"Why are you here?"
I don't know how to answer her. Saying I've come here to rescue her is a lie, it just so happens that my objective changed midway through. Originally I was here to crush Sakura after all.
So I can only avoid her gaze. "I'm here to... Let's just get you out of here, okay?" I want to hug her, and tell her everything is okay, but at the same time I'm scared of even touching her. As if she could collapse and break in a thousand pieces.
"You need to leave." Her response crashes my mind for a bit. "You're not Daichi. He doesn't have wings." Ah... I guess in her mind there's no way her brother with zero magic could suddenly come here one day.
Immediately I dismiss my Longinus, even Absolute Demise who is far back. "No, it really is me. Sorry for scaring you." It feels uncomfortable, not having my new weapon active. Sakura said that they were wings, so I probably got used to their weight really quickly.
"Ah..." She hides her face. "I don't get what's going on at all." I'm starting to hear steps, Rider and Shirou must be getting close. "Is this a nightmare...?" I...
I should probably smile and say something to her. She might still be scared about the fight that previously occurred, or maybe she's still scared of my wings. Either way I should smile and comfort her.
Smiling feels cruel. I stay silent.
And then Shirou finally arrives. "Sakura!" He immediately dashes towards her, but instead of finally calming down, it's like she recoils even more. It reminds me of an hurt animal who is surrounded by predators.
So I take a step back, and let Shirou take my place. Sakura is my... twin sister, but I haven't talked with her in years. If anyone will know what to do in a situation like this, it will be him without a doubt.
So even though she sounds terrified, I show no emotion, it would be cruel. "S-Senpai, what are you doing here...?" Her voice is shaky, trembling.
But my reliable Senpai doesn't hesitate to answer. "I was here to discipline you Sakura, but then I realized I was being an idiot. So I'm here to save you instead." He extends a hand. "Let's take you out of this hell hole." That's the Fake Janitor for you.
But she doesn't take his hand. "Senpai... when did you learn...?"
I expect him to hold back on the explanation, but he doesn't. "It first started when Rider attacked Daichi in the school." Her eyes widen, and she immediately looks at her Servant.
Rider doesn't defend herself. "It was an order from Shinji. The context surrounding you is complicated, but as you can see your big brother is fine, Sakura. He's strong." It feels sickening, to hear her complimenting me.
If I'm strong, then why didn't I immediately march here? I could have handled Rider. I could have handled Zouken. I have a answer to everything this place has to throw at me... so why wasn't I here sooner?
Sakura lowers her head. "So I've caused even more trouble for everyone..." Before she can continue, something passes through her eyes. "Rider, Daichi is not my big brother, he is my younger one."
Rider looks in my direction and tilts her head. "Is that so...?" Something about her feels different, but I don't have time to question that right now.
Because at this current moment, my head is being filled with thoughts. I have to win the Holy Grail War, so I can give everyone the chance they deserve. I have to make an massive alliance and stop Gilgamesh, I set him off, so it's my fault and I have to put an end to him. I have to hunt down Zouken, I just know he isn't dead, and he is a threat to Sakura. I have to train and prepare myself for the Spider, I've barely awoken my Longinus. I have to check on Tohs- on Rin, if this was going on with Sakura, then what's to say Rin is fine.
I have to...!
Shirou pats Sakura's shoulder. "Continuing with that story... everything turned into a big mess, and we made an alliance to come here and stop Rider, but then... we learned the truth from... Zouken." He's full of hatred as he spats that name out.
"Senpai, I'm not a virgin." Her body starts to tremble. "I... the bugs... and big brother..." So it all really happened. I had already put the pieces together, but getting confirmation is chilling.
Shirou hugs her with no hesitation. "I'm sorry. Now let's get you out of here." He begins helping her stand up. "Um... I'm sorry about you being naked, but I'm sure we can figure something out..."
I interject. "Maybe Illya can do something, even if it's just hiding her until we arrive at your house." There's no doubt in my mind we will be taking her there. She wouldn't like my apartment.
