Ark groaned and opened his eyes. he glanced around, confused, wondering where he was at the moment. The mage took a moment and tried to sit up, only to meet a large amount of weight on his chest.
Looking down, he spotted Mordred sleeping on his chest with a peaceful look on her face. A sigh left his lips as the arm he had wrapped around his sister slid off her back and dangled to the side. Mordred currently has a tight hold on him and doesn't look to be letting go anytime soon.
So, the only solution he saw here was teleporting away. So, he did just that. In a blink of an eye, Ark was no longer on the couch and outside Rin's residents. Looking around with a nod of his head, he started walking.
Ark knew the Grail would eventually appear, and since he still hasn't gotten the grail piece from Sakura... he might just have to end her life. Taking a deep breath, the Mage suddenly paused.
This might be the last day to talk with Gray, the last day they might see each other in a long time. He has been mostly dealing with the grail war and not watching over her. So, with that thought in mind, he instead teleported into Gray's room, finding the young Master fast asleep.
Ark slowly walked up to the female and looked down at her. He turned to the clock and saw it was early in the morning, making him sigh when suddenly he thought of something to do that he hadn't done in a while.
Now that Ark was thinking about it, where was Archer? Did Mordred go through with his plan and catch the man off Guard? The Mage was unconscious, so he wasn't sure if his sister had killed the man yet.
With that in mind, Ark left Gray's room and walked past the living room only to see Mordred still passed out on the couch with a bit of droll, leaving her mouth and staining said couch. Shaking his head, the blond male entered the kitchen and didn't see Archer, nor did he sense him.
So Archer was gone, good that leaves only Berserker and Saber. His 'father' can probably finish off the last of Berserker's lives, and that will leave the annoying king of Heros to deal with. After that battle with him in the city, Ark figured out the past Archer's level.
He was strong; there was no doubt about that. But with him, Mordred, and Probably Artoria, it will be a little easier to deal with. Not the Grail... Ark doesn't know if he will ever that far, and he wasn't what's going to happen after that.
He will most definitely return to the Throne of Heros, leaving Gray all alone. But he hoped Shirou would take her in, another reason he left the teen alive. He has too much of a kind heart to leave the girl by herself. Then there is Rin... he wasn't sure what would happen if she figured out that they were the ones to kill Archer.
Shaking his head, Ark began making some breakfast. Not the typical Japanese breakfast, sorry, but he preferred his old breakfast in his past life.
So, with that in mind, he began to search for the required ingredients to make some pancakes. Deciding to mix it up a little, he grabbed some chocolate chips to add to the batter. Searching the fridge allowed him to find some bacon and sausages.
Smiling, Ark grabbed a lot of eggs and started making breakfast. He was quick to pull out some skillets to start heating them. After making sure they were at the right temperature, he quickly placed the bacon on the pan, which instantly started to pop and sizzle. The smell reminded the mage of home and how his siblings would come barreling out of their room to get some of their brother's cooking.
Speaking of siblings, the male turned to see Mordred walking into the kitchen and instantly notice him. She sniffed the air, and a bit of droll left her lips. The male Pendragon held back a chuckle when his sister instantly plopped herself down on a chair and waited eagerly. She knew never to test Ark's patients, especially when it came to cooking.
Nodding his head, Ark focused on the food again and quickly flipped the bacon over, watching it take a more crispy appearance as the seconds flew by. He looked over at the other skillet, holding the sausages, and saw them being turned into a dark brown color.
After that, Ark began making pancakes, which were very easy to do. It made him smirk a memory that involved him teaching Mordred how to make pancakes. It was one of those times where they got to spend time together and worry about nothing.
Her first pancake was awful, but Ark reassured her that it wasn't as bad when he made one for the first time. So this made him turn to see Mordred, who looked bored as she sat at the table.
"Hey, Momo." The Knight looked up in surprise at being called. "Want to help me with pancakes?" Now, she looked annoyed. "Come on, it will just be like old times." Mordred grimaced and looked away. After a few minutes, Ark sighed in disappointment and turned away.
He began making another pancake, and after a few minutes, he finished another pancake. The sound of footsteps getting closer entered his ear. He looked to see Mordred with her arms crossed right next to him.
The Ex-Apprentice smiled and gave Mordred the spatula. She took it and looked at a large amount of pancake batter sitting in the bowl. The memory of the burnt pancake flashed through her head. A nudge snapped her out of it. Turning, she saw Ark giving her an encouraging smile.
The Knight of treachery tried to return the smile but failed to do so. She focused on making pancakes again while Ark finished up the sausage and bacon.
The male kept a close eye on his sibling, telling her when it was the proper time to flip the pancake, even giving her a few tips on knowing when it was ready to be flipped. Mordred didn't realize it, but she was smiling as she flipped another pancake.
