Fate/Clusterfuck (Fate/Stay Night)

[Erien]

[X] [Find the Castle]
Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

"Circe, are you alright?" you ask, turning your attention towards your teacher. Her arm still hung uselessly at her side from where she got clipped by that swordswoman.

Circe's eyes flit to you, and for once the smile on her face dims a little. "I shall be fine my dear pupil. Do not worry about this grand witch. What do you wish to do?"

She doesn't move to heal her arm, and you stare at her for a moment longer before looking over to Assassin and Archer. "We're going to continue looking for Illya's castle, could you two continue what you were doing?" you frown, looking past them towards the direction Rin ran off to. "We'll get nowhere chasing after her right now." Not with how powerful her servant was, you weren't in a position to deal with that at the moment, especially since it seemed Rin was no longer holding back in any capacity.

The image of that woman flashed in your mind for a moment, and you contained a grimace and a slight slump as the two servants leapt off the roof with little more than nods. Your attempts to hide any discomfort however, are apparently for naught as you feel a hand place itself upon your shoulder. Turning your head to look, you find Medea standing there, a carefully constructed expression of nothing on her face. "Master, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," you straighten yourself out. You're fine. It would do you no good at the moment to dwell on it, you should have expected this was going to continue happening. Though you very much wished it wouldn't. There was nothing you could do for that woman, nor was there anything you could do about Rin at the moment… but you would.

You feel the hand shift, and you catch Medea looking at Circe for a moment. Stepping forward, Medea wraps her arms around you and Fujimaru and leaps off the building.

—

In any other time, the forest would have been beautiful. Tall proud trees, old, far older than the city of Fuyuki itself surrounded the village. Small little dirt paