Author's Note: I had debated for a long time over whether to do this during Fate Zero or immediately after, to the point where I did three chapters the other way before starting this version. Also, unique attacks and weapons will have details added to the ends of chapters they first appear in. I have also done some very subtle corrections as of 2020/11/10 and again on 2021/9/22.
Chapter 02: Starting from Zero
Avalon
Merlin sighed as he looked upon Artoria, lying asleep in the Magic Circle he'd forged within the Garden of Avalon. They'd just barely made it in time. Using Shirou's scabbard to pump prana from the land of Avalon into Caster's Magic Circle to fuel the summon and guarantee Artoria's access was a risky and complex effort, but Artoria had successfully been projected into the World as a Servant in addition to the standard seven.
Plan 'S', or 'Servant', was normally meant to ensure that Artoria answered if Shirou chose to summon a Servant or if she needed to intervene in some specific situation. This had happened at various points through history at the behest of Merlin and his connections in the World. Of course, they had to be careful not to run afoul of Quantum Time Locks or other constraints that would doom the timeline.
This setup wasn't the same as that of the Holy Grail. The Grail accessed data on a Heroic Spirit from the Throne of Heroes and used a degraded version of Heaven's Feel to create a Servant from the data. The information was referred to as a Saint Graph, containing the memories and information on the Servant. In Merlin's arrangement, however, the true living Artoria rested in the Magic Circle, remotely controlling a copy of her body made of prana acting in the World outside instead of using a true Saint Graph. The true Artoria could leave the Magic Circle on this end, but then she and her Servant self would desynchronize and effectively become separate entities. Making a new Artoria wasn't their desire, so they avoided that.
None of this would have been possible if his jailers hadn't removed a few restrictions to allow him to better help Artoria, and even then he had to find many workarounds.
It wasn't a permanent solution for Artoria's reunion with her lover. No, it was too soon for such a thing to be implemented anyway...but it would do for this situation.
Fuyuki City
"Jeanne...you are a Servant?" The man never seemed to fully make the connection during her last time through the Fourth Holy Grail War, but seeing Artoria kneeling and recognizing her Master in a show of love and fealty even cut through Caster's mania for a brief moment. "No...no, no, NO! This is not what I wished for! To stand against my Holy Virgin in war? Oh, God is too cruel!" The insane man ranted while the woman rose, drawing her baseball bat from its place on her back.
"Caster." She rose from her position in front of Shirou and turned to glare at her obsessed enemy. "I am not Jeanne d'Arc. I am Mysterious Heroine X." Artoria blushed slightly at the strange name while wondering what Merlin was thinking to suggest it, but carried through. Making Shirou remember his past life too soon by using her True Name for anything was a bad idea. "But I remember her as she was in life. If she were here...I know she would not approve of your assault and murder of innocent children. She lived and died so people could one day live in peace! She may have forgiven you for such sins, but I shall not." Indeed, she'd been summoned to France at times to ensure that British soldiery did not needlessly pillage and murder the innocent in the various European wars. Jeanne may not have been a Briton, but that did not stop Artoria from respecting the woman. Both did their parts to limit the effects of that horrible war on their respective peoples.
"No...No! It is worse than I thought! You do not recognize yourself! But worry not, Jeanne. I will awaken you to the truth..." Caster said in desperation, pulling out Prelati's Spellbook as his tentacled familiars began to appear in a plan to restrain her and her Master. Artoria's eyes narrowed and she prepared to charge forward into combat, but someone else was faster.
Descending from one of the rooftops surrounding the alley, a shapely redhead in a skimpy white outfit prepared to slice Caster in twain with a blade. "Get away from that child, Caster!" Only this cry alerted Caster enough for him to narrowly and clumsily evade, and familiars began to assail the woman to slow her down. Artoria wanted to rush forward and assist, but the creatures started to try to get around her to attack an understandably frightened Shirou.
"Stand fast, Master! Strike Flare!" She yelled while focusing fire Magecraft into her blade-turned-baseball bat's implementation of Invisible Air and slashing forward, a volley of fiery waves cutting and cauterizing the creatures to hinder regrowth. She showed no fear in her defense of the boy. Meanwhile, the newcomer helped to tear through the other enemy familiars. The warrior was clearly a Servant, sometimes firing at Caster and Ryuunosuke with small but rapid prana blasts from her blade when not slashing apart tentacle monsters in melee range.
Caster regarded the situation as he sacrificed some familiars to defend himself and his Master. Though he could out-number the two other Servants with familiars, the confines of the alley were a bottleneck for him. He was also more a summoner than a true 'Caster', lacking much in the way of direct offensive Magecraft. He grit his teeth at the realization that this situation was untenable. "Jeanne, worry not! We shall meet again! Forgive my impudence, but we must withdraw, Ryuunosuke."
"Huh? I guess that's fine, big guy! Let's go!" Ryuunosuke said, clearly entranced by what he was seeing. The combat and the tentacle monsters' guts were interesting to him, but he wasn't completely devoid of self-preservation in this situation. The tentacle monsters kept the fighters busy as the psychotic Master and Servant escaped. By the time the red-haired woman finished with the remainder of the familiars, the pair were gone.
"Tch..." The angered woman turned on her heel and strode toward Artoria, who still stood in defense of her Master. The redhead kept her sword out, regarding the situation with some confusion. Noting the carnage in front of Artoria and noting the presence of a Servant in her, she wasn't lowering her guard just yet.
"...I'm Berserker." The woman said, introducing herself.
This was a surprise. Lancelot was the Berserker of this war the last time around. She'd been warned of possible differences, but to find one right away like this? "Mysterious Heroine X, of the Saber Class," Artoria said in response, standing before the boy protectively. "I have no desire for the Grail. I came because this child's blood was spilled to summon that monster. My purpose is to protect, and I thank you for your assistance."
Berserker regarded the woman carefully, raising an eyebrow as she inspected her for several tense moments. "...Are you Roman?" This question was asked in a low voice as if the wrong answer would instigate a fight regardless of Artoria's intent. It wasn't Mad Enhancement but could lead to such.
"No, I am a Briton." Artoria may have sought to keep her identity secret, but to be vague or appear uncertain here would cause a needless battle that would endanger Shirou further. To hopefully prevent this, she allowed the woman a clue to her identity. Berserker unexpectedly responded by smiling warmly.
"Ah! A daughter of Britannia! Answering a summons like that to protect a child...I'm glad to see another heed such a call." The well-endowed warrior sheathed her sword and even seemed to be looking at Artoria with a fond pride of sorts, causing the disguised King of Knights further confusion. Hearing strange and labored footsteps from behind, Artoria's eyes darted in that direction and took note of a hooded man supporting himself against the wall while he approached. Artoria noted that he looked like he was on his last legs. He moved to speak, but instead coughed up blood and stumbled into a crouch. He was enduring prana exhaustion, and something within his body was not reacting well to it.
