Tags:
XXXXXX ga shinda!
Ugh, writing this made my head hurt. So many variables to consider…
I finally got a good sense on where to lead the story!
Chapter 15 – Convergence/Inevitable
Underneath the bowels of the earth, the grail stirred. It has successfully reached the other side first. It was unaware that there were going to be others like it crossing to this world despite seeing the others colliding with each other, it didn't make the connection that they will follow suit and land in this world.
With its limited decision-making skills, it decided certain courses of actions.
First, getting the vessel that it used before. Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern, which it was currently using is good, but once her body is destroyed, it will fail in its mission. It cannot be born without the power of this homunculus. [1]
Second, buying time. Actively attacking others won't help it, but taking precautions like additional guards and more power will allow better chances of survival.
Third, eliminate certain people. [2]
The year is 1993. In a certain household, two sisters are saying their goodbyes.
"Sakura, take this." Tohsaka Rin removed her ribbon and gave to it her sister.
"Ah, thank you, nee-san." Tohsaka Sakura, who is about to become Matou Sakura, replied.
"I'll charge you a 3-carat emerald at 3% annual rate with interest paid in installments for it." Rin said with a smile. [3]
"Ummm, okay?" At first, Sakura wasn't sure why she was being charged for it, but she agreed to it anyways. It was quite a reasonable price after all.
She's sad that they will no longer sisters, but they can still contact each other, and the bond they made won't just break like that.
Rin was glad she was able to give the ribbon. With this, she has an excuse when she is going to visit her sis— ahem, Sakura. Plus, she gets money out of it. A win in her book.
"Go on Sakura, your new family is waiting for you." Tohsaka Tokiomi pointed at the entrance of their home where one Matou Byakuya was waiting. "They shall train you in the way of Magi. I pray for success in your endeavors."
Sakura walked towards her new family while stealing glances at her sister and mother. The two of them waved their hands once they noticed the stare. With a smile, Sakura moves towards her new home.
Rin watched as Sakura walks alongside Byakuya-san. She unintentionally took a step forward as she reached out, but her father grabbed her shoulder. Looking up, her father shook his head.
"Sakura is no longer your sister. Come, we shall continue your studies." He walked back to their home, fully expecting his daughter to follow.
"…" Rin didn't disappoint as she went after him. Though she couldn't help but take one last look behind her before continuing.
It's not like they'll never meet again, right?
Assuring herself that it will be alright somehow, she moves forward.
They've reached it, the home of the Matou's, her new home. Although…
"!" Sakura felt something in the air, making her body lock up. Something… something strong and malicious was approaching.
"What are you standing around for?" The ignorant Byakuya questioned. "Hurry up and go in."
Sakura was quite hesitant, but she entered in the end. A Magus' home is definitely safer than the outside.
The sensation of the Bounded Field went through her. It was… different from her house's own. She couldn't say what it is though. After all, she hasn't studied much about Magecraft yet. She was only taught the basics.
As they went deeper into the house, they witness a gruesome sight. No, the scene of the crime was too clean to be called gruesome, but the sight of a child who seems to be a bit older than Sakura with his eyes rolled to the back of his head and his expression in one of utter terror tends to tell people that something's wrong. The boy was lying limply on the floor, the only sign of his life was the rising and fall of his chest.
"Ah… ahh…" She couldn't scream. The reason is… Sakura saw the perpetrator rip out the soul of Matou Byakuya right in front of her eyes.
She was paralyzed with fear. An enormous pressure was preventing her from doing anything. Instinctively, Sakura knew that this was it for her. She won't be able to see her onee-san again, or Kariya-oji-san, or okaa-san.
"I see, so Makiri Zolgen hasn't made you the Lesser Grail yet." The silver haired woman clad in black stated. "So it was sent back in time, based on your appearance, it went back about a decade or so." [4]
Sakura didn't understand, time travel, by a decade? What did that have to do with how she looked?
Justeaze arrived at the Matou estate earlier, devouring the souls of both her former associate and his descendant. The old fossil didn't even fight back, too shocked to react as his entire being was devoured.
