For over a century since the Holy Grail Wars began, not once had the unique Extra Class Servant system been utilized. A special Class that normally couldn't be summoned under regular circumstances. Never used as the mages participating in the Fuyuki ritual abided by the rules… somewhat.
Granted, that wasn't because past wars had progressed in acceptable manners. Cheating and foolishness had certainly been a part of past wars without fail, with the Third being quite well known as a total mess. In truth, it was a miracle that Ruler hadn't been summoned during that time. Though that may have been because things had gotten better
…Or perhaps an Extra Class already being taken back then.
Whatever the reasoning, Ruler had never appeared in any of the wars, thus the overseer and Masters continued their battles without interference. As, ultimately, in spite of close calls, the secrecy of magecraft hadn't been at risk for exposure to the greater public, the concept of the ritual kept safe from the public eye.
"It's time we all talk." Until now.
Within the crumbling church, gathered together, all now bore witness to the one who abrirated the Holy Grail War. Called upon when the ritual itself became a threat in the eyes of the Grail. For the first time, a Ruler had been summoned.
And she did not look pleased, everyone unable to take their eyes off her the moment she had made her presence known.
"...Ruler." As one who's part of the family that created the Holy Grail's systems, Irisviel knew what Ruler is. Her eyes widening at the sight of the Servant before them, knowing full well what they're capable of. She also looked…so young. About Rider's age.
But she's imposing all the same. With blonde hair that shone as bright as gold, wearing elegant armor with a stigma of sorts on her forehead. Ruler looked rather magnificent, the type of girl young boys certainly would fond over. 'And if I recall,' Irisviel thought, 'Ruler's are also all Saints. So, then…' Who is this?
Granted, another question that popped into Irisviel's mind is, did it even matter? Because even with an identity, it's unlikely that it would stop Ruler from doing her job, who now looked at the Masters with a notable weary look before sighing.
"I must admit, I never thought I'd be called upon like this." The young girl then looked at her hand, glimpsing at her own war hammer. Like she never expected it in the first place. "Especially in this body." The girl whispered, more to herself than others before focusing back on the task given to her. "But, for now, I ask you all to-" the girl then took note of the ruined church, broken benches, and the gaping hole that led to the underground. "-stand where you are. Do not attempt to leave."
It wasn't as if they could. Irisviel is fully aware of what a Ruler could do. While none of them could see it, somewhere on Ruler are multiple Command Seals. Instinctively the other Servants knew as well.
The Grail provided much knowledge, which included the concept of Ruler and what they're made for. The fact that both Archer and 'Berserker' were made to stop is also proof of her power over them.
If Ruler wanted, she could end this Holy Grail War now. Ensure that the Masters and Servants could no longer attempt any further crimes that threatened the ritual and reveal of magecraft itself. Heaven knew that the Clock Tower was slowly becoming aware of the mess the war had been leaving behind.
"Rrrr." The only one who looked as if they wanted to fight though is Kariya. His face scrunching in displeasure, his eyes could only look at Tokiomi who now acted as if he didn't exist.
Anger clouding him, Kariya just couldn't accept that he's this close to finishing Tokiomi. This close! All he had to do was command 'Berserker' again. Have her attack and-
"And no fighting." Almost as if his intentions were being read, Ruler seemed to be looking right at Kariya himself. With the others doing the same, eyes all on him. The man froze under their stares before he grunted.
For the better or worse, Kariya's anger dispersed. For now, at the very least. While it still existed just beneath his skin, Kariya wouldn't attack when it was clear everyone else would come right at him before he even gave a command. While he wasn't an expert in Holy Grail Wars, he knew that this new Servant wasn't someone to mess with. For now, he'll play along.
"Good." With Ruler seemingly glad that no trouble was about to start, now deciding to get into business. Clearingher throat, she began, saying, "As I said before, all of you have been found guilty of threatening the concept of this ritual. So much that the Holy Grail itself has decided that it needed to manifest an overseer."
"B-But, we already have an overseer." Attempting to find some form of innocence, not wanting any trouble, and panicking as he never even heard of this rule in the book he read before coming to Fuyuki. Waver sweated just a bit.
"Oh." Narrowing her eyes, Ruler lifted her finger and pointed. "Then who is that?" Turning around, Waver checked to see what Ruler meant and saw, lying on a busted bench, the overseer himself.
