AN: Not much to say yet, though I may need to clarify some things next chapter. We'll see. I appreciate everyone who took the time to leave reviews and show enthusiasm for the story. If you have anything to say or ideas about characterization, content, or cool interactions you'd like to see in the future, I won't promise I'll include them but I will see if I can fit them into the story I have planned! Thank you to everyone again and especially to my beta reader .Dead who is working on her own fate story right now. Anyway, I've wasted enough time. Enjoy!
I am the bone of my sword.
Steel is my body and fire is my blood.
I have created over a thousand blades.
Unaware of loss,
Nor aware of gain.
Withstood pain to create weapons, waiting for one's arrival.
I have no regrets. This is the only path.
My whole life was Unlimited Blade Works.
All around was the wasteland, great gears filling the sky in the distance, all around him lay the blades accumulated over two lifetimes. A red-haired man found himself sitting upon the ground in this dream that had long grown familiar to him, golden brown eyes stared contently out over this reality. His reality. He knew it was a dream and yet it provided him some comfort, the manifestation of his dream.
The man was Shirou Emiya, a hero of justice, fiance of Rin Tohsaka, and survivor of the fifth Holy Grail War. Now it seemed he would have a new war to fight, more people in need of saving, and the ever-present evil in need of stopping. He took a moment to remind himself of those who he would meet, and the new experiences he would soon gain. As he processed the excitement, he found a smile making its way onto his face. He had resolved long ago that this was his path and was not about to stray from it now. As he felt himself rousing to consciousness he steeled himself for whatever he would face.
As he finally became aware of his surroundings he furrowed his brow in confusion. He appeared to be within his own home, back in Fuyuki. Reaching a hand down to the floor at his side he activated his tracing, identifying the familiar structure of the home.
"Trace on." Checking its composition it was exactly the same as his own home. He ended the trace as from outside the sound of one of the sliding doors opening reached his ears. He quickly sat up, looking down at his hand he saw the command seals already formed. It could be Saber, but he wasn't willing to take the risk right now. He summoned one of Archer's twin blades in each hand, Bakuya and Kanshou, the yin and the yang as he silently rose from the floor and approached the door. As he got close he heard hurried footsteps walking down the hall toward his room, Shirou crouched to hide his silhouette from whoever was on the other side, and moved to the side so he couldn't be seen through the paper-thin walls.
His mind filled with possibilities from Lancer, to Saber, to Rin, or even Kuzuki coming to finish him off early. Now that he thought about it he seemed to have a lot of enemies here in Fuyuki, his musings were cut short by a silhouette appearing on the other side of the door. A masculine shadow, its hurried steps stopped at the doorframe. Shirou slowed his breathing, quieting himself as much as possible as the silhouette reached for the door. His grip tightened on his blades as his senses heightened, the adrenaline preparing him for a fight.
The door began to slide open, silence emanating from both sides, Shirou watched, waiting until the last second to avoid attacking an ally. But as the door opened he saw first the black trenchcoat that had haunted his dreams since he was seven years old, then the black shaggy hair and finally the broken eyes of the man he called his father. Kiritsugu Emiya, the two eyes locked, black met golden brown. Kiritsugu's posture was slouched, whether in defeat or relief few would be able to tell.
For a long moment, silence continued to fill the air, the two men taking each other in. To Shirou, Kiritsugu looked younger than he'd ever seen him, and yet from the eyes alone, he could tell that this was his father, the same eyes which had gone out watching the fireflies on that dark day. Kiritsugu's eyes betrayed nothing as he took in his son, crouched defensively, eyes like steel, full of determination, eyes he remembered seeing long ago when he'd looked in the mirror. He saw the command seals upon Shirou's hands and realized in an instant what it meant. Shirou had become a master, had fought in a grail war and now was here, selfishly it brought him some comfort to see his son again, yet also the guilt, that he had failed to save his son from the path of a hero of justice.
Shirou moved first between the two, lowering his guard, and breaking Kiritsugu from his conflicted thoughts. The steeled look faded from Shirou's eyes as a smile found its way onto his face.
"Dad."
With that one word, all of Kiritsugu's composure fell away as he stepped forward grabbing Shirou and pulling him into a hug. The larger man nearly collapsing onto his son, Shirou for his part held the weight and leaned his face up against the father he thought he'd never see again. Though no more was spoken, a feeling of happiness filled the room as the silent reunion took place.
Eventually composing himself Kiritsugu got off of Shirou and stood back attempting to put on a smile himself before responding,
"Shirou, you've grown so much since back then. Please, tell me everything." Even as he spoke Kiritsugu's eyes were taking in every aspect of Shirou's room as though trying to make up for lost time by memorizing every detail.
"For sure, but don't think I don't have questions for you either old man," Shirou responded with a nod.
Kiritsugu nodded, realizing Shirou had learned things since back then, it was only to be expected as he'd grown older.
He stiffly nodded before he responded, "I'll do my best to answer. But first, we should find our servants, if you and I have arrived then others will be waking up around now too. It won't be long before we have to prepare." Kiritsugu was already considering which enemies knew of their location, one name came to mind, Kariya Matou, master of Lancelot, other than that, Kiritsugu would have be remiss not to consider the priest Kirei Kotomine, no matter how strong Shirou had become, he didn't want his son to be forced to fight that monster.
Shirou's smile widened, oblivious to his father's worries, "You'll like her old man. I think I know where she'll be."
