Words Count: 4323

A/N: Things are getting worse. Maybe I should add the tragedy tag on this…

Anyway, here's my usual spiel:

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P(a)(treon).com(/) LiamThePoor

"It doesn't have to end like this. Just, walk away." Those words were hauntingly familiar. Try as I might, I could not deny the sense of despair they roused in me. I hadn't begun this journey being the picture-perfect example of goodness and morality, but I had tried… Again and again, I had tried to dissuade men and women- people whom I had respected for their strength of character or/and positive traits to no avail…

Similar to Titus- a widowed husband and a father to a little girl.

In fact, the Magnus Foundation I mentioned was originally created for the sole purpose to take care of the children of my enemies- most of whom were dead- murdered by my hands or by the hands of my many subordinates.

Believe it or not, I had attempted to resolve matters in a peaceful manner many times… Yet few were ever willing to listen to reasons as Titus- Yes, you heard it right. His reaction was amongst the more reasonable ones I had.

And even then, they couldn't accept the truths, or were merely pretending so they could take advantage of my kindness later on,

Despite having the knowledge of the crimes committed by their spouses or siblings or loved ones or whoever I murdered on my ascension to Power. The worst part was: I couldn't blame them either, I'd have done the same thing had I been in their shoes. If somebody had hurt Rin, or Shiro or- God-Forbid- Gil, even knowing my girls were in the wrong, I would have stopped at nothing to make them pay… For there were things a man could forget and forgive,

But the absolutely brutal murder of one's friends and/or family was most certainly not one of those things. Not to real men- not to trustworthy men.

Releasing the hold I had on the surviving demons who had participated in Titus' and his Servant's demises, I let out a tired sigh. I was exhausted of being aggressive, of having to kill people just to get the point across, but I could not stop.

It's too late for that,

Stopping now would achieve nothing beyond giving away a hole in my defenses for others to exploit… Not to mention, fear was too powerful of an emotion for me to abandon it, especially when the foundation of my public-persona was built on it.

Perhaps once the Grail War had ended, once everything had been resolved, I might be able to take that much-needed vacation to de-stress but that just seemed so, so fucking distant it genuinely upset me. And as if that was not bad enough- as if I didn't already have enough on my plate, I now had to deal with Sakura's bratty tantrums / jealousy and Illaoi's fuck-ups. In all fairness, the latter was partly my fault. I should have been stricter- I should not have tipped the scale so much to love and respect.

A healthy balance between being loved and being feared should have been maintained.

The first would keep my subordinates loyal, and the second in turn would keep them in line, but I hadn't wanted to be that guy- that one Boss whom everyone secretly hated and talked badly about behind his back, yet still kept a polite mask on when he was around. I see now I had been far too kind- too forgiving of their mistakes, else today's event would never have come to pass. Pressing the button on my desk- with a tone harsher than I originally intended- I barked.

"Illaoi, come on in."

Seconds later, my maid- who was shivering in her boots- stepped in through the door with her head bowed deeply. Her hands shaking ever-so slightly. "Milord… Forgive my tardiness, but there were a few complications regarding Lady Illya's living arrangements. You desire to speak to me?"

"Don't worry." I waved her concern away. "You're just in time. Any sooner and you'd have had to wait outside while I work."

Yes, because despite Titus' hatred towards me, my matters with him were strictly business-only. I neither resented him for joining Swan's Faction, nor did I wish the worsts upon him. Unlike many of the enemies I had faced up to this point- both those still alive and kicking, plus the deceased, Titus Lance was amongst the kinder ones- far less deserving of death in my opinions. A shame the poor guy had had the misfortune of marrying a bitchy wench who not only gave him a gigantic 'green-hat',

But had also clearly gone behind his back to perform rather… Unethical experiments on the population of a relatively small and backwater Town in the United Kingdom.

"Close the door and take a seat, Illaoi." I gestured, refusing to look up from the multiple stacks of paperwork on my desk. Thanks to the additional funds and slight nudges on my end, Google, Amazon and had grown twice as big as they would have.

There was even a collaboration between the three Companies to create the first large-scale social media platform.

Our only real competitors at the moment were MySpace, Yahoo and the recently-launched Facebook. I'm guessing I don't need to explain how things would turn out for the three sites- shelved and forgotten by the World at large… Used almost exclusively by those loathsome scammers who- if I had my way- would all be locked up like the accursed lowlifes they were. "Illaoi… Have I done something to upset you? Have I ever mistreated you in any way?"

