AN: Sorry it's been so long since my last post. I've been busy with some real world thingsmoving back into my room; working on some videos and original stories; looking back at an old Star Wars story I made; starting a summer college class; and reading some mangas, comics and books. I've also been playing Devil May Cry 4 SE and DMC5 for some inspiration. Plus I temporarily lost my creative spark and had been working on this story for three months (through March to May) so I thought a little break might help. It helped a little. That and this chapter was kinda a slog (I really just wanted to get this one over with).

I'm hoping to come back and add more to this later.


Chapter 12: Travel Plans

Elric awoke in a mist of darkness. Looking into it, his mind feeling numb, struggling to muster a concise thought as he looked into the veil of misty blackness; feeling as if he was in the midst of a haze.

The sensation was infuriating—as it rendered his ability to think straight impotent—as much as it was disheartening. As even the action of attempting to remember how he came to inhabit such a loathsome predicament was difficult. Seeing a myriad of memories pass his eyes—the day he learned the truth about his mother, the fallout with his father, the many fights he had with Somnus, the evening he was brought to the Dioland manor, Zed taking his first time, the time he danced with Red in Tucson; all perpetually rushed by before him in flashes.

What...happened…?

Finally he was able to recall—fighting with the King of Heroes, the clash with Emiya, falling back; all leading to the dark abyss he found himself inhabiting. Then suddenly—as abruptly as he had arrived—the dark abyss to surround him was replaced by hills and fields of Camlann, as well as the corpses of dead knights and their bloodied swords stabbed into the earth or still clutched in their hands just as were their shields.

He looked up to a particular hill, expecting to glimpse the silhouettes of Artoria and Mordred clashing with Clarent and Excalibur in their respective hands. But to his surprise they were absent, replaced by the Throne of Corruption and the king who sat upon it and behind it the blue glow of some unnatural power.

He was tempted to step forward.

"Quite the predicament you've got yourself into here." a voice remarked.

Elric spun around to see, standing amidst the dead knights, a young man.

The young man resembled Shirou, in a way—except his hair was dirty blond, his eyes were blue, he was younger, and not Japanese. Approaching as he said to Elric "Well...shit. That could've gone better, eh, big brother?"

Instantly, the Freelancer recognized him. It was his little brother, Emil Rheon.

"Emil?" Elric gasped. Feeling tears trickle down from his eyes. It had been six years and still he had not emotionally coped well with what happened. The pain, the anguish, the despair….the guilt. It always ate at him like cancer.

"Tears?" Emil was surprised, "What's wrong? You turn into a real cry baby while I've been away?"

March 31

Elric's eyes opened as he gasped for air.

Jolting to sit up, finding himself resting on a hospital bed, hearing the beeps of a heart monitor; he shocked those in the room with him.

Mordred was as surprised as the Glaive who had been assigned to watch over him, Rin, Shirou and Luvia were taken aback, and Gilgamesh nearly spilled some of the refined wine he had been sharing with Enkidu.

Panting while he glanced around, gaining some measure of understanding of where he was, as it was overtly obvious to ascertain his location.

A hospital?

He gradually got his bearings, stepping onto the floor, tearing off the wire connecting him to the heart monitor. Standing up to search through the room for his belongings.

He looked to Luvia for answers.

Luvia blushed looking at Elric's bear chest—intricately examining the scars on his chiseled body; the cuts from various slashes and stabs to leave permanent marks on his body. The one to catch the zenith of her attention was at the center of his chest—looking as if it had been stabbed by an ancient nail, reminiscent of the types used in crucifixion.

It was all enough to inspire some concern from the Edelfelt heir. To ponder the kind of harsh life being a freelancer had been for him.

"...via? Hey, Luvia?" Elric's voice brought her out of her own thoughts.

"Huh?"

"I said where are my things?" Elric repeated himself, trying not to sound rude, but also struggling to care if he was coming off as rude. "They didn't confiscate Knall did they?"

"Knall?" a majority of the room asked.

Mordred elaborated "He means his pistol." pulling something out from under her chair. Revealing it to be his jacket and shirt with the beretta concealed within. "Relax. I kept it from being absconded."

Elric took back his gun and fit back into his shirt and jacket.

"Where are we?" Elric quickly asked. Then he looked toward Shirou "Last I remember I was clashing with you, then…" and the memory once again returned to him of hallucinating that he was seeing Emil.

Shirou had been curious who he was speaking of, but apparently Luvia had enlightened him while Elric was convalescencing.

Any problems between Emiya and the Freelancer appeared to be not on either's mind.