Arthur rarely dreamt as a servant, but this was surely one of those times, as she awaited rebirth. Another chance, a third chance to be born again and she hoped to finally be with Shirou. She looked down at the wound inflicted by the dark knight Mordred, her son and the form of her loyal knight Bedevere carrying Excalibur off towards the Lady of the Lake. A soft breeze blew through the forest providing what little relief it could to the dying king.
Yet even here at this moment, at this ending Arthur couldn't help but smile. Because soon she wouldn't have to be king anymore, she would be back with her beloved. Shirou, who would shoulder all the world's burdens alongside her.
She felt her body losing strength, one's death never being something that one can forget, as her vision began to go dark at the edges, her golden blonde hair falling to block the light from reaching her green eyes, everything began to go cold. Yet through it all, the cold grasp of death clutching around her rapidly weakening heart, she couldn't stop smiling. Her thoughts already with that boy who had changed everything for her.
As the warmth slowly returned to her limbs she stretched out her fingers, feeling the tension as they reached their maximum length before relaxing them and finally opening her eyes with a king's grace. Looking down she found herself in the familiar room, her room in Shirou's house, his practice swords upon the wall left exactly as she remembered. Even the floor waxed and reflecting the early morning sun. She resolved herself to wait for Shirou to come find her though internally she felt as though her heart may burst with joy at seeing him again. Taking a moment to kneel down on her knees in rest she relished her moments basking in the sun's rays. Its warmth hitting her face and washing away the chills left by death's cold embrace.
Shirou walked past Kiritsugu, leading him through the house. Kiritsugu followed silently, taking in the way the house had changed, and also how well Shirou had kept some things the same. Kiritsugu observed that Shirou seemed to be taking in the environment as though he himself hadn't been at the house in quite some time. Eventually the two reached a shut door, Shirou paused and knocked.
"Saber?" The door was slid open revealing Arthur wearing her blue skirt and white shirt with boots. Her face beamed as the door opened, her small figure bursting with more joy than Shirou was used to seeing from her as she called out, "Shirou!"
As her eyes caught sight of the sullen figure behind him though her bright expression crumbled.
"Kiritsugu?" She stated flatly with slight disbelief, Kiritsugu nodded in confirmation. Her eyes darted down to his hand, and then Shirou's.
Arthur paused a moment in realization, "You… Both of you are my masters." Shirou's eyes widened as he looked to Kiritsugu, then to Arthur.
"Wait so that means, the last war- you-" With this revelation suddenly dozens of pieces of information began clicking into place for Shirou, Kotomine's recognition of his name, and the comments of an unworthy master. Kiritsugu's comments about being a hero of justice. Arthur's past with the grail. Kiritsugu's arrival on that day when Fuyuki burned.
Arthur interrupted him, "Shirou, there are things about my past I haven't told you. I'm sorry, but…" She blushed in shame, although she knew there had been little time at the end between Ilya's death and Kirei's attack. She noted idly that Shirou looked older too, happier, yet in his eyes, something had changed. A small voice in the back of her head told her that it was her, that he no longer wanted her, but she ignored these thoughts. They had fought in the grail war together and he had sacrificed himself for her time and time again. Shirou would never abandon her.
Kiritsugu spoke up, "Saber was my servant in the last war, we fought together, though we didn't always see eye to eye. I had her destroy the grail when I realized it had been corrupted, and would that only granted wishes through destruction. I never got the chance to tell her why. There was no time."
Arthur nodded in affirmation, "We discovered that ourselves at the end of the grail war, Shirou and I destroyed the grail, once and for all."
Now it was Kiritsugu's chance to be surprised, looking at the two in front of him. He'd expected Arthur to hate him and Shirou to be angry at learning he and his grail war had been the cause of all the death those years ago. Yet in their eyes, he saw no malice, no resentment, no anger, only understanding and in that moment it was as if a burden had been lifted from him. That somebody else knew what he had witnessed in the grail, knew of its nature, and had faced it, chosen to destroy it even.
He felt a swelling of pride as he muttered under his breath, "It seems you saved me once again." As a true smile broke out on his face, Kiritsugu grabbed Arthur and Shirou, pulling them in close. In that moment he resolved to do whatever he had to to make sure they made it out of this war alive, together. Kiritsugu for the first time in years felt young again.
Shirou spoke up, unsure from seeing his father so overcome with emotion, "With the three of us and Tohsaka we'll make sure that this grail is the real deal. And if it's not." Shirou said nothing more because all three of them knew that nothing good could come of the false grail. In that moment they knew that whatever it took, if the grail was corrupted, they would destroy it.
Arthur spoke up, tenderness filling her voice, "Yes Kiritsugu, Shirou has become a great hero he's become somebody who I-" She was interrupted by a pounding on the door.
Kiritsugu reached into his jacket for a gun only to find it missing, he quickly grabbed the knife from his belt as Shirou summoned his twin blades, Arthur grabbed the invisible Excalibur and the three of them headed towards the door without speaking. Shirou went to the door as Arthur took her place protectively close behind, Kiritsugu taking his place beside the door out of sight, listening through the wall to the other side.
An impatient, familiar, feminine voice spoke up from outside, "Shirou, let us in right now."
Shirou sighed in relief at hearing the voice, Kiritsugu whispered, "You know her?" Shirou nodded and raised his hands placatingly.
"It's Rin, we can trust her." Kiritsugu nodded, seeing Arthur relax at the name, he put away the knife and stepped back as Shirou went to the door. As the two passed each other Kiritsugu whispered, "Be careful, somebody is with her, a larger male, sounds injured." With that Kiritsugu disappeared from sight silently stepping out of the hallway.
