An Opportunity of Fate part 34
Interlude One
She dreamed in scattered fragments. It was a novel experience. She didn't remember dreaming. As far as she knew she had never dreamed before she had died.
Dead?
Yes. She had died. She had failed protecting her beloved Ilya. Again and again she watched as the Einzbern strike team approached Ilya. Again and again she wanted to scream.
But she couldn't. Not anymore. There had been no air to scream as her head rolled along the floor, her mind split between her dying natural senses and those of the castle. One fading as the blood of her decapitated body sprayed from her now headless body, the other becoming perilously sharp.
And then nothing. For that is all that existed for a homunculus. Her spirit had been a frail and artificial thing, created to support her mind. Not a real soul at all.
Nothing permanent. Nothing real. Even her body would dissolve into its components shortly, the spells that had sustained her fading with the dissipation of her artificial existence.
It made her angry and frightened and sad. Emotions of vibrancy she had never felt in life. She knew now taste of desire that Leysritt had felt for Shirou, her need for Ilya's approval, her amusement at how serious Sella had taken everything.
And more. Sella had felt despair and sorrow at Leysritt's death. Now it was magnified.
Once her emotions had been pale things, now they were intense. Overwhelming.
She had to escape!
The nightmare began again. A cold and failed life. Moments of carelessness that lead to her death and that of Leysritt. To the capture of Ilya and an unknown, but likely unpleasant fate.
NO!
She sat up, forcing her way through a thick gelatinous substance that surrounded her. She tried to scream her denial and grief, but her lungs were full. She coughed up the substance, willing her lungs to clear. Warm streams of prana flowed through her enforcing her will.
She breathed in the cold and crisp air, filling her lungs for the first time and screamed her defiance to the world.
A new homunculus was coined.
-End Interlude One—
Ayako-
Ayako was amused. There were two magi, one Servant, an overpowered homunculus, and that damnable witch, and the local spirits were concerned about Ayako? And it wasn't like she was stronger than some of these local spirits, some of whom probably should be called kami.
The Gate for instance, it symbolized the spiritual defenses protecting the mountain. And then there was the one guarding the portal above the lake. Both of them were older and stronger than she was by a considerable margin. Luckily both of them were limited by their function, and as long as she didn't disturb them, they would leave her alone.
But they were watching her.
Ayako smirked, "I really am tainted." Not that she fully understood why. Was it the tattered human soul that was being bound to her? Was it the fact she had almost become a demon and that she had willingly decided to become one? Could they sense that and worry it was only a matter of time?
Or was it the traces of Medusa that were being transferred to Ayako by her returning memories? How long would it take before Ayako's soul was fully absorbed by Medusa? How many memories would she recover, and how many of them would be touched by the ongoing mélange of Medusa's soul?
Her musings froze.
Someone had started up the steps.
She couldn't see him in the still falling snow. But she could sense it was a human. Old, but vigorous.
She couldn't sense any taint of magecraft, either Western or Eastern. But that didn't necessarily mean anything. He could still be a threat, but probably not much of one. She held off on raising a general alarm, this would be something she could take care of herself.
With a slight smirk she posed dramatically at the top of the steps, letting the brisk wind cause the hem of her hakama to flutter in the wind. Nor did she seek to hide what she was. She let her Presence radiate out and her eyes were her natural metallic gold. With a tiny giggle she drew Courage and held the blade at her side.
If she'd had enough time she would manipulate the clouds enough to let the light of the setting sun wreath her in glory. But the set up for that would take at least an hour, assuming she would be able to manage it at all.
A pity.
So she calmly waited. She didn't plan on hurting the poor hapless human walking up the steps. She was just going to play with him a little. Rin or Ilya could always hypnotize him.
The man was wearing a fedora and a dark blue winter coat. But what drew her eyes was the scarf. It was dark blue with red and orange stripes. She remembered that scarf.
It had been a present from Ayako.
Ayako trembled and looked away. She had known that sooner or later this would happen. But why him? Her mother would be angry, but understand. Her father HAD to know some of his wife's true nature.
Her grandfather on the other hand…. He would know nothing. She would have to explain everything. How through her carelessness and naiveté she had lost her soul. How the tattered remnants of the real Ayako and the Elemental legacy left to her by her mother were all that was left of her.
How did you explain to a beloved relative that you are no longer human?
That you are Youkai.
That you are a monster.
Ayako shook as she sheathed Courage. She hadn't thought this would hurt so much. She needed Issei right now. His calm rational nature would soothe her now erratic emotions. It didn't help that Ayako had loved her grandfather dearly. He had been one of the few people she had truly wished to impress.
And now, what was left of her could barely remember him.
He felt his hand on her shoulder. "Granddaughter. Look at me."
She looked down and away. "I don't have the right to that title. Not anymore."
"You are as much my son's daughter as Ayako ever was."
Ayako couldn't help it. She met her Grandfather's eyes. She could see his shock and nervousness. She frightened him, but he was determined to reclaim her.
He smiled sadly, "Medusa told me everything."
Ayako looked away, "You mean the real Ayako."
For a moment he was silent, both of them standing amidst the falling snow.
She looked back at him and met his eyes. They were full of grief. Even though she was still existent, she would forever be part of another. The Ayako he had known was gone forever. And he mourned her.
His voice broke the silence, "Yes. There can be little doubt." He looked away, "If it were just the memories, I might not believe it. But the small affectations and verbal tics. Her desperate need for my understanding…. She is Ayako in addition to being Medusa." He shook his head slightly, "An odd mix of a straightforward Japanese schoolgirl and an old and ruthless monster."
Ayako looked away, examining one of her hands. "I hate her Grandfather. I hate that she abandoned me. We were so naïve that she could be fooled into allowing another to assume the burdens of our life. She went WILLINGLY to Medusa." Ayako could not stop the tears. Public displays of extreme emotion had always been discouraged in her family. To breakdown in front of her Grandfather was shameful.