Shirou nods. "Yeah, that sounds good..." And then he looks back at Sakura. "Illiya is our ally by the way, her and Saber." And then he begins helping her get up.
"Senpai... Daichi... why are you two involved in this? I don't get it..." Ah... She's crying. That's bad...
I desperately want to cry too, but much like smiling, it would feel like I'm mocking her. I haven't gone through a single thing she has. So I hold back my tears... Yeah, crying and smiling aren't allowed right now.
But to answer her question. "I don't know about Senpai, but you're my sister, so there's no way I wouldn't get involved." I feel shameful even saying such bullshit...
If I had never gotten my Longinus, I probably would have never figured this out. I would have lived a normal life, a good life. And Sakura would rot here forever. I... and I can't even feel angry about it.
What right do I have to feel angry? If Sakura had ever tried to mess up my life as revenge, I could feel angry, but she didn't, she never even tried to get me involved. So I can't get angry, I can't cry, I can't smile. All of those would mock her, I might as well not do anything anymore.
I feel something closing inside of me.
She gazes at me. "I see... a-and what about those wings...?" I really messed up, didn't? Just because I want to get here faster, I ended up traumatizing her even more.
"Don't worry, I won't call them again if they are bothering you. It's a long story, but I met a god, and he gifted me many weapons, including those wings. We will inform you of the details later." I thought talking without showing anything would be difficult.
It isn't. It almost feels natural, like I've been meaning to do this in a long time. And maybe I was.
She looks down. "They weren't bothering me... you looked like..." She blushes. "Let's just leave so Senpai can get me some clothes! A-and we need to find big brother and-and...!"
"I killed Shinji." There's no point in lying or trying to hide it. I don't feel particularly bad about it anyways... I did feel awful about his death, but in the end he was just Sakura's tormentor. An enemy.
Sakura gasps. "B-but...!"
And immediately Shirou interjects. "He didn't, Zouken did..." And then he glares at me. "You didn't, got it Daichi?" How didn't I? I definitely did. I would feel offended if I didn't kill him. "We... we're gonna talk later. Let's just leave."
I nod. "Indeed, Illya is waiting." For a second I think of bringing out my wings and flying away, I know I could easily do it. In the end though, I decided that walking up the stairs together with everyone would be wiser.
For all I know Zouken could have an extra trick up his sleeve, so I need to be close and ready to protect everyone just in case. Absolute Demise seems to be a strong counter to the worms, so I keep it on the top of my mind.
Before long we emerge from the basement, and immediately we are greeted by Illya. "Yo, Daichi! Loser! Big bro loser! You three finally made it back!" She seems to be feeling better right now. I almost smi...
That's dangerous. "Sorry for taking so long. We made some small plans back in the basement, mostly to do with our locations. Sakura will be staying in Emiya-Senpai's house." We didn't actually plan anything, but I doubt my reliable Senpai will say no.
"You will be moving there as well. Having both Saber and Rider in one locations will keep everyone safe." Only Gilgamesh could invade a base protected by two Servants. Specially when Rider turned out to be so strong.
Illya raises an eyebrow. "Why didn't you include yourself just now, Daichi?" Her previous smile has disappeared.
"Because I won't be going. Tonight I will be going out and hunting down Zouken. He is no Servant, and with my weapons, I'm confident I can stop him." I can fly now, so finding him should be doable.
Her eye twitches. "Yeah, no. You are resting like everyone else." She walks over to me, and graps one of my hands. "Now let's go already, you're being weird." I might vomit.
In a second I slap her hand away. "Don't touch me." I break my rule, I show disgust. It was just for a second, but I felt all those things crawling over me, crawling over Sakura. "Um... sorry." But none of that is Illya's fault.
In fact I made a mistake right now, so I return my face to as neutral as possible. I better have not caused her any hurt right now, but I think it should be alright. I didn't put too much strength on it.
But nonetheless Illya looks at her hand in complete shock, and then... "Yeah, you're definitely acting super weird! So you better have an explanation!" Well, she's definitely not hurt...