Shirou nodded and opened the door revealing Rin, his Rin, her hands covered in blood. Without asking she hurried into the house bringing with her a man, well-dressed in a red suit, middle-aged, and with hair and eyes bearing a striking resemblance to Rin's own.
Rin didn't spare a moment to talk, "He's hurt, Shirou help me get him inside we need to stop the bleeding."
Without a moment's hesitation, Shirou grabbed the man and together the two carried him inside, before gently dumping him onto the table. He groaned in pain but didn't object.
Rin spoke to the man in her usual assertive tone as she made him lie down fully, "Father, we're going to have to cauterize the wound; it's too deep to simply bandage." The man nodded before responding in an even tone, "Do what you have to Rin."
She turned to Shirou, "Please help me get his shirt off and hold him down." Shirou removed the man's red jacket and blood-stained white shirt a little roughly before pressing down on the man around his shoulders.
Rin held her hands together as she chanted, "Identifizieren, bestägen und langsam feuern." As her index finger came alight with a small fire she stuck the finger into the wound, causing the man to scream. His voice cut out as he tried to contain his cries, clenching his teeth and furrowing his brow from the strain. After a minute and the smell of burning flesh filling the room the fire on Rin's fingertip went out and she sighed in relief as the man relaxed at last, panting on the table.
With her job done, Rin washed her hands off in the sink. Arthur noted how much older this Rin looked than the last she'd seen her, evidently, she had recovered well from being stabbed by Kotomine. Arthur couldn't help but notice how she worked with Shirou, when she spoke he listened and obeyed unquestioningly, though she could tell it wasn't from fear or self-doubt but from trust. The doubt in her own mind returned, had he ever trusted her that much, did he still? She knew these thoughts were distracting her so she pushed them down, ignored them. Once they had a moment together those doubts would disappear, with him they always did.
Shirou stepped up beside Rin washing his own hands and flashing her a loving smile as he put an arm around her, "Rin, I'm glad you're here."
Rin smiled mischievously as she retorted, "God knows how many times you'd have died in the last grail war without me to bail you out all the time."
Arthur froze seeing the affectionate touch. Why was he behaving like that to Rin? Thoughts and doubts filled her mind as she watched the two simply enjoying each other's presence. For the first time in a long time she felt like an outsider in the Emiya household. A silent observer to everyone else.
Shirou laughed and shot back, "Well this time it seems like I'm the one getting you out of a bind, that's your father, isn't it? The one from the photos?"
Rin nodded, "Yeah, glad you were paying attention, I guess he was chosen… Resurrected as a master for this grail war." She looked conflicted, "His servant is Gilgamesh." At the name Shirou froze and looked back at the barely conscious mage on the counter, Arthur's hand clenched around her sword as memories of the possessive, obsessed King of King's returned to her, making her feel disgusted.
Rin spoke up before he could say anything, "I know what you're thinking, no he can't control him. He has command seals but Kotomine has more, and Gilgamesh doesn't care much for my father. Not narcissistic enough I suppose."
Shirou nodded before asking, "So Gilgamesh did this?"
Rin shook her head, "No, Kotomine's other servant did. We should be safe for now, Archer is distracting them. We have a lot to share."
Shirou nodded, "Us too, I missed you."
Rin smiled back, eyes darting over towards Arthur and her father, she spoke a little louder, "I missed you too, but is that any way to greet your fiancee after so long apart?"
Without saying anything she grabbed Shirou and pulled him into a kiss, one which he returned with no hesitation. Tokiomi froze watching his daughter deeply and passionately kissing this boy, the third-rate magus bearing the name of the infamous mage killer. He didn't know how to react, but Rin was an adult, and much as he may have wanted to, he couldn't control or protect her anymore. He averted his gaze keeping a calm facade up before everyone.
Arthur felt sick, Rin had looked right at her before doing it. It had been a message, that Shirou had made his choice, that he had moved on. In that instant, her heart broke she remembered the date, the awkward kiss, her confession to him on the last sunrise as her strength faded, and all the time she had waited for him hoping to reunite with him in Avalon. She felt foolish and knew that she had died and it was only natural to move on, and yet… He had made her feel special, feel loved, not adored but romantically loved for the first time ever, and now all that was being taken away. She had hoped he would wait for her, that she had been worth waiting for. She felt betrayed, by Rin, by Shirou, by her own heart.
As dark thought clouded the King of Knight's mind she mused, maybe she was not worthy of being a woman, of being loved as one but only as a king, as a servant, as a tool.
The feelings overwhelmed her momentarily and Arthur's head hung in shame, she felt tears threatening to form. She turned away, unable to look any longer, thinking fast she stated flatly, "I'll check the perimeter for servants, stay here." As she left the room not waiting for a response, the tears fell. She walked back to her room and let out a sob. Iskandar's words echoed in her head as she realized she really didn't understand the hearts of others at all.
Perhaps she thought to herself it may have been better if she hadn't been reborn at all. Atleast she could have waited in Avalon with a smile on her face, dreaming of her beloved. Never having to face the ugly truth of things. Tears fell freely now, and continued to fall as she stared out at the morning sun, as blinding as it was beautiful.
As Kiritsugu searched the perimeter, checking the wards for familiars or traces of intrusion he could find none. The area around the house seemed clear. He idly mused the irony of him teaming up with the Tohsaka's but decided ultimately it was no stranger than his alliance with the Einzberns.
At the first sound, he whipped around the blade nimbly drawing his knife as he threw it towards the source. A branch rustling in a tree, the knife hit the tree with a dull thud as Kiritsugu found himself face to face with a tan, white-haired figure clad in red, clutching a wound in their side. Said figure had leaned to the side to dodge the thrown knife and stared down at Kiritsugu from a tree branch.
