An Opportunity of Fate part 23

Interlude-

She sat quietly, in her elaborate white kimono, as was her custom for dozens upon dozens of years. Her tea master slowly and with elegance prepared her late morning tea. Ritualized enough to calm the nerves.

He handed it to her and she looked deep into the cup, casually reading the leaves.

They spoke of complete success.

Despite the ceremony, Grandmother let the faint ghost of a smile appear on her lips. The boy had captured the Youkai. The first step in suborning the Ritual to her own desires. Now she merely had to wait for him to contact her with the next step.

Everything was going exactly as planned.

She took a sip. And spat out the incredibly bitter brew. She waved at the startled tea master for another cup. She made a motion for sweeter tea.

He nodded and began to brew a different tea.

Grandmother's heart was pounding. Because there were two possibilities here. One a trusted servant who had served her for decades had made an error in a field he was an expert in. Or her talents had shifted the taste as a warning.

Again he served her, and again she viewed the leaves. They spoke of success.

But taste was so very bitter.

Something had gone wrong. She made a gesture to her tea master as she rose, apologizing for her abrupt actions. And she left to find what had happened.

If he had died, his friends would fail. At the Church most likely. And if they failed….

She closed her eyes and wept.

End Interlude-

Medusa-

Medusa was ebullient. Everything was actually going well for a change. That had never happened to her. Never.

There was a part of her that worried that she had made some mistake or error that would come crashing down upon her. That her hubris would lead to her downfall. Then she smirked.

This world had no functional Gods. It had massive impersonal forces that could crush you in a moment if you stepped too far. But unlike the world she had grown up in, it wasn't personal. It was harsher, there was no divine mercy, but then there was no divine malice either.

No bored gods looking for amusement.

She smiled. She was going to like it here. For now that her first goal, that of freeing Sakura was minutes, perhaps an hour away, she was thinking of after goals.

Winning the Grail was not one of them. She was a poor Caster. She was quite well aware that there had been others in history that were much better at magic than she. But she had been a goddess, and she had worked with priestesses on quite a few occasions. At least before her exile.

She knew that Oracles and High Priestesses were sent to spend time among the gods before they took their post. Priests probably were too, but there was a wall between men's mysteries and woman's mysteries. She had offered Hades, a god who seldom got willing visitors, the souls of the two track team members for such a visit. She really did wonder what the two girls had experienced.

Hades had taken Shinji when he died, Medusa was fairly certain of it. It hadn't been truly personal, but Medusa had described what he had done to his adopted sister…. Hospitality is sacred. Hades was not pleased. Shinji would not be stuck in Tarturus forever, no mortal ever was. He would reach the Source.

Eventually.

He had leant her the monster simply because she had asked. She had always liked Hades, one of the few gods who had taken their jobs seriously. She had sent most of them back, keeping only what she had used and a couple of fauns and dryads. Not useful in combat but a handy workforce.

In fact, they were so cheap to maintain, she might even see if she could keep them after the Grail War. Assuming she survived. The chances of that was looking better and better.

She was a poor Caster, but she had never had so much fun.

Medusa walked over to the altar Issei Ryudou lay on. She used her magic to check his vitals. She sighed slightly, she had been a little over enthusiastic with him, nearly draining him to death. But she didn't really drink the blood. That wasn't what gave her sustenance. It was the emotion and mental state of the target, their mind.

Extreme emotion yielded more savor to the mind. And Issei Ryudou had been in the midst of an emotional crisis.

He had succeeded in the task that had been set before him. He technically was her Master. But the Book of the False Attendant was made of Zouken's familiars. When he died, and Medusa was pretty confident that the old monster would be dead within the hour, the Book would be destroyed.

And she would be Sakura's once more. That would give her vastly more power and capability. But something was wrong with Sakura, and Medusa wasn't sure she could fix her if she was serving her directly.

Better to use someone she could control. Like Issei.

She looked down at him and sighed once more. There were several ways to build a spiritual bond between partners. Sex was the most fun, and her personal favorite. But poor Issei wasn't going to be capable of that for hours.

Not enough time.

It would have to be blood. So she reached out for a knife and cut herself, pressing the wound to his neck and once more forging a connection to his blood stream.

She sighed as she felt the blood and mana flow back into the boy.