Unfortunately, the extremely compatible Lesser Grail that Angra Mainyu desires still doesn't existed. Still—
Justeaze drained Sakura's soul. The Magical Energy provided by a Magus is completely different from an ordinary person. Even when Sakura fought back with all her might, it was useless. In the end, her soul was harvested, just like the other Matou residents.
With this, Angra Mainyu is one step closer to incarnating. She has failed to obtain the compatible Lesser Grail, it was time to do her other missions.
Justeaze left without another word, leaving behind three comatose patients.
The Clock Tower has been in a frenzy for quite a while. Why? It's because they detected the activation of the Holy Grail. The path to Swirl of Origin has been opened.
Many of them thought that something was suspicious, the beginning of the Holy Grail War was meant to be next year and the Masters, whether it was the three founding families or the outsiders, have not summoned any of their Servants, therefore, the ritual should've been incomplete. But they don't care about that. Magi will risk their lives if it meant reaching the Root.
Of course, they sent the Enforcers first to seize the grail and test the waters. A few days of preparation and they will be able to move out.
Emiya Kiritsugu and Irisviel von Einzbern were talking about a sensitive subject.
"To abandon it… you know best of all what that means." Kiritsugu said.
"I know." Irisviel declared. "That knowledge tipped the scales for me. I've already made my decision." Her conviction showed. "You're the one who gave me a choice."
"…Who would've thought that an eight-month-old life would outweigh a millennium old dream…" Kiritsugu voiced his support.
Irisviel approached her daughter, Illyasviel von Einzbern. She will seal her memories so that she can live as a normal girl. A future full of hardships will await them, but—
"Do you think it's wrong?" She asked.
"I don't know." He admitted. "But it's not a mistake." He declared with the same conviction as his wife.
"Now, Illya, it's time for you to sleep." She held out her hand and prepared her Magecraft. "The next time you wake up, you will be reborn."
All the knowledge she implanted in Illya was sealed. What would be in store for them, only the future knows. They began planning, to run from the Einzbern, to protect Illya, and various other things that they needed to consider.
Though they certainly didn't expect what they will hear a few days after.
"The Holy Grail activated?!" Irisviel exclaimed. "That's impossible! You should know better than anyone!"
The path to the Root was opened a few days ago. Jubstacheit von Einzbern, better known as Acht, was incredibly surprised at this turn of events. He sent multiple scouts to confirm its authenticity, and it was confirmed to be open. Unfortunately, it seems that those people at the Clock Tower would reach it first. Not to mention—
"I understand your concern." Acht calmed Irisviel. "This event is most likely caused by the Servant that we have summoned in the 3rd Holy Grail War, Angra Mainyu, an Anti-Hero that embodies every curse in this world."
All of the previous Holy Grail Wars proceeded as usual, so the only possible explanation would be a new variable. And as far as the Einzberns know, the only thing that was done differently was them tampering the system in order to summon that Avenger. Acht regretted not summoning Ruler instead.
"Most likely, it has taken over the Holy Grail." He surmised. "The Holy Grail War shall no longer take place. Do as you like, until the time comes that the Holy Grail returns under our control, you are not needed."
Both Irisviel and Kiritsugu started leaving the room. They couldn't believe that they were free. With the grail as it is now, it is unlikely that they would ever be called back in their lifetime. Even Illya would be able to live as a normal person until she reaches old age.
"Jubstacheit, I have a question." Kiritsugu noticed something. "What would happen if we left Avenger alone?" Angra Mainyu is synonymous with evil, he wants to know what kind of wish it has on the Holy Grail.
"Most likely, it will incarnate." Acht stated. "Not as a person, but as All the World's Evil. It will then proceed to wipe out all life in the world by drowning them in curses." He said in a tone like he was just stating the weather.
The parents felt chills run up their spines. It seems that they weren't out of the woods yet.
Day 1
In the Tohsaka house, the head of the family was celebrating.
"In this land of Fuyuki, the Tohsaka family's wish has finally been granted." Tokiomi declared. "With the Root in our hand, the prosperity of the Tohsaka family is guaranteed." Even if those people at the Clock Tower make haste, it will still take them a few days to arrive here.
