Chapter 83. The Cycle of Change
Dudley returned to the house on Grimmauld Square quite late, so as not to arouse any suspicions. But to his surprise, he found no one in the hallway except for the house brownie, Kreacher. Kreacher courteously bowed before him and inquired:
"Would you like some tea from our walk?"
Dudley declined thoughtfully and silently handed his things to Kreacher. Following Dudley into the house, Koyanskaya entered. She leisurely looked around, but gave no indication of whether she liked the place or found it deeply repulsive. Instead, she silently observed Dudley and followed him into the dining room. Despite the late hour, the dining room turned out to be quite lively, and Dudley found his friends and cousin in the midst of a spirited conversation.
"And here's Dudley!" Harry smiled and gestured for him to sit at the table. "And is this your Servant?"
Dudley cautiously looked around to see Koyanskaya. She stood beside him without hiding, and against his backdrop, she seemed quite tiny, although in reality, she surpassed the height of the other guests and Jeanne. As soon as Jeanne saw Koyanskaya, she frowned. Fujimaru reacted more sharply upon seeing Koyanskaya. His hands trembled, causing a cup to fall from them and roll across the table, spilling its contents all over its surface until Tesla caught it at the edge. Mash jumped up from the table and materialized her shield, ready for battle.
"Stop, Mash!" Ritsuka commanded. "Let this one go."
Mash breathed a sigh of relief and dematerialized her shield, but still watched Koyanskaya with caution, ready to defend her friends at any moment.
"Hey! What's going on with you?" Harry wondered.
"A long story." Ritsuka answered grimly. "Remember when I told you about Koyanskaya?"
"So, this is her?" Harry guessed.
Ritsuka silently nodded.
"But how can that be?" Harry couldn't comprehend.
"Servants are summoned from all times." Ritsuka explained. "From the past, present, and future. You live twenty years before her attack on Chaldea, but in my time, she has already become a Servant."
"So, it's something like a temporal paradox?" Makise puzzled. "If someone becomes a Servant in one timeline, can they be summoned in all the others?"
Fujimaru nodded. He stood up and approached Koyanskaya. She looked at him with confusion.
"Do you remember me?" he asked her.
She focused on her memories.
"You don't have to answer." Fujimaru continued. "Most Servants don't remember events from their previous incarnations. Answer me this instead - who are you? An Assassin or a Foreigner?"
"She's an Alter Ego." Dudley interjected.
Fujimaru deeply pondered and glanced at everyone present.
"So, it turns out that the Master Assassin is already among us. But an Extra-Class Servant summoning..."
"What are you waiting for, if you sent Avenger here yourself?" Jeanne teased sarcastically.
"It's impossible," whispered Ritsuka, looking at Koyanskaya. "How could you become a Servant for Dālei? How did he manage to summon you?"
"It wasn't difficult," she replied, smiling. "I simply used my abilities to infiltrate his consciousness and adapt to his desires. He wanted a strong and intelligent Servant to help him achieve his goal. And I wanted the opportunity to enter this world and uncover its secrets. We both got what we wanted."
"You're lying," declared Jeanne. "You don't want to help him. You want to use him for your evil intentions. You want to destroy this world, just like you tried to destroy Chaldea."
"No, you're mistaken," Koyanskaya retorted. "I don't want to destroy this world. I want to save it. I want to save all worlds. I want to save humanity from itself."
"But how can you say that when you've killed people without remorse?" Mash asked. "When you've collaborated with those who wanted to erase history and create a new order? When you've caused suffering to innocent people and Servants?"
"I did what I believed was necessary," Koyanskaya replied. "I saw that humanity was heading towards its own demise. I saw that Servants couldn't change the course of events. I saw that something needed to be done to save what could be saved. I saw that sacrifices had to be made for the greater good. I saw that I needed to be strong and resolute. I saw that I needed to be Koyanskaya."
She said this with such sincerity and conviction that everyone fell silent for a moment. They couldn't understand how she could think this way. They couldn't believe that she truly wanted to save humanity when her actions spoke otherwise. They couldn't agree with her methods when they contradicted their values. They couldn't accept her when she was their enemy.
"You're not saving humanity," Ritsuka said. "You're depriving it of freedom and meaning. You don't understand what humanity is. You don't understand what Servants are. You don't understand what love is."
"Love?" Koyanskaya echoed. "What is love? Is it what you feel for Mash? Is it what you feel for Jeanne? Is it what you feel for all your Servants? Is it what you feel for this world? Is it what you feel for yourself?"
She took a step forward and looked him straight in the eyes.
"Answer me, Ritsuka. What is love to you?" Koyanskaya asked, her eyes shining in the dim light of the room.
