Chapter 3 - Traces.
The rays of the sun pierced through her weak curtains and painfully awoke her from her dream. She groaned and tried to cover her eyes with the blankets but the covers were roughly pulled away. With the sudden change of temperature, Illya yelped and did her best to cover her body with her hands and arms... She failed and simply curled herself in a ball, hoping everything was just a faint nightmare.
"Ah! You are doing it again!" A feminine voice laughed on the distance "It was your fault, to begin with! I told you! You should have slept earlier yesterday... But what did the great sailor say! 'I always wake up in time..." Yeah, right! Get up before it gets too late!" The woman said before she exited the room.
Illya remained where she was for a few seconds befoe she finally opened her eyes and sighed in defeat. Her room was still the same even after many years, there were dozens of fish hooks all over the walls with different, shapes, sizes and colors. There was also a poster with the flag of Bilgewater and a few shelves with dozens of ships inside of tiny crystal bottles... It all looked like when she was a child... There was once singular difference. A small golden and pink music box on one of the corners... Illya stared at the music box for a while before she got up and walked to the bathroom.
The clock in the room told her she was already late so a bath was an impossible dream... She did wash her face and her teeth so that annoying woman wouldn't bother her during the breakfast. In fact, Illya was sure she would even deny her nourishment and would let her die of starvation... What a cruel and merciless little sister she had...! But she was family, and Illya knew blood was thicker than water.
After she was done tidying herself, Illya walked out of the room and entered the Kitchen. She could smell the delicious smell of freshly fried bacon with a portion of soft bread and sausages. Illya peeked over the doorframe and watched how her sister hummed a simple tune while she prepared the rest of the food... Illya smirked deviously and slowly crept on her... It wasn't as if she was still a child but Illya knew that arrogant deserved a small punishment for her actions. Illya's sister was a few inches away... Illya wiggled her fingers dangerously... Her smirk became an evil laugh and then...
"Gotcha!" The sister screamed while she turned around and bumped Illya on the head with a paper fan "Ho! Ho! Ho! You are way too young to even dare to defeat my evil kingdom, my stupid elder brother! Anyways... Breakfast will be ready in a jiffy so I think it's time you go and see him... You know... You will kind of be away for a few hours so I think it would be for the best... Go." The Little sister said with a sad smile.
Illya hesitated for a second but decided to do as she was told. She walked out of the kitchen and in one of the halls of the house... She stopped at a peculiar green door with flowers and bees stamped all over it. Illya quietly opened the door and peeked inside. It was a small and cozy room decorated with many cute animals and flowers on the walls. There were shelves filled with toys and other curious things here and there. There was also a giant plushie with the form of a diving suit right in the middle and a crib on the left. Illya moved to the crib making sure not to step on any of the toys or make too much noise... She finally reached the cradle and peered inside of it... There was a small bundle of clothes all tangled up. Illya could hear his soft breathing and even see some of his skin... With care, she picked her baby and lovingly hugged in her arms...
And Illya began singing...
"Larari... Larara... Laralu..."
"Don't you think it's about time you found another wife...?" Illya's sister spoke from behind "I know you loved her... And I know the way she left was... Look, I am sure you and I can raise him properly but I will eventually leave... She needs a mother and I can't fill that role." Illya sighed and nodded "Just think about it... Also, Lars called. He is close and he will be waiting for you..." The sister said patting Illya in her back. "Go eat your breakfast... And come home safely."
It only took a few seconds before a car began honking in front of the house. Illya gave her sister one last goodbye before she went outside. She was greeted by the bearded and ginger face of her coworker.
"Taking your sweet time, aren't cha?" Lars commented with a wide smile "Hey... Where's ya sista, huh? I'm just kiddin'! Either way... We hafta hurry... The captain said we have a really annoyin' customer this time around. Some rich boy from Zaun or something like that..." Lars said while he and Illya got inside of the car "And on top of that, we are going to the Guardian's Sea! Then again, we are the only crew crazy enough to go there." L
Lars drove quickly through the desolated streets of Bilgewater, Illya had the chance to see just how hard the situation really was... Especially when she saw a bunch of unknown vessels on the port. Giant boats with red flags on them.
"Noxians rouges..." Lars explained "I heard the good guys did a number on them. Rumors said they managed to kill the king but they lost the battle... They said the general that did it literally ripped the head out of Jarvan... Don't wanna see that kind of guy in the pub." Lars commented nervously "Anyways, here we are... Home sweet home!" They parked in front of a small boat made of steel. It certainly wasn't as flashy as the pirate vessels or a powerful as the Noxian boats but it was the first of its class.