Judging by the inactivity of the Matou family, they have no plans of interfering with him.
"You must be careful Tokiomi." Kotomine Risei warned. "The circumstances regarding the grail are suspicious."
"Indeed, while I would like Kirei to accompany me, but it seems that he won't be able to return immediately." Lamented Tokiomi.
He sent Kirei to negotiate with a supplier overseas, so he was not in Japan. He will most likely arrive after the Clock Tower's Enforcers, therefore—
"It is risky." He admitted. "But I cannot ignore this Risei."
To be a Magus was to walk with death. In his mind, a path to the Root will certainly contain an unprecedented level of danger. It is completely possible that he loses everything in this venture, resulting in the Tohsaka family falling from grace. Even so—
"I'm going." He announced. "If I do not return…"
They lock eyes. With a nod, Risei accepts Tokiomi's resolve.
"May the Lord bless you." He gives a prayer for Tokiomi's success.
Tokiomi left with the Mystic Codes he was planning to use for the Holy Grail War. Of course, he also left instructions on what to do in the case of his untimely death and has already taken the necessary steps to ensure the continuation of the family. He was sure that with Risei and his son, Rin will be able to flourish as a Magus.
He walks towards the location of the grail, Mount Enzo.
The path to the Root opened in the location of the Greater Grail. Ignoring the dummy gate used for distracting outsiders, Tokiomi went through the illusory wall to go deeper into the cavern.
Walking through the cave illuminated by moss, he takes in the surroundings.
"This…" The path was saturated with Magical Energy. It was an immense amount, making the Od and Mana almost visible, but— "A curse?"
The deeper he gets, the stronger the feeling of wrongness becomes. Nevertheless, he keeps moving forward with his Magic Circuits activated.
And then finally—
"Ah—" He was shocked at what he saw. A vortex of Magical Energy that could be called infinite, and that… that THING…!
A black pillar filled with evil, at its base were pitch black beasts with glowing red eyes. There were so many of them. If they get out of here—
Run, he needed to run. He was tempted to just charge through the mass of beasts, but his logical side won. He had no idea just how many enemies there were, if there were hidden dangers, and as much as it pains him to admit it, he cannot destroy that thing. With such an amount of Magical Energy, it was quite safe to assume that nothing less than a Greater Ritual could hope to eliminate it.
Slowly, he retreated. He needed to reach a place where he can contact Risei. The thick Magical Energy in the cavern is interfering with his Mystic Code used for communication.
As he turned around—
He saw a woman, judging by her appearance, she is an Einzbern, but his instincts are telling him that she was dangerous.
"You are… Tohsaka. I see, so we have been discovered." She said. "I cannot let you leave here alive."
Roars echoed in the cavern, the beasts charge. Their intentions were clear—
He ran Magical Energy at his Mystic Code. A Magic Circle forms and releases flames at the Einzbern, but a massive construct of a bird blocks the attack and retaliates.
"!" His eyes widened, the attack held an incredible amount of Magical Energy. A single hit will kill him.
He frantically [Reinforces] his legs to move out of the way. The ray of death carves the ground.
He breaks out in a cold sweat. The moment he returned his attention to the enemy, he knew that escape nor victory were viable. The cavern was filled with the same avian constructs that fired at him.
"My, please do not waste any more of your Magical Energy. If you do so, I shall make your death painless." The woman offered.
Whether he struggled to his last breath or surrendered, it didn't matter. There was only one outcome in the end. Tohsaka Tokiomi's soul was devoured.
Risei lost Tokiomi's signal. The jewel given to him shattered. It was a tool given to him by Tokiomi. It monitors whether someone is still alive or not. The moment it shattered, Risei knew Tokiomi's fate.
"May you rest in peace." He said a short prayer.
It seems that Tokiomi was another casualty of those that seek the Root. A pity, he hopes that the agents sent by the Clock Tower fail to reach the Root. After all, heretics such as them obtaining such power was never a good idea.
Now then, how should he explain the situation to Tokiomi's now widowed wife and orphaned daughter?