He looked sick. Absolutely pale. Along with a missing arm, the man didn't look as if he could wake anytime soon, let alone do his job. His own breathing sounded like moans as sweat fell off his pale face. He needed a doctor.
"...Risei." Tokiomi whispered, a flash of guilt on his face. He didn't blame himself, of course. Even then, seeing his old friend like this didn't feel good.
Hand resting back on her side, Ruler shakes her head. "Your overseer is unfit. And even if he were able, he has failed his job for all his best efforts. As I said, the Grail informed me of what has been happening. How Servants outside of Proper Human History have caused nothing but chaos since arriving."
Assassin. The Divine being once known as Caster. Archer and Berserker. Even Saber, the most astute, went outside in armor along with Rider, who willingly attacked without thought. All the Servants of this war proved to be culpable for these problems.
Although-
"I'm sorry," Hearing Ruler's words, Irisviel suddenly realized she and everyone else heard something that can't be ignored. "Did you just say…Outside of Proper Human History?"
It's to be expected, considering the Servants who all stood here, including Ruler. The Servant easily discernmenting the expression the Masters made. That being, surprise. Tohsaka looked the most interested in her words. To be expected, as his family took part in making the ritual and never once had this little detail being known.
Not that the Servants were any less interested. All the same, they weren't as surprised either, almost as if a part of them had already been aware. At least a little since their summonings. It would be best if Ruler explained.
"Mmm. Yes. I suppose it's understandable none of you knew." Walking down the steps of the ruined church, Ruler decided it'd be best if everyone knew the truth. As per her job as Ruler. "I'm certain you all realized this but have any of you actually figured out your Servants identities?"
Silence. Even those who had seen a small glimpse of their Servants past such as Tokiomi and Kariya, or told like Irisviel, none of them knew their Servants actual names. As their history was too vague or ambiguous for any of them to narrow down. Though that wasn't the only reason they couldn't figure it out either.
"What do you mean by 'outside' Proper Human History?" Tokiomi's family, along with the Matou's and Einzbern designed the ritual to call upon Ghost Liners, or as they are called now, Servants, knowing much about them. "This ritual summons those of history. Nothing 'outside' of it." So it made no sense what this girl was even saying.
'Young. Female. Blonde.' Plus, as agreed upon, only Saints can be summoned as Ruler. Tokiomi's mind came to a conclusion. "I thought the Saint of Orleans, Jeanne D' Arc, would never lie."
"Is that her identity?" Weird. Waver thought Jeanne had brown hair.
"Is that who you think I am?" Ruler shakes her head, disputing Tokiomi's claim of who she is. Wishing to correct that, the girl stated, "My name is Ecclesia, Dogmatika Ecclesia, the Virtuous." Ecclesia seemed to sour a bit when she said the Dogmatika part, though she continued on anyway. "And I state here and now, that not a single one of us Servants even come from your worldline."
"That's impossible." Tokiomi argued further.
"Oh. Because you suddenly know everything." Kariya snarked. If he couldn't kill Tokiomi, he could always undermine the bastard out of spite.
Clicking his tongue, Tokiomi said, "Actually, I do know it's impossible. Unlike one who selfishly abandoned his heritage," Kariya's face twitched further. "I have studied my history including that of the Holy Grail War. As such, I know that this ritual calls upon those of our known history. Not 'outsiders', whatever that means."
"And yet here we are now." Shaking her head, Ecclesia disagreed with Tokiomi adamantly. "Personally, I am no stranger of different realms. But if you do not believe me, then ask your Servants. Such as Kisara."
Archer flinched. Tokiomi turned to her, surprised to hear her name for the first time. One, might he add, he couldn't recognize.
"Wha- How?" Saber started until he was interrupted.
"As Ruler, I can see your names. Such as Roze." Ruler told Saber, now eying him while Rider growled. "Or, in your case, your titles. Marauding Captain. Dragon Horn Hunter." Saber stepped back while 'Berserker' remained silent.
"Now, tell me Tohsaka," Ruler put her focus back on Tokiomi. "Do you recognize any of these titles or names?"
"..."