"Ah! I'm sorry, Master! When I heard Saber talking about that Servant's sins and saw the child in danger, I just couldn't help myself..." The woman went to her Master's side and lifted him up by the arm, wrapping it around her shoulders and supporting him so that he could stand.
"It's alright, Berserker...I'm glad you did." The figure said, regarding his Servant with one functional and one dead eye. The disfigured face was one of a kind but tortured man. Soon, those eyes looked to Artoria. "Saber. I'm sorry, but can you come with us to talk for a bit? I promise that I don't mean that boy any ill will. We were trying to track down that murderer. Who'd have thought that he'd become a Master..." He coughed again, though at least there was less blood this time.
"Saber?" Shirou's voice asked in confusion. That word drew her attention back to the child immediately. His wounds were healed, but a glance at those fearful golden-brown eyes meant that he was by no means fully understanding what was happening to him. Putting her weapon back on its proper place on her back, she crouched down and tenderly hugged the child.
"I'm sorry you had to endure that, Shirou..." She whispered, knowing his name even without introduction. "I know you want an explanation, but this is a dangerous time. Those were bad men who want to hurt people. I came here to protect you. Can you trust me for now? Please...my Master?" Artoria all but begged the child, hoping she wouldn't be rejected. The scared child hesitated but soon firmly hugged her back. Artoria wore a heartwarming smile as she nodded in gratitude and picked up the child without effort. The exhausted child fell asleep in her arms, not knowing why he felt so safe but yielding to slumber nonetheless.
"Very well. Thank you both for your assistance. Please, lead us to the venue of our parley."
Einzbern Castle, Germany
Germany was not a hospitable place in mid-winter, but some present would almost rather brave the elements outside than remain within the Einzbern Castle's Chapel at the moment. Jubstacheit von Einzbern, known to some as Old Man Acht, was not pleased. The tall and ancient homunculus stared down at the gray-haired six-year-old with irritation while said child looked down to the floor in fear. Thankfully, it wasn't her that drew the ire of the head of one of the most powerful Mage Families in the Moonlit World. No, that would be the irritating cube that inhabited the small lantern-like birdcage in the child's hands.
The search for the scabbard Avalon had ended in failure. Someone had secured it and spirited it away without a trace years prior. With that option gone, another catalyst capable of summoning the King of Knights was needed. Thus, the Einzberns dedicated their energies to locating the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad. What they found was...this. A meek child that was meant to serve as a replacement body for her famous relative's soul and a box with an attitude that held the Lance within. A box that refused to open and yield its contents, even temporarily.
"You think a staring contest will make me give it up? The answer's the same as it's always been! Not a chance!" Add said to the angered entity staring it down as Gray Pendragon tensely held his cage. It had been days without any progress in this regard. Add was too important to damage while it retained the Lance inside it, so threatening the sentient Mystic Code directly wasn't possible. Acht's default response would be to toss the girl it cared for out in the woods to fend for herself until Add complied, but he knew that Kiritsugu Emiya wouldn't tolerate that course of action and he needed the Magus Killer on his side for now. Rumor had it that the cult that he'd taken Gray and Add from were trying to secure allies at the Clock Tower, even attempting to provide them a catalyst better suited to fighting the King of Knights if need be in response to the theft of these two.
"...Enough of this. We have already lost too much time due to the delay. There is little choice but to use these two themselves as the catalyst. Hopefully," the man glared at the small and uncooperative cube, "we can still accomplish our goal." With this, Acht looked to Kiritsugu. "Summon the Servant now. Waste no more time."
The Magus Killer began to chant after getting into position. Light flowed from the magical circle on the floor in front of the altar as his words were given voice, increasing in intensity as the aria progressed.
Elements of Silver and Iron. Foundation of Time and the Archduke of Pacts.
The ancestor is my great master Einzbern.
A wall for descending wind. Close the four cardinal gates.
Come forth from the crown and follow the three-forked road leading from the Kingdom.
Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Fill. Let each be turned over five times, simply breaking asunder the fulfilled time.
Behold, my will creates your body and your sword my destiny!
If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer me!
I hereby swear that I shall be all the good in the World and that I shall defeat all the evil in the World.
From the Seventh Heaven, clad in three great words of power,
Come forth now, Guardian of the Scales!
A bright burst of light emerged from the magic circle that had been created and temporarily obscured all. When the light faded, an armored Knight had materialized within the circle in a kneeling position. Clad in white armor with white fur and blue fabric as accents, the figure clearly held the Lance depicted in legend. Gray stared in awe at the figure as the Knight's helmet shifted and moved until it fully retracted, revealing a blonde woman with bright green eyes.
"Manifesting as Lancer, I am Artoria Pendragon, the King of Knights. Now I ask of you..." The beautiful woman's calm and appraising eyes regarded Kiritsugu. "Are you my Master?"
"Yes. I am Kiritsugu Emiya, your Master. This is my wife, Irisviel von Einzbern." Kiritsugu gestured to his wife, who happily waved, before then gesturing to Acht. "This is her grandfather and the family head, Jubstacheit von Einzbern...and this," Kiritsugu looked over to the nervous Gray, "is Gray Pendragon, your nephew Gawain's descendant in the modern era and bearer of the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad. We rescued her from a cult while securing the Lance as your catalyst."
Lancer Artoria seemed surprised, regarding the child who stood near her in the position reserved for a catalyst. The shy and meek girl introduced herself carefully. "I-I am Gray Pendragon...It's nice to meet you...Aunt Artoria? N-no...you are meant to be my King, not my family. I beg your pardon..." The girl stammered as Lancer looked her over. Sending away her armor for more manageable blue clothing which accentuated her bust rather than hiding it, the King of Knights looked at Gray's face and saw shades of her own.
"I...did not realize any of my father's blood continued to exist in this era. You certainly have the appearance of my kin." Lancer Artoria knew this meant that Gray was Morgan's descendant as well, as the Witch was Gawain's mother, but that was no reason to hold it against the child.
"Oh, she's a Pendragon alright!" The mature blonde's eyes looked to the small cube in a cage when she heard it speak. "I was there from early on, you know! Gawain survived and received King Lot's crown with an order to take on the Pendragon name! I've been responsible for their line and Rhongomyniad ever since." Add was quite pleased to see a version of Artoria, but Gray gave a timid shudder under her distant aunt's eye.
