Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] You'll take the day off. Despite everything, you need to relax. You've been going at it for a week now with no real rest. You can take this chance to buy Miyu some clothes.

It was the first day of your respite so you figured you could allow some manner of rest for now. You have been... Working nonstop for a good while now. It's about time you got some actual rest. You couldn't let your guard down during the war but morale was also important at times like this.

Turning to Assassin, you gave her your response, "We'll be going out today."

"Out? In this war?" Assassin blinked in surprise, "I must disagree, it's too dangerous."

"But without danger, we'll be complacent," you replied back as you sipped your coffee.

"That does not justify walking head straight into it. Master, is this truly wise?" Assassin asked you with a shake of her head.

"We'll look at it this way. Do you really expect that child to stay here during the holidays? Danger or no, she will be curious of the outside world," you said as you jerked your thumb at Miyu.

The girl in question gave you a blank look, "Please don't use me as an excuse."

"Am I wrong though?" You asked as you raised an eyebrow.

Miyu blinked before turning back to the TV where Magi Mari was playing.

"Die normies~<3."

"You win this time, Mister," Miyu conceded as she shut the TV off.

"What do we do about security? Will I be hidden at this time?" Assassin asked with a frown.

You gave her an amused look and she immediately felt a bad feeling crawl up her back.

.....
....
...

"While I did say that we were going out to regain morale, I'm not exactly sure how we're gonna do it," you admitted while wearing a crisp winter coat while walking the street.

Assassin stood by your side with a black cap and a brown jacket over her black sweater. She had a cup of street coffee in her hands and sipped it while the two of you watched Miyu admire a fire hydrant.

"Is this a statue?" Miyu asked as she turned her golden eyes your way.

"No it's a fire hydrant. Ask the Grail," you told her as you leaned on your cane.

Miyu wore a comfy looking powder blue coat as she looked around with a curious look. All of the fighting and fear of being caught in the crossfire really got to her. The only times you've seen her like this was when she dragged Assassin around the abandoned park.

"She's excitable when she gets going. I was hoping to avoid this," Assassin said as she shook her head.

"The dependable Assassin hoping to skip out on a challenge?" You chuckled as you glanced her way.

She gave you a pouting look, "It's not like that, Master. In any case, where are we going? I don't detect any servants nearby."

"Which is good. I was hoping that Miyu would take in on the sights and relax. Christmas is around the corner so I might get something she might like," you admitted as you managed a small smile.

"You speak as if we can defend her until the 25th," Assassin said as she walked by your side.

"It's not realistic but I wish I could reach that point. Miyu doesn't have to grant my wish. All I want is her core as a Holy Grail... Hopefully I can do so without taking her life," you said as you followed Miyu running down the street, "This war has been very different from the last ones. If the Luctworths were the architects then it's normal for them to throw this riddle for me to solve."

Assassin stared at you before speaking, "Had it been any other Magus, they wouldn't show concern for the girl's life."

"In any case, until I solve Miyu's predicament, I'll be slowed down... Which gives them time to eliminate us," you said as you gripped your cane.

"You won't let that happen now, would you, Master?" Chiyome said with a small smile.

You blinked before you chuckled, "I won't. Over my dead body."

Assassin allowed a giggle to leave her lips as the two of you followed Miyu to a toy store. Miyu stared at the dolls displayed on the shelves while you inspected the new gaming consoles on sale.

Turning around, you found Miyu dragging Assassin as they both carried a large black snake plushie that coiled around them. Assassin looked panicked while Miyu spoke up.

"She likes it," Miyu said as she held the snake's head.

"It might be expensive! Lady Miyu, please put it back!" Chiyome quickly said with her eye widening.

You cracked a smile before clearing throat, "Well... Allow me to teach you true Magic, Miyu."

Miyu raised an eyebrow as she asked, "What do you mean?"

"The magic of credit cards," you replied as you pulled out a card from your wallet.

Chiyome choked and the snake was purchased.

.....
....
...