It was created in the land of Piltover by the renowned master clans as a joint project... Apparently, the captain had some story with one of those clans and the boat was a gift. Illya couldn't really understand how a former pirate like him managed to get his hands in such sophisticated piece of art but she was not one to make many questions. She was just happy she could travel through the seas in a respectable boat... But there was something foreign waiting for them in the harbor. It was a tall and gloomy figure wearing a long and black cardigan with a weird green hat. The stranger looked more like a ghost than a human considering how pale his skin really was. His eyes were encircled by dark rings and there seemed to be no life in them... The usual features in Zaun.
The stranger was speaking to the captain... And Illya could tell the Zaunite wasn't happy.
"For the last time... This map is genuine. It holds the key to a life filled with riches! Why can't you see the truth, you old fool!"
"As much as I want to believe in your word, my lord. I cannot endanger the lives of my crew for a so-called 'ancient' artifact hidden deep in the Guardian's Sea... Yes, we may be the only crew crazy enough to sail over those waters but even we can tell when something is pointless." The captain countered harshly.
"Oh... I see what's going on... You are one of those 'Pilties', huh...? I wonder what would happen if the news reached the Noxian that are living here... Last time I checked, they weren't exactly happy with Piltover's declaration..." The Zaunite smiled deviously. The captain returned the glare "I expect us to sail in five minutes, captain... And please, let us move with haste. The Sheanely family might be merciful... But they are impatient." The Zaunite said before he laughed and boarded the ship.
"Captain! What was the meaning of that?!" Lars asked annoyed "You would never let anyone speak to you like that! Especially a nobody like him!"
"That 'nobody' just happens to be the son of one of the most powerful ChemBarons in Zaun. He is currently with another family in order to create some sort of weapon for Noxus... I don't really like it but we have no choice but to work for him. Noxus has plagued Bilgewater and I don't really want to fight against them... So swallow your pride and you better watch what you say in front of him, huh?!" The captain scolded "Anyways, I am glad you guys made it in time... I will debrief the rest of the crew so hurry up and get inside of the ship! And you..." The captain said looking at Illya "The new suit arrived... Go to Cho's workshop and check if everything is in order... He might be a great engineer but there is no way in hell I'm trusting an Ionian with such complicated equipment... Let's go." The captain said as he boarded the ship.
"Well then... This is going to be an interesting ride, right?" Lars asked patting Illya on her back.
Illya simply sighed and looked back... She wondered how her sister and little boy were doing before she herself and Lars boarded the ship.
"I'm still saying this is a complete idiocy!" Cho exclaimed in anger while he checked the tools "Even if this thing is the best in the market, there is no way it can survive the deepest point in the Guardian's Sea! We haven't even tested it enough!" He spat on the deck of the boat "I don't get paid enough for this!"
"You should consider yourself lucky I haven't fired you for that, Ionian" The captain pointed out "I don't really care about your complaints, you just have to make sure the suit is safe... He can handle the rest."
"Boss... Even if this is the most advanced equipment in the world, there is simply no way we can pull this off!" The engineer countered "We are deep in the Guardian's Sea and we have not a single idea of what lurks in the depths... We can't do this!"
"Typical Ionian cowardice, huh?" The Zaunite interjected "I have given you the coordinates and the date and the data needed... All that is left is to see if you are man enough to do what you are told!"
Cho tried to fight back but the stern glare of the captain kept him in place. He gritted his teeth and finally sighed in defeat... He gave Illya an apologizing glance and helped her suit up. For something considered among the most advanced creations of Piltover, Illya had to admit the suit was actually heavy and stiff. It took her more than an hour to get ready and walking towards the railing of the ship was a complete pain in the ass... Huffing and sweating, Illya finally managed to climb the platform and she was sent into the depths.
"Can you hear me, sailor?" Illya heard the voice of Lars inside the helmet "Don't bother answering, we can't hear you. If you are hearing this, point your thumb up. There is a small camera on the suit so we should be able to see it..." Illya did as she was told "Good. Now, here comes the hard part. The Zaunite said there should be some sort of 'thing' somewhere in the underwater ground... Not sure what this 'thing' is and our friend refuses to give us more information. For now, just be sure to survey the surroundings and we will tell you if something comes up... Good luck."