Mordred explained they brought him to the hospital last night after Rin and Luvia did all they could to patch him up with their jewel magecraft; and from there Elric's first thought was to leave, saying flippantly "Ok, time to go."

"What about them?" Mordred pointed to Shirou and Gilgamesh, hostile sparks still going off between the spellcaster and King of Heroes. "That could be a problem."

"Yeah…" Elric agreed.

"Stay out of this, Mongrel." Gilgamesh said bluntly, anticipating his intervention was seconds away. "I may not remember the intricate details of the down to the minute, however I'm satisfied with the idea of a rematch with this Faker."

And God shit in my dinner once again.

Elric could tell. Gilgamesh was eager for a rematch. But by the look on Shirou's, there was only a question.

"You really don't remember anything?"

Gilgamesh was bemused by the question.

"I recall fighting you in a reality marble—you fought admirably, considering it was likely the first time you performed such a act, reminding me of the first time Enkidu and I did battle—then whilst I was anchoring myself to you so I would not be consumed by the Grail your coward of an archer friend shot me in the head with an arrow." Gilgamesh replied. Rubbing a finger over his forehead, indicating where an arrow had punctured his skull. "Beyond those events, my memories are vague."

The King of Heroes then glanced over to Elric "I do find it curious that you have come to be in the company of an Alagaddan."

"Second verse, same as the first, I'm not-" Elric attempted to protest but was interrupted by Luvia and Shirou who looked at him curiously.

Both asking simultaneously "What's an Alagaddan?" To which Elric responded "Nothing. It's an old legend, nothing more." abruptly, desiring to shut down any attention to the matter further. No matter how hard they pressed him on the matter, the Magician refused to elaborate further as he collected the remainer of his belongings.

"Now, does anyone know I'm here...besides you lot?"

The Glaive told him that his father was kept informed, and that someone was coming that day to visit him.

In response to that Elric said "I need to get out of here." Then he looked at Shirou and Gilgamesh, and said "Please, try not to kill each other."

Enkidu was amused by that. Giving a good luck with that expression..

"I make no promises, Alagaddan mongrel."

"Whatever." Elric proceeded to leave the room; Gilgamesh disappeared into his spirit form with Enkidu; the rest followed the freelancer. Leaving the Glaive alone.

He spoke with people when it was necessary and was nearly at the door when he was confronted by an older woman who looked to be in her fourties. In her company were Somnus, Nyx and Aera.

"Well, I must say, this is a surprise—seeing you walking about."

It was a face Elric reconized all too well.

Lisa Thorn-Rheon. Somnus and Euros' mother. The bitch who ruined my life when it barely began.

The sight of her made Elric lose all resemblance of self-control, and, before the rest knew what was happening, the Gunslinger suddenly drew Knall and pressed it against her forehead.

"Hello," Elric said maliciously "Step-mother." with a sadistic grin on his lips. Ready to pull the trigger.

Nyx and Somnus pulled him away, knocking the pistol out of his hand.

Elric jammed his knee into Nyx's gut, then used his free hand to punch Somnus. Tossing aside his brother; and then he bolted back for his pistol and raised it towards Lisa only for Shirou to come between them.

"Outta my way, Emiya."

"No." Shirou said defiantly. "I don't know why you're doing this, but I will not just allow you to kill someone."

So we're back to dense and stubborn Shirou, huh?

"I could just go through you." he pointed out. Still not decided if he wanted to kill Edward's wife that desperately. She ruined his life, made his mother's final months of life miserable, and conditioned his own brother to despise him from an early age. He was hard pressed for a reason to not want her dead. But at the same time he wondered about the ramifications—what his father might do in retaliation to Mordred or Luvia. He acted out of impulse.

"How unnecessary." Lisa groaned.

"You stay out of this!" Elric barked at his step-mother.

Aera then said "James, stop this!"

Irritated—by both her voice and the use of his old name— Elric trained Knall onto her and fired a single shot into her shoulder. "Was I talking to you, backstabber?"

Shocking the others. Luvia especially. She had been made aware that her old friend had become somewhat brasher in the last six years...but to shoot Aera so brazenly was almost unthinkable. They were friends once, but now he seemed just as angry with her as he was with his step-mother and brother.

Seeing Aera's wound, Nyx became enraged and summoned his Kukri knives as he charged at Elric, shouting "You bastard!"

The Freelancer dodged with a smirk, retorting "Well, technically, your best friend is the bastard, but then again, given your limited brain power I can understand if there is some confusion." Pressing the barrel of Knall against the Glaive's forehead just after he spun around to face the Magician.

"You really never really were that good at picking fights, Nyx."