Ayako didn't care. This wound, this never ending ache, the hollow void where the majority of her soul should be…. It would never fade. "She warned us, Grandfather. She warned that she might offer things, and that nothing she offered would be for free. And we still fell for it. She TOLD us that she wanted to consume us. She even asked us if Ayako wanted her to stop. I was sleeping deep within her, forging connections that would have bound us together, would have made us one entity. Ayako… she was confused by it all. It didn't seem real. Finding out about Mother, about magic, about all the complications that hid in her friends lives; it was like a dream to her. And Medusa promised to take away the confusion and pain. Promised to bring clarity. Promised…." Her eyes clenched tight, warm tears spilling down her cheeks.
Her grandfather held her tight, "Shh. It will all be okay. Medusa told me everything."
She pulled slightly back and stared him in the eyes, "How? How can this ever be right? She is gone. She can't come back. Nor does she want to. That is the true hell of all of this. She is happy, Grandfather. She is being eroded away, becoming part of Medusa, and she is HAPPY. When I look into Medusa's eyes, I can see her. I can see her. And I want her back. I was part of her and she abandoned me. I almost wish that Issei hadn't saved me. That Medusa had absorbed me too."
Her grandfather shook her. "Don't say that."
He was still frightened of her. But stronger was his fear for her.
She was both gladdened and surprised that he cared so much. "I am not her. Ayako isn't even my name." She laughed bitterly, "And I can't tell you what it is because it's in a language I'm unable to speak. The only reason I have that was to stop me from becoming a demon." She glanced again at the Gate, its spirit still watching her.
Her grandfather sighed. "Medusa told me everything. And while she told me she will not give you your name back, she will allow you to use Ayako."
"It's the symbolism. So much magic depends on it."
He gave her a small smile, "So it does. Do you know who I am?"
Ayako tilted her head slightly, "You are Hiro Mitsuzuri, the man who was my grandfather."
"I am the head of our branch of the Mitsuzuri's. As you are lost and alone, and without a name, I adopt you."
Ayako just stood there. Stunned.
"I adopt you, and name you Ayako Mitsuzuri. Welcome back to the family, Granddaughter."
Ayako staggered back, feeling the weight of the name settle onto her. Belonging to a family could be a burden as much as a blessing. But this was a burden she would bear gladly.
She had a name. A Name. She wasn't just a stranger tied to the place by terms of affection. This tied her to this place, these people, and this family. And she swore to make them proud, to bring honor to the family that had accepted her back, despite what she had lost.
Despite what she was now.
She drew Courage and held it aloft, "I am Mitsuzuri!"
For a brief moment there was a break in the clouds and Ayako was bathed in the light of the setting sun. She stood there, mouth open as she watched the light pour through the swirling snow. "So beautiful."
And it was gone.
-End Scene—
CG Emiya-
Emiya turned slightly as he felt the weight of Alaya's gaze. "What?"
Alaya, still in Rin's form, just pointed at the scene before them. "So melodramatic."
He shook his head, "I didn't do anything."
Alaya bit her lip, "Just chance, or…."
Normally he would find enjoyment in the confusion and worry that Alaya was showing. She was his hated Mistress after all. But his friends were involved. People he wanted to save.
Something was wrong. "What is it?"
"Yes. But why? Why would She be involved now?" Another small pause, "Of course." She closed her eyes and for a moment she rippled, her form both indistinct and sharper than real. For just a moment she was Rin and Saber and Sakura and Ilya and countless others. All at the same time. "She's been involved this whole time." Alaya bit her lip, "But what is She after?"
He had a feeling he knew who 'She' was. And he really hoped he was wrong.
Emiya closed his eyes and sighed. "Gaia."
"I think you should stop pushing so hard. Trust in your friends." She sighed, "They're not ready. But then they never will be." She looked away, "The fate of the world is in their hands."
Could he trust his stupid and naïve younger self? Of his friends he trusted Rin the most, but while smart she was careless. Worse, she was so often right she didn't pay enough attention to the fact she had a habit of missing important details. It always came as a surprise.
The rest were too broken by events.
Events he was partly responsible for.
Had he done any good at all?
-End Scene—
Arturia Pendragon-
Arturia got out of the car. She looked at the large house before her. The Tohsaka estate, still similar to the pictures Kiritsugu had provided.
Sakura was talking quietly with the two girls in the car. Arturia watched on impassively as the snow continued to fall
Arturia was happy that experience was over. Lunch had been enjoyable; or rather the food had been very good. The others had chatted happily amongst each other. Both Sakura and Cassandra had tried to draw Arturia out, to make her participate.
Cassandra in particular had been determined to know everything about her life. She had even taken a few pictures of them all, but of Arturia in particular. Arturia had known she was famous in England, even amongst the descendants of the damn Saxon invaders. But to have to listen as a magus burbled happily about meeting her….
The woman was her enemy! She was an enemy Master!
And Sakura had invited her to dinner.
That was why they were here. Emiya's home was large, but not suited for such a large party. Cassandra and Luvia had helped shop for the ingredients and had driven them here. Luvia had seemed a little stiff and uncomfortable as they had maneuvered amongst the shops.
Arturia had been glad she hadn't been the only one.
The whole experience had been strange. For while both Luvia and Cassandra had shown her a great deal of respect, they had also treated her like another of the girls.
Arturia wasn't used to that. To being commented on her beauty…. And the less she thought about the debacle at the dress shop, the better.
The car pulled away. Sakura straightened up and walked up to the gate. Standing there, waiting for them was a homunculus. Linde if she remembered the name.
She stood there as if a statue, still dressed for the office. In the falling snow. The only sign that she was still alive were the occasional blinking of her bright red eyes. Snow had piled on her hair and shoulders.
Sakura's voice was soft, "Linde…" Sakura brushed the snow off the homunculus's shoulders, "Aren't you cold?"