Lancer Artoria's face did not betray her thoughts on the re-appropriation of her name. She instead spoke carefully to the child. "...Gawain was one of my strongest and most loyal. I am elated to see that his line continues to endure. It is an honor to meet you, Gray. I thank you and your line for caring for the Lance for all these centuries." Gray blushed at the praise, smiling slightly for a moment before the Servant asked the next clear question. "What is this I hear of a cult?"
Kiritsugu decided to speak when Gray's eyes looked back down to the ground at the memory. "The cult we captured her from has been trying to cultivate a body for our World's version of the King of Knights to possess so she might return to life. It is because of Gawain's regret at barring Lancelot from the final battle when he was needed most. They meant to use Gray's body for that at the cost of her soul. We were looking for the Lance as a catalyst to summon you and got lucky enough to interfere with their plot before they altered her to take on your counterpart's appearance more closely."
Lancer Artoria's eyes hardened for a moment, but she soon gave Gray a kindly smile. A gentle hand went to Gray's head. "...Worry not, child. I may not be of this particular World, but no version of me worthy of the name 'King of Knights' would desire for you to suffer or die to revive me. Live well, Gray. That is an order from your King." The child looked up at her with wide eyes before suddenly hugging the version of her aunt tightly and sobbing...her existence affirmed and permitted by the one she had previously feared the most.
Location Unknown
When Shirou Enjou opened his dream-self's eyes, one could expect him to have a nightmare given what he'd just experienced with Caster and his Master. Instead, he saw a strange place that was ever-changing and only somewhat familiar. The ground beneath his feet alternated between dry and empty soil, solid rock, water upon which he inexplicably stood, and even dead grass. The sky sometimes had the summer sun, the winter moon and stars, clouds, or a huge aurora. It couldn't even decide from one moment to the next which to display. Every time he blinked, the world changed and had distortions that he could only describe as voids where something was missing.
But the weapons sticking out of the ground never changed. Even if he only partially recognized some of them until he fought to remember, their details would return to him. One other place that never changed was a green hill in the distance from which a thin, bright, white beam of light emerged and rose unhindered into the sky. Even if this world were to be but a void, even when it was unstable or nightmarish, that place stayed the same. Feeling that hill somehow calling to him, the boy moved to investigate.
"You're not ready for that yet, kid." A voice called out from within his own flesh. Stopping to look down at his body, the boy noticed a red shroud of sorts wrapped around his left arm. Confusion racked Shirou's mind as he reached down to what he somehow knew to be the Shroud of Martin and started trying to unwrap the cloth from the limb.
"You're not ready for that either." The voice said with the cloth clinging tightly to Shirou's left arm. The left hand swatted his right away with a bit of force, leaving Shirou surprised that it was moving of its own accord. "Alright. I'm not happy about this, but it looks like we've gotten ourselves stuck in another Grail War and you're about as defenseless as a lamb surrounded by wolves. It means we need to have a little talk."
"W...who are you and why are you in my arm?" Shirou asked a reasonable question, the existence not leading with the best of topics it seems.
"Answering those questions would raise a bunch of new ones you're ready for yet. All I can say is that I'm a Guardian of sorts, and I've been here since before you were born. You just haven't had a need to talk to me until now." This confused Shirou, the man's voice seeming half amused and half annoyed. The annoyance didn't seem to be directed at him though. "This place, in case you were wondering, is your own 'inner world' of sorts. It's confusing and jumbled up right now, though. This inner world is something not many people have and it's important to keep it secret so people don't try to hurt you for it. You can tell Saber though."
"You know Saber?" Shirou asked the limb in mild surprise.
"We both know Saber. You just don't remember her yet. She's doing her best to let you remember in your own time instead of pushing too hard. You can trust her with your life because saving you is her highest priority." There was a warm thought of memory from the arm, but he followed it up with a warning. "That doesn't mean you should make her job too hard. If you get hurt, you'll make her sad and upset. So listen to her."
"O-okay." Shirou said, nervous about this whole surreal enterprise.
"Good. Now, you're going off the deep end into the world of Magecraft. I'd rather not do this, but you need to be able to protect yourself long enough for Saber to jump in if you get attacked. I'm going to give back some of your knowledge and unlock some of your power. Don't get cocky though. Just about everyone in the war can manage more than this." With those words, Shirou felt the tight shroud around his limb loosen just a little. Knowledge started to flow into his mind, and the distorted area that was his Reality Marble was just a little bit more clear to his eyes.
"Alright. That should be enough for now. It wouldn't do to kill you by letting out too much too soon." The voice said, making Shirou pale a bit as it hammered home how bad an idea to unwrap the arm fully was. "We need to get a little bit of training in before you wake up. Now, do exactly as I say..."
Fuyuki City
227 hours to Zero
Artoria was conflicted. Berserker and her Master were taking her and Shirou to the Church to be registered and get advice, though she didn't have the best track record of meeting impartial Supervisors in these wars. She held Shirou in her arms as he slept, the boy safer than any seat belt could hope to make him. Berserker drove, which made Artoria a little nervous. One of her kind shouldn't be driving regardless of Riding Skill.
"Get that trash off my road, youngbloods!" Berserker shouted out the open window, the white 1983 Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX drifting along the mountain road at a speed the small rally car should by no rights be able to attain on the uphill. The local street drift racing team was shamed by the redheaded Briton as they drove toward Fuyuki Church at top speed.
"You said you came solely to save Shirou, Saber?" The deformed man asked, trying to confirm her intentions.
"That is correct. I am certain that my presence is an anomaly in the War, but I intend to be a benign one." Artoria did not comment on the mechanisms of her arrival. She needed to appear as a regular person or a magus to those who couldn't sense her nature, and appear as a regular or harmless Servant otherwise. Of course, she still hadn't technically lied. "In any case, my intent is to protect this child and try to minimize innocent casualties in this war. I needn't obtain the Grail to accomplish that."
The man regarded the girl in the mirror behind him before glancing at Berserker. Seeing her nod as she drove, Kariya made his decision and introduced himself. "My name is Kariya Matou. I'm the Master of Berserker, who has the True Name of Boudica. I became a Master for a similar reason. To save my adopted niece, Sakura."
Artoria's eyes widened slightly at the names as the man continued. "You see, the Matou Magecraft is a nasty one. Our true family head seeks to be immortal and siphons prana from his descendants by implanting us full of worm familiars. I was to be the family figurehead but left the family in disgust, hoping my line would die out without any other capable members. But...the daughter of the woman I care for was adopted into the Matou family. The worms eating into her body have turned her into a shell of the girl she once was. She lost her family...her innocence...her chastity...maybe even her will to live. I returned to my family and endured implantation and rushed training to become just enough of a Magus to summon a Servant, so as to give our true family head the Grail. If I do, he will give Sakura back to her birth family since he can just wish for immortality and not need any of us anymore."