Medusa sensed someone entering the clearing,

"Get away from him, you bitch!" Ayako had arrived. Somehow the girl's clothes were in good condition considering her fight against Taiga.

Medusa smiled. Did the girl even know what she was capable of? These five teens that had banded together, that were being used by the modern powers to avert the coming disaster amused her to no end. She liked them and wanted to help them.

Convincing them of that however….

Medusa said, "So you have come to face me in my very lair. A Heroic Spirit, without one of your own? Very brave my young hero. But then you have the spark of the divine about you, rare in this time."

"Get away from Issei. What, what did you do to him? To these other girls?" Pause, "It is the missing track team. How many? How many of us have you preyed upon!"

Medusa sighed. All of them were being healed. But how could she convince this little girl of that? Without hurting her.

Much.

A thought came to her and with it a smile. "So my little demigod, my little modern hero, would you challenge me for them? Fight me for their freedom? Even knowing the cost?"

"The, the cost?"

Medusa smiled again, "Every challenge must have its prize. If you win, all four of them may go. If you lose." Medusa laughed, "I will take you. And you will be mine." It was all Medusa could do to not break down in total laughter. She hadn't been this melodramatic since playing pranks on her sisters.

And Ayako was taking it seriously. Seeing her as the dark evil witch. Well, she could fix that later.

She actually hoped Ayako said yes. Medusa actually enjoyed a good fight, but as she was now, she would lose badly against any of the other Heroic Spirits. A little exercise would be good.

Blue flame flicked along Ayako's blade. "I accept."

"Well then. Let us do this where we will not hurt your friends." Medusa moved them to a part of the forest, a clearing. And summoned her daggers and chains.

Ayako rushed her.

And so the fight began.

-Scene Break—

Interlude 2

Zouken activated yet another of his ancient defensive spells to hold off the intruder. He had not needed them for years, as there were few who could hope to kill him. Most of those were under the mantle of the Church.

He had been careful over the years to not draw their attention, and he was considered no more a heretic than any other magus. Very far down the list to be eliminated. As long as he did not cause any trouble for them, they left him alone.

The only other major threat had been the Mage Association, and he was on good if distant relations with them.

How had it come to this?

He was still fairly certain he would survive this, but his instincts told him hold this youngster off. You did not reach his age without developing some survival skills.

At least he had plenty of prana to use from the gift Sakura had given him this morning. He could no longer control her, but the worms inside of her still gave him energy. He reached out to her, to warn her, to gain her assistance.

Because if he died, so would she.

There was no answer.

Zouken readied another defense.

-Interlude 2 out—

Sakura Matou

Sakura watched as Saber, Ilya, and Sella drove off to Einzbern Castle. Sister had called and told them to go as she would be home shortly.

Rin had been unable to find Caster's hideout.

Sakura sighed. Her Servant was causing such troubles. There had to be a way to bypass the Book of the False Attendant and seize control of her. But Sakura was finally ready to do her part to fight the Grail War.

She was fairly sure the extensive Matou library had the information she needed. But that would mean dealing with Grandfather. She wasn't sure she was ready for that.

The stress of consuming Blood Fort Andromeda had been too much for the persona calling herself Dark Sakura to remain in control. And the truth was the other Sakura had only been a mask to win over Sempai. Light Sakura was sweet and helpful, ever ready to serve her Sempai in any manner he chose.

Not that Light Sakura would admit such things. Even if her day dreams over washing the dishes were quite graphic. She tried to hide that depraved aspect from Sempai… But now she was afraid she had hidden her desire too well. Taiga had picked up on it early and had supported her for some time.

And Shirou had said he loved her. Even after knowing Shinji had raped her. That her magic was foul beyond belief. That she was….

Sakura shook her head. The real Sakura didn't believe that anymore. The true Sakura had spent most of her life passively struggling to survive. The time she spent with her friends, or even her personal studies, had opened a new world for her.

And if brazen Dark Sakura had been able to receive friendship and love, then the time for passivity was over! Time to take her place amongst her friends and help them….

Sakura smiled, she already was a valued member. Arturia had entrusted her with Shirou's safety after all.

Sakura would miss Arturia when she vanished. It had only been such a short time and yet she felt part of the family. Someone she could trust, and most importantly, someone who wasn't competing with her for Sempai's affection.

Sempai….

She was alone with Sempai.