The platform kept going further and further down into the unknown. Illya was and experienced diver but she had never been this deep... She began to feel slightly nervous, the priestess of the temple near Bilgewater spoke about the terrors and creatures of the depths... Illya had never believed in those things but one couldn't really be sure about anything in Runeterra. She kept going down until she finally reached the bottom, she looked up and she could barely see the outline of the boat at the top of the ocean.
"Alright... The place should be somewhere over there." Lars spoke again "For now, head to your left and see what you can find... I will monitor everything here so just be careful."
Illya nodded to herself and moved forward.
It didn't take long before she stumbled upon something she had never seen in her life.
"That... That is not possible..." Lars spoke flabbergasted "How... How can that be here?"
The structures reminded Illya of the Demacian castle she had seen during her journeys but she was sure Demacia never made it this far... Besides, those shiny idiots would rather stay inland than risk themselves to the will of the seas. The ruins stood like ghastly reminders of an ancient civilization that was devasted before the city-states were born in Valoran. There were runes but it was nothing Illya had seen before... She could see some towers in the distance and even a castle at the center of the ruins. Illya walked slowly and made sure she looked everywhere... She wasn't sure why but she could feel something looking at her...
"Alright... Our friend says what we are looking for should be close... Just keep going forward and you might run into it... But seriously, what the hell is all of this? Doesn't look like a Marai city or anything I've seen before... What happened here?"
Illya kept venturing in the city until she was no longer able to see the lift. Above, the light of the sun could barely reach and she was only able to move thanks to the light of the suit. Illya walked for around an hour or so but it seemed like there was no sign of whatever that Zaunite was looking for... It wasn't that surprising. Zaun was no exactly a city filled with talented scientist and they lacked everything that made Piltover the beacon of hope and future. Even the denizens of Bilgewater had to admit they would rather have Piltovian merchandise in their ships... It was ironic, considering Bilgewater and Zaun were allies.
"Wait... What's that?" Lars spoke suddenly "Over there... A bit forward... I can't really tell what is because it is too dark but I think it's... Wha-What the fuck is that?!"
Illya was standing if front of an underwater and she was peering into... The Darkness.
It was literally the darkness. A surface made of some dark goo that covered the entirety of a great area... Underwater lakes were actually common as the waters in the Guardian's Sea had different densities thanks to the magic veins and other supernatural phenomena... But this... This was something completely different. Illya couldn't explain what it was... But she could see the thick goo moving unnaturally... And she could feel something watching her from beneath the abyss.
"Hey... The Zaunite says that is the thing we are looking for... We just need a sample... I think you should forget about that and simply come back... I... I don't like how that thing looks... Don't touch it..."
Illya had known Lars for quite a while and she knew he was a man that couldn't be easily scared... A former pirate that followed the captain and a loyal man... For him to be this scared, Illya shuddered inside the suit and decided to follow his advice. The captain and the Zaunite would definitely be mad and Illya was fairly sure she was going to lose her job but she knew she had to get away from that thing as fast as po-
"LOOK OUT!"
Illya had just enough time to turn around and see a long and dark tendril before she was whipped away. Illya flew through the water until she finally crashed in one of the stone pillars of the city. She didn't suffer any injury thanks to the suit but she was shaken by the impact, she blinked a few times and managed to focus her eyes to see the terror that was crawling from the depths. Long and dark threads of the same goo began rising from the cliff, ghastly flowing like the veins in a body... They crept towards Illya with disgusting speed and stopped in front of them... Illya could only hear the beating of her heart while she waited with her eyes wide open and her teeth gritted... The thing began getting closer and closer... It was a few inches away from touching the suit and then...
A barrel appeared over it...
"RUN!"
Illya turned around as soon as she realized what the crew had done. The barrel imploded and the explosion sent Illya away from the creature, she roughly collided with ruins but managed to get up and began her mad dash towards the lift. As she was running, she could see the same barrels landing all over the place and exploding as soon as she passed them. After a while, she finally distinguished the platform... But it was being lifted... Illya gasped for air and made one last push... And with a huge leap, she managed to grab onto the railing.
"You made it!" Lars spoke again "Just hold on tight! We are briggin' you in a... Oh... Oh, no! Captain! Captain, the thing is-" Illya heard a loud crashing and the sound of glass falling on the ground "WE NEED TO RETALIATE!" Then, everything became chaos.
Illya looked up and was finally able to see the shape of the boat... Being surrounded by that thing. The lift broke the surface of the water and she knew she had to hurry and help the rest of the crew. Illya began climbing the railing of the boat but she suddenly slipped and looked back to see where she was stepping... But she only saw a dark thread surrounding her foot. She was slow to react and the thing yanked on her, Illya managed to hold onto the boat but the thing was simply too strong. Her hands finally gave up and she was pulled into the water... But in the last minute, she managed to hold onto the anchor of the boat.
