For want of a Grail

by fangsla

This will be a story about Mario Mario and his master Cu Chulainn going around during the murder death kill not my story just posting it here after author abandoning the quest it a male master that enter a alternate 5th grail war more than 7 servants and masters tags au harem evil mc villain protagonist genderswap such as shiro no mc lemon

19. Chapter 17: Revelry in Sin D4P3

Chapter 17: Revelry in Sin D4P3

10 Minutes Later, William Arathorn POV (Robin's Room)

"What are you bothering me this time for Arathorn?" Robin asked from under her sheets.

You hadn't even opened the door yet and she already knew that you needed something from her… You probably disturbed her just as she was going to sleep... Great, you're going to have to be cordial with her, blegh.

"I need to pick your brain on something, you won't even have to get out of bed to help me." You politely state.

Robin turns over to meet your eyes and suddenly the air becomes very awkward as her dead expression stares at you from her pillow. Sighing to herself she takes off the sheets, revealing that she is completely nude, and then sits straight up on her bed.

She takes a moment to rub her eyes before yawning. A silence passes over before you hear Robin hiss out, "Go on."

Shaking your head, you then explain with an even tone, "Someone let out a captive down in the dungeon. I was wondering if you would've been alerted to the fact or even know the culprit. As I doubt your mansion has lacking security." Not that it stopped someone like Sam from just strolling on in, but you're going to presume that was some sort of fluke for Robin's sake.

Robin raises her brow but shows no immediate emotion. Seemingly thinking it over, Robin lets out a, "Hmmm…"

After a few more seconds 'Sloth' says, "No nothing tripped anything. If it was an intruder the bars would've given a nasty shock to whoever touched them. Not to mention I would've been very aware of their presence the second they entered the mansion, much less the dungeon."

"I should've expected something as helpful as that… Whatever, I'll figure it out myself." You mutter in annoyance before heading to leave.

"Arathorn!" Robin shouts out as tried exiting.

Turning around with a baleful look you stare at an unimpressed Robin who now stands a few feet away from you. Her own look of disgust fades after a moment as she says, "I expected better of you. Did you not listen to the words that left my mouth or were you just looking for a simple answer?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" You ask, clearly miffed.

Sighing to herself once again she explains simply, "I chose my words very carefully, 'if it was an intruder'. Considering you didn't find a fried body down there then she couldn't have been let out by an intruder."

You have to kick yourself for not realizing what she meant later. You then ask plainly, "So it had to be someone who was already within the mansion?"

"Do I really need to spell it out that much for you?" She retorted with a glare.

"So then do you know who it was or not." You ask.

Her glare turns to an unimpressed stare as she says, "You have no patience."

"You have too much." You bite back.

The two of you continue to glare at each other for a few moments, before you ask, "Fine. If you're going to be like this. Then tell me, aren't you watching all the residents of your home? You'd have to be a pretty shitty magus if you weren't."

That caused Robin obvious frustration as she responded with, "Don't assume I am anything like you magus types. I only watch those that I consider a danger, which would only include you and that Caster of yours. Everyone else within is free to go about as they please, I could care less what they are up to."

Okay that got your eye to twitch. "Seriously?" You asked in utter contempt.

"Well at first it was just your Caster." She said with an ugly grin.

With a dead stare she then said, "Then you raped me you motherfucker."

With a glance to the side you rub the back of your head as you then said, "Not my smartest decision I'll admit." The 'old' you was disgusting without question. You are far more refined when it comes to such acts now!

And other lies you can tell yourself.

Shaking off her annoyance, Robin guffawed at your choice of words, "You are such an asshole! It's not like I want an apology, but you always have the worst responses!" She then started to laugh and laugh.

"Glad that you seem to find it funny." Is the only way you could respond. Besides it's not like the two of you didn't enjoy it, considering how fucked in the head both of you are. More so you back then, but more so her now.

She kept chuckling as she lost focus of you entirely.

So while Robin was busy looking and sounding like a clown you decided to make what she's said useful. If she's only watching you and Medea that means… Actually you should start from a completely different point.

Obviously neither Wilhelm or Irisviel did it. You also have huge doubts that Ayako, Boudica, Kiyohime, or Ram did it either. All that on top of considering the fact that Medea one hundred percent did not do it…

That means it would have to be between; Tharja and her servant, Celenike, and Enkidu.

Hmm… You've just lowered it to four options. It was actually worth it to ask Robin for help. A welcome surprise to be sure!

Turning away from Robin you then let out, "Thanks for the help!" As you were about to leave Robin then grabbed your arm with a serious expression on her face.

Robin leans forward as she then whispers into your ear, "Oh. You thought I was just going to let you leave after disturbing my rest?" You feel a chill down your spine.

With a stone face you…

You decided it was best to hear her out…

So you let the sin of Sloth lead you to her bed, she then forced you to sit down on top of said bed before grabbing a chair for her to sit on. "This isn't about you being annoyed is it." You quickly figure out.

With a roll of her eyes she said, "I wanted to ensure you didn't run off so I had to hope I could scare you into compliance. Though you aren't very frightened are you?" That made sense you guess? No it definitely did, you were one hundred percent going to run off unless Robin made whatever she wanted seem serious.

"Meh, slight subconscious fear but nothing beyond that. I'm confident in my abilities." You explained.

With a malicious grin, "Just because you're Prideful doesn't mean you should underestimate others brat."

"I'm confident in my ability to get away from you." You elaborate with a neutral expression.

"I know what you meant, Arathorn." She hissed out. Well that's concerning… You're still pretty certain you could escape but that means she has a trick up her sleeve.

"Anyway what's this all about?" You ask.

She suddenly then said, "Later tonight when you meet with the other Sins, do not agree to anything Envy asks of you."

"Huh?" You obviously questioned, completely confused by her sudden request..

She immediately explains, "I know you met Lust and Envy earlier. I also know you were given that invitation… Honestly the fact that I only just learned you weren't fully aware of what us Sins were till today annoys me greatly. I feel as though I have failed as your 'guide', though that isn't what's important. Though what is important…"

She takes a second to breathe before finishing with, "Is that when you meet the Skull Kid tonight you must refuse his every offer. Any recommendation he gives, the slightest of ideas he plants in your brain, even the very concept that he is telling you the full truth. Refuse it all. He is not to be trusted."

A moment of silence takes the room and lingers.

You then say with a blank face, "You know it's hard to take what you say seriously when you're sitting in front of me naked right?"

Her unimpressed look returns as she says, "Did you at least get what I told you."

You shake your head and consider what she did in fact say…

You conclude that, "I'll take your words into account."

Robins lets out a sigh of relief as she then speaks with mirth, "More than I was hoping for honestly. Thought I was going to have to beat sense into you."

Her words cause your face to strain in annoyance as you let her words go and choose to elaborate on your decision, "I'm not gonna ask why you want me to distrust Skull Kid and all that, as I don't really trust him to begin with… But I do need to know one thing." Robin becomes confused at your words.

She then asks, "Yes?"

"If you don't trust Skull Kid then why attend the meeting?" Is your completely logical question.

The only way to describe her face is that of a parent upon realizing how dumb his child is. She then says, "Because I'm not going to let him obtain control over the other sins and most importantly you. Skull Kid has other concerns than winning this game in the name of the snake… If you even know what that meant… You are really out of the loop aren't you?"

Her concerned expression is eased upon you saying, "The bastard Apophis is betting on us to achieve some sort of win condition and beat the others gods for clout, I'm aware."

Her eyes become dead as she mutters, "You don't know what that condition is do you?"

"Huh, why would I?" You question, which was completely reasonable as you must mention.

Gritting her teeth she groans out, "Because you are the one who is supposed to… If you don't know, none of us do…"

Fuck that goddamn snake in his non-existent ass.

"Well shit." You say, as if it wasn't the most obnoxious thing in the world.

You then come to a startling realization, "Ah shit that might mean Skull Kid knows…"

Robin had put her head in her hands as she bemoaned, "That would be terrible for all of us."

"Why?" You ask.

"Because he's most certainly going to use that fact to force us under his thumb. I guarantee you, if he does know, he'll make sure none of us do until the goal is completed." She explains.

"I know I've been asking this a lot-." Before you could even finish what you were saying Robin placed her hand on your face.

"I get it, I screwed up believing that the damn snake would tell you shit… If Skull Kid is the only one who knows the goal instead of you like the rules dictated… Then that means he can force us to listen to him as he doesn't have to tell us what the condition is. Just push us to complete it." She explained.

Yeah that sounds annoying, but one important thing, "That was just me speculating. Wouldn't be surprised if that bastard snake is just waiting to tell me at a late point to get on my nerves. If Skull Kid really is the one who knows, then yeah I guess we'll have no choice."

"No we shouldn't just bend to his will. If he is the only one who knows then he's our enemy." She explained, but did not elaborate beyond that.

"Why? Not that I would like listening to him, but even if he's not someone to be trusted, I see no reason why he'd want to self-sabotage. Especially considering what I've heard of the consequences." You asked.

"You don't need to know." Robin explains.

That caused your brain to do a reset as you replayed the words she just said to you over and over again.

Your eyes narrow immediately, "Robin. You better damn well tell me."

"You don't need to know. Just know that if Skull Kid tries to force us to comply to his wishes then he's our enemy." Robin repeats.

That was a strike too far.

You glare at her for a moment before letting your expression soften and then saying, "I'll say it like this then Robin. As of right now I trust you, and I don't trust Skull Kid…" You let the words linger ensuring Robin gets exactly what you meant.

Then you finish with, "Don't switch that around unless you want me to be your enemy."

Robin grits her teeth but still refuses to elaborate despite the threat of betrayal.

"Fine then, be that way. I'm still going to take your words into consideration, but I'm sorry if you thought because I don't want to bend to Skull Kid that I would want to bend to you instead." With that you left, this time Robin did not stop you.

After your talk with Robin you had to take time to think.

All this Sin business being dropped on you all at once is without question a nuisance. Yet your thoughts kept being taken back to everything that has been said to you within the past few hours.

You could feel your face twist in anger as the memories gnaw at you.

It's tiring... You can take your anger out on others like you've done with Medusa and her Master, but it won't change that you have ZERO control. It is a mere fantasy to think you have any sort of dominance over this world.

And it's pissing you off.

However, you feel as if your rage is what that damn snake wants. So with a clench of your teeth and a grimace forming on your face, you attempt to calm down.

…

Your teeth are starting to hurt…

…

This isn't going to work…

…

You then come to a realization, "I need to talk with Olga."

You just need to talk with her about everything that's happened and start figuring out an actual plan. Who cares about this 'grand game of the gods'? You have a war to win.

You began making your way to the foyer as soon as you finished that thought. There was no guarantee that Olga was in the mansion as of this moment so you may have to head to Chaldea's facility to meet with her… Though if she is still staying here, which you have no inclination that she wouldn't be, she should be here by now.

So focused on what you were doing you ended up bumping into something… Oddly soft.

Two oddly soft somethings…

With some trepidation you back away from the bountiful boobs of Boudica, who simply chuckles to herself at how you were acting. Ayako looked a bit more concerned as she stood by her servant's side with a blush on her face.

"What's got you so pent up that you can't even watch where you're going?" The redheaded servant of the mount teased.

You groan internally at her obviously mocking words, yet before you said anything else…

You suddenly get an idea.

However, you couldn't say it just yet. So you start with, "I was going to talk with Olga about what we should do about the war. So I was trying to figure out what the topics of discussion should be before I accidentally bumped into you." You notably left out what you bumped into specifically.

"Mhm. Sounds like a good idea. Though considering we're working together shouldn't we be invited?" Boudica cheekily responded.

Smiling to yourself you then say, "I was just about to offer, so if you wish, come along. Unless Ayako thinks otherwise?" You added that last part upon noticing Ayako's awkward demeanor.

Scratching the back of her head Ayako then speaks with uncertainty, "I'm not exactly certain on how I could help you two… But if Boudica thinks we should…" The busty redhead nods to her master and Ayako nods back.

You doubt they will be helpful in actually planning anything out, but at the very least being able to coordinate with them should be useful.

With that settled the three of you make your way to the Foyer, all the while you began hearing something…

Upon entering the Foyer itself you finally make out what it is. Arguing, you think you can hear Irisviel's voice but the other one you don't recognize.

That was until Ayako tapped your shoulder and said, "Isn't that Mr. Wilhelm's voice." Wait a second…

You can't believe you couldn't tell but that is indeed his voice!

Are Wilhelm and Irisviel arguing? Of all people?

You've never even heard him yell like this before… Some part of you wants to go and see what could possibly put such a man in a state of anger… Yet you've committed to this and so, "Yes… He seems to be arguing with someone… Let's focus on finding Olga for now though."

"Alright…" Ayako mutters.

Now exiting the Foyer you head to where you believe Olga would be at this moment, if she was in the mansion anyway. Thankfully fortune finds you as the hunch you had about where Olga was turned out to be correct.

Entering the Dining Room you find an exhausted Olga hunched over the center table poking at her food with her fork.

Mash stands behind her similarly exhausted and looking oddly disheveled.

Looking upon the sad sight with concern you attempt to ask, "Uh… Olga? You alri-?"

Before you could finish you see Olga flinch upon hearing your voice, you watch as she clenched her fist and got up. She then began making her way over to you. By this point you were trying to back away, however, Boudica and Ayako were right there.

Your escape had been cut off. Your end was nigh.

It was a shit run, but at least you made some attempt at getting a hold on life.

As you had accepted your fate you felt Olga reach around back to grab the rear side of your head. Only for when she began bringing down your skull, to what you had assumed to be the floor, you were surprised with something pleasant instead.

Olga began locking lips with you to your exceptional confusion.

Confusion that would not be answered for as Olga did not remove herself even when it was clear you weren't following along.

Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth you decided to rectify your lack of action and began kissing her back.

You didn't need to see to tell that Mash and Ayako were blushing up a storm as they watched you two be passionate. Though you could hear Boudica guffawing at what was occurring before her.

You paid them no mind simply basking in the pleasure…

Only for it to be ripped away from you once Olga harmlessly punched you in the stomach. You say harmlessly because physically, yes, it did not hurt. Emotionally on the other hand you suffered exceptional whiplash as you became devastated at the sudden turn of events.

Then Olga started yelling at you, "Where. Have. You. Been!"

"Huh?" You ask genuinely befuddled.

"I had been searching for you all this morning… And honestly William, last night I was willing to push it off for the moment, but dammit I can't take it anymore! You are going to tell me everything that's going on before I tear my goddamned hair out!" The white haired magus raved.