Ritsuka slowly stepped back, his eyes filled with mixed emotions. He had pondered this question in his heart for a long time and now, standing before her, he tried to find an answer to the complex riddle of love.
"Love is undefined, like the wind," he began, his words sounding deep and poignant. "It cannot be confined to specific boundaries or explained in simple words. Love is like a fire that touched my soul and ignited the meaning of life within me."
Koyanska listened to him, holding her breath, as if she too were searching for an answer to this eternal question. Her eyes were filled with despair, but a spark of hope shone through.
"Love is a feeling that comes at the most unexpected moments and enriches life," Ritsuka continued. "It resides in the heart of each one of us. Love is the force that allows us to move forward, overcoming difficulties and barriers. It unites us to create something beautiful and destroys whatever stands in the way of true harmony."
Every word he spoke was imbued with truth, and Koyanska felt his words penetrate the depths of her being. The answer she had been searching for was getting closer.
"Love is like a multicolored mosaic pattern," Ritsuka concluded his thought. "It knows no boundaries or limitations. It seeps into us through our actions and emotions, leaving an indelible mark on our lives. Love is what makes us stronger, more unique, and willing to go all the way for what we believe in."
As Ritsuka finished speaking, the room fell into a mystical silence, and his words continued to resonate in the hearts of all present. Each of them understood that it wasn't just an explanation but a profound truth that came straight from the soul.
"That's not all," Ritsuka continued. "Love is so much more. Love is the ability to see beauty in others, even when they can't see it in themselves. Love is caring for the well-being of others, even if it requires sacrifice and selflessness. Love is a powerful feeling that can move mountains and work miracles. And I understand it all."
Koyanska felt her heart shatter into pieces as she tried to comprehend the meaning of this word. She realized that her actions and ambitions had been distorted by darkness, but now a new path had opened before her - the path of love and transformation.
"I was wrong," she confessed, tears streaming down her face. "I lost myself in the darkness of my own beliefs, but now I see the light. Love is our truth, our hope for salvation."
Ritsuka walked up to her, taking her hand in his. Their eyes met, casting a new light on these gloomy walls. Together, they stood united and strong, ready to face any challenges that may come their way. In that moment, they realized that by being together, they could not only change the world but also themselves.
Her eyes shimmered with wisdom and revelation. She delved into the depths of his soul, illuminating its dark corners. Ritsuka felt ashamed of his unfaithfulness. He saw in her not only evil but also nobility, not only danger but also the potential for change.
"We make mistakes," he whispered, realizing his insignificance. "We make wrong choices and commit irreparable deeds. But that doesn't mean we can't change. We can acknowledge our misconceptions and walk on the path of truth. We can swim against the current and become better than we were before. We can find love and reconciliation, experience true enlightenment. That's what makes us human."
Koyanskaya smiled and from that smile of piercing wisdom, a new hope ignited. In the hearts of those around her, sparks of understanding flared, that life is an endless process of self-improvement and gaining wisdom.
"We can live beautifully again if we make the right decisions. We can find peace, joy, and meaning in this world. We can overcome our mistakes and become better together. We just need to open our hearts to the possibilities that surround us. We need to boldly move forward and overcome all obstacles in our path. We need to be wise and love in order to embody the highest essence of our existence."
"Harry, you wanted to tell us something," said Hermione, changing the topic of conversation. "You mentioned you had a strange dream. What was it about?"
Harry sighed and looked at her. He was grateful to her for diverting attention from Dudley and Koyanskaya. He was grateful to her for giving him the opportunity to share his dream.
"My dream was about Voldemort," he said. "And about a stranger he was talking to."
"Oh?" asked Moody. "And who was this scoundrel that the monster could consult with?"
"I don't know, sir..." Harry cautiously replied, trying not to look at Groom's wildly rotating magical eye. "But only..."
"Only what, Potter?" Mad-Eye Moody barked. "After saying 'a', kindly proceed to name the next letter in the word!"
"I found his face strangely familiar, sir," Harry forced himself to answer. "But I don't know where I've seen him before."
Moody approached Harry and casually touched his head with his wand, then pulled out a silver thread and threw it into a portable flask. He placed the flask in his pocket and went into another room, tapping his wooden leg on the wooden floor. Everyone sat in confusion for a few seconds, then Jeanne was the first to jump up from behind the table. Mash reached her second, and the rest of the Darknights followed Koyanskaya. Only when they reached that room did they see the Pensieve. Moody stood next to it, staring intently at Harry's memory. Not a minute passed before Moody burst into hearty laughter. Taking his hands off his face, he continued trembling with silent laughter even after a couple of seconds, and without saying a word, he swiftly left the room with an enviable swiftness for his age.
