Fate/Clusterfuck (Fate/Stay Night)

[Erien]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHlDyBYH9NY

[It's Circe and Medea]
Magic training. The Age of Gods. The Sixth Magic.

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

"It's open." You say.

You hear the nob jiggle, and you glance towards the door to see… no, you had accidentally locked it. You begin to move towards it, only for a little wisp of shadow to go through the keyhole, snake up to the lock, and turn it. The shadow retreats, and the door opens slowly a moment later. A head pokes through it, orange of hair and with an impish expression. Circe, the witch, your teacher… amongst other things you frankly weren't entirely sure of.

Her eyes flitted around the space, the majority of her body still hidden behind the door. "All settled?"

"No, I only just got here."

"I wasn't talking about the room." Circe continues, then steps inside. Her heels click against the wooden flooring as she enters, the door remaining open behind her as she does so. Her wings were gone, revealing her normally partially-hidden skinny frame. A far cry from the Circe you had first met, this Circe, the one you had been getting to truly know, was by far one of the most lithe people you had ever met. That wasn't to say she wasn't attractive, she was merely different, and that was far from a bad thing.

… You had certainly shown that you were attracted to her regardless, in a manner she was too quick to brag about. Uncomfortably so, it was one of many reasons you were fairly sure Ayako was plotting to kill you. She situates herself in the center of it, the evening light through the window playing with her hair. "I was talking about you, of course. Your mood, your mentality."

"I'm fine."

"Yes, so you told Medea, and you are feeling better." Circe smiles. "A woman has ways to tell, but if simple words could perform as a poultice for all of humanity's various maladies then many tales would not exist."

"... I'll be fine." You say quietly. "I don't really have a choice in the matter."

"Oh, you can always simply snap and allow insanity to take over your actions. But I doubt you are much the type." Circe places a hand against your chest, and gently, slowly guides you over to the bed. You sit down upon it at her press, and she slides up onto it, her arms wrapping around your shoulders. "As Medea said, you aren't alone."

"You know what she said?"

"No," Circe says with a smile. "But she is very predictable." Her other hand moves to your chin, tilting it towards herself. "Did she finally take the extra step to say what she thought about you?"

"Cir-"

Her eyes become lidded. "Did she rip off your robes and embrace you in passion? Did she cry out her eternal love and how she would use her wish on the grail to give you a passionate eternity together?"

Her face closes nearer to your own, her lips inches away, her breath hot and heavy. "Or perhaps she spoke about how she would be in your room? Watching invisibly to make sure you were alright, stricken and somewhat annoyed as her beautiful teacher seduced you?"

You blink, then become immediately aware of another figure standing in the room. It was Medea, and she looked less than pleased. Circe pulled back, smiling at Medea. "If you had not appeared I would have started to get undressed, what would you have done then I wonder?"

"Circe."

"Yes, that is my name. Are you forgetting it in your senility?"

"You are older than I am."

Circe tilts her head. "Perhaps, but what is age to a witch? What is age to a dream? Am I real? Or merely a figment?"

"... Why are you here?"

"Well, Helios the Titan grew quite fond of my mother Perse an-"

"In this room."

Circe rolls her eyes. "To seduce Shirou and distract him from his problems. Why are you here?"

"To keep him safe from any danger." Medea hisses.

"Ah, yes. Danger. Perhaps that Sakura girl will come in here with a xiphos and seek to slay him? Or-"

"He is in the home of another master."

"Yes, and he is smiling." Circe teases.

Both witches look at you, and you realize… yes, you are. Circe smiles as well, "you should do it more, you have been far too serious lately." Circe sits back up, and her hands clasp either side of your face. Her eyes bore into your own, but she doesn't lose her smile. "I did not grow fond of you for your dour attitude. I did it for your kindness and the puppy-like eagerness you took to learning magic."

"I am a poor Magus." You reply.

"So is the rest of humanity, few remain that can truly perform anything noteworthy, and they are all a useless lot more concerned with their own power, or…" Circe rolls her eyes. "Separating themselves from humanity for they can no longer consider themselves part of it. I am a demigod, and I situate myself just fine thank you."