Boudica turned the wheel with precision, drifting around a corner at a pace that would put a professional rally racer to shame. She stayed just barely within her lane, coming within six inches of striking an oncoming car. Unlike the other driver, Boudica showed no alarm while she elected to interject her opinion. "Then the head of the family went and insisted that my Master summon a Berserker-class Servant by altering the ritual. I honestly think he wants my Master to perish from prana exhaustion before we can win. He's cruel like that. Regardless, Master's wish to protect the girl resonated with me as a mother. I am a Berserker that only has Mad Enhancement around Roman Servants and am otherwise pretty normal. It results in less drain on my Master, so I was the best fit for him."
Kariya now felt the same as Boudica did about Zouken's instructions to amend the summoning, but there was nothing that could be done about it. He continued speaking. "The murderer has been killing families for a few days and making various Magic Circles with their blood, so we decided that we'd use the time until the war started to look for and stop them. I figured that Berserker should be able to handle a mage without straining me too badly."
He gave a sigh at the recognition of his own failure to keep this from ballooning out of control, looking to the Servant in the seat behind him through the mirror. "Once we tell the Supervisor for this war everything we know, he won't have to assume that you're connected to Caster and his crimes due to the close summoning. It's his job to deal with things like this, and you and your Master need to register anyway. He can even promise sanctuary for Masters who give up their Command Seals and stay within the church. Your Master would be safe there for the duration of the war, though he might have to give you up."
The offer was sound on the surface, but Artoria was worried. She recalled that Kirei Kotomine hid in the Church and worked with the Tohsaka Master in a previous version of this war through that loophole. Entrusting Shirou to the Church if that was going on here could kill him. There was also that Artoria couldn't bring herself to trust anyone else with Shirou without her oversight. The simple feeling of not wanting to leave him was a strong contributing factor.
Shirou then snuggled a bit into Artoria's embrace and gave a shudder. That ended any thoughts of leaving in Artoria's mind.
Power sliding roughly ninety degrees into a parking space in a manner that left Artoria stunned and Shirou waking up abruptly in her arms, Berserker smiled and called out to the group in a sing-song voice. "We've arrived!"
'W-w-what?" Shirou exclaimed, surprised by the motion to a wakeful state. Finding himself in Artoria's arms, he looked to the blonde woman with a tinge of red on his cheeks.
"I am sorry about that, Master. I would have preferred to wake you more gently." Artoria said kindly while Berserker at least had the decency to look sheepish at having woken the child. The blonde Servant exited the car and set down her young Master on his feet. "We're here to talk to a priest about what just happened. Make sure to be respectful and listen carefully, Master."
The child nodded, still unsure of the situation he found himself in. He was with two women that could destroy monsters and a man that had a messed up face and a dead eye. Speaking of eyes, his own could now identify the metal baseball bat Artoria had on her back as being Excalibur, the Sword of Promised Victory and the sword the redhead wore as being the Sword of Boudica, the Sword Without Promised Victory thanks to the strange arm shroud's training.
"Bou..dica?" The boy inquired, the woman turning to him in surprise. Was the boy awake when they introduced themselves? Getting close and stooping down, the warrior Queen addressed the boy.
"Shirou...a Servant's True Name is something that should be hidden and protected. It's a weak point that can be used to figure out how to attack us. Please call me Berserker for now, alright?" The woman was kind to the child, smiling at him. Something tugged at Shirou's memory, indicating this to be very important.
"O-oh! I'm sorry, Berserker-nee..." The boy said, looking apologetic. The widening smile Boudica wore was all the warning Shirou got before he was embraced by the busty redheaded woman. Artoria tensed up a bit on seeing it but stilled her tongue.
"Aww, that's okay Shirou! This Onee-san forgives you~" Berserker adopted the foreign honorific for 'big sister' eagerly as she hugged the child. Shirou was at least not being smothered, the woman familiar with hugging children of her own safely. It was a little bit like watching a more restrained Taiga though. Artoria wasn't sure how she felt about that.
The King of Knights opened the large, creaking church doors. This served to interrupt the fawning and attract attention back to the mission at hand. The group of four entered and looked around, the room already one that was seared into Artoria's memory. Her ears picked up a sound of movement and her attention turned to a doorway further back in the church. An elderly man entered the room of worship, regarding the group with a bit of confusion. It was not considered acceptable for a Master and Servant to show up after their initial registration unless the Master was seeking asylum. However, the blood-stained child who bore Command Seals gave Father Risei Kotomine pause in delivering any form of rebuke.
"As visitors to this House of God, I welcome you. Does this child need care?" The man inquired. Even if injuries were supposed to happen in this war and he was to be neutral on the surface, an injured child was hardly something he could ignore in the name of impartiality.
Kariya elected to speak to clarify the situation. "No, Saber managed to heal his wounds before we arrived. It is related to why we're here though. There's an emergency. Berserker and I were hunting that serial killer who has been making Magic Circles with their victims' blood. He attacked this child in an alley about an hour ago, made a Magic Circle with his blood, and summoned a Caster with it." This made father Kotomine's eyes widen. He knew that Caster was summoned, but he didn't realize that something as dangerous as a murderer was responsible. It was then that the blonde in blue stepped forward.
"I am Saber," the woman introduced herself with a bearing her attire contrasted with, "and I managed to intrude upon the summon and recognize the child as my Master. I have no wish for the Grail, but I had to intercede. Thankfully, I was able to come to his aid. Berserker and her Master assisted promptly, but Caster was able to escape with his Master. Now we have been brought here to meet with you to determine how to proceed. I have information on the identities of both Caster and his Master as well."
All eyes turned to Artoria as she mentioned that last detail and she continued. "When Caster asked who his Master was, the man introduced himself as Ryuunosuke Uryuu, a man who does odd jobs and enjoys the murder of children and young women. As for Caster...his mistaking me for Jeanne d'Arc and obsessing over me, when combined with the unique spellbook he held, point to his being the Bluebeard aspect of Gilles de Rais." Artoria knew who he was from her previous round in the Fourth Holy Grail War, but she felt they had enough clues for her to justify giving away the information now.
"I see. You manifested to save this child's life rather than for any desire for the Grail. These two sought to combat the man killing innocent people and were able to assist. Though Caster and their Master escaped, you were able to ascertain both of their identities..." Given the situation, it was as good as could be hoped for without a conclusive victory. "Does the child even know about the Grail or the nature of the Moonlit World?" Father Kotomine inquired, unsure.
"I have told him nothing yet, Father, but I can feel our connection strongly enough. He certainly has Magic Circuits." Artoria knew that this Shirou had no knowledge of Magecraft unless his memories were awakened, but it was best to avoid revealing details. Artoria did not need to take power from Shirou because the modifications to the scabbard Avalon drew prana directly from the land of Avalon, but she knew him to have twenty-seven Magic Circuits at his disposal from the Fifth Grail War. She still felt the connection, even if she didn't take from it.
