Chapter 05: Consolidations
November 20, 1994
Einzbern Castle, Germany
191 hours and 36 minutes to Zero
Kiritsugu rolled his shoulders a bit after adjusting the final magic circle in the castle that controlled the others across the property. It was complete. The Magus Killer had managed to alter the Bounded Field around the Einzbern Forest Area to be resistant to most mental attacks, though not without leaving a few carefully hidden holes and vulnerabilities for those who knew exactly where to look. These holes wouldn't be detectable from the main interface due to how they were placed. Kiritsugu had hoped to be able to place more explosives and take certain other measures, but he'd only been able to place a few carefully positioned charges in the time he had.
*RIIIIING-RIIIIING-RIIIIING*
Irisviel bore a startled expression as she looked through her purse and pulled out a brick of a cell phone, looking it over gingerly in her confusion. The overwhelmed woman started to panic slightly, offering the device in her hands to her husband to deal with. "K-Kiritsugu, I...I don't know how to use this!"
Kiritsugu and Lancer Artoria couldn't help but find the flustered action endearing. The man smiled briefly as he accepted the offered device from his wife. His mood returned to its typical stoic expression as he pressed a button and answered the call in German. "This is an unlisted number. How did you find it and what is your business?"
The male voice responded in Japanese and was curt and to the point. "This is an unknown Servant in the War, Kiritsugu Emiya. One with an important piece of information for you. As for how I got this number, Magecraft was involved."
Kiritsugu's eyes narrowed slightly. A Servant calling on the phone? That was unusual. Most didn't employ such technology, did they? There was also the fact that they called him specifically, implying that they knew he was the Einzbern Master instead of Irisviel. "What information could you possibly have for me, and at what cost? I doubt it's free."
"Then you'd be wrong. I feel obligated to warn you about your daughter's fate if things don't change." The voice conveyed its intentions and Kiritsugu's expression darkened further, but the caller continued. "I fought in the Fifth Holy Grail War of 2004 as a Counter Guardian and retain my memories from that war. Illya served as the Lesser Grail. You had tried to save her from that fate but the Bounded Fields around the Einzbern Castle kept you away from Illya until you finally died five years from now due to a potent curse. She was raised believing you had abandoned her. Take measures now to save Illya from a hostile Einzbern Family immediately after the War ends. Set up explosives, weaken the Bounded Field ahead of time, call in favors, do whatever you and Saber have to do before you leave for Japan. The best-case scenario, if you don't do so, is that Illya's life expectancy will be shortened to nineteen if they finish modifying her into a Lesser Grail for the next War."
This information was processed by Kiritsugu carefully. A Counter Guardian was only called in for threats to humanity, and Illya was to be at the heart of such an event. It also implied that this Servant was summoned to a similar capacity for this war. Everything this man said lined up with his new memories as well. Something that was telling, however, was that he assumed Saber to be the Einzbern Servant right now. Kiritsugu spoke after an extended pause, stifling his emotions in favor of getting what information he could before they had to hang up the phone and leave for their flight. "How did the Fifth Grail War happen in 2004? That's fifty years too early." Those words made Irisviel's eyes widen in mild surprise. She would not be as calm right now if she could hear both sides of the conversation.
"The Grail was corrupted and became a threat to humanity. You realized it at the end of the Fourth War. When you had Saber destroy the Lesser Grail to interrupt the manifestation of the corrupted Greater Grail, it was a temporary solution that blocked off all but a sixth of its energy from releasing. Only ten years' worth of energy needed to be recovered before it started all over again." Kiritsugu's eyes widened almost imperceptibly at this revelation from the unknown Servant. When presented to him in that manner, it was blatantly obvious. The energy he kept from pouring out into the world didn't just go away.
This couldn't be ignored. The Servant clearly had knowledge he didn't. Was he the one who sent the dream? Was this an effort at manipulation with false memories? Kiritsugu decided to carefully test this. "The measures you've requested have already been put in place," Kiritsugu confirmed. There was a soft but surprised monosyllabic utterance on the other end that confirmed Kiritsugu's suspicions. This man didn't expect him to already be aware. Another party was involved then?
"I see...so things have already changed enough for you to notice that much. Good. I'll be seeing you later on, then." With a click, the mysterious man hung up.
Rooftops
Fuyuki, Japan
191 hours and 32 minutes to Zero
EMIYA turned the device off, impressed at the projection of Artoria's smartphone. It wasn't something that would have been so easy for him to create without tapping into Shirou's Reality Marble rather than his own. Shirou's dreams also allowed for the tracing of Irisviel's old phone and with it her telephone number. It all meant that the Reality Marble that Shirou employed was different from the one he used. No less capable, but even more versatile. He had to begrudgingly admit that Merlin knew what he was doing.
When EMIYA cut off his arm for it to be transplanted onto Shirou, he never expected to be sucked into a gestalt of Shirou's souls in a single body. EMIYA was a mix of three distinct instances of himself, anchored to Shirou by way of that left arm but still separate enough to maintain a distinct consciousness and his own Reality Marble. All while still able to tap into that of Shirou's to a degree. He wasn't given a choice in the matter, though. By the time he was conscious, he was tied to an unborn child's soul with the expectation of being some sort of limiter or teacher for his reincarnated younger self.
"'Waste not, want not', Merlin? Whatever happened to consent before shady spiritual surgeries..." The ex-Counter Guardian gave a sigh on recalling the situation. Still, he'd recently had a few strokes of luck.
Shirou had traced the Lesser Grail and integrated it into his Reality Marble. With that reference, remembering Merlin's ramblings over the years about Plan S, and Shirou's innate Tracing and Projection abilities, EMIYA was able to cobble together a way to manifest himself in a manner similar to how Artoria had - using his soul within Shirou's Reality Marble in place of a Saint Graph from the Throne of Heroes. The difference? He used Shirou's advanced form of Projection to manifest himself rather than the degraded Heaven's Feel. It was something he was far more familiar with, was far more energy-efficient for him to use, and was not tied to the Greater Grail's function. If he perished, he could resummon himself at any time so long as Shirou lived and had the energy.
Forget Merlin's plan for him to be nothing more than a voice in his younger self's head. EMIYA was back. The only caveat was that his younger self had to be kept from throwing his life away like an idiot. Shirou's sleep training would have to continue.
Furthermore, the ability to use Carnwennan granted him Presence Concealment and the chance to move in and out of the Tohsaka Mansion without tripping the Bounded Fields. It was nice to be able to move about without Alaya compelling him to act. Even tethered to the brat, he now had more freedom than before.
A quick shift into Spirit Form allowed him to descend from the rooftop to an alley on the ground level, before returning to a physical form and stepping out into the crowds proper. Though his white hair and dark skin were sticking out notably, he had at the very least raided Ryuunosuke Uryuu's home of money and used some of it to purchase some suitable clothing. He had pondered getting a pair of sunglasses to go with his black dress pants and white shirt but decided against it.
He began his patrol, searching for Caster or his Master to make sure they or their familiars didn't try to assault more students who were en route to school.
Einzbern Castle, Germany
191 hours and 21 minutes to Zero
"Now, remember to floss when you brush your teeth. Use actual floss, though. I don't want you to lose any baby teeth while trying to automate the process with your hair again. Engel Note isn't meant for that." Irisviel fussed over her daughter before they left, hugging the child. It was to be expected. This was probably the last time the two would ever see each other. "Be good, Illya. Remember that I love you, and will never truly be gone so long as I am in your heart." Illya hugged her mother and father, clinging together tightly before their planned parting. One of Illya's Engel Note-based familiars made from her hair, a wireframe bird called Storch Ritter, observed from within its perch on the back of the chair at Illya's desk.
"I'll be back for you, Illya. So be a good girl and wait for me, okay? I haven't forgotten that it's your birthday today, but we'll have to celebrate it after the War. Your grandfather isn't giving us enough time for anything else." Kiritsugu smiled at the girl, regretting that Jubstacheit had worked them so much over the last month that they hadn't had time for an early birthday party of any kind. Playing with Illya and Gray for a bit yesterday was the best he could do. Kiritsugu knew it was risky to make such a promise with what he now knew, but it wasn't something he intended to give up on. Even if he were cursed all over again, he would find his way back to her.
"It was nice to meet you, Aunt Artoria..." Gray managed nervously, but she was still smiling warmly at Lancer Artoria. The gray-haired child was relieved that she wasn't expected to surrender her life, and the King of Knights was relieved to know that her family continued on in some version of reality. She embraced the six-year-old, deciding to allow emotion to escape in her actions.
"It was pleasing to meet you as well, Gray. Remember my orders for you to live well. Do not allow anyone to take your life without a fight." Lancer Artoria said while patting the child's back in the hug. Unfortunately, the embraces had to break and obligations reasserted themselves.
A maid stood by while glancing at her watch. She bore a stern expression, having been hastily awakened out of storage earlier than planned. Sella informed the group with a glance that they needed to leave. Leysritt maintained her vacant expression as she stood next to Sella, her capacity for thought a bit dimmer in exchange for her increased combat capabilities. Because the Einzberns did not have Avalon to sustain Irisviel's existence in human form or to lend her its protection, the group had to rely on the support of additional homunculi to care for Irisviel when the time came. There were also other homunculi being sent to secure the Ryuudou Temple should the rumors of a tainted Grail provoke an attack on it. This large-scale mobilization showed just how much Jubstacheit von Einzbern wanted to succeed. He'd already failed to win the war twice since assuming the position as the family's head and had no desire to fail a third time.