Risei sighed. If only his son was here to help him…
Day 2
The death of Tohsaka Tokiomi has been confirmed by one Kotomine Risei.
Many investigators were suspicious of him. After all, the body was never found, and somehow a random priest knew about it? It was too suspicious. Unfortunately for the investigators, not only did the wife and daughter testify for his innocence, they also found that eyewitness reports were consistent in that it painted a picture where Tohsaka Tokiomi couldn't possibly be killed by Kotomine Risei.
With great reluctance, the officers dropped the case. For now, Tohsaka Tokiomi was listed as missing since the body was still not found, and Kotomine Risei is listed as a prime suspect to be put under surveillance.
"Tokiomi died?" One Matou Kariya said to himself in disbelief. He had just returned from his business trip to make a visit in Fuyuki City. This news, the death of Mr. Tohsaka has made headlines in the city. A murder without a body they said.
While he rejected the path of Magecraft and ran away from his family, he could understand with his limited education that Tokiomi was one tough bastard. If he got killed then—
'They're in danger!' Without Tokiomi, Aoi, Sakura-chan, and Rin-chan are possibly in danger.
'Wait…' They should still have those priests around, right? One of them was an Executor, a warrior of the Church. Not to mention that… ummm… Bounded Field! Right, that would protect them from danger.
Still, even with such assurances, he rushed out to find them. He couldn't rest easy until he confirms their safety himself.
"Aoi-san." Kariya called out to the sad looking woman.
"Ah, Kariya-kun, it's been a while." Despite giving a smile, he could clearly see the dark rings under her eyes and her strained smile. "You've returned from your business trip? It was quite a long one."
"Yeah, I guess." He automatically responded. Now then, he should ask about—
"Kariya-oji-san!" A young girl called out to him. Turning around, he saw Rin running up to him. "Welcome back, Kariya-oji-san!"
"Rin-chan." He gave her a bright smile. Although it seems that Rin too is…
"Did you buy me something again?" She excitedly asked.
"Rin! That was rude!" Her mother chided.
Kariya complied with Rin's demand, approaching her and giving her a bracelet. "Here."
"Waaaaaahhhh!" Rin waved about her gift excitedly. "Thank you, oji-san!"
"I'm happy you like it." He affectionately ruffled Rin's hair. He was glad that his gift made her pleased. "Where's Sakura-chan?" He brought out another bracelet to give to Rin's younger sister.
Her excitement died out as her expression turned downtrodden. "Sakura's gone…" He could feel the unwillingness in her voice as she said that. He was shocked at her statement.
"Aoi-san?" He turned to her for answers.
"Sakura is… no longer my daughter, or Rin's imouto." She too had an unwilling tone in her voice similar to her daughter's. "She's gone to the Matou family."
"Why?!" He exploded in anger.
"You know exactly why the Matou family would want children with Magus blood." She replied dispassionately, but she couldn't keep the sadness in her voice. "The Tohsaka family head decided to give our ancient allies, the Matou, what they requested. It wasn't my place to voice my opinion."
"…And you're fine with that?"
"When I married into the Tohsaka family, when I decided to be a Magus' wife, I was ready for something like this to happen."
"And you're fine with that?!" He repeated.
"It's wrong for a family bearing Magus blood to expect the happiness of a normal family."
"That's not true!" He yelled. "You wanted happiness when you chose him—"
"This is between the Tohsaka and the Matous." She interrupted. "You turned your back to the Moonlit World. It doesn't concern you."
An uncomfortable silence descends.
"If you see Sakura, be nice to her" She requested with a fragile smile. "She was always fond of you, Kariya-kun."
He clenched his fists, objective forgotten, he hastily says goodbye and rushed to his former home.
Barging in the Matou Estate, he catches his breath. The moment he reached here, his suspicion rose. The Bounded Field that used to be here was gone, and so was the noises made by insect familiars of the Matou.
He advanced with trepidation. Carefully, he looked around the area. Every shadow, door, and container were handled with care. He opens another door—
And he was treated to the sight of three soulless bodies.
And so, Kariya ended up calling the police and hospital.
