A/N: Sorry if this one took a while to get up guys. Had a little technical difficulties on my end. Oh and thank you for the critique Romanesque. As we all know, you can't get better without constructive criticism haha. Anyways enjoy the chapter guys!
Chapter 8: The Ballad of Betrayal
Hisashi walked into the dining room, his body sore from having recently awoken from a deep, uncomfortable slumber. He rubbed his drowsy eyes and sat at the empty table, his legs crossed and his hand rubbing his forehead. In a few seconds his mother entered the room, her hand was covering her face and she exuded almost inaudible grunts from her mouth. His mother was never a morning person and the act of waking up was usually enough to draw forth a great deal of her rage.
"Good morn-" his greeting was cut short when Rin shot an irritable glower in his direction.
"Breakfast," she ordered, dropping down into her seat. Hisashi nodded, almost tripping on himself, and he proceeded into the kitchen. He heard the flicker of a television being turned on as he took out the necessary utensils. He craned his head to look into the dining room. His mother was quietly watching TV.
It took him a full hour to finish cooking the meal he had intended for himself, Rin, Natsumi and Archer. He prepared a large sum of food and had even fixed up a full pot of tea. He couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement course through his body. Today was the day he was going to train with Natsumi. He was going to become someone of use, someone who would have the strength to save his family and friends when the time comes.
As if on cue, Natsumi entered the room, Archer following behind her. She stroked her auburn hair and skipped over to Hisashi, giving him a warm hug. Hisashi was taken back. That was completely unexpected. Was she really that guilty about what had happened?
Archer simply seated herself at the dining table, not a single word leaving her mouth. She nodded towards Rin, who nodded back politely.
"Are you prepared to start training today?" asked Natsumi with a bright smile.
"Of course," replied Hisashi as he grabbed a few plates of food in his arms. He walked towards the table, placed the plates in an orderly fashion and headed back into the kitchen to retrieve the tea.
"Excellent," proclaimed Natsumi, "Have any ideas on where we could practice?" She tilted her head in curiosity and she rubbed her chin in deep thought.
"We have a dojo here Natsumi," said Hisashi with surprise, "I figured you of all people would know that."
"Oh," she said, realizing her mistake, "Sorry, completely slipped my mind."
"How could you even forget?"
"Sorry," Natsumi gave him a playful smile, "I was so worried about you that I just couldn't think straight."
"Geez. You're acting really weird. You don't need to play nice just because of what happened at the school." After placing down the white, porcelain teapot, Hisashi quickly began to eat. He was unusually hungry today. It was probably the giant bubble of excitement building within him.
"It's her own way of apologizing," said Rin, her morning anger dissipating as she ate, "Isn't that right Natsumi?"
"Yeah," perked Natsumi, "You don't need to be so mean Hisashi!"
"What? I didn't even say anything remotely mean!"
"I would like to observe this training session of yours," spoke up Archer, interrupting the two's bickering, "If you do not mind."
"That would be great," responded Hisashi, "You are a warrior after all, it would be awesome if you could give me a few pointers during practice." Natsumi, however, seemed to be against it. Her eyes narrowed as she shot a glare at Archer.
"I would like me and my brother to have some privacy while we train," she stated, almost commanding Archer.
"That is not for you to decide," replied Archer, returning the glare.
"Calm down guys," said Hisashi, "I'm sure there is so-"
"Quiet," interrupted Rin, pointing to the television.
On the screen was a news reporter. The wrinkles on his old face contorted into a grim expression and he rubbed his hand through his balding hair line. He picked up a multitude of papers in his hand and, after sifting through them, began to speak.
"This morning at eight o'clock, thirteen employees of Kimura industries were found dead on the sixth floor of the company's corporate building. Their bodies were mutilated beyond recognition and local detectives are currently attempting to find any evidence that could help them find the culprit. The only lead they currently possess is that the murders had been performed with a bladed weapon."
Hisashi rose from the table, his fists clenched in rage. Thirteen people. All dead. The reporter said it was caused by a bladed weapon. Which would mean it was the work of a Master and Servant. His body boiled with anger.
"What?" exclaimed Hisashi, apalled
"It is the work of a Master," said Rin, "No doubt about it." Her blue eyes did not move from the television screen.
"What kind of sick bastard would kill thirteen people!"
"You would be surprised what some Master's are willing to do to win this war Hisashi," said Rin.
"How can you be so calm about this?" yelled Hisashi, "How can any of you be calm?" He shot furious glances at everyone around him, almost disgusted by how they were taking in the situation.
"I am far from calm, Hisashi," replied Rin, her blue eyes staring straight into him, "I am just as disgusted as you. But we can do nothing at the moment. We have no idea who is behind this attack, we cannot look for the culprit when we do not know who the culprit is."
