The first thing that Kyoko's father had done after he had regained his composure was drag all of them, Archer included, into his office. She knew for a fact that he rarely let anyone inside his office, even his own children, so it was a testament to how serious the situation had become.

"What are you?" Her father demanded as he stood next to his desk.

"A Magical Girl…" Kyoko told him

"Magical Girl," his eyes narrowed in disbelief. "This isn't a game, Sakura."

Kyoko flinched. He only ever called them by their last names if he was truly enraged. "I'm a Magical Girl and a Magus."

"Magus?"

"Those who practice Magecraft."

"And what is Magecraft?"

"It's… magic that can only do what is scientifically possible," Kyoko replied as she created a ball of fire in the palm of her hands. She would've shown him her transformation, but she was still recovering from her previous exertion.

Her father looked at the flame in shock and fear. "The Devil's power?"

"No," Archer commented.

Kyoko's father turned to glare at Archer. "And you are?"

Just tell him. Just tell him everything Archer. Kyoko instructed.

"Her Servant," Archer replied.

"Servant?"

Kyoko removed her gloves and the magic cast on her hand to reveal the Command Seals underneath. Of the three pairs of red marks originally there, only two remained a vibrant red. A result of her using them to summon her Servant. She had thought it was worth it to save her sister, but she was reconsidering things due to her current circumstances.

"I am a Heroic Spirit summoned by my Master to serve her purposes," Archer explained.

"Summoning? Witchcraft?" Kyoko stepped back as her father turned back to her. "Did you make a pact with the Devil?"

Not this again, Archer grumbled.

What? Kyoko asked

Nothing. Just… nostalgia

"No," she immediately denied it. "I found a book in the church's basement, and I ended up summoning him."

"Was it a thick book hidden in an alcove with strange symbols hidden on it?" the priest asked.

"Yes… how did you know?"

"I hid it there. It was a cursed thing that suddenly appeared in my Church one day. Any attempts to destroy it and the amulet failed. It was clearly temptation from the devil meant to drag people to ruin!"

"I do not know of the circumstances that would've brought the book here and the catalyst used to summon me to your Church," Archer admitted. "But I can assure you that I am not the Devil and that he wasn't involved in this."

"What do you have to say about this, demon?"

"I am no demon. I am a Magi."

"A servant to a demon then. A Witch." The priest glared at Kyoko. "You turned her into one of your kind?"

"We are Magi. We do not draw our powers from hell, but from the Root."

"The Root?"

"The Akashic Records. The force that exists at the top of all theories in every dimension, as well as the source of all events and phenomena in the universe. It exists outside of time, and archives information of all possibilities and events, past, present, and future of the world. It is where all souls, including Heroic Spirits, originate from and where they return after death."

Kyoko being the only who had heard this lecture previously could, only stand there awkwardly as her father and sister stared at her Servant in confused silence.

They both turned to her.

She nodded in agreement.

"That's… blasphemy. Your lies will not work on me." The priest eventually replied though there was some hesitation in his voice.

"I am simply speaking of a different interpretation of Heaven, as the Root is occasionally known as." Archer continued despite the growing outrage on her father's face. "For many Magi their ultimate goal is to reach the root through their own effort."

"Heaven is a gift from God!" the priest shouted at the Servant. "To the sinners who had found the Lord and truly wished for salvation. It is not something to be earned because we are undeserving. It is only by his grace and mercy that we are saved!"

"I can't deny or confirm the existence of your Almighty God," Archer replied plainly. "But the Root is real, any second-rate Magus can tell you that. Any Divine Being could tell you that, had they still existed once the Age of Gods had passed."

"Gods? There is only one God."

"Perhaps only one Almighty God as your bible says. Maybe not. But there do exist beings with the power and existence to be considered Gods. Gods celebrated in Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and other religions because they had once existed and had an influence on this world. It is also said that to touch the Root is a path to becoming a being like a God."

"Y-you are a demon. Trying to lead me to sin. You are but a challenge to my faith sent by the Devil! It is impossible for men to become God!"

"I have been called many things, a demon by many for my actions. But I speak the truth. That is what you must accept."

By the end of it her father had become eerily silent and stared at her as if she was some sort of alien.

"Go..." was all he said as he pointed to the door. They all took that as permission to flee the room and church. The sun had long since set and there was a chill in the night air, though Kyoko was hardly affected by it.

Momo shivered though and Archer had already Projected a coat for her to wear before Kyoko could move to help.