"I'll be okay! See you soon, Mommy! Daddy!" Illyasviel smiled, beaming as her parents said their goodbyes and departed the room. Lancer Artoria followed suit, leaving Illya's room with the maids behind her. The door was shut and the pair of girls were left to themselves. Illya went to the door and put her ear to it, listening carefully for when they had finally departed.
"Alright, Gray! Let's go! Remember which luggage we helped Leysritt pack!" Illya said while smiling mischievously. Gray was hesitant to abide, even as Illya rapidly started changing clothes. The young homunculus put on one of the maid outfits which she'd stolen while helping the maids pack for the trip, her feet not even reaching down to the waist of the outfit.
"M-must we?" Gray asked, even as the Storch Ritter flew over to the window and opened it with its beak. It was a multi-story drop that scared the six-year-old. She was having second thoughts.
Illya gave Gray a look that was as determined as her cute face would allow. "Gray, we have to! Remember the dream? Mister Merlin said we had to do this or we might never see them again! Add's waiting for us, too! You don't want to lose him, do you?" While Gray hesitantly acknowledged these facts and put on the maid's socks and shoes, Illyasviel took out a few more strands of her hair. Both girls felt a strand each wrap around their waists before forming more of Illya's wireframe birds, the avian constructs tugging upward to reduce the girls' weight. Another each did the same with Illya's and Gray's suitcases. Illyasviel smiled, going to the window with the suitcases and standing on the sill before holding out her hand to Gray. "Sometimes, princesses have to escape their own castle instead of waiting to be saved! I'll be with you, so don't be scared!"
Illya's smile finally coaxed Gray to take the risk. Taking Illya's hand in her own and gripping her own suitcase with the remaining hand, the two stood at the window. "On three, Gray! One...Two...Three!" The children leapt from several stories up, the Storch Ritters immediately doing their best to counteract the force of gravity. While they failed in this task, they managed to slow the girls' fall enough for them to land safely.
"Oof! ...Okay! We made it out! Let me on your shoulders! Hurry!" Illya said in a rushed whisper. Illya's bird went under her maid outfit and re-bound itself unseen to the child's waist. Her weight was reduced enough for Gray to be able to carry the pair's ringleader on her shoulders. The birds attached to the suitcases remained bound to the handles of them, but flew up Illya's sleeves when she gripped the luggage. The result was a lanky-looking maid who was carrying two briefcases that no child should be able to lift easily.
"Okay...forward," Illyasviel whispered, Gray carefully moving as bidden. The gentle tug of the bird around Gray's waist clued the younger girl into the intended direction to carry Illya, though it was slow going to prevent the child from tripping over her own feet. She was completely obscured and blinded by the maid outfit's skirt. They had to round a corner and hope no one noticed they were missing too quickly.
When they approached the motorcade, which included Irisviel's Mercedes-Benz 300SL, the last five meters were the most nerve-wracking. Gray bumped her leg into the rear bumper of the van being loaded with the luggage, and the sound made Leysritt glance over to the disguised children with an unreadable expression. After a pregnant pause, Illya gave the woman a nod in greeting. Were they found out?
Leysritt nodded back slowly, her gaze lingering for a moment before she looked away and resumed her duties. Illya held in a sigh of relief, carefully guiding Gray to climb into the van. This clumsy effort resulted in Illya tumbling off of Gray's shoulders and into the vehicle. Gray, exposed, scrambled into the van and shut the door behind them before this mishap was noticed.
Rushing, Illya opened the burgundy container which they had helped to pack earlier. Within was a large scythe that was not out of place in the homunculi armory being transported for the Grail War, but it wasn't truly part of the Einzbern armory. The Mystic Code transformed back into a tiny cube and greeted the girls. "Here you go. I've held your place for you! I hope you appreciate it!" Gray wordlessly returned Add to his cage as Illya climbed into the space that Add's large scythe form had previously occupied.
"I do, Add! We get to stay with our families, and I get to meet my little brother." She smiled at the quirky cube before addressing her partner in crime. "Hurry, Gray! They might come looking soon!" Illya whispered intently. Gray climbed into the luggage, the end result being that Illya, Gray, Add, and two suitcases took up the space which Add's Scythe form had previously. Illya then released one of her Storch Ritter, which took the zipper of the large luggage container in its beak and zipped the girls in. Only when this was done did the hair lose its shape and become an unassuming strand of white that fell to the floor of the van.
City Streets
Fuyuki, Japan
190 hours and 17 minutes to Zero
Almost two hours into his vigil, he became aware of a number of schoolgirls who were looking at him in a mix of awe and fear. They chattered amongst themselves, wondering just what the tall stranger was doing waiting nearby. His reinforced hearing picked up their conversation, which he ignored until a familiar face stormed over.
"Hey! I don't know what Gramps told you to do, but you're scaring my friends! Get going! Shoo!" He blinked as an irritated-looking Taiga Fujimura wearing a Homurahara Academy Middle School Division uniform tried to shoo him away warily, seemingly suspecting him to be with her grandfather's yakuza group. His future/former school teacher and guardian carried a tiger-print practice sword called Torashinai and seemed to be prepared to use it on him if needed. He gave a smile, drawing the girl's confused response. "What's with that look? Are you looking down on me?" The kendoist was on the verge of taking out her irritation on the man.
"No, I'm just glad that I'm not the only one on lookout. A boy I'm related to was attacked by the serial killer but was saved in time." EMIYA regarded the girl's expression of surprise but continued to speak. "The killer was heard saying he enjoyed killing kids and young women specifically. You and your classmates should stick together instead of breaking off to walk up to strange men."
The girl pondered the warning but gave the Servant a conflicted look. "Sorry for your relative, but isn't this a case of 'do as I say, not as I do'?"
"This guy managed to kill the police sent to arrest him yesterday, along with a bunch of bystanders. It's time for someone with a heavier resume to keep an eye open. If you see something strange, don't risk it. Grab your friends, make a bunch of noise, and get away. Do you hear me?" EMIYA warned, with an intense look to the girl. It couldn't be easy for a yakuza heiress to be told not to defend her own turf, but a couple of her classmates came over.
"Come on, we're going to be late! They'll make you clean the training area if you don't show the proper respect by being timely." Reikan Ryuudou attempted to coax his friend and classmate to come with them while Otoko Hotaruzuka, also known as 'Neko', gently pushed her along.
"A-ah, okay! You behave yourself, mister!" Taiga exclaimed as she was guided away from a thankful EMIYA. Any encounter with a wild Taiga that he could walk away from was a good one.
Yatsushirodai Elementary School
189 hours and 40 minutes to Zero
Rin Tohsaka waited for class to start, glancing at the clock which read 8:20 AM. It was admittedly a hassle coming to this school every day due to the distance, but it couldn't be helped. Her father had sent her and her mother to live with her grandparents so it wasn't as dangerous...or at least it shouldn't have been as dangerous.
She glanced over to a seat that was empty for the second day in a row. Shirou Enjou was one of the few students who could keep up with her academically, though he clearly didn't have to try very hard. It was irritating to her, especially when he tried and failed to hide his talents. Sometimes the teachers would sneak him a math problem the class hadn't been taught to solve yet, only for him to solve it without missing a beat or even realizing it was abnormal. He would write in kanji that they hadn't even learned and sometimes fail to catch himself. His calligraphy was superior. He knew how to speak, read, and write English. Even when the competitive Rin tried to stump him with her admittedly limited knowledge of Mandarin, he'd been able to follow the conversation just fine and speak more fluently than she could. She wanted to be infuriated at that moment, but the boy seemed strangely happy not to have to hide his abilities quite so much at that moment. As a magus, she could understand the feeling. They would briefly but regularly converse in Mandarin from then on, Rin using it as an excuse to brush up on one of her family's ancestral languages.
When he had mentioned during one of these conversations that he didn't know how he knew these things and had simply thought it normal until revealing it made others act strangely toward him, she'd gotten angry and thought he was lying. Her subsequent snooping left her confused, though. Shirou Enjou was an orphan whose parents died right after he was born and he had been living in a nearby orphanage ever since. That orphanage sent all of its elementary school students to this school. He didn't have any special way to learn what he knew and was a mystery even to the other orphans who lived with him. Whenever she looked for flaws, she found an irritating mix of competence and ignorance. He didn't even understand what was so strange about himself beyond the fact that showing what he could do made others feel bad.
No one, including Rin, could possibly know that the information he knew in the various subjects had come from his other lives. The languages in particular were from a mix of EMIYA's experience traveling the world and information provided by the Grail to EMIYA before he was bound to Shirou's soul. If a language existed in the modern world, he could read, write, and speak it.
But now the subject of her one-sided rivalry was missing. A rival who was kind enough to make homemade lunches for and tutor the other orphans. A rival who had never missed a day of school or gotten sick. A rival who had helped protect her friend Kotone from bullying. He was missing while a serial killer was on the loose. All during a Grail War.
"I hope he gets better soon. It must have been scary..." Kotone commented while also looking to Shirou's seat, compelling Rin to look at her friend in confusion.
"Scary? Do you know what happened to Enjou?" Rin asked of Kotone. The girl blinked for a moment before shrinking in her seat, becoming the focus of attention. The homeroom teacher wouldn't arrive for a few minutes yet, so there was no escaping this. She eventually decided to tell what she knew.