"On anything other than his cock?"

Circe's head turns to look at Medea lazily. "Medea, dear. While I'm sure the boy would lay with you out of pity, jealousy will get you nowhere. And in any case, he did it to save my life." Circe's head turns back to you, a sweet smile on her face. "It was very sweet, even if he clearly had some things to get out of his system."

"And I'm sure you got many things out of his system." Medea growls.

"And into mine yes, please do keep up even if you cannot get him up."

"I will kill you."

"Dear, an ego does not work for you. Do not flatter yourself with such base overestimations of your own ability as a witch."

"Is there… something you two need?" you ask.

Circe grins. "Oh, perhaps Medea does. But as for myself. I am here for you as stated, both to check on your mental wellbeing and to work on the next phase of your training."

"Do we have the time? Medea repaired my circuits, and you taught me the basics. But we don't have-" Circe's long fingers snake out and clamp your lips shut.

"Boy, when a witch from the Age of Gods states she would like to help teach you how to properly perform as a Magus. You simply nod your head."

You nod your head.

Circe releases her clamp with a smile. "See? Isn't that simple?" she then pushes forward, her chest brushing against your own, her face an inch away. You lean away instinctively onto the bed, and she follows you down, her body molding against your own. She then props herself up on an arm, grinning down at you all the while. "You have several unique properties about yourself, none of which you are aware of I'm certain." Circe's eyes darted to look at Medea. "Have you noticed?"

"The sheath?" Medea asks.

"Indeed, a quite impressive healing effect, though now diminishing. I was curious if it could be used on that berserker."

"It wouldn't remove the madness."

"No, but it would make her a more effective fighter."

"I do not believe that would be a worthy tradeoff for the increased threat to his life. Not that he does anything to assist with that in any case."

You clear your throat, causing both witches to look at you. "I'm sorry… what are you talking about?"

Circe smiles down at you. "The magical artifact planted just next door to your soul boy, do keep up. It's nearly useless now, but it is interesting nevertheless."

"The… the what?"

Circe places her hand against your chest, and you feel… something, something alien, something moving inside you as a golden light forms over your heart. A moment later something is poking out, a metal object of brilliant gold and blue sapphire. Then she presses it back down again, the light fading. "That." Circe replies simply. "Were you not aware of that resting inside yourself?"

"N-no?"

Circe blinks. "Fascinating, but not important, we'll get back to that later. For now, are you aware of your other gifts?"

"... I'm afraid to say no."

"What my dear teacher is attempting to say is that there is more to you than even I first expected, and we shall need some time to draw out your ability. But it can be done."

"He already has." Circe replies.

"What do you mean?" Medea asks, her tone quizzical.

Circe lays all the way down on top of you, then flips herself over, her pointed ears poking your cheek as she lounges atop you not unlike a cat. "His gift has already taken effect, even if you have failed to realize it my dear pupil."

Medea stares down at Circe, saying nothing for several moments. Then her eyes widen. "A dream, you cannot mean-"

"Indeed," Circe says quietly. "A figment."

"But that would mean-"

"Yes."

"And you ar-"

"Yes."

… They're doing it again. "I did what… exactly?"

"To explain it now would merely confuse you I'm afraid, but let's simply say you have talent for magecraft that anyone in this age would happily throw away their entire families to catch but a glimpse of."

"Will it… help here? At least?"

"In this room? It has already, with this war?" Circe moves a hand to your chest, rubbing it. "It has already." She then leans over and presses her lips against your cheek.

Your eyes flit to Medea, but she says nothing, does, nothing. She simply stares at you, her eyes still wide. Not with panic, but with… honest astonishment. "I… refuse to believe this."

Circe rolls her eyes. "My dear pupil, of everything that has occurred since you were summoned here, why is it this that shocks you?"

"Because it is impossible."

"Exactly yes, which is why he was able to do it, it's his entire schtick."