It seemed as if Elric was seconds away from executing Nyx then and there, but just as abruptly as he pulled Knall on Lisa he kicked Nyx back towards Aera sending them both fumbling to the ground.

Much to Elric's amusement.

Any aggitation he felt was replaced with delight.

"Now then," he turned his attention and gun back to Lisa, and Shirou was still standing between them, "Why are you here?"

"Is it so hard to believe I was interested in seeing how you were convulsesing?"

"I call bull shit."

"How rude."

"No, I'm jusy not stupid." Elric corrected her. Then his tone became more intense "So, why are you here?"

"I thought, perhaps, you may perish and that 'it would be a shame for you to die and I not be honest.'"

"Are you trying to make me kill you? 'Cause at this point it's not that hard."

"Not particularly." Lisa told him. Her own maleciousness quite clear in the tone of her voice. "If I was so eager I would just mention your defect of a mother."

At that Elric raised his pistol—ready to shoot through Shirou just so he could kill her—not even capable of considering how it would affect things between him and Luvia.

The others were protesting—pleading with him and Shirou both to reconsider what they were doing.

"Master." Mordred finally spoke above the rest "Is she really worth this?"

"Kinda a toss up, to be perfectly honest," he admitted. "Also, debatable."

He did not attempt to sugar code it.

"Will killing her make you feel better?"

"Again, debatable." Elric remained serious about the matter, but suddenly pulled Knall away "But I can somewhat see your point."

Sighing, he looked towards the door. "I'll deal with you some other time."

"Of course you will." Lisa scoffed.

Elric looked at Somnus, then to Aera and Nyx. His eyes filled with hate as he made eye contact with Aera. Seeing her back at Clock Tower filled him with anger—seeing her more in the moment just made him as furious as Lisa did.

He remembered their last encounter well. When Somnus turned everyone against him and she just stood there with a bewildered expression and let it happen.

He wanted to shoot her some more, but it felt as pointless as killing Shirou just to settle things with Lisa.

"Mordred, let's go."

Elric quickly left the hospital before he changed his mind.

Luvia followed after him, so did Shirou, and Rin followed after Shirou.

An hour later...

Reaching his hotel room, Elric hid Knall and Pisto beneath the bed, and the freelancer felt as annoyed as he did at the hospital.

All the way back, he endured nothing but questions. Most of them were about what his beef was with Lisa. All of which he put off answering, saying he would explain back at the hotel. Now that they were, he had few excuses that the Magician believed would get him out of keeping his word.

"You really wanna know?"

The response was several head nods.

"When my mother was in the early stages of her pregnancy, Lisa Thorn re-entered my father's life and they began an affair. My mother knew and could do nothing about it. Then not long after I was born my mother learned she was dying—she only wanted one thing before she died: to hold me in her arms." Elric explained. "My father denied her request...because that whore lied and told him she was having postpartum depression and might try to kill me. My mother died alone, with no one but her brother to comfort her as she died."

They were silent.

"I was fourteen or fifteen when I learned the truth. I've hated Lisa and my father ever since."

Hearing that, a that explains some things expression came over Luvia's face. Remembering how around that point in his life James' personality had gotten slightly darker, but he still had a more calm and uplifted demeanor—though the countenance of his face did change drastically.

"So as you can imagine it left a sour taste in my mouth. Well...that and a few other things."

"Such as…?" Rin asked.

"Not worth talking about. For the most part." Elric replied. Reclining back on his bed. "Between her, my brother, and father; my family tends to bring out the worst of me."

Looking at the others, then back to her master, Mordred asked "So...what now?"

"Now?" Elric repeated with some apathy. "Now, I'm going to relax. Recover from my fight with Gilgamesh."

"That was pretty impressive, actually." Shirou admitted. "Where did you learn that? Was it a reality marble?"

"Yeah." Elric admitted. "Thankfully I turned this whole city into one with some runes."

"How?"

"Not long after Rheon blackmailed me into staying here, I carved the symbols around the city." Elric explained. "Turned out to be a good call."

From that it devolved into several long conversations...and Rin voicing some "encouragement" to not fight with Shirou again.

April 2

A day or two passed. Elric relaxed, read some more books, having little work come to him from Clock Tower.

Mordred continued with her attempts to have a chance encounter with Artoria.

Gilgamesh and Enkidu were relatively quiet. The King of Heores being less troublesome than the Freelancer had imagined he would be. Drinking wine and laughing with the Chain of Heaven. Only occasionally saying some things slightly rude—not that Elric cared, as he had done several things similar in the past with people...usually when in an apathetic mood.

There was little news from Clock Tower or Lord Rheon. Whatever schemes Elric's father had in mind, the machinations were not as active as he thought they would be. Announcement of the engagement had also been delayed for a week or more.