That was when she heard her brother humming another song as he started to make some scrambled eggs. This was a song she was familiar with, and it caused her to hum alongside him. It was a song that was played during her Camelot. It was when she, Ark, and the Knights of the Round Table visited a tavern.
Mordred was able to convince Ark to come along even though he much preferred perfecting his spells. There were a lot of drinks involved, and Ark was the only one who hated it. She smirked at the memory of her brother, taking a sip of the ale being served and grimacing at the taste.
Lancelot was dancing drunkenly alongside Gawain, who tried his hardest to calm his fellow knight down. Everyone was laughing while Ark just smirked, still trying his hardest to down his first tankard of ale.
That was when a Maiden in a tavern dress stepped in with an instrument and began playing a soothing song. Her voice was as smooth as silk as she strummed her lute.
Mordred laughed, making Ark look at her. She turned towards him with a light smile.
"You remember that song?" Ark shrugged and continued placing the scrambled eggs in a bowl.
"It's a fond memory that I cherish," Ark said while Mordred didn't look convinced. "And I just remember the music, not the lyrics."
"The Knights hated you, and you know it, so why is that a fond memory?" The mage gave her a look and nudge her slightly in a joking manner.
"Why wouldn't it be? You were there, and that's what mattered to me." Ark said while Mordred rolled her eyes and flipped the last pancake. "You know I care."
"I know," Mordred mumbled as she placed the final pancake on the large pile. "I sometimes think I'm not the oldest sibling in this." Ark wrapped around an arm around her in a side hug. "I just wished 'father' noticed me instead of throwing me to the side." The mage rolled his eyes and rubbed her arm.
"It wasn't worth it, Momo," Ark mumbled. Mordred nodded; her brother's words were the only thing she took into account.
A yawn snapped the twins out of their moment, making them look to see Gray walk in, her hair a complete mess. Mordred smirked while Ark chuckled. Both of them grabbed everything off the counter and placed it on the table.
Gray slid onto a chair just as a plate full of breakfast was placed in front of her. Next, a cup was placed down-filled with orange juice. The Grey-haired girl mumbled thanks and started eating. Mordred followed her example, grabbed a large amount of food, and began horking it down.
Ark didn't have to wait long before Rin walked in with the same style of hair as Gray. She sat down, and another plate of breakfast was placed down.
"Thanks, Archer," Rin mumbled before blinking and turning to see Ark, who had a raised eyebrow. The male looked down at himself as if he were trying to look for something.
"I'm more of a Caster than Archer, to be honest," Ark responded while Rin rolled her eyes and focused on the Caster's version of breakfast. She didn't bother asking what happened to her servant, which was fine to both Ark and Mordred. However, it was obvious that she wanted to know.
"Archer saved me and sacrificed himself by fighting Berserker alone. Mordred dragged me back here." Ark said as he took a bit of bacon, enjoying the taste for a second.
"Oh..." Rin sighed and pushed around her food. She much prefers eating Archer's breakfast, but he wasn't here anymore.
"You going to eat that?" Mordred said, bluntly making the descendent and mage roll their eyes. Rin shook her head and pushed the plate towards the Knight, who grinned and began eating from the Ex-master's plate.
"I should get ready for school," Rin said before leaving the kitchen without another word.
"Well, what should we do today?" Ark said, suddenly making the two females look at him. "The Grail war is almost over might as well make the best of it." Gray suddenly looked sad and a little scared.
"Oh ya... The war is almost over." The Pendragon twins looked at each other, knowing full well why she is acting like this.
"Kid..." Mordred tried to comfort her but didn't know what to say. Even Ark didn't know what to say on this matter.
"There is no need to comfort me; I knew it was going to happen eventually." Gray got up from her chair and left the kitchen. Ark sighed and sat down in Gray's chair.
"Well, the mood went sour quick," Mordred said, looking down at her plate, which was picked clean.
"No kidding," Ark said, shuffled around in the chair, trying to get comfortable.
"Isn't there a way for us to stay?" Mordred said, looking at Ark hopefully. However, the hope was dashed when the male shook his head.
"Not that I know of." Ark leaned forward. "The reason we are here is because of the Grail, and the moment the war is done, we'll return to the Throne of Heroes."
The Knight frowned; she has grown pretty fond of the young girl. Gray looked up to not only Ark but Mordred as well.
"This is bullshit!" Ark wasn't surprised his sister would snap; it was going to happen eventually. "Why the hell can't we stay!" Mordred got up from her chair and slammed her fist on the table, which cracked slightly but continued to stand. "I'm surprised you haven't found a method to bypass this, especially with how much time we spent with her."
"You think I haven't tried?" Ark snapped, looking at Mordred angrily. "I see Gray as a younger sister and keep your mouth shut. I know for a fact you see the same thing." The Knight didn't respond only to lower her head. "Momo, I've done plenty of research on the grail, only to come up short." The false Knight stood up and placed his hands on Mordred's shoulders. "When we were training her, I tried to find some sort of solution, I did, but that was another reason I decided to train her, so when this is over she is ready for the world without us."