"N- No, Milord."

Shoulders squared, Illaoi tried to project a false sense of confidence, only for the façade to fall when the stutters started. Head tilting slightly, I looked at her without an ounce of emotions- an expression usually reserved for my foes. "Then are you dissatisfied with the pay perhaps? Do I need to increase your salary?"

Again, she shook. "No, Milord. You pay better than most jobs, plus with my current Lifestyle and workloads, a raise is out of the question."

Putting down my glasses- a Mystic Code enchanted to help the wearer read faster- I let loose a huge, disappointed sigh. "So let me get this straight, you are not dissatisfied with me or anything I did, which is understandable since I have never given you a reason to be besides that one time when you thought it's in your job description to dictate my life–"

I paused, mind beginning to wander back to five years ago- to the first time I ever shouted at Illaoi for rescheduling a meeting because she thought I needed sleep. "– By your own account, you don't seem to think you need or deserve a raise… Then pray-tell, why did you decide to betray my trust? What the Hell made you think it's okay to bring an unprotected and inexperienced teenager on a grocery trip when a fucking War is raging outside? Or do you just want to retire early?"

Each person was different- each had their own likes, dislikes and fears.

For my maid- who was utterly infatuated with me due to the well-known 'Suspended Bridge Effect'- the threat of being let go by me was actually far scarier than any financial, political or even mortal troubles I could put her in. Arms crossed in front of my chest, I patiently waited for Illaoi's answer. "I- I'm not- Milord, I'm sorry!"

My breath quickened in a sharp burst of annoyance and anger- anger aimed at myself mostly, for having ever thought I could trust this woman.

Falling on her knees, the maid pressed her forehead so close it's practically touching the floor. Instead of an answer, she kept repeating the same apology over and over again. "How much of it was true?"

"Mi- Milord?"

"How much of what Sakura said was true? Or was she just covering up for you? Choose your answer carefully." Translation: 'Don't you dare lie or you'll get it.'

"I- Sakura-san begged me to let her out, she said she was going crazy cooped up in the Castle and I couldn't- I just thought–" Before she could finish, I interrupted with a scoff. "You thought it'd do no harm if you let her out for one day, even knowing enemy Servants could be lurking in every corner, right?"

"I'm sorry." Immediately, she repeated. Sorry, sorry, sorry… Slamming on my desk, I shouted in a fit of rage.

"IS THAT ALL YOU KNOW HOW TO SAY?! I don't need your DAMNED APOLOGY!" My fist clenched the edge of the table so hard it nearly shattered. "Do you even know how close you two were to death today?! Neither Bakugou nor Deku is Swan's opponent, they're even more poorly-equipped to deal with a Servant! If I had not come- if I hadn't questioned where Sakura went, you two would be DEAD! What the HELL was I supposed to tell Rin if that had happened to her sister–?!"

Kneeling next to her, I looked at her pale complexion and growled through gritted teeth. "Can you even comprehend the severity of the situation?! How hard was it to pick up the Gem and gave me or any of the thirty people you came with a call? Or did you forget what it was too?!"

"Master, I–"

"I've had ENOUGH!" My wrath-filled scream had likely echoed throughout the entire Castle, but I couldn't be bothered to care about trifling matters such as somebody listening in. I was far too angry for that. Desperate to swallow the ball of anger clogging up my throat, I forced a breath down. "I've had enough of your excuses Illaoi. Get out, continue your duties. You may go. From now on, I shall no longer require your services."

"MASTER!"

Giving her the side-eye (Read: Death-stare), I muttered in an uncharacteristically soft and gentle voice with barely a hint of humor. "I don't like to repeat myself twice, surely you know that? Or do you think you can just disobey me whenever now that you have Sakura backing you?"

Again, each person was different. I knew not how others would react, but there were stages to my rage. First was the raging storm of the ocean- the thing my enemies- ironically- feared the most, yet few understood it was merely the beginning of the storm. Then came the second stage, where I just grew calmer and calmer with each and every second- wrath that was simply tamed, yet far more terrifying. Last but no least was what I called: Hysterical Laughter.