Jason, Lily, and Rick burst into a private house, unaware that they had crossed the boundary of the magical world. They were searching for money, treasures, and fun, but instead, they found death and fate.
Jason was the gang leader, a 23-year-old blond with blue eyes. He was intelligent, cunning, and ambitious. He loved money, power, and fame. He didn't enjoy killing, but he was willing to do it if it benefited him. He also enjoyed playing with his victims, deceiving them and forcing them to do what he wanted. He dressed stylishly and expensively, but not ostentatiously. He wore a black leather jacket, a white shirt, jeans, and sneakers. He held a gun in his hand, which was his weapon. He looked around with interest and pleasure, as if he were on a tour rather than a robbery.
Lily was Jason's girlfriend, a 21-year-old redhead with green eyes. She was beautiful, charming, and cheerful. She adored Jason and did everything he told her to do. She also loved to have fun, but her idea of fun included risk, thrill, and adrenaline. She wasn't afraid of death; on the contrary, she sought it out. She dressed brightly and provocatively, but not vulgarly. She wore a red dress, black stockings, heels, and earrings. She held a knife in her hand, which was her weapon. She looked around with curiosity and delight, as if she were at a festival rather than a robbery.
Rick was Jason's friend, a 22-year-old brunette with brown eyes. He was strong, agile, and cruel. He loved to fight, especially with strong opponents. He didn't care about money, power, or fame; he only cared about his own pleasure. He also enjoyed torturing victims, savoring their fear and pain. He dressed simply and casually, but not tastelessly. He wore a gray t-shirt, a leather jacket, black pants, and boots. He held a club in his hand, which was his weapon. He looked around with indifference and disdain, as if he were at work rather than a robbery.
They had been friends since childhood, and they were each other's only family. They lived in the slums, where they had to steal and cheat to survive. They dreamed of a better life, but they didn't know how to achieve it. They joined the gang "Bloody Angels" to accomplish their goals. They weren't inherently evil, but they were hardened by circumstances. They didn't want to kill, but they were forced to do so to protect themselves and each other. They had no way back, and they knew it.
Inside the house were a family of witches and wizards who were members of the Magic Association. They were not prepared for the attack and were mercilessly killed. The bodies of the father, mother, and daughter lay in the living room, bleeding. In the corner, the little son trembled with fear, looking at the intruders with horror in his eyes.
Lily approached the child and smiled ominously at him. She raised her knife, prepared to deliver a deadly blow, but suddenly stopped. She felt a strange sense of mercy and compassion awaken within her. She decided to spare the child, saying he was too cute to kill.
Jason, Lily, and Rick unexpectedly broke into a beautiful mansion, completely unaware of what awaited them beyond its borders. They sought wealth and fun, but instead, they would encounter unexpected consequences and plunge into a world of secrets and magic.
Jason, the young leader of the group, stood out with his agility and calm demeanor, his eyes shining with a cold glint as he held his weapon. He was a master of deception, valuing wealth and power, but not without internal contradictions.
Lily, his loyal companion and a fiery redhead, had a penchant for risk and adventure. Her green eyes sparkled with excitement, and her bright red dress epitomized her thirst for new experiences.
Rick, brutal and clumsy, was unlike his comrades, but his strength and cruelty were undeniable. He was ruthless and callous, yet even in his eyes, it was evident that he shared an ancient friendship with Jason and Lily, a bond without limits.
These three grew up in the grey streets of the metropolis, forced to fight for their place under the sun. The hope for a better fate tightened their hearts, and they joined the gang "Bloody Angels" to achieve it. In the past, they had a sense of justice, but now only the cruel law of street life dictated the terms of their survival.
However, when they burst into the wizards' house, they found themselves in the center of events in a completely different world. Time and magical powers, which they had never paid attention to, turned their world upside down.
In the halls of the house, they encountered wizards who did not expect such an attack and perished from a disgustingly cold-blooded assault.
The bodies of the father, mother, and daughter lay on the floor, lifeless. In the corner, a small trembling son, who stared in horror at the invaders.
"Look, they tried to defend themselves with this!" Rick smirked, pulling a magic wand from the hand of one corpse and twirling it in his hands. He tossed it to Jason, who laughed.
"What did they think they could do with this?" Jason chuckled, breaking the wand in half with his hands. "Beat us with it?"
Lily approached the child with a knife in her hand but suddenly stopped. Strangely, she felt a lack of cruelty to kill him, and her hand trembled. She let go of the trembling boy, met his terrified gaze with her deceitfully wicked smile.
"Get out of here, kid. Run while you can. And don't look back," she told him, pushing him towards the door.
"Why are you doing this? Why are you letting him go?" Jason asked, standing next to her.