Risei stepped forward and knelt down, putting his hands on the boy's shoulders. "I am Father Risei Kotomine, the priest of this church. Who might you be, child? Do your parents know where you are right now?"
Shirou tilted his head but seemed to be calm enough to respond to the man. "I'm Shirou Enjou, and I never knew my parents. I'm sure everyone's worried, though. I was coming back to the orphanage from tutoring a classmate when..." Shirou's expression shifted a bit as he remembered the incident, and the elderly man noticed.
"God bless you, child. You have endured something no one should have to experience in life. We will work to make sure those two don't continue hurting others. Be grateful to your Servant as she protects you." Risei conveyed softly. It took Kariya a moment before he picked up on the implications of what the priest said.
"I am not insisting one way or the other here, but you never even offered Shirou the Church's protection. I'm surprised." Kariya noted, finding that strange. Risei looked to Kariya, pondering the best way to manage this situation. Kirei needed to be the lone entity receiving protection once their stage of the plan was in play. Fortunately, there was a very good reason not to extend the traditional offer to Shirou.
The group listened very carefully as Risei began to explain. "My extending protection would demand that I take Shirou's Command Seals, and Saber would no longer have a Master. She would likely disappear after this, given that all the Masters in the war still have Servants and are unlikely to be able to readily sustain two. If Caster is indeed the insane and murderous aspect of Gilles de Rais and thinks Saber to be Jeanne d'Arc, then he will be looking for Saber. And if he doesn't find her, he may try to draw her in with something she could not ignore..."
Kariya's skin crawled, and not from the worms underneath. "...Bluebeard was famous for the murder of children, and his Master is obviously on board with that."
Risei nodded. "I am sorry. The traditional offer of asylum may cause more harm than good, especially since neither the Master nor Servant desire the Grail to begin with. As much as it pains me...we need Saber to remain if not as bait, then at least as a possible outlet with which to direct his madness away from the innocent."
"And leave Shirou as a target? What kind of solution allows that?" Kariya was getting angry, and Berserker wasn't much of a fan of the idea either. Artoria was calmer, seeing the logic in the problem...though she had her suspicions regarding Risei's true motives. It was a dangerous type of calm that was lucid enough to give the man a chance to explain or enough rope to hang himself before she acted.
"I never said he wouldn't receive protection. Only that it couldn't be the traditional measure." Risei elaborated. "I can ask the Masters to deal with Caster and offer a Command Seal to the Master/Servant pair that finishes him. As Saber has value in manipulating Caster, I can also justify punishing anyone who attacks them in that time with particularly harsh measures unless attacked first. That at least buys us time to figure out a longer-term solution. I can even stretch the rules and let you all stay the night since you came to report on an emergency and try to plan its resolution. Both Masters are likely exhausted, for different reasons." Indeed, Shirou was simply a child and Kariya was not the picture of good health. Shirou couldn't help but yawn, emphasizing this fact. Artoria took note and had little choice but to agree.
"...I will be staying with Shirou in physical form tonight so that he feels safe. We will explain things like the Grail War and Spirit Form tomorrow. Also, I feel we owe Kariya a boon for his aid." Artoria's words confused Kariya and Berserker slightly, as the blonde in the baseball cap approached the man. "May I?" She inquired.
Kariya seemed a bit confused, not knowing what Artoria intended, but decided to acquiesce with a nod. Artoria then gently put a hand on his chest. Particles that comprised the Grail-made copy of Avalon within the body that was Mysterious Heroine X flowed through her arm and into the man with a golden glow. The first thing he noticed was that his breathing came more easily. Then he felt his leg and arm shift, twisting back into their natural positions and muscle regrowing through his body without added pain. Finally, his blinded eye began to see again. The white hair caused by the stress he'd undergone remained, but Kariya Matou was otherwise whole once more.
Withdrawing the particles of Avalon from Kariya's body and back into her own, the woman exhaled slightly and removed her hand from his chest. This was the most efficient way she knew to heal him swiftly, even after studying healing magic. "This is not likely to be permanent. The worms within you will resume eating your flesh once taxed. I can only hope that I've bought you time and perhaps a peaceful night's rest."
Kariya took a moment to process this and inspect his now functional body before smiling naturally for the first time in a good while. "I'm grateful, Saber. I haven't slept peacefully in a year. It will be a nice change of pace."
With that, the temporary allies were led into a simple guest room with a pair of beds. Kariya claimed one bed with a vigilant Boudica maintaining Spirit Form, while Artoria got in the other bed with Shirou and held him in her safe embrace. Watched over by their Servants, the Masters would fall into a deep sleep. One dreampt of swords and the training regimen of his shrouded left arm, the other of a woman beyond his reach and a family impossible for him to attain.
Einzbern Castle
221 hours to Zero
In the Einzbern Castle in Germany, Artoria Pendragon of the Lancer class stood at the window and observed the scene outside in the snow. Kiritsugu's daughter Illyasviel was competing with Gray to see who could find more chestnut buds on trees, while Kiritsugu watched them with a smile. The King of Knights felt uneasy about multiple things even as her Master's wife prepared some tea. While not necessary for a Servant, it was still appreciated.
"What has your attention out there, Lancer?" Irisviel von Einzbern inquired of her husband's Servant.
"It's interesting. Your daughter is playing with Gray outside while Kiritsugu watches over them. I was under the impression that your husband was a far colder man than this." The King of Knights stated.
"Well, I can see why you might think that. After all, we must avoid showing weakness in the presence of Grandfather. Kiritsugu also tends to harden his heart to avoid being hurt again. If Kiritsugu is to open himself to you, it will take time." Lancer Artoria understood her meaning. The man who was leading this effort, Jubstacheit von Einzbern, wanted to reclaim a True Magic that would crystallize the very souls of humanity. It seemed to align with Merlin's prediction of the distant future, but Lancer Artoria had to wonder if mankind was ready for such a thing. No, saving the world by stopping warfare and strife seemed a more prudent goal. Otherwise, the future of man could remain filled with malice and deception even after their salvation. Stopping the violence was a secret wish amongst the group which Irisviel had inherited from Kiritsugu of all people. If that was his true dream, then his hardened heart might yet have a noble core.
"I am not as able to comprehend the human heart as I once was...but if that is Kiritsugu's true self, then I am afraid I must have gravely offended him when we first met." Lancer Artoria stated, trying to reconcile what she'd seen with what she knew. Strangely, Irisviel gave a light laugh to the blonde's mild irritation. "Irisviel, you needn't laugh at me."