"Well, there was a man in a fancy red suit at the principal's office yesterday. I was getting a drink from the water fountain when I heard him say that Enjou was attacked by the killer day before last. He got zapped with a stun gun and...dragged into an alley..." The room was suddenly quiet enough to hear a pin drop. The others in the room, even those who didn't particularly have a strong connection to Shirou, were stunned. "A-ah, but he's alive and should recover soon! Some older foreign girl showed up and chased the bad guy away with her baseball bat! She even gave the police the killer's name! So that's good..." Kotone was still shaken by the knowledge, even as she tried to placate her classmates.
Rin may have been irritated by Shirou at times, but she never wanted something like that to happen to him. It also made her worry about the other kids that had gone missing. The mood of the classroom was still somber when their homeroom teacher arrived.
Tohsaka Mansion Workshop
189 hours and 30 minutes to Zero
Tokiomi Tohsaka looked over the gemstones with interest, studying them very closely. Most projections vanished within seconds, perhaps minutes at the most. The gems that Shirou had projected yesterday afternoon were all still here. Furthermore, they showed no visible signs of deterioration at all. The weight was the same as before, there were no voids or deformations in the crystal lattice, and it was in no way weakened. Was this how 'Tracing' differed from Projection? Was it an earlier version of Projection, lost over time and restored through the memories of Saber from an earlier age?
"Mister Tohsaka?" Shirou asked timidly of the distracted man. "I...I think I finished this book?"
Tokiomi was distracted, the man looking to the thick tome which had been lent to Shirou to read about Origins and Elements. It was fortunate that Shirou could read English and German so well, but the claim caused confusion to the teacher. "Shirou, I gave you that book less than five minutes ago. How could you be 'finished' with it?" The Tohsaka family head hoped that Shirou wasn't trying to impress him with a lie.
Shirou sheepishly tried to explain. "Well, I started to read the book, but I think I used Structural Grasping on it while I was reading. Now I can remember everything in it."
The man was surprised at the child's comment and noticed a thoughtful look on Artoria's face as she stood nearby. It wasn't a 'that's strange' expression as much as one that conveyed the thought 'oh, that makes sense'. The Magus decided to inquire. "Saber, do you have any thoughts on how this might be?"
Artoria glanced at Tokiomi, briefly surprised at being called upon, but decided to be careful how to convey her words. The Reality Marble that Merlin mentioned Shirou to have was a step away from True Magic and needed to remain a secret to avoid drawing trouble. "My Master's Structural Grasping doesn't merely analyze appearance and structure, but also an item's history and previous methods of use. Every detail possible is copied. This includes knowledge contained within the object, as well as uses and techniques the item has 'experienced' over time. This information, in its entirety, is used when an item is Traced."
The head of the Tohsaka family was surprised by this detail. "So with his eyes being suitable for gathering as much of that information as possible, beyond the scope of normal human sight, he was able to absorb the information in the book as well as previous experiments or study sessions in which it was employed." Tokiomi realized, added possibilities starting to enter his mind. If that was true, then a perfected form of Projection like Tracing was immensely suited to research and study. The main problem was the limitation of the user to perceive and process the information, but Shirou's Mystic Eyes were uniquely suited to mitigate this issue. When Artoria responded with a nod, the man shifted his glance back to Shirou. There was a way to test this. Gently claiming the book from Shirou, he turned to a random page. "Page 127, paragraph two. Tell me what it says, Shirou."
Shirou pondered for only a brief moment before speaking in fluent English. "Incarnations bearing the Origin, Element, and optionally the Sorcery Trait of Imaginary Numbers are noteworthy in that they can access Imaginary Number Space in extreme cases. This medium is capable of exceeding the limitations of four-dimensional space and is suspected to have been employed in High Thaumaturgy relevant to teleportation in the Age of Gods. A minor temporal displacement is also sometimes seen with the use of this ability over large distances, but there are many unknowns. Research is ongoing."
Tokiomi's face blanched. The child had been able to perfectly recite and pronounce the indicated section without difficulty. Trying a different angle, the man inquired about something else. "Shirou, when and by who was that book last used? And for what?"
"My classmate, Tohsaka, read about Average Ones on pages 26 through 32 on the evening of August 6, 1993, with...you're her Dad? Huh..." Shirou was surprised by this fact. He probably should have known they were related. He had the same name, hair, and eye color. Shirou had clearly noticed that Tokiomi was in the room with Rin at the time in question, providing context.
"I am, though I sent her to live with relatives to protect her during the War. I trust you'll keep Rin's nature as a Magus a secret? It is very important not to reveal it to the common masses. The consequences are too dangerous to risk. The man who attacked you and summoned Caster is living proof of what Magecraft can and will do in the wrong hands." Tokiomi said firmly to the child. The thought of what he had experienced in the alley and the knowledge that Ryuunosuke Uryuu had killed so many others illustrated the need for secrecy fairly clearly. The child gave a nod of understanding.
"Good. Secrecy is one of the most important lessons of Magecraft." With that clarified, Tokiomi decided to continue. "Your ability will make learning the material that much easier, but you'll still need to practice. Perhaps we will have you apply the information you obtain from Structural Grasping to efforts at Alteration rather than just Projection or Tracing. I'll also have you Grasp more tomes with your ability today, and we will see how much knowledge you retain by tomorrow."
"For now though," Gilgamesh interjected as he appeared in a cascade of golden particles, "you will use this power on the cooking implements I have in my possession. To master the culinary skills of my people and cook familiar meals for me alongside your own land's samplings is a more fitting use of this power." With that, Gilgamesh effectively ended Tokiomi's session and compelled the child to study the culinary arts of Uruk. This was done by having Shirou Grasp various cooking implements taken from the Gate of Babylon. Gilgamesh seemed to favor teaching Shirou how to be a better cook over everything else, apparently deciding that Shirou existed for the purpose of making his food for the duration of the War.
Artoria chose not to intercede. If the King of Heroes saw value in keeping Shirou alive, it was a blessing. One that she could ruin in an instant with a single careless word.
Tohsaka Mansion
180 hours to Zero
Kirei Kotomine walked to the Tohsaka estate alongside his Servant, the latter's haori wrapped around herself and her Master. Her Presence Concealment wasn't as highly ranked as some other Assassin-class Servants, but she was able to convey its protection to others by employing this method. This allowed them to evade the notice of the various familiars from other Masters that were monitoring the property as they passed through the Bounded Field surrounding the estate. Opening the door and not speaking so that they were not heard by the familiars, Tokiomi silently let them enter as the scent of food prominently met their nostrils. Only after closing the door behind them did Tokiomi greet his guests and guide them to the dining room.
A literal feast met their eyes, the result of Shirou practicing his skills with the supplies and tools Gilgamesh provided. The expression Gilgamesh wore indicated sufficient pleasure with the results as he sampled his wine between bites. A woman with a face that Assassin found to be very familiar to her own was also enjoying the meal, sitting next to a redheaded child. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce my allies in this war. This is Kirei Kotomine, the master of Assassin. And this is Assassin, whose True Name I ask not to leave these walls. She is..."
"I'm Okita Souji, manifesting regrettably in the Assassin class this time. I'm so glad to see some familiar faces! Even Toki-chan and Kirei-chan grew up into fine men!" The Shinsengumi Captain said, smiling at the man who she greeted so informally before glancing to Artoria. The King of Knights had frozen her consumption upon seeing Okita and her eyes widened. "You're surprised! I'm surprised to see you too, Saber! Or should I call you Senpai now?"
"You...know Saber, Grandmother?" Tokiomi inquired, more than a bit surprised by this fact. Artoria perceived the use of the word 'grandmother' and wondered just what had happened. Tokiomi collected himself quickly, however. "Ah, please join us for our meal. Saber's Master is practicing his culinary skills."
Okita smiled and obliged, having a seat on the side of Artoria opposite Shirou. The ronin warrior beamed, speaking to the girl with words that would seize the attention of all at the table. "Modern clothes look so good on you...ah! Thank you for taking care of me back when I was your Master! I've always remembered your kindness!"
Even Gilgamesh's attention was on the woman now.
January 31, 1868
Miyama Town (Future site of Fuyuki City), Japan
Stumbling along a road in the winter evening, a young woman moved through the town of Miyama. Her coughing was heavy and the trio of swords at her sides bade others to stay away from her should her clear illness fail to. The winter cold bit at her flesh, her coat having long since been torn apart to bandage her comrades during battle. The one thing the loss of her distinctive haori had allowed her was increased anonymity. The exertion from the recent Battle of Toba-Fushimi, her escaping while luring foes away from her allies' retreat, and the winter cold had made the tuberculosis infection in her lungs that much more debilitating. Her singular accomplishment of note after weakening was when she killed an enemy with an odd blade that seemed to convey more strength than her own Kojiki Kiyomitsu could. She'd had to use her shorter second sword to kill that particular enemy when he knocked her first weapon away, after which she claimed the fallen enemy's superior armament as a prize.
She was the Captain of the First Unit of the Shinsengumi and the Fifth Master of the Tennen Rishin-ryū, but neither her rank in the special police force of the Shogunate nor her mastery of the sword would protect Souji Okita for long. Not while she was in her weakened state and separated from her comrades.