Hisashi remained silent. He was outraged. He knew that his father would not have allowed such a thing to happen. His father would not let innocent people die for nothing. He rose from the table and headed towards the hallway. He was tired of being unable to do anything but watch. He would have to set aside his training with Natsumi for another date. Now was the time for him to act.
"Where are you going?" asked Rin.
"He won't hide from me," said Hisashi, his fists clenched, "He'll pay for what he's done." He looked over at Archer and gave a nod in her direction, signaling to her that it was time to move out. Archer shook her head in response.
"I will not go on a mission with you in a state like this," said Archer, undoubtedly.
"What are you talking about?" asked Hisashi.
"You are emotionally compromised," replied Archer, her cold azure eyes stared into him, "This mission requires that we maintain a calm state of mind Hisashi. We cannot afford to rush into things."
"How can you say that?" yelled Hisashi, "People have just been killed! Who knows? Maybe that same Master will strike again!"
"People are killed every day," said Archer coldly, "Some deserve it and some do not. It is our job to not let their deaths effect us. If we do, we will end up just like them. I do not want my life extinguished simply because you were unable to keep a level head."
"You want me to keep a level head? You want me to be just like you? A cold unfeeling shell of a person?" Hisashi beamed angrily at Archer. His eyes overflowed with rage.
Archer remained still. Her face immutable as she returned Hisashi's stare with one of her own.
"It is what I do to ensure that the mission is a success. My emotions, my feelings, do not matter. So long as-"
"So long as the mission is a success?" interrupted Hisashi.
"Correct."
"Is that all you can think about Archer? The so called mission? Is there nothing else but the mission?"
"No, there is not," answered Archer without hesitation.
"And what about those people? Those people that just got butchered? Did they mean nothing to you?"
"No, they did not."
"But you're supposed to be some kind of epic hero, right? Isn't a hero supposed to care? Isn't a hero supposed to protect the innocent and prevent these things from happening? What kind of hero are you?"
"I was no hero, Hisashi, and I doubt that I ever will be."
"Then what were you? Enlighten us!"
"I was nothing more than a killer."
"You're hopeless. I doubt you even know what it's like."
"What are you talking about?"
"You don't know what it's like to care for someone. To harbor feelings for people other than yourself. Hell, I doubt you even give a damn about yourself. You talk about this mission bull crap as if it's the only thing you have in this damn world. And if it is, then I pity you."
With that Hisashi stormed out of the dining room and the audible slam of the front door could be heard resonating throughout the house. Archer stood still and Rin herself remained in silence.
"You should catch him before he goes too far," voiced Rin, "Hisashi has a lot on his mind. Forgive him for his outburst." Rin herself felt the need to stop her son, but she knew deep down that no matter how hard she tried he would not listen. It was a trait that he shared with his father.
"It is I who should apologize," said Archer, "But...he is wrong."
"What do you mean?"
"I do know what it is like to care for someone." In an instant Archer disappeared into her spirit form and her presence vanished from the room. The only two that remained were Natsumi and Rin.
Natsumi rose from the table and began to make way for the hall, but she was stopped in her tracks by the voice of Rin.
"You're not going anywhere Natsumi," commanded Rin, gesturing for Natsumi to sit back down.
"Why mother?" she asked, "I want to help Hisashi. He needs me right now." A small smile was on her beautiful face, it was as if everything that had just happened did not effect her in the slightest.
"Do you want to help Hisashi? Or kill him?"
Natsumi began to giggle, "What are you talking about mother?"
"Stop trying to salvage what little charm you have left in your act. It worn out it's welcome...Assassin."
"Very well," said Natsumi, her voice converted into one of nightmares. She sat down at the table and her green eyes transposed into a pitch black color. "What gave me away?"
"Everything. Your posture is loose, Natsumi is rigid and firm. You speak informally, Natsumi is always formal. You didn't know where the dojo was in this house. And you hugged Hisashi. Natsumi would never hug Hisashi."
"I figured there were some flaws in my act," said Assassin, pouring himself a cup of tea. "I'm surprised you didn't reveal me sooner. I have been in your home for three days now, and yet you did nothing."
"You were quiet during that period of time. Something the real Natsumi would do. When Hisashi woke up you were a different person entirely. That was where you revealed yourself."
"I will be sure to keep that in mind for future endeavors," said Assassin, "It is a shame that your son was not as perceptive as you."
"Hisashi tends to think more with his heart than with his head. A gift and a curse in his case. I'm surprised that you managed to sneak into our home. Kijiro told me that Rider held you off while they escaped."
"Rider was only a mild inconvenience. His strength and skill were too great for me to match. But you will find that my speed is unequaled. The second Rider's ability revealed itself to me, I withdrew. Only to meet you here in the guise of your daughter."