"Buddy! Buddy, where are you?!" Lars spoke again "We have dealt with those things but you have to... You... What are you doing in the anchor?!" The dark threads began creeping over Illya's suit and into the anchor "Captain! We have to do something! He won't be able to..." The threads pulled on the chain and the boat shook "I don't care! We have to save him! We can't...!" Illya huffed and grunted when the thing squeezed the suit "I know we might blow us up but we can't...! We can't just...!" Illya could feel her fingers giving up but she was determined to resist until they c-
...
...
...
"I'm sorry, my friend..."
Illya couldn't understand what was going on... She could somehow see the chain of the anchor falling from the boat... She raised her hand and tried to grab the boat...
But she was too far away...
And then...
The darkness pulled her to the depths...
She watched as the boat became a small dot on the surface of the ocean...
She felt how she crashed into something...
And she saw how her whole field of vision was engulfed by that black goo...
She kept falling and falling... Deeper and deeper into the abyss... Until she finally crashed on the ground...
Illya tried to get up but the anchor fell on top of her... She screamed in pain as she felt how the suit was damaged... She could feel small droplets of the water seeping into her suit...
She tried to speak but the impact had left her lungs without air... She couldn't see anything through the helmet... The little light on the suit was not able to peer through the darkness... It began to fail... Turning itself on and off...
Illya watched the darkness as she felt how her body began giving up... She was dying... She didn't want to die... It was not fair... It was not fair...
It was their fault... The abandoned her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... The betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her... They betrayed her...
...
...
...
"They will pay..."
...
...
...
The darkness suddenly split... And Illya saw endless rows of sharp teeth in an abyssal mouth...
The light failed...
And she knew no more...
Illya awoke to the red color of her ceiling.
She knew the dreams were consequences of the bond with her servant but she wasn't prepared for what she saw... She had heard the master would witness their finest hours or dreadful moments... But what she saw couldn't be consider either of them. She had seen how a normal man was betrayed by his friends and fallen into the abyss... The man Berserker used to be... The family he left behind...
And the monster he found in the depths...
Illya breathed and decided to focus on what she had discovered with this dream... Ionia, Demacia, Zaun, Noxus, Piltover, Bilgewater, The Guardian's Sea... No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't remember a single civilization with such names. Maybe Berserker was born in a forgotten and hidden land but that explanation didn't fit. Those names didn't belong to mere tribes or towns... Those were the names of countries.
It was also disturbing to see just how nonsensical that world was. Illya could tell that world had a fair amount of technology, something along the last century or so. Even the diving suit was a specimen similar to the ones she had seen in old pictures. Contemporary men were unable to become Heroic Spirits since they lacked the blessing given to humanity during the Age of Gods... So that could only mean three things: Berserker was born during the Age of Gods, that was impossible considering the technology Illya saw in the dream. Berserker is a Counter Guardian, that was impossible because Illya could tell that strange darkness was not the will of Ayala. So that only left a single explanation... Something so incredibly ridiculous, not even the wise Jubstacheit Von Einzbern would dare to consider because it would go against everything the rules of this world had dictated...
Illya sighed and decided not to think about it... As long as her servant did his job, she was simply going to ignore it. She nodded and decided to meet Sella and Leysritt, there were things they needed to plan. She dressed with a simple set of purple garments and white skirt, and she went out of her room.
Outside, the red light of the sky greeted her. Illya had struggled to get used to the change of schedule since she would sometimes nap during noon. Sella had scolded her for that but there was nothing Illya could do about it... She guessed it would take a while before she could get used to it... She walked through the hall but stopped in front of a window... She gritted her teeth and decided to just simply get over it...
The city of Fuyuki stood at the distance...
If Illya was honest with herself, she didn't want to come to this accursed mansion. It didn't matter if the Einzbern elder was against it, Illya hated the oppressive place. Every room of the Einzbern state only made her think about the fourth war, thinking about her mother running through the same halls... With the shadow of that man following her. There were no photos and no evidence of what had happened a few years ago, sure there were records but those were just words. Words that spoke about the treason of that man... Words that spoke about the demise of her mother...
Words that spoke about the disaster in Fuyuki...