The mysterious figure huffed in annoyance before speaking dismissively, "How troublesome, Kiritsugu Emiya, I am the servant of Rin Tohsaka, you may call me Archer for now."
As Kiritsugu looked over the servant he sensed no deception of malice from the servant, though there was something familiar about him. As Kiritsugu observed the figure the Archer jumped down from the tree, bringing Kiritsugu's knife with him and handing it back to him, flipping it around in his hand.
Archer turned towards Kirtisugu, "If you value Shirou's life or your own we'll need to move soon. I've thrown them off for the time being but Kotomine's assassins won't take long to get back on the trail. Neither the Tohsaka estate nor this house is safe, Kotomine knows both of them. We will have to find somewhere else to stay."
Kiritsugu nodded, processing the information, Kirei had been the strongest foe he had ever faced and one of the most twisted. If he had both Gilgamesh and Hassan working for him then it would be nearly impossible to take him down. He cursed himself for not taking better care to maintain safe houses in the years since the grail war, but in his apathy and pain at the time it had seemed so unimportant.
But, there was one place, a backup hideout prepared from the fourth grail war. It wasn't nearly so nice as this one but to his knowledge none except the Einzberns knew about its existence, a storehouse they had used to transport valuable goods away from prying eyes. The Einzbern lords would be alerted to his presence, yet he felt confident in his ability to negotiate with the Einzberns if need be, and maybe if this much time truly had passed then Illya…
Plan made, Kiritsugu looked up at the strange familiar feeling Archer and while keeping his face blank nodded resolutely, "I know just the place, let's get the others. I'm sure we don't have much time."
The Archer stared back silently, something processing behind his eyes that Kiritsugu couldn't quite make out. Hearing footsteps behind him he turned back to see Saber now fully adorned in her armor ready for battle.
Arthur locked eyes with the Archer before she spoke, "Kiritsugu, I detected another servant."
Kiritsugu noted the redness around Arthur's eyes, something was affecting her. He would bring it up later, but right now there was simply no time. He had lived his life for a goal, casting aside those dear to him to achieve it before. This time would be different, it had to be, otherwise this second chance would mean nothing.
Storing away talking with Arthur as a task for later Kiritsugu nodded to her, "The Tohsaka's archer says we don't have long before assassin descends on us. We're not ready for a confrontation right now, tell the others to pack quickly, we're leaving."
Excited to have something other than her recent heartbreak to focus on Arthur nodded resolutely and set off for the kitchen. Seeing some of the old Kiritsugu back it was easy for her to fall back into the habit of enacting his plans. For now there was a grail war to win, and wasting time on matters of personal relation was a waste of resources they couldn't afford.
Within Fuyuki Church a battle was brewing, standing in the main chamber were two servants, between them church pews were scattered and destroyed. On one side the raven blue-haired Cu Chullain, known as the Hound of Chullain, ruby red spear raised in hand and eyes locked on his opponent.
Opposing him and clad in a near-glowing suit of golden armor stood Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes, behind him the Gates of Babylon opened in a series of golden portals, pointed out towards the Irish demigod were dozens of the most vicious weapons from the King of Heroes arsenal.
Up above in the church rafters, an assortment of darkly dressed individuals bearing skull masks observed passively.
The King of Heroes spoke first, "Honestly mongrel. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead. I'm sure you had your reason for striking down our master in the last grail war, he should have known better than to entrust you with a task so below you."
Lancer raised an eyebrow questioningly, "What're you saying, you disapprove of it?"
Gilgamesh chuckled, responding with mirth to the blue jumpsuited lancer, "Don't mistake my respect for your station for disapproval of his actions. If a couple of magi thieves need to be killed for my property to be returned to me then they should be honored."
Seeing that Gilgamesh seemed more interested in talking than fighting Cu lowered his guard slightly, relaxing into a more casual position. "We had a simple disagreement over what to do with a beautiful girl is all. I guess he took offense."
Gilgamesh nodded in understanding, "I understand, but I need to make it clear." Raising his right hand up a dozen more gateways opened in the air above Cu with more weapons pointing down towards the demigod.
Two pairs of ruby-red eyes met as menace filled the air as Gilgamesh issued his threat, "If you do anything to prevent me from reclaiming the grail which is rightfully mine, you will receive a sentence like all those others who have tried to steal from me. Am I clear, Child of Light?"
Though internally Cu was really ticked off by the King of Heroes' smug attitude even he knew when he had met his match, and dying pointlessly over his pride wasn't really his style.
With a defeated sigh Cu responded as he lowered his spear completely, "Crystal."
With that the golden gates of Babylon shut as Gilgamesh's armor evaporated into a golden mist, revealing his modern leather jacket and pants underneath. Annoyed, Gilgamesh looked towards the parish where Kirei had sequestered himself.
Half annoyed, and half curious Gilgamesh voiced his thoughts aloud, "I do wonder what's taking him so long in there."
Inside the parish Kirei sat, knelt in prayer. A madness gripping the man, not born of the grail or of the burden his role as overseer of the Holy Grail War brought upon him, but of his own heart.
Once he had been born and died in search of purpose to the man who he had believed to be like him.
Then he had been born again and again and fell on the verge of allowing the birth of Angra Mainyu, all the world's curses. To that man's son.
Now he had been brought back again, and Kirei puzzled at these unprecedented circumstances, the chances and significance of being brought back thrice not lost on him.