Olga then began tearing up as she choked on her words, "I j-just… D-Don't understand w-what's going on a-anymore! I should've never come here, because nothing makes any damn sense anymore!"

You attempted to get a word only for Olga to finish with, "And it's your fault! Why won't you just communicate!"

Feeling affronted you bit back with, "What do you want me to do? You want me to come running to you anytime anything happens? Besides I-..." You stopped halfway through due to Olga's expression.

Upon Olga falling silent she began to stare at you with dead eyes. You could see a blank expression on Mash's face past the now silent woman… And now that you mention it you can't hear anything outside of distant yelling…

The silence passed for a few moments longer until Olga broke the silence by smacking you upside the head and then yelling, "Of course I want you to come talk to me when something happens! If crazy bullcrap was happening to me every two seconds I'd be keeping you up to date on everything! Why the hell do you… Just… Ahhh… There's just no point!"

Looking despondent, Olga then mutters, "If it wasn't for the fact I care about you too much I'd continue smacking you around! But I know there wouldn't be a point because you aren't going to tell me-…" Olga finally looks past you to see that Ayako and Boudica were right there.

With an annoyed expression Olga then asked with a dead tone, "You were coming to inform me of what's going on for once weren't you..."

"You never let me finish!" You yell out in complete annoyance.

Mash Kyrielight Third Person POV

Mash could only watch on with a blank expression as Olga and Will began arguing like an old married couple. She didn't really listen to what they were yelling about as otherwise she'd feel she was interfering in their personal lives, so she turned her attention elsewhere.

She was in particular staring at the two individuals standing just behind Olga's fellow master. A rather plain-looking girl and uh… A red-haired woman with… Unique clothing.

Why would anyone want to show off so much skin?

It was clear to her the woman was a servant but she still found herself staring at her odd choice of attire. As she was busy eyeballing the red-head the yelling quieted for a moment as Olga said, "You were coming to inform me of what's going on for once weren't you…"

William shouted in response, "You never let me finish!"

Then the shouting match renewed and all Mash could do was let out a sigh as she tried to focus on anything but her master's argument. Which of course led to her staring at other pair of individuals. She swears she isn't a pervert but she just can't stop staring at that woman!

How can she stand around so confident despite the fact that almost all of her skin is revealed to the world! Mash still gets embarrassed whenever she's reminded her armor doesn't protect her thighs! Yet this woman is practically naked and standing with the confidence of a king!

She must be a pretty good fighter then… Actually that brings up a few questions to her mind… Are they allies of Will? When did he meet them? Is… Is this woman another pervert? What about her Master? Is she even a Master? Is she also a pervert?

Bringing her hands up to smack her cheeks, Mash abandons that train of thought as it was too embarrassing for her mind to even think about.

Instead of letting herself come to false conclusions Mash decided to walk past the two arguing Magi. The girl in the pink jacket seemed nervous at Mash's approach while the servant showed no reaction.

Mash tried to think of how to introduce herself, but ended up just raising her hand and saying, "Um… Hi?"

The brown-haired girl raised her own hand and nervously responded with, "Hello."

While the awkward greetings were exchanged the buxom woman just chuckled at how nervous Mash and the other girl were. Which only served to make Mash blush wildly as she believed she was responsible for the awkward atmosphere, and for the other girl to do the exact same.

The yelling coming from behind Mash did not help.

Instead of letting it get to her, Mash powered through her awkwardness and introduced herself, "I'm… Mash Kyrielight, are you another Master?"

The girl got a bit startled, seemingly lost in her own thoughts before she responded in turn, "U-Uh, yes. I'm Ayako Mitsuzuri and this is Rider… Are those two… Always like that?"

With the confirmation that the red-haired woman was a servant Mash filed the fact she was a Rider away for later so she could try and figure out she was. Though she wasn't going to be rude and not answer Ayako's question while doing so, "Umm… Sometimes?"

Why did she say that as if she was questioning it?

"O-Oh… Okay." Ayako finished.

Then the awkward silence, minus the yelling, returned. This time, neither of the two had the courage to speak up.

Though the Rider servant wasn't exactly held back by such things like the two girls were as she brought out a hand and said, "Well aren't you the sweetest thing! I would've expected a bit more suspicion but you're just a bundle of nerves aren't you?"

That did not help her already red face, and she couldn't help but let out a squeak at the accusation. It was clearly true, but she was really trying her best to steel her nerves…

Yet she didn't refuse the offer of handshake despite how nervous she was at that moment.

After a brief shake of the hands the woman walked past Mash, and grabbed the shoulders of the two arguing Magi before trying to calm them down. Which only ended up with them turning their ire on her instead.

This is going to be a long day isn't it…

William Arathorn POV

"Oh so now it's my fault for expecting the usual from you?" Were Olga's next words and honestly they pissed you off a small bit.

With a twitch of your brow you then stated, "What usual? I'm sorry for forgetting to tell you about those two, but did I not tell you about that meeting? I admit I haven't been keeping you updated about everything, but it was never out of malicious intent or negligence!"

That choice of words only seemed to annoy her more as she said, "Then why didn't you tell me you already took out a Master and Servant? Or why haven't you informed me of anything you've done so far until now?"

Sufficiently annoyed you then say, "Because I just didn't see the need to! You're acting like you're my…" A realization occurs.

With a cold tone your next words were, "Olga if you're treating me like I'm a part of Chaldea I'm gonna go ballistic. I owe your father nothing, so don't act like you're my boss… You're one of the people I care about the most, so don't change that over something so stupid!"

Olga was fuming at this point, "I don't care about your 'obligations' to my father! I care about you! I don't know what you've been up to! So I don't know how to help you!" Your eyes widen at that…

How stupid of you to think anything else…

You couldn't stop Olga's rant now, she was too upset, "Goddammit, how am I supposed to be of any use if you're doing everything on your own! It has only been a few days yet it feels like you've been through so much and I just can't keep up with any of it!"

She took a moment to breathe before finishing with, "Add onto all that it feels like over the past few days you've been a completely different person! And I… I… I can't help but feel at fau-!" Yet before Olga could finish the two of you felt someone grab onto your shoulders.

The red-headed Rider dared interrupt the two of you… With a disarming smile Boudica then said, "Hey can you two calm down a bit? I don't really think anyone wants to be privy to your personal probl-."

The two of you turned to face Boudica and shouted, "Stay out of this!"

Taking a step back with an uneasy smile the Rider feels the wrath of you two with glares alone.

Turning back to Olga you then say, "Repeat that last part."

Shocked at what you asked, Olga turns to face you confused and asks, "What part?"

"Whatever you mentioned after saying you thought I've been acting completely different?" You explain.

Scratching at her cheek, seemingly embarrassed Olga says, "That I… Felt responsible?"

"Why? You've done nothing wrong…" Is your response.

"But you've been so strange, not at all like yourself! You haven't been the Will I've known for so much of my life… Especially after you woke up from your coma… I couldn't help but think I was a problem, I felt you were trying too hard to seem normal when around me but I knew something was different." She explained.

Fucking Apophis… In a sense she's right, you haven't been yourself since you woke up. You feel more like who you've always been after your fight with Sam, but for Olga who's so out of the loop…

She had to rationalize it somehow right? This never had to be such a big mess. But you're still gonna have to clean it up aren't you?

All I could say was, "You're such an idiot…"

"Huh? Where did that come from!" Olga shouted in annoyance.

Staring directly into her eyes you explain clearly, "How in the hell could any of what I've been going through be your fault? If anything you've been the one thing keeping me from going off the deep end!"

That causes Olga pause and therefore gives you room to continue, "I see now the way I've been going about things hasn't been working. I've only been worrying you more and acting like an asshole the whole way… I get it… In my mind I was keeping you away from my problems when in reality I was only pushing you away."

"It's clear to me at this point that wasn't the case… So I am… Genuinely sorry. Is there anything I can do to earn your forgiveness?" You finish.

Seemingly put off by your explanation Olga's face turns neutral before a blush faintly glows as she turns her head away to cough into a curled up hand. "Well, um… You could communicate better from now on… Not like… I'd want anything other than that… Ahem, yeah…"

Chuckling to yourself you bring Olga into a one armed embrace only serving to embarrass her more as you say, "I was already planning on doing that, it feels kind of cheap to earn your forgiveness like that."

In an attempt to keep her composure Olga haughtily says, "Well then you should be happy that I'm so willing to forgive you then!"

"You're right, I am." Is your response.

It was then that you two realized you had a set of onlookers watching you two sort yourselves out, so the two of you ended the embrace early… With matching glares the two of you turned to the three of them and menacingly state, "You saw nothing."

Mash didn't know how to respond to this but Ayako and Boudica caught on quickly as the two nodded. Though you couldn't really trust Boudica's response as she had a strange expression and a weird smile as she looked at the two of you…

As long as she never brings up what happened this day to anyone for any reason it should be of no problem though.

With that over and done with, acting as if nothing ever happened you turn to Olga and say, "Anyway, let us figure out a game plan."

"Yes, let's." Is Olga's simple response as you both head to the table.

The other three were wise enough to follow along.

You sat across from Olga at the end of the table while Ayako sat at the head, the girl was clearly anxious but neither of you magi paid attention to her shuffling. The two servants stood behind their masters while you thought on the topics of discussion.

"I believe the most important thing to do right now is to catch you two up to speed with one another." You sagely.

Olga's deadpan expression did not help your confidence on this matter, "You don't say!" Even if you two just had that heart to heart it's clear that she's upset over some things still. Ayako didn't have anything to add, she just sat up straight in her chair as she fiddled with her hands.

With newly found hesitation you say, "Y-Yes… I'll start with why Ayako is here…"

You then start the explanation, "Yesterday afternoon I had decided to wander the city due to reasons that I forget. And as I went through the alley's I took note of what sounded like groaning before I decided to look around. That's when I found Ayako and realized she was a master. She seemed completely out of it and starving so I took her to a nearby place and fed her."

With a strange drawl that could only be explained as dumbfounded, Olga asked, "Why…" Maybe disappointment was a better word?

"Have no clue, it was total whim." You stated.

Olga then leaned forward and blocked the bottom of her face with her hands as she thought over what you just said. While she was predisposed you added, "We talked for a bit and I thought she was quite pitiable. So I saw no reason to kill her and decided to bring her under my wing instead."

Glaring at you from behind her hands you hear Olga say, "Mash, could you walk over there and whack him over the head for me?"

"Huh?" The timid demi-servant exclaimed in bewilderment.

"Am I really such a bother?" Ayako asked, almost afraid of the answer.

"Yes!" Olga exclaimed as she stood up and smacked her hands against the table.

While you said, "Not really."

Boudica immediately went to console her master after hearing Olga's response to the question, "Not at all Ayako! See, even William agrees!"

Mash just watched the scene with a sense of defeat.

Sitting back into her seat with arms crossed Olga then haughtily remarks, "I wasn't aware that Will became the arbiter of truth! He isn't some leader for the lot of us, he's my partner for the Grail War, and he made a stupid decision 'taking you under his wing' whatever the hell that's supposed to mean!"

Ayako sinks into her seat as the Rider servant glares at how harsh Olga was being to her own master.

Turning her ire away from the two she directs her annoyance towards you instead, "Seriously what were you thinking? What if she was just a master feigning weakness just to get into your good graces so she could kill you at your weakest! Do you not think these things through?"

You stare at Olga for a moment.

Then turn your gaze to Ayako.

Then back again.

Olga falters at that as she says, "Okay, maybe her patheticness is so apparent it couldn't have been that. But it was just a bad example! You know what I'm trying to get at! You should've at the very least considered what to do with some caution!"

You repeat your previous action.

Olga lets out a yell of defeat as she says, "I am not in the wrong for thinking you should've approached the situation with some thought! Mash! Just go over there and whack him already! I'm not asking a third time!"

Mash considered her options for a moment. Making eye contact with one another it was clear that you didn't care, and it was clear that she cared too much. She then looked at her fuming master and at that point it was settled. She made her way around the table, behind Ayako, and then by your side.

With great hesitation Mash clenches her eyes shut as she smacks the top of your head…

Honestly it felt more like she patted your head, but you feel if you said that Olga's going to tell her to cave your skull in. Speaking of Olga, you then ask her, "Are you satisfied now."

With a disappointed tone of voice she explained, "No. Oddly enough, that was incredibly dissatisfying. In fact I feel the entire seriousness of the situation was just removed… It wouldn't feel nearly as bad if I didn't know it was my fault…" Her face was a complete grimace.

But by this point it seemed Olga calmed down as she laid her head against the table and said, "Fine, whatever, she can stay." You really wanted to point out that she didn't have a choice in the matter, but held your tongue wisely.

Raising her head Olga asks one last thing, "Before we move onto another subject I do want to know. What the hell did you mean by 'take her under your wing'? It almost sounds like you're thinking of teaching her or something…"

Uh… Shit… You never really considered that huh… What were you going to do with Ayako? Is she just an ally? Or something more? You know when you first met her your ego was going wild and saying stuff you didn't mean…

But if there's ever a chance to figure it out, it's now you guess.

You then remarked with, "That's because I am."

A silence then follows.

The first person to react was Ayako as she let out a, "Ey?"

Then the silence renewed as Mash and Olga made eye contact. You then felt the back of your head get smacked. "Good work Mash." Olga says with gratitude while Mash nods clearly happy with herself.

Boudica seemed to be the only one pleased with your words.

"What in the hell are you thinking?" Olga shouts at you.

You then plainly explain, "If she's going to be of any help the least I can do is ensure she knows what she's doing. What could you possibly have a problem with?"

With the wind taken out of her sails Olga then said, "Oh… I thought you were going to teach her magecraft or something…"

"Well if I can I will…" Is how you responded.

Immediately put back on edge Olga pleaded, "She clearly doesn't have the mindset for it. Will, please reconsider."

You then elaborate on your words by saying, "Obviously I'm not going to teach her magecraft if all she has is potential. I'm not stupid Olga."

"That can be easily contested." She remarked.

You go to say a snarky comment but end up saying, "Shut."

Clearly pleased with herself, Olga smirks. Ignoring Olga's internal celebration you turn to Ayako and begin explaining the next topic, "Considering I got Olga up to speed about you I feel I should do the same vice versa. Olga works for an organization known as Chaldea, from what I recall they are a magus and scientific organization. Did I get that right, Olga?"

Her smugness gone Olga rubs her temple as she asks, "Why are you telling her about Chaldea?"

In her exasperation she says, "You've been there a few times, you know what we do, don't act like you don't."

Chuckling you then say, "But I want to hear your sales pitch again. It's been a while since I heard it!"

Clearly offended, Olga then says, "It is not a-!" Before stopping herself.