In reality, Illya didn't care a single bit about the victims of the tragedy. The harsh life in the Einzber state had taught her that the weak did no deserve to live... Had the Einzbern elder been stronger, he could have seen the disgusting being that was Emiya Kiritsugu... Then again, without Emiya, Illya wouldn't exist... And maybe, juts maybe Fuyuki would have avoided the destruction... But one could only wonder about the things that could have been...
She focused on the buildings as she thought about the bastard that had the same name as that man. He was but a simple student with no real magical potential... Just another dot in the endless universe... And yet, Illya knew they were destined to fight. They were destined to bleed themselves out in a furious battle... A master or a civilian, Emiya was definitely going to die during this week. Illya just needed to find a chance...
In reality, Illya no longer felt hatred towards Emiya. Her fury had died with the doppelganger of her mother inside the Berserker's Reality Marble. She hadn't seen that dark copy in a while and even the nightmares were gone... But that didn't change the past and the suffering Illya had to endure for ten long years. The Einzbern maiden wanted closure, she wanted to forget but she needed to do this. The crimes against her mother wouldn't be forgiven... Emiya would pay for everything. The death of Irisviel, the betrayal to the Einzbern family... And the suffering of Illyasviel Von Einzbern.
But for now... Illya just needed to wait... Wait and prepare her fangs...
She kept walking towards the dining room and ran into Sella... Who was currently cursing while she tried to repair the broken Marmol of the floor.
"This... Little... Piece... Of..." Sella grunted, lifting the rubble and moving it away. "I swear that stupid Titan is doing it on purpose!"
"Uhm... Sella?" Illya called shyly, not used to seeing her maid acting roughly.
"Ah! Miss Illya...!" Sella exclaimed, covering her mouth in shame "This...! This is...! I can explain...! Oh, my...! Did you...? Did you hear...?"
"Just a little bit..." Illya answered with a nervous smile, Sella turned around and kneeled on the ground "It's okay... You don't have to..."
"I have brought shame upon the Einzbern name!" Sella yelled like a wounded animal "How could this happen to me? I made my mistakes..." Sella howled with shame.
"Just... Just forget about that and tell me what happened here..."
"That servant is to blame for this mess! He keeps wandering inside the house and destroying everything in his path with his massive body and weight! I simply can't understand why he can't remain as a spirit!" Even Illya wondered why Berserker was against that idea. Maybe something happened to him in his past life that made him afraid of the astral plane "Leysritt and I have been trying to fix everything he broke since the morning..." Sella complained, massaging her shoulders.
"I see... Where is Leysritt, by the way?"
"Outside in the Einzbern grounds. Leysritt is setting up a perimeter of defenses and several other safety measures should anything happen during the war... Berserker followed her but I am sure that Buffon is only going to be a nuis-" Suddenly, Sella turned around and watched through the window "Someone has entered the Einzbern state." Illya tensed "It is a man, I believe... A battle-oriented magus with lots of experience and powerful spells... Oh... It is a member of the church... What should we do, Lady Illyasviel?"
"Let him in and bring him to the main room... I will deal with whatever they want..." Illya was aware of the sometimes tortuous relationship the Einzbern and the church had... And just like the Einzbern, she knew they were men she couldn't trust "Also, tell Berserker to remain close... Just in case something happens..." Sella bowed respectfully and left in a hurry.
Illya sighed and made way towards the main room... It was just like the rest of the mansion, sumptuous and filled with furniture originated in Germany. The only painting in the room was the portrait of Justeaze Lizrich Von Einzbern, The Holy Maiden of Winter and one of the makers of the Grail... She was a beautiful and gorgeous woman... A homunculus just Like Illya and Irisviel... And the cause of everything. If it weren't for her stupid dream...
"Ah... I see the Einzbern are still masters at creating such gorgeous creatures..." A soft and cold voice said behind Illya "Even if you look like a child, I can see the power behind your eyes..."
Illya sighed and turned around, ready to deal with that annoying man... But what she saw almost made her explode in anger. Physically, the priest was completely average, the kind of man you will see on the streets and immediately forget about... But Illya couldn't help but see the traitor in the priest's eyes... The Priest and Kiritsugu Emiya had the same dark and dead eyes devoided of all humanity. Illya had to bit her tongue in order to control the raging fury in her heart.
"Is there some sort of issue, Lady Einzbern?" The priest asked with a condescending smile... He knew something... But Illya was not going to play his game.
"No... I was just remembering something else... I apologize for my lack of manners... My name is Illyasviel Von Einzbern. The master of the Einzbern family..." Illya chanted while bowed graciously "It is a pleasure to meet you, Member of the church."