As he looked up to the statue of the messiah standing ominously in the dimly lit room he locked eyes with the statue. Which in the light appeared to be looking down at him, though with disdain or a wicked approval he could not distinguish as it itself seemed to shift with the flickering of the candles.
Feeling conflicted and unsure he began to think out loud, speaking to the statue as though it would hold answers though he knew it never had.
"I confess to having sinned O' Father in heaven. From the moment of my birth, I have only been a twisted shadow of your creation. Even now I wonder, why you would allow one such as me to be born? A mistake? A cruel joke?" Kirei paused for a moment in thought.
"And yet…" He trailed off deep in thought.
"Yet you have sent for me twice since then O' Lord. You have birthed me once more, in Fuyuki from the fires of destruction. Now even after I sought the birth of Angra Mainyu, the destruction of your children, you seek me out again, birthing me once more, stronger than before."
Kirei stood from the pew arms spread wide as he locked eyes with the statue of the son of God and he proclaimed, "Could it be O'Lord that you are pleased with this blasphemy, that my goals are no mistake in your eyes but rather a perfect enactment of your will?"
Kirei smirked, "I see now Lord what you desire for me, and I your loyal servant shall see this will through to the end." In a fluid motion he grabbed a bible off the table in front of him.
Flipping it open effortlessly he began to read, "Thessalonians II."
"For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God."
"So god as it is your will, I, born of destruction, man of lawlessness proclaim myself to be God. In this moment I am beyond god! In your name I shall blaspheme against all of your creation. For that is what you wish is it not? This, my purpose, your will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven. As man is the perfect image of god, that must surely mean O' Lord that I too have been created in your image, and I now know how you have reveled in our suffering for all this time!"
Back outside the parish a tense silence between servants was broken. As the door opened revealing the ever-composed Kirei a look of serenity on his face.
As he looked over them he smiled warmly, though the warmth didn't reach his eyes. He spoke as though to an old friend.
"I apologize for keeping you all waiting. Come, the Lord's plans have become clear. We have a mission."
"Tonight we will end this grail war before it is started, go and destroy all who know of our cover. Assassin, to the Tohsaka household. Gilgamesh, deal with the Matou girl and her kin. Cu, you and I shall go and slay the Emiya boy and his father."
Orders given Kirei began striding out the door with determination, Cu shrugged and slung the spear over his shoulders as he peeled back at Gilgamesh who was giving him a look that communicated exactly how he would die if he tried anything.
As Ireland's Child of Light left the church he sighed and muttered to himself, "Man that archer is a real pain in my ass." Emotions and uncertainty swirling within the blue haired lancer he followed his master. Thoughts occupied with whether to follow through with his master's likely psychotic plan or to risk his own life again
Within minutes Gilgamesh found himself eyeing the Matou Mansion, a squalid depressing place utterly without value to him.
Inside he knew, lay the Matou girl who according to his master had managed to defeat him once before, though he didn't know how such a thing was possible, the King of Heroes wasn't one to underestimate an enemy twice, especially not one who had managed to kill him.
Yes, he decided he would quickly get to disposing of the girl and then would make time to go and finish off the other brat, Shirou Emiya, who had begrudgingly earned some respect from the King of Heroes, though not for the quality of his forgeries but rather his tenacity in battle.
Smiling slightly at the slight excitement of his coming battle with the Emiya boy, he finalized his plan for taking out the Matou girl.
— Sakura / Shinji / Kariya / Zouken / Medusa —
Sakura dreamt of it still, all the world's curses, Angra Mainyu. She saw him, Shirou, charging after her, darkness draped over her like a dress. Her sister, Rin, on the ground barely breathing. She knew it was her fault, just like always.
While the dream stung, knowing it was her fault, the people she'd hurt, she'd killed. She knew things were different now, she was different now. Even back then Rin had chosen to spare her, and she now knew that that had meaning.
This time though as she was being carried out of the crumbling cavern by Medusa, eyes glued to Shirou battling the priest Kotomine, each punch, causing swords to erupt from his body, Archer's arm destroying him further. Suddenly she jolted to a stop.
Her attention was momentarily torn away from Shirou's fight as she looked to Medusa to see what had happened. As she turned, her eyes widened as she saw Medusa, frozen, stuck in place by the jeweled sword of Zelretch impaled into her stomach, looking down Sakura followed the blade only to see it piercing into her too.
She looked up, eyes meeting her sister's. She thought it was strange, there was no pain from the sword, just a warm, light feeling.
Even so, she felt herself getting dizzy, Medusa fell, dropping her to the ground, all she could manage to get out was a hushed, "Why?"
As Rin looked down at her, with those innocent blue eyes that had never known true suffering. Rin's eyes were filled with hatred but beyond that sadness. Sakura could tell with a look, Rin had given up on saving her.
Rin looked to the side avoiding eye contact as she answered, "You're a monster Sakura, I wish there was another way. But… I have to do this."
Sakura wanted to respond, to yell and get angry but she felt a hand in hers, a warm hand. Shirou's hand waking her from this bad dream. So instead of yelling, she smiled and closed her eyes letting darkness take her.
She woke a moment later feeling safe as Shirou continued to hold her hand. Slowly she processed the dream, first the talk with the strange arbiter and then being back in that cavern.
However; her rest was interrupted as a familiar voice that definitely wasn't Shirou's spoke up.
"Miss Sakura." The familiar voice of her servant Medusa woke her fully as she opened her eyes, seeing it hadn't been Shirou at all holding her hand but rather Medusa.
Sakura pulled her hand back in surprise, "Rider? Wh- Where…" she trailed off as she realized where she was. This was the Matou household, her room to be precise, her old room. Seeing it her heart froze, the memories of the dream she had had returned to her.