"Interesting," stated Rin, "You even had Kijiro and Rider fooled when they arrived."
"Kijiro and Rider have never met your daughter. So it was only natural that they did not suspect me. I could tell that you had your suspicions, however."
"I know my daughter better than anyone else. As for Kijiro, I would think that an investigator from the Association would be able to see through a ruse such as yours."
"You give him less credit than he deserves," said Assassin, "His courage in the face of death was admirable to say the least."
"What are you talking about?"
"The investigator, as well as his Servant, are dead now."
"How?" demanded Rin. Kijiro was one of the few Master's in the 6th War that she could trust. To hear news of his death was both frightening and mortifying.
"You will find that your portfolio of allies is growing thin. Soon there will be no hope for you and your beloved family. If it had not been for Archer's watchful eye I would have killed your son in the shed last night. And now, we have your daughter as well."
"What have you done with Natsumi? If you dare lay a hand on her!"
"There is no need to worry. We will not harm your daughter. She is our new ally after all."
Rin's eyes widened, the cup of tea fell from her hand and crashed onto the table, smashing into tiny pieces of porcelain. She sat in place, motionless. She could not believe what she was hearing.
"It seems you do not know your daughter as much as you claim," said Assassin with a large smile. The false Natsumi stood up and in a horrific scene her skin melted off and revealed a tall, cloaked figure.
"The other day your son told me how he was tired of being a spectator," the cloaked assailant chuckled, "I should help end his misery."
Without another word the assassin disappeared as if he were never there at all.
The young, beautiful girl entered the vile catacombs without so much as a grimace on her flawless face. The stench of decay did not bother her in the slightest as she proceeded down a long winding staircase into a room filled with nothing but rot. In the center of the room was an old man, a man who she had recently betrayed her own family to be allied with.
"Hello, Natsumi-san," said the old man, looking at her. A horde of worms surrounded his ankles and wriggled furiously before disappearing into his body. He stood in the middle of a large pit, a cracked smirk on his face.
Natsumi bowed to the old man, "I am surprised that you have agreed to my proposal," she said.
"It is I who should be surprised," replied the old man, "I did not think you would approach me for an alliance. More surprising is the fact you saw through my Servant's disguise at your school."
"Assassin is a horrible actor. Even the stupidest man in the world could point out the flaws in his act."
"Your brother did not seem to notice a thing. He walked right into my little trap."
"I said stupidest man, not dog. And he is not my brother. I would rather be dead than call that useless piece of trash my brother."
The old man laughed, "Such aggression. Is there a reason why you hate him so?"
"The Emiya family is a refined and exceptional group of magi. That mouth breathing pond scum besmirches our name."
"Very interesting. So you care for your parents and yet feel nothing towards your own brother?"
"My mother and father are easily the greatest mages in the world. It is my life's duty to live up to them and their legacy."
"So why betray them?"
"They have placed their faith in that fool. That dog. I want to show them that I am capable of proudly carrying the Emiya name. I will show them what I am capable of."
"And so you will."
"So you accept my allegiance?"
"In war, there is always a need for allies my dear. One of my original tools has recently betrayed me, it is a blessing that you have come to me in the first place."
"Betrayed? Are you telling me that you had a traitor in your ranks?"
The old man sighed, as if he were recalling a past mistake. "That is correct. In the last war we were in the possession of a Servant. She was dispatched far too early for my taste. But her Master did not wish to see her go and so she was brought back. However she was in no state to continue the 5th War and so she became a sort of...lingering spirit."
"The power to bring back a Servant? The mana capacity to keep such a Servant bound to this world for ten years? What kind of magus possesses such strength?"
The old man smiled innocently, a horrific sight to behold. "You see, my tool, in a moment of weakness, passed control of her Servant over to a man of lesser standing. He escaped with her into the city. I have had Assassin look for them constantly but to no avail."
"Then he is of no threat to us or our plans. He only has a few more days before that Servant's power is completely diminished."
"You speak the truth my dear girl," said the old man with a smile, "Besides, we have you now. A true magus." The old man gestured beneath himself and upon the ground was an enormous symbol. Natsumi recognized it as a summoning circle, akin to the one she and Rin made before her attempt to summon Archer.
"A circle? I was under the impression that the seven Servants had already been assembled."
"Indeed they have."
"Then how is it that you came to possess an extra Servant, let alone are capable of summoning another? By all accounts, this should be an impossible feat."
"So many questions," chuckled the old man.
"It is merely my nature to be curious," responded Natsumi, flatly.
"You will find that this new Grail system is far more potent than the last. It's design is far more...flexible...to say the least."
"What do you mean?"