Linde looked first at Sakura and then at Arturia, her eyes a little glassy, "Despite my emotional instability I am physically near the top of my model type and have undergone rigorous hypothermic testing. It was my ability to regenerate frost damaged tissue that led me to be given to my big sister to experiment with."
Arturia asked, "They experimented on you?" Irisviel had hinted that she had been subjected to some unpleasantness, but all the other homunculi had been cordial, if a little cold.
"Yes. Big Sister saved me. Without her I would have been recast," Linde reached out and took the bags of groceries from Sakura. "Gretchen ordered me to assist you. If you will open the gate and allow access into the Bounded Field we can get to work."
Sakura was silent as she unlocked the gate.
Arturia resisted the homunculus from taking her bags. Linde looked so real. Human. Only her coloring gave away that she was something abnormal.
Mordred had been much the same. He had seemed so human.
But he hadn't been.
Arturia closed her eyes and remembered her son. The son that she had killed. And who had in turn inflicted the wound that would kill her. "How old are you?"
"I was coined ten days ago. Despite all the horror and grief I have suffered I am thankful for every day I am allowed to exist."
All of them walked up the pathway to the front door. The paused there while Sakura got out a different key.
Linde continued, "I know that is selfish of me, to desire to live despite my defective state. I know it shouldn't bother me that I will be recast." She sighed, "Already my continued existence has cost the Einzbern greatly. I was to be a present to the heir of the Ashcroft family in Hong Kong. A combination of concubine and confidant, as well as a last line of defense. My combat routines are fairly basic, but sufficient in an emergency." Linde paused, her eyes getting wide, "The drugs are wearing off. I should have taken another dose." Her eyes began to tear up.
"Are you okay?"
Linde grabbed Arturia, her eyes wide with terror, "Don't let them get me! With Big Sister dead I will be recast. I'm not like either of you. I'm not human. I don't have a soul. If they recast me I will cease to exist! I'm only ten days old." Linde slumped against her weeping bitterly. Between her sobs, she continued to plead, "Please, just a week? Maybe a couple of days? Please!"
Arturia had spent most of her life detached from everyone else. To keep her secret and often just to keep herself sane, she buried her feelings deep. She had seen such desperation before. When she had used a town as a base, she often used it up, to deny its resources to the enemy, to reduce the cost of the war on the greater realm. A necessary sacrifice to protect her subjects.
But there had been those she had not been able to protect, those whose villages she had taxed… No if she were honest with herself, plundered and pillaged to pay for her campaigns. She had left very little left for those whose lives had been tied to that unfortunate village.
The desperation as she took everything from them in the name of protecting the realm. The food and livestock to feed her troops. Buildings dismantled for building supplies. All the abled bodied men and youths were taken to become soldiers or runners for her army. The able bodied women and older girls were taken as camp followers to become seamstresses, cooks, or prostitutes.
Those few she was unable to use, those who were left behind had cursed and pleaded….
Yes, Arturia had seen this before. A woman, no a creature begging for justice and mercy.
But the harsh horrible truth she had learned early on was that you couldn't save everyone. A wave of bitterness washed through her. How many had she abandoned, how many had she failed in her attempt to protect her kingdom. How many times had had to harden her heart to do the bitter necessary things, to the point even those closest to her had begun to worry about her humanity.
The truth, the cold hard reality was that she could not protect Linde. Her mission, the tattered remains of her fate, was to support Shirou in his quest to stop the Grail War. Once that was done, she would fade back to her own time.
And die.
Nothing she did here had any true meaning. In a week or less it would all be over for her, a bonus week of life at the cost of fighting in a war that would provide her nothing to save her kingdom.
She had failed. Her Kingdom had fallen.
In retrospect nothing she could have done would have helped. Would it truly matter if she had another taken her place? The Kingdom would still fall. It had fallen. If she had succeeded and gained the Grail, and another took her place…. It would STILL fall.
As she looked into Linde's desperate tear-clouded eyes, Arturia could see not just all those of her subjects she had failed.
But herself as well.
She tried to comfort the hysterical homunculus, but she had never really been good at dealing with emotions, whether her own or others. She had known how to instill hope, to banish fear, to intimidate those who would stand against her. But providing comfort to someone?
She didn't know how. Not even with Gwen. When Guinevere had miscarried with their child, something had broken in her. Arturia had tried to comfort her in her way. She simply hadn't known how….
Arturia had been glad to hear of an incursion, had been glad to take out her personal turmoil on the Saxons. She had left Gwen back in Camelot, leaving Lancelot to protect her.
A mistake.
One of many.
Lost in her own thoughts, Arturia had almost forgotten about Sakura. Her instincts warned her now. That something dark and dangerous was nearby. She looked over at the girl.
Sakura's hair had turned a bright white amidst the shadows that clung to her, her blue eyes nearly purple as if lit by a red light from within. The girl was shaking slightly, her face flushed, bright red scars trailing along her neck and face.
Arturia took a step back and summoned Invisible Air. "Get behind me Linde!"
Linde was frozen, utterly terrified.
With most Magi, Arturia wouldn't have the slightest concern. But her instincts warned her that this girl COULD hurt her. How and why, Arturia didn't know, but she would investigate afterwards.
She had another problem; Shirou had ordered Arturia to protect Sakura. And she honored that trust. Killing her was not an option, although a part of her considered that the wisest action. Incapacitating her wouldn't be too difficult if not for the shadows surrounding her.
No. Not mere shadows, Shadow.
Sakura ignored her and grabbed Linde. The girl did not attack her, simply shaking her slightly. "I won't let them take you. Nor would Shirou or Sister."
Linde just stood there shaking, staring into Sakura's eldritch eyes. "You. You will protect me? You will, you will let me live? I, I am broken, I don't know how much I can assist you." She began to cry again. "But I don't want to die. I, I…"
Sakura embraced the shaking homunculus, "There, there, you are safe. I will let nothing and no one hurt those I love and protect. And I will protect you."