The police found nothing that would cause the victims to go into a coma, and the hospital didn't find any traces of chemicals. It was quite a baffling case.
Initially, they suspected Kariya of being the perpetrator, but surveillance on the airport shows that he couldn't have possibly commit the crime with the given event being done in about 24 hours and more in the past. He only arrived in Fuyuki in about a few hours, certainly no possible way to do it.
"Sakura-chan…" He sat at her bedside. He didn't know whether he should be glad that his family's Magecraft didn't get its grubby hands on her, or despair at her current state.
Since there were no mundane methods that could explain Sakura's state, there was only one answer, Magecraft. Kariya steeled himself. He will learn everything that he needs to if it means saving Sakura.
Oh, and he supposes that he will just leave Byakuya alone to rot if he did get to the bottom of it, he would help Shinji though.
The mother and daughter duo saw Kariya pass by, his face filled with steely resolve, on their way to Sakura's ward. Neither of them stopped to call him out. It seems wrong somehow, to stop him from doing something that he clearly deemed important.
After asking a few nurses for directions, they eventually reached Sakura's room.
The monitor beeped, confirming her status, alive. A non-rebreather mask was placed on her mouth, and there were some things injected in her arm, but they didn't know what they were for.
Aoi ran hand through Sakura's hair, gently brushing her bangs off her forehead.
Rin's gaze was transfixed at Sakura's ribbon, the one she gave her before she left.
Seeing someone she cares for like this and losing someone important to her made her unable to hold her feelings back anymore. She cried at her sister's bedside. Her tiny hands holding a smaller hand.
Aoi, seeing her daughter like that, wrapped one hand around Rin, and placed another on top of her daughter's hands holding Sakura's. She too had tears flow from her cheeks.
Rin made up her mind, she was going to find out how to help Sakura. Maybe she can get a bit of help from Kariya-oji-san…
Her father was no longer alive, so it was up to her, the new head of the Tohsaka family, and Kariya-oji-san, the new head of the Matou family, to resolve this issue.
For now, she ignored the notes that her father left on how to advance her power as a Magus, skipping over those notes to check on those that focused on Healing Magecraft. The Magic Crest too was ignored, it won't help her in healing Sakura right now.
She checks the books using the compass given to her.
"This is called a mana compass" Her father presented to her. "Normally, it doesn't indicate anything, but if there are magical traces in an area…"
She learned her lesson from the cursed book. Rushing things won't help Sakura. If she gets done in, it was over for the both of them.
While she would like to trust Kariya-oji-san, he didn't have any education in Magecraft. Last time she saw him, he didn't even have his Magical Circuits open. The resources he could provide her were useful though. Matou family's magical research, artifacts, and resources. All of those can be used to further her goal.
It's a good thing school hasn't started yet, she can devote all her time for this undertaking.
Day 3
There were 100 enforcers chosen to retrieve the Holy Grail. Half were from the Association, and half were hired hands that were put under contract.
They were slowly being transferred slowly to Japanese soil.
Just a few hours and the operation shall begin.
The Class Cards spread throughout Fuyuki City. They were naturally attracted to certain places.
Saber was sent directly towards the heart of the cavern.
Lancer ended up somewhere in the lake.
Caster got on the roof of Ryuudou temple.
Berserker landed in the Einzbern Castle.
Rider, Archer, and Assassin arrived together at an abandoned estate that was purchased by Kiritsugu in the future.
Considering that the Tohsaka came here with the intent of investigating this specific site, it is quite safe to assume that their location was compromised.
She couldn't leave the area due to possible entry of enemies. She watches as Angra Mainyu made more soldiers for its protection.
All of a sudden, a surge in Magical Energy occurred, and in its place was the Saber Class Card.
She also felt a similar surge above their location. Justeaze smiled at the fortune that they received.
Kiritsugu was preparing to leave for Japan.
"Do you really need to go alone Kiri?" Irisviel worriedly asked.
"Yes." He firmly answered. "You're unsuited for combat. Also, if something ever happens to me—"
"Hold on!" Irisviel rushed back to their home. A few minutes and Irisviel returned with ragged breath and an item that even he could see was powerful. "Take this. It's the sheathe of King Arthur. Though it won't be as strong as it would be with the original owner, it will help you greatly in your mission."