You have no idea what they are talking about, this is unfortunately a fairly common occurrence at this point. So you simply lay your head back and stare at the ceiling as Circe taunts Medea. This continues for several minutes, possibly hours, you mostly tune it out. But you are forced to pay attention once more as Caster fills your vision, standing over the bed, blocking the view of the ceiling behind Circe.

"You are a fool," Medea mutters.

"Good evening to you as well Caster."

"Do you understand what you have done?"

"No, because neither of you will tell me."

"That is for the better."

You close your eyes, letting out a slow breath. "I have done something unimaginable, which is fitting because I can't imagine what I've done. But it makes me a fool, but it also would make other Magus jealous. You dislike that I've done it, but you won't tell me what I've done either."

"Oh, that last one is just true for women my dear piglet." Circe teases. "But yes, it is best you don't know all the details for now," you open your eyes to see Circe still perched on your chest, a catlike smile on her face. "And you did a good thing, believe me."

"He will not be able to deal with the consequences."

"That's why we'll help him with many things. The second of which being his magecraft."

"What's the first?" you ask.

"Advice for the people around you." Circe says with a smile. "Ayako is duly stressed about a great many things, and Sakura is teetering on the edge of sanity."

You let out a breath. "I know, Ayako wasn't… wrong, and I don't blame her for wanting to leave. But I can't. As for Sakura, I know she's been taking all this hard."

"I know you know and she knows you know." Circe replies in a singsong voice, her head tilting side to side with every word. "But she needs more than just thoughts. You are her lifeline boy, you need to be with her. Ayako as well, she's fraying."

"And I'm not?"

"You are," Medea replies. Then moves to sit on the bed herself. "But they look to you for guidance. And you stated you would protect both of them."

You move a hand to your forehead. "I know… I know…"

"Tonight we shall start a new regimen of training on the island. Medea shall assist. Then we shall have a pleasant second dinner and bath. For now, I would like you to check on your companions." Circe says.

"Appreciated," you reply. "I just want everyone, everyone to be safe. You, Medea, Ayako, Sakura… everyone. I got you all involved in this, I should be the one getting you out of it."

"I was on the brink of death in a park when you rescued me, you didn't have to do that." Medea replies.

Your eyes narrow. "Of course I did. What else was there to do?"

"Not get involved?"

You close your eyes and lay back on the bed, enjoying, somewhat guilty, the warmth provided by Circe. "Remind me if we meet someone who would do that, I'd beat the crap out of him myself."

Silence is the response, at least for a moment. Then you hear Circe snicker. "Ooh look at that blush~"

You open your eyes to see Medea has her hood back on and is looking away. "Training, 8pm, this room. Do not be late." Then she's gone.

You stare at the space she vacated, then look at Circe. "Did I anger her?"

Circe extricates herself from you, smiling all the while. She sits on the bed now instead of on you, her hands sinking into the mattress. "Oh, no, I'd say she's happier than she's ever been. But for now boy, you have some people to check up on. We'll continue our discussion this evening… I would suggest not bringing up anything you saw or heard here to anyone else though."

You arch a brow. "That would require me to understand what I saw or heard."

"Your belief that mankind needs to understand something to speak of it is adorable in its naivety." Circe teases. Her hand moves to your stomach, then drifts a bit further to the edge of your pants before pulling away. "Tonight Medea might snap, just keep that in mind."

"She'll finally try to kill me?"

"Perhaps, but in a way that's at least pleasurable. But off with you, you have places to be." Circe says, grabbing you by the arm and hauling you up. Her lips press against your forehead, then she guides you up and off of the bed before disappearing with little more than a feather falling to the ground.

… It must be for dramatic effect, as she wasn't wearing her wings. Witches.

They, along with everything else, tended to confuse you. But you turn your attention towards the door. You had people to find.

—

Choose one, you'll have the one you don't pick afterwards, however the context of the scene shall change. So this is more what you believe to be higher priority.

[] [Sakura]
She was doing her best to recall what little she knew of magecraft, and was having a breakdown all the way. Something called to her, something she could not contain.