Still, duty called. She'd heard rumors of people being killed recklessly and brutally in this town when she first arrived. The corpses and burnt buildings supported these tales. Perhaps the assailants were participants of the recently ended battle like herself? If they were Imperial forces terrorizing the countryside, she would be forced to battle them. If they were forces loyal to the Tokugawa Shogunate like herself, she would offer them one chance to commit ritual suicide to atone for their sins before she attacked. Either way, she expected a fight. A fight she might not be able to win.
The woman could hear the ring of steel meeting steel up ahead. Preferring to die in battle protecting the people of this city rather than to fade away in bed due to her illness, she charged forward into an open space that used to be someone's home...and saw a conflict that defied explanation. Exchanging blows at speeds even faster than her own skilled eyes could follow, a foreign man bearing a lance did battle against a swordsman in black with a skull-themed mask. The glint of steel reflecting moonlight was ever-present, blue-white sheen making trails in the space between the two warriors as they engaged on the rooftops. The prowess displayed left her in awe, much like the techniques of her masters had when she was but a child. Such was the gap displayed. The lancer, however, clearly had the upper hand.
A crash of water rocked the night, distracting Okita from the battle as one hitherto unseen man unleashed their Magecraft and knocked another through a nearby building. The victim flailed and gurgled unintelligibly as he was surrounded by a sphere of water, fighting to keep the liquid out of his lungs. His assailant bore a sadistic smile as he increased the water pressure to unsurvivable levels, not able to take the time to wait for drowning alone to do the job. The man quickly died and the spearman seemed to fade away into stardust before Okita's eyes.
The mage then turned that twisted expression on Okita before looking to the hooded combatant and inclined his head toward her. That was all the warning Okita had. In a move that was partially instinct and partially battle experience, the woman drew her katana and deflected an unseen strike as the silent assassin closed the distance at an inhuman speed.
Anyone less than a master may well have died from the first strike. Only one as skilled as Okita could have deflected the second. Neither pedigree was sufficient to deflect the third.
Steel piercing into her chest at an odd angle, Okita felt the pooling of blood in one of her already strained lungs. Her legs gave out as all feeling below the wound cut off with the severing of her spine. A single strike designed to let her drown in her own blood and be unable to reach aid. An assassin's strike designed to make her linger before death. As she fell to the ground, coughing up her own blood, she couldn't even cry out as much as violently retch and gurgle.
"A normal human managed to block you twice? You're slipping, Assassin." The Mage said with a smirk, taunting his cohort lightly. The cloaked being pulled the blade harshly out of Okita before he briefly inspected the bloody weapon for damage. Okita tried to cry out at the pain in response, but couldn't even accomplish more than a gurgling groan.
"The skill was admittedly impressive for a normal human. Her sword also seems to have some Mystery to it." Assassin approached, standing above Okita with his blade dripping her blood. "Still, I can feel the disease and suffering in this one's flesh. You, who seek your end in honor on the battlefield, will find your end here."
Assassin raised his weapon to liberate Okita's head from her shoulders, but the Magic Circle used to summon the spearman earlier was touched by Okita's flowing blood and flashed brilliantly. Okita's eyes closed tightly from the light and she heard a crash, quickly followed by a clatter and a thud. Only after feeling a hand touch her back and noting that the pain was fading did Okita dare to open her eyes. A warm, yellow light was breaking the night as the girl felt her lungs clear fully and her wounds heal. The figure who healed her then stepped forward with her back to Okita, staring down the now one-armed Assassin.
"I am aware that striking down witnesses is your policy for the maintenance of secrecy. But even had I agreed with your ways, this callous excess would still be inexcusable. Do you think that you may act as you please merely because the Association governing you is not near? Slaughtering the populace recklessly and with such merriment?" Okita still clutched her blade as she slowly stood, listening to the voice of her protector. Clad in the armor of a European knight, though altered into what appeared to be a dress protected in part by armor plate, a blonde woman stood protectively in front of Okita. Her weapon was concealed by a vortex of wind, clearly mystical in nature.
"The common masses in this town live by our pleasure, Servant. Or perhaps you don't know who you are addressing?" The man with command over water was clearly nervous in spite of his posturing, angered that another Servant had been summoned at the last moment. He'd narrowly managed to take out Lancer and his Master immediately upon the former's summoning, only for another to appear right away from the same magic circle and harm Assassin. He was inwardly kicking himself for forgetting that whether the person had Magic Circuits or not, blood could still convey enough of the Master's energy to trigger a summoning.
"Oh? I was under the impression that I was addressing a scion of the Matou family. Truly, your line's love of condescension and murder is a recognizable trait that transcends the ages." The woman looked to the man and spoke coldly, well aware of his identity and crimes.
The man glared at her, disliking the insult as well as just how aware this Servant was of him. They weren't supposed to retain their memories. That risked Servants being rebellious later. "The weak exist to sustain the strong. When they are a disservice, they fall. Surely you know this." He kept talking, hoping for Assassin to recover and get in an advantageous position.
"I know that it is not about strong or weak. You kill out of convenience and pleasure. One such as you should not be permitted victory in this War." Assassin moved to strike as the regal blonde spoke, but the woman was more than capable of protecting herself. She blocked the damaged weapon and immediately engaged the injured man in combat.
Okita, meanwhile, took advantage of her healthy state. Cured of all ailments by what she believed to be holy light, she charged toward the Matou with her odd katana at the ready. While her foe held power over water, he was now being more defensive to conserve the energy he had just used up and to support Assassin. He made a shield of water before him, trying to hang on until Assassin could emerge victorious...only for the sword to start eroding the barrier further with each strike. The accumulated Mystery of the blade was greater than that of the Mage.
A sharp groan drew the attention of the Matou heir as he looked over, seeing Assassin cleaved in two. Indeed, the Assassin class was among the weakest in a direct confrontation and they'd been lucky to survive against Lancer. Having him battle this newcomer was a last-ditch effort since he'd already used all but one of his Command Seals up.
This moment of distraction was enough for Okita to gather her strength and employ her technique. A trio of thrusts were made with her sword which, for an instant, impacted causality itself and employed three strikes in one. She had no idea that her Lightless, Three-Stage Thrust technique touched upon the Second Magic, much like the mythical sword technique of Kojiro Sasaki, but the shield failed to contain anything beyond the first strike. Matou's neck was struck, the force of the hits enough to continue on and collapse the burnt building behind him due to the superior blade she held in her hands. "W-what?" The dying Matou Master uttered weakly, collapsing into a rapidly growing puddle of his own blood. Okita was equally shocked, staring at the glowing blade in her hand as the man perished.
The foreign blonde approached Okita, who shifted her gaze from the blade to the newcomer in awe. The out-of-place woman was promptly surprised when Okita quickly threw herself to the ground and prostrated herself before the woman.
"You destroyed that youkai and healed the malady of my lungs along with my mortal wound...w-which kami are you, my Lady?" Okita asked in awe.
This level of reverence flustered Artoria slightly. "Don't bow so deeply. I am not a god. I am but a former King, and not one to whom you owe a duty. Please rise, Master." Artoria worried that this girl would misinterpret things and spread an incorrect story. "I can answer some of your questions on the way, but there is someone we must see. Come. We will greet one of the parties responsible for this conflict."
Okita felt the winter cold on her body and agreed, following the odd woman who had extended her life well beyond its normal span.
January 31, 1868
Tohsaka Mansion
A brutal fight had taken place here. The building had suffered notable damage, the grounds bore smoldering craters, and the air was thick with energy. Still, the Tohsaka family invited their guests in. They silently hoped that this Servant, who wished to speak peacefully rather than kill, maintained her composure. Before them sat a man who was advanced in age, bearing a poise which was clearly that of the family patriarch. He appeared cold and neutral in expression in spite of the fact that moonlight streamed into the room through the half-missing ceiling.
"I am Nagato Tohsaka," The century-old man stated as he regarded the pair before him, "and while I do not wish to be a rude host, we are in the process of grieving for my great-great-grandson. Is this a matter of import?"
Artoria nodded and gave a bow to the man. "My condolences for your loss and apologies for the intrusion, Mister Tohsaka. I am Saber, and I have manifested to protect the innocent rather than to pursue the Grail. I would prefer to conceal my True Name, as I may well appear again in certain cases as required and able."
Okita bowed deeply, clearly more nervous. "I-I am Souji Okita, Captain of the First Unit of the Shinsengumi! I fought on the side of the Shogunate in the recent Battle of Toba-Fushimi. I happened upon this...Holy Grail War and was forced to kill a man bearing the name Matou."
After this introduction, the regal blonde spoke once more. "Miss Okita has obtained a strange blade in her battle against the Imperial Army and employed a small fraction of its Mystery in combat to strike down the Matou Master assailing her. She has shown more interest in the protection of the innocent than seeking power, even moving to investigate the cause of their deaths with what would have been her literal final breaths. For this reason, when her blood touched the summoning circle intended for Lancer, I entered the War as its Saber."
The elderly man could understand why Saber would choose to appear in this manner if her priorities were as she claimed. The Second Grail War had been an unmitigated disaster. No rules, no honor, and rampant destruction. "I see...but will she use the Grail for the Shogunate in the war if she wins?"