"That… went badly," Kyoko replied. She held Momo's hand tightly as they walked home. There was no way she was letting go now.

"Is Papa going to be okay?" Momo asked nervously.

"I'm sure he'll be fine Momo," Kyoko reassured her sister.

"No, you can't be certain," Archer said.

Kyoko turned back. "Archer?"

"What would a man like him so hard set in his beliefs do to anything that doesn't conform to those same beliefs?" Archer asked them.

"I'm not sure what you mean."

"That book didn't conform so he hid it away. You also do not conform."

Kyoko froze, having finally realized what he was saying. "But I'm his daughter."

"Whose very existence as a Magical Girl rejects everything that he believed in. Whose wish, a power that he believes comes from the Devil, was what brought him his believers in the first place. What will that do to a man who stubbornly clings to his beliefs if he were to find out?"

"…"

"In the end, for you two to still coexist it was necessary for him to know the entire truth. From there he will accept it or won't. There is a good chance that it is the latter."

"What happens if he doesn't then?"

Archer looked at the both of them with a face that showed centuries, no, thousands of years of experience. Of a mind and soul torn away by time, until all that was left was resignation. Resignation and a grief flicker of pity. "Then you cannot exist in his life."

Kyoko's father never said much about what happened in his Church. In fact, he never said much of anything to her. Instead, he took great effort in ignoring her and drinking his worries away. He never drank before and once he began there was a clear change in the way he behaved. He wasn't violent, not yet at least, but everyone else in the household avoided him when he had a bottle in his hands. There was almost always a bottle in his hands.

"Perhaps you should move out Master," Archer suggested one night at the park where she and Momo ate the dinner, he made for them. It was simply too suffocating at home to eat comfortably there.

Momo had nearly choked on her food. "What!? You're leaving?"

"No Momo," Kyoko glared at Archer. "I'm not abandoning my family."

"Family and those closest to you are the ones capable of hurting you the most," Archer said.

"That doesn't mean I give up on them!"

"A good principle, but families can be incredibly fragile. Blood might be thick, but we decide who we consider family. Your father has yet to come to that decision."

"It still doesn't mean I should abandon him while he's still trying to cope!"

"You're not abandoning him. It's a strategic retreat and a needed break for you two," Archer argued. "He hasn't reacted well to your presence. Perhaps if you left the house and gave him time to himself, he might be able to think a bit more clearly. If not, then at least you're out of the way when he does try something."

"He's my father! He wouldn't do anything to us," Kyoko argued.

"He might be your father… but that doesn't mean he can't harm you. Even with the best of intentions."

"But I don't want my big sis to leave," Momo cried out. "Let's just go talk to Papa together again! He has to understand?"

Archer shook his head. "That'll make things worse, if anything we should take Momo along with us."

"What!?" both sisters shouted as they both put down their bento boxes.

"She's already involved. The environment at your house isn't good for a child either."

"And running away from home is!?" Kyoko shouted.

"It's safer than staying in that house. I have some money saved up. Enough for a room at a hotel for a few weeks. Nothing fancy, but clean."

"It isn't that bad-"

"It is. And it'll likely get much worse."

Kyoko looked at her sister who was about ready to cry again. Momo was so young, yet she was watching her world collapse around her. It was all Kyoko's own fault that her little sister was going through all this. She needed to find a way to fix this, but she didn't know how.

"Archer… let's give him a bit more a bit more time. I'm sure he'll get better," Kyoko suggested.

"… As you command, Master."

That night their father, during an argument with their mother, threw an empty beer bottle in the house. It ended up slamming against the wall right next to where Momo's head was. She wasn't hurt thankfully, but it was all the incentive Kyoko needed to quickly pack their bags and leave the house before their parents noticed they were gone.

Where are we going? Archer asked as they made their escape. The hotel I suggested is in the other direction.

You'll see.

Mami hummed to herself as she put the base of the tea cake in the oven before preparing the milk frosting. The humming got even louder as she quickly whipped the bowl of cream with her whisk.

She and Kyoko were going to spend an afternoon together drinking tea and eating cake, something they planned for weeks already. It was nice to have guests at the apartment and she was grateful to have met Kyoko. Her only real regrets were the moments when she went into the kitchen to find Archer cooking something again.

Was it strange that she had gotten rather used to him just breaking in whenever he wanted? Well, at least he wasn't the worst intruder she could have on a regular basis. He did his tasks quickly, never made a mess, and only ever spoke when spoken to. His presence became at most a minor annoyance.