[] [Ayako]
She was in a gym/combat training hall destroying a sandbag. Ruby was only narrowly keeping her from detonating, in multiple ways. She was losing control.

—

I apologize for the shorter length and this being entirely dialogue. Long story short, I had massive car issues that have saddled me with an equally massive bill. Been dealing with that, emotionally and otherwise so I've been rather distracted.

 

[Erien]

[Sakura]
She was doing her best to recall what little she knew of magecraft, and was having a breakdown all the way. Something called to her, something she could not contain.

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

You have company from the very moment you opened the door to your room, Leysritt is standing just outside it. The maid expressionless as she bows deeply. She rises a moment later, red eyes fixed on you. "Hello again, do I need to replace the sheets?"

"Why would… you need to do that?"

Leysritt tilts her head. "To cleanse them of your debauchery."

… No, not even worth engaging. "Where's Sakura?"

Leysritt tilts her head the other way. "Were the two servants not enough? You require even more?"

"Where's Sakura?"

Leysritt points a finger down the hall. "Take two left turns, first door on your right."

You nod, and step past her. Leysritt watches you leave, then, clutching her nose she enters your room.

—


View: https://youtu.be/ZW7heWDx38A

---

The door to her room was partially open, and you didn't bother to knock. Instead you open the door the rest of the way slow-

"Gandr!"

Sakura was standing in the middle of the room, her right hand outstretched with a pointed finger. From it a bolt of light launched, firing against the wall where an ornamental shield rested. The bolt of magic slammed into the shield, causing it to bulge inward before it fell off the wall, skidding across the floor to rest at Sakura's feet. The girl… woman stood there panting, sweat pouring down her face. Then she tipped over, falling to the side and landing on the carpet. Archer, in the corner of the room, begins to move towards her, but stops and disappears from sight as you enter the room yourself. You run to her side, sliding down on your knees and lifting her by the back of the head to look her face to face.

Her hair clung to her forehead, and every breath came out in a harsh pant. Her chest rose and fell with abandon as she fought for every breath, her face a rictus of pain. You move a hand to the side of her face, saying nothing, letting her breathe. Her gaze was unfocused, shifting from point to point. With time, her breathing calmed however, though the sweat and general exhaustion remained as she turned her focus to you with none of the usual exuberance you had grown accustomed to.

"Are you alright Sakura?"

She stares at you, saying nothing. Then, she slowly extricates herself from you, sitting up. She's still panting, her clothes sticking to her in places. She hadn't bothered to take off the heavier winter clothing she had been wearing when you arrived here. "No." Sakura says quietly, so quietly you aren't sure she said anything at all.

"No, I'm not."

It wasn't much, but from Sakura it was a lot. The girl was never honest with how she was feeling, at least with negative emotions. Whenever she was in poor moods, she was usually obvious about it. She tended to avoid you. Now though, it was different. Sakura seemed tired, and more than just physically.

"I'm not a magus. I wasn't ever taught." Sakura says quietly. "Nothing beyond the absolute basics and what I could teach myself. I wasn't taught anything useful, it wasn't my role. I can't help you."

"Sakura, I care more about you being safe than you helping me." You say quietly. "The whole reason I involved myself in this war was so that people wouldn't get hurt. Something I've…" you close your eyes. "Something I've been less than successful at. I understand you want to he-"

"Don't pretend you understand! Nobody ever understood! Nobody ever cared! Not you, not Rin, not my father! Nobody ever cared because I wasn't worth caring about!" Sakura screams, jerking around to face you. "I'm weak! I've always been…" Sakura slumps. "Weak. I've never been strong enough, and now my sister is dead."

Your hands had been moving to steady her, but they still. "Your sister?" you… weren't even aware she had one. But then, when did Sakura ever talk about her home life?

Sakura looks away. "Rin… Rin was my sister."

Your heart skips a beat, and a chill fills you. "Ri… how?"