A stage in which- as its name suggested- instead of raging, or threatening my enemies while being eerily calm, I would just laugh as if nothing could bother me, even though everything did, internalizing that anger into hate while my mind concocted the most painful, agonizing methods of torture for those who had roused my wrath.

Illaoi knew this, and seemed to realize how frighteningly close I was to that stage too as she slowly backed away, swallowing gulps of saliva like her life depended on it. To be fair, it kind of- sort of did. She had served me for long enough to notice the signs. Snorting, I ordered, visibly irritated. "Get. Out. Now!"

"Understood, Milord." With a trembling touch to her voice, Illaoi left my Office, leaving me on my own, laughing and giggling all the while as curly black strands started to fall down to cover my forehead, then eyes. "Ha… HAHA-Haha!"

The sound that came out of my mouth were guttural and manic as I clutched my lips in an effort to muffle the strangled and incoherent noises. "Leo…?"

A hand touched my shoulder, and I swung back, wide-eyed. It was Shiro- her amber-eyes shinning like the glimmering light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, those beautiful orbs were marred with concern and sadness. I did not like that, not one bit. Shiro's eyes should be filled with determination and beauty, like they always were, not whatever this was. Right next to her- surprisingly enough- was Archer.

I expected a lot to happen, I expected Archer to say something sarcastic and tell me to get up, for him to tell me how unsightly I was. I did expect Shiro to be a little gentler with me, none of that took place. Instead, the Heroine stood still- stiller than a statue, unable to move- the shock in her gaze was pure,

Like she had not anticipated me to be this… Broken-down, I guessed?

Like she hadn't foreseen this and didn't know what to do.

Archer was calmer, his steely eyes holding none of the disgust I had predicted, only awkwardness and a glimpse of understanding. It struck me then he must have known how it felt like to live a life never-ending battles, a life where a single mistake- even if it's not mine- could bring everything down on our heads-

The sheer frustration of not wanting to do something, yet knowing you'd have to do it regardless else the consequences might be dire. Wordlessly, the tanned Servant pushed Shiro onto me roughly, turning his gaze from our persons as he took his leave, though not before giving me a nod while closing the door to give us some much-needed privacy. "I- What?!"

Startled, Shiro yelped, stopping when she felt my arms tighten around her torso. Despite my best efforts, something akin to a mixture of choked sobs and hysterical, incessant laughter managed to tear their way out of my throat still. Head resting on hers, I hugged her like she might just disappear the instance I let her go. "Shiro… I orphaned another child today- a girl."

The implication was clear: This wasn't the first- the 71st to be precise- and I sincerely doubted it'd be the last either.

That's why I created the Magnus Foundation, its official name was not actually that, but the Cross Foundation with the benefactor's identity being kept a secret. It helped all the victims of Leonis Magnum- mostly children he orphaned one way or another- directly or indirectly. It was an attempt to soothe the guilt in me,

Despite knowing many of these children might stand up against me one day, and even though the rationality in me- the Magus called for their deaths for the same reason I killed Titus,

I couldn't do it.

I could feel her body fight the sudden urge to recoil from me, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. Patting my back, Shiro's other hand reached for my hair, stroking it like one would a pet. "It's alright, I know you wouldn't have done it if there's another option."

Her faith in me should warm my blackened heart,

It only made the guilt that much harder to bear. "That's the problem! I could've tried something- could've done more to dissuade him but I just- I didn't- I couldn't risk it. I bit his face- ripped it clean off with my teeth then tricked his Servant before stabbing a blade through his heart… He was alive even then, so I detonated a group of demons to ensure his death, but it's–"

(– Not enough! How on Earth did he survive that?! As the son of Helios, he's resistant to all fires and explosions, but mine was Hellfyre- the nemesis of Divinity! Mangled and broken, Phaëthon stepped forth with his legs- each bloodier than the last. "Is that all you have?! Show thyself, WRETCHED FILTH! You won't get away with this! Even in death, I'll curse your existence! May the Sun burn thou flesh 'till the Entropy!"

I continued to look as Mana particles- golden like sunlight- started to waft off his body in waves. Falling to his knees, the Servant did not spend the last of his time on Earth cursing, instead he cried- Nay, bawled like a child.