Was she really back here? How? As her heart rate started to climb she took a deep breath, though her heart wouldn't calm down she made a plan. She had to leave, it may have been emotional and not well thought through but she knew what she had to do.
Looking at Medusa, her loyal servant she muttered, "We're leaving."
With a proud smile Medusa nodded, "Trust in me master." Sakura smiled back, fake as it was as Medusa helped her up. She found a bag and began packing things quickly, barely taking time to check what she grabbed, simply throwing clothes and personal belongings in. She noticed briefly that things she had long removed from the house were back, she thought to herself, 'As though I never left?'
But refusing herself the time to dwell on it she realized she had filled the bag. Slinging it over her shoulder she hurried to the door where Medusa waited. The two women locked eyes and with a nod Medusa opened the door, emerging into the empty hallway.
Leading the way Medusa led her down through the winding mansion. With each step Sakura felt better, more secure that Zouken didn't seem to be stopping them. Suddenly she felt it, another master's presence. It froze her in place as she heard a laugh from behind, spinning around her eyes went wide as she saw the unmistakable form of Shinji now sporting a purple shirt under his uniform, top button undone, a smug look on his face as he leaned against one of the halls support pillars.
Shock overwhelmed her and she could barely form words, "Sh-Shinji?"
Shinji smiled at seeing her and moved towards her as he spoke. "Yo! Sakura you're here too? Guess that arbiter gave me a pretty sweet deal. Appearing with you and all, what do you say you take care of me while I go win this grail war?"
She tried to find the words to say but they wouldn't come out, inside she felt a deep anger rising. She knew it was wrong, knew that hurting people was bad, and that Shirou wouldn't do it. Yet, she also knew this, she truly hated Shinji, in time that passionate anger had faded into a dull passive hatred that she could distract herself from or ignore.
Yet now here he was in front of her, acting like nothing had happened. He wasn't even a real master, why had the grail resurrected him? As her thoughts ran faster than she could keep up she felt her heart rate rise, pulse pounding in her head as a fear took hold of her, one trained in from years of conditioning and abuse.
Shinji, uncaring, or oblivious, casually began to approach her. Looking at Medusa as he did.
"Who's this? A nurse assistant? She's cute, you'll have to introduce me sis." As he got up within reach of her, he reached his hand up and placed it on her shoulder confidently.
"This time I'm gonna win for sure." He locked eyes with her as he gave her a confident smirk, Sakura idly observed that he seemed confident, more so than Shinji had ever been before she'd killed him.
As memories came back she began to struggle to breathe, fear and anger mingling into something she was altogether not ready to deal with right now and before she knew it, her hands were around his throat. Shinji's eyes widened in surprise as her fingers dug into his windpipe causing him to make hacking noises as he reached for her arms in shock, trying to pry them off his neck.
Before either of them could react a flash of light and a bang filled the air. Sakura's eyes turned towards the source on instinct and Shinji used the opportunity to pry himself free and jump backwards out of reach, eying her with a mix of surprise and malice.
In the direction of the bang Sakura saw a heavily scarred, pink haired woman in a red coat smiling charmingly in her direction. Between the two stood Medusa, having deflected the bullet with her dagger.
With a cocky smirk the pirate-like servant taunted Shinji playfully, "Master, your sister seems to share your temper."
Shinji looked at her with a look of betrayal which quickly morphed to one of pity. The pit of anger in Sakura's stomach grew deeper, she didn't want his pity, him pretending to show care for her only pissed her off more. She hung her head, dark thoughts overcoming her.
But she couldn't give in to the darkness, she wouldn't. But Shinji had to die, her eyes went wide as she realized what she had to do.
Before she could issue orders Shinji spoke, "Yo Sakura, I guess you must've realized it too at some point. I never had a sister, though it's pretty weird that NPCs can become masters. I guess the last thousand years must've affected you pretty badly huh? But don't worry, I'm here now and I'll make sure you don't have to suffer anymore. Rider, let's do this!"
Sakura's brain had stopped following. A thousand years? NPC? After everything he had done how could he stand there and deny that?She may have been adopted but that didn't give him any right to deny her status as his sister! His spewing nonsense didn't change anything. Darkness overtook her for a moment as she whispered her orders, "Rider… Please, kill Shinji for me…"
She wouldn't do it herself this time, but that didn't mean a part of her wouldn't enjoy watching.
The two servants prepared for battle, Shinji's rider, Francis Drake loading her guns as she spun them around showfully before aiming them both squarely at Medusa, as Medusa squatted down ready to spring at a moment's notice.
Tension and anticipation filled the air as the two Matou's prepared to finish each other off. Only to be interrupted as a nearby door opened revealing another Shinji.
Sakura froze eyes going between the Shinji in the purple shirt, and the Shinji who had just emerged from his room, white t-shirt on as he wiped the sleep from his eyes. The purple-shirted Shinji seemed to be lost for words too, face blank with confusion.
Seeing two of them Sakura's mind began to shut down, the panic rose to an unbearable point and though she hated herself for it, the strength she had maintained until now broke. She hadn't been ready to return here at all it seemed.
The tired Shinji perked up at seeing her as he barely registered the other Shinji. A lecherous grin coming over this white-shirted Shinji.
"Sakura-chan?" He called out delightedly.
He walked towards her, his eyes locking onto her breasts. "Sakura-chan, you've gotten taller." Medusa moved between the two defensively.
Seeing her Shinji sneered and pulled out his book, the Book of False Attendant. "Get out of my way trash." As he activated the command Medusa began to writhe in pain as she fell to the ground, lightning crackling over her form.