"No. Then what about the rest of you?" Her question is aimed at Irisviel, Kariya, and Waver. "Do their identities ring a bell?" As Masters, those who joined the Holy Grail War, it wouldn't be surprising if a Master knew different historical figures. At the very least to prepare if a Servant they meet is one they could identify based on their appearance, actions, speech pattern, etc. Yet none of them had any idea whatsoever of who their Servants could be, even with Ruler outright stating some of their names.
Sighing, Ruler decided perhaps it didn't matter regardless. Even if she did convince them all of the Servants and her own nature, one thing didn't change. The war.
"As of this moment, you may all resume your war." Turning her back on them, Ruler slowly began walking away. "For the rest of this day, however, you are not allowed to fight." Already she could tell they were surprised by her declarations. The end of her hammer's staff slammed into the ground, stopping any complaints they might have.
"All of you have caused more than enough problems. And while a few of them are dealt with, your actions have caused the secrecy of magecraft to be threatened." She faced them all one last time. "No fighting. By nightfall you may continue, but in secret. If I discover none of you listened, I will ensure you are dealt with."
Two Command Seals were wasted. But she had more than enough to spare if things got out of hand. She'll need them. Who knows what can happen down the line. This war was already strange enough as it is, the Grail telling her quite a bit.
Servants from different worldlines. An Xyz Number and a God who lost their Servant qualifications. A Berserker turned into a Saber.
'Not to mention whatever else is lurking around.' Ruler wasn't blind that Lancer wasn't here. At the same time, the information on Lancer was…tricky.
Anyway, she said what needed to be said. It was now up to the rest of the Masters and Servants to follow her command before fighting. Ruler truly hoping they won't force her hand. But if they do…
'Well, here's to hoping it doesn't come to that.' Ruler thought as she entered spirit form, vanishing from sight.
With a spiteful stomp, Kariya left the church. The others were leaving as well, but Kariya felt he was the angriest out of all of them.
He had him. He freakin had him. Tokiomi! He was in his sights. Just waiting to be killed. Only for some little brat to come and tell him to not fight at all. 'Damn it!'
It burned to let Tokiomi go, after all that bastard's crimes. If he just had another minute, Kariya knew he could have won. Killed him for what he did to Sakura. Save Rin and Aoi, give them the life they deserved.
Now he has to wait, allowing Tokiomi a chance to recuperate and get his bearings. The worms in him seemed to move almost as if in response to his own poor mood. Hobbling over to his home, Kariya took a glance at where he knew 'Berserker' is at, walking beside him in spirit form.
It still confused him on how she became…Saber. He couldn't understand how it happened, only that it did. There was also the fact that everything about her was different. Her skills, her abilities, even her appearance. Though for the better or worse, 'Berserker' now seemed to be more…calm.
"I wouldn't say I'm that calm." Speaking in a tranquil manner, with none of the edge she would sometimes have before, Kariya momentarily thought someone else was speaking with him.
"Ber…Saber?"
"Call me Berserker Master, please." Her voice came in his head, smoothly. "I can assure you, it'll be easier since the actual Saber is still around." She wasn't wrong about that.
Still, her talking did allow Kariya's anger to lessen, causing him to focus more on his Servant. He asked, "Are you…okay?" He wasn't sure if Berserker was in any actual pain since her forced transformation, but it never hurt to ask.
"I am…fine. I suppose." Even if he couldn't see it, he felt as if Berserker was grabbing her head. Telling him, "It's just, I…I feel as if everything is more…clear. My mind, untainted."
"Cause' of your skill, right?" What was it called again? Dragon Blood if he recalled. With a curse added to it.
"Indeed." The streets were mostly empty, part of the new curfew. Made walking home easier as the two were nearly home. "My strength. My powers. None of it really came…without a cost."
"Funny. I heard some guy called Siegfried got the blood of dragons and he wasn't cursed." Though he did end up dying to his friend, so… "Is your case special?"
"..."
"If you don't wanna talk about it, it's fine." It felt weird talking to Berserker like this. Different from before, where despite acting normal, those close calls before were a reminder that the wrong word could set her off. Here, it didn't feel like that would happen.
"I can't say I'm averse to it." Berserker spoke slowly in response. "It's just, I feel ashamed."
"Huh."
"I recall what I did to you. My actions." Flinching, Kariya did remember them. When Berserker stabbed him after denying her the dragon. He felt a feeling of shame from his Servant who knew what he was thinking. "I'm sorry for what I did. I-I would never-... . It is something I would do. Especially in that state. What I became."