Shirou sighs. "Illya, he's just tired. You remember what we saw, right?" You barely look moved at all. How can someone be that amazing? I had thought about it before, but he really should have gotten those weapons.
Saber takes a step forward. "We cannot leave it at just that... or are we choosing to forget what happened just now?" The invisible sword on her hand trembles. "Without a doubt a dragon was about to emerge."
"A destructive one. A cruel one. A monster." She points a sword at me. "And in that case..." Ah, she's about to put me down. Strangely enough I almost break my rule again, but I hold back my smile.
And then Sakura shrieks. "R-Rider, don't let her go on!" And within a second Rider is in front of me. It's strange, having what used to be my enemy now acting as my shield.
And then Illya sighs. "Calm down Saber, I'm sure Daichi has an explanation." She looks at me. "You do, don't you?" I really don't, to be honest I had no idea what I was doing at that moment.
But I know there's someone who can answer their questions... "Sakura, I will be bringing out the wings again. Is that okay?" The thing that lives in my Longinus. He definitely knows what happened.
She nods. "O-of course! They were really pretty..." Did I misread the situation? Maybe, or maybe she's just trying to comfort me.
I summon them. "Please introduce yourself. And then explain what happened." There's a weight on my back, but just like before I adapt remarkably quick. I feel like I could fly away right now if I wanted to.
That voice comes back. "Oh? This is not the reccomended path for the wielder of a Longinus, partner." I have no idea what he's talking about. "But we can talk about that later, for now I have to stop Ddraig's pathetic child from killing you, is that it?" What's with that weird name...?
"Very well. My name is Albion, the White Dragon." Artoria clenches her sword with insane strength. "Now that's an appropriate reaction... but worry not Arthur, I won't rampage around. I'm imprisoned here in these wings, the Divine Dividing."
"Even my partner's previous outburst had nothing to do with me. He was starting to activate the Juggernaut Drive, an ability in which my wielder may call the hatred of previous wielders to access a larger portion of my power. The price is their life of course." So I almost died, huh?
"Is that all, Albion?"
"Yes." I dismiss him. He's putting Artoria on edge just from existing after all. Nonetheless I'm sure having these wings will become useful one way or another. Flight is incredibly hard to counter.
The air is tense, and Rider finally asks what we are waiting for. "So will we fight again, Saber?" If they do, I guess I'll just fly away. I can't have this alliance break just because of me.
Saber shakes her head. "No." And then she sends me an apologetic look. "Sorry about that. I should not have pointed my blade at my own pupil so quickly." I'm actually surprised.
But I nod. "It's fine, I understand. Now let's get Sakura home." If Illya wants to force me into resting that's fine, I'll just get back to work as soon as I get up, I do not need to wait for nighttime.
Illya glares at me. "Yeah, let's go..." And then she mumbles. "If this is gonna keep up, then maybe I really shouldn't have come here..."
I don't know how to answer that.
"Partner, locking one's emotions is foolish for a normal individual. For a individual who carries a Longinus, it's straight up idiotic." As soon as I call him, he starts admonishing me. How amazing.
Maybe I shouldn't have come here, to the roof. But I decided that as everyone explained the situation to Sakura, I might as well talk with my new Longinus. Regulus says such a thing is important after all.
"I'm not locking my emotions." I still feel just fine. "But showing them around Sakura is just cruel." Why should I get to smile when she suffered through that? The answer is simple, I don't have that right.
And so it is only logical that I shouldn't get to do anything else either. At least not until she's safe and happy. Maybe once that happens I can go back to expressing myself.
He chuckles, surprisingly enough. "To think I would have crossed paths with a partner even more depressing than my last." Well, it's good to see that I take the golden medal. "Showing emotions is important."
"There used to be a fool who gained unrivaled might simple for the fact that like a innocent child he declared his desires outloud. Don't hold anything back, scream to your hearts content." Like a shounen protagonist...?
"I..." And then I hear footsteps. On the roof. It's probably a Servant, but just on the chance that it could be Saber, I dismiss Albion. Even now I can tell she's not feeling comfortable over him being a new weapon.
