[] Reprogram her.
You couldn't kill her.
You couldn't give her a fate worse than death either. Sparing her was out of the question, not as she was. You could only fight her off like this so many times. You've brought yourself to the brink of death for this and you have your chance to be rid of her forever.
But she still had Celine's face.
A future that never happened was right before you. If only you won that War in her stead then she might be here, she might have this face instead of this broken Doll. Your weakness was what caused this in the first place and the Family knew you well enough.
You could never truly kill someone with Celine's face, not without you crossing a line you could never return to...
That's why..!
You raised the blade in your hand and jammed it into Minerva's chest. You enhanced your right eye and fired off magical energy from your body through the sword. You needed to pin the coordinates in the conceptual space just right.
Minerva's eyes widened and soon realized what you were doing.
"Coward... I... Knew you couldn't... Do it," Minerva chuckled as you tears slid down your eyes and hit her core.
The light within Minerva's eyes vanished as you pulled the sword out. Blood didn't escape the pierced flesh but instead you were met with the sight of void. Emptiness filled Minerva's insides in the place of muscle and organs.
You knelt over her and tore open her clothes, fashioning tools from the debris and steel nearby as you began to work. You did this once but not on the level you were about to do. You had taken out the 'Kill' Order from this body but that was akin to taking a program within the body itself and deleting it.
What was problematic was Minerva herself, or rather the personality that she came to be. You weren't a genius like Touko Aozaki or a Master at this craft like your grandfather, tinkering with Minerva's personality was something you weren't comfortable of rewriting.
The most you could do is render her primary directives incompatible with her... But to do that you would have to do a reset of her memory storage. You didn't prefer that... No.
You would prefer her to live with her since as punishment but there's a limit to what you could do.
You'll be wiping her memory.
'Minerva' will be no more... But that in itself isn't a guarantee.
She is and has always been a Luctworth in terms of software. Traces of who she was would remain but her hatred, her lust for violence, and her cruelty would be locked up. Were you hoping that she'd turn out to be like that other Doll Scathach took with her?
"You're right Minerva," you breathed as you hovered your tools over her exposed core, "I am a coward."
You initiated the wipe it and restructured her entire being. Switching off her prime directives, changing them and wiping her memory. You tinkered and twisted her internal systems, writing new code for her to follow. In the end, she was just a Sculptures, a Clay Doll you were forced to work on when you were young.
And that was the last time Minerva was truly herself.
.....
....
...
You made your way back to the Throne Room. You had sent a message out using Minerva's phone which surprisingly had a little charm which raised its durability. In any case, it served its purpose to get you in touch with your men as well ring the Church a message. You then pocketed it for now as you made your way through the doors again.
With the Final Battle behind you, you stopped and looked down the ground. Kneeling down, you checked on Hiyoko Sakatsuki as she remained unconscious on the floor. You inscribed a rune to soothe her as well as a charm to provide her with a dreamless sleep. Looking at her back, it seemed to have been healed somehow. Did Minerva do this?
Did she heal Hiyoko before confronting you?
You decided to think about it later. You stood up and approached the light of the Grail. You ascended up the steps until you reached the castle's false throne. The air was humming with Magical Energy as you approached the Light.
You had to strain your eye to see through it before reached out and held it in your hand. Almost immediately you were awash with power which made your knees buckle. The energy which filled the Grail made your skin tingle as you held it in your hand.
The prize many bled for was finally in your hand. The arm you had paid a piece of your lifespan for vanished, leaving you with the phantom pain of your lost limb. You kept your eyes on the golden chalice in your hand and held it tight.
This was it... Your ticket so to speak.
"I'm almost there, Sister. Almost there..." You breathed as you glanced at the Throne.
Sitting on it was a girl fast asleep, her expression filled with that of exhaustion. Her expression was just as captivating as the Grail in your grasp. You knelt down and set down the Holy Grail, letting go of your prize to place your hand over the sleeping girl's.
In a soft voice, you spoke, "Miyu, it's time to wake up."
The girl stirred and when she opened her eyes, she looked at you with a dull colored gazed. The air of mystery and power within her eyes had vanished, leaving only the twinkle of innocence present within a child's.
"Hans... You're here," Miyu murmured before rubbing her eyes. She then looked to the side and blinked, "That's..."
You picked up the Holy Grail and handed it towards her, "Here. You carry it."
"C-Can I?" Miyu asked.
"Sure. I don't see why not," you said as you slowly stood up.
"Hans... Are you sure you're okay?" Miyu asked as she got on her feet with the Grail in her arms.
"Yes. For now at least," you told her as you glanced her way, "Come on, your Mom's downstairs. By the door. You should go wake her up."