"Judging from how your…acting, I assume you weren't always like that?" Asking carefully, as the two turned right, Kariya felt himself drawn more in towards Berserker. A part of him wanted to know just what happened to her.
Even after hearing her title, he was nowhere closer in identifying who she was. Even when he saw her memories. Not even Zouken knew, though that may have been because Zouken didn't care. But hearing the way Berserker was speaking, so calmly in a form of lull, made him more curious than he'd admit.
"No. I wasn't." There wasn't any pride in her voice. She sounds contrition instead, from the tone of her voice. "If anything, I used to be more unremarkable."
"You? Unremarkable?" Now that sounded difficult to imagine. "With that armor?" He heard a chuckle, making Kariya feel a bit happy for Berserker. Though it went away soon enough and was replaced with a sigh.
"Being a knight was seen as normal back home." She told him, reminiscing of her past from the looks of it. "If anything, what I was training to be was considered an average job. Nothing special to it." A brief bit of silence indulged between the Master and Servant before the latter spoke again. More dejected this time around. "And then that day came."
"The scales?" Even when invisible, Kariya could just feel her eyes on him. Their link together provided him a bit of what she felt now, surprise. "Um, yeah. I saw your…past, I think. Something about scales falling from the sky."
Another sigh. More regretful this time. "My home was poor, and if you saw right, we thought those scales would sell for money. To get more supplies. Extra food and water. But…"
"Yeah." Kariya felt he understood her a little. That feeling of thinking things were alright when it suddenly wasn't. "Didn't go so well."
"It didn't." Came her reply. "For months people died from the sickness those scales brought. Caused by those mangy lizards." While it wasn't part of her Saint Graph at the moment, like her other skills, Kariya supposed Berserker wasn't going to just lose her anger towards the dragons. For the better or worse.
Even so, she sounded so tired. "In the end, I just…I just wanted to help everyone. To make everyone feel safe again." Her voice cracked at the end. "All I did was make everything worse."
Everything worse? That didn't sound right. 'How could she even make things worse in the first place?' For a second, Kariya considered asking. But he found himself pausing, feeling the regret and sorrow from Berserker through their link.
He might have seen some of her past, but it was only some of it. The fact that she's a Saber now but was a Berserker when summoned along with how angry and vindictive she was also proved that however her story ended probably wasn't a happy one.
'Not like I'd be any better.' Kariya bitterly thought, his face forming a scowl as at long last he saw his good old home. Like always, it looked creepy as hell, even though it didn't look that bad. Yet the feeling that unnerved everybody who saw it remained the same, even when he was a child.
Berserker came out of spiritual form, no longer hiding. She looked at the house then back at him. "Master," She asked, "Is this really your home?"
"No." His reply was quick. Outright instant even. "It never was." In that regard, Kariya might have been a little jealous of Berserker. Even with the poor fate her home declined to, it seemed that she at least cared for it. A place worth protecting.
The same couldn't be said for the Matou home. Everything inside was dead, decayed, disgusting even. Especially underground, with Zouken being the first thing that popped to mind that should be disposed of.
'And yet…' Sakura's figure came into Kariya's mind. The one thing that didn't deserve to be ruined.
"Ah, Kariya." Just Zouken, who stood in front of the house with a wry smile. "It seems we have much to talk about." Once more Kariya was tempted into having Berserker just attack Zouken and be done with him.
By Zouken's side, Sakura just stared.
"Come. I'm sure even Sakura wants to hear your story. Isn't that right dear?" Sakura emotionlessly nodded.
If Kariya's teeth pressed together any further, they'd shatter. Even Berserker appeared upset. While she hadn't been exactly blind about Sakura's situation, with her mind clear, the full implications happening just served to make the Servant upset.
"Let's all have a talk." Emotions Zouken gleefully took in as the two made their way inside. Byakuya is already sitting down nervously as the 'family' readied their meeting. The door closed shut with none to see what was happening inside.
Struggling, Tokiomi finally made it back to his work-shop. It may not have been perfect, but for a place to rest after everything, it was the exact thing he needed. His back resting on the couch while having finished casting a few spells to ease the discomfort and pain he felt across his body.