The white-haired woman ceased, though her gentle smile did not abate. "I'm sorry. I was still wondering if you were concerned with our reactions."
The Once and Future King put her hand on her hip and looked to the side. "Yes, somewhat. It is true that I pretended to be a man during my original life, but there was no need for you both to be so shocked when you saw me."
"I'm so sorry," Irisviel said as she had a seat at a table after serving the tea, "but we just couldn't help it. It's not so much that you were a woman though. There has long been speculation as to your gender. King Arthur, or Saint Artoria Pendragon, has appeared at several points throughout history. It was more your response to Gray. You were so kind..." Irisviel had to pause and parse this carefully so as not to offend, but it still drew a measure of surprise from Lancer Artoria. "...we think no less of you or your abilities, Lancer, but I must question if you are truly incompatible with the human heart if you are capable of being so maternal to a child."
"...I am considered a Saint?" Lancer Artoria inquired after a moment of hesitation, choosing not to delve into the other matter any further. The Lance's transforming her into an inhuman being was an uncomfortable topic. Say what Lancer Artoria would of her, Morgan had been wise to contain the Lance within Add to protect its guardians from being transformed by it while also sustaining the Lance's Mystery.
"Why, yes! You were canonized long ago for your interventions on behalf of your nation and the defense of the innocent, even after your time had passed. Of course, they are suspected to be summonings of sorts." Irisviel had smiled in explaining, but her smile faded with the next topic. "Regarding Gray, I'm thankful that you have treated her kindly. She has suffered greatly and has not even realized its weight. My family's kidnapping her to use the Lance as a catalyst was a misdeed, but I hope she can have a better future than simply being overwritten."
Lancer Artoria smiled slightly, agreeing. "If she is treated kindly and gets to live her life, it is a trespass I can be thankful for." With that business concluded, the two women enjoyed their tea and watched the next generation at play. Both knew that it was something to savor while it lasted.
November 19, 1994
Fuyuki Church
217 hours to Zero
Shirou started to awaken after exploring his inner world at the behest of his left arm. He had visited various swords which he was directed to, though only blades 'Rank C and below' as the arm called them. He couldn't handle stronger ones yet. Shirou didn't fully understand why, but the information felt familiar to him at the very least. He attempted to move his body on waking but found himself comfortable and restrained. His eyes opened and he realized he was being held by someone.
"...You've awoken, Master." Saber said gently as a statement rather than a question. It was not yet dawn, but Shirou could somehow still see her clearly. Far more clearly than he should be able. A nod was what greeted her, more felt against her body than seen, before she continued to speak. "You spoke a little in your sleep...what were you dreaming about?"
Saber had her suspicions, but when Shirou said "a world of swords", she briefly tensed at the confirmation.
"I see...what sort of place was it?" She asked, concern in her voice.
"...It's weird. It changes every time I blink. The swords always stay, and so does a green hill with a beam of light in the distance. And my left arm talks to me. It's wrapped in a shroud and tells me things I forgot." Artoria's eyes widened slightly, not understanding what this last part meant. Was his memory trying to reconstruct itself this early? "But only a little at a time. I can't handle it all yet. He says to trust you though. That we know you..." Artoria held Shirou more firmly, this statement serving as a final confirmation.
His heart knew her. Her Shirou was really in there. Centuries of worry were lifted from her own heart as she quietly cried. He saw tears run down her smiling face as she whispered and embraced him more firmly. "You're alive...thank God you're really alive..."
Shirou felt confusion and a very strange sense of deja vu, at least before concern kicked in. "S-Saber?" That name snapped her out of it, eyes widening before she let go of the boy and sat up. She wiped the tears from her eyes and gave a radiant smile.
"Let us see what we can secure for breakfast, Master!" She said, soon drawing a smile from the boy. Artoria loved good food and Shirou loved cooking, so it was often a great way to bond. Indeed, it was all Artoria could do to call Shirou 'Master' instead of using his name. Even now, she regularly slipped up.
Lady Francis was right. She had to be careful not to get attached to him in the wrong way if she wanted to have him as her consort later in his life.
Leaving the room, they already noted that Boudica had commandeered the kitchen and a yawning Kariya was sitting at the table. For once, the man didn't feel a need to cover his face with a hood. He gave a casual wave to Shirou and Artoria, which Shirou returned. The boy then went to check on Boudica while Artoria sat near Kariya.
"Not even six in the morning yet...I'm surprised the kid's so active." Kariya noted.
Artoria responded with a smile. "Rising with the dawn is typically a virtue, though I suppose the fact that most of our combat will take place at night may make that difficult to sustain." The woman sat with a measure of casual poise as she watched Shirou assist Boudica with the cooking implements.
"So this 'stove' replaces the hearth, and twisting this disc controls the level of heat? Amazing! The modern world is incredible! But...where do we put the firewood?" Boudica asked as Shirou gave her a lesson in how the kitchen was used. Even the dated stove in the church was a marvel to her. It seemed that the Grail did not include cooking lessons in its information download.
"Ah, this one doesn't use wood. It uses electricity..." Shirou noted the Warrior Queen's confused expression and pondered how to explain it.
Artoria elected to chime in. "The modern world uses artificial leylines empowered by lightning for power and communication and connects dwellings to them. The black ropes that are elevated by wooden poles in the city are such leylines. They are dangerous to touch, however."
"A-ah! So we don't have to provide fuel? Amazing! Shirou! Saber! With your knowledge and my recipe, we will make fine galette for breakfast!" Shirou was excited to hear about this. A new type of food?
"What is galette? Can you teach me how to make it, Berserker-nee?" Shirou asked, eyes shining. The motherly redhead smiled at the eagerness the child showed to learn. It reminded her of teaching her daughters, and Shirou's red hair helped with the image.
"Of course! I haven't been able to hunt for game to include meat, but galette can be made from almost anything!" With that, the woman showed him how to make what was essentially an open-topped pie with just about any filling desired. Boudica was impressed with the refrigerator and pleased to find bacon and eggs within, which she used as filling for the breakfast. Apples were also served on the side. "Here you all go! Enjoy!"
Shirou had taken full note of the recipe and smiled. "Ah, it's like a British Okonomiyaki!" Boudica was a bit confused, but Shirou elaborated as he helped serve the meal. "Ah, it's like this, but it uses batter instead of dough. Ingredients are mixed in before it's cooked. I'll have to make it for you sometime, Berserker-nee!" The child gave a toothy smile, which Boudica returned.
"Ah, that smells nice..." Father Risei Kotomine said as he walked into the kitchen's small eating area. Berserker had made the man a plate, recognizing the eighty-year-old man as an elder even if his faith was not one that she shared. They enjoyed a peaceful breakfast with nice conversation, a rarity in such a war. Risei considered the peace a blessing and was glad that not all of the people in this war were after dangerous objectives. Of course, topics would shift a bit in time and Artoria decided to speak with care...