Sakura turns her head slowly towards you, her eyes vacant of emotion. "I was a Magus. Rin was a Magus. A family can only have one magical heir. I was given to the Matou. They found a use for me. Rin never cared." Her lip twitches, like she wants to smile but can't. "I don't know what to do now that she's dead. Be happy? Sad?" She looks away once more. "Nobody ever cared, so I don't know what I'm supposed to be feeling." Sakura hangs her head. " "I'm… I'm… I'm not even supposed to be alive."

Your arms wrap around her, a million questions running through your mind. None of them are any more important than the overriding desire to hold her until everything is alright again. "I'm sorry, Sakura. I know that isn't enough, but I'm sorry."

Sakura hesitates for a moment, then her hands gently move to hold your arms there. She says nothing, but as she begins to cry silently, you simply hold her tighter. You don't say anything, you are simply there for her. A rock, just as you are for Ayako, just as you are for everyone else you could be. It could have lasted half an hour, hell, it could have lasted the entire rest of the day and you would be there for her. But eventually the tears stop falling, she doesn't move however, her hands still on your arms as if afraid you'll disappear the moment she lets go. You refuse to let go yourself, she could stay there as long as she needed to, she had been through much lately, too much. It wasn't the first time the two of you had sat in simple silence, but it was the first time it had been filled with as much emotion.

"I still remember meeting you for the first time," you say quietly. "Back when I was still friends with Shinji years ago. You were so quiet then, I don't think you even said a word to me."

Sakura lets out a quiet breath. "Shinji had never brought anyone home… I didn't know what was going on."

You smile, "then we started talking at the archery club."

"I thought you were going to quit a few months ago. Ayako was… grumbling about it, saying you were running away."

"I had been thinking about it," you admit. "But… Taiga told me I actually needed a hobby that would cause me to interact with people instead of practicing magic in the shed all day… not that she knew about what I was actually doing there."

Sakura nods. "I saw you there once… a year ago. I knew you were a magus."

"Then why were you so surprised when you found me with Medea in my house?"

Sakura stirs slightly, adjusting herself against you. But doesn't remove herself. "I didn't want you to be involved in the war…" she says quietly. "I knew you were a Magus, but I was hoping I was wrong… or that you wouldn't get involved."

"I wish I didn't have to be," you say honestly. "I really wish I didn't. But too many lives are at risk."

"Why does it have to be you?"

"It has to be someone… and nobody else is doing anything. Not Ruler, not the other masters… whoever they are. Shinji certainly didn't, neither did…" you pause.

"Rin." Sakura finishes for you.

You say nothing for a few moments, then. "I knew you were a Magus too."

Sakura's head jerks, her red eyes looking up at you in confusion in alarm. "H-how? Not even Rin did."

"By lying." You reply with a smile.

Sakura stares at you wide eyed. Then her glares, her hand slapping yours lightly. "Shirou…" But she has a small smile on her face as well now, a far, far better expression than she had been wearing.

"Well I'm sorry, now I know I'll have to ask Medea to guard that shed to protect myself from peepers…" You shake your head. "Not that it matters, I'm going to have to go house hunting as soon as this is all over."

Sakura giggles, it's a quiet thing, but far better than how she was feeling just a few minutes prior. "There isn't much left of mine." Her head then looks up, scanning the room. It was nearly identical to yours in every way, barring the inclusion of a standing mirror in the corner. "This is… too much."

"I thought the same about Raiga's," you admit. "But I didn't have much of a choice there either. It's better than being homeless, and Illya is friendly."

"How do you know that?" Sakura asks, sounding more curious than accusatory. "You've only just met her."

You frown, wondering how to say this properly. "She's…" you sigh. "She's different, but she's helped me. Without getting anything in return really. She could have easily killed me whenever she wanted, on multiple occasions. If she was truly an enemy master, I wouldn't still be here right now."

"That… seems…"

"Don't worry about it," you say tiredly. "I get enough about my failings from Me- Caster. She's quicker than Mister Kuzuki is at pointing out mistakes."