The doorbell rang. Mami set down the bowl and made her way to the door.

Who could that be so late at night? If it was an intruder with ill intent, well usually a bit of magic to tie them up and musket to the face was enough to chase them away.

Rather than an intruder though, Mami opened the door to find Kyoko, another girl that looked similar to Kyoko, and a grumpy looking Archer with a pair of packed bags that he carried in each hand.

"Hey Mams… could we stay at your place for a bit?" Kyoko asked.

Mami glanced at Kyoko's guilty face, the other girl's confused face, and Archer's annoyed one. The last one was, admittedly, all the incentive she needed. She took a deep breath, put on the biggest smile she could, and welcomed them inside.

After letting them in she was introduced to Momo, and well Kyoko's little sister certainly made a good first impression.

"Thank you for letting us stay at your home, Ms. Tomoe," Momo said quietly and with a slight bow of her head.

They two sisters might've looked quite similar but the younger one was very polite and actually respected Japanese formality. Not that Mami disliked Kyoko's straightforward manner of address, but to have someone in the apartment that was actually fairly eloquent was a welcome addition. Which was strange considering she was the youngest one there, but well try to get Archer and Kyoko to act polite.

The only way that was happening was with a wish.

"You're welcome," Mami replied as she set down some tea for everyone there. Even Archer, who simply took his cup and remained standing. "I apologize I couldn't bring any snacks. The cake is still being baked."

"You were making it for tomorrow?" Kyoko said as she continued to sniff the air and stare at the kitchen. "Smells great Mams."

"Thank you," Mami replied as she took her own seat. "So, is there a reason you need to stay at my apartment?"

It took a bit of time for Kyoko to explain what had happened, especially because it seemed to pain her to talk about it. Archer would often have to help in the blanks or speed things along at moments where she was reluctant to speak.

"So, if I understand the situation correctly." Mami put down her teacup. "Kyoko and Momo's father found about her being a Magical Girl."

"Yes." Kyoko stared into her own untouched tea. "He hasn't been taking it well."

"It's to be expected considering the world we live in, that's why Kyubey encourages us to keep that part of our lives secret even from our families… However, his drinking and recent violent tendencies are quite worrying. He might be having a personal crisis of faith, but I do not believe that justifies hurting the people closest to you."

"I agree," Kyoko sighed. "It's why I finally listened to Archer and got me and Momo-"

"Momo and I," Momo corrected.

"Cheeky brat," Kyoko said, though she was more amused than annoyed. "So, I got Momo and I out of the house."

"You only listened halfway," Archer commented.

"Mami's reliable, she has plenty of room in her apartment, and the money you were going to use for a hotel room could be used for groceries and paying rent."

"Oh no, I don't need rent," Mami said. "It's perfectly fine if you want to stay in this apartment." If anything, the idea of having other people live here excited her. The size of her apartment only served to remind her how… quiet her life had gotten ever since her parents died. It'd be nice to have a bit of company. "Though I do worry, what if your parents go to the police?"

"My mom probably would," Kyoko admitted. "But I never told them where you lived. Even if they were to look up your address and come here, a bit of Magic is all it'll take to hide our presence."

"Your Magic is suited for that," Mami admitted. Though she disliked having to use Magic on civilians she could understand the necessity of it.

"You're a Magical Girl too. Right, Ms. Tomoe?" Momo asked.

"I am," Mami showed Momo her Soul Gem. "Our duty is to fight witches and protect the people of this world."

"Could I become one?"

*Crash* *Slam*

Mami flinched as Archer dropped his teacup while Kyoko slammed her hands on the table. They both turned their heads toward Momo who seemed hardly perturbed by their reaction. If anything, it was as if the little girl expected them to react like this.

Yes.

Momo squeaked as Archer threw a dagger that embedded itself in the wall right next to where Kyubey appeared. That, apparently, the little girl didn't expect.

"I thought I told you to stay away, Incubator," Archer said with an edge of steel.

Mami has given me an open invitation to enter her apartment whenever I feel it is necessary, Kyubey replied calmly.

"Incubator?" Mami asked.

"Kyubey. In-kyubey-tor," Archer explained.

"Oh. So Kyubey is a nickname," Mami said as she kept a finger on her Soul Gem, ready to transform in a moment. She didn't want to fight her guest, but if he was going to get violent toward Kyubey…

"Did you say I can become a Magical Girl?" Momo asked Kyubey.

Ye-

"No!" Kyoko shouted and immediately put herself in front of her sister. "You are not getting her involved in this," she growled at Kyubey.