Kiritsugu watched as it was absorbed into his body. His wife embraced him tightly.
"Please come home safe." She begged. "For Illya's sake."
"Yes." If it seems to be hopeless, he would run away and take his family somewhere far away while some other person takes care of the problem.
They share a kiss, before Kiritsugu leaves for his flight.
The Matou family, all in a coma, Tohsaka Tokiomi, dead, the Root, opening up in Fuyuki city.
'It was only a few days, but a lot has happened it seems.' Kotomine Kirei thought.
The Command Seals that designate him as a Master have finally disappeared. He was returning from a business trip that he was sent on by his teacher, the recently deceased Tohsaka Tokiomi.
The thought of his family's anguish invigorated him and—
Kirei mercilessly crushes that line of thought. That way of thinking was wrong. He suppresses it with pain.
He left to board his plane, but the thought of the Tohsaka family's despair never left his mind.
There was no need for a chant. Justeaze was the Greater Grail herself. Summoning a Heroic Spirit was child's play. She couldn't do it a few days ago due to the Throne of Heroes being closed to her. After all, the goal of the Greater Grail was already accomplished, there was no longer any need to summon Heroic Spirits for the ritual.
These cards though, they are connected to a single Heroic Spirit.
Laying down the cards that contain Saber and Lancer, she began.
A circle formed and immediately summoned the Servants. Unfortunately for them, they were summoned directly in the grail mud. They resisted, but in the end, Servants cannot resist the grail. They rose once again as changed people.
"…So this is my fate." Saber Alter states. "Fate seems to have a sick sense of humor."
She remembers the latest Holy Grail War she participated in. Her final battle with Shirou and Rider.
"Where is the enemy?" Cu Chulainn Alter asks. "Just point me at them, and I will defeat them." He declares stoically.
It seems that he was once more, in the side of the grail. Well, it didn't matter anymore to him. He shall execute his duty. That was all there was to it.
"I am the Great Holy Grail, Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern. I am your Master." She proclaims. "Now then—"
They made plans, although it was Saber who did most of the work. After all, she was the best strategist among them.
Unfortunately, she was obedient to her Master, resulting in some… terrible plans.
None of them noticed as a series of ridiculous events carried out the Saber Class Card outside. The Lancer Class Card just stayed there, truly, E-rank Luck.
The operation was underway. The vanguard advanced to the top of the lake. They search the area and found—
Saber made her presence known. The Magi attacked with their Magecraft, but every single one of them were negated by her Magic Resistance.
With a sweep of her blade using [Mana Burst] she eliminated her opponents. The ease at which their colleagues were eliminated demoralized the enemy forces.
As this was happening, Lancer hunted down the ones who were running away.
"[Gae Bolg]" He threw his spear, tearing through the trees and blowing away his opponents.
The two monstrous enemies struck fear into the heart of the Magi. Some tried running away, others tried to fight the two Servants, but they didn't last even a few seconds before they were killed.
Fifteen. Out of the 100 agents sent, only fifteen of them were left. The enemy seems to be satisfied with their kills and retreated to their base.
The survivors breathed a sigh of relief and immediately rushed to the nearest residential area.
Once they confirm that they weren't followed, they reached out for their communication tools.
Before they could even start, they felt an ominous energy from the sky. There, they saw a sinister dark hole with a beautiful woman at the center. As the woman opened her eyes and gave a malicious smile, darkness fell to the ground.
They tried running away again, but it spread too fast. They were caught in no time. Their souls were harvested one by one, and they couldn't do a single thing about it.
As a bonus, the surrounding area was lit ablaze by the mud.
Justeaze left the area, Angra Mainyu can collect the souls of the damned by itself. There was no need for her to individually take the souls. More importantly, she will have to harvest the Magical Energy of the Mystic Codes brought by the Magi.
The flames were merciless as they claimed the lives of many.
A mountain of corpses.
People crumbling away.
A time when everyone wished for help, yet none received any.