Linde calmed down, "Thank you." She took a deep breath, and said once again, "Thank you. Mistress."
Arturia sighed and dispelled Invisible Air. How much of her life would have been made simpler by being able to respond correctly to emotional situations? To not have spent her life detached as an embodiment of Justice and Law.
Linde backed away and wiped her eyes. "I am sorry, Mistress. I was asked to aid you and have been nothing but a burden."
"Call me Sakura. Why don't you take the groceries in? We'll meet you in the kitchen. I need to speak with Rider for a moment."
Linde smiled and bowed her head, "Yes Mistress. Sorry, Sakura." And she walked into the Tohsaka manor with all the groceries.
Arturia gazed at Sakura, waiting for her to start. Arturia could still feel anger radiate from Sakura, but the danger had past. The red scars were fading, becoming almost unnoticeable against Sakura's pale skin.
Sakura looked at her hands, "I think I understand Sempai a little better. It is one thing to know what drives him, another to feel the rush that saving someone…. I don't think I have ever felt that before. I have helped, I protected Ayako the other day, but it wasn't the same. Linde…. I don't know. "Sakura looked away, "The look in her eyes when she realized that I was serious. That I would protect her."
Arturia softly asked, "Will you?"
"Yes." Sakura sighed, "I will likely need Sister and Sempai's help. But yes, I will make sure she lives." She looked up and met Arturia's gaze, "I will protect her." She blinked. "She's, she's my responsibility now."
Arturia could only smile softly at the girl. Sakura considered herself to be a monster. And she was powerful and dangerous. But from all Arturia had seen, there was little evil to the girl.
Sakura turned to face the now open door. "She is innocent. Really innocent. It is something I can see now. A gift from Him." Her voice turned somber, "Forced to see the darkness in everyone. In my sister, in Sempai…. All of us." She looked at Arturia, "Even you."
Arturia frowned, what exactly did this girl see when she looked at her?
Sakura closed her eyes, "But the mistake he made, this little attempt to break me. Is that I don't see just the darkness." Her laugh was a little bitter, "I don't see the good in man either. But I can see the absence of dark. The sense it is being resisted. His plan to make me hate mankind and help him get his revenge has failed, although I do worry." Sakura twisted the iron ring on her finger.
"Just stay true to yourself. I learned early that I couldn't save everyone. But that didn't mean I shouldn't save everyone I could."
Sakura laughed, "Now if only I can get Sempai to realize that."
Arturia softly smiled again.
Sakura twisted the ring a little more, "I would save you if I could. These last few days you have become precious to me. And I wish…."
"But you can't." Arturia smiled.
Sakura smiled sadly, "No. I can't."
The followed Linde into Tohsaka's house and began the preparations for the dinner to be held that night.
End Scene-
Issei Ryudou-
The dream remained the same.
Issei knew he was dreaming. And yet it felt so real.
Time and again, he and his friends tried to protect Fuyuki. To stop the Grail. And time and again they would fail.
Again and again they stood against the Golden Knight. And he killed them.
Or they would hide, and one by one the Servants would die. And inevitably one of their number would be drawn to the Park. Or the Temple. Or the Church. Or they would be protected in Rin Tohsaka's estate.
And one of their number would change. Sometimes it would be Ilya or Sakura. Or sometimes even Rin.
A door would be opened, and the world would die.
This curse wouldn't doom just mankind. It would unleash Evil into the world. Evil would fill their hearts, all manners and forms. And they would despoil the Earth. Not carelessly as they did now.
It would be deliberate and malicious. And often, in their death and the passing of Alaya, they would kill Gaia itself.
The Earth would still spin around the sun. Mankind did not have the power to shatter the world, not yet. But it did have the power to kill it. It would become a lifeless rock, where maybe, just maybe life would begin anew, another Spirit born.
Or not.
Did it matter?
Issei opened his eyes. He was in a lush valley waist deep in water. It was a pool that was cold with mountain runoff, but not yet frozen. The cold did not bother him.
His nakedness did.
As did the girl before him. It was hard to judge her age. She looked young, perhaps in her early teens. But her eyes…. Her golden eyes were OLD. Her hair was a pleasing brown, and she was seated on top of the water.
The girl's mouth didn't move except perhaps to slightly smile, "Do you understand?"
Issei could only open his mouth.
"I can't directly intervene. Your world is no longer comfortable for my kind." She looked wistful, "This valley is mine, but I don't like to leave it for long." She looked back up at Issei, "But that is why I have you."
"I don't understand."
The girl laughed. Her voice was high pitched and sweet. "Don't you remember, my Issei? To save Ayako, you swore you would give me anything." She slipped into the water, her body shifting and becoming older and voluptuous.
Issei wanted to run, but couldn't. Issei stood there shaking as the woman came closer. His eyes couldn't leave hers. Awe and wonder and terror all mixed in him. Eiko had been impressive, Ayako frightening in her own way. But this being was far beyond them, a true force of nature. Even the Servants had not been this frightening, because while they might be as strong as or stronger than this creature, they had attachments to humanity.
This creature didn't. Even Ayako and Medusa had some connection, some semblance of humanity. This creature didn't even have a definite form. It was a spirit with the power to manifest a fully realized body.
Looking into those impossibly deep and ancient eyes, Issei felt as he lost something. He had gained some knowledge that was too terrible to bear, but in the process….
No.
He wouldn't, couldn't think about it.
One thing he knew. Down to the very depths of his soul…
She embraced him, her skin hot to the touch. "You are mine."
It was true. To save Ayako he had given himself to this being. The price to save her had been his life.
He had thought that he would die. Details of the contact he had made with her came back to him. He flushed from the memory.
His last truly human act had been to cheat on Ayako. It had been to save her, but would she be able to forgive him? Could he forgive himself?
She pressed herself against him, wrapping her legs around him and pressed against him. He could feel her Will anchoring his footing and preventing him from falling. His body was responding to her.