Taking a deep breath Olga instead says, "No… You are not going to rile me up! I am better than that… Explain away at your own whims, apparently confidentiality means nothing to you!" Her words bring the laughter out from your throat causing her mood to sour further.

Calming down on your laughter you then explain, "Anyway, Chaldea is a research organization. From what I recall, they're basically just trying to make sure the world doesn't blow up or something."

"That is perhaps the worst way you could put that…" Olga complained, even Mash looked a bit concerned at your explanation.

Scratching the back of her head Ayako then tries to put your shitty explanation into something tangible, "So they're trying to save the world… Before something world ending happens?"

Olga bites her lip as she says, "Basically…" Damn you really wanted her to go all out, yet she held it in. Ah well…

Ayako lightens up on her anxiety and says, "That's kind of cool… But what does that have to do with you William? You made it sound like you aren't part of the organization…"

Considering she pointed it out you might as well explai-... But Olga was just faster, "That is because Arathorn is not a part of Chaldea. He is a freelancer the organization has hired for important business in an exchange of favors. One of which would be to help ensure his survival in the Grail War."

A pause ensues causing Ayako to raise an eyebrow in confusion. She then politely asked, "What about the other favor?"

"Confidential." Olga said with an upturned nose.

Ayako's anxiety returned as she muttered, "Oh… O-Okay."

Saving Ayako from an awkward silence you bring the focus to you as you explain, "With you two caught up with one another let's bring the topic back around to what's important. I have had a very interesting four days so far."

With the focus now rightfully on you, it was time to begin, "Let's start with what's most important. Once we are done here I will be meeting with a group of six others. One of which is the Skull Kid who has threatened that he's going to drop a moon on Fuyuki."

Olga already knowing of this and obviously having seen the broadcast doesn't react all that much, only grimacing at the situation. Meanwhile Ayako reacts in a much different way, "Wait! Wait! Wait! What? Drop a… Moon? On Fuyuki! I don't understand what you are talking about at all!"

You hadn't considered that Ayako wouldn't have been aware…

Well shit.

You take a second to explain it, "Okay so basically on the second night of the war a broadcast went out coming from the Skull Kid. The Skull Kid has a way to watch all of the fights in the grail war and has been recording them. He showed off some fights then claimed that he would hit Fuyuki with a moon if participants failed to meet his standards basically."

Obviously frazzled, Ayako sat up straight as her broken voice says, "Ah… Yes… Okay, just give me a second to cope with the fact that I and my entire family are going to be flattened by a moon!"

Boudica seems similarly distraught as she speaks up for the first time in a while, "You're meeting this individual plus others?"

Nodding your head you elaborate on your answer with, "Yes. The Skull Kid and five others. I only know the identity of a few of the others but from what I know they're all participants in the war."

Boudica nods and says, "Well I hope whatever conversation it'll be, won't be pleasant. If that bastard is threatening an entire city he doesn't deserve a second of consideration."

Understanding where she was coming from you nod your head before then explain, "I fear he may not only be able to fulfill his threats, but he may be the most powerful participant outside of any servants. Though I wouldn't be surprised if his own servant was also quite capable. Which is partially why I'll be at the very least entertaining the invitation along with whatever he says."

The red-haired woman snarls at the response only saying, "Sounds exactly like the kind of person I despise. All that power wasted on the ones least deserving of it." You could understand her sentiment, but you feel her anger is more about how useless she'll be in protecting Ayako.

Olga decides to speak up as she asks, "What about the other individuals?"

"You three should know of two of them." You say as you point to anyone not named Mash.

Ayako begins paying attention again as she herself asks, "Who?"

You then reveal the names, seeing no point in dramatics, "Robin is one of them and another will be Sam, the man we fought with each other against."

"Not only are you going to go with that bi-..." Olga's words catch in her throat as she takes a pause and a deep breath.

Collecting herself Olga then states, "Not only will you not let me come with you, you're practically walking into the lion's den? Will… Why?"

Before she could say anything else, "I have confidence Olga, while I can't give you all the details, I will come out of this meeting completely fine. If you can't trust that of me, then you should at least trust that I'll be able to escape when I have two servants at my back."

Biting her lip she still says, "You could still take Mash at least, I just can't feel certain in your safety when you'r-!"

You interrupt her again, "Olga please. It'll be fine, you're worrying yourself over nothing I promise."

"You have to admit it isn't the smartest idea." Ayako says as she goes to scratch her cheek.

You nod your head as you say, "I'm not the best with plans, always been more of a get straight to the point guy. But the fact I'm being so vague with this should at least speak for itself. I can't know for sure what to expect, what I can tell you for certain is that I'll be fine by the end."

It was at this moment you wondered if you should bring up Neo, but decided against it. She's a weird one, but not really important or a threat to you. So bringing her up will just end up making this take longer than necessary…

Is this why Olga hates you at times?

She's just gonna have to deal for now, you'll bring up Neo to her when you can. There's just no point right now.

While you were lost in thought Olga brought up the courage to say, "Fine… I'm not gonna argue about it anymore. But if you come back to me with a limb missing or terrible injuries of some sort I am not going to tend to them. I'm going to sit back and laugh at you for being such a moron!"

She'd probably be bawling if you came back in such a state, but you get what she's trying to do.

"You won't have to worry about a thing…" You say one last time.

Wanting to leave this entire conversation for the back of your mind to sort out you then state, "Onto the final topic discussion, servants and masters. I've fought a few, and Ayako's fought a few. Let's figure out how to deal with them."

"I think it would be best for Ayako to start with those she encountered. I'd prefer to go into some detail with those I've faced, but that'll take more time obviously." You explain.

Ayako then scratches her cheek before looking away and saying, "I don't really know how much I could help… The only one I ever got a good look at was the Saber and even then…" Olga then sighed at Ayako's response, yet she didn't say anything, at least not yet.

Boudica was quick to assuage her master's concerns, "Well I could fill in any details you didn't catch onto Ayako, so don't worry about it."

"If you say so…" Ayako wistfully lets out.

Ayako takes a moment to think before starting with, "Well on the night I summoned Rider I happened to be walking home and I think I caught servants fighting. It was two against one, though I could only really make out the two Sabers."

Olga perked up at this, though her eyes continued to show disinterest.

Ayako continued without pause, "I didn't really see what was going on. But I could see the two Sabers lock blades at the very least. One of them was a tan girl wielding a blade that shined green, blue, and red. The other was a woman in red, her sword was a bit weird looking but I could see it was red and black."

As Ayako went to continue Boudica decided to interrupt, "The 'woman in red' happens to be a former Emperor of Rome, Nero. I don't know where she got it from, but she has a surprising amount of skill and strength. I was always certain she was a woman of the arts rather than the blade… Yet Nero is a capable fighter regardless of my thoughts."

Olga smiled at Boudica's words, while you and Mash thought over what was said. You aren't as much of a history buff as you probably should be. But wasn't Nero the Emperor that played a fiddle or something when Rome burned? You probably shouldn't act like you know a damn thing honestly…

"Well either way it's clear there's not much more you can add onto the topic of Nero, just that she's a Saber correct?" Olga questioned with a pleased expression.

Boudica went to say something but bit her tongue, only stating, "Yes…" It was clear she was intending to say something very different, yet decided against it. For whatever reason this made Olga's expression even more ecstatic… It was the expression a child makes when they finally figure out how to put all the pieces of a puzzle go together.

It was time for Ayako to continue, "Well then there was that blonde girl and her Berserker. They were persistent if nothing else. I don't know what the word is, but the master's hair was unique to say the least… She was a bit of a weirdo too… I'm certain all of you would immediately know who I'm talking about if you met her for even a second."

"As for the servant… She was a bit short but swung her ball and chain weapons like they were nothing. Both of them were like half her size and were clearly heavy too… Ummm the only other thing I could say about her was that she was weirdly cute for a Berserker? But I would prefer to avoid her and her master if possible. They chased us all day the last time we saw them." Ayako finished.

Everyone turned their attention towards Boudica, but when it was clear she had nothing to add, all eyes were back on Ayako.

Upon noticing everyone was staring at her she would then nervously say, "Umm… Lastly, Assassin. There appears to be more than one of them?" Even Boudica looked a bit embarrassed at her master's answer.

"Enlightening." Olga mutters.

Coughing into your fist you try to save what little dignity Ayako has remaining by saying, "Anyway, Ayako is not the only one to have faced servants. So let's move onto the ones I've dealt with…"

Once it was certain everyone's focus was upon you, it was time to continue, "Starting with Medb, a Rider. She is the servant of the supervisor of the war, while Olga is already aware of this fact, I think it would be best for you to know as well Ayako."

"Supervisor?" Ayako muttered under her breath, just loud enough for everyone to hear.

Olga spoke up in your stead, "The priest of the local church is acting as the supervisor for the war. He's meant to be an impartial party that ensures the war is held to a proper standard. He has the most legal authority and can even grant command seals to masters'. He also has another duty in that he can shelter masters' who have lost their servant for the remainder of the war."

"So I'm assuming he summoned a servant to ensure he can enforce the 'proper standard' then?" Ayako asked.

This time you responded with, "No. As far as he claims Medb was summoned for him, much like how your own Rider was. In fact the supervisor is intended to not have a servant as that would mean they have reason to participate in the war and therefore can't be an impartial party to well, supervise."

"Oh." Is all Ayako says.

With that out of the way you continue with, "While the Priest is clearly untrustworthy, there isn't much we can do about him at this moment. So instead I'll warn you of Medb. I'm uncertain of her abilities, but I am certain of one thing. She has a charm to her that is hard to ignore, I wouldn't call it charisma, but rather supernatural beauty. On top of that, she's a slut."

Mash and Ayako guffaw at your statement, while Olga simply rolls her eyes at your choice of words. "I'm not being hyperbolic, I'm certain if she got her hands on any one of you… While I think nasty is an apt way to explain it… Lewd is probably the best choice of words…" You say with some degree of mocking.

Boudica and Olga remain rather cold faced at your warning but Ayako and Mash? Well their faces were as red as tomatoes. "So you're saying we should be w-wary… O-Of… H-Her… Seducing us?" Mash asked, a noticeable quiver in her voice.

A smile creeps onto your face, Mash is just such a gem at times… You decide to respond with, "I'd prefer to call it brain hijacking, but if you want to romanticize the harlot I'm not going to stop you."

"That's not what I wa-!" Mash quickly catches her response as she realizes you were antagonizing her.

Having gotten your fill of humor you end with, "But seriously, be careful around her. I doubt she is that much of a threat physically, but she's definitely a threat to the weak minded."

"Like you?" Olga quipped… That was such a quick reaction you'd almost think she planned it.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny." You respond back.

You quickly changed the topic at this point, "Now that we're done being childish, let's get back to the topic at hand. Outside of Medb I have fought two other servants. So I'll start with the one I faced recently."

It was time to bring your thoughts to voice, "I am uncertain of its identity, but I'm certain the servant I fought was a Berserker. It took the appearance of an automaton and it surrounds itself at all times with its Noble Phantasm." Olga raised a brow at that statement.

Turning to face your fellow magus you continue with, "This Noble Phantasm functions much like a reality marble, but oddly enough when it attacked me only I was affected despite my servants being right next to me. On top of that this 'reality marble' moved with the servant using the center of it as an anchor point. I don't believe that's how reality marbles work and thus I am uncertain if it is one."

Olga begins thinking on your words, along with Mash. Boudica seemed disinterested in the servant at hand, but Ayako was notably confused as she raised her hand and asked, "What's a reality marble?"

"Advanced magecraft, and let's just leave it at that. The theory is complex and I'm certain I'd get something wrong and draw Olga's ire." You say.

Olga nods at your words and then says, "He shouldn't be coming to such definite conclusions if he's not certain, that's for sure. While it's new information… Let me guess… You don't know much about the servant beyond that?"

You nod.

She then speaks with maximum disdain, "Typical. It's unlikely to be a reality marble and is more likely just an advanced Noble Phantasm. There's no guarantee this 'automaton' is even a servant. Perhaps just a powerful construct of a Caster? But of course your immediate assumption is that it's a reality marble because you like simple conclusions Will…" Olga's disdain for your methods of coming to conclusions aside…

There are more important details. So it was in your best interest to bring them to light, "Regardless of what it is. I do know that this thing is comparable to a servant at the very least. It's fast, even capable of taking flight for a short time if given room to gain enough speed. It was durable enough to survive a building collapsing on top of it with minimal damage."

Staring directly at Olga you continue with, "And lastly within 'whatever you want to call it' only the automaton itself is capable of producing heat. I assume getting close to it would feel like being in an oven."

She gives a blank stare in return so just wanting to avoid an awkward stare you turn your head and finish with, "So I think I have sufficient reason to assume it's a servant at the least. Even if whatever it's doing is not a reality marble… Even if I don't have the full picture, I can still make assumptions from my observations… Especially since we will never have all the information available anyway, so cut me some slack Olga."

Waving her hand dismissively Olga relents.

Alright… Just one last thing to cover…

Finally onto the main event… You start with, "The last master I've run into is a girl by the name of Rin Tohsaka. She has an Archer as a-."

"Rin?" Ayako suddenly shouted out.

You look over to her and then realize that… She would know Rin wouldn't she… Just your luck, great. Upon noticing your pause she elaborates on her question, "Rin Tohsaka? Very snooty, has twintails, and is constantly trying to seem like she's perfect? Please tell me that's not who you're talking about…"

Well this is about to get awkward. You answer the question, "Perhaps not. But the description is far too similar for my tastes." Obviously you do your best to ensure Ayako can make no assumptions of your intentions for Tohsaka.

"Great… Not only am I involved in some war I never wanted a part in, Rin is too…" Ayako laments as her face smacks down onto the table.

Olga then speaks up, "This girl's involvement wouldn't happen to mean you'd turn against us would you?" You can see a small twitch in Olga's lips… All you can do is pray that Ayako doesn't say something stupid.

"Huh?" Ayako immediately sits back up in her chair as she realizes what Olga just asked.

Scratching her cheek she is completely unaware of the turn of atmosphere as Boudica glares at your pale-haired companion. Ayako finally says, "If she's really fighting in this war… I'd prefer to not fight her, but I owe a lot to William so… If it came down to it I don't know what I'd do."

"So you're an unreliable ally. Seriously, you'd be doing everyone a favor by just getting rid of her Will. Just take out her servant and send her on her way to the church." Olga says with a surprising amount of vitriol.

Boudica seemed a second away from at the very least yelling at the Animusphere, but you wouldn't be surprised if she was seconds away from doing something stupid. It seems just the mere mention of Tohsaka is enough to ruin your day… With grit teeth you let out, "Enough!"