"Oh... Is that so? I always thought the Einzbern and the church did not have a friendly relationship... Quite the opposite, if I am honest with you..."
"Perhaps... But that doesn't mean I can't be civilized with my guests" Illya countered with a small smile.
"Ha! I have underestimated you, Maiden of the Einzbern!" The priest laughed "You truly are a lady of the high society... Allow this foolish man to apologize... I am Kirei Kotomine and I will be in charge of moderating this Holy War..." Kirei said with a court bow. "It is certainly a pleasure, Lady Einzbern."
"Likewise, Mister Kotomine... But I have to ask, to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?"
"It is nothing serious, Lady Einzbern. I simply wanted to greet you... And I was also curious to see what kind of being was the master that managed to summon a servant two months before the war... You have exceeded my expectations, Lady Einzbern." He had a silver tongue... But Illya could see through his lies.
"Is that so? I am glad I can live to the name of the Einzbern family..."
"Truly marvelous... Especially if we consider the last master of the Einzbern family..." Illya twitched "That man sure gave us a lot of trouble in the past... Emiya Kiritsugu was truly a fearsome master and a cunning magus..."
"I see... Do you know what happened to him...?" Illya cursed herself for asking in such way. The priest smiled and Illya cursed herself again.
"Sadly, he is one slippery rodent... But the rumors said he died a few years ago. The cause is still unknown but I believe he died due to natural causes..."
...
...
Oh... So Kiritsugu was dead... That... That was a shame... Kiritsugu had died... The man she used to call 'Father' had died somewhere in this city away from her... That was... That was...
...
...
...
Illya allowed herself to remain quiet for a few seconds... It didn't matter if Kiritsugu was dead... His sins would not disappear... And his son would now feel the weight of her wrath... He would have to carry the cursed legacy of his last name... He would have to fight against Illya and the imposing form of Berserker... And it didn't matter if that kid was a normal human or a master... Illya was going to find him either way... And together with the power of her servant...
She was going to drag him down into the depths...
"Can I ask you a question, Lady Einzbern?" The priest suddenly said "What is it that you wish for? The Holy Grail is an all-mighty and all-powerful artifact created to change the very foundation of the world... What is your wish, Maiden of the Einzbern?
That... That was actually a good question... What did Illya want? Freedom? Power? Wealth? A new beginning? The third magic? No... Those were the petty things the Einzbern elder wanted for himself. He was a bright man but the time had made him pitiable and foolish... No... Illya didn't wish for any of those things... She wanted something else... Something that didn't involve the treacherous world of magic... Something far away from the city of Fuyuki... Something she had only seen once... Inside a dream... Inside the darkness... Inside the Reality Marble of her servant...
She wanted to see the ocean... She wanted to lose herself in its magnificence and eternity... It was a silly wish... But that was all Illya wanted for now...
But of course...
"That is none of your business, Mister Kotomine," Illya answered with a smile. The priest wasn't expecting that answer... He widened his eyes and sighed in defeat "I do enjoy your company, Mister Kotomine but I think it is about time you return to your church."
"I suppose that is correct..." The priest said getting up "Either way, I also wanted to tell you that the beginning of the war is close... Only two servants have not been summoned but I think it won't take long before they appear... I wish you the best, Maiden of the Einzbern." Kotomine Kirei said bowing and leaving the room.
Illya followed him through the eyes of her familiars and was only able to relax when the priest was outside of the Einzbern grounds... She wasn't sure but she felt like that man was probably more dangerous than any of the masters or servants... She would make sure to spare some of her familiars to keep an eye on him...
Illya sighed again and wondered if age was finally taking a toll on her... Her body might look like a child but she was already an adult. Outside, the sun was already setting and Illya could see small dots on the night sky...
...
...
It was time...
Illya had been following the son of Kiritsugu for quite a while now and she knew he was going to be a master just like her... Perhaps it was destiny for them to kill each other in this war just like the shadow of her mother had predicted... So be it.
She dressed in a coat and a fluffy hat, and she ventured outside of the mansion. The cold air caressed her face and made Illya shiver a bit... It wasn't like the cold winter back home but it had something that made her feel nervous... She turned around to see the gigantic form of her servant watching over her from the distance... Illya smiled and waved her hand. The Berserker clumsily copied her actions... Even if that child was the son of that man... He still deserved a chance... So Illya was going to go and warm him... Because despite everything that had happened...
Emiya Shirou deserved a chance to fight for his life...