'I am sorry Ayako.'
And she laughed. At not one moment did her eyes leave his. He saw her enjoyment of his fear and anger and helplessness. It was like she was feeding off his emotions. Only it wasn't that simple. It involved….
No. He wasn't going to think about that. The mere memory of the memory of that knowledge burned him.
And then it was over. He was kneeling in front of her in an intricate dress kimono. She sat above him on a dais, dressed in finery seen only in a period piece. Dressed as a princess or a queen. She was older and radiant in her beauty despite the traces of gray in her dark hair.
Their eyes were still locked, but Issei could see a familiar smirk on the woman's face. "You are so easy to tease. My granddaughter will have a great deal of fun breaking your shyness."
Issei took a deep breath and straightened. A quick meditation exercise later he asked, "Where am I? Why am I here?"
There was a flash of concern in her eyes. "You damaged yourself when you bargained with that Western Youkai. You should have just waited for him to leave. Or let the humans chase him off." She tilted her head slightly, "Why is it that humans always need to get involved in affairs that don't concern them?"
Issei shook his head, "Too many people would have gotten hurt."
She looked away, "We will discuss this later. I will not let you destroy yourself. Without you my granddaughter will die." She shook slightly, "Possibly more than die." Her gaze returned and intensified, "You will not allow that to happen. And if you hurt her…."
It almost crushed him, the weight of that gaze. But his answer was simple, "I love her."
A sigh, "Yes. I will do what I can through you, Issei. But the world has changed and I am limited." Another sigh, "You didn't answer me before. Did you understand?"
"I think so. The Grail needs to be stopped. But I knew that already. We are speaking now. Could we not have discussed this?"
"Do not make me more than I am. It seems I have not been discarded entirely." She shook her head, "It is imperative that you understand what She was trying to tell you. She does not communicate well; with humans it is even worse. Our perspectives are too different."
Issei shuddered. 'And the World dies.' That touch had hurt him. With it had come knowledge. And….
No. He wasn't going to think of that.
He was tired and he was scared. He wanted Ayako. To hold her close and feel her warmth. To feel safe and warm again.
"You can go. I will watch over you and Ayako as I can."
Issei lowered his head, "Thank you."
"And Issei. Call me Ako." Her voice was soft and high pitched, her name spoken slowly as if she rarely ever spoke.
It was only as he was waking up that he realized that the only word she had truly spoken was at the end. The rest had been images and emotions that she had induced in him. The words had come from inside him, as his feeble human spirit had tried to understand….
What exactly had he gotten involved in?
-End scene-
Rin Tohsaka-
Had anyone told Rin she would be hosting a party at her home, she would have laughed before mocking the idiot who had suggested it mercilessly.
Rin was not a party person. Her idea of fun was magical research and experimentation, preferably with Shirou nearby. Sometimes on Shirou.
She smiled as she thought of a few 'experiments' they could try now that they were lovers. Her eyes searched looking for Shirou. Maybe they could sneak downstairs and….
Her cheeks flushed. She would have to alter one of the countertops, but that was well within her currently limited capabilities. Maybe ten minutes to set it up properly. A little foreplay to get her fully in the mood, then they would conduct the main experiment. Timing would be essential!
There were a couple biofeedback techniques that should help. Of course, it would help if Shirou were assisting in the act, rather than just having sex. Because they could have sex at any time and that wouldn't be part of the experiment and would be totally wrong while her house was filled with guests.
But there were a few rituals that could be beneficial, and it might be prudent to get to them as soon as possible. Besides the basement was soundproofed so that wouldn't be a distraction and….
Rin startled as Ayako tapped her shoulder. She looked the other girl in the eyes. And immediately wished she hadn't as Ayako smirked and flushed at the same time.
Ayako dryly stated, "Well, at least I know where your thoughts are resting."
Rin looked away and her flush deepened. Ayako had explained a little of what she could do. Rin had an experiment she wanted to try tomorrow to see if some of her speculations were correct.
If Rin was right, Ayako was more dangerous than she knew.
Tomorrow. She would deal with that impossibility then. Now she had to deal with Ayako's irritating perceptiveness. Ayako had warned her what meeting her gaze meant now. The fact her friend now found it nearly impossible to lie didn't help one bit. Ayako had been honest to begin with.
If her mother had even an ounce of Ayako's new perceptiveness Rin could see why. Lying would be less than useless. Something Rin would have to remember.
"Rin, it is okay. Shirou is in the kitchen talking with Sakura."
Rin felt an uncomfortable stab of jealousy. She closed her eyes and sighed. Every time she thought she had this settled in her head she would have a moment of doubt. Could she truly share Shirou? Even with Sakura?
She had to. The results of her not sharing Shirou were too horrible to contemplate. Rin would never be able to keep Shirou from killing himself trying to be a hero. Sakura could, but if left alone to do so she would never heal. Walling her sister off and keeping Shirou for herself had a good chance of destabilizing her sister entirely.
Which would be bad.
Really, really bad.
There weren't any good options.
She would simply have to deal with sharing Shirou, even if she hated it.
Rin sighed, and looked over at Ayako. She looked happier, if a little worried. "So now your grandfather is involved in all of this?"
Ayako shook her head, "Medusa hired him. I haven't seen him this energetic since Grandma died. The goal of averting another tragedy is just what he needed." Ayako sent her a sidelong glance, "Although he does want to have words considering the Mage Association is conducting such a ritual in a populated area."
"Yeah." Once that wouldn't have bothered her. It hadn't been real to her, she supposed. Now it was. People had died. Real people with real lives. Did it matter that they didn't know about magecraft? Did that make them less human, less important than a magus?
No it didn't. It was true she needed to keep the secret. Magecraft was dangerous, even to those who know what they were doing. Getting involved was a good way to get hurt or worse. She frowned and took in her friend.
Ayako was very much evidence of that. Despite her heritage and innate talents, getting involved in the Grail War had only caused her friend, pain.