Her heart began to beat a little faster. Even knowing that both of them were to beat up to do anything she might desire, just the thought of the two of them alone. She absent-mindedly wandered around the house until she stood above the unconscious Shirou.

She looked down at him and smiled. He looked so peaceful while he was sleeping. What would he think if she knew how often she had come extra early just to watch him sleep? She crouched next to his futon and lay next to him. Close but not close enough to bother him.

The ground was hard, so she made a futon of shadow for herself. And she watched him for a time.

His physical wounds had healed already, but he still wore the sweaty and singed clothing he had fought in.

'Someone should really change him into something more comfortable. Someone really should.' She frowned. 'Only I am by myself and….'

Alone.

With Sempai.

"I guess it will have to be me." She stood up. She searched his room for clothes and upon finding them stood over Shirou. He was too heavy for her to carry far, but her shadow tendrils could.

She began to remove his clothes. "Sempai needs to be cleaned too." It would be stupid to put him into fresh clothing when he needed a bath.

Her heart was beating quite quickly as her shadow tendrils carried a mostly naked Sempai to the bath. As the water filled the tub, she carefully washed her beloved Sempai. He was completely clean as she placed him in the water to soak.

It was at that point she heard her Grandfather's call for aid.

And ignored it.

So Archer had kept his word and would eliminate Zouken for her. This was excellent news.

Even if it meant her probable death.

She looked again at the resting Shirou and stripped off her own clothing. She washed herself quickly and completely. And joined Shirou in the bath.

If she was going to die, let it be in his arms. She wasn't going to force anything. But she was not going to die without feeling his touch!

The water rose to near overflowing. She turned to look at him and said, "I love you Sempai." And she sat there watching him until the pain began and her nerves caught on fire.

As the pain tried to consume her, she felt Shirou's arms wrap around her. He said nothing, he was still unconscious, but Sakura heard the message anyway.

Stay.

Don't go.

Don't die.

Stay with me.

Sakura fought against certain death. One that completely obliterated Zouken…

-Scene Break—

Interlude 3-

Hammond Alexander stood in front of the withered form of Zouken. He felt weary and wary. The location looked like a bad set from a B fantasy movie. A nasty catacomb writhing with foul creatures, not to mention the worm familiars Zouken used.

In many ways this whole endeavor had gone surprisingly well. The defenses had power, but had not been properly layered. Almost as if Zouken had not expected to be attacked.

His Servant stood dematerialized at his side. Hammond had taken care of most of the defenses, calling on Arjuna only when needed. Arjuna could still see things he couldn't and was still an immense aid, even if he didn't use the Servant's firepower.

Neither of them were sure how much power his ultimate Noble Phantasm would take, and were trying to save energy. The War wouldn't end here after all.

Zouken called out to him, "What is the meaning of this intrusion, boy? To my knowledge there is no reason for an Enforcer such as yourself to be here. I have done nothing wrong and have kept my secrets. There is no reason for you to be here."

Hammond raised his cane, "I am here on behalf of Sakura Matou and your treatment of her."

"Bah. The girl is my heir and part of the continuation of my mystery. Leave her be or I will contact the Magic Association that you are interfering with another mage without cause."

"Sakura Matou, once of the Tohsaka, is my cousin, sir. Second cousin once removed I believe, although I would have to consult the genealogy chart to be sure. But the tie remains. You have have caused a member of the extended Edelfelt family significant physical, mental, and spiritual damage. And I have come to make you pay the price."

"Heh, heh, heh. Then you are willing to deal? What is you wish? Sakura is much too far into my mysteries to give up. So tell me what you need as a honor price." Zouken looked a little more confident.

Hammond waved at his Servant, "Arjuna come forth. As you did in India of old, I ask you to slay this monster for the betterment of mankind, and the world as a whole."

"Yes, my lord." A handsome Indian man wearing archaic armor raised a device that looked almost like a bow. The arrow it shot was simply undescribable.

Pashupatastra

It was the weapon that had been given to him to slay demons, a weapon that was the personal tool of Lord Shiva and his wife Kali. A weapon that ensured death, not just of a part but the whole of a being.

Zouken died, his corrupt body catching fire. All around the familiars burst into flame.

In Medusa's hidden grotto, the Book of the False Attendant burst into flame.

And inside of Sakura, the worms that remained inside of her caught on fire and she cooked from the inside. But she was not entirely Zouken's and had an intense will. She had a chance.