"I have a weapon that I had been meaning to use since the last Grail War. But now, with this new system in hand the dormant power within that weapon has awoken. A power that has been growing for ten long years. Because of it, there is enough energy in this Grail to summon a hundred, maybe even a thousand Servants."
"Then why didn't you do so? This war would have been yours with the way this Grail is structured."
"Even if this Grail can summon many Servants, a catalyst is still necessary to summon each individual Servant. Something that hero had owned in life. I am not so adventurous as to spend my days roaming the world searching for such artifacts."
"A sound logic. An army of Servants would also be virtually impossible to fuel. It would be far more efficient to control just one."
"That is correct."
The old man pointed to a small slab of stone laying upon the ground behind him. It lay in the center of the circle, placed neatly as to compliment the design. Upon closer inspection it looked to be a piece of rock chipped from a large grave stone.
"Is that the catalyst for the summoning?"
"Yes, I managed to obtain this artifact some time before this 6th War started and now it shall be used to grant you a Servant the likes of which has never been seen."
Natsumi approached the stone as the old man walked to the side of the circle. Kneeling down to the stone's level she wiped away the gathering dust and a sentence could be made out upon the rock. The stone's many years of life had caused the text to lose it's clarity, however, and the only words that could be made out were:
"Here lies-whose blade betrayed-"
"A traitor?" asked Natsumi, her eyes on the stone, "How can we trust him to do as we say?"
"You will find that his reasons for betrayal are the same as your own. There are some evils in this world, that are justifiable."
"The way you are speaking it sounds as if I will summon a villain, not a hero."
"What if you do?" said the old man, "So long as you summon a Servant am I correct? Is it not your dream to become like your mother and father? To be as renowned as they were? To honor their legacy as Master's in the 5th Grail War?"
"Yes it is," answered Natsumi without hesitation.
"Then let us begin." The old man's cold dead eyes gave Natsumi the signal to begin the ritual.
"Ye first, o silver, o iron. O stone of foundation, O Archduke of the Contract. Hear me in the name of our great teacher, the Archmagus Schweinorg."
Natsumi placed her delicate hand on the tablet and the surrounding circle began to glow a brilliant crimson color. "Let the descending winds be as a wall. Let the gates in all directions be shut, rising above the crown, and let the three forked roads to the Kingdom revolve."
As Natsumi spoke the circle grew brighter and brighter. "Shut. Shut. Shut. Shut. Shut. Five perfections for each repetition. And now, let the filled sigils be annihilated in my stead!"
A powerful wind blew throughout the room and the the crackling of magical energy could be seen exuding from the red circle.
"Set," continued Natsumi, "Let thy body rest under my dominion, let my fate rest in thy blade. If thou submittest to the call of the Holy Grail and if thou wilt obey this mind, this reason, then thou shalt respond. I make my oath here."
A ball of light began to form in the center of the circle and the stone tablet began to crack and shake. "I am that person who is to become the virtue of all Heavens. I am that person who is covered with the evil of all Hades. Thou seven heavens, clad in a trinity of words, come past thy restraining rings and be thou the hands that protect the balance!"
With that final sentence the circle exploded with a blinding red light. Even Natsumi found her eyes pried away from the center as the sheer power of the light discharged from the circle. The old man merely smiled with glee. Everything was going excellently.
In seconds, the bright light dissipated as quickly as it had emerged. Natsumi looked up, her green eyes readjusting to the dim room. There in the center was an armored figure. It looked to be a boy, and from a simple glance he looked as young as she was. His hair was a short, golden color and a small ponytail was formed at the back of his head. He was incredibly feminine in appearance and if one were not paying close attention he could easily be mistaken for a girl.
He stood a few inches taller than Natsumi and his armor looked to be of a dull, gunmetal gray. Underneath the thick plates of armor he wore a dark red robe that reached down to the back of his knees. His legs and shoulders were completely clad in steel and his arms bore vicious clawed gauntlets.
"Look at him," said the old man, "What a formidable specimen. He will make an excellent Servant for you my dear."
"Yes he will," Natsumi stared at the boy and she found herself lost in his beauty, "With him, I should be able to destroy the other Master's with ease. When do we act?"
"Patience, child," hushed the old man, "We must bide our time and when we finally do reveal ourselves it will be too late for them to do anything against us."
Natsumi approached her Servant and in an instant he bowed before her with his hand on his chest. He looked at her, his green eyes rivaling her's in sheer intensity.
"I have come forth to serve you my Master," his voice was exactly what one would expect from a boy his age, light in tone. However, his delivery gave him a sense of authority and experience that one would not usually find in a person so young.
"What is your class, Servant?" asked Natsumi, as if she were giving a command to a soldier.
"My class is Saber."