You give everyone a second to gain cooler heads before saying, "Christ you're all giving me a headache… Not you Mash." Olga's servant rubs the back of her head at your statement.

With everything calmed down you try to finally nip this little issue in the bud, "Olga I get if you think I was being foolish for letting Ayako and her servant live, or whatever. And I'll simply tell you, I was. I was being foolish. But it's a decision I'm sticking to. Please just drop it already, I'll handle it…"

Olga clearly wanted to say something more, but thankfully she relented… Honestly you just don't know what's up with her… Even when you do something stupid she isn't THIS pushy about your fuck ups. Maybe the stress is getting to her?

Whatever, you are not opening that can of worms right now.

Now time to wrap this up, "But as I was saying earlier, Rin Tohsaka has an Archer servant. Capabilities wise… I'd say she was a bit stronger and a bit more skilled than Ayako's Rider when it comes to fighting. Honestly the bigger threat from Rin is the fact that she is a Tohsaka… Dying family line or not she's still a magus."

That caused Ayako to then ask, "Rin's like you two?"

"Yes, unlike you she's likely participating in the Holy Grail War by choice." You say somewhat dismissively just wanting to get this over with.

"Regardless, I believe I could handle Rin on my own, and I plan to do so. I'm not confident in Ayako's abilities, nor her willingness. Though if you feel Mash could fight her Archer be my guest Olga…" You finish.

Two voices spring out at once.

First was Olga, "I'm confident that Mash is more than enough."

Next was Ayako, "You aren't going to… Kill her are you?"

You respond to both in kind, "As I said, be my guest Olga. Also I do not plan on it Ayako, you don't have to worry about that…" Everything else you plan on doing to Tohsaka on the other hand… Well… She doesn't need to know about all that.

Finally… However, you tempted fate, "Very well that was all the topics of discussion unless any of you have something to add?"

"I have nothing to add…" Olga muttered under her breath.

"Um… No?" Ayako said unconvincingly.

The two servants just shook their heads.

Despite their answers you watched both Ayako and Olga slowly change in demeanors… You don't think they were being entirely truthful in what they just said… So instead of tempting fate any further, you instead…

Run the fuck away because you're absolutely certain something bad is about to happen if you stay here!

As you run off you hear Olga, "Will!"

You had no regrets, you had other things to do, and you were not getting dragged into whatever was about to occur!

Having escaped what was most certainly a situation you'd never want to be a part of you would now be entering another situation you would rather not be a part of… The sins… You promised Robin you'd be cautious of the Skull Kid's words, and you do intend to…

But you don't doubt the imp's ability to be convincing, particularly through force.

There's also the matter of the sins you are unaware of. Which would be Gluttony and Greed if you remember the seven deadly sins correctly. You have no idea on what to expect from them, especially when it comes to loyalties. Because by Skull Kid's own words, for the sins your survival is paramount.

Yet you've had one try to kill you and the imp himself likely seeks to undermine your authority. Robin seems loyal, but you have your doubts even if she has been purely helpful…

While you don't know enough about Neo to come to a conclusion… She's the only one who hasn't been hostile towards you so you're giving her the benefit of the doubt.

You really need to stop thinking in your head…

Calling for your servants you wait outside the mansion for the two to arrive. The sun was well into setting by this point, but the sins can afford to wait on your behalf. Especially if you are supposed to be what is effectively their leader.

Medea appears by your side at that last thought and Cu was not far behind. "So, this is to meet the Skull Kid then Master?" Your servant inquires.

"Yes, I'll need you two to be ready for anything. Just because I don't think we'll need to fight doesn't mean we won't. But I shouldn't have to tell you all that…" You respond.

Cu finally appears in front of you and says, "Nah, we got this. If anything you should be worried about being caught out. Not much we can do if you get yourself killed."

"Ha. Ha. I'm laughing at how hilarious it is that you think such a thing would happen Lancer. Now if we're done making jokes let's head out. I have an imp to meet." You finish leaving no room for continuing the conversation.

Twenty Minutes Later, Fuyuki Bridge, William Arathorn POV

Approaching the bridge, lone in your advance, you look out for anything signaling that the other sins would be here. Yet it seems somehow you were the first to arrive? It was practically night at this point…

Then you catch sight of a rather busty figure upon the bridge and you remember…

This wasn't the true location of the meeting.

"Hello there, Pride~!" The Imp's servant calls out, waving you over to her.

Walking up to the… Endowed… Woman, you notice a few things. There was just something 'artificial' about her. Everything was just a little bit off, a little bit inhuman. However, you do not let it get to you as you say, "So where is this meeting actually at?"

"Just stand right there for a second~!" She says.

You do what she asks without thinking and then… "Wait fuck." You say upon realizing.

"Thank you kindly~!" She says enthusiastically as a magic circle appears beneath you and then suddenly… Nothing

Opening your eyes mere seconds after whatever just occurred you find yourself in a familiar location… The same field, the same tree… Where is this even? Is it an illusion of some sorts? Turning around you see the same exact cutoff, clouds circling around the hill you found yourself upon.

So the moon huh… That's what Neo said this place was. Yet a different way of reaching here was used…

Why could that random spot in the woods get here anyway?

All that just so that bitch could send you here? You would've just preferred using the front door over all this secrecy. Though you have a feeling all of this was intentionally done to upset you… Perhaps that was just your ego talking.

Doesn't matter.

Walking up towards the tree you take a good long look to see if any of the sins were here already. Yet you saw no one. You're just hoping they're on the other side of the tree and this wasn't a trap you willingly walked into.

Yet passing the great oak you find nobody… But you do find one thing.

Looks to be the Skull Kid's Mask…

You feel compelled to go and touch it, however your most base instincts tell you to leave the mask well enough alone. Your unwillingness to touch the object leads you to saying, "Am I somehow early, or…" You find your words halting in your throat.

The mask moved a tad.

It was no more than a slight nudge.

If you could feel any wind blowing you would've written it off. However, you're now determined to stay away from that mask. Unfortunately the mask was equally determined to get close to you.

In a single motion the mask flung right before your feet. You could only watch as tendrils left the mask and surrounded you in a star shape. A brief glow, and then…

You're somewhere else… And now your stomach feels all fucked up…

"Getting real tired of all the teleportation…" You said aloud, with some queasiness in your voice.

As you were battling with your stomach's desire to unleash hell through your mouth… The Imp spoke up, "Then you should be glad you've finally arrived then Pride…"

Realizing you were finally wherever you needed to be you mentally called for Medea and Cu. Sadly it seems only Medea was able to follow you and your Lancer only got as far as the tree… A shame that if things go south you're going to have to waste a command seal on him.

However, plans never really seem to work for you.

Regardless they would've been in spirit form until you needed them anyway. So you guess it's not really a problem since you doubt this will go poorly. Hopefully.

Finally deigning the imp worthy of your attention you turn to look at the ensemble of individuals you'd soon come to know as your 'fellow' sins. You pay them very little mind, not even taking a good enough look to burn their individual visages' into your mind.

What you do notice are the seven chairs in the center of the room that were sat in a circle. The only seat unfilled was clearly yours. So with swagger you take your seat giving no heed to those around you.

The Skull Kid sat across from you, it was here you noticed that Robin was sitting right next to him and the two sins sat next to you were the ones you still knew basically nothing about. You'll spare yourself the trouble of meeting them a little longer as you can already tell you're going to be doing your best to not fly off the handle as Skull Kid goes to speak.

"To show up so utterly late only to act as you do upon arriving? Truly you are Pride… Though I must admit I'm rather upset! I went through the petty work of ensuring the two remaining Sins you've yet to be acquainted with sat right next to you and you don't even say hello! Is that really how a leader should act?" The Skull Kid jeers.

Ignoring the imp's words you take a look to your left and gaze upon the bored figure. The man was draped in a pale hood and wore a mask clearly based off the human skull. The only real thing of note was that it appeared he had no servant. Though you felt it was more likely that they just hadn't shown themself yet.

You then turn your sight to the right. A much more appealing figure was in store for your eyes as you looked upon a beautiful woman with black hair and an outfit that left nothing to the imagination. Her eyes were drawn to her lap and full of familial love. It was an odd sight to be sure, especially considering what was in her lap.

Sitting perfectly still in her lap was a teenage girl with ashen gray hair and several scars. The girl was wearing an equally skimpy outfit. Besides the obvious there was something off about her. Particularly the way her eyes stalked around the room as if hunting for the opportunity to strike at any of the other individuals here.

You couldn't be sure which was the servant and which was the master… However, you felt it was right to say the older woman was in fact the master.

Besides that the only thing to note of the two was that the older woman was petting the girl like she were her own child. Having stared at both of them for long enough you finally respond to Skull Kid, "I'm certain they're both professional enough to understand that this meeting is more important than introductions."

The imp's obnoxious laugh reverberated around the room before he said, "Maybe so! Maybe not! Regardless, enough time has been wasted! So welcome, my fellow sins to my abode. I, the Skull Kid, have invited you all here for an important discussion related to our duties here as Sins."

Barely any one was paying attention. It was as if the only people really focused on the Skull Kid were you and Robin… Though out of the corner of your eye you make out Sam who was sitting between the guy with the hood and Robin also staring at the imp.

However that wasn't what you found important. Instead you focused on the fact that if Sam was there, then… Yep. Neo was between Skull Kid and the woman child duo. You also noticed Neo didn't have a servant but Sam did…

Does Neo even have one?

You should probably focus on the actual discussion about to ensue…

"I am glad to inform you all that I am keenly aware of the method by which our conflict can be won. The way we defeat the Diligents and of course continue to live without having to worry about eternal damnation awaiting us at every corner." Skull Kid exclaimed, you could see Robin tense in her seat.

Why'd you have to be right about this?

"However, I am not so sure I should be shouting it out willy nilly especially with such a collection of personalities here…" Skull Kid says with humor in his tone.

"For one some may just be willing to sabotage us all if the means by which we win are too much for them!" Skull Kid says as he stares at Sam.

"Some may sabotage us just because of a compulsion to get that high they're always searching for." He stated as he now stares at Neo.

"Some may prolong the game indefinitely just for the hope of getting everything they could ever want." This time he stared at the man next to you.

"Some may very well put us in our graves before letting us win just out of desire to kill alone." The Imp exclaimed as he stared at the woman on the opposite side of the man.

"Some may be far too concerned doing things the 'right' way to give proper credence to our own desires and ways of going about things." This time his words and gaze were directed towards Robin.

"Others may just be far too concerned about themselves to even care about how their actions affect everyone else." It was clear that his words were directed at you.

He finally finished with, "How should I know whether or not to trust my own team if we're all so different?"

"What are you suggesting then?" Sam asked.

As if he was hunting for that exact question the imp enthusiastically explained, "Nothing complicated. I know better than to do something like ask for all of you to get on your knees and serve me… So, instead. I ask you. What do we really know of each other? What do I know of you? How could we work together in the first place?"

"Let us discuss with one another. Just talk, and figure out if we can even trust each other. By the end if trust is established let us then figure out who should truly be leading the Sins and from there we'll accomplish our goals with ease. It's a simple plan, no?" The Skull Kid finished explaining.

"Are you suggesting we abandon our roles and ignore that Pride is the one who should be leading us? If he dies we go with him!" Robin immediately rushed to attack that line of thought.

The imp immediately responds back with, "Things are different this time dear Sloth, and thus that means we should take different actions than what is to be expected. Besides this is all of your first rodeos. However, for me, it's my eighth. Sticking to the perceived rules is a quick way for this to end as a battle royale between Diligents."

Robin attempts to respond but Skull Kid gives her no time as he says, "Besides I don't think even Pride cares if he's leader or not! Honestly, him being the leader won't even affect the fact we're supposed to protect him! Lastly, if he wants to lead should he not prove himself capable? Hasn't he been flopping around like a fish out of water for a while now?"

"You know for a fact that means nothing!" Robin exclaims.

"Yet it ends up meaning something! His eligibility is in question! So let him fight his own battles! Instead of proving my point!" Skull Kid shouted in response immediately shutting up Robin. She was clearly miffed and looked a second away from trying to burn the imp alive…

"Unless of course you approve of someone else leading, Pride?" He asks…

To be honest…

"I do not approve." Is your response.

"Oh?" The Skull Kid asked inquisitively.

Sitting up straight in your chair you look around the room gauging reactions, most seem unconcerned. However, Sam and Robin were watching you intently. Feeling your Pride coming out in full force you start with, "What right do you have to say I must prove myself to be a leader? What right do you have to act as if you're allowed to have an opinion on the matter?"

Standing up from your chair you continue with the tirade, "Simply because you've been through this a few times? It must be nice to be a follower for so long… You begin to think you may actually have what it takes, but all you've shown is force. You may have prowess when it comes to your power but you have yet to show anywhere near the same prowess when it comes to leading…"

"Why should I acquiesce to anyone? Much less you… When all expectation dictates I am the one who shall lead? If you have a problem with that, voice it. You shouldn't even be trying to scheme my right as your leader out of my hands. Not that I'd ever let such a right go when you do try. So go ahead, speak amongst yourselves, it won't change the current state of things." You finish.

Skull Kid seemingly has no response to your statements and you are allowed to sit down without fuss. You do feel every eye in the room land upon you. Whatever they feel when they look upon you and see your prideful form is irrelevant at this point. Let them think they have a choice if need be. By the end of this Skull Kid will be brought under heel.

Then the rest will follow.

As is your right.

The silence is broken up when the woman to your right decides to speak up, "My, my… What a unique show. Pride may be understating what you are honestly. You really think you can wrangle us like a herd of sheep?" Her voice had an unusual cadence to it, seductive yet biting.

Taking offense to the insinuation you immediately respond with, "If you believe yourself sheep, then I shall be your shepherd. I believe myself worthy of leadership, and thus will fulfill such responsibilities. What you think of yourselves or me is irrelevant."

"Such a lazy way of going about it… You aren't going to be able to hold onto any of the strong personalities of this group with methods like that… You may as well be waiting for a mutiny…" The man to your left says in between deep breaths.

Again you responded immediately, "Have I explained how I shall handle you? Have I told you of the ways I'll go about things?"

"I've watched you carefully, boy… The way you go about things is reckless and obsessive… No point in following someone that leads everyone else to hell…" Was his own response.

You were getting annoyed despite your attempts to be cordial… You could feel your grip on trying to be stoic failing… The pretense of what you really were was fading fast.

Sam speaks up, allowing you to regain your cool, "Not like the imp would be any better compadre… Folks like us would be better off getting out of this whole business while we still can!"

"Perhaps, but that would mean we'd be easy pickings. I may not want to work for anyone here, but I also want to live." The man explained.