Hammond slowly climbed up the stairs and began the slow walk back to his hotel room. He would need at least tomorrow to recover.

But it had been worth it.

"One more in the ground Emily. I couldn't save you, but I will be damned if I allow others to fall." He looked up to the sky, "I miss you."

And he slowly walked to his hotel.

-End Interlude—

Rin Tohsaka-

Rin wanted to go home. All of her attempts to find the hidden base Caster was using had failed. Even the compass that should be able to find anything kept skipping about as she moved through these woods.

And now it was starting to drizzle. She looked up, "Really? Rain too? Or is this another of her damn games."

Roland slyly said, "You do realize this conduct would ruin your perfect reputation at your school."

"Shut up." She took a deep breath. "Anything?"

Roland said calmly, "We have traipsed up and down this mountain, and she has to be somewhere near the school. When we go up the mountain I can feel us leaving her influence, but we never seem to get closer." He sighed, "Face it Master, she must have some series of Bounded Fields we can't penetrate. Or a series of illusions rigged up." He shook his head.

Rin activated the compass again, "Search for Caster." The artifact sipped lightly at her od and began to recalibrate itself.

Not that she expected it to help.

"I honestly thought your magic resistance wound be more useful."

Roland was scanning the local area with a small frown. "Well, you will notice she isn't casting spells at me or Rider." He shook his head. "I can only resist what is cast at me. These illusions, if that is what they are not aimed at my mind but the environment itself."

"Tricky bitch."

"Such language, Master!" Roland said shaking a finger. "Is that really how the fine ladies of House Tohsaka are supposed to act?"

Rin didn't answer. She was too busy staring at the Compass. It was steady. She took another step. It remained steady. "I think we are in business."

Roland said seriously, "Let me guess. Over there?"

Rin nodded and both began to move. Rin asked, "How did you know?"

"There are sounds of two women fighting. One sounds like Caster."

Both of them were jogging now.

"And the other?"

"Ayako's"

Rin began to run. After a few moments Roland stopped her.

"I see her. She has defeated your friend and…."

Rin reinforced her eyesight. Two willowy girls were cutting a struggling Ayako's clothes off. Two fauns stood nearby crafting a pole to carry Ayako.

Caster had her hands on her hips and was talking, but it was much too far to hear.

Roland examined the clearing. He nodded, "She will have to face me here. I might not be able to pin her down, and who knows what magic she possesses. So stay here."

Rin called out for him to wait, but he was already rapidly moving across the field.

"For God and Glory!"

Rin watched Caster react and her heart sank. Caster showed not an ounce of fear and merely began to remove her bandage that covered her eyes. Medusa. She had forgotten who Caster was. And Roland was going to pay the price.

She raised her arm to call him back. But it was too late.

Cybele

Roland looked full into Medusa'a face at close range. And was turned to stone.

He felt strange to Rin. Not dead, but rather frozen.

Rin watched as Medusa raced towards her, wrapping her eyes as she ran. Rin tried to run, but she felt sluggish. She too had felt the wave of pressure that had emanated from those glorious eyes.

She had to defend herself. Somehow.

A life time of martial arts training allowed her to escape being grabbed by Caster. Rin even managed one of Kirei's counter attacks. She heard Medusa react to the attack, but couldn't move fast enough to exploit it.

What was wrong with her?

Caster immobilized her with strands of vines acting as animate ropes. Within moments Rin lay there helpless. "You have some training, too. That is good to see. Still, I am a Servant. Not all Casters are hopeless in a fight."

Rin glowered up at Caster, "Go to Hell."

Caster ignored her, "You must have been caught in Cybele. It should fade shortly. What am I going to do with you? You are pretty, but I already have Ayako and I doubt your sister will approve the harassment you would face…." She wandered off to talk with her servants.

Rin struggled against her bonds. She looked over to where Ayako hung naked suspended on a pole. "Sorry for getting you involved."

Ayako groaned. She tested her bonds. "Alright Minori, if you and your friends don't stop this prank, I will hurt you." She slurred.

Rin said quietly, "If only it were that simple."

Ayako growled, "She got you too? What happened to Saber?"

"He is a stone statue. Medusa, remember."

"What about Rider and Shirou?"

"He's unconscious and she is miles away."

"Sakura is with Shirou."

"Alone?"