… Speaking of which he was in that building, you aren't sure why and frankly you are afraid to find out. You hadn't been to school in so long that for all you know it had turned into a madhouse. Or, at least, as mad as the rest of Fuyuki was at this point.

"She's teaching you magic, right?"

"A bit… it's mostly Circe however. I can ask her to help you if you want." You say.

Sakura nods her head, then leans it back against you. She squirms a bit, pushing herself closer to you. "You're all I have left Shirou… I want to help."

You open your mouth to respond, but any response you have dies in your throat as she turns herself slowly around. Her eyes were… lidded slightly, and she was panting again. A fierce blush had overtaken her now as her hands press against your knees.

"Sakura, are you alr-"

She darts forward, her mouth capturing your own. You grunt in surprise, then fall back to the floor. Sakura goes with you, her lips never leaving your own. She molds herself against you, her legs tangling around yours, her hands now pressing against your shoulder. She removes herself a good twenty seconds later, her blush brighter than ever, her breath hot and heavy. "I'm sorry Shirou… I'm sorry… but I can't hold it back anymore."

And… you smelled something… something strange as she began to lean down again. Ever since Sakura had been staying with you outside her own house you had been starting to smell her magic more. A light scent, like… iron flowers. It wasn't a scent per se, most magic didn't rely on the 'senses'. But it was the detection of things unusual, anything different than normal. And now you smelled… you didn't know what it was. But it was rotting.

But Sakura pressed against you, still babbling apologies, tears flowing freely from her eyes as she held you against her. "I love you Shirou, you don't deserve someone as filthy as me…" She leans back, hands moving to her jacket. She grinds herself against you, crotch rubbing against crotch. "I'm sorry."

—

[] [You aren't filthy Sakura]
You never would be, this was moving too quickly, but if she needed the comfort, you weren't going to argue.

[] [Push her off]
This was going quickly, far too quickly.

[] [Call Medea]
Something was odd about this, she turned around too quickly. You tried to improve her mood, but this?

[] [Write-in]

 

[Erien]

I'm on vacation,

I'm starting new stories on vacation because I'm an idiot!

Feel free to check it out. Next chapter next week.

Knockturned for The Better (Harry Potter Shopkeeper Quest)

Capitalism! Mad Wizards! Or, more plainly. The madness of running an antique shop in magical England.

forums.sufficientvelocity.com

 

[Erien]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-wNNKXN0Hc

[Call Medea]
Something is odd about this, she turned around too quickly. You tried to improve her mood, but this?

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

His favorite character is Spishtar!

—

"I love you Shirou, you don't deserve someone as filthy as me…" She leans back, hands moving to her jacket. She grinds herself against you, crotch rubbing against crotch. "I'm sorry."

The first thing that crossed your mind, to your shame, is that you weren't exactly against this. You had never looked at Sakura in a romantic light -to be honest, until a week prior you hadn't looked at anyone in a romantic light. You didn't frankly deserve that kind of attention- but Sakura is genuinely attractive, and her rubbing herself against you is proving to be a suitable distraction for the higher brain functions. In another time, in another place, you probably would have simply gone along with it. But the scent of iron remained, and this is happening far too quickly.

Your hands move to her shoulders and push her back. Sakura's eyes widen in alarm, panic, and then shame in that order. She opens her mouth to speak, to apologize likely. But you were shouting before she could. "Medea!"

Then your Caster is there, and her sudden appearance is likely the only thing that saves your life at that moment. Sakura stumbles back, her face covering her hands, then-

*BANG*

Spheres of black… nothing filled the room, spikes of liquid shadow erupting from them and detonating. The floor erupts into shattered masonry with each hit, and the scent is stronger than ever. Medea's hand is outstretched, a shimmering shield of purple separating the two of you from the rest of the room. The lights in the room dim unnaturally, and the shadows grow larger and begin to twist and writhe impossibly around you. Sakura meanwhile, is screaming, her head shaking from side to side as she continues to stumble back.