And worse.
Ayako reached out and held her. "It is going to be okay. We just have to stick together and we'll make it through."
"I am so sorry." Rin held the other girl close. All magi developed a sense for magic. Often it was useful, either patterning to sight, or sound, or scent. For Rin it was almost useless, a sense of pressure. It took a significant amount of power for her to sense anything at all. It could feel Ayako.
It was not nearly as strong as the Servants, but it was there.
Ayako held her close and said, "This has been a good day for me. I have regained more than I ever imagined. But I will never be her. I still want to be your friend, I don't want to lose that."
"Don't be silly." Of course, Ayako was almost as much a time bomb as Sakura was. An Elemental like her could cause a lot of damage. And if she were right about Ayako's powers, it would be difficult to detect if she did indeed go rogue.
"Let me tell you a secret Rin. Something I haven't even told Issei. It is something I have been trying to deny, but I can't. Not anymore."
Rin tried to pull away, "Ayako, you don't have to…."
"Yes, I do. I love Sakura, and I would do anything for her. But there is always a gap. I am always her sempai. I look out for her and she defers to me. That never goes away. I don't think it can for her; it is just how Sakura is. But you have always seen me as an equal, well as much as you considered anyone normal to be your equal."
Rin growled.
"I don't want to admit it, but I am happy that what happened happened. That the other Ayako was sundered from me. I miss her and I always will. It is a wound that will never heal, and yet…."
Rin became a little alarmed. "Ayako, you don't have to say this."
"Yes I do. All it takes is one glance at your eyes and I can see you. I know that I can trust you. And I want you to know that. I am happy that she is gone, because now I can exist as myself. Once I would have been a tiny part of a whole. Subservient. But now I am the master of my fate. You have no idea how liberating it is. But along with that is the guilt. That I have stolen her life." Ayako pulled away and looked at Rin. "It is a human thing, and I suppose I don't have to deal with it. But if I want to live in the human world I will have to accept the burdens along with the perks." Ayako looked down, "I am going to need help." She looked back up at Rin. "Will you help me?"
Rin closed her eyes. This was her responsibility. This had all happened because she had been lax, had not stipulated that Medusa not harm her friends. It could have been avoided.
Moreover, Ayako was her friend. That remained true. So she met her friend's eyes, knowing that Ayako would read the truth in her statement. "Of course. It is good to have friends. I wish this hadn't happened, that you were not involved. That you were safe." Rin began to feel guilt of her own, and she knew that Ayako could see it. "But there is part of me that is glad." She looked away, "My one fear is that I would be alone. If not for that damn horn and Shirou finding me in that park, I would have been. I would have been alone and not even realized it."
"You are not alone Rin. We are here for you." Ayako smirked, "So go find Shirou and give him a kiss." Her grin widened, "And since you are in a sharing mood, why don't you give your sister a kiss too. That should shake things up."
Rin just rolled her eyes and shook her head. She did head off to the kitchen to see Shirou. She passed Medusa, Ayako's grandfather, and Gretchen all quietly talking. Rin shuddered.
Did she WANT to know what those schemers were up to?
Rin rubbed her forehead. Tomorrow, it could be dealt with tomorrow.
Rin stopped when she got in sight of the kitchen. Her kitchen was larger than Shirou's, that and the lingering damage from yesterday were the whole reason they were here. But that wasn't what stopped her.
It was Sakura and Shirou. They were beautiful together, working in harmony in their matching aprons. When Rin cooked, she had to be in charge. Her competitive nature would allow for nothing less.
Watching the two of them, how close they stood to one another, how comfortable they were together. Rin felt oddly guilty, like she was spying on something private. She felt her cheeks flush.
Would it really be so bad to share him with her, when it was so obvious that they loved each other? For just a moment she had a vision of the two of them intertwined. The act itself wasn't pretty, but that didn't take away from their individual beauty. Rin sighed, Sakura was soft and lush in a way Rin was not. Of course Rin had her sister beat in athleticism and flexibility. Which would Shirou find more pleasing?
Maybe they could conduct an experiment? It would require frequent testing for data, not to mention careful collection of the data. Her hands itched and she glanced over to where a notebook lay. She had them stashed around the house for those times when an idea would pop into her head.
She began writing swiftly in her family cipher the basis for her idea. Mere description of enjoyment wouldn't be enough. Anecdotal evidence, while sometimes useful lacked true scientific rigor. Rin sat at the dining room table, careful not to mess up the place settings as she tried to think of a scientific method to measure Shirou's preference.
Rin sketched out the necessary ritual components needed for the required diagrams and was pondering the ordering of the Bounded Fields to allow precise measurement of prana generation. And of course, having Sakura on hand would cut down prep time. She bit her pen and examined the details of her proposed experiment. Sakura also had more experience and might have advice on various positions. That might cut down on some of Rin and Shirou's fumbling and inexperience.
Not to mention having three of them would allow for more advanced variations and….
Rin set her head on the table as she felt her face burn. She was surprised the table didn't catch on fire, so deep was her embarrassment. As she thought seriously about her little 'experiment' and its 'advanced variations.'
She closed the notebook and set the pen down.
First she would have to destroy the notebook. The traitorous pen too, just to be safe. Followed by a tricky bit of self-hypnosis, and ending in a cold shower. Shouldn't take more than a few minutes.
She quickly ran up to her bedroom, ignoring everyone else. Her bedroom was empty.
Right she'd had Shirou move everything to the Master bedroom. She went there, thankful her parents had a separate bathroom installed. She was about to destroy the notebook when she paused. Destroying knowledge was against the grain for her. Even something so embarrassing.
She thought about it and tossed the notebook on her bed. She flushed again. No, not just her bed. Shirou's too.
Rin sat down for a moment. Calm. Poise. Elegance.
She was a Tohsaka and she could face even this. She took a deep breath. So many changes in such a small time. She looked up and saw a pair of Shirou's shirts folded neatly on top of the dresser. Not all of those changes were bad.