The woman added her own two cents, "I must concur. Though unlike him I'm not exactly concerned with dying. It's what comes after that I'm intent on avoiding."

"It'll all mean nothing if he dies though." Robin says while pointing at you.

"If we must tie him down, lock him in a box, and throw away the key… Then so be it." She says in response. You let Robin get upset over that statement for you.

You also noticed that Neo had left her seat. The only reason why is because now she was laying her back down in your lap as she went to yawn, clearly bored with this entire farce. You yourself could only sigh at this entire fiasco, especially since Robin was being ineffective.

"Such things are a bit extreme Elsa… I'd prefer a diplomatic solution, not that I care if everyone is happy with the outcome of course." Skull Kid said in response to the now named Elsa's statement.

"It was just a suggestion." She said with half-lidded eyes.

So as of now from what you can tell… It's split between two sides. You, Robin, and hopefully Neo on one side. With the other being Skull Kid, the guy to your left, and Elsa. You assume Sam is not taking a side in this, he just seems done.

Would've really helped if he was because while a majority wouldn't necessarily ascertain your leadership, it would've at least helped. Then again you would probably be angry if Sam of all people was the reason you held onto leadership… You're still upset over fighting him.

Alright… Just gotta figure out how to get the other two then, probably the guy… You think you've offended Elsa somehow.

You were seconds away from making your attempt to fish information out of the sins to your right and left… However, it seems the Skull Kid was intent on something else… Clapping his hands together he then proclaims, "Now then! I think the most important thing the seven of us can do at this very second is introduce ourselves. Most of us… Know which sins we are but we have no idea who we are as people."

Holding his hand out he finishes his statement with, "So let us rectify that."

"I'll go first… After all, what reason do you all have to give me anything, if I do not give something in return…" The imp states.

Standing on top of his chair the Skull Kid takes a bow as he says, "I am certain some, if not all of you know me under the name 'The Skull Kid'. However, that is not entirely who I am. The imp is simply a vessel for me to use." You had to wonder what that was supposed to even mean.

"I am Majora. A dark god intent on the perversion of the holy! Yet I am envious of what remains pure. I am pleased to host this meeting for you all." 'Majora' explains. It didn't really make any sense to you… So his real name is Majora or something? Who cares?

Robin looked a bit tense at Majora's declaration. Yet despite the tension Robin got out of her chair before saying, "Then I shall go next. If just to get this over with faster. In the kingdom from whence I came I was known as Robin and I was Queen of the world. In this conflict I have a more humble role as a guide for Pride. That is all." She sat back down her face made of stone as she began observing the room.

After Robin was done you heard a voice come from your left, "You may call me Taskmaster, I was given Greed. I'm a capable fighter, and that's all you need to know." Brief and told you all relevant information, Robin and Majora should learn from him.

A bright light came from the right, drawing all attention towards that side of the room. Upon turning towards the light you find Neo lounging in the chair with her back on an armrest. Hovering just above her were the faint letters that spelt her name. Looking down at Neo herself she was making a suggestive expression as she took her finger before inserting it a few times into the ok sign she was making with her other hand…

The implications were self-explanatory.

With Neo's… Unique way of introducing herself… There were only two more Sins to go, not including you obviously. The accented voice of Sam rings out as he says, "Not really one for introductions, so just call me Sam." You already knew he was Wrath of course.

Leaving just… Gluttony right?

Wait a fucking second.

"Elsa Granhiert, it's a pleasure. Though I usually don't give my name out like this, at least, not to anyone that remains alive afterwards. I believe I'm supposed to be Gluttony but the snake was really vague about how all this 'sin' stuff works." Elsa explained. You did not know how to feel about Gluttony of all things being attached to a woman with that kind of bod.

But you kept that thought to yourself, obviously.

You were about to introduce yourself but Robin decided to speak up to respond to Elsa, "If you need any assistance with what it all means I'll be happy to assist. That is if you're proactive enough to seek my guidance." You glared at Robin for the perceived jab.

With everyone else's meaningless introductions out of the way you decided it was time for yours, saving the best for last and all that. You say, "If you're all quite done… I am William Arathorn. I have no care for what the 'snake', as you all seem to call it, wants. I couldn't care less about this sin business, or the fact that I am Pride. However…"

"As long as I am Pride, I am your leader. This… Is non-negotiable." You finish.

Majora was quick on the attack, "Those two ideas conflict greatly, 'Arathorn'. If you have no care. Then why bother leading?"

You respond with, "Because it is my right. That is all."

"How perfectly asinine." Is Majora's response.

A brief pause occurs, a silence overtaking the room. You were beginning to feel awkward… Something that was not helped when Majora suddenly exclaimed, "Very well! With that out of the way… I'm so glad that we all know each other by name now! Comradery is an important factor to our survival! In fact I feel like we'll all get along quite well, this game shall be easily won!"

'With me leading you' went unsaid… But you instinctively knew what he meant.

You had to roll your eyes at the exclamation. Could he at least try to hide his ulterior motives? So focused on having everyone at his command… You are actually beginning to get aggravated…

Seems like you weren't alone in your annoyance, as you make out Elsa muttering, "Oh my… What… Obnoxious enthusiasm…" Her tone was full of contempt.

Maybe she'll be the easier one to get on your side after all?

Majora seemingly not hearing Elsa's words continues, "Now I do believe we should begin discussing greater matters! While I am not yet going to tell you all about our grand design in this game… But I can tell you about our foes. As some of you are already aware some Diligents have entered the fray a tad early, and it's in all of our best interests that we handle them quickly…"

You take notice of him mentioning the Diligents. You remember they're supposed to be your opponents… But you forget how they exactly work.

With this reminder you are taken off balance. Wanting to keep up appearances you slouch in your seat. You were trying to make it seem like you had as little interest in the topic at hand as possible.

Yet as you did so you had a sudden realization.

Why are you letting Majora of all things control the direction of this meeting? Shouldn't you just demand him to spill on all important information as well as the 'goal' of this conflict and be done with it?

Fuck, maybe that's the direction you should've took from the start… But would it have worked? You doubt it. As that would probably just make the damn imp play hard to get. Yet, when it comes down to it, you're seeming rather pathetic in comparison to said imp.

Sadly though, it feels a bit too late to make a scene about it. Perhaps you can play this all off like you were allowing Majora to feel in control to get his info? Actually that doesn't sound like a great idea… You feel as though the others are smart enough to realize rather quickly it's a front.

The conundrum at hand began eating at you more and more…

Fuck, should you really just be letting Majora just do as he pleases?

What does it matter if he's a well of information if letting him continue actively undermines your authority?

Why did you try to play it all cool like you didn't care! You always end up putting yourself in these odd spots and poor situations dammit!

Just as Majora was going to spill you decide enough way enough, "I think I've endured this foolishness for long enough. Prattling on and prattling on, I guess you have one other thing that you excel at rather than your immense power."

"Pardon?" Majora asks.

"The pointlessness of it all is what I'm talking about, if you couldn't follow along. This tired attempt to get everyone here under your thumb, is absolutely pathetic! Personally I'm offended! You don't even try to hide it! You honestly expect all of us will follow you for what you know and your own supposed experience!" You explain.

With a surprising amount of vigor you continue in your statements, "You've talked and talked, but offer nothing of substance. You have us 'introduce' each ourselves for whatever pointless purpose. You claim to know what our goal is, but are unwilling to share it unless you get exactly what you want."

You now strike with, "What kind of expectation does that set when you then claim to have knowledge of the Diligents? Are you going to tell us anything of worth? Would it not be better to discuss the knowledge we all share? Since by your own admission some others in this room know as well. Instead you are attempting to be the sole voice to force your own interests onto the rest of us!"

You are slowly coming to some revelations and realizations as you let your brain do its thing. Though that's something you can parse through when this is all over

Right now your focus is on something more important, "Overall it's a pathetic showing, and you can't lead for shit. Every topic starts and ends with you having to horribly segue into the next. You can't even lead a discussion, much less an eclectic group of individuals such as ourselves."

"All you are is a powerhouse with apparently important information. Yet, again, you are unwilling to share what's most important. In fact, what were you going to do after you supposedly told us about the Diligents? Were you going to offer plans, ideas? Anything on how we should take out our opponents? Or merely let us figure that part out for you?" You finish, feeling as if you had made good points.

Robin herself seemed pleased, you could catch her sadistic smile from the corner of your eyes.

"Surprisingly articulate." The accented voice of Sam commented. You glare at him from your seat before turning your gaze back to Majora.

The imp is completely still…

Then suddenly a hauntingly spacious laughter exits from behind his mask, as he then says, "Kehehehehe! Rapturous applause for you good sir! I guess I was wrong about you! I didn't think you'd have the will to care, but it seems behind that apathetic facade is someone who cares far too much!" You catch Robin's smile fading.

"Yes, yes! You're right! What good would I be as a leader when the one given the role is so gung-ho about it?" Majora finished with, making you feel a sudden unease.

Why was he going along with what you said?

"You're a little off base with some of the things you said of course! But what does that matter when you're so passionate! You understand right?" Majora says.

Feeling exceptionally uncomfortable with the sudden change of attitude, you say, "I don't entirely follow, no."

"Again, and again failures! Each of the last! So unwilling to do what's necessary to win! I had to make the decisions for them! For once in my long lifespan I am made follower to one perhaps willing to do what it takes to win!" Majora exclaims, mad in his words.

Now it seems almost the entire room is uncomfortable. For the entire time Neo has been fidgeting in her seat trying to keep herself busy, but she was brought still by the imp's words. Sam himself had begun to sit up in his chair where previously he was slouched.

Robin's face was a myriad of emotions and you could see sweat pouring from her forehead. Lastly Elsa had begun glaring at the imp bringing the girl in her lap closer to her stomach, much to the confusion of the girl.

"Answer me this Pride! This one thing! And I will throw out all pretense!" The manic imp demanded by pleading.

With hesitancy you sit up in your chair and say, "What?"

"Are you willing to do anything and everything required to achieve the goals laid out by the serpent? Will you resist the temptations of slaughter and defilement? Or will you be the leader that us Sinful creatures need to be honed into weapons of war?" Majora asked.

"I'm having difficulty understanding what you're asking…" Is your response.

Majora then elaborates with a mad rant, "Are you willing to kill? Pillage? Destroy? Anything that gets in your way for the sake of ending this game as quickly as possible!"

Dark forces pool around the face of the imp as he then shouts, "Damn the rules! Damn the people of this world! Damn everything for the sake of winning alone! Kill everyone, Rape and Torture anyone, or Conquer the world if need be! I am asking you if you got what it takes to win!"

What? But Robin stated Skull Kid had ulterior motives than just winning for the snake…

So why is it that he is so genuinely concerned about doing exactly that?

You… You don't know how to respond.

Collecting yourself you respond to Majora's question with, "I am not afraid to use such methods, no. However, there is one thing I must correct about your insinuations."

"Hmm?" Hums the imp.

"I have no care for 'winning' the Gods' games. If I happen to do so, then that is unfortunate, but it is not my goal. All the Gods', especially the one we're supposed to be in service to, can go pound sand. I have my own personal goals to attend to and the snake's wishes are beyond my concern." You state.

The room goes cold around you. You notice Robin glaring at you while Skull Kid sits in his seat with anticipation. Everyone else in the room doesn't really react… Well, that's not entirely correct. You noticed Sam glancing at you and Neo doing the same, but you couldn't really tell what they were thinking.

"Is that so? You'll do anything for the sake of your own goals? Even if it includes killing the rest of us?" Majora asks as he leans back in his chair.

"If it comes to that." You say with little remorse causing the tension to grow ever thicker.

"Would you really?" Majora asks again almost mockingly.

You feel your face twitch in annoyance as you grimace and say, "Are you doubting me?"

"I have my doubts, but I also have some hope. I want to know if you'd do it…" Majora states. You begin to notice it was as if he never cared about if you were going to fight for the snake in the first place.

But before you could think any more critically about that, you hear Sam's accented voice ring out, "He definitely has the capacity for it… Natural born killer? Maybe not… However, that shouldn't be what we're curious about, no? I want to hear about these supposed goals…"

"Last I saw you I thought you were as aimless as the wind… So tell us, boy. What are these goals of yours?" Sam asks with genuine curiosity.

Before you could answer, Robin shouted out, "Enough! What right do you all have to talk about your own ends? What will it matter anyway if we do not fulfill the Gods' demands? If you really had any care about your own wants your top priority would be this game you fools!"

"She makes an excellent point doesn't she?" The imp states in a lackadaisical manner.

Surprisingly Sam comes to your aid, sort of, "Let the boy speak. I'd rather hear that then partake in this game between you and the imp."

"Why you…" Robin growled.

This was the angriest you've seen her yet… But her recent attitude has been getting on your nerves… So you find it difficult to feel sympathy.

So with all that, you carefully consider what to say next.

"My goals? My goals are perhaps far simpler than any of yours. I don't need grand ambitions to keep myself satisfied. All I really desire is to take full advantage of the opportunity I'm being given…" You start with.

"And what exactly is that opportunity, boy?" Sam asks with a smirk.

You respond in kind and speak with a grin, "Thanks to the Holy Grail War I have the opportunity to defeat powerful heroes from all across history. To fight and defeat people who are legendary enough to become Heroic Spirits, and to then bring them before my feet as failures… There are very few feelings I consider more pleasurable."

All the Sins are listening intently at this point for one reason or another.

You add onto the previous statement with, "Of course there is also the wish I would have when it's all over. If I even care about such a thing but I find my interest in the Grail draining every day. I'm more concerned with just enjoying the experience at this point."

The other sins didn't seem too impressed but you didn't really care. You are going to live your life as you please from now on. No longer will Gods, Sins, or Fate prevent you from enjoying your time in this world. You are William Arathorn and you are your own master.

You were going to let it end there, but then you realized you almost forgot to say, "There is one last general thing. It doesn't really apply to the current times or anything, it's just something I feel I have to mention…"

"Oh?" Majora says in response.

A flame resides deep within your eyes as you look towards all of the 'Sins' and say, "If I've ever had a consistent goal it would be to crush those who would become my enemy and make them ever regret going against me or those that I care for."

You continue the statement with, "To go after me is a sin of itself. One that will be properly punished whether that be with servitude or death." Mostly servitude of course, pointless death is so drab when people have uses beyond being your foe…

You continue with, "And if anyone believes that they can go after my daughter or Olga, I will make them pay severely… Death won't be good enough of a punishment."

"And what would be?" Elsa asks, her face stuck in a 'lovely' smile that just made you uncomfortable.