Then another figure is there. Archer is beside Sakura, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his chest. Then Caster is moving, clearing the space between you and Sakura in an instant, her hand pressing against Sakura's temple, and in the blink of an eye Sakura becomes a limp puppet in Archer's arms.

And then… it is over. No more exploding spheres, the shadows were normal, and the only oddity left is a strong scent of iron and ozone in the air. You stood up slowly, staring at the scene in front of you, then jerk as a hand lands on your shoulder. Your head shoots to the side, to see Circe standing there, a frown on her face.

"Shirou," Medea says, turning your attention back. "What happened here?"

You don't get the chance, as another voice speaks up. A voice you hadn't heard much the past few days, and one now filled with grief and anger. "It's the worms."

"... Pardon?" Medea says, slowly, carefully. Staring at Archer.

Archer gently lowers Sakura onto the ground, and he stares at her in mute silence for several moments, standing a silent vigil as the girl breathes easily. Then he looks up at your servant, his expression carefully neutral.

"My master…" Archer begins, then pauses. He looks down at Sakura again, then slowly lowers himself into a crouch. "A gift from her grandfather… to prepare her to be a vessel for himself. She is infested with his familiars, they leech her magical energy, using her, molding her. When she doesn't have enough, or when he desires it to be so… she…"

He shakes his head. "I thought I had gotten him, I thought I had done enough."

"What are you talking about?! What's wrong with Sakura!?" you shout, you had crossed the room without even thinking about it.

Circe brushes past you without a word, crouching over the girl.

"Zouken." Archer says simply, turning his attention to you. "He is a… vile bastard. He has been preparing Sakura to be a host for his soul."

"You knew this and didn't do anything about it?" you ask in disbelief.

"I tried, I killed Zouken's physical body, and I thought Shinji is going to bleed to death, but he made it to Kirei first."

"Kirei? That priest? What does he have to do with any of this?"

Archer opens his mouth like he wants to say something, pauses for a few moments. "He gave Shinji a servant so that he could fight in the grail war." He finally says.

"Oh my…" Circe says quietly. "I'm quite impressed," she continues, her hand hovering over Sakura's prone form. "Skill, but absolutely no morality."

Medea gives Archer one more look of curiosity, and annoyance, before making her way over to Sakura herself, mimicking Circe's action. Her eyes widen, then narrow, a look of anger on her face.

"Can you help her?" you ask.

"There are familiars coursing through ninety percent of her body, and she is so magically starved it's a miracle she's alive." Medea says clinically. "That's not counting the organ damage."

"Can you help her?" You ask again, more forcefully.

"Yes," Medea says after another moment. "But it would take time, and it would strengthen another master, even if it is one you are fond of." Medea then turns her head towards you, smiling thinly. "But I also know you wish to save her… and I would not let this stand regardless, I shall resolv-"

"We, shall resolve this issue. And then have a chat with her servant, my dear pupil." Circe says. The witch's' orange eyes narrow onto Archer. "I know you as you should be, but not as you are now. You are not who you are meant to be, are you? A man, then a puppet, now a guardian. But not, perhaps, the one this war expected."

Archer says nothing, he simply meets her gaze.

"Shirou, leave. This will be unpleasant." Medea says.

"I'd rather stay."

"Shirou," this time it's Circe. "We'll take care of this, but please. I would suggest you check on Ayako while we work." She smiles sweetly. "We shall take care of your friend. I swear upon my honor as a witch."

"She'll be fine, Shirou," Medea says, a deep frown on her face as she continues to look over Sakura. "This is… personal." She then looks to you, and gives you a gentle, calming, and… pleading smile.

"... Alright."

You linger for a moment longer, then step back out of the room, closing the door behind you and letting out a long, lingering breath. Your mind is racing, flitting from one thought to the next. Zouken? Shinji? Archer? There is something wrong with Sakura and you didn't even know, you couldn't even help. But your servants could, that is something at least. It is… something.

Your hand moves to your head, to rub at it or… something, but it misses, you stare at it, watching it shake. No… no. Ayako, where's Ayako. Something to distract you, someone who needs you. Too many people need you, but you would help them all.