"I don't know. I just feel sorry for him. He's so little and defenseless. He's not guilty that his parents stood in our way," she replied, wiping a tear from her eye.
"You're too kind, Lily. It could cost you your life. But I love you for it. You have always been the brightest and happiest of the three of us," Jason said, embracing her shoulders.
"Oh, come on, Jason. Let's not get sentimental. It's just a kid. He can't hinder us. Let's see what we've found instead," Lily said, smiling back at him.
"Alright, let's do that. And what about you, Rick? What do you say?" Jason asked, addressing Rick, who was standing by the safe.
"I don't care. I'm not here for money or valuables. I'm here for fun. And I've already had my share. I killed three fat cats with my own hands. It was so great. Especially hearing their cries and seeing their blood," Rick said, grinning maliciously.
"You're too cruel, Rick. It could cost you your sanity. But I love you for it. You have always been the strongest and bravest of the three of us," Jason said, winking at him.
"Oh, come on, Jason. Let's not moralize. It's just a few fat cats. They didn't deserve to live. Let's see what we've found instead," Rick said, opening the safe.
They found a safe in the bedroom, containing money, jewelry, and several strange objects. They were pleased with their lucky find and began to collect everything into their bags. They didn't notice that among the items was an ancient scroll on which a Summoning spell was written.
When the blood of the slaughtered dripped onto the scroll, it suddenly burst into green flames. Jason, Lily, and Rick felt the air around them become hot and suffocating. They heard the scroll rustle and hiss, as if it were alive. They saw three beams of light shoot out from the fire, heading towards them.
Jason felt a golden beam of light strike his chest. He felt a power ignite within him, piercing his heart. He looked at his hand and saw a crimson mark appear, his magical contract. He looked up and saw a majestic and arrogant man standing before him, dressed in golden armor and a cape. He had long golden hair and red eyes radiating power and disdain. He held a golden sword in his hand, one of his treasures. He looked at Jason and said,
"Are you my Master? What a disappointment. You are not worthy to be my servant, but I will allow you to serve me. I am Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes. Bow before my greatness and thank me for my mercy."
"Wow!" exclaimed Jason. "Can I try on the costume?"
"You dare jest with me, mortal?" Gilgamesh responded with a gaze that could burn through walls and aimed his weapon at him.
"And what about me?" Jason stepped forward, ready to take the blow.
"Stop!" Lily intervened. "We don't even know who he is."
Gilgamesh, at that moment, looked at them with a gaze that could destroy everything, as if they were cockroaches, and with the same gaze, but with absolute calm on his face, he covered his eyes with his hand.
"What fools I have to deal with," he regretfully murmured, and immediately removing his hand from his face, he said, "Alright then, the great King of Babylon will stoop down to the level of mere mortals and spend some more time with them."
His golden armor was replaced with an extremely expensive business suit in which he could not be distinguished from the screen politicians from television news broadcasts.
"And who are you?" Jason exclaimed in amazement.
"I won't repeat myself for the deaf and the idiots."
Lily felt a violet beam of light strike her stomach.
She felt a surge of power within her, something that penetrated her soul. She looked at her hand and saw a violet mark appear, which was her magical contract. She looked ahead and saw a beautiful and mysterious woman standing before her, dressed in a black leather suit and helmet. She had long purple hair and yellow eyes that could turn anyone who looked into them to stone. She held a whip in her hand, which was her weapon. She looked at Lily and said,
"Are you my Master? How surprising. You don't look like other humans, but I sense something familiar in you. I am Medusa, the Sister of Horror. Follow me and I will show you a world you have never seen before."
"But medusas swim in the sea!" Lily reacted, causing Medusa to cover her face with her hand. It seemed that even the presence of a leather blindfold did not protect her from wanting to see everything that was happening.
"Stop! I understand!" Lily guessed. "You're the Medusa from the books, the Gorgon, whose head was severed by Perseus!"
Medusa knelt down before her in submission, lowering her head and extending her hand in a gesture that meant "stop."
Rick felt a green beam of light hit his head. He felt a surge of power within him, something that penetrated his mind. He looked at his hand and saw a green mark appear, which was his magical contract. He looked back and saw a cold and ruthless man standing behind him, dressed in a black suit and sunglasses. He had short black hair and green eyes that radiated cunning and hatred. He held a gun in his hand, which was his weapon. He looked at Rick and said,
"Are you my Master? What irony. You are nothing more than a glitch in the system, but I will use you for my purposes. Submit to me and I will make you a part of me."
"Who are you?" Rick asked.
"Call me the Pretender," he casually replied.
"And do you have a name, Pretender?"
"I am Agent Smith, the Matrix Virus."