You answer her quest with a smile, "Those who go after those I love will face a vile fate. I will make them face torture so cruel they'll wish they died… I won't be satisfied until they regret ever even considering the idea of hurting those I love..."

At that point everything you do goes from just you being you. To very personal real quick.

"Once they're properly dealt with and no longer have a use I'll do away with them. But don't worry Elsa, I consider all women to be useful in some way, so you wouldn't have to worry about me killing you or anything…" Your smile grew larger as Elsa caught on to what you meant and grimaced.

A brief silence takes the room.

Sam is first to speak up after you finally finished speaking, "Better than I expected, but, eh… Not by much. At the very least you seem to have actual conviction now."

"Hmph." Is your response.

"I at the very least am very pleased!" Majora exclaimed.

Upon hearing that you look towards Robin and notice her death glare. Giving her an uncaring look you stare towards the loud mouth imp as he says, "So many interesting people, with such differing goals. Oh we're going to have so much fun here! Kehehehe!" Huh?

Majora continues with, "How nice of the snake to make someone like you the 'protagonist'! So much better than the other ones I was forced to work with!"

You suddenly realized… "Has there been a single thing you've said tonight you haven't been lying about?" You ask.

His immediate response was, "Obviously!"

He then mentions "Though is what I've lied and told the truth about really what should be your top concern?"

"I at least want an idea of who you are…" Is your response.

"I'm mad." He says, and that is all he says.

Sighing to yourself you look around the room to gauge the reactions… "Tonight was never about if I should remain leader, was it?" You ask no one in particular.

"Bingo, aha! That was never in question!" Majora affirms.

"Your dear guide was trying her best to keep you on track. But you, you're your own man aren't you? Why care for what she says when you can stand on your convictions." He chuckled to himself.

You facepalm and say, "What a waste of time."

Robin's warning about Skull Kid was never about him trying to convince you of shit. It was because this was a test of some sorts…

Robin was never upset with you tonight, well she was, but she was more upset with herself.

You're certain there is something about the way you interacted with everyone that made it clear you're unaware. Which of course makes Robin look stupid and not proactive considering she's supposed to be your guide…

Whatever this was supposed to be turned into Majora ultimately making Robin look like a fool.

And it's technically your fault.

"At least you figured it out at the last second! Kehehehe!" The imp just continues to laugh obnoxiously.

This entire time Skull Kid was prodding you to see how you are as a person and a leader. Yet you never questioned why.

"Was there any purpose to this meeting?" You ask.

"Well to get us all here in one place is important obviously! Of course seeing how capable of a leader you would be was also important, and even if you appear to be very self focused. I think you'll come to understand why the gods will have the last laugh eventually." Majora says.

"Besides, can you say you really got nothing from this meeting?" He adds.

You ultimately have no response. Even if this entire scenario was ultimately pointless you still got something out of it, therefore making it worth it. Doesn't change the fact you hate wasting your time.

"So you all have to follow me regardless, right?" You ask.

Majora says, "Sort of. We're still our own people and have our motives as well as freedom. It's ultimately up to you to… What was it Elsa said again? Oh yes, wrangle us like sheep. That's your responsibility as leader. To lead us to the correct path. Which of course you get to decide."

He then finishes with, "By the way I feel like I should warn you… You'll have the worst fate amongst all of us if you lose this thing, so at least try to win. Kehehehe!"

You won't lie, you did feel yourself begin to sweat.

"Whatever, I showed my convictions. I'm not expecting much from any of you to begin with. But don't disappoint me." You say with finality.

And thus there was nothing else to say.

With little else to be discussed the 'meeting' had ended. Skull Kid continued with his theatrics and announced to all present the meeting was over before you all were teleported away. Now back at Fuyuki Bridge you are processing what little information you learned from this encounter.

'So what do we do now?' Lancer's voice asked you through your mental link.

You had a quick response thankfully, 'Just head back to the mansion, don't bother meeting up with me. I'll see you there.'

'Alright.' Was all Lancer said as you cut off the connection.

Knowing Medea was still right by your side you say aloud, "You should go on ahead as well. I just need to take a second to think."

Instead of listening to your instruction, your Caster manifested in front of you and said, "I'd prefer to stay." Her face obscured by her cloak you couldn't really tell what she was thinking, her mouth was flat so there was no expression to observe.

You were unwilling to argue right now, "Whatever…"

Taking a second to think over what just occurred you wonder about the coming days. Obviously the war is highly unnatural, and add onto that with the supposed goal of the Sins as well as Diligents… You've surmised that the Holy Grail War likely has something to do with the goal of the Gods' game.

Would've been preferable if Majora just told you all what this goal was… But considering how much of a liar he was you doubt that he knows either. It's more likely he was using his perceived knowledge to help his performance.

Especially considering after the initial mention it didn't come up at all again…

Was this entire situation set up so he could humiliate Robin? Or was there a deeper purpose you were missing…

It's annoying as all hell that either could be equally likely.

You're taken out of your thoughts as Medea speaks up, "Master if you'll permit me to ask…" Her tone was that of concern.

"What?" You ask in return.

"What was this 'meeting' about… I was beyond lost due to the madness of that creature… So I was having quite a bit of trouble following along…" Medea said.

You say, "I'm trying to figure it all out myself. Once we get back I'll give you and Lancer a summarization of what I know. For now let's head back."

Medea just sat there, staring at you from behind her cowl for but a moment.

But she eventually responded with a wistful tone, "If you say so… Master."

Arriving back at the mansion you let out a breath you had no idea you were holding. Today was thoroughly exhausting and despite it only being a day it felt like several had passed. You were quite ready to just head to bed and sleep the night away…

Yet things can never be simple.

Entering the foyer made you aware of shouting. Both Irisviel and Wilhelm were shouting rather obnoxiously at something.

Despite your better judgment you went to check it out. The two of them had been yelling when you left and were still yelling when you returned. This had to at least be something worthy of your attention…

Right?

"Master? Weren't we going to discuss-?" Medea began to ask you as she noticed you wandering away.

You quickly cut off your servant as you continued to head off, "Later, whatever these two are you yelling about must be important... Don't worry Medea, I'll clue you in by the end of the night." You didn't hear anything else out of Medea afterwards.

A Few Minutes Later

Upon reaching the Maid's quarters you take a second to listen in, trying to see if you can figure out what's going on before entering.

From behind the door you hear Irisviel say, "Do you have any thoughts in that empty head of yours? Did you even consider the consequences?"

Nothing helpful… But she appears to be scolding someone.

"A complete lack of professionalism is what this is! This goes far beyond harassment!" Wilhelm shouted, in a menacing tone you hadn't heard in a long time. You felt yourself shiver… You knew someone had to screw up badly for him to be using this tone of voice.

But who the hell were they yelling at.

Irisviel continued with, "You're lucky that Wilhelm was willing to help me accomplish the chores that were left undone due to your actions! Otherwise I'd be considering a much harsher punishment for you right now."

Wilhelm's voice calms down as he says, "Do not take this as an insult Miss Irisviel. But I do believe this method of punishment isn't particularly effective…"

"You underestimate how important her ego is to her. Such humiliation will at least get her to think twice, and the much worse consequences I have in store for her if she were to do something similar… Well… That should be enough to dissuade such actions." Irisviel explained with a pleased tone.

Tired of not knowing what was going led you to forego listening in and instead just enter the room.

"What is all this racket about?" You ask as you enter.

Irisviel and Wilhelm were blocking, inadvertently, whatever was going on in front of them… Or now behind them as they quickly turned to face you.

"Forgive us if we disturbed you William. However, your staff are…" Wilhelm tried to say something.

But Irisviel quickly interrupted, "Forgive me Master… I believed I did an acceptable job in instilling decorum in Ram and Celenike… Yet it seems I failed you as your Maid. But don't worry, I shall do better."

"That doesn't tell me anything…" You quickly pointed out.

Irisviel went to speak but Wilhelm didn't allow Irisviel to take control of the conversation again as he explained, "Your Maid, Miss Icecolle, is a disturbed individual. Around this afternoon she knocked out Miss Ram, tied her up, and hid her away within the mansion. It took Irisviel and I hours to find her, which was not helped by Miss Icecolle forgetting where she 'left' Miss Ram."

"Upon resolving the situation and finishing the work left undone, Irisviel decided she would handle her punishment. Though I do not entirely agree with her methods." As Wilhelm finished you noticed your other Maid pout.

You looked past the two housekeepers and saw the last two remaining maids right next to each other upon one of the beds… Or more accurately you see Ram sitting upon Celenike as she daintily sips tea. Now of course Celenike would never willingly let something like this happen, so she was quite thoroughly restrained face down with her assets out on display minus her delicates which were covered by her lingerie.

"I can see how they'd be effective personally." Is your response. As you walk up you notice Celenike staring at you with horrified eyes and you could tell she desperately wanted to explain herself…

Unfortunately she was gagged with a cloth disallowing her from doing such…

Hmm…

Turning to Irisviel you ask her, "Can you go a bit more in detail? I want to understand roughly what happened…" The maid looked uncertain.

Her response only added to her perceived uncertainty, "Well there's really not much I could add Master. Celenike was being a naughty maid and is receiving the consequences for such naughtiness."

Wilhelm side-eyed Irisviel for her choice of words.

"I'm certain you know more than that. You're a capable and intelligent woman." You say.

Scratching at her cheek she acted humble as she said, "I'm glad you think so Master! However, I must repeat that I really don't have anything to add…"

You quickly surmised why she was playing hard to get, "If you want to handle this alone so desperately you'll tell me what happened Irisviel."

A dark smile takes the woman's face as she says, "Well I guess there are one or two things… Though they are minor details at most."

You nod at her statement and motion her to continue.

Which she of course does, "Celenike told me that she did all this because Ram was being inconsiderate to her feelings. Always criticizing her, insulting her, and degrading her work with harsh words… She got tired of it this afternoon and decided she was able to do what she did."

You take a second to look at Ram with a raised brow as she continues to sip at her tea. Upon placing her tea back down on its small plate she says, "I will not apologize for speaking the truth Master Willy. She is not a very good worker and always makes me put in twice the effort than I should."

You shake your head at her statements.

"Willy?" Wilhelm asks you with some mirth.

You glare at the older man and all he does is chuckle at your misfortune.

"Well she also said it didn't help that Ram was very lazy while she did all this. Though I find that part hard to believe! Whenever I have watched Ram she has been a diligent worker… Right Ram?" Irisviel says with a menacing tone.

Coughing into a closed fist Ram says, "Of course."

"The entire west side of the mansion was left in a poor state due to her actions, and Wilhelm and I spent far too long searching for our lost maid. But since the work is done I decided it would be best to instill some more 'discipline'. You understand… Right?" Irisviel says.

Ah you see why Irisviel was acting like this… "She interrupted your 'work' didn't she?" You ask.

Irisviel immediately went silent as her face became disgruntled. She didn't even get to start her 'work' on Medusa did she… "Well, let's wrap this up as quickly as possible. I wouldn't want you to leave a job unfinished, yes?" You say.

Looking back towards Celenike and Ram and consider what to do next.

"Wilhelm if you would leave us, I have some things to discuss with the maids in private…" You requested.

Wilhelm appears relieved as his form relaxes and his eyes become soft. He then says, "Very well… This entire situation was absolutely ridiculous. I wish you luck with talking sense into either of those two."

Upon Wilhelm's departure you turn to Ram and Celenike to say, "The two of you just had to be nasty troublemakers… Tsk, tsk. Very disappointing."

"Why, I think the two of them are in dire need of punishment my dear maid…" You mutter menacingly to Irisviel. The sadistic woman immediately appeared excited with that creepy look of hers.

Celenike's reaction was incredibly boring, her eyes merely widened further and she began to actually struggle. Ram's reaction was much more intriguing.

Instead of groveling or employing any such method to avoid punishment… She instead just finished her tea and placed it to the side.

With a bland voice Ram noticed your gaze then explained, "If the Master believes I have failed him, then I have failed him. There is no reason to deflect."

You smirk at her explanation, before stating, "Good… Understanding one has done wrong is the first step towards repentance. You're already half-way there!"

"Now… Turn around and bend over." You commanded.

"O-On her Master?" Ram asked with a stutter.

Chuckling at the reaction you tease the Oni maid, "I wouldn't mind such a view but I think right next to her would be better… Though to even suggest that! Such a naughty maid you are!"

Appearing embarrassed Ram did as she was told but did decide to talk back, "I was just considering your proclivities Master… If you would prefer this then it shall be done."

It's cute how she tries to act professional.

Walking up to the bed you rearrange Celenike so that she would be parallel to Ram. You also removed the bindings that were pulling her legs behind her so that you could tie her legs to the frame of the bed.

However that meant that Ram was now not symmetrical in position with Celenike, and that drove you a bit mad. She had decided to kneel on the bed, so you pulled her legs from under her and onto the floor. You made sure to not pull her off the bed by pushing her head onto the bed.

Her reaction was also hilarious, it was the most emotion you had seen on the maid as she let out a gasp in surprise with that terrified expression of hers.

With the two maids bent over the bed standing you now could begin. However, "Irisviel… I'm certain these two have given you quite the headache… Would you like the first go?" The woman's face lit up…

Though, maybe that wasn't the best way to explain it.

Her eyes lit up and an ear-splitting smile graced her face. But a dark shadow covered the top half of her expression.

She spoke with a 'pleasant' tone, "Oh, Master, you're too kind."

Kneeling in between the two women, having to push Ram out of the way, she grabbed onto each of their ass cheeks before pulling them both in.

"Oh girls… You two have been great workers for the majority of the time the three of us have spent working together. But today my patience was tested, and I'm afraid I'm not a very patient woman." She said menacingly.

You watched on with a dark grin as the two maids were succinctly violated by their superior.

Irisviel started somewhat slow as she teased her subordinates through their undergarments by prodding their lower lips with her index fingers. However, after some arbitrary amount of time, she linked her finger into their panties before pulling both of them down.

She then trailed her middle fingers up between both of their pussies'. Flicking both of their butts at the end with the tip of her nails, Irisviel then stood up and grabbed each of their ass cheeks. Caressing them both for a short moment she then smacked each interchangeably for a few seconds, she didn't stop until they were red.

Caressing them for a second longer she then wrapped her arms around both of her fellow maids and held their chins in her hands before saying, "I don't do this because I like hurting you two… I really don't… However, bad behavior must be discouraged. If you clench your teeth, and hold your words it'll be over before you know it…"

With that said she let go of their faces before bringing her attention to their rears once more.

Irisviel then brought her hands to each of their cunts before readying her index, middle, and ring fingers then delving all six fingers into the depths of her subordinate's privates. Neither of them were particularly wet, which you found hard to believe in the case of Celenike but you guess she was more scared than aroused at this moment.