Artoria responded readily. "I do not know...at the very least, her heart is in the right place and she would not willfully employ it or related knowledge for evil. I had hoped the Tohsaka could arm her with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision." Something in Artoria's words resonated with Nagato. A simple act of kindness in paying the hotel bill of a foreign man had opened up a new world for him, and had he not been entrusted with the schematics for the Jeweled Sword for the very same reasons that Saber was giving?
Nagato was half swayed but looked to Okita. A Shinsengumi. It was not difficult now to see that the era for such was ending. The writing had been on the wall for the Tokugawa Shogunate for a while now. "Miss Okita. Are you aware that Shogun Tokugawa officially resigned his authority to the Emperor and that the Emperor's direct control over Japan was formally restored four weeks ago? The Shogunate hasn't truly existed since that time when its leader agreed to be the Emperor's instrument and nothing more. He changed his mind two and a half weeks ago, disobeyed the Emperor to whom he swore fealty, and has raised his hand against him. This does not restore his mandate to lead."
Okita's eyes widened at the thought. Fealty to her lord was important, but had her lord truly surrendered to his own lord only to rebel? Was his refusal to recognize the Emperor's orders justified? That implication clearly made her think as Nagato continued. "Perhaps those surrounding the Emperor now are opportunists, perhaps not. It is hard to say, but the decision of your lord's lord has been made. If you support a man betraying the Emperor from whom he once drew his very authority, using fealty as an excuse will not spare you from your dishonor. It is time for you to make a choice. Will you truly suspend your sense of justice and seek the Grail's power for such a man's selfish ambitions?"
Artoria thought back to the men who Mordred had led against her. How striking down her own people had hurt her. She waited to hear the answer. It was a full minute as Okita pondered, her eyes hidden by her hair. Finally, she lifted her head with tears threatening to fall from her eyes.
"...When we went to Kyoto as the Roshigumi, it was to protect Kyoto from unrest. The Tokugawa Shogunate funded us, but our leader was loyal to the Emperor and sought to protect his city from hostiles. All but nineteen of us were forced to abandon that dream...those of us who remained formed the Mobu Roshigumi and trained more people to fill our ranks. Then there were power struggles and we formed the Shinsengumi." Okita spoke, recalling the years with a sad smile. "...We saved Kyoto from burning to the ground and protected it against those who would assail it...but I guess we lost our way. Our leaders squabbled, fought, and even killed each other. Brother...is this why you tried to leave? Because you saw where we were going?" Okita recalled Keisuke Yamanami, who had been the second in command of the Shinsengumi. When the group forced their way into a temple to claim more space for their growing organization, the man resigned out of protest and was forced to commit ritual suicide for his 'misdeed'. Okita was his second during this seppuku, serving to behead the man at the end of the process to end the pain. To watch a man she considered an older brother die in such a manner haunted her to this day.
Tears fell as the woman clutched her new sword. "Those rebels have gained legitimacy, our lord has already surrendered all authority and righteousness, and the war we were supposed to prevent has come. Am I to turn my sword against my friends who remain in my lord's service? Against those who I've taken meals with and have stood back to back with in battle?" Tears dotted the scabbard of the sword in Okita's hands, the now healthy woman forced to grapple with things she'd rather have died than considered.
"Remind them," Artoria said, Okita's eyes flashing to the lady who had saved her life. "Remind them of the reasons they took up the blade. Not as pawns of a warlord, but to serve their King and their people. Perhaps that is why you now carry that blade."
Okita wiped her eyes. "I...I see! This is not a coincidence. Then I should make a new group of protectors and recruit my friends to them! To make what the Roshigumi were meant to be!"
Artoria nodded, glad for her Master's decision.
November 20, 1994
Tohsaka Mansion Dining Room
179 hours and 42 minutes to Zero
"...so Saber-senpai and I worked together to end the Second Holy Grail War as quickly as possible, without killing any innocent people. I wasn't a mage, but the sword I'd been using helped a lot. It was nothing less than the Norimune Kiku-ichimonji, commissioned by Emperor Go-Toba in Jogen 2. That's 1208 by the western calendar, so it had 660 years of Mystery at the time. The fighting was so bad that the Lesser Grail was destroyed and no wish could be granted, but I think that was probably for the best. I was able to grant my wish with my own hands later and Saber-senpai didn't want a wish to begin with." Okita looked to Artoria with a smile of admiration.
"With my tuberculosis cured and having a new purpose, I left Miyama Town and formed the Shugogumi (Protection Squad). We became shugosha (protectors) and were dedicated to the protection of the populace from criminals and more dishonorable warriors that tried to take advantage of the war. The people came first, politics second. Many Shinsengumi and Shinchogumi who placed the protection of the people above fealty to a disloyal lord joined me." Okita remembered this fondly as she told her tale. "The Emperor saw what we were trying to do and that we kept things stable in contested or newly won areas. We were watched by the Imperial Army, but the opportunists that plagued the Roshigumi and Shinsengumi had stayed with the Shogun or had been killed. We eventually became the National Police."
"...Allies of Justice..." Shirou uttered in clear admiration, the tale resonating strongly with his forgotten self.
Okita nodded before continuing her tale. "I stayed a close friend of the Tohsaka family for life, teaching them the Tennen Rishin-ryu in hopes that they could learn the Second Magic it tapped into. I did what I could to protect life during the Third Holy Grail War, befriended Risei Kotomine, lived to see Toki-chan and Kirei-chan be born, and died in 1969 at the ripe old age of a hundred and twenty-five. I knew there would be more Holy Grail Wars and I had amassed a strong reputation in life, so I left behind my swords for them in case I made it into the Throne of Heroes. Now I have returned to lend my strength again." The fact that Okita had lived to an age at the extreme natural limits of the human condition was likely a result of Artoria using Avalon to heal her in the first place. It was also possible that the Counter Force had empowered Okita in life.
Artoria smiled warmly, glad that Okita had attained a better life for herself. The information the Grail had provided her during her time in the Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail Wars told her of Okita's intended fate. Originally, she would have died of tuberculosis less than six months after the point at which they'd met in 1868. To know that she avoided the tragic fate meant for her and had instead lived a long and happy life gave Artoria hope for her own plans. "I am happy for you, Okita. To live a rich life with meaning, have the Throne of Heroes accept you, and return to tell your loved ones that you are well is something few can claim. You are truly blessed." Okita smiled back warmly, accepting Artoria's words. It meant a great deal coming from the very girl who had set her on that path, being akin to meeting someone special to you in the afterlife and being told 'you've done well' by them.
"So, Saber professed to be a King back then. An interesting detail." Gilgamesh noted playfully as he swished his wine around slowly in his goblet, making Artoria tense almost imperceptibly. She didn't want to reveal more clues to her True Name so easily and she suspected that Gilgamesh knew that. No, she suspected him to know a lot more than he let on and he was taunting her. He had the same insufferable attitude in that regard as Merlin, even when he wasn't hostile. These Clairvoyance users...she could only hope that Shirou didn't develop an attitude from the power as well.
"E-eh? I'm sorry if that was a secret! I was just very happy to see her!" Okita spoke with remorse, worried that she'd inconvenienced her old friend. "She reminded me that my loyalties should lie with my Emperor and people, and she fought at my side when I found my way once more. I do not regret my service to the Tokugawa, but I do not make excuses for them either. Even as an Assassin, forced to wear my old Shinsengumi colors, my loyalties are still true thanks to her." There was nothing but respect and adoration in Okita's voice, the woman able to dine in the house she'd spent a century getting to know with friends she remembered in life. Such a thing was to be cherished, just as Artoria said.
"I expect that my purpose in the war, to support the Tohsaka from the shadows, is what influenced your class. It may not be what you would have hoped, but it may just be what is needed." Everyone but Shirou knew what Kirei meant, though Artoria had a rather different insight on the matter.
"Saber," Gilgamesh prodded while smiling at the King of Knights. "While I know you and Assassin have much to catch up on, she has her own project and it is time for you to conduct your nightly duties. That blight of a Caster still remains in my garden."
Tokiomi would normally be hesitant to send Saber away so rudely, but he couldn't help but be insistent on this matter. "The timing of Grandmother's task is of import. I apologize for the haste..."
"You need not do so, Mister Tohsaka. Archer is correct. So long as my Master remains defended, finding Caster is my duty. I will happily converse with Miss Okita at a later time." Artoria took no offense from her host. Tokiomi clearly felt awkward, especially since he was insisting on action from someone who he now knew to be a King. Fortunately for him, Artoria was more reasonable than Gilgamesh. With a glance at Shirou, Artoria smiled warmly and placed a hand gently on his head. "Thank you for the meal, Shirou. I ask that you listen to the others and be a good boy while I am away. Can you do so?"
"Sure! I'll be good, Saber. There's a big library of stuff to Grasp! I'll probably do that after I clean up, then I'll go to bed." Shirou seemed to find learning much more interesting now that he could simply load the information and skills into his mind. Glam Sight: Fairy Eyes helped with the processing of the information and he could integrate the knowledge into his Reality Marble for retention. It was recalling the knowledge efficiently that required practice. Artoria found it odd that Tokiomi was allowing Shirou to Grasp so much data. Weren't Mages supposed to be secretive? Perhaps he intended to take Shirou as an apprentice after all...