"Why- Why?! I just wanted to make my father proud… I just wanted to–" The words were caught in his throat as Rider dissipated, his hand reaching towards for the seemingly uncaring Sun. "Fa- aaa- ther! Sav- e me!" He mournfully croaked one last time, before his Spirit Core was destroyed, annihilated by a [Finn Shot] I shaped using Zolgen's mouth.)

"I don't want to do this anymore. I didn't care once. I do now, Shiro." Remaining silent, the only signs the Heroine hadn't fallen asleep were the softness of her breaths and the constant head strokes she gave me.

"I'm afraid to die- I'm afraid I'll fail everybody and all the crimes- all the evils I've committed will be for naught. I'm afraid one day, you'll all look at me not with adoration, but fear. I wake up afraid, I go to bed afraid, even in my sleep I'm tormented by nightmares of my crimes and–"

All those near-death experiences. "– While my waking moments are spent looking at every corner- fearful for our lives and now I can't even trust my own people whom I thought I could! I hate this, I hate this life, I hate that even with all the power and influence and money have, I am not happy. I try to be, I try to smile but I'm not…" Pausing, I laughed- a laugh full of self-deprecation. "I'm just a greedysonuvabitch, aren't I?"

Shiro's only response was the tightening of her hands against my hair. "It's alright, Leo. I'm not afraid of you, I won't ever be."

'How ironic. For the Heroine who has sworn herself to Justice to console the Monster who has caused others an unimaginable amount of sufferings.' Burying my face in her silky, messy strands, I picked Shiro up and dropped us on my chair. "Sorry, it'll be a bit uncomfortable, but I need this- I need you right now."

— [Fate: FS] —

"Archer… What happened? Why is everyone so downtrodden all of a sudden? A Servant was eliminated, right?" Seeing the silent man, Rin continued, albeit with far less enthusiasm than before. "Sh- Shouldn't we be celebrating?"

"Probably not… Leo's having a full-on mental breakdown in his Office."

"What? Why?!"

"No idea." Archer shrugged, seemingly nonchalantly, though the slight pinch of his brows would tell a different story. "But I reckon it has something to do with stress, Sakura and that maid of his not listening to his orders and were nearly captured in the process. Shiro's with him right now."

"Got it, I'll go see how they're doing–" About to march off, the tsundere was stopped dead in her track by Archer- his nose scrunching up as he frowned. "And what exactly are you going to do there? Instead, why not go talk to Sakura? She has been in a rather traumatic experience, plus she's the cause for his breakdown, albeit only partly. You should talk to her, ask her to apologize and do better if possible."

"Wait… What did you say Sakura was in again?"

"She was almost kidnapped by an enemy Master." Throwing his arms up, Archer just looked done with his eyes-roll. "Did you listen to a word I said? Never mind that, just go see your sister, Rin. She'll need you."

"Is she hurt? Does she have injuries anywhere? Why didn't you tell me sooner?!"

"I did. You just focused on Leonis." Archer drawled in annoyance. Pushing the tsundere towards the direction of Sakura's room, Archer muttered. "Honestly, I came here to participate in the Grail War, not be a babysitter. Move, move, move!"

"Alright, alright! I get it- I'm going, stop pushing me!"

— [Fate: FS] —

"What a mess. What kind of useless idiot lost his life barely three weeks into the War? Most are still making preparations at this stage. If you're that weak, why even bother joining a Death-Game in the first place?" To be fair, he had seen records of Master dying on the third night of receiving their Command Seals, but to witness it first-hand was quite the experience- a hilarious one at that too.

"Sulfurs…" The white-haired young woman narrowed her eyes as she observed the slimy texture on the ground. "I sense there are traces of demonicactivities here."

"It's probably nothing, Demonology has been eradicated centuries ago. Its sole practitioner was last found and killed in the Salem Witch Hunt." Father Francesco's answer was not only curt,

But his tone was also quite impolite, which- unsurprisingly- called for the young Exorcist's attention. Having lived with him for weeks, Caren was used to his straightforward personality- something many might even refer to as rude, yet Francesco had always listened to her counsels, never disregarding a threat regardless of how implausible it might sound. "Father Francesco, have you not heard the phrase: 'The greatest trick the Devil ever played was convincing the World he did not exist?"

"That's quite enough, Caren." Francesco glowered warningly. "No Demonologist will wander into Fuyuki during this time, and I'm certain news of the War have already spread. The entire World has it eyes focused on us at the moment."