Irisviel began pumping into each of them with unnoticed fury.

As Irisviel continued to stimulate the other two maids, you began to undress. As Irisviel continued to shove her fingers into Celenike, the other silver-haired maid started to struggle. Ram, meanwhile, stayed as still as she could; only occasional shivers could be seen and intermittent moans could be heard.

Having had enough of Celenike's attitude, Irisviel leaves Ram to suffer in silence as she turns her full attention to her other subordinate.

Grabbing her ponytail, Irisviel forces Celenike off of her stomach. Bringing her now wet hand up to the restrained maid's face, Irisviel smothers Celenike's face with her own fluids. "Such a dirty servant. To resist, yet enjoy. You are the most shameful thing I've ever seen." Irisviel mocks.

As Irisviel messed with Celenike, you had walked up to the now abandoned Ram.

The pink-haired maid was completely focused on those two, so she didn't see you approach her at all. Not even as you kneeled down behind her, not as you went to grab her cheeks, not even as your tongue neared her pussy.

"Hmph!" Ram held her mouth to avoid a shout as you dove your tongue into her.

Ram quickly realized what you were doing at that point and went back to doing her best impression of a statue. But as you continued, her facade began to break. She began to pant like a dog, and her body moved with every stroke of your tongue.

It didn't take much longer than that to get her to cum.

Getting up from your position, you wrap Ram in an embrace as you pull her off the bed and whisper to her, "I'm being too lenient with you. I should do worse and more terrible things to you for your behavior. Yet I am benevolent. I'm letting you off with a warning and a very light punishment. You understand this, yes?"

"I'm sorry, master…" Ram mutters. A part of you felt she was just saying what she believed you wanted to hear. Then again… As long as she is working to please you, it doesn't matter what she says or thinks now, does it?

"You will be." You say as you clutch her face and force her eyes to meet yours.

You then say, "Now. I'm going to lie you back onto the bed. You are going to shut your eyes as tight as you can and brace yourself. You're then going to scream and beg for my forgiveness, and only once I'm done with you will I forgive you."

"Understood?" You ask.

Ram, not trusting herself to speak, nodded.

You then shoved her onto the bed, gripping her head as you held it down on the mattress. Ram has followed your instructions so far. Now onto the next step. You then thrust your whole length into Ram's cunt, with the girl letting out a strained cry at the speed at which you took her.

But you were not here to fuck her. You kept your dick buried in Ram as you began with the actual punishment. You bring a hand down on the back of Ram's head. The smack takes Irisviel out of whatever she was doing with Celenike as she turns to look upon you.

"Now. I'm going to smack you, like a child, for the next few minutes. If I cum before I feel like you've made up for your laziness, then I will prolong your punishment until the next time I cum. Then the next, and then the next, until I finally believe you can be forgiven. You should be happy that I'm giving you such a lenient punishment, right, Ram?" You told her as you gripped her hair.

"I'm forever… Grateful master." Was Ram's response.

"I'm glad. You should be." You say with a smile.

Twenty Minutes Later

"I beg you, Master, forgive this pathetic lazy creature that dares call herself your maid. Ram will do anything, everything, to earn your forgiveness!" Ram cries out. Both of her ass cheeks had reddened from the abuse, and you think you've cum about four times now.

It is safe to say Ram had endured enough by this point. You just need to cum one last time then.

Without warning, you begin to fuck Ram like a rabid animal, and soon your fifth and final load is released into your pink-haired maid. She is left thoroughly exhausted. She can't even pretend to be indifferent any longer.

Tears rolled down the side of her face, and she had a vacant stare as she looked at a wall in front of her.

Maybe you went overboard? It wasn't even that extreme of a punishment, though…

Oh yeah, Ram has a weak constitution or something along those lines…

Welp, your mistake.

Leaving Ram alone, you look towards Celenike, and, oh boy...

Irisviel did a number on her. Celenike was completely disheveled, part of her undergarments had been torn up, and there were scratch marks all over her body… What the hell did Irisviel do to her while you weren't paying attention?

Irisviel, meanwhile, looked positively ecstatic at her handiwork.

In fact, she seemed reinvigorated by whatever she did. She was beaming like a child who had just been given their favorite meal. What was up with her?

"Ah, master. I must've gotten carried away. I swear, I focused on punishing her for a bit. But she was just far too enticing, and the thoughts of what I was going to do to the prisoner got me in the mood… Oh, please don't punish me yet for being a bad maid as well! I just couldn't help myself!" Irisviel spoke with barely a pause in between her words, it took you a second to process what she just said.

Was she implying she had sex with Celenike?

That was the aftermath of her having sex with another woman?

…

You might have to sneak a peek at whatever she does with Medusa…

You know…

To find out how Irisviel handles things on her own. It's totally not because you're interested in what kind of monster Irisviel is when she's not being a bottom. That would be so unlike you.

You begin to having a coughing fit.

Irisviel gets worried for a moment but after recovering you stand up straight as if you never had those thoughts to begin with.

You then tell Irisviel matter of factly, "She looks quite thoroughly punished to me, Irisviel."

Her eyes widen as she looks at Celenike and says, "Ah, you think so? I think I could've done better to get the message across."

Are the two of you even looking at the same scene?

Intending to get her out of the room for now, you tell Irisviel, "Well, I don't want to hold you up any longer than I already have. Especially considering you're so… Enthusiastic about getting your hands on that prisoner."

"Ah, really? My eternal gratitude, Master. I shall ensure that woman understands why she should not go against you." Irisviel says as she puts back on her uniform.

Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact you are clearly more capable combat wise… You'd say she has more to fear from going against Irisviel than you. If Irisviel wasn't already a submissive bitch for you… You'd probably enjoy breaking such a fiery woman.

But alas there's nothing left in that fractured mind to break.

So as Irisviel leaves the room, you turn to Celenike and Ram's exhausted forms.

You believe you've done a good job instilling the importance of proper obedience…

However, they aren't the only ones such a message needs to be given to.

A Unknown Amount of Time Later

"S-So… If I do this, you'll forgive me, right? You won't let that freak touch me again, right?" Celenike asked, violently shaking on the floor.

"I said only if you behave." You brought up.

Irisviel really did a number on her.

"So you just want me t-to send this recording to a house, yes?" Celenike asked.

You nod. Upon seeing your reaction, Celenike brightens up as she says, "If you'll let me make a suggestion, Master?"

"Hmm?" Is your response.

"I have a superior method to getting this recording to whomever you're sending it to. All the while letting me keep it and leaving it untraceable to whoever is the receiver." She explains.

Interested in what she had to say, you tell her, "Oh, really? Do tell me more."

Rin Tohsaka Third Person POV (In her hotel room)

She couldn't sleep. Not at all. She doesn't know what to do at this point. Even if she was haughty, Rin understood she'd undergo some struggle during the Grail War… But nothing like this... How did he do it? How did he live? What happened.

Was it all just a nightmare she hadn't woken up from? Was she under the effect of magecraft so superior to hers that she'd never have hope to untangle herself from the web of illusions she's been caught in?

Or, worse, was this the reality of her situation?

As she stared into the ceiling, she couldn't find an answer.

"Are you going to get over yourself, or are you just going to continue to be melodramatic?" Her servant asked, snidely sitting in a corner with that annoying smirk of hers.

Truly, whatever Magus had inflicted this illusion on her had a sick sense of humor. If they had any self-respect they'd just kill her instead of making her deal with this idiotic servant.

Her servant's stupid statement got her riled up so all she could do at this point was sit up and tell her, "Shut up, Archer."

"Guess not." Was her servant's response.

She lied back down in bed and continued to stare at the ceiling.

"Damn him." She muttered under her breath.

Thankfully for her, the snarky servant didn't speak up at all for the rest of the night. That made this a bit easier on her… Though her mind constantly wondered what she was supposed to do in this situation…

Should she try to find someone with enough goodwill to ally with her? Would anyone do such a thing?

Would it even help?

She's not one to admit such things, but she's honestly terrified. On that night, that guy, Arathorn, inflicted terror on her very soul.

All this over some stupid thing she did forever go!

She felt embarrassed over her past attitude, mostly because it somehow led to all of this. Why did she do something so foolish? At this point, there is no ability for her to make amends with Arathorn and obtain his forgiveness.

Unless…

Any thoughts on attempting to curry favor vanished as she remembered one annoying detail.

If Arathorn caught her, he'd kill her for sure.

It's just in her best interest to avoid Arathorn.

Goddammit, why did she have to worry about someone like him?

As she rolled onto her side, Rin realized it was pointless to keep thinking about this. She needs to be up early and ready for anything that could occur. Arathorn might be at the top of her list in terms of concerns right now, but if she lets him take over all her thoughts?

It'll only end up with her being taken advantage of by her lesser concerns.

Like the other Masters.

That's right… Arathorn isn't the only thing she has to worry about.

Upon reaching that conclusion, Rin felt her eyes become heavy.

It was as her eyes began to close that Rin Tohsaka wished she had never joined the Grail War.

Thus, sleep finally took her.

…

A minute passes in silence…

…

Yet while not a single noise is made, Rin begins to feel a disturbance.

"Huh?" She muttered to herself.

Opening her eyes slowly, Rin realized she was somewhere very dark and, most assuredly, not where she was before.

The entire atmosphere changed. It was no longer a musty hotel room she found herself in. Instead the air itself was damp, the floor she now found herself waking up on was cold. It was an entirely different place, and worst of all, she could barely see a meter or two in front of her.

As she processed this, she felt herself sink into despair. Her eyes widened in horror as she got up from the floor and began to look around wildly.

She reaches into her clothing to pull out one of the many jewels she keeps on hand for her magecraft, but finds nothing. As in, she was naked.

"W-What?" She could only look at herself in horror.

What happened? How did Archer just let someone capture and do this to her? Where the hell is she?

Then she remembered... Looking at her hands, she noted her command seal.

Should… Should she really use her last one to have Archer get her out of here?

She doesn't know who captured her, so... It might not be necessary… Then again, if they stole her away in the dead of night with a bounded field and a servant protecting her?

It's most likely necessary.

She then thought of the possibility that it was Arathorn that did this, and that caused her heart to stop. Why not just kill her while he had the chance then? Unless he wanted to put her in a position to force out the last command seal so she'd really be helpless.

This greatly annoyed Rin, to say the least, and it led her thought process in one particular direction…

Rin then began to rant under her breath, "Where's Archer when you need her? Dammit! I am not in the headspace to be dealing with this crap!"

Rin then turned around quickly, as she felt the wind shift behind her.

Her eyes were wide and alert, searching through the darkness for whoever was humiliating her like this.

Then she heard it. A muffled groan came from the right. With caution, she turned her head towards there, but again, she could barely see anything. It was so dark. With some trepidation, she started walking towards the noise.

A million thoughts crossed her mind, but she paid no attention to any of them.

Fear had her heart in a death grip, and it was determined to not give her a moment of rest.

As she neared the noise, something came into being, a figure. They were curled up in a corner, so she couldn't really make out who it was due to how dark the room was. However, she'd regret figuring out who this mystery figure was.

As she closed in on the person, she realized they were restrained: chains rested upon their ankles and wrists, a blindfold tied around their head to remove their sight, and some lousy tape plastered onto their mouth just to keep them quiet.

It was then that she realized who she was looking at. Why did she have to recognize her?

"S-Sakura?" Rin Tohsaka questioned, as the tears she had no idea she was holding back began to fall down her face.

William Arathorn POV (Sometime earlier)

"Yes, I see quite well how this would be superior!" You say as Celenike finishes her explanation. The maid was in a much better mood upon hearing your praise, as is expected of a lowly slave when rewarded.

As she was enjoying herself, you added, "But I do have a few questions."

This immediately reigned in Celenike as she listened intently to what you asked, "This curse doesn't just have the recipient see the video in their dreams, right?"

Celenike happily answers, "Yes, master. I guess I could've done a better job explaining it. But it's more like the recording is a template for the curse. Using the recording, I can prepare the curse. With preparation, I can take the recording, change it from mere playback, and transform it into a stage play where I have full control over everything within the dream. With exception to the dreamers themselves."

"So I would basically be a character that you can control within your curse? Will events play out the same even with interference on yours or the dreamers behalf? I guess the question I'm asking is, do you really have full control?" Your curiosity has been piqued.

"Of course. However, there is a caveat, my dear Master." Celenike says.

She then explains, "I'll answer your questions in order. Firstly, consider it more like I'm directing an actor. With good direction and acting, it will be hard to tell the difference between you and the curse's version of you. However, if there is poor direction or acting, then the illusion falls apart."

She made sure you were following along before further explaining, "Secondly, events don't have to play out exactly like the original recording. It is a cursed dream, after all. However, accurate events help sell an illusion. I could do this without the recording after all, but the recording is what helps ensure the dreamer can't even realize they're cursed."

"Lastly, not exactly. I guess this is also an answer to the last bit of your second question, now that I think about it. Sadly, a cursed dream is just a dream I'm interfering with. The dreamer can exact control over the curse and even break it. They wouldn't even need to be a magus; they just need to be able to discern that it's really a dream." She finishes.

"But could the recipient interact with the cursed dream beyond that?" You ask.

Celenike looks a bit dumbstruck at your question as she plainly says, "I thought that would be self-evident. Of course they would; it's their dream. I would have to ensure that the illusion is sold all the while whatever fool I'm cursing is bumbling about making it difficult to do so."

"I thought it was impressive for a moment. Now I realize your so-called curse is just illusion magecraft with too many caveats." You say, now obviously disinterested.

"Master?" Celenike gasps at your statement.

You begin to walk away as you say, "Of course, ultimately, it gets the job done. So have fun, Celenike. Good night."

"Master, it is much more than that! Get back here! You clearly didn't understand my explanations! Master!" Celenike raved as she was abandoned to her own devices.

Rin Tohsaka POV (In her cursed dream)

Rin didn't know what to do… She could barely see, and what she could see was something she wished she would never see. This has to be fake. Why is Sakura here? Why is she like that? She saw tear stains on her face, and her body looked roughed up, like she had been here for a while.

That couldn't be. Sakura was fine, she was safe. She had to be. This isn't real.

Suddenly, sight was granted to her as the room became dimly lit.

Stuck in her cowardice, she could only stay in place and look around the room. She was stuck in some dingy cell, and she could see that this wasn't the only cell in this place. Wherever she was seemed to be dimly lit by some central lights hanging in the middle of the complex.

Upon realizing that she was in some prison cell, Rin ran up to the bars and tried to look around to see if she could spy anything else. Yet all she could find were more cells, and there appeared to be multiple floors. Was this some sort of dungeon or abandoned prison complex?