You begin to walk, you stumble at first, but then you walk.

—

Finding Ayako isn't particularly difficult, mostly because of all the shouting.

The hallway shook around you as the sound of a magical detonation echoed, followed closely by the cry of "Motherfucker!". You pause before a door, a few seconds after the shaking has stopped, and then open it slowly. It reveals a large expansive room that in any other context would be a ballroom. With a large expansive domed ceiling, right red carpet, and plenty of decorations around the edges. But where one might expect tables, chairs, or a place for a band. There instead were numerous training dummies out and about and racks full of weapons filling the space. Also holes. Fresh, smoking holes in the carpet, revealing expensive, damaged marble.

Ayako is just a few feet away, laying on the carpet in her magical girl… cat… outfit… thing. She is panting, Ruby held loosely in her right hand as she stared unblinking and unfocused at the ceiling above her. The room around her is demolished, training dummies in pieces, the floor partially on fire, and Ayako herself looked to be sweating enough that you might need to take her to the hospital. Distantly, a door across the room opened, and you glanced up to see Leysritt walking in with a mop… and a hammer.

You aren't sure if Leysritt is planning to use the hammer on Ayako, and you don't particularly care to find out either. Bending down, you scoop up Ayako into your arms, she was skinny, but fairly toned all around, but then, so where you. Her eyes flit to you, narrowing slightly, but she seems too tired to speak, and without a word between the two of you you carry her out of the room and towards your own.

…

It's only as you close the door to your room that you realize what this looks like. But also you don't particularly care. You are also doing your best not to notice that Ruby has slowly slid itself out of Ayako's grip and has been climbing up your shirt to rest on your shoulder. You also choose to not notice the fact that it was nuzzling you.

You deposit Ayako onto the recliner just next to the overly-fancy bed, and then sit on the bed in question, staring at your girlfriend. "Are you alright?"

Ayako lazily moves her eyes to you, then she glares. You are seeing that a lot these days. "No, I'm far from fucking alright. I'm trying to learn magic from a talking plastic sti-"

"Birch." Ruby interrupts

"Dog park." Ayako says, shifting her glare to it for a moment. Then she sighs, "and I'm trying to survive all this shit. I just want to leave town and take my parents and brother… and you before you get yourself killed."

You sigh. "I can't leave, but if you want to protect your family I wouldn't object."

"Yeah, you can't fucking leave." Ayako says, raising her hands to the heavens before letting them fall lazily down to her sides across the arms of the recliner. "Because you have to save everyone else. Why? The fuck do you even owe them?"

"... Everything Ayako, I owe them everything." You reply quietly.

The glare fades, replaced instead by a look of confusion and concern. "What?"

You smile. It isn't a happy smile. "I have to help them Ayako, everyone. In this city, my servant, Circe, you. Everyone. They are all worth saving."

"Yeah, I get wanting to help people. But why you Shirou?"

—

Time for Ayako to learn the backstory.

[] ["Because my life is worth nothing."]
I should have died in the fire, but I didn't by a quirk of luck. The boy I was, the family I had. They are all gone. My parents survived, but I'm not that person anymore, I'm not even a person at all. My life has no meaning, only in what I can do for others. Don't pity me, it's something I accepted a long time ago. As long as I can help others, even a third-rate magus like myself… well, even my life has meaning. To make up for those who lost their lives. I'll save everyone.

[] ["Because someone has to."]
This war is chaos, the previous one was as well. Nobody helps, nobody seemingly wants to help. The servant summoned to do so seems powerless and distant. If nobody else will, I will. I will protect my loved ones. I can't save everyone, but I can save enough. I will always prioritize you all over the masses, but I won't abandon them either.

[] ["Because I simply want to."]
I don't need a reason to be a hero, a hero simply is. Perhaps that's crazy, perhaps that's foolish. It will certainly destroy me someday. But everyone I can help… it's worth it, it's always worth it. I don't need a reason. I will save those dear to me, and I will kill anyone who threatens them.