The last part gave him some mixed feelings.

His indolence lasted until the day when Elric was called to Rheon's office. Much to Elric's agitation.

He and Mordred arrived to find Luvia waiting inside as well.

"Luv?" Elric did not attempt to restrain himself from expressing the confusion. "What are you doing here?"

"Lord Rheon insisted I visit his office." Luvia responded. "With the usual condition of threats of what happens should I refuse."

"I see."

Elric seated himself in the other chair while Mordred paced the room. All three filled with trepidation, more so Luvia and Mordred while Elric was still a little apathetic.

Eventually Edward Rheon arrived. With his usual company: Regis and Elijah.

"Oh good, you are here already."

"Yeah." Elric said dryly. "You mind telling me why I'm here so I can leave?"

"Mind your tone." Elijah chided him.

"Or what?" Elric asked, brazenly, ready to reach for Knall or to summon Bliedd.

"Tis fine, Elijah. " Edward calmed his companion down, but Elric remained unphased on his stance while he returned to his seat.

Seating himself, Edward Rheon began to explain "There will be a congregation in Romania. There has been a request for a representative from various factions to attend."

"And?"

"You and Edelfelt will be attending as representatives for the Rheons and her families respectively."

Elric looked to his father with a sardonic expression.

"And I would agree to this...why?"

"This should interest you. The meeting was called by your uncle. Richter Belmont."

Elric's apathy momentarily vanished. Looking at his father with curiosity. "Go on."

"He claims that it has something to do with the Fifth Grail War and that it relates to how the Servants are still able to be summoned."

Elric went from somewhat apathetic to extremely confused "...what?" Not understanding how Richter could come across something like that. "Did he elaborate on anything?"

"I am afraid not."

Elric looked to Mordred then Luvia.

Damn it.

Somewhere in Europe

A homunculus ran through the forest, his breath heavy as most of his strength had waned throughout the chase.

He stopped at a tree and could no longer run. Resting his back against it.

The homunculus Duncan remained against the tree. Smirking as he faced his hunter—which had pursued him for the past few months—showing not a shred of fear or trepidation in his eyes or on his face. "Having fun, still?" Watching as his assailant approached.

"Immensely." the hunter responded. Stepping closer into the light. "I must commend you, abomination. You put up an admirable effort."

The figure was an averaged heighted man with blond hair and in his forties—garbbed in a grey coat resembling a cassock, black pants, black boots, black shirt with a blue trim—with a silver crucifix hanging down from a leather string. Bearing a bayonet in each of his hands.

"Thought I might as well," Duncan told him. Taking the compliment with pride—as he was in the final moments of his lifespan. "It's not everyday a homunculi such as myself has the pleasure of distracting a Iscariot priest."

The Iscariots—hunters of homunculi, wayward Executioners disavowed by the Church. The natural enemy of Duncan's kind.

"You had to know this would not end well." the Iscariot said, stepping forward, gripping the bayonet tightly. Ready for the kill—but his curiosity rivaled his drive to eradicate the homunculus.

"Perhaps." Duncan sighed. "What does it matter? My time has almost run its course." Smiling bitterly before he looked over his shoulder.

"Besides…"

Clitus Stark glanced past the humunculous to see what he was looking at. He saw the sun rising.

"Just 'cause I'm about to die doesn't mean I can enjoy one last pleasant sight."

Looking at the rising sun, the Iscariot's face forlorned. He agreed. "I suppose." Then looked back but saw Duncan's body had gone limp. His prey was dead.

The kill was denied.

Clitus collected the quarry's remains and proceeded to bury him. Providing a final prayer for the dead abomination before he walked away, concealing his bayonets.

An hour later…

Clitus reached the nearest phone booth in the nearest town and entered a phone number. He was eager to put this day behind him. His protege was probably worried about him by then.

The phone ringed five times before finally someone answered.

"Yes?" the voice of Enrico Anderson answered.

"It is done."

"Oh, Clitus. Good, good." he sounded more pleased than usual to hear from him more than usual. "I have been eagerly awaiting to hear from you."

"Has something happened, Enrico?" Stark asked, a little perturbed. "You sound different."

"Oh, I'm fine." Enrico assured him, "But there is a matter I require you and some of our fellow Iscariots to contend with."

The leader proceeded to tell of a meeting in Romania, how he was to attend, and those who would be present. The names caused a mite irritation within the former Executioner.

"I see…very well, I shall make the necessary preparations." Clitus hung up once the conversation concluded.

Soon, he felt the scar on his left cheek start to get itchy and all he could think was Damn it.