Not that it stopped his concerns over everything that has been happening.
His plans for this war blindsided time and time again.
His capture and humiliation at the hands of a rogue Servant.
His loss of countless Command Seals.
That wasn't even mentioning how Risei, the poor man, is now heavily injured and out of commision.
'At the very least, he should be alright.' While Tokiomi couldn't grab him, he knew that members of the church would find him and take care of him. Having more resources than Tokiomi currently had at hand to aid in his recovery.
In comparison, Tokiomi would be lucky to have a proper sleep. As tired as he was, Tokiomi found it doubtful he would be having sweet dreams. If anything, the only reason he even considered the idea of sleeping despite all that had happened was because of one reason.
"So," Speaking in a low tone, Tokiomi adjusted his head. His body is too weak to even sit properly in what would be considered respectable. "I suppose I should thank you, for at least joining me here."
"...It's the least I can do, I suppose." Having followed him home, Archer stood, head bent low respectfully, but not in submission. She then looked up to him and asked, "Are you certain you should rest here? Unless you have spells I am unaware of, would not visiting the hospital be beneficial to your health?"
It was indeed tempting to do just that. While magecraft had many spells that could heal the body, the problem came in casting them on ones' self if you were alone, injured, along with what knowledge you actually had. Ultimately, despite having a few healing and recovery spells in his respitore, Tokiomi only knew the basics.
Spells to dull the pain, a bit of a faster recovery, no more than that. And it wasn't from a lack of study, but through affinity. Tokiomi worked hard to get where he was, but sometimes hard work couldn't get you everything. So, yes, going to the hospital would probably be a smart choice. If it weren't for one thing.
"I cannot allow the risk of a Master attacking me there."
"Even with Ruler's declaration."
"Especially, Ruler's declaration."
The topic of Ruler was not something he wanted to think about but Tokiomi had to. Because for the first time since the conception of the ritual, Ruler had at last been summoned. A Servant of the Extra Class meant to arbitrate the poorly made choice others have caused.
That wasn't even mentioning her…declaration, about the other Servants. All of them. 'Outside of Proper Human History.'
His thoughts shifted to Archer…Kisara…and all the other Servants he met. In particular, Assassin.
'I can't imagine he was even human to begin with.' He appeared more like a wraith than a person. It also felt unlikely he was some form of conceptual Servant either. No. The fact was, when one adds all his wording and his own appearance, Assassin was never human to begin with.
He also received reports about Caster. It was impossible for that to have been human either.
Add in his lack of knowledge of Archer and the history he knew about her, even a second-rate magus would notice the trend in how lacking these Servants' histories are. Nothing came to mind, Ruler's reveal of Archer's true name didn't even help.
All of this meant that either Archer's history had somehow become lost to time, even to magecraft society, or…
'No, it's still impossible. The ritual wasn't meant to summon Servants outside our history.' Perhaps some young magus would question why it was impossible, where in response Tokiomi would give a long lecture and expatiate the reasons why summoning Servants who hold no presence or observation existence is impossible in the first place. That without a bearing appearance in history, the Grail couldn't even choose such 'non-existent' entities in the first place.
An example would be asking a librarian for a book that might exist in a bookstore, but not in their library. Which likely means these Servants were just figures who have little influence or status across all of human history.
'And the grail just somehow managed to gather them for the ritual. Even if the catalysts gathered and the system made shouldn't have summoned them in the first place.' But that could be explained by a system error in the Grail itself. Yet, why would the Grail even have an error in the first place?
The system was made to ensure no errors could occur. Nothing should have caused a problem in the first place. It was absurd.
'Unless…' Coming to mind, recalling an old report Tokiomi once read before the Grail war started to prepare, is a note mentioning of the Einzbernss last summon. A Servant that wasn't part of the normal seven.
'Nothing had been confirmed back then.' He was going in circles now. Hesitantly, Tokiomi looked back at Archer.
It seems that the dragon, Blue-Eyes, had managed to convince Archer to a degree to stay. While there's no telling if she would stay permanently, perhaps Tokiomi could ask her something.
Clearing his throat, ignoring the sharp sting that came from his chest, Tokiomi asked aloud, "Archer."
"Yes?"
"I have to ask. Ahem." Ruler's words came to mind. "To be certain, which region did you live in?"