Artoria's thoughts on this topic were disrupted when the child jumped down from his seat and ran off into the kitchen...only to return before long with the Lion Pops Scooter's detachable freezer box. The ice cream had since been moved to Gilgamesh's Gate of Babylon, but the boy re-purposed the large, multi-walled cooler. Projecting plastic containers, he started to put heaping helpings of leftover food inside and then put the containers into the freezer box. Container after container formed, Artoria staring as the freezer space filled up with food and drink.
"Phew...alright! This should be enough for Saber's bento! You can take this with you on the scooter!" Shirou cheerfully stated after producing the massive lunch box, making the gluttonous Heroic Spirit blush at the unintended insult to her appetite. Okita gawked slightly and with a little envy, while Kirei and Tokiomi remained impassive.
Gilgamesh smiled with barely restrained mirth at the scene. "Such a kind Master you have, Saber. I suspect that much food will be sufficient even for you." The King of Heroes teased, knowing that the embarrassed Artoria had no choice but to awkwardly accept Shirou's gift with the spirit in which it was given.
"Y-yes. Thank you, Shirou. This will certainly keep me full through the night." The King of Knights' response was nervous and a bit awkward, but accepted by Shirou without comprehension of subtext. The child innocently hugged his Servant in response, ensuring that she would leave in a far better mood than Gilgamesh's taunting would otherwise allow.
Tohsaka Mansion Workshop
179 hours and 30 minutes to Zero
With Saber out on the streets hunting Caster and Shirou cleaning up after dinner, the remaining four in the Tohsaka Mansion gathered in the Workshop. Kirei looked upon the circle in the room, in which he was to sit, while Tokiomi explained how their plan would work. "When you sit in the Circle's center and Archer and I sit at the edges, the sensory input from your Servant/Master bond will be shared with all three of us. We will both see and hear what Grandmother does, and she will hear us as well. Then she will infiltrate the Matou Mansion and verify Sakura's situation using her Presence Concealment."
With the mention of the Matou, Okita bristled up a bit. "I still can't believe you trusted them with your child. Even Zelretch called them 'fundamentally evil'..." Her opinion of the family was formed during the Second War and she had little cause to change it in the century after, so she was by no means a fan of the family. At least this Kariya person sounded like a decent human being. Okita gave a sigh, regretting how hard-nosed Tokiomi's father was on magus culture and responsibility. She noticed the look Tokiomi gave her, one of silent sheepishness. "H-hey, I'm not declining! I'll gladly check on Sakura-chan, don't worry."
Tokiomi gave an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. "Thank you, Grandmother. Let us begin." The burgundy-clad mage stood at the edge of the circle and gestured for Kirei to sit in the middle. The priest acquiesced without any change of expression, not revealing his uncertainty toward standing inside a Magic Circle of all things. Gilgamesh looked a bit irritated at Tokiomi dictating the pacing of things but eventually chose to abide and got into position as well. He had insisted on being part of this for his own entertainment, much to Tokiomi's surprise. With a small flare of white-blue light from the circle, it was done. All three men could see and hear through Okita's senses.
"I can see through your eyes now as well. We are prepared, Grandmother." Tokiomi advised, compelling Okita to nod. Vanishing into Spirit Form and activating her Presence Concealment, the Assassin-class Servant proceeded upstairs through the ceiling.
"Ah, you're going? Bye, Assassin-nee!" Blinking, Okita glanced to Shirou as he looked directly at her invisible and concealed form with glowing golden eyes. The child happily bade her farewell while performing his task of clearing the table. All Okita could really do was smile and bow nervously before departing the Tohsaka Mansion. Shaking the odd encounter from her mind, she headed for the property next door while pondering on just what sort of Master her senpai had this time around.
The bounded fields were not difficult for Okita to bypass due to her class and her skills. Many were focused on the draining of energy to lethal degrees, but they were useless as long as Okita did not touch them. Excluding Berserker herself, the Bounded Fields were likely the greatest threat that Okita would face here. The former Shinsengumi Captain managed to infiltrate the building, carefully navigating the aged structure. Berserker had mentioned a 'basement pit', so she started her inquiry there. As she approached, the Servant heard activity from the steps ahead of and below her.
"-don't understand. Is she not doing well?" Someone asked. As Okita followed the voices, she happened upon a conversation between two people in the basement. A haunted-looking blue-haired man who bore the appearance of the Matou line was standing with none other than Zouken Matou.
"She is, but not in the way I had hoped. The Mystic Eyes are not what I intended and she has not assumed the Element of Water. She's stubbornly clinging to her old 'self'. Damn that Kariya for giving her hope...and she is not supposed to lose consciousness! She should be awake for this!" Zouken Matou growled, staring into a pit of writhing worms.
Byakuya Matou nervously listened, unable to meet his ancestor's gaze. The alcoholic first-born son was in charge of this process, one of the few duties he was responsible for as the figurehead of the Matou family. He still remembered how easily his wife had been thrown into this pit when Shinji had been born without enough Magic Circuits. If he failed to perform adequately, Byakuya may well join his wife.
Approaching carefully, Okita observed what they watching in the pit and shuddered in her Spirit Form. Sakura lay in the pit, her eyes closed and her unclothed body concealed only by the worms she was half-buried in. She did not appear to be in pain, but that was likely due to being accustomed to the nightmare in which she found herself. Okita knew that the Matou used worm familiars and sometimes even cultivated them in their bodies, but this horror went well beyond her understanding.
"This sight threatens to turn my stomach. Had we not eaten before this, I may have needed the cook to delay our meal." Gilgamesh observed the happenings around Okita, his face scrunched as if detecting the scent of something sickening. It wasn't all bad, however, the King of Heroes realized. "Still, it seems to have brought out more humanity from the two of you than I've ever seen before. Perhaps for that alone, this endeavor has been worthwhile."
"S-Sakura...what have I done..." Tokiomi's eyes were wide with horror and his expression was set in despair. His poise was gone as he realized that Kariya's account to him was entirely true. His daughter was subjected to literal torture as Zouken tried to alter her very being. This was not training. This was not what he'd wanted for his daughter.
Tokiomi's lament was immensely amusing to Gilgamesh, but Kirei's expression was every bit as interesting. The surprise was clear in Kirei's eyes as he observed the scene before him, but he did not cringe or shudder. No, the man...smiled. He bore an expression much like he had carried in his wife's final moments, looking upon Sakura's plight as if it were some fleeting beauty to cherish.
Footsteps from behind and a concentration of energy alerted Okita to newcomers, snapping her out of her gaze at Sakura's plight. Moving carefully, she made way as Kariya and Boudica entered the room. Boudica saw Sakura's suffering and growled from the top of the massive staircase, gaining Zouken's attention.
"Hoh? I've only allowed you to stay here for the war because Berserker seems more manageable than most of her class. If she loses control, she might hurt Sakura by mistake, after all." Zouken teased, glaring at the irritated Kariya. Zouken really saw Boudica's selective Mad Enhancement as a sign of both weakness and Kariya's lack of skill. "Control her or you won't see Sakura again until you win this war." Boudica glared at Zouken for a moment before looking away.
Byakuya looked to his brother Kariya with hate, though seeing the man deteriorate over the past year had been pleasing. Unfortunately for the irate elder brother, Kariya had recently returned from the church in a far better state than before. Hopefully, it was only temporary. Zouken merely saw the matter with faint interest. If Kariya lived longer, he could be tormented for longer as well.
"She won't do anything to hurt Sakura. The feeling of keeping a child safe served as the closest thing to a catalyst for her." Kariya answered, Zouken looking displeased at the reminder. Kariya's bleeding heart had messed with the summoning and secured a weaker Servant. Still, that same heart was a good source of entertainment.
"Well, I called you here to inform you of something...a new way to 'save' Sakura from the family as you are so intent on doing. A method that is much easier than winning the War." Zouken said with a smirk, knowing that would grab Kariya's attention. The man's eyes widened as if he were a starving man upon seeing an ocean. However, those hopes were soon tempered by reason as Kariya took on a suspicious expression. Such an offer was clearly a mirage.
"Oh, don't look at me like that, Kariya. You know all I want is the continuation of the clan and my wish granted." Not necessarily in that order of course. In fact, the family could rot so long as he got his immortality. "All you need to do is deliver a superior replacement for Sakura."
"Re...placement?" Kariya asked, wondering just what Zouken was implying.
Zouken chuckled darkly through grinning teeth. "Indeed. Did you two really think I wouldn't learn about him? The child with a hundred and eight EX-ranked Magic Circuits and hybrid Mystic Eyes that is in the care of the Tohsaka? Keeping him alive when Caster attacked was probably the most useful thing you've ever done. What was his name? Shirou?"
"H-how?" Kariya inquired in stunned horror. Zouken simply stared at Kariya with a smile on his face. Kariya did not need to know that the worms coiled around his nerves and in his brain let Zouken keep very close tabs on what Kariya could see and hear. It had even evaded Tokiomi's detection efforts and allowed him to hear the extended discussion in the Church.
"The how doesn't matter. The simple fact is that I know. An orphan exists with superior potential compared to Sakura. All you have to do to save her is bring me an orphan that no one will miss...one you've known for only two days. You and Berserker could claim him at any time. Do it promptly and you might even be able to survive the process to remove the worms from your body...if you could convince the Supervisor's son to operate, that is. You could even choose to take Sakura as your own daughter and leave if you desired." Zouken loved the expression on Kariya's face. Oh, it would be easy. And yet doing it would break his rebellious descendant's soul to a degree that would never allow it to recover.