This was what a young boy witnessed as he walked through hell.
"HELP! Someone… pull me out!"
"My child! At least my child…!"
The screams echoed.
The boy kept moving forward. Each step became heavier. His legs protested at his actions.
"COME BACK HERE!" Someone pleaded.
He kept walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking, and walking.
He continued in a seemingly endless hell. Another step—
He tripped on something. He couldn't get up. Looking up at the sky, the boy reaches out.
He closes his eyes.
A few minutes afterwards, they opened once again.
Shirou activated his Magic Circuits to [Reinforce] his body and heal himself. He covered himself in Magical Energy to protect himself from the curses around him.
He took Magical Energy from his connection with Sakura, allowing him to maintain this state.
He got up. 'The Fuyuki Fire? And this body…' He thought. He shook his head, that wasn't important right now, he needed to get out of here…!
He walked on to where he could see the edge. He felt his body become a bit unresponsive to his movements, but he can move…!
The authorities saw him walking out of the blaze. They immediately took him in, and he crashed from tiredness.
Sakura opens her eyes. She looks around the area. White walls, ceiling, and bed. A non-rebreather, some stuff stuck in her wrist, her clothes were a medical gown.
'A hospital?' She guessed.
{Sakura, can you hear me?!} She heard Rider ask urgently.
{Yes, what just happened?} She questioned as she looked at her familiar.
Rider floated around Sakura, she seems to be shocked about something.
{Sakura, your body is…} Rider waved at her body.
With better clarity of mind, she looked at her body once more—
"Eh?" Her voice was high-pitched. While it wasn't apparent when telepathically talking with Rider, once she exclaimed, she heard the difference. Her body was of a child's.
She was hit with a strong vertigo. She was losing her consciousness.
{Don't worry Sakura, rest well, I shall protect you.} Rider assured.
She closes her eyes and allowed herself to be pulled into her dreams.
'It seems that she isn't used to her new body yet…' Rider observes. It was the same with Shirou. He couldn't move properly when he first had his soul transferred. Practice would allow her to adjust.
{Shirou, can you hear me?} There was no response, but the fact that it was going through confirmed that he is still alive. She breathed a sigh of relief.
She can't move right now. Sakura was too vulnerable at the moment. She will have to trust in Shirou's abilities for now.
"This is bad…" Archer, also known as EMIYA, stated. "Saber Alter and Cu Chulainn Alter. Heh, we sure have terrible luck."
One was a heavy counter to their arsenal, and the other was a monstrous powerhouse.
Not to mention that Angra Mainyu was using Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern as its agent and all those Shades it was making in the bottom of the cavern.
"We will need assistance." Assassin, also known as Emiya Kiritsugu, asserted. "Let's split up to find the Class Cards and people who can help us by using them. Preventing the enemy from taking more Class Cards is paramount."
Archer sighs. "Finding a Master will be quite the problem." Right now, they were anchored to the world using the Class Cards. It is also being used as their battery. Unfortunately, 'recharging' the Class Card is a tad bit difficult and time consuming, time that they might not have.
Fortunately, they already have the Rider Class Card. Considering who their opponents are, the ones unaccounted for are Caster and Berserker.
"I have a guess as to where the Berserker Class Card is." Archer said. "Caster won't be much of a problem for us, it would be better if you focus on finding people that could help us."
"Yes, we won't have much problem eliminating Caster with our abilities. Where do you think the Berserker Class Card is now?" Assassin inquired.
"There." Archer pointed to the woods. "Einzbern Castle."
Illya regained her consciousness. Looking around, she discovers that she was back in her castle. It seems that she was bound to this land for now.
Well, she can consider herself lucky that she wasn't being pulled to Root even when she is dead. Her ancestor's Magic probably had something to do with that.
Unfortunately, she is still a spirit. Unless she gets someone to anchor her, she won't be able to move freely. Once she moves out of the area, her supply of Magical Energy will dwindle, better save up before going out.
Looking around the area, she sees a card.
"Oh." It was one of those things that were sent alongside them. It had a thin man with tribal markings, an animal's head, and a large weapon. She felt a strange connection to it.