"...Region?"
"Yes. Region." He didn't like the look in her eyes. The way she genuinely looked confused. "Or, to make it easier, what year was it when you were born?"
"When I was born." Archer took her time to think a bit before answering. "It was during the year 296 Millennium."
"..." Millennium? 296 could be…before A.D. at the very least, but what did Millennium refer to?
"I was also born in the Teras continent if you wanted to know that." Adding more information, Archer looked as if she were thinking back further. "My home was also located near the City of Endymion. A place where many spellcasters and magic users gathered under the city's ruler."
Endymion? A city of spellcasters? That sounded like the Clock Tower itself. It couldn't be that, however. Was Archer mistaken, or perhaps was it just another name the Clock Tower used before.
"I suppose then you must have heard of Endymion's ruler, Lord Brishisan."
"I never heard of that name." Archer bluntly told him. Dispelling any thoughts Tokiomi had that perhaps things were merely different in the past. "The city's ruler had a different name, Endymion himself." Archer gave a small roll of her eyes. "My home has had dealings with him. He's alright, if a bit strict and conceited. Though he did earn his power fairly."
Once more Ruler's words echoed inside Tokiomi. Though it wasn't just because he might be genuinely wrong. Instead, it was more over concern. If what she said was true, that Archer and all the other Servants truly indeed come from outside the known history to mankind, then…
What allowed them to even be registered in the first place?
"Another world, huh?" It was a tough pill to swallow. Frankly, Waver wasn't even sure if he actually believed it. Still, Saber didn't seem to confirm or deny it. He actually looked just as lost as him.
"If it helps, Master, I can't say I really understand much of what that young girl said herself." Turning to the duo's companions, Rider and Irisviel, Saber asked Rider, "What do you think?"
"...I don't know." Shrugging her shoulders, Rider didn't seem to care much about answering. "All I can say is that this place is much nicer where I'm from."
"That bad?" Waver asked.
"There were only four humans in the world…then there were only two." Her reply was so dull and uninteresting that it felt as if she was talking about something boring in general. So it took a few seconds for Waver to realize the implications of her words and just how bad they really were.
"...eh?"
"Hold on! Two!" Irisviel didn't appear any adjusted as he did, with Saber producing a discomposed expression with his body language matching his face.
"What in…t-two? That's-!"
"Although according to Zard, up until my creation, there had only been one. And before her, there were none." Rider's words may as well have said how detached she was from them. Outright claiming her world's humanity had gone extinct and treating it like some side note in a history book. "Although," she still spoke, saying, "Raye does hope that there might be other humans out there in hidden bunkers."
Rider gave a rather meaningful sigh. "I must say, your world is certainly more livelier than my own time."
"You just said everyone was dead!" Waver shouted, unsure if he was outraged at the idea of Rider's words or what it meant for humanity. It didn't get better when Irisviel muttered in a concerned tone.
"Kiritsugi said Rider might be from the future. But he never said all of humanity was gone."
"T-The future!"
"Well this is very concerning." Humanity going extinct wasn't something to speak leisurely about. "So, wait, Rider is from the future?" Saber looked at the Servant in question in hopes to get an answer.
She shrugged.
"M-Maybe we should push this topic aside. At least for now." Saber retorted.
"Probably." While a bit shaken by Rider's words, Irisviel pulled herself together. She didn't need anymore added stress, especially with everything that has been going on. "For now, I think we should all just go back and rest. We've had a long day, and things are only going to get more fierce."
"Two Servants are gone." A reminder Saber brought up. His Master grunting about that piece of info.
"Fighting will get tougher I guess." Excluding Ruler, that left five more. Or for the alliance between him and Irisviel, three.
"Today has been a long day. After everything that has happened, truthfully, we should take Ruler's words to heart and simply return to our bases." Giving a slight nod to Waver, Irisviel turned away, intent on returning home. "Watch your back, just to be safe. And get plenty of rest."
"Y-yeah. I will." Even just walking was becoming a pain. He did his best not to show it, but Waver felt exhausted. His mana had been drained repeatedly, he felt pain because of Assassin, and his muscles felt like a wreck. "I'll see you later."
"We will." Irisviel acknowledged. She waved them off with surprisingly Rider doing the same. The two groups left towards different directions, to allow themselves a chance to catch their breaths before any fighting resumed.