The snake was delivered to your hideout by your employees nearby. This allowed your trip to go smoothly as you entered a mall. You checked your phone and were pinged by your security team as you walked.

"Christmas... It's my first time truly experiencing it," Miyu murmured as she stared at the golden Christmas tree.

"But you have heard of it, yes?" You asked as you stepped to her side.

"Well, in passing," Miyu said as she glanced at you, "I mentioned it didn't I? My elders didn't want my powers to be tainted by my perception of the world. If I am to be taught the wrong things, then I may just misuse my powers. So I wasn't taught these things, even my mother must be careful. But now with my powers sealed, I can finally look upon these things."

"It's a rather nice holiday brought from the West," Chiyome said as she cleared her throat, "Though it would seem that I am already in the west within this context."

"A day to give gifts and be in the company of others. It's rather interesting isn't it? Do you have any good memories of Christmas, Hans?" Miyu asked as she turned to you.

"Huh... Christmas. Well, not really," you chuckled as you stared at the tree, "Last Christmas, I was fighting another Grail War. It was the one I lost though."

You raised your hand and touched your missing arm.

"What was it like?" Miyu asked with a curious look.

"Well... I was better prepared. I had all sorts of trump cards laid out. I had resources, manpower and influence at my beck and call. In the end, it amounted to nothing," you said as you closed your eyes.

You recalled a memory of you stabbing a crazy Doll in the chest while she tore off your arm. You recalled watching her stand over you with that red spear she had while you fell. The pain made you wince as you opened your eyes.

"I wasn't strong enough to win that war. But well... I won six already, I had to lose somehow," you told her as you shook your head, "It was only a matter of time."

"All this for your sister. All these struggles, sacrifices and pain. Was... She truly that amazing?" Miyu asked you with a frown.

"Amazing isn't exactly how I'd put it. She hated vegetables and was a serial prankster. She was loud, annoying... And pretty smug," you recalled as you searched your memories of a younger orange haired girl smiling at you. You cracked a small smile at that as well, "But she was the only person that truly cared about me in that family. That is enough reason for me to fight these wars. I... Want to see her again."

"And the petty Grails can't grant you that wish..." Miyu said as she lowered her gaze to the ground to see families walking by, "Still... What would she think? Seeing you crippled and hurt to this extent."

You chuckled and said, "Well... I guess I'd have to listen to her yelling at me. Probably something about wasting my life searching for her."

"And you're fine with that?" Miyu asked with wide eyes.

"Yes. There's no telling really until I see her again. But if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have gone through these wars. It gave me perspective on the world and let me fight and meet new people," you said as you looked down at your hand, "It may be foolish but it's oddly fulfilling, having something to work for. We never truly know what lies ahead... I won't know what she'll say to me if I do get the chance. That's why don't be so sure, Miyu."

"About what?" Miyu blinked as she stared at you.

"About your purpose. You've resigned yourself with the duty of perishing in this war. You might end up being wrong... And if so, what then?" You said as you smiled her way.

Miyu blinked before frowning. She huffed and walked off to get a closed look at the tree. You kept your eyes on her leaving you and Assassin alone. Chiyome watched you from the side as the chorus of Christmas caroles began to drift in the air.

You watched Miyu glance at the line of children leading to a man in a red suit with a white beard.

Assassin took a moment before she spoke, "Such a heavy burden. How haven't you fallen yet? You're certainly strong, Master."

"Well not really. I guess you can call me stubborn," you replied as you met her gaze.

"Stubborn... If only I could be the same," Chiyome said as she looked down her hands, "Such a thing would be beyond me. Even if I try to be better, this cursed blood of mine would only cause trouble."


[] "Broken as I am or cursed as you are, we're still fighting. It's only when we give in to our fears that we truly have lost."
[] "You're more than what your curse wants you to believe. Don't let it shackle you down, Miss Mochizuki. Trust me at least in this one."
[] "Stubbornness is something I excel in. Leave it to me to push you when you need it. After all, are we not accomplices to this messed up war?"
[] Write in...