Miyu's eyes widened as she looked past you to see her mom unconscious by the door. She quickly descended the stairs, leaving you in the dust. You followed after her with your hand in your pocket. You smiled as you made your way down the stairs, watching Miyu kneel by her mother and shake her awake.
Hiyoko stirred from her sleep and opened her eyes to see the face of her daughter before her. She blinked before holding her daughter's face and pulling her in for a hug. They were safe, they were here, they survived the war together just as you promised. The Holy Grail sat by their side but you believed that the sight of them was just as precious as the Grail itself.
The Liar's Grail War was over.
"Thank you..." Hiyoko said as she looked your way, "Thank you, Hans."
"It's fine. What's important is you're safe," you replied as you nodded their way, "I keep my promises. Help should be on the way so just sit on tight. We should have enough time for a little party if I can manage it."
"Oh... It's still Christmas," Miyu murmured with wide eyes.
"That's right. Merry Christmas, Miyu," you greeted her with the same confident and friendly smile.
.....
....
...
The War has ended but the wounds remained. It was the same for every war you had the misfortune to participate in. Miyu and Hiyoko were taken away on Helicopter alongside the unconscious body of Minerva. You finally called in your employees after weeks of radio silence and they were ready for an all out war.
Armored vehicles won't do jack shit against a Servant.
They offered to ride you home but you had other things to deal with. You took the Grail and made your way back to the City on your own. You waited until every employee you had left, leaving you alone in the amusement park once more. You were alone, just you and the Holy Grail in your hand. Once they were gone, you walked, making your way through the ruined park until you found what you were looking for.
You stared at the House of Mirrors before tapping your foot, a rune appearing upon the floor and causing a line of fire to rush towards the structure.
The Hall of Mirrors burned, the sound of glass shattering inside reaching your ears.
"So you won," a voice spoke.
You turned and saw a young girl standing nearby. She had long shaggy orange hair with a tiny bit tied to the side of her head like a ponytail. She was wearing a beaten up jacket and a short skirt and black boots. Behind her back was a backpack and a long wrapped pole.
"Come to gloat?" you asked as you watched the fires before raising the Grail in your hand, "Or did that Hag ask you to get this?"
"I was wondering if you'd be giving back my body. But seeing as you spared Minerva, I guess that's a no go," the girl said as she shook her head.
"Get Touko to make you one," you told her as you faced the fires.
"She's as bad as Scathach, what do I look like, stupid?" the girl scoffed at your suggestion.
The two of you stood in silence as the flames crackled underneath the waking dawn. The sun was just about to peer over the horizon. You looked down at the Grail in your hand and gave it some thought.
"What are you going to do now? Still up for that stupid goal of yours?" the girl asked as she rocked back and forth on her heels.
"Yes. Now I can make the War to achieve it a reality... And I don't suppose you'll be joining as well," you guessed as you glanced her way.
"The Grail that'll come from that would let Medb stick with me for a long while... Of course I'll join," the girl sighed as she met your gaze, "And I'll kill anyone who gets in my way of achieving that. No doubt that you'll do the same for those getting between you and seeing your sister again."
"You're not wrong," you replied with a smirk.
"I don't know what you're planning but thanks... For giving me this chance," the girl said with a cold smile, "I'll definitely win this one."
.....
The two of you stared each other down as the sun rose in the East, heralding the beginning of a new day.
"Merry Christmas, Brie."
"Merry Christmas, Hans."
.....
....
...
Soon the New Year came and went. In the coming days, the survivors of the War would part ways. The citizens of the city were none wiser of the events that unfolded right under their very noses. The Magus had taken with him the Child of God and her Mother, keeping them safe under his protection from those that would seek to do them harm. The memory of this war would be one they would remember for a long time.
The Matou and Edelfelt had left the country alongside the King of Knights. They have done their duties to prevent the War from going out of control but their search for the man named Emiya had left them nowhere. So they would search once again in new lands hoping to find him.
The Administrator had returned to the Church to deliver her report and findings as well as a curious request and invitation for a future War that would transpire.
The unconscious Doll wiped of her sins remained asleep, stored in the dark, forever sleeping until the day she would fight once more.
And the Interloper that stood with the Magus had returned to the Land of Shadows, waiting for the Day she and her Queen would be reunited once more...
.....
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...
Several Months Later
A black car came to a halt just before a school. A young girl was looking out the window with an uncertain look on her face before sitting back down. She didn't know what to do or how to act, it was... Her first time speaking and being with other children her age.
"Is something wrong, Miyu?" the man beside her asked.