The man processed this, surprised that Zouken would shift his priorities away from the Grail. "Why would you give up the chance at the grail for Shirou?" Kariya queried, making Zouken raise an eyebrow.
"The chances of you winning were always slim, Kariya. I merely offered you a chance. A chance you can still take if you insist on doing this the hard way. The boy, however...that's a prize that offers far better odds." Zouken probably still wouldn't consider it if Sakura's situation weren't so problematic. Something in her prevented her from fully turning...the boy would hopefully not have that issue. He had no family in the world to cling to.
Kariya understood what Zouken meant. The ancient man had no faith in him as the Matou family's Master in the war. Getting the boy as better breeding stock increased his chances in a later Holy Grail War. He clenched his fist, frustrated that this offer of salvation was so...tainted.
"Take what time you need to consider it while we watch Sakura's training. Classify it a backup plan for when things go awry. Just do not blame me if you decide too late to save your own life." In other words, Kariya wasn't allowed to leave or turn his eyes away from the scene in front of him while he 'considered' the matter. Kariya clenched his teeth alongside that fist as Zouken's laugh echoed through the chamber...
Location Unknown
Sakura opened her eyes in a place far away from the laugh of her adopted grandfather, Kariya's frustration, or her father's grief. She felt the nighttime autumn air on her skin and saw the winter stars above her as she lay on the grass. This was her quiet place, where she retreated when the worms began to take their toll on her. Wearing a pink dress, the girl sat up and noticed the cherry tree under which her friend always sat. Said friend's hand rested on a black and purple scabbard, as always.
"Auntie Morgan!" Sakura exclaimed happily to Morgan le Fay, greeting the woman in her dreamscape with a smile. The child's eyes were as pink as her namesake as they looked upon the newcomer, the Glam Sight: Fairy Eyes a sign of the ancient woman's meddling throughout Sakura's life.
"Hello, Sakura. How are you feeling?" The blonde woman in a black veil smiled in spite of herself, though the expression always seemed to carry a hint of sadness. Sakura was too young to fully understand the subtext though, simply starved for her kindness.
"I'm better! Whenever the worms start, I just send myself here to talk to you! I've been doing that a lot more lately. Uncle Kariya came back healthier yesterday, too!" The child was elated by this fact, something which the veiled woman was happy for.
"Yes, he helped protect the boy my little sister is watching. She was thankful and rewarded your uncle by healing him a little. The worms are still hard on him, but I hope he manages to stay well. He is a kind man." Morgan's smile lost a bit of its underlying sadness. Kariya Matou may have feelings for a married woman, but he handled the matter with a measure of class and cared for her children as much as if they were his own. The man was the single ray of hope Sakura had aside from Morgan herself.
"Ah? The boy she's in love with? Are they getting married?" Sakura asked, excitedly. She'd heard a little about how Morgan's sister was waiting to meet her loved one again after a long time.
"Not yet, I'm afraid. It is still too soon for that." A different voice called out, making Morgan's expression darken. Looking over, Sakura saw a white-haired man in white robes who she'd never met before. He wore a smirk of amusement. "Morgan, what was that you were telling me before about 'altering unnecessary details' and how I should avoid doing that? All while you were doing this in secret?" His tone wasn't angry, but more like someone who enjoyed catching someone in the act and harassing them for the sake of his own pleasure.
"...Pretty..." Sakura breathed while staring at Merlin, the Magus of Flowers smiling more widely at the compliment. With the flick of a wrist and some flair, he made small pink flowering vines grow at his feet and weave themselves into a flower crown. He pulled it from the ground and placed it on Sakura's head with a smile. "As are you, young lady. Thank you for your honesty~" Sakura couldn't help but smile shyly and blush from the attention.
"Is there an age limit to your infidelity?" Morgan bluntly inquired, glaring at Merlin.
"Ah? I would need to have a significant other to be unfaithful. Are you saying you consider us to be-" Morgan grabbed Merlin's cheek and pinched it firmly to stop him from taunting her. The scorned woman's expression returned to a smile, but it was one that promised immense pain.
"One should not say such confusing things in front of a child, Merlin." This was said with a tone that made Merlin take a step back, his acquiescence recognized by the removal of her hand. The magus tended briefly to his assailed face, his expression barely impacted by the pain. Given that they were in a dreamscape rather than in their true bodies, it was more superficial than anything. Sakura looked on in confusion, tilting her head at the banter of the pair.
"...Alright, let us be serious. Why are you doing this? Projecting yourself into Sakura's dreams and interfering in her development is risking what your sister wishes to save, is it not?" Merlin asked with his smile fading as he got down to business. Morgan was not wanting to answer, but Sakura's inquisitive expression made her think twice.
"So meeting me...is risking someone? Is it the boy she loves? Does that mean you're going away?" Sakura was upset and Morgan sent Merlin a glare. She then looked back to Sakura before patting her lap. Sakura saw the signal and trustingly crawled into the lap of a woman who had previously been considered among the least maternal women possible.
"...Sakura, I was a Princess once. My sister and I both. However, our father could only choose one child to rule. I was the elder, but he instead chose my little sister to lead our Kingdom. I was angry and bitter to where I was eventually banished because I refused to accept it. I hated my sister. I hated her Kingdom. I became the evil witch you read about in stories trying to destroy everyone's happiness...and in the end, I won. I destroyed the Kingdom." Morgan's confession made Sakura's eyes widen. She was surely trying to reconcile the kind woman in front of her with such a horrible thing. Morgan continued to speak, resuming her story. "But when I finally had revenge on my father and sister for casting me aside...I felt regret. My actions killed many people who didn't deserve to die. People who, as Princess, I should have protected. Even so, my sister never showed me hatred. She considered me an enemy, but only to the degree that I forced her to. All she did was to fulfill the duty placed on her. I realized too late that I was blaming her for things that were not her burden to bear. Indeed, her burden as the ruler of the Kingdom was greater than my own because she pushed herself to be perfect so as not to fail anyone. And she had to deal with this man here every single day."
"Hey now, I am a fine friend." Merlin protested in a tone that had no bite to it. Morgan continued without dignifying Merlin's retort with a response.
"I made a horrible mistake. Rather, I lived a life made almost entirely of horrible mistakes borne of my hatred. My sister is cordial to me now, but I can't forgive myself enough to seek forgiveness from her." Morgan looked to Sakura, not used to admitting these things. She was very careful with her next words as she studied the child's face. "While we planned on saving the one who won my sister's heart, I found you nearby. I saw a girl who was cast into the darkness. A suffering girl who had every reason to grow hateful and angry. A girl who might despise her sister as I did and regret it later...I saw my younger self in you."
Morgan spoke softly, knowing Merlin could hear but not caring. Sakura needed reassurance. "I decided to give you a chance not to make my mistakes or lead a life full of hatred and regrets. To be a friend that would help you remember kindness. So no, I do not intend to abandon you." Indeed, Sakura would have grown up into a young woman who thought her true family had abandoned her if left alone. While kind, there was always darkness under the surface in her future self which threatened to make the transition into evil. In some timelines, it had done so and claimed Artoria as well.
The Magus of Flowers cleared his throat after a moment of silence. "Artoria would approve. Let me know the details later and we'll work to add it to the plan." Merlin said, reassuring Morgan even as he glanced at the strange scabbard in Morgan's care. The woman smiled not only upon hearing this but also on feeling the child in her lap embrace her strongly.
"Auntie Morgan...I don't understand it all, but thank you for not leaving me alone. I don't care if you were bad before. You're just Auntie Morgan now." With Sakura's words and hug, Morgan embraced the child back and wondered why she couldn't have done so with her own children.
Shaking that thought from her mind, Morgan regarded the girl who had adopted her and smiled with neither sadness nor falsehood. "Thank you, Sakura. Now...how about another Magecraft lesson?" Excitedly, Sakura prepared herself to learn while Merlin looked on.
Tohsaka Mansion
180 hours and 17 minutes to Zero
Shirou was finally in bed in Sakura's room upstairs, resting from Grasping the whole of the upstairs library and unaware of the tone downstairs. Aside from Gilgamesh, who stood at the window of the study and regarded the moonlight, everyone was deep in thought. Tokiomi sat at his desk with his eyes closed, his elbows on the desk, and his hands clasped together over the lower half of his face in thought. Kirei sat on the couch in front of and to his right, reflecting on his own response to seeing the girl in that state. Okita sat across from Kirei on the couch in front of and to Tokiomi's left, also deep in thought. Because Zouken forced Kariya and his Servant to come to watch the whole of Sakura's 'training', they'd lost any chance to rescue her that night. Even the weakest Berserker was likely a match for an Assassin-class Servant.
"What is your plan, Tokiomi? Will you approach the Matou yourself and exchange the boy for your daughter?" Gilgamesh inquired, his expression showing one of vague amusement as he broke the silence. All three present looked directly to the man and stared in shock, eyes widening that he dared to suggest such a thing. "Tactically, it is sound. You get your child back and can offer Kirei's skills as a surgeon to the Matou Master to remove the worms. In exchange, you demand his and my cook's command seals and perhaps even their Servants. Your position in this war would be assured, so long as you could provide the energy necessary to us...do you intend to take that option? Will you sacrifice him for your child, Tokiomi?"