Disheartened due to the abandoned nature of the place, Rin began to sink to her knees as the situation really began to set in. A loud creaking could be heard, someone had entered the dungeon.

Then she heard him... That bastard, Arathorn. She could hear his voice from down here. His voice echoed through the complex, "Keep in mind, I haven't had the chance to see the girl since I had Irisviel bring her to her cell. It's likely she didn't do too much to restrain her. So some force may be required."

She felt her heart stop.

She barely paid attention as a woman's voice also began to echo, "If you don't mind, Master, I would be more than willing to do such on your behalf."

"No, I want you to handle preparations. I get you're eager, but I should not have to say this more than once." Was Arathorn's response.

Silence followed as Rin began to cry. She couldn't take it anymore. What the hell did she do to deserve this? Send one stupid letter! This! All this torture! All this chaos! For that! A letter! She was clearly just an idiot! Why does she deserve this?

It was then that she remembered she wasn't the only one in this room.

Sakura… What had he done to her? Why did he go after her sister! She has no involvement in this! For God's sake, it was a dumb letter!

Running to her sister, Rin began to fumble with her chains, doing everything she could to try and free Sakura. Yet as she did so, Sakura began to resist. Upon noticing her resistance, Rin said, "Sakura! Stop! It's me, Rin!" She did her best to be quiet, but she wouldn't be surprised if Arathorn heard her.

All that mattered was that she got Sakura out of these stupid chains.

Thankfully for Rin, Sakura stopped fighting her upon realizing who it was.

Instead, Sakura began to cry. Rin was fearful as she began to hear some incessant giggling nearing the cell. "C'mon! C'mon!" Rin said as she tried to use magecraft on the chains.

However, nothing was working.

She heard Arathorn sigh from outside, and that caused her to pause to look behind her. He wasn't there yet. That woman's voice from earlier spoke up again as she said, "Sorry."

Rin hadn't even registered that the laughter had stopped.

Yet before she could do anything else, she felt eyes—those disgusting, terrible eyes—looking at her. "Well, well. I should've realized she would've had you two share a cell." Arathorn states.

"Actually, this gives me a wonderful idea. Celenike, be on standby. I'm going to restrain Rin real quick." He said as the cell was suddenly thrust open by some invisible force.

Rin immediately went to defend herself as she charged up a Gandr at Arathorn and screamed, but before she could fight back…

He was already upon her, and without even giving her a second to react, his fist hit her cheek. It was a powerful blow that sent her flying backward, causing her head to hit the wall and knock her unconscious.

The last emotion she felt as darkness consumed her once more was…

Sorrow.

Rin would not be allowed peace for long…

…

She would be rudely awakened as a whip struck her navel. Rin found herself wide awake at that point but rattled, her head hurt badly, and she felt groggy. The situation returned to her, and she began to struggle. It was too late, she had been tied to a chair.

Her legs were tied to it's own, and her wrists were tied just under the seat. She was completely defenseless as the prior whip struck her leg. It was then that she realized who was whipping her, a woman.

She might as well be nude with that lewd lingerie she was wearing. How could anyone wear such garish crap and have the confidence to smile like that? The woman struck her with the whip once more, this time just below her breasts.

The woman was clearly a sadist. How in the hell could she get her to stop?

She saw no point in trying to have a moral argument about torture with the lady because it was quite clear what kind of woman she was.

All she could do was continue to struggle with her restraints as the woman began mocking her, "Yes, yes, like that! It's been so long since I've been given so much control! Struggle all you want, girl! You have no power here!" This time, the whip struck her hip.

She glared at the woman through the tears pouring out of her eyes.

The woman stopped her assault as she brought her hands up to her face and said, "Yes, yes! Look at me with such contempt! Look at me as though I am the one behind all your troubles! Scorn me and know you can't do a thing about it as I trample all over you!"

Then he spoke.

"Celenike." That was all he said.

The woman turned to look in the direction of his voice, and Rin followed. Her eyes widened in horror as she caught sight of her sister strapped on top of some torture device. She was bent over at an awkward angle and was restrained to hell and back.

Compared to her, Rin was experiencing heaven.

The woman, Celenike, walked over to her 'master' and asked, "Yes?"

"Don't damage her too much. I'm certain the reunion with her sister left her rattled. As well-trained as she might've been, I'm certain that Sakura reminded her of her prior freedoms. It's not odd for her to become... Rebellious when faced with such memories. Though such rebellion can be fixed at a later time." Arathorn told her.

Outraged at the statement, Rin shouted, "What the hell are you trying to imply!"

Silence filled the room. All Sakura could do for her sister was look on and wish for her safety in her mind. All Rin could do was realize what she had just brought upon herself.

"Nevermind then. Give her a bit more to chew on. Sakura needs to learn why obedience is important anyway." He commanded. Celenike responded in glee as strike after strike followed, littering Rin's lower torso with mark after mark, cut after cut.

Minutes passed.

All that filled the dungeon were the sobs of two sisters and the enthusiasm of a mad woman as she played with her toy.

Yet the worst was yet to come.

The gray-haired woman's assault did not slow down. If anything, this Celenike woman got more and more fervent in her blows against Rin the longer she went. Though Rin was in grave pain and stressed out of her mind, she still had it within her to endure.

Yet enduring this suffering only lent her more suffering.

Not only did it cause Celenike to wish for her to suffer more, but it also led to her being unable to turn her attention away from what that bastard Arathorn was doing to Sakura! She could only watch in horror as that degenerate walked over to a table, picked something up, and walked over to her sister.

The woman, Celenike, obscured her vision. But she could tell that bastard was doing something!

She could hear Sakura's cry of anguish behind the sound of Celenike's whip cutting up her skin. Rin couldn't take it anymore, she yelled, "Stop it! Stop hurting Sakura! What does she have to do with any of this?"

It was only then that she stopped feeling a whip strike against her, as Celenike had dropped her instrument of torture in rage. The woman quickly made her way to Rin and gripped the lower half of her face before saying, "How dare you! Did you forget your place? You have no right to demand anything from Ma-!"

"Celenike, move aside." That bastard's voice rang out from behind, interrupting her.

Like the press of a button, Celenike's entire mood switched from sheer hatred to total obedience as she did as she was told.

This meant that Rin could also see what Arathorn was doing to her sister. There he was standing to the side of the torture device they had hooked up Sakura to. She saw that Arathorn had added some strange devices to Sakura's breasts, and a weird mark was apparent on her hip.

What was he-?

Then she noticed the device in his hands as he activated it once more. Visible electricity surged through the top half as he plunged into Sakura's back, causing her sister to cry out once more. Rin watched as her sister's face contorted and showed an expression she never wanted to see on her again.

That anguish, why did Sakura have to endure this pain?

What did she do?

Was Sakura's relation to her enough for Arathorn to decide she too deserved to suffer?

"Please… Just stop this…" Rin weakly said.

Arathorn just stood there and stared.

"Celenike, I think a change of positions is in order. Clearly, Rin wasn't as well trained as I thought." That bastard told his henchwoman.

Rin didn't know how to react to Arathorn's statement, not that she had any real way to do anything about what was going to unfold. Instead, Rin, Rin Tohsaka gave into despair.

She did not resist, even as Celenike undid her restraints. Her head hung low to hide her tears, just in case Sakura dared to look at her.

What can she do?

But give in…

The next hour was the most painful one in Rin's entire life. Sakura had been spared from the wooden horse; in exchange, Rin was put on it instead. She was gagged and tightly bound. The most she could do was slightly turn left or right.

Something she wished she could do right now as she watched Sakura struggle in the arms of Arathorn. She didn't need to be a genius to know what would happen as Sakura was pinned to the floor.

Just as she was about to watch her estranged sister get raped by the one man she feared most, the two sister's exchanged eye contact.

Rin felt her heart shatter into pieces. The way Sakura looked up at her, begging for her assistance even though it was clear Rin could do nothing. It broke her heart and soul. Then came the screaming.

The man, without an ounce of consideration, took Sakura then and there.

Rin wanted to shut her eyes so terribly. Just anything to escape this nightmare. However, Arathorn's attendant, Celenike, was standing right next to her. In her hands was the cattle prod that Arathorn had earlier stabbed into Sakura.

She knew what would happen if she tried to avoid the sight in front of her.

That lewd expression on her face drove her insane. How dare she derive pleasure from her suffering? From Sakura's suffering?

She wanted to scream and yell at the unfairness of it all. Yet fear had a vice grip on her heart.

All she did was sit and watch in her uncomfortable seat as Sakura was fucked into the floor. He used one of his hands to hold Sakura by her hips and another to hold her head down. Though it seemed he deliberately made sure that the entire time both sisters' would be looking at one another.

She tuned out Sakura's calls for help quickly.

She didn't want to be so callous to her sister, but she was already in a very dark place because of all this. It wasn't like she wanted to ignore her sister. This is just what she had to do to stay sane. If both of them broke, then they'd never escape this situation.

Or at least that's what she told herself.

However, she could not stop herself from hearing Sakura's wails as Arathorn came inside of her. At the very least... He was fucking her ass… It's a terrible thought to have, isn't it?

Rin felt her sanity being chipped away at. Her heart and soul were damaged beyond repair, so now Arathorn was breaking her mind.

Why? Why do this? What compels a man to do this?

Then Arathorn lifts Sakura into the air as he starts to fuck her sister again. This time, however, he was in a position that had him holding Sakura up as he plunged his member again and again into Sakura. She was forced to watch every minute detail.

She could see his girth in full as it entered Sakura's pussy. She could see that his member was large enough to cause her stomach to bulge a bit. She could see that he hadn't even put it all in yet. She could also see behind Sakura's tears and clear dissatisfaction…

Lust… Pure lust.

It drove her mad.

Her sister was enjoying this. Maybe not fully, but there was a part of Sakura genuinely enjoying being… Being raped.

Rin couldn't take it anymore.

She passed out.

The last words she heard were from Arathorn, as he said…

"What will it take to make you understand? That your ass is mine! The both of you!"

It's not true, it's not true, it's not true!

It's not true! It's not true! It's not true!

IT'S NOT TRUE!

Rin Tohsaka POV (In her hotel room)

Rin woke up in hysterics. She was crying as she jumped out of bed and onto the floor. It took her a few seconds to realize where she was, and despite tears still falling from her face, Rin felt like a weight had been lifted off her back.

"I-It… It really was just a nightmare…" Rin told herself.

She didn't even notice that Archer was looming over, worried about her master. "What happened?"

Rin gained some of her confidence back as she stood up and brushed some dust off her nightwear. Returning to her flippant attitude, Rin says, "Nothing you have to worry about. It was just a bad dream. Everyone has them."

Archer looked at her with a surprisingly gentle expression as she then said, "I wasn't talking about whatever dream you had. I meant what happened for you to get that bruise on your cheek."

Rin felt herself freeze. It was like the world itself had stopped. She felt her hand twitch slowly and slowly toward her face. As she touched her left cheek, she felt a sting of pain.

Wasn't that where Arathorn punched her in her dream? Rin felt her mind shatter. She rushed into the hotel bathroom without regard for Archer's question.

She looked at herself in the mirror. The bruise on her cheek from when Arathorn had punched her was there. Then she lifted off her top, and she began to feel tears run down her face as she noticed every single whip mark that had been made in that 'dream' of hers was there.

That was more than just a nightmare.

"W-What is t-this?" Rin said.

Rin Tohsaka broke down crying after that, for what else could she do?

Celenike Icecolle POV (Somewhere isolated in the mansion)

Celenike had been in deep concentration for a few hours now. If one were to stumble across her, they may have assumed she was sleeping. But anyone with some skill with magecraft would've noticed something odd.

Especially anyone who came across Celenike as she suddenly 'awoke' and began mumbling to herself, "The curse dispelled... A shame." Though then again, if anyone had walked into a storage room to see Celenike of all people sleeping on the floor, they would be confused.

Rising from her slumber, Celenike curls up, raising her right knee to wrap her arms around it as she thinks about today's session. It has been such a long time since she last got to use this curse. It was her personal favorite and her genuine masterpiece.

This was also the fourth time in her entire life she had used it on a woman. She mostly used it on those miserable fucks she found on the internet. All she needed were their personal details and some way of inflicting the curse on them. However, such a thing was easier said than done.

Since she rarely had easy access to them or their belongings.

Usually she would send some other curse to them over the internet. She had a preference for a curse attached to an audio file of her voice saying some nonsense. After the initial curse was placed, she would be able to activate her magnum opus, enter their dreams, have her fun, and probably kill them after.

This case, however, wasn't so difficult.

As Sakura Matou was here!

Unfortunately, she didn't involve the girl this time, as she hadn't gotten permission. Instead, she used her as a vector to curse Rin Tohsaka. Yes, she's that capable of a curse user. It was of no difficulty to use a relative of Rin's to curse her with a bloodline curse.

Though, for whatever reason, Tohsaka wasn't the only person affected by this curse. She didn't know why or how, but that wasn't important. What was important was what the initial curse did.

It was just a simple curse that used the initial target before spreading to all those who shared their blood. Since it was a curse on their very bloodline, it wouldn't disappear for a long time, if ever.

Though beyond letting her activate a different or the same curse on Rin Tohsaka, as well as anyone else affected, this specific curse wouldn't do anything.

She only applied this curse specifically for her Master's sake! As she wouldn't have to go through the trouble of going to the dungeon and taking a lock of that stupid girl's hair! Which she technically didn't have permission to do, but what Master doesn't know won't hurt him!

Now that she can't get her mind off those two girls, Celenike is beginning to feel a bit bummed out.

"I had so much more planned." She wistfully said to herself.

Then she felt annoyed. She realized it was probably for the best that the Rin girl woke up. Celenike wouldn't have been able to stop herself from having that false version of Master fuck Rin Tohsaka.

Master would probably be upset if he himself wasn't the one to take her virginity, even if it was technically another him.

Then, even if her Master saw the fruits of her labor, she'd never get an apology for his words earlier!

Yes, yes. This was in everyone's best interest.

She'll have some real fun with that Rin girl at some point, but not today. Her Master values patience, after all, and she could stand to obtain some.

Maybe if that Rin girl turns herself in…

Maybe Master would reward her!

She was so giddy at the thought! She really was!

Celenike then noticed she had become… Very wet.

Surely Master wouldn't be upset if she rewarded herself with a good time after a job well done, right?

Celenike's hand drifts towards her cunt as she begins to masturbate.

…

Celenike would later be found by Irisviel and chewed out for making a racket as well as for not sleeping in the maid's quarters. She was promptly punished once more.