Notebook forgotten, she went to take a brief refreshing shower. When she came back to her room, Sakura was sitting on the bed.
Next to the notebook.
"Sakura! What are you doing here?"
At least there was no way she could have read it.
"Sempai was worried about you and I offered to look. You were taking a shower, so I waited. Are you okay, Sister?"
"Um, yeah. I'm fine." She closed her eyes, trying to drown out something she had just noticed. Her bed was easily large enough for three. And definitely more comfortable than a repurposed countertop. "I am so going to hell."
"Sister?"
"Just let me get dressed and we'll talk."
Sakura nodded. Before she left, she picked up the notebook, and said, "By the way, this is a pretty interesting experiment." She smiled at Rin, "When do we start?"
Rin felt her face flush and her chest tighten. Her life had just spiraled completely out of control.
Amidst the wreckage of her dignity, all Rin could do was laugh.
-End Scene—
Ilya 'von Einzbern'-
Ilya sat content at the table. Despite all the problems of the day it had ended well. Even with the newcomers Luviagelita and Cassandra, the dinner had run smoothly. She was a little disappointed that Souichirou hadn't stayed, but he had promised to drop by tomorrow.
Ilya hummed happily to herself, it would take some work, but she would win him over eventually.
She looked again around the table at the people surrounding her, all holding quiet conversations. Dinner had been spectacular. Dessert had been better, a cake she hadn't had since her mother and father had left her to fight the last Grail War.
Her mother had been so proud of that cake. The directions to make it had come from Kiritsugu's computer, and she had kept the printout.
It had been one of her father's few tokens of her mother. Something he had prized. Shirou had told her that before he died, Kiritsugu had shared his life with him. His victories and his defeats.
Ilya didn't really know what to think. She remembered him. She remembered looking for leaf buds, of playing with him. And her anger when he didn't come back. Of his betrayal.
Now she wasn't so sure. Of anything. Was she even really his daughter, or just a replacement homunculus who thought she was Kiritsugu's daughter?
She felt someone tap her shoulder. She looked up to see her brother, a blank look on his face. He was concerned. She could read that in his micro expressions. "Brother?"
Shirou closed his eyes, "Gretchen shared with me some information that she had regarding you. She didn't feel comfortable giving it directly to you as she feels she betrayed you when she was working for Victor." He sighed and looked away, "I think she meant well. That she was looking for anyway to save you. She was friends with your mother, and, well I didn't realize that homunculi could live that long. But she claims she knew Justeaze."
Ilya looked down, "Gretchen is somewhat of a legendary figure amongst homunculi, at least the Einzbern ones." She looked up at Shirou, "It is possible that she was a friend to Justeaze, she is more than five hundred years old." She licked her lips, "She isn't very powerful, not even after all these years. But she is very smart. And very dangerous in her own way. There have been many who have wished her dead, and yet she is still here and they are not."
Shirou nodded, "She has sworn herself into my service. I think she would have sworn herself to you, but for some reason she can't."
"Officially I am no longer human. Homunculi are not trusted to own other homunculi, although some like Gretchen are considered developed enough to operate independently. Although as far as I know, she has always worked for someone. But according to Einzbern House laws, and I think some of the bylaws of the Magic Association, I am not even allowed to be independent."
"Ilya."
She looked up at her brother, her eyes tearing, "That's not all. They have put a Sealing Designation on me. They will be coming for me. Not just my family, but others in the Association. Maybe even Enforcers. So, so after this War is over, assuming I somehow survive, I am going to have to leave. I might be able to find someplace safe in Japan, but they already know about you. It wouldn't be safe for me to stay."
Shirou's eyes burned with anger, "Don't ever say that! You are my sister. I will protect you from anything." He took a deep breath, "As long as I live I will do everything in my power to protect you."
Rin peeked around Shirou, "Don't bother trying to change him. It won't work. Trust me I have tried." She smiled fondly at a frowning Shirou.
Shirou shook his head, "Do you have the device?"
Rin nodded. "I have set it up for both of you. It's downstairs in the upper basement."
Shirou asked Ilya, "Would it be okay if she comes?"
Rin shook her head, "This is private. I mean maybe another time, but Shirou, if it is like you told me…. Ilya should view it with you."
Ilya watched the two of them flirt with their eyes. Ilya sighed and rolled her own, "You know, we could do this later, say in an hour or so?"
Shirou glanced at her, "I would have thought you would want to see this as soon as possible."
"Yes, but if you two love birds need some time together, I suppose I can wait."
Rin and Shirou looked at each other, both of them blushing. And by their shared micro expressions they were considering her offer.
Ilya grabbed Shirou's hand and dragged him off, "Thanks Rin, bye now."
Shirou had one hand trailed back towards Rin, "But…"
"Brother, you have some information regarding my past and who, hell, even WHAT I am. Do you honestly think I am willing to sit idly by while you play with your girlfriend?"
Shirou did not respond. He got in front of her and led the way into a wine cellar. It wasn't spectacular but one bottle did catch her eye. She stopped and grabbed a bottle.
Shirou stopped as Ilya examined the bottle. Huh, an '83. That had been a good year for that vineyard. She nodded, this would be good enough.
"Ilya, put that back."
She lighted the bottle and watched the faint light shine through the liquid, "I have a suspicion I might need this." Ilya smiled at the Shirou's look of disapproval, "Don't worry, I'll pay your girlfriend back."
Shirou opened his mouth and closed it. He tried to keep his face stoic, but his micro expressions conveyed a deep level of concern. "Come on." And he walked through the racks to a small enclosed room. It had a Bounded Field that would prevent scrying.
It was quite well done, worked directly into the stone and driven by the ley-line node under the house. Ilya walked into the room and could feel the metaphysical silence. For a brief moment the ward struggled against her connection to the Grail.
It failed, of course, but the workmanship kept it from disrupting the whole field.
