removes Illiya from her line of sight. Her body temperature slowly decreases as she deeply inhales and slowly exhales. With her temper under control and her thoughts gathered, Rin opens her eyes to continue her conversation with Shirou.
"What can you remember about Kiritsugu's Emiya's death Shirou?"
The question catches Shirou off guard as he sits there and stares into blank space and then to the hard wood table. The image of a night sky, blood, and him holding his father's body is all he can remember.
"I remember him lying dead in the front yard, blood was everywhere, but I didn't see who did it."
Rin closes her eyes and hangs her head low letting the thoughts of the Magus Council run through her head. Not wanting to relay this information to Shirou, but she may need his help with this.
"The Council has informed me that there have been multiple murders of strong magi as well as regular human recently, however; this issue extends further back than a couple of year ago. This is killer has been roaming free for centuries. This person is also said believed to have killed Kiritsugu."
Shirou this time slams his hands on the table causing Rin and Illiya to jump in surprise, due to the unpreparedness of Shirou performing the action.
"What the hell has the Magus Council been doing about this? They know who this maniac is, but they don't want to stop them!"
"They've tried Shirou; unfortunately this particular individual uses extremely high level magic and is exceptional in weapons based combat as well. As I've been told, everyone that they've sent after this person has either been seriously injured or ended up dead."
"Who are they, I bring this person down myself," Shirou asks as he grits his teeth to hold back his anger.
The atmosphere grows silent again as Rin shifts her eyes away from him. Her mind begins to throw possible outcomes around in her head for when he finds out the identity of the culprits.
"It's Saber," Illiya says with her eyes hidden behind her silver bangs.
"Don't say things like that Illiya. That's not funny," Shirou turns to Illiya as if he wanted to punish the girl for the first time since he's known her for making such an absurd accusation.
"As much as I would love to disagree with her Shirou, she's not being funny."
Raising her hand from her lap, a purple flame rises from her wrist and ascends to her figure tips forming into the shape of a photo which sits on her index finger. The object produces a low slap noise as it hits the tables, but produces a smooth rubbing noise as it travels the length of the table to its intended viewer. Picking the picture, Shirou views its content.
"That's the picture that our last astral projector was able to get before he was killed off by his attacker."
Shirou's face drops as he stares at the miniature portrait in his possession.
"That's not her," he says with a tear rolling down his cheek. "There's no way that she would do something like this."
"The Council also keeps a record of all magical signatures within their records, and unfortunately her signature matches that of Saber's. If the signatures weren't around then it would be easy to have that thought process Shirou, however; signatures exist therefore you can't turn a blind eye to the obvious."
The sound of the photo slapping against the hard table causes no effect in Rin, but makes Illiya jump a bit. Shirou stands over his guests looking down at snapshot, but can't unable to bear evidence brought to his attention.
"I'm going out," Shirou says exiting the room.
Anger rises within both remaining occupants as they look on to the image that is causing Shirou so much pain. The black background sits behind a light skinned woman holding a completely black broad sword; her armor is as dark as the backdrop covered in a dark red liquid from neck to toe, her hair pinned up like their companion of the past, and her golden eyes staring murderously into the eyes of the viewer.
"What happened to you Saber," they both say in unison.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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