Shirou waited patiently in line in Heathrow Airport waiting to board his plane that would take him back to his home of Fuyuki.
The news he had heard from Taiga had thoroughly shocked him to his very core. He spend almost most of the day yesterday after hearing the news being comforted by Rin. To think that Issei Ryuudou was dead, and on top of that found dead on the stairs just a few feet from his home. It was almost unthinkable.
Noble, diligent though slightly uptight Issei meeting such a gruesome end. Shirou could barely wrap his head around that concept.
He felt the hand around his tighten and he turned to look into Rin's concerned eyes.
"How are you holding up?" she asked him.
"Fine I think," Shirou answered "I just with my first return home wasn't under such somber circumstances."
Taiga had informed him that Issei's funeral would be held in two days. So that was tomorrow so he had to be quick and booked a flight immediately which was due to leave in about an hour.
"Are you sure I can't convince you to come with me?" Shirou asked.
Rin shook her head "I'm sorry I can't really afford to slack on my studies at this moment. Besides Issei was your friend, I know he wasn't really a big fan of me."
Shirou nodded in agreement. That was certainly true. Issei made no secret about how he didn't like Rin Tohsaka. But he also knew there was more reason then just her studies for Rin to avoid leaving London at this present moment.
"Rin are you certain you will be alright. What with Lawrence back in the picture and all…" there was no way Shirou could softly bring this topic up. Rin responded by placing her hands on her hips and giving Shirou a confident smirk.
"I'm Rin Tohsaka for goodness sake I think I can handle a mediocre magus like him!"
Shirou smiled, of course she would say it like that. Regardless to see Rin back to her normal confident yet abrasive side as well. He looked over and saw that his flight was almost ready.
"I have to go now. I'll inform you once I've landed okay?" he said as he hugged Rin, she returning the embrace warmly as she whispered in his ear.
"You better you hear me Emiya?"
The two dislodged and leaned in for a quick goodbye kiss before Shirou turned around and began making his way towards the journey to his original home. As she watched him go, Rin tried to hide the sense of uneasiness now coursing through her body.
Entering a seemingly normal apartment complex in downtown London, Professor Zander Morrison followed his associate Gil through the hallways and up the stairs of the building. From the moment they had met that morning he could sense the tenseness that Gil was exuding from his posture alone. So Morrison wisely kept his mouth as he allowed Gil to lead him around.
They stopped in front of a door of the top floor, Gil knocked on the door and they heard a "come in" from the other side. Gil opened the door for them and both men walked in.
What Morrison saw before him was a wonderfully well decorated and organized. On the walls were photos seemingly taken in Paris. As well as the walls filled with wildlife related news clippings framed in a photo frame. In front of them at the end of the room saw a grand desk and at it sat a woman reading through documents. From what Morrison could see it was a woman in seemingly incredible physical shape, as her well defined muscular physique was clearly visible throughout the grey suit she was wearing. Her blonde curly hair was neatly brushed back and her glasses firm on her face.
The woman looked up at them and Gil said "I brought him over as you requested ma'am."
The woman nodded "thank you Mr. Gil. Please leave us for a moment to get acquainted" she said shortly and to the professor's surprise, Gil seemed to not be bothered by her dismissal. Instead he simply nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him and leaving Morrison alone with her.
"Professor Alexander Morrison," she started as she stood up from her chair and walked over to him "such an honor to finally meet you. My name is Katalina Ravonna Edelfelt."
She extended her hand towards him and Morrison shook it "the honor is all mine ma'am."
Katalina smiled brightly at him "you and Mr. Gil's find of the Lunar Obelisk was incredible. I owe an eternal debt of gratitude towards you for managing to locate such a long lost relic."
Morrison smiled to himself. This was a nice feeling. He hadn't felt this way for a long time.
"I do have to ask you something miss Edelfelt? Why were you looking for that Obelisk and what is it?"
"Ah interesting question professor Morrison, but before I answer that I need to ask you something" she said, piquing the professors curiosity.
"I have read your articles about the belief in magic in the modern day. It leads me to wonder. Do you think magic truly exists?"
He hadn't expected that question. And therefore the professors response was a very simple yet uncertain "I…I don't know…"
"Then let me phrase it to you differently. Do you wish it was real?"
"I….yes…yes I wish it was real" Morrison admitted in a hushed tone.
Katalina crossed her arms and raised her eyebrow "and what would you feel if I were to be able to prove to you at this moment that it was in fact real?"
Morrison had been pondering that question for a long time now. Ever since that day. The day she let out her last breath he had pondered that question. If it was real?
"I…I would be….I would be disappointed."
Katalina seemed taken aback by that answer "disappointed…how so?"
"Because…Because…" Morrison felt his body tremble, he almost couldn't keep himself upwards "because I would have discovered it too late…too late to save my wife's life and…."
Tears began streaming down his face as he dropped his suitcase to the floor and sank to his knees weeping. Katalina observed him for a good few seconds before taking a handkerchief from her breast pocket and leaning over and tapping on Zander's shoulder, giving the handkerchief to him.
"I understand your pain quite well professor. The death of the one you love leaves a permanent scar. Years ago I lost my beloved husband Richard. And ever since that day I promised him I would see our dream come to fruition."
She extended her hand to the professor once more and he silently grabbed it as he wiped away his tears with the handkerchief and Katalina pulled him back to his feet.
"And with your help. That dream is so much closer to reality. And for that I will thank you handsomely. By helping you find a way to reunite with your wife."