Kyubey tilted its head. I would say she's already involved. She has recently manifested her potential and that will attract Witches to her. Would it not make sense for her to be capable of defending herself?

"We have plenty of ways to hide her from witches now that we know," Kyoko replied angrily.

"But Big Si-"

"You saw what that Witch did to me Momo." Kyoko pointed to her stomach. "You saw where it stabbed me. The same things are going to happen to you if you get involved."

"It's because you got hurt that I want to help!" Momo began trying to push her sister away. "I don't want you to get hurt again because I'm too weak."

"You're not weak," Archer commented. Momo turned to look at him. "Your strength lies in other areas. You don't have to fight to be strong."

Strength is a quantifiable and measurable attribute. Momo does not constitute as st-

Kyoko transformed and thrust her spear in front of Kyubey's face. "Get out of here now."

As I said. I'm here on invitation from Mam-

"Mami," Kyoko turned to her. "Could you just get Kyubey out of here? Please."

Kyoko never begged, so to see her do it now… "Kyubey," Mami addressed the Incubator. "Please leave for the time being. I'll contact you when it's safe to come back."

Alright Mami. It turned to Momo. Just know that my offer is available to you at any time.

Kyubey jumped out through the window, his absence immediately calming the tension in the apartment. Kyoko though still looked like she was ready to shake her sister by the shoulders until any idea of making a contract was shaken out of her head.

"Momo don't listen to it," Kyoko said as she undid her transformation.

"Didn't you make a wish though?" Momo asked.

"… And look what happened to dad," Kyoko put her arms around Momo and hugged her. "You're still… human. It might be too late for me but if there's still a chance that you could be with Mom and Dad once I'm gone-"

"I don't want you to leave Kyoko. I want to be with you!" Momo shouted into her chest. "Why can't we be together again like we used to be? Why, why do bad things keep happening to us?"

"I don't know Momo… sometimes the world is just that bad."

A brief glance from Archer was all Mami needed to stand up and leave the room so that the two sisters could have their privacy. Archer was quick to follow and closed the door to the balcony once they were outside. From there they could see the two sisters tightening their embrace.

"I never thought that the situation with Sakura's family was so…"

"Strained?" Archer finished for her.

"Yes."

"Kyoko wanted to be like you. Her perfect Mentor. It was why she didn't want to worry you about this."

"I-I'm not perfect."

"That's the act you put up though and it's what most people believe."

"But you don't?"

"I know what it's like to put on a mask."

Mami glanced through the glass door where she could see the two sisters talking a bit more calmly now. There were still plenty of tears between the two of them though. "If she had just asked me, maybe I could've helped."

"It's likely that you wouldn't have been able to change anything, but my Master would've believed that you could."

"Then why didn't she come to me?"

"Pride. She wants to help others but refuses to receive aid in turn. Only I'm allowed due to my circumstances and even then, I can tell it bothers her."

"Then she doesn't want my help? At all?" It bothered Mami that her Junior couldn't rely on her. What was the point of being the reliable Mentor if she couldn't be trusted by the people she taught?

"The fact that she brought Momo here speaks volumes about how much she has come to rely on you. She trusts you enough that she'll bring the dearest person in her life to your care."

For once, Archer's words were comforting to hear.

Mami watched as the two sisters hugged once more. Her Junior was smiling despite the tears that had gathered in her eyes. "If that's what she needs from me, then I'll do it."

"What about the Incubator?"

"I'll make sure that he doesn't speak with her when you two aren't around to supervise. I know how… persuasive he can be towards young children."

"I'd rather it'd just stay away," Archer admitted.

"He's been my guide for a long time, I can't just force him out. Could you at least try to be civil around him?"

"Fine," Archer begrudgingly agreed. "While we're in your apartment. But if it starts going after Momo again-"

"I know. I'll make sure he doesn't overstep his bounds." Mami glanced at Archer curiously. "Why do you hate him so much?"

Archer's eyes became distant as he stared at an unknown horizon that he could see. They stood there in silence for quite some time, long enough that Mami had just been about to open the balcony door when he finally decided to speak. "I was once offered to have a wish, to have my dream granted."

"I thought only girls could be contracted?"

"It wasn't an Incubator. Something else."

"So, what happened?"

"It gave me my wish in exchange for my service. And that led to my ruin. Seeing the Incubator is a reminder of my mistake." He glanced through the door and looked at Kyoko. "And of my failure."