Sakura felt sick as Shinji came closer, she was helpless, so helpless and suddenly she felt it again. The shadow. She knew it had been gone since the grail had been destroyed and yet if she was back then she realized with horror that Angra Mainyu may be too, yet even realizing this, she felt so helpless. She knew she had to find Shirou, and had to be stopped before she hurt people again.
But her legs couldn't move, with the realization and the two Shinji's surrounding her, her knees began to shake and under the pressure she collapsed to the ground.
The lecherous Shinji looked at her pleased, as he grabbed her hair, yanking hard to make her look up at him. She whimpered softly from the pain. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the purple-shirted Shinji looking at the exchange with a strange expression she couldn't read, but it didn't seem to be joyful.
The long-haired Shinji reeled back his fist and rammed it into her face sending her flying into the wall. Her head slammed into it and her vision began to blur for a moment, before she had recovered she felt a force knock the air out of her, this new Shinji slamming his foot into her stomach.
She began coughing in pain unable to react as Shinji grabbed her and hoisted her up to her knees again, her face went slack as she prepared herself mentally to endure whatever he was going to inflict.
Staring at her with rage, Shinji looked over her passive, defeated expression and smiled with satisfaction before dropping her down to the ground.
Looking at her with a combination of anger and lust he continued, "Just because you've gotten a bit taller and filled out nicely for me doesn't mean I'm gonna forgive you bitch. You had better remember this because if you try anything I will kill you. You're actually lucky I'm so forgiving."
Finally turning his attention to the other Shinji he took a moment to size him up before addressing him.
"Hmmm you must be another Matou, I'm sure you could tell but I'm the real master in the family." He gave a dramatic hair flip to accentuate his claim and did his best charming smile before he continued his introduction.
"Shinji Matou. Since we're both family I think we can work together, no reason for us to fight right?"
The purple shirted Shinji stared at him silently, and Shinji began to worry with his useless servant Medusa still recovering from attempting to defy his command, thinking fast Shinji continued to sweeten the deal, he knew he could deal with the impostor later with his grandfather's help.
"You know, I could even be persuaded to share Sakura here with you, we could even take turns. She owes me a bunch so I'm sure she won't-"
BANG
Shinji's offer was cut short by the shot of Francis Drake's smoking gun. Sakura felt frozen in time as her gaze drifted from the foreign rider's smoking gun, to the growing splotch of red in the center of Shinji's chest.
The now bleeding Shinji twitched before letting loose an ear-piercing shriek.
"AaaaaaaaaeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeee" He shrieked as his hand reached up, shaking as it clutched his shirt where the bullet had hit him.
The slowly bleeding Shinji fell backwards landing in a sitting position before arching his back in pain, slamming the back of his head roughly on the floor. As he continued to shriek pitifully, arms and legs struggling uselessly on the floor as a hand clutched the bloody splotch on his shirt.
Sakura's eyes were locked on his bleeding form, crying in pain, begging Medusa to do something as she continued to sit injured in the corner.
Sakura took a moment to look at the pirate servant's face, noting the dark look that had overcome the pink-haired woman. She also looked over to the purple-shirted Shinji who was pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
As Shinji's pained screams died out into occasional hacking noises, the purple-haired doppelgänger finally spoke, "It seems like this whole thing may have been a misunderstanding nur- Sakura." As he said her name he removed his hand from his face, locking his gaze with hers as though in an attempt to show his earnestness.
"But the kind of guy I am doesn't let me stand by idly while somebody goes around saying such ugly things with my charming face. So if you're okay with it, I would like to propose a ceasefire for now. After all, you don't seem like my Sakura, and I don't think I'm your Shinji. So whaddaya say? Truce?" With the offer, the remaining Shinji gave her his best charming smile and extended a hand invitingly to help her up from the floor.
Sakura sat up against the wall, still coping with the shock, she had barely processed what he was saying, she continued to sit there for what felt like a long time, trying her breathing techniques, they didn't feel like they were helping.
Suddenly she felt a comforting hand on her arm and flinching looked up to see Medusa there, the stoic woman giving her her best warm smile.
Medusa asked her softly, "So master. What do you say, shall we accept his offer?"
Somehow the woman's deference to her emboldened her just enough to lean on Medusa as she stood to her feet, she had to stay strong, like Shirou would, she had to fight.
She turned towards the Shinji impersonator who had waited patiently for her response. She took a moment preparing the words in her head and taking a deep breath before she responded.
"I- I accept your truce. But I- I don't really understand what's happening with the two of you being here." Sakura tried to smile and keep herself from shaking too much as she twirled her long hair around her finger. Seeing that Sakura wasn't going to shake his hand, the new Shinji lowered the offered hand.
Shinji gave her a dramatic thumbs up as he responded, "That makes two of us, are we close to Fuyuki?"
Sakura tilted her head questioningly at the strange Shinji, "We're in Fuyuki, Sh- Shin- ji…"
She paused for a moment feeling sick at saying the name before continuing, "This is the Matou Manor. Have you not been here before?"
Shinji's jaw dropped as he looked around at the extravagant mansion he'd been cautiously exploring until now, "W-W-Wait? We have a mansion? I mean- You have a mansion!?"
Shinji began rambling a bit, "If we can afford all this… Think of all the time I can afford to dedicate to gaming! I can afford ultra hd displays, surround sound, ultra react keyboards, full dive immersive headsets!"
Sakura oddly felt slightly safer around the boy watching him obsess over buying a bunch of things she didn't really know about, it was odd seeing Shinji getting so excited over something that wasn't highly disturbing or hurtful.