The card suddenly glowed. Hastily, Illya chucked it away and ran for cover. Fortunately, it was never meant to blow up.
A massive influx of Magical Energy was focused on the card. As the light died down, standing there was—
"Berserker!" Illya cheered as she went over to her beloved guardian. She felt no danger directed towards her, so like a child meeting their favorite relative, she stuck herself on Berserker's shoulder.
"Ne, ne, Berserker." Illya tapped him. "Do you recognize me?" She asked while twiddling her thumbs.
"▂▂▃▃▅▅▅▅" To everyone else, that would simply be a frightening roar, but to Illya—
"Yatta! Berserker is my Servant again!" She then realizes something. "Ah, wait, I can't be your Master right now Berserker." She glumly told him. "I still don't have a body that can anchor you right now."
Dropping from Berserker's shoulder, she picks up the card that made this happen.
It was sucking up the surrounding Mana. It seems to be Berserker's anchor to this world. How mysterious.
For now, she will just play around in the castle and wait for a decent amount of Magical Energy to accumulate. Though with Berserker here, it seems that it will take a lot longer than expected. She was stuck in here for the foreseeable future.
She wonders how those three were doing…
It seems that there is no Holy Grail War, and her precious Souichirou-sama wasn't here. She dug deep into the earth, if her calculations are correct, this time was about ten years in the past. Souichirou-sama said he arrived at Fuyuki City two years ago, so he would arrive here eight years from now.
Well, she should awake a year early so that she can prepare for his arrival. She will have to lay traps to dissuade invaders and conceal her presence.
Thankfully, it seems that her problems regarding on staying in this world was solved by the card she is holding. Not only does it anchor her, she can also use it as a backup battery. With this, the chances of finding her decrease exponentially due to not needing to feed on others.
She'll just wait until this all blows over. Oh, and a lot of detection spells.
She clenches her fists as she remembers how her beloved died. This time, she won't allow it to happen.
Medea of Colchis swears to reach for those happy days together with her loved one.
Now then, time for her to take a nap… Caster wills herself to sleep.
Her presence disappears completely. The Holy Grail War though, shall continue without her.
[1] Fate Accel Zero, the FGO event where the grail possesses Justeaze, or maybe manifest(?) when it has enough Magical Energy.
[2] I know it's dumb, going out of the safe zone and risking it all, but remember, the grail has limited decision-making skills.
[3] Its surprising what you can find in Fate/Hollow Ataraxia.
[4] Ordered by Angra Mainyu to retrieve Sakura. But since she isn't what it was looking for, she was instead turned to food.
AN:
I'm surprised that I actually got a timeline. Kiritsugu and Iri decided to betray the Einzberns when Illya was 8 months old. Her birthday is the same as Miyu's, so July 20. March 20 – April 19 is the starting time. I'm gonna assume some things, but it won't affect the story that much.
Justeaze accidentally summons the rest. (Berserker, Caster)
Status of Servants:
Saber – Ah, shit, here we go again.
Lancer – Fight and win, those are the only things I need to do.
Archer – Curse my E rank Luck!
Rider – A second chance, it looks like things are looking up.
Caster – NOPE!
Assassin – Executing mission.
Berserker - ▂▂▃▃▅▅▅▅
Status of the new guys:
Shirou – I feel like shit…
Sakura – So sleepy…
Illya – I'm stuck, and I can't get out!
Status of others:
Kariya – I don't understand a single thing about these books!
Rin – Ugh, this is so hard, ah, wait, don't explode!
Aoi – I don't know what I'm supposed to do…
Risei – Sigh, maybe I should've just told the family and not the authorities.
Kirei – Delicious despa— *Punches himself*
Irisviel – Please be safe…
Kiritsugu – If the world gets destroyed, then we don't have a place to live in. Better try to destroy the cause…
Enforcers and Mercenaries – 0 plot armor. Suicido~ Suicido~
Angra Mainyu – When will I be born?
Justeaze – I must reach the ends of the stars…
WHY?! Why do I still have school?! It's June now! Where's my summer vacation?!
Yeah, don't expect an update anytime soon.