Kirei and Okita looked at Tokiomi as he pondered, the father clearly tempted while also feeling mortified that he felt the temptation at all. Trading a child's life for a child's life... "No. I will get my daughter back through other means. It may be more difficult, but I will not trade one for the other. I gave Shirou and Saber my promise of protection and I honor my agreements, Archer."
Gilgamesh smiled a bit more widely upon hearing these words. "I'm glad to hear that, Tokiomi. If you were planning to cast aside my personal chef for your own ends, I would be most displeased. I intend to eat well in my time here. Of course, it means that you may have to contend with the Matou Master sooner than later."
"What do you mean, Archer?" Okita inquired of the King of Heroes. "He wants Sakura to be safe just as we do. Shouldn't we ally with him in that regard?"
It was Kirei who responded when Archer simply glanced at him to field the question. "Kariya Matou is not as strong a contender as our group is, nor does he have the same resources. He may become desperate enough to accept his grandfather's offer in time and betray our trust. I'm also concerned about how his grandfather knew about your houseguest in the first place."
Tokiomi couldn't help but wonder about that as well. He did not think Risei to be the type to betray him, and they knew from the context of the conversation they spied upon that Kariya wasn't responsible. "You haven't realized why he knows? You have all the knowledge you need to find the answer." Gilgamesh asked with a tinge of disappointment in his voice. The trio looked to him, but Gilgamesh simply gave a sigh and left faded into spirit form with golden flecks of light, leaving the trio to figure out the matter for themselves.
Fuyuki Airport
174 hours and 30 minutes to Zero
Even as late as it was, the exodus of albino women from the airplane made more than a few people at the airport do a double-take. Contributing to this was Lancer Artoria in a black butler outfit like that her counterpart had worn the last time around. Her generous assets dwarfed even Leysritt's and evoked a very different impression than Saber had. "So, Lancer." Kiritsugu inquired in an awkward attempt to be cordial, "How did you enjoy your flight?"
The black-clad Servant noted a change in her Master since the mental attack, the addition of five years making him simultaneously more determined to help his wife survive and more interested in speaking to his Servant. She hoped the change would remain a positive one. "Well, it was really nothing to speak of. It was far simpler than I had actually anticipated."
Irisviel giggled slightly, prompting the Master and Servant to glance at the white-haired woman. She chose to explain herself after noticing their stares. "I'm sorry for laughing. I just remember having this conversation last time, in this very spot. Lancer has information on the modern-day given to her by the Grail. With their Riding ability, she or Saber could even fly this plane without difficulty if they wanted to."
Kiritsugu felt a bit sheepish. "Ah...is that so. Well, I hope you will find some things that are still novel and enjoyable in your time here, Lancer." Lancer Artoria was a bit surprised, getting the impression that the man honestly meant that. The trio left the tarmac, entered the airport, and showed their passports. Afterward, Lancer Artoria tensed up while they waited for the other homunculi and the luggage to be processed.
"Master...there is a Servant nearby that isn't even bothering to hide his presence. He is approaching." Lancer Artoria stood in front of Kiritsugu and Irisviel, looking at a man who was dressed in the same color and style of butler's outfit as she was. The outfit choice was apparently intended to draw their attention to his knowledge of their situation, knowledge which turned out to be more lacking than he had expected. The white-haired and tanned man was clearly surprised as he looked at Artoria with an expression of utter disbelief. Shaking his head as if suddenly recalling an inside joke, he soon schooled his features and approached.
Stopping himself a socially acceptable distance away, the man regarded the trio with a nod. "I spoke with you on the phone 17 hours ago. I swear that neither I nor my Master have any intention of causing harm to you. Would it be alright if the three of us could speak somewhere private?"
"If your intentions are peaceful, then why is your Master not here to share in this discussion?" Lancer Artoria asked with suspicion.
"He is asleep in bed, as all children his age should be at this hour. He also is unaware that you exist." EMIYA's words confused the trio, and the blonde Servant bore a look of mild frustration.
"And you left him undefended to meet with us?" Lancer Artoria pressed, finding that to be dangerous to the child if true.
"No, Saber. My Master is well protected. It's a complex situation, but neither of us has any desire to make a wish upon the Grail." He said this last part quietly as he glanced toward the mass of homunculi, the homogeneous group currently assuming the man to be one of Kiritsugu's contacts.
"...Why do you think me to be Saber, good Sir?" Lancer Artoria inquired, curious as to his reasons. She had her suspicions but wanted to hear them from his own lips.
"You may be more...physically mature than the Saber I knew, but you are still clearly Artoria Pendragon. I can't imagine the bearer of Excalibur holding any other role in this War." Lancer Artoria noted the surprise he had shown at her physical form and confirmed that he was expecting the very person that Kiritsugu and Irisviel had memories of. The Grail should have given him a complete understanding of the assorted legends of every Servant, though. Did being a Counter Guardian cause an issue with his information download?
In the time that Lancer Artoria, Kiritsugu, and Irisviel came to this conclusion, Archer's eyes had shifted to a piece of luggage being moved on a cart by Leysritt and widened. "H-hey, that's dangerous!" He said quietly before swiftly walking over. He very carefully lifted the luggage off the cart and started to move it. "Sorry, Leysritt, I need to take care of this fast."
"No, stop that..." The somewhat odd woman protested, responding a bit slowly as the trio followed EMIYA. The fact he knew her name and that she'd had to pack up her weapon helped keep her from responding further before he'd taken ownership of the large piece of luggage.
"Is it a bomb?" Kiritsugu inquired quietly before EMIYA shook his head.
"No, but we need to hurry and be very careful not to jostle this or disturb the other guests." The ex-Counter Guardian scanned the airport before beginning to move, carrying the hard-shelled luggage with a Servant's strength. Kiritsugu and Lancer Artoria stuck closely to him while Irisviel, Sella, and Leysritt made up the rear. Tense and ready to contend with the unknown threat once they got it out of the public eye, Kiritsugu noticed that the unknown man's choice of location was...curious to say the least.
Gingerly setting the luggage down behind a potted plant to conceal it from sight to a degree, he carefully unzipped it...and a pair of ruby red eyes peeked out of the luggage as if ready to cry.
'P-potty...' Illyasviel weakly pled in German.
'Right in there, Illya.' EMIYA said in the same language, gesturing to the women's restroom he'd deposited them just outside of. The girl couldn't spare time to apologize to her parents or maids, or even to discuss the identity of her savior. She and Gray both fled into the restroom to resolve the issue that had been growing since midway through the flight. They moved so quickly that a mess of empty snack food bags and plastic bottles fell to the floor from the girls' impromptu accommodations.
EMIYA gave a sigh of relief as he began to clean up what refuse had fallen in the girls' haste. "That could have ended badly..." Kiritsugu and Irisviel looked at each other, dumbstruck for the moment.
Author's Postscript: I struggled with Okita's history here. When I wrote this, I assumed that Miyama Town/Fuyuki City was near Kobe where a lot of the real-life architecture that inspired the buildings of Fuyuki can be found. This was also relatively close to the location of the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in January 1868. I thought it would be neat to have Okita pop up during the Second Holy Grail War that happened sometime during this decade. After writing this, I heard that Fuyuki City was actually somewhere on the island of Kyushu, which was further away and in the opposite direction of where the Shinsengumi would have wanted to retreat toward. Eventually, I just chose to have her luring her enemies away from her allies on a wild goose chase and thus heading in a different direction...which happens to be wherever Miyama Town/Fuyuki City is. Lazy, I know, but it was what worked.
I also realized that Okita, who resisted the Imperialists, might conflict with a King like Artoria...but the original motivations for joining the Roshigumi and the memories of the Shinsengumi's decline plus some historical facts might just make her rethink things. I still wonder if she came to the conclusion too easily though.
Giving Okita a better life after healing her with Artoria's Grail-made version of Avalon wasn't a hard choice, though I don't know how popular it will be. Let the warrior have a decent life and die at an old age surrounded by friends and family. Please let Okita have this. Of course, curing her tuberculosis and letting her have accomplishments after when she would normally have died makes her a stronger Servant. It's a shame she's stuck as an Assassin this time, which hinders that.
WEAPON DATA:
Name: Coat of Broken Oaths
Owner: Souji Okita (Assassin)
Type: Anti-Unit
Rank: C
Range: 1
Maximum number of targets: 3 people including the wearer
Like the Coat of Oaths worn by the typical Souji Okita who died during the Meiji Restoration, this haori is the official uniform of Kyoto's Shinsengumi force. It is a pale blue-green and white triangle pattern designed to stand out and announce the affiliation of its user.
Unlike the original, which was worn by the typical history's Souji Okita (Saber) to generally boost her weak specifications, this version lacks that ability due to the fact this world's Okita broke her oath to the Shinsengumi to account for the changing times and honor her initial intentions. Instead, the coat diminishes her base specifications as if punishing her for betraying the organization that it represents. Her Kiku-Ichimonji Norimune, the sword which she was famous for wielding after leaving the Shinsengumi, is not available. She is stuck with the Kojiki Kiyomitsu she used as a Shinsengumi. The added fame Okita received for this choice and her accomplishments thereafter, combined with the healing of her tuberculosis, make her base parameters rise to somewhat compensate for the loss.
The benefit the Coat of Broken Oaths does give to Okita is the ability to extend her B-ranked Presence Concealment to others which she pulls under the coat with her. She can conceal up to two people, one on either side of her, at the cost of her mobility.