Elza had an amazing dream, one that started like a nightmare but transformed into something extraordinary. It began with her in a dark alley, surrounded by men from the ABB, their intentions clear and vile. They closed in on her, their leers sending chills down her spine. Just as they were about to drag her away, the scene shifted.
In an instant, her son appeared, his presence like a beacon of hope. With swift, precise movements, Luca dispatched the men within minutes, his actions a blur of efficiency and skill. Elza watched in awe and disbelief, her heart swelling with pride and relief.
Then, out of the shadows, a twelve-year-old girl emerged—her daughter? The realization struck Elza with a mix of surprise and joy. The girl ran to Luca, who smiled and instructed her to stay with their mother. Despite the chaos, there was a sense of calm and familiarity in the way they interacted, as if they had always been a family.
Luca then dragged the bodies of the fallen men to a corner, meticulously arranging them before setting them ablaze with a lighter. Elza's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the lighter. In her mind, a lighter meant smoking, a habit she could not condone. She confronted Luca, her voice trembling with concern.
"Why are you carrying a lighter? Are you smoking?" she asked.
Luca's response was calm and reassuring. "No, Mom, it's for emergencies. I don't smoke."
His explanation soothed her worries, though a part of her still questioned the logic of dreams. Hadn't he thrown the lighter away after setting the bodies on fire? Dreams often had a way of twisting reality, and this one was no exception.
Suddenly, a fragrant aroma invaded her nostrils—the scent of breakfast. Elza groggily rose from her bed, the comforting smell coaxing her into wakefulness. She walked out of her bedroom, still in a daze, and the sight that greeted her made her mind crash.
There, in the kitchen, was her son Luca, clad in a pink apron, busy at the stove. At the breakfast table sat the twelve-year-old girl from her dream, cheerfully awaiting the meal. Elza's heart pounded as she tried to make sense of the scene before her. Had she gone insane? Was she hallucinating? Was this still a dream? She pinched herself hard, wincing at the sharp pain. No, definitely not a dream.
"Ah, good morning, Mom," Luca greeted her from the kitchen, a warm smile lighting up his face as he flipped a pancake.
"Good morning, Mother!" the little girl echoed with excitement, her eyes sparkling with happiness.
Elza felt her mind short-circuiting, unable to process the reality of the situation. The shock of seeing her son, whom she believed she had lost, casually cooking breakfast, and the mysterious girl who seemed to know her as "Mother," left her reeling.
"How?" was all she could manage to say, her voice barely above a whisper, laden with confusion and emotion.
Luca turned off the stove and approached her, his expression softening with understanding. "I know this is a lot to take in," he said gently, guiding her to a chair at the breakfast table. "But I promise, we'll explain everything."
The little girl beamed at her, she looked into the same eyes as her's and Luca's. "I'm Miyu," she said, reaching out to hold Elza's hand. "I'm your daughter, and Luca's sister."
Elza's heart swelled with emotion, a mix of joy, disbelief, and overwhelming love. She looked at Luca and Miyu, tears welling up in her eyes. "But... how did this happen? Where have you been all these years?"
Luca took a deep breath, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "It's a long story, Mom. But the important thing is, we're here now, together."
As the aroma of breakfast filled the air and the warmth of the morning sun streamed through the window, Elza felt a sense of hope and renewal. The questions could wait. For now, she was content to bask in the miracle of this unexpected reunion.
It was after breakfast when they all sat together in the living room, the morning sunlight casting a warm glow over the space. Elza leaned forward, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the incredible story Luca had begun to tell her.
"So, let me get this straight," she started, her voice trembling slightly. "You are Luca from an alternate timeline who goes by the name Emiya Shirou because you lost me ten years ago." She looked at him, searching his face for any sign that this might be some elaborate joke.
Luca nodded solemnly.
Elza turned her gaze to Miyu, who was sitting quietly beside Luca, her eyes wide with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "And she is my daughter because she was adopted by your adoptive father, and later she made a wish to truly become your sister?"
Luca nodded again, his expression softening as he looked at Miyu.
Elza's head was spinning. "And then you both wished on the Holy Grail to escape your dying world, and that's how you ended up here?"
Another nod from took a deep breath, trying to absorb everything. "And also, magic is real?"
"Yes," Luca confirmed, a small, reassuring smile on his face.
Elza sat back, exhaling slowly. She looked at Luca and Miyu, her mind still reeling from the revelations. "This is... a lot to take in."
"But," she continued, her voice steadying as she found her resolve, "it doesn't matter. You are still my children. That Holy Grail is truly a miracle-granting device, to perform such a miracle for not only you but also me."
Luca's eyes softened, and a smile tugged at his lips. "Thank you, Mom. It means everything to us to hear you say that."
Miyu beamed, her small hand still holding onto Elza's.
Elza's heart swelled with emotion. She reached out, pulling both Luca and Miyu into a tight embrace. "I missed you so much," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I missed you both so much."
There were plans to make and preparations to do. After spending some time with his mother, Luca knew they needed to address practical matters, especially their identities. They couldn't live without proper documentation in this world. He decided to breach the subject of identity.
"Mom," he began, his tone thoughtful and a bit cautious, "regarding the registration, we don't actually have any ID cards."
Elza looked at him, concern knitting her brows. "I hadn't thought of that. You're right. We need to get you both registered."
"Let's leave for the local hospital first to get documents to confirm our relation," Elza suggested. "We can later submit these to the local administration. Because of the Endbringers, a lot of people go missing and then turn up in the future. Due to this, the government has simplified the registration process, so it shouldn't be much of an issue."
"That's convenient," Luca agreed, a hint of relief in his voice.
Elza nodded, getting up from her seat. "We'll need to gather any information we can about your birth and our family history. The hospital can help with DNA tests and verification."
"It shouldn't take long," Elza reassured them. "After this, we should get both of you registered for school." She paused, her expression souring. "I can't get you registered into Arcadia in the middle of the semester, so I guess you'll have to go to Winslow this year. We'll get you moved by next year. I will homeschool Miyu; Winslow is definitely not a place for her."
Luca frowned. "Winslow? Is it really that bad?"
Elza sighed deeply, her concern etched across her face. "It's not you I'm worried about, Luca. It's the other students. After seeing what you did last night and hearing your story, I'm not confident that the school will survive."
Luca raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "You think I'll cause that much trouble, huh?"
Elza shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Not intentionally. But you're different. More capable. Someone raised by a professional." The word put a frown on her face. She really wanted to strangle Kiritsugu with her own hands. He definitely didn't know how to raise kids.
Luca nodded, understanding her concern. "I'll be careful, Mom. I promise."
Elza's frown softened into a more genuine smile. "I know you will. Just... try to keep a low profile."
Luca chuckled. "I'll do my best."