"I didn't know you were such a devotee amongst the herd. Never even realized it in fact." The words rattled the Executioner's ego, though he ignored it. There was no point, while Church had had thoughts of ordering for his arrest four years ago, the higher-ups were still on the fences about bringing the fury of a major figure in the Association.

Besides, his existence was the Tower's issues, not the Holy Church, not until he had made an obvious move against the Abrahamic religions or Humanity anyway, which… 'Shit. What if that is his Wish? To summon the Rapture?'

"I agree no Demonologist would wander in Fuyuki, unless they have designs on the Grail and its Wish in which case, it's our duty to stop him, no?" Still, Francesco shook. It was not their responsibility to intervene on the Church's behalf, not until there were official commands coming from above. "I will handle this, just stay put for now. We have rules and regulations for a reason, even if a possessed is within the City, an Exorcism can only be performed with the Bishop's blessing."

"… Does this have something to do with Leonis Magnum? Is that why you fear him so much?"

"I DO NOT FEAR HIM, I AM–" Irritation was audible in his voice as the Executioner quickly swallowed this ball of anger. How could she possibly know the horrors Magnum's capable of inflicting? He himself had once believed the higher-ups were merely overestimating Leonis 'till he was almost devoured by the hordes of demons. "I am cautious, there is a difference."

Caren looked at the man with suspicion. "So it's true? Leonis Magnum really is the cause for the demonic activities I've sensed lately?"

"I can neither confirm nor deny that. Just avoid him at all costs, please. Should he turn his gaze upon you- on us, we will have no choice but to flee the Country." Letting loose a tired sigh, Francesco pulled out a cigarette only to clench so hard he crushed the pack. "Who's there?"

"Oya? Your senses are quite good." From within the thick forest, out jumped a woman in a revealing, skintight Battlesuit. Her reddish violet hair was grown to her shoulders and seemed choppy, like she had bundled it all up and swung a knife through it. Her crimson eyes were inhuman, tinged with amusement. She did not wield any weapon, though the slight clench of her fingers and the placement of her arms told Francesco all he needed to know. She was dangerous,

"The Overseer, I assume?"

"You're barking up the wrong tree. She is–" Francesco pointed to Caren. "– I'm just here to protect her. Since the past two Overseers were both brutally murdered, the Church thought it'd be proper to send a bodyguard this time."

"Servant Lancer, at your services."

"Servant, or Pseudo-Servant?" Caren asked with a tilt of her head. "There's no need for you to hide it. The irregularities of the Fifth War have been noted by the Church long ago. May I ask which Faction you belong to?"

"Faction?" Lancer repeated curiously.

Caren nodded. "Faction."

"Do I need a Faction to participate?"

"Nope." Francesco popped nonchalantly. "But unless you fancy your odds against four or five other Servants simultaneously, I'd suggest you find one to join. Safety in number and all that jazz."

"Hmmm…" 'Lancer' hummed, visibly amused. "This War is getting more and more interesting by the second. Very well, may I bother you to point me to the nearest of these Factions?"

"What do you think we are, a bloody GPS?"

"I can make it worth your while?"

Caressing her chin, 'Lancer' offered so casually it's like she was trying to sell a bottle of water instead of the trade of flesh- her Master's to be precise. 'You most certainly can not!'

"How sinful!" Caren 'gasped' dramatically.

"I don't have a habit of sleeping with trollops. Plus, I'm married." Francesco drawled with an unsightly expression. "Ah-Yes, you Christians are big on that whole 'one spouse' thing, aren't you? Then how do I join a Faction exactly?"

"No idea." The Executioner shrugged. "But walking into a Faction's HQ and not get brutally murdered sounds like a good start."

His eyes darted at the surrounding. "A Servant was just eliminated today. It's not our place to tell you what to do, but you can look for them in the City. One of the Factions is recruiting… Probably."

"Understood. Excuse us."

"WAIT!" Caren shouted after 'Lancer'. "We need your Master's name to put down in the records, if you don't mind."

After a brief silence, 'Lancer' disappeared into the forest with naught but a fading,

"Bazett- Bazett Fraga McRemitz."

"Great. First it's Magnum, next came the Magi and now it's a descendant of a False Divinity." Rubbing his forehead roughly, Francesco groaned. "The market-value of this City just keeps getting lower and lower, doesn't it?"