Mordred sighed and looked down at the ground. "Go spend some time with her; I need to go see Father." The Knight stared at him long and hard. "I won't get into any trouble, I promise." Mordred rolled her eyes, knowing that was a lie and nodded.
Ark vanished, leaving Mordred all alone. The Knight decided to go along with her brother's words and speak with Gray. She left the kitchen and went towards towards the young girl's room.
The Knight of treachery reached the room and knocked on the door.
"Go away." Gray said, holding back a sob. Mordred gave a deadpan look before forcing the door open and stepping inside. She looked to see Gray back in bed under her covers.
Mordred looked suddenly, looked uncomfortable, and walked over to the bed. She sat down beside the crying girl and waited.
"Go away, Ark. I don't want to talk right now." Gray didn't bother lifting the cover to see who it was; she just assumed it was Ark since he is the one that would mostly likely talk to her. Mordred didn't blame her.
"It's me, kid." Gray went silent and lifted the sheets to see the Knight.
"Mordred?" The Knight gave her a smirk and a wave. "Sorry, though you were Ark." The blond shrugged.
"Not surprised. Ark is more suited for this than I am. I have no clue why he sent me instead." Mordred leaned back slightly, looking out the window to stare at the sun slowly, going up into the sky. After a few minutes, the Knight groaned at the silence and looked at Gray. "Are you ok?"
Gray already got out of her covers and sat down beside the older female. The Master didn't say anything, only looking down at her lap.
"Kid." Gray looked to see Mordred giving her a look. "We know what you're feeling, and to be honest, we're going to miss you too." She crossed her arms and looked away.
"Then why can't you stay?" Gray said, tears building up in her eyes. Mordred looked uncomfortable once more; her body tensed up. "Why can't you two stay with me?"
"Because the Grail is the whole reason we are here." Gray growled, and her hands balled up In anger. "Trust me, Kid, Ark tried everything he could to figure out a way for us to stay."
"I hate this!" Gray shouted, making Mordred jump slightly and look at the younger girl. "Why is it when I finally have something for myself, and in a blink of an eye, it gets taken away from me!" Gray broke down, crying in her hands. She didn't want the Pendragon Siblings to leave. They were the only ones to treat her like family, and she enjoyed being around them.
"Kid." Mordred sighed and slowly reached out, not sure if she should do this. But after a few seconds, she pulled Gray into a hug, which the other girl quickly returned, crying into Mordred's stomach.
"Please, don't leave me..." Gray sobbed enjoying the warmth Mordred provided within the cold room. Taking a tip from Arm, the Knight reached out and stroked the Master's hair. They both sat there, Mordred sighed and closed her eyes, keeping Gray close to her. This is what it must feel like to be an older sibling.
She listened and waited and got Gray to slowly calm down. Then it hit her. Ark sent her so she could understand what it felt like to comfort someone. Mordred couldn't help the smirk growing on her face.
"Bastard." Mordred mumbled while letting out a small chuckle.
Meanwhile, Ark felt something in his chest, making him pause. A smile appeared on his face, and a chuckle left his mouth soon after.
"You're welcome, Mordred." Ark focused on what's in front of him and knocked. There were footsteps, and the door opened, showing the one and only trace user.
Shirou jumped at the sight of him and held up his hands to protect his face, but Ark didn't swing. The Mage only waited for the Master to realize he wasn't here to punch him.
The Redhead opened his eyes and looked at Ark, confused. This caused the blond to roll his eyes, but it also caused him to smirk at Shirou's first action with him.
"Relax, I'm not here to punch you. I'm here to tell you something." Ark said, leaning back slightly. Shirou looked to be on guard, which was good. "Archers dead." The Master blinked. "Rin's fine; she is currently getting ready for school," Shirou nodded still weary about Caster.
"How did he die?" Ark shifted to his right foot and heard Artoria approaching. "Did you kill him?" Internally, the mage laughed, but he held himself back. There is no need to make enemies yet, not while Berserker is still around.
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't," Shirou grimaced while Artoria stood right behind him with her eyes focused on her son. Staring at him with a great amount of intensity.
"Does it matter?" Ark said, annoyed before staring at Artoria, then focusing on Shirou once more. "I need to see Sakura; it's urgent." The Master looked alarmed and even more on guard. No surprise there.
"Why? Saber told me you brought her here yesterday. Why do you need to see her?" Ark rolled his eyes again and grabbed Shirou by the front of his school uniform and brought him up to his face.
"Do you want Sakura to die?" Shirou looked surprised and shook his head along. "Do you know why I brought her here of all the places?" Another shake of the head.