In the center of the room was a crystalline chalice above which floated a single glittering gem. A memory emulator, one of the mystic codes that had helped to raise the Edelfeldt Family fortunes. One of several devices that had propelled a backwoods Finish family into Magus Nobility.
Shirou pulled out a piece of paper and haltingly read the command key.
Nothing happened.
Shirou stared at the paper and then at the device. "But I thought…."
Ilya grabbed the piece of paper and looked at the command key. She sighed, how he could mangle something so simple.
Muisti Paluu
As the spell began to take hold she glared at her brother, "We really need to work on your language skills." She would have said more but the world disappeared.
She never cried. Not when the last of her sisters died. Not even as she watched the humans she loved and served slowly grow old and die before her eyes. What would be the point? In the centuries she had lived she had watched the same tragedies unfold again and again.
Why then did watching this little girl suffer affect her so?
Gretchen closed her eyes. Ilya had always been special. Her mother had carried her for nearly nine months. Even the most elaborate coining took only a week.
All that time slowly developing inside the influence of another's spirit had changed her, made her special. It had made her almost human. She was a homunculus, yes, but somehow different.
But that damn Acht, wouldn't leave things alone. They had planned her slow development when she had been born, to allow Ilya to succeed should Irisviel fail. Sixty years was a long time to grow up, but she would be in her physical prime then.
But the damn Grail wouldn't wait. They weren't sure exactly when it would manifest, but it would be early. Ilya would physically be a preteen when it manifested. Originally that had been considered sufficient; the girl wouldn't be fighting anyway. That would be the Servant's job.
Old Acht had changed his mind and changed her adjustments.
And now she was dying. Nothing known to the Einzbern could stop her degeneration. But the girl herself was brilliant. Faced with certain death and the failure of her purpose of existence, the girl rallied and found a way to overcome it. If not survive it. Maybe.
Ilya looked up at her, eyes sunken. Her tiny body frail to the point of gauntness. Even with the machines and the magecraft, there were bruises all over her body as parts of Ilya just broke down. "Stop it Gretchen. You were the one to tell me it was pointless to cry." She looked around, "Where is Aunt Cecily?"
Gretchen closed her eyes, "She couldn't come. All of this is too much for her." She looked over at the body lying on the next bed. It was what Ilya should have looked like at twelve. Healthy and strong.
It wasn't perfect. There were strands of black amidst the pure white that was a Einzbern Homunculus's pride. It was the seventh homunculus to be patterned after the Winter Lady and no one was quite sure what to expect. Particularly if Ilya was successful.
Homunculi had been patterned and conditioned for millennia. But this, no one had tried this. Gretchen had shivered.
The other person present checked lifeless doll that if they were successful would contain Ilya. She nodded, "Looks good. Mind you, when I do this their exact copies." Touko Aozaki lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. She blew out a large billow of smoke, "Should still work though. After this is over, you won't be able to reach me. But don't worry, I'll check up on you. If you are going to do something, you might as well do it right."
Ilya coughed, "Gretchen, you'll transfer the funds." She closed her eyes, "Even if this fails she deserves every cent."
Another billow of smoke, "We'll see. I don't like getting paid for failure. But then I don't usually fail."
"The money has already been transferred." She looked at Ilya, "Are you sure you want to do this today? The doctors say…."
Ilya laughed bitterly, "What? That I have a few more weeks, maybe a couple months? That I should hold on to hope that a cure will be found? We all know that isn't going to happen."
Gretchen yelled back, "But you will die!"
Ilya crossed her arms across her chest.
It was Touko who answered, "Continuity is the key. Her mind replicated in the doll at the precise time she expires in her current body. The rest is useless metaphysics."
Ilya said quietly, "I have to do this." She struggled to reach the Lifecrusher on the table.
Touko handed it to her and pushed down the hospital gown. "Right there, over the heart. Death should be almost instantaneous."
Ilya readied it and slowly placed it above her heart. Her breath became a little ragged as she realized exactly what was going to happen. She asked one last thing, "Kiritsugu, my father. Did, did he come?"
Gretchen was screaming inside as she lied to this dying little girl. But she had orders. "No. He was informed, but he wasn't willing to come."
Ilya closed her eyes for a moment. When they opened, Gretchen knew. She was going to suicide. Gretchen could see Ilya steeling herself.
Gretchen couldn't let that happen.
So she killed Ilya herself. A couple quick strikes with the dagger she carried at all times and it was done, the Lifecrusher slipping from Ilya's grasp. "Forgive me."
Ilya's eyes grew glassy and the empty.
She was dead.
Behind her there was a sudden intake of breath….
And the real world returned. Ilya shook as careful barriers in her memory broke. As she remembered the cold malicious feel of the Lifecrusher. The sharp pain as Gretchen's dagger first swept across her throat and then plunged into her chest. The growing darkness as she died….
Ilya stumbled back, "It's all true. Everything Victor said. I…."
A pale Shirou held her tightly, "This changes nothing! We didn't know. Dad was sick, but we would have gone. I promise you he loved you. You are my sister and I will protect you from anything."
Ilya looked up at him, "Why? I'm not even…."
"Don't say it. You are my sister. As, as Touko said, the rest is pointless metaphysics."
And she clung to him, sobbing as the memories returned.
End Scene-
Intermission Two-
Gretchen stood above the grave marker, "I am sorry Emiya. When this is over I'll arrange for her remains to be placed beside you. It isn't much."
She was silent for a time as she remembered the serious Emiya falling for the irrepressible Irisviel as the snow continued to drift down.
She closed eyes to stop the tears. She never cried.
Her voice was thick as she addressed the grave marker again, "I swear to you I will protect them. I will do everything I can to protect your children."
And for the second time in a decade, Gretchen let herself cry.
End Part-
A/N- Tough chapter to write. So Wednesday is finished, Thursday should only last a chapter or two as everyone regroups and recovers.
Hope you folks enjoy. Let me know what you think.