It was something Irisviel is more grateful towards, as she felt her shoulders sag along with her back. Like Waver, she tried her best not to show it, her exhaustion. But more importantly, the growing discomfort and pain gnawing inside her.
"Master." A factor Riderhas long since noticed, speaking in a hushed tone. "Are you alright?"
"...No. I'm not." There was no point in lying. Her face twitched with every step with a grimace forming. "Rider," Irisviel looked at her Servant, tired. Her eyes half-shut. "Tell me, what knowledge did the Grail give you? About the Grail itself."
"Only that with six Servants' deaths will the Grail appear and grant a wish." There was little more to it than that. All which made Irisviel give a bitter laugh. Her eyes looking more dull in spite of their wondrous ruby red color.
She really did miss Kiritsugu.
"When we get home…there's something I need to tell you." Grabbing Rider's hand, Irisviel stared at Rider's own eyes. A small piece of her jealousy of the Servant, who liked her was made and allowed to live while in Irisviel's case she…
"There's something you need to know about the Grail itself."
She walked the earth, meant to repent for her crimes.
Yet as she walked, adorned in her outfit of shame, she clung to the divine power inside her fervently, without fail. Even when it hurt her from the imbalance within, she kept clinging to this power no matter what. Power that she kept for herself.
Power…that allowed her to listen to a voice from below. In a texture that is no more but a stain on reality itself. Only existing because humans stated it existed. Believed it. A place that all common men fear with all their hearts, to the point they turned their heads to above and paid their respects just to avoid it.
But she didn't turn her head.
To get her vengeance, to stand atop the one who puppeted that sad man who could not hate, she couldn't afford to reject what is below. As she smiled, the woman found a cave and began walking down below. And she kept walking, even when no light could be seen, nor her voice could be heard.
She continued this until eventually…
The fallen star came.
He was sitting down on a chair. A comfy chair at that. Such comforts did little from the undiluted tension he felt across his body. His heart gripped in turmoil, yet not because he was taken away in some unknown place…But because instead of leaving, he continued to sit.
'Tokiomi might need my help. There's no telling what is happening with him.' He sat.
'The other Masters. Are they killing themselves? Or are they working with one another?' He sat.
'Father. He…he wasn't well. He's hurt. I…I need to see him.' He sat.
All thoughts surged, logically telling him that he needed to go. It was foolish to stay. To wait when the Servant that should be loyal to him has proven to be a liar. Untrustworthy as she had taken him away. Knocking him out without warning.
His mind urged him to leave.
He sat.
"And here I thought you would have left after awakening since, oh, nearly half-an-hour." Despite Lancer materializing, all Kirei could wonder is that time passed more quickly than he assumed. Did he really stay here that long, when he could have gotten up and walked out?
Wherever he was, it was a simple room with a television and a couch. Looking out the window, one could see a local street. An apartment most likely, broken into at that. Even then, he continued to sit without so much as twitching his toes. And why?
Looking at Lancer's face, who smiled at him even though she betrayed him, his heart beat faster. That smile that kept him tied to this very spot. Preventing him from moving, even when he was certain no magecraft was being used to keep him here.
"You must really want to speak, don't you?" She phrased it as a question, yet Kirei knew better. She knew better. The real reason why he continued to stay in this very spot despite any other person would have left long ago.
Slowly, as he looked up to her, the words spilled from Kirei's mouth. "Who…are you?"
Lancer's body shimmered as her smile persisted. Her eyes flickering and the mana coming from her feeling distorted for a brief second.
"Now we're getting somewhere." She sat across from him, hands on her lap. "Then, to begin, let's start at the beginning. To the death of a simple maiden, and her rise to depravity and corruption."
He should have felt revolted. Disgusted as the truth was coming forth.
"...please…continue." All he felt was being drawn in, as he listened to her every word.
Time for a small brief rest for everyone after everything is going on. Though some will clearly take advantage of this while others question the reveal of Servants outside of Proper Human History.
And yes, you've more or less probably known it's because of outside work. Though to be clear, this isn't Angra Mainyu's influence. Nah. The Einzberns really messed up last war and summoned not a Avenger, but something much weaker yet worse all the same.
Here's a hint. It actually does have similarities to Angra Mainyu…when he's a nobody.