"Father Risei, would it be possible to conceal my and my Master's identities for the time being? I chose this disguise explicitly to blend into this era. As we do not desire the Grail, it should not be improper for us to maintain the protection of anonymity." Artoria inquired, and the man pondered for a time. He gave a sigh and shook his head.
"We've not determined what the child desires, and I am not sure if the boy can make such a decision for himself. You are bound to abide by him though. The main problem is that the Second Owner, Tokiomi Tohsaka, is obliged to be informed of mages living in his lands without permission. The fact the child is a young orphan who has been unnoticed for acceptable reasons and has not made a Workshop means he is very likely to be permitted. Tokiomi is not a cruel man, fortunately. He even has a daughter the same age as the boy." There it was. Risei Kotomine was indeed working with Tokiomi Tohsaka in this world. Sadly, he had come up with a completely justifiable reason for involving Tokiomi in matters.
"Father..." Artoria said, before hesitating a bit. "I am aware that in a certain Parallel World, the Grail was irrevocably corrupted to where it would grant any wish in as destructive a manner as possible. I also want to verify that this is not an era borne of such a timeline." Everyone stopped eating and looked at Artoria with concern and surprise.
"Corrupted? How might this have happened and how do you remember this?" Risei asked, his complete and undivided attention upon the girl.
"I recall because the circumstances of my summoning are unusual. The Einzberns attempted to summon a Servant that would give them an advantage in the war." The priest tensed at the thought, but Artoria continued. "In an effort to gain an easier victory, they summoned Angra Mainyu, also known as All the World's Evil. After his loss, he remained trapped in the Greater Grail and corrupted it. Any wish cast is now granted in the most destructive manner possible. It also allowed more malicious Heroic Spirits, such as Caster's Bluebeard aspect, to manifest where they previously could not."
Father Kotomine thought for a time, reflecting on the situation. "Hn...if he had no entry in the Throne of Heroes to begin with, he might have been trapped in the Grail with nowhere to return to. I will contact the Einzberns through Tokiomi as well, as I am not an authority on the inner workings of the Grail. Kariya, have you any input?"
Kariya shook his head but wore clear concern. "Grandfather didn't educate me on the events of previous wars or the workings of the Grail. I just got the bare minimum amount of training. If this is true, though...I can't really imagine the upper limit of how bad things could be." Artoria felt like there was something that Risei wasn't telling her. He was the Supervisor, was he not? Surely he should already be aware of the history of the War...or did Angra Mainyu fall so quickly that his participation wasn't recorded?
"Well, I will have to call Tokiomi over to handle this before we hold a formal meeting with the Masters to announce Caster's outlaw status. Most will likely send familiars, but Tokiomi will have to tend to this in person." Risei made his decision, and Artoria's concern grew. It was clear that they weren't getting out of this without Tokiomi Tohsaka being informed of the matter. The sound reasons Risei came up with were also ones against which she couldn't argue without tipping her own hand or risking Shirou's protection.
She could only hope that she'd be able to shield Shirou from what was coming...
213 hours to Zero
Breakfast had passed a few hours ago, and the two Masters were showered and waiting. Kariya had spare clothing for himself in the car, but Shirou's own clothes had to be cleaned and repaired by Saber's Magecraft before he put them back on. Thankfully, the boy didn't have the aversion to bathing that some other children might. Shirou was responsible even as a young boy. For the moment, he sat in a pew and read from the Bible. Artoria wasn't sure if he was a Christian in his previous life, but the girl could only be pleased if he was or if he were to convert to it this time around. There was nothing in her knowledge of the Root that disproved her faith in the God of Abraham, unlike how a number of other forms of divinity had long been obsolesced. As such, she chose to keep believing and hoped that her consort-to-be would share her faith.
The nine o'clock hour soon neared and the doors to the church opened. In strode a man who wore a blood-red suit and had a perfectly shaped goatee. His poise was notable and he walked with a straight back and purpose, the cane in his hand either ornamental or more likely a weapon. He took note of Kariya's presence and narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, but maintained a courteous smile. "Father Kotomine. I received your urgent summons..." The man said, curious as to the meaning of this meeting.
"Yes, please forgive the unusual situation, but this matter is important in your capacities as a Master and as a Second Owner. Allow me to introduce Shirou Enjou and his Servant, Saber." This surprised the well-dressed man, who regarded Shirou as he closed his Bible and looked back with a nervous expression. "Shirou was the victim of a violent assault in which the serial killer used his blood for a Magic Circle to summon Caster. To preserve his life, Saber also manifested in the circle and was assisted in fighting off Caster by Berserker and her Master, Kariya Matou. They all then came here last night to relay the details to me. Saber is the second of her class in this War."
"So the serial murderer in town is a Magus?" Tokiomi's poise did not drop, but the information was concerning.
"Or at least someone with information on Formalcraft." Risei clarified. Magic Circles used in Formalcraft did not strictly require a caster's Magic Circuits as much as the ambient prana of the World. "Fortunately, Saber managed to overhear the name of Caster's Master, as well as determine Caster's likely identity. The man is a freeter named Ryuunosuke Uryuu, and Caster appears to be the Bluebeard aspect of Gilles de Rais. He is under the belief that Saber is Jeanne d'Arc, which she denies."
"I see...and why deny being Jeanne d'Arc, Saber? If you are not really her, then it is to your advantage to obfuscate your identity with the rumor." Tokiomi looked to the woman with suspicion, thinking she may just be the famous Saint under those modern clothes.
Artoria's eyes looked to him with slight irritation at his insinuation, but she responded calmly. "I have no issues concealing my True Name, but to claim the accomplishments of another by employing their identity would be disrespectful. I am not Jeanne d'Arc and will not abuse her name or reputation. I claim the name Mysterious Heroine X of the Saber class. Nothing more."
Tokiomi seemed to be satisfied with this for now and regarded the child. "...And are you of the Moonlit World? Who are your parents?" The man asked of Shirou, who hesitated.
"...Um...I was orphaned in a car accident, Mister Tohsaka. It made me be born early. I have the family name Enjou, but if you mean this Magecraft stuff...I didn't even know about it until all this started. I've had some weird dreams since then talking about it, but I don't know what's happening. Well, except that Saber is here to protect me and Berserker-nee and everyone else is nice too..."
After Shirou finished speaking, Tokiomi looked to Artoria a moment and his eyes widened slightly in surprise. "I see...your specifications don't seem to be as weak as a more recent Servant's could be. They're formidable enough to defend your Master against most opponents. I doubt your modern attire reflects your true nature." Tokiomi said, probing slightly. He'd used a Master's ability to analyze a Servant's statistics and she showed capabilities suitable for a top-tier example of the Saber class.