"Why would that be a problem?"

Ayako sighed, "Maybe you magic types haven't noticed that she isn't in the most reliable of moods lately."

"You think she will hurt him?"

Ayako snorted, "She won't do anything to him he will not survive."

"You don't mean…"

"It is possible. I mean, I hope she doesn't go that far, but it is possible."

"We need to get out of here!"

"Hey, at least you still have your clothes. For now."

Rin looked over at her friend. Rin had always admired her friend's body. Athletic and yet still very feminine. The personality didn't often match.

"Don't look at me like that. Caster is creepy enough at this point."

Rin asked in a small voice. "What do you think is going to happen to us?" Rin was getting worried, because none of her Magical Circuits were working correctly. Not even her Crest. Not since she had been a child had she felt so helpless.

Ayako rattled her bonds. "Honestly?"

Rin nodded.

"I don't think she is going to hurt us. We will have to pay for losing to her, something about teaching us the price of failure. My guess is it will be something humiliating."

Medusa's faun servants came and carried Ayako off.

Rin called out, "Wait. Where are you taking her?" The female servants came up and began cutting away her clothes.

Up close she noted they were clad in leaves, with skin the color of bark.

Dryads. She was under attack by dryads.

She resisted, but without reinforcement they were stronger than she was. When she was naked she was placed before Caster.

Caster reached out and lifted Rin's head, "What shall I do with you, child?"

Rin glared at her.

"Had you planned better, or reacted better when Roland had been petrified, you might have given me serious trouble. Those over charged gems could have proven problematic, at the very least." She waved her hand.

"You could let me and my friends go."

"I have plans for Ayako, don't worry about her. The Track Team will be released as they recoved. As for you? You need to ransom you freedom."

"You are a Servant of the Grail War! What can I possibly give you?"

Caster looked a little worried and then spoke, "You are the second owner of Fuyuki. I want official approval to set up my Temple here. On the same terms you have with Emiya."

Rin stared at her. "Huh? This war will be over in weeks. What would be the point?"

"The Grail itself is contaminated. Any wish will be distorted. I will help you all to combat it. In any event, I do not plan to return to the throne shortly. I have a plan that will allow me to stay. I would feel more confident with official backing."

"So I just agree to these terms and you let me go?"

Medusa handed her a self-geas scroll.

Rin looked over it. It was near verbatim the document she had regarding the Emiya, including the mutual defense clause. And it stated her release. Really, she couldn't lose.

So she signed it.

Medusa sighed and shook her head. She then took the contract and walked away. "The curse on your magic is lifted, although it may take a minute before you can cast anything. Your Servant should recover in a few hours."

Rin stood shakily up, her muscles stiff, her body covered in the still misty rain. "So can I have my clothes back?"

"Your possessions will be repaired and returned to you by courier to Emiya's estate sometime later today."

"Well that is good, but I could really use something to wear."

"Why didn't you add that as a condition?"

"I didn't think I had to!"

"Burnt hand teaches best they say. You made a stupid assumption. You are a magus. You should know better." And she was gone.

Rin just stood there spluttering. She looked wildly around the clearing, but everything but Roland had been taken. She was very angry and felt as her Crest became active again. She fired a few Gandr at a hapless tree.

She was furious with Caster. To just leave her here….

But that had been the agreement. Not a great way to start an alliance, but she had kept her word.

She looked at the clearing once more, this time with an eye for shelter. Rin could feel her Crest activate to keep her warm. It was painful, but she wasn't freezing.

How did Emiya and her sister weave those clothes?

-End Scene—

Shirou Emiya-

Shirou stood on a hill waiting for the Saxons to begin another charge. The last one had been close. Both the British and the Saxons were beginning to adapt to his presence. The Saxons rushed him to stop his archery, and then tried to overwhelm him with numbers.

He was completely exhausted. He happily drank from a cup handed to him. He was beginning to understand some of Pendragon's advice. Like the need for armor.

Just because he could heal from almost any wound, when he fell unconscious he was no longer of any use. Except to wake half dead amongst the dead, the dying, and the scavengers. Not to mention the pain….

Armor helped. Being less reckless helped to. Using the right tool for the right job.

"Here they come again!"

Shirou summoned his bow and began to shoot.

And so continued the Battle of Badon Hill.

-End Part—

A/n- Hope you folks enjoy.