Miyu glanced at the man wearing a dark blue shirt under a black suit. He was seated on the other end of the backseat, taking off his sunglasses to glance her way.
"I'm... Nervous, Hans,"Miyu admitted as she lowered her head.
"All kids normally are. It's the first day after all, new kids, new faces... And quite possibly new friendships. Do you want me to take you to your classroom?" Hans offered in a polite tone.
"You sound like Mother," Miyu huffed with a frown.
"Alright, alright..." Hans sighed with a small smile on his lips. Miyu opened the door and stepped out of the car, bracing herself before turning towards Hans.
"I'll be going now!" Miyu said.
"I'll pick you up after school. Have a nice day," Hans replied as he waved his hand and car door shut. He watched Miyu take a few steps forward before a few kids walked up to her. They seemed to be talking animatedly as one of them pointed at the car.
He then leaned back and said, "Take me to the office."
"Yes sir," the Driver answered.
Miyu glanced at the leaving car and waved. Hans watched until she went out of view before relaxing himself. It was a beautiful day so he should ease himself to the morning routine. He checked his phone and noticed several messages from Miyu's mother if her daughter was okay and that if he needed anything, he should call her.
It took all of his will not to block her number. Ever since that woman was let out of the Apartment she and Miyu lived in, she was getting all sorts of certifications, passing all sorts of weird courses. Now she was studying up a storm for an IT Exam to work for Hans' company when he offered to take care of the two of them.
Unfortunately the menace that was Hiyoko Sakatsuki could not be contained.
He looked through his phone to look at the news. It seemed that the after effects of Petty Wars was starting to catch up to the world. The Association was planning on taking a more aggressive stance on clamping down on such Wars from happening. Should have expected that from them but them's the works.
Hans glanced out his window to watch the cityscape go by.
A few minutes later, he arrived at his building as his car stopped by the entrance. A man in a suit opened the door for him and Hans stepped, greeted by rows upon rows of men in dark suits.
The car behind him drove off as he surveyed the numerous people waiting for him, their numbers in the hundreds.
"SIR!"
"SIR!"
"SIR!"
"SIR!"
"SIR!"
A young woman then walked up to him and greeted him, adjusting her glasses as she met his gaze, "Good morning, senpai. Welcome back to HQ."
"Open up a schedule for this afternoon. I need to pick up Miyu in her new school," Hans said as he walked down the path opened for him to get to his office, "Is there anything that needs my attention?"
"Well, judging from the deal you made in the UAE last night, things have been going well. But some shareholders would like to speak with your regarding the shipments of materials going by sea. They want to be compensated for delays due to the storm in the Arctic," the Secretary said as she kept up with him.
"Schedule them for this evening then. I want some of our top members with me during the meeting. Also, have you handled the paperwork for our projects in England?" Hans asked as he climbed up the stairs to the lobby.
"Yes, senpai. I've also retrieved reports of our progress on securing a good rapport with the Holy Church. They've sent their interest in your Project," the Secretary said before stopping, "Oh and senpai."
"Yes?" Hans asked with a curious look.
"Welcome back to Seoul," she finally said as the rest of the men in suits bowed.
Hans glanced at her and the others before smiling, "Yeah... It's good to be back."
.....
....
...
Hans sat in his office reeling from having to go through another workday. Spending six months as a homeless bum in a city was nothing compared to this. He rubbed his forehead and tried recomposing himself as he let out a breath. He leaned back on his seat, savoring what break he could get as he closed his eyes.
Miyu had a good day in school, he managed to make several deals which would help his company stay afloat for now, and there wasn't any word from the Luctworth.
He opened his eyes and felt for his left one. His vision had never been the same since he returned Ophelia's Mystic Eye. Had he kept it any longer than he did, he would have gotten some manner of injury or something. He was lucky but he couldn't rely on luck forever.
"Living is sure hard, huh?" he said as he slowly stood up from his seat. Grabbing his cane, he limped towards the window of his office and looked down at the city below him. Preparations were underway... He had all the ingredients he needed to start. But he needed more time to make sure everything was just right.
He then tensed when he sensed the presence of someone behind him, causing him to tap his cane and cause a rune to appear on the floor. Ice crystals traveled along the ground and stopped before the neck of a peculiar individual.
"Wow, as expected of the man who won Seven Wars. Your senses are sharp!" a girlish voice giggled.
"Who the hell are you?" Hans asked as he faced her.
"My name is Francesca," the black and white girl spoke as she held her hands behind her back, "I'm a big fan of yours... I heard you going to try and set up a big War..."
Francesca walked past the ice crystals and sat on the Magus' desk and asked.
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...
"I'd love to hear more about it."