"Because she's dangerous and has something inside her that needs to be purged." Ark looked to see Excalibur in Artoria's hand, making him scoff. "Have you ever wondered why there was never any light in that girl's eyes?" Shirou looked confused and worried, not for his safety but Sakura's safety. This time, Ark grinned like a cereal killer. "Have you ever wondered where Shinji went?" Now the Redhead looked alarmed. He always did wonder where he went since he never came back to school.
"I killed him," Ark said evenly. "And that's what Sakura will be if you do move your ass aside!" The Mage yelled as he tossed the annoying Hero of Justice into a wall. Excalibur was held up to his throat, but the male didn't falter. "If you know what's good for you, lower the weapon, and let me deal with the soon-to-be headache." Ark growled; he wasn't playing around anymore.
Artoria didn't move only narrow her eyes. Ark returned the jester in kind. "That girl will suffer a painful death if you don't let me do what must be done." Artoria looked conflicted. "Listen, for once, don't be an idiot. Let me pass, and I'll be gone before you know it."
Saber looked at Shirou, who groaned and pushed himself off the ground. "You already made an awful choice for me to be king; don't pick the choice to stop me." There was silence before Artoria lowered her sword and let Ark walk by without a word. "Good choice."
Ark used his Life Force spell and instantly located Sakura. He stepped inside her room and placed a barrier down on the ground, making sure he won't be interrupted. He looked at Sakura and will admit she looked a lot better than yesterday, but now wasn't the time.
He approached the girl and kneeled. Holding a hand out, the purple-haired girl glowed a light gold. The mage sighed and lowered his hand. The Grail piece was still there, and so was the Crest Worm.
He felt someone bang on his barrier, but Ark didn't bat an eye. He knew it was Shirou and the male probably yelled at Artoria cause there is no way that Redhead trusts him.
The simple solution would be to kill Sakura... the other one would be to figure out a way to remove that crest worm. Ark summoned a Bound Dagger and frowned and the memory from yesterday replayed back in his head.
Advance: *Glares at a certain reader* You say something, I swear to God I'll slap you.
"Let's see, kill her or not kill her." Ark waved a lot of pros and cons into this. Archer was no longer an issue, but he still needs Artoria to help kill Berserker. So if he killed Sakura this would most definitely make them enemies. Now, he could always lead them to an area and make the fight it out, be he couldn't see that happening, especially with Shirou trying to convince her not to go.
Ark looked annoyed now. He twirled the dagger In his hand while trying to figure out a simple solution. He still needs to...
Hold on...
Ark pulled out a petty crystal with a certain blue-haired Master's soul in it. The male can feel the male screaming trying to break out of the crystal, but it was futile.
An idea popped into the mage's head, it was a dumb idea, but it's better than nothing. Ark pulled out a much larger crystal and knew this is a perfect size. He looked down at the girl and knew what needed to be done.
"Sorry," Ark mumbled before raising the dagger and stabbing Sakura in the heart. She gasped for a second then went limp. The Mage watched with batted breath as her soul slowly traveled into the crystal before it finally finished.
Ark stared at the crystal and knew Sakura's soul was in the crystal. He sighed before glaring at the body knowing full well the crest worm was still inside. With a flick of his wrist, the body went up in flames. He can hear it, the cry of a dying man finally being put down.
"Rest In hell, you bastard." Ark spat before looking at the crystal. "Don't worry, your safe now." The false Knight can feel the crystal pulse what he can only assume is gratitude. "You're welcome, and have no fear, I'll get you a new body." Another pulse. With a nod, Ark put away the crystal and felt the barrier slowly break down. "Shit!"
Shirou finally broke through and he looked around panicked. He looked at Ark and only felt hot anger when he saw the ashes by the Caster's feet. Artoria walked in next only to stare at what her son did.
"Sup," Ark said casually before suddenly jumping out the window. "Later!" Shirou shouted out of anger and tried to chase after the other male, only to give up since the Ex-Apprentice simply teleported away.
Artoria stood beside her Master and saw the devastated look on his face.
"Caster killed Sakura," Shirou mumbled before gritting his teeth as tears started to build up in his eyes. "And that sick fuck probably burnt her alive." The King of Knights lowered her head, she should have stopped Ark. The next time he shows his face, she'll kill him herself.
Meanwhile, Ark appeared inside a forest with a sigh.
"Good going Ark, now you got to deal Artoria and the annoying false hero." The mage shrugged and turned away, he paused and pulled out Sakura's crystal. "Sorry, you had to see that," the crystal hummed making Ark shake his head. "I'm no hero, don't call me that, I'm just a broken mage, part of a broken family." And with that, he walked back towards Rin's house to hang out with Gray and Mordred for the last few hours of the day.
Advance: Now before you kill me, think about what you're doing. I have a reason to do this and technically, Sakura isn't dead.
Devil: They're still going to kill you.