Looking over I see... "Rider?" She sits next to me as if we have known each other for years. "Shouldn't you be with Sakura?" I'm surprised she left her side.
"Shouldn't you?" Ah, so she came to call me out. I immediately started to get up... and then she holds my arm, not letting me move. "Don't go right now. If you show up like that, then Sakura will cry." I can't disobey a Servant, so I sit back down.
And then Rider sighs. "My true name is Medusa. Since we are now allies... and since you're Sakura's brother I don't mind giving you that information." Ah, that certainly will be nice when I... when I...
Who am I kidding? I won't raise a hand against Rider. "That's surprising. I didn't know anti-heroes could be Servants." Though she's more like a straight up villain. A Greek monster.
It's strange. I can feel Regulus Nemea shaking inside of me, he wants to prove himself mightier than the Gorgon. There are no feelings of hostility however, it's simply the pure pride of a lion.
Canis Lykaon however... I rather not think about his feelings. His pride is certainly not pure, that's for sure.
She smiles. "Well, from what I heard Gilgamesh isn't exactly a pure hero anyways." That's true... "And that King Arthur... she looks like she wants to kill my Master." A chill runs down my spine.
"What?"
"Are you surprised? Though I am admittedly exaggerating. I'm sure King Arthur has nothing against that girl. It's just that you are her pupil, and Saber is human. Contempt, even if hidden is naturally born."
She continues. "The same goes for Saber's Master. Though she herself does not even try to hide it... The only one without hatred is the boy. All he feels is guilt... Perhaps just as much as you."
I see... "I... I'm making everything about me, aren't I? Sorry, I'll go down there and apologize." I really am disgusting. Ugh, I should have gone hunt down Zouken, no matter what Illya said.
Rider shakes her head. "No. As I said, Sakura will cry if she sees you like this... And there's no problem with feeling awful Daichi." Huh? "The younger sibiling wants to protect his idols no matter what after all."
"But you need to understand that... that..." She seems to be lost in thought. "Your feelings are reciprocated. If you return, punishment yourself like that... Sakura will feel like she needs punishment too."
"It's a disgusting cycle, one I have seen over and over again. In the end it only ends with one of you two being devoured." I... Am I being comforted by Medusa of all fucking people!?
My lips are trembling. "Why the hell are you telling me this?" The answer is simple of course, it's because of Sakura. I don't even know what else I should expect.
To my surprise however... "You remind me of a man I once knew. He was talented at all things, but most importantly he lacked purpose... In a way he reminds me of Shinji. A successful Shinji."
"Are you comparing to Shinji?" At this point my rule will break, not because she got through me through conventional means, but because I obviously don't want to be compared to that guy.
She shakes her head. "No, I'm comparing you to Perseus." I'm shocked into silence. "He had no purpose, the type of man who should be poison to this world once he got a crumble of power. But..."
"Once the gods gave him the power to stop me, he rose as a true hero, never once abusing his power. And it wasn't like it was easy either, I almost killed him plenty of times!" A bit of pride came out there.
"He was a pure soul. A man who naturally chose good when given a easy way to walk whatever path he wanted. I appreciate pure souls like that, so don't ruin yours by throwing it away." That sounds like a joke.
She takes a deep breath. "But most importantly... you remind me of a girl who once lived in a island alone, with only her siblings to keep her company. She always thought she had the worst fate imaginable..."
"And she slowly lost her mind because of that. When confronted with the possibility that her siblings could love her, she became a monster... She deeply regretted it. Don't use the Juggernaut Drive." I...
My mask breaks. "Did you really come here just because you were still scared about that!?" I'm crying, I'm definitely crying. I shouldn't be, but I can't help myself.
She pouts. "I have already given you plenty of reasons, hero." Why do you sound so scary when saying that!? "Now let's just go already. This Daichi can see Sakura just fine." Argh...! This woman...!
Maybe tall women aren't all that bad.
AN: No...! Stay in the lolicon path! Medusa's tits and ass are full of lies!
Anyways, if you like my content, make sure to check out my ! I would appreciate any and all support!