Though this new Shinji's obsession did remind her of the Shinji that was currently lying silently on the floor, dead. She felt glad.
Suddenly she felt it, a mana pulse mixed with killing intent, from nearby. Shinji went silent, as the two made eye contact and began looking around for the source frantically, their servants stepped close to the masters protectively.
Though no attack became apparent, the sound of heavy, metallic footsteps did, echoing down the halls. Soon it became clear that the sounds were echoing from the stairwell leading up from the foyer.
Shinji stepped in front of Sakura protectively, for nearly a thousand years he had kept the peace in the City of Masters. But before all that he had been someone else.
Looking back at the new sister he had discovered he tried to give her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry sis, in the world I'm from, they call me the game champ. So just stay out of my way and I'll handle this."
The door to the stairwell shuddered before it was blasted open, Medusa's chains blocked most of the debris as she shielded Sakura, using her body to block the rest. Through the hole where a door had used to be a heavily armored boot stepped through.
Shinji called out, "Rider, let's show this guy what we can do. Don't hold back!"
Kuzuki had awoken quickly, a trained reaction of his to foreign presences near him as he slept. Though his mind activated with a jolt, to an outside observer his body didn't show a single sign, even his breathing continued smoothly with hardly a hitch.
As he kept his eyes closed he used his other senses, registering soft footsteps nearby. He immediately recognized them as belonging to the woman known as Medea, he relaxed.
He opened his eyes, emotionless black eyes turning towards her as he stiffly sat up in his shikibuton. At first, she was surprised by his sudden awakening. But as their eyes locked a pleased smile came over her face. He could tell she was glad to see him and realized that this was something he wanted. More than any of the deaths he'd brought he just wanted to make her smile.
Kuzuki would have tried to smile back except he knew very well that his smiles tended to make people uncomfortable. So he kept his face rigid and unreadable.
He could have brought up the strange arbiter or wondered why someone like that would offer such ultimate power to the winner of the war. But one look at Medea assured him that she had already thought everything through and had a plan.
So instead he nodded at her before making her the same offer he'd made a dozen times before, "Let me know if you need anything."
Medea had stopped as though there was something she wanted to say. But as Kuzuki began to walk away, changing his clothes and getting ready for the day she looked down. Deciding not to speak her mind.
Suddenly Medea looked up, alarmed as mana began to crackle around her.
"No… No! My rulebreaker…" Medea held out her hand attempting to summon the phantasm but it would not appear.
As Kuzuki rushed to her side, there was another crackling of mana as another command seal took effect over her.
"That man… " Medea's teeth were gritted and in her eyes, Kuzuki could see rage and even some fear.
He held out his hand bearing his command seals to offer them up. Medea, remembering his presence smiled but lost herself in thought for a moment. By now Kuzuki had learned the brief frustrated face she made when having to adjust her plans.
"It seems my former master hasn't learned his lesson if he thinks he can control me with such rudimentary magecraft." The venom in her tone surprised Kuzuki who had never heard her refer to anyone with such spite.
She reached a hand up to gently caress his face, "Master, please don't worry yourself. I can handle disposing of this pitiful mage. Just await my return."
Dutifully Kuzuki nodded, personally he would have preferred breaking the spell right now. But he was willing to admit she was the expert when it came to magecraft and even being as sharp as he was, he had picked up pitifully little from the grail war. So he would trust in her and rely on her expertise for now.
Seeing her begin to dematerialize Kuzuki gave her one last order, "Do not hesitate to contact me should you need assistance." The flat tone of voice left it clear that he wasn't asking her to do it but commanding. She gave him a surprised look, due to the fact that he rarely ever took that tone with her.
For the briefest moment Kuzuki actually worried he'd offended her. The feeling took him aback.
Worry? It was in this moment, right as Medea was fading out of reach that he had a terrifying realization. He had completely fallen in love.
She gave him one last nod of affirmation and a smile as she broke into mana particles flitting between his fingertips and out of reach.
Expressionlessly his arms fell down to his side. Nothing else to do he looked around the barren room, discovering his old suitcase, inside the green suit he wore in his cover as a school teacher.
Silently he donned the suit before searching his suitcase and exiting the room, the suitcase and clothing contained inside seemed to be everything allotted to him, and that was fine by him.
He found himself in the familiar surroundings of Ryuudou Temple, taking a moment to appreciate the wood panel walls and orange leaves of fall in the forests surrounding the temple. It was peaceful, and he had always appreciated the isolation and solitude of the temple. Atleast before he had met her.
It gave him plenty of space to think.
As he stepped out into the courtyard a monk spotted him. No bother, he could easily play the part of a lost tourist.
As the figure got closer Kuzuki began to feel a strange sense of deja-vu come over him, though he wasn't one to forget a face and he was quite certain he'd never seen this temple attendant in his life.
Finally, the monk reached him, the glasses seeming all too familiar to the man.
It was when the monk spoke that Kuzuki suddenly placed exactly where he knew him from.
"Kuzuki-sensei?"
It was at this moment Kuzuki realized he may have been dead for longer than he thought. Not one to delay the inevitable though he responded to the figure.
"Yes, it has been some time, student body president."
Elsewhere in Fuyuki inside a large office building Atrum Galliasta El-Melloi became reacquainted with his servant.
Within a bounded field in an office building in downtown Fuyuki, Medea stood. Her hood covering her face as the tan skinned master began to talk a false confidence filling his voice concealing the nerves that threatened to overtake him, "Now… I think last time we got off on the wrong foot."