"...Mister Tohsaka, are you claiming that I am advanced in age?" Artoria asked, not as vehement about the clear trespass as other women but noting the implication nonetheless. It was enough to make him figuratively backpedal a bit, the man adjusting his grip on his cane ever so slightly.
"I am merely speculating to myself. Few modern Heroic Spirits have such power, is all. Might I ask what you wish of the Grail?" Tokiomi regarded the woman before him in a wary but polite manner which Artoria was familiar with from her own Court.
"I have no desire for the Grail." This statement surprised Tokiomi, but Artoria continued. "At one time, I did have such desires. However, after competing in several Grail Wars across Parallel Worlds and retaining my memories from them, I made peace with my fate and my desire for the Grail faded. No, I've manifested this time specifically to save Shirou and, hopefully, to prevent needless deaths in this War while I am here. If this is a Parallel World where the Grail has been corrupted, then it is all the more important that I am here."
"Corrupted?" Tokiomi inquired, his face taking on a stern expression.
It was Risei who spoke this time to respond. "Saber has memories of a world where the Einzberns summoned an entity known as Angra Mainyu during one of the wars. He corrupted its wish-granting aspect to be as destructive as possible and also permitted more malevolent Heroic Spirits such as Caster to be summoned. She wishes to verify that something similar hasn't happened in this timeline. My own knowledge of the Grail's workings is limited, but if this Servant couldn't return to the Throne of Heroes because it never came from there in the first place and became trapped in the Grail as a result...it might be possible. I was hoping we could make contact with the Einzberns and verify or disprove this information."
"Of course..." Tokiomi said, trying to parse this information. He and Risei were both aware of the Einzberns' penchant for underhanded tactics, something they'd proven during the Third Holy Grail War with their deviant summon. To cause a panic prematurely without the Einzberns checking on the status of the Grail first would only plunge the war into chaos early. As such, they both knew to neither feed nor dismiss the rumor recklessly.
"In any case, I intend to prioritize the defeat of Caster and his Master and award a Command Seal to the one responsible. The crux of the matter is that we need to determine the child's intentions. Removing his seals, however, isn't prudent while Caster is obsessing over Saber. Her vanishing may drive Caster to desperation or rage. It also means that I cannot harbor the child by the rules either way." Artoria and Tokiomi both knew that this was a convenient loophole for the Church so that Shirou wouldn't be present to happen upon Kirei abusing his sanctuary later in the war. Politics were a displeasing chore in any era. Artoria wanted nothing more than to call them out on their deception, but couldn't do so without revealing too much of her own insight and sabotaging Shirou's already precarious position.
Tokiomi was already considering various possibilities. However, the man knew that nothing could pan out as long as he knew so little about the child that was in front of him. He looked to the boy next to Saber and spoke. "So, Shirou. What are your intentions now regarding the war? Have you been told what it is?"
Shirou pondered the matter, not really sure how to respond. "I've been told it's a war to grant a wish...but I don't really have any wishes. I mean, I don't want to take Mom and Dad away from Heaven just because I'm greedy. Saber says that even if the Grail isn't the dangerous one she knows, my wish can still mess with other peoples' lives. Mister Matou's wish to save that Sakura girl is probably better than anything I can come up with anyway. It's never wrong to save someone. I don't understand how the Holy Grail came to Fuyuki though. Isn't that supposed to be in Israel or something?" Tokiomi was briefly surprised by the mention of his daughter to where Risei was forced to field the question.
"This isn't the actual Holy Grail," Risei said, clarifying the matter. "It simply carries the name. The Church uses the excuse that it carries such a name to oversee the Holy Grail War so that things don't get out of hand...though they still often do anyway."
Walking to a table, Risei picked up a golden cup before heading back over to Shirou and presenting it to him. "This is the 724th Grail, the 'Lesser Grail' from the Third Holy Grail War sixty years ago. It's simply an energy container rather than a relic."
"Why's it cracked?" Shirou inquired, noting several large cracks that blemished the golden cup's beauty.
"The Third Holy Grail War was violent to where the cup was damaged and there was no true victor. We pieced it back together, but it is non-functional..." Risei's words tapered off as he and Tokiomi noted the look on the boy's face. It was unfocused as if Shirou was looking through the Grail to something beyond. Artoria saw it as well and heard something she never expected to hear from the child this early.
"...Trace...On..."
The boy, vaguely remembering years of fixing broken objects by way of this power, actively tapped into his Magecraft. After he whispered that one-line aria, Shirou's eyes widened and they glowed with an intense yellow light, which shifted to gold closer to his pupils. The strain made him groan and shudder as he was suddenly forced to process copious amounts of information on the Grail before him. Within seconds, his eyes drooped and he dropped the Third War's Lesser Grail. It was just barely caught by Risei while Artoria kept Shirou from falling to the floor.
"Shirou? Shirou!" The alarmed woman tried to rouse the unresponsive child, his eyes closing as he lost consciousness.
"Mystic Eyes..." Tokiomi uttered, having not expected this development.
Shirou's Reality Marble
A golden cup manifested in the realm, initially bearing damage in the form of cracks. However, these cracks quickly vanished and left an unmarred Lesser Grail amongst the forest of swords. The cup was an item that was not like the others in its company, surrounded by implements of war and combat. It was an existence that should not have been possible. A lone figure with tanned skin and white hair regarded the cup warily as aqua lines glowed on the ground around it, his red coat billowing slightly in the wind created by the formation of the object.
"...Well this can't be good," EMIYA uttered to an empty world.
ATTACK DATA:
Strike Flare: Flame of the Red Dragon
Rank: E-B
Built upon principles similar to Strike Air, this technique employs the Fire Element by igniting the Bounded Field, Invisible Air. She can then release the flames at her enemies in a single, powerful burst. This version of Artoria, who has had extensive training in Magecraft from Merlin, can recharge the Bounded Field after firing and use the attack consecutively if desired. Recharge time is ten seconds between uses for full power, provided she is not interrupted and forced to defend herself instead. Weaker strikes take less time to charge.
Due to her training, Artoria can more precisely control the direction and shape of the force she employs. This allows her to use it as a fiery hammer, a single huge cutting edge, or a large number of smaller cutting edges. As the strikes cauterize the wounds they make, they are useful for hindering foes with regenerative capabilities. It can also be used to create firebreaks to box in an enemy.
It is also possible to place the bounded field on things other than the sword and ignite it with this technique, having effects varying from protecting a target with a wall of flames on its exterior to incinerating everything inside the Bounded Field's interior.