PoV: ?

The world seemed bleak, bleaker than usual, as I dragged myself through the cold, moonlit forest.

Each passing moment I could feel myself fading as I clung to existence, hoping, praying that for once, I could be saved. Unlike switching to spirit form, where the feeling could be described as gently stepping into still, peaceful waters, the feeling of fading was akin to drowning. Even for someone who wielded unspeakable, awesome arcane power, it was incredibly haunting.

I'd been summoned here, to a land I was unfamiliar with, for a treasure I knew little about. An omnipotent wish granter, the Holy Grail, at least that's what it was presented as.

I didn't believe it. I could feel the power it held flowing through the land, and my existence here proved it was no mere Mystic Code. But omnipotent? I doubted it.

These thoughts, my thoughts were my only companion, the only thing left for me as I fought to stay in this world.

The muck of the soil, mixed with the bitterness of my thoughts lead to nothing but more indignation. Suddenly, as if the Gods themselves were making fun of me, it began to rain, droplets mixing with the dirt I pulled my frail body through.

I'd killed him.

The man that had brought me back into this world. The man that had given me a second chance at both life and happiness. The man that had reunited me with one of my dearest treasures.

And I'd rid myself of him as fast as I could.

He was rotten, my former Master. Despite the opportunity he'd technically given me, it wasn't out of the goodness of his heart, if he even had any. The man was scum, even more so than the average magus.

'Experimenting on children, enslaving women with Magecraft,

I grit my teeth in disgust,

'Treating me like one of his slaves.'

I suppose in killing him and freeing those children, I lived up to the moniker of "Heroic Spirit", even if an existence like my own was as far from the word heroic as one could be.

'In that manner, I suppose I'm not much better', I concede as I fight to keep my eyes open.

Repulsive as that man was, I needed him to sustain my pseudo-resurrection. As a Servant, I needed a Master to anchor my existence too, a decent supply of mana wouldn't do without something to tie me down. Which was why I never stopped moving towards the temple located on top of this foreign land, Fuyuki's, Leylines.

Just as I reach the edge of the forest, the animals having avoided me due to my odd presence, I begin to fade completely.

'N-no, I-I'm so close!'

My body feels like it's almost completely submerged, and my skin takes on a translucent quality.

I grit my teeth, clenching the Coin in my hand with all my remaining strength.

'I-I can't die, not like this, not after I've found you!'

The Coin, as if- no, responding to my helplessness, sends a warm feeling into my body, as if trying to tell me it was okay.

His attempt at hiding his sorrowful tone only filled me with more bitterness.

I choke back a sob, cursing Fate for its unfairness, resentment overruling every hopeful emotion in my body. I feel the Coin slip through my hand, the hand holding him having flickered in and out of existence.

My body, what remains of it at least, gives up, collapsing on the wet, hard ground. My hood protects my head from the rain, but the rest of my body is soaked. I ignore it to search for him, hands roaming around in the mud. As if calling out to me, I catch a glimpse of his form not far from where I dropped him. A golden Coin shining beautifully, even in all this muck. But for once he doesn't have my attention. No, that honor goes to the shoes right beside him.

My gaze pans up, and I lock eyes with the man I hadn't sensed coming.

-Scene-

"I suppose it took you long enough, boy."

He smiles weakly, a hand raising to rub the back of his head.

"Sorry, Kuzuki-sensei announcement led to a lot of people trying to get answers out of me."

I nod, turning to the black-haired teacher beside him. The man in question does little more than nod, affirming the boy's words as true.

'As if I doubted him to begin with.'

I smirk,

"Well now that you're both here, I suppose we can move along with this."

Their nods are the only answer I need. I turn to exit the room, the two following behind me in silence. The spacious hallways of the temple break into the entrance, as we leave my husband and I's room behind. On the way to our location, we encounter multiple monks, greeting and chatting with them as we passed by.

It was one of the reasons I'd chosen to stay in the Temple, aside from the monks, it lacked in inhabitants meaning that not many people would stumble across things they shouldn't. Regardless, I'd set a bounded field around the temple anyway.

We march on in the evening sun, the warmth of it's rays being the only thing I could feel from it. Before long, we reach our destination. As if on purpose, the path to our-no, my goal lied on the opposite part of the temple from my and Kuzuki's room. The grand temple, that even I struggled to overcome. Normally I didn't want to have my Master around while I employed the boy's services, but just this once I made an exception.

Today was special after all.

Which was why I'd summoned the boy to me, as in this area he was a master, absolutely second to none. We stop right in front of the door, the gates to a trial greater than Heracles's doing nothing to dissuade me. I'd already come so far, so now I couldn't turn back. Seemingly encouraging me, the Coin altered into a necklace jewel begins to let out warmth, as if believing in me.

I nod my head, turning to the Master who would teach me, and to the person I wanted to impress the most. The redhead nods at me, mirroring the Coin's encouragement. My master makes no expression, but I know in my heart he believes in me. I gather my courage and step forward. The gilded halls of wife hood will finally accept me once I overcome this final trial.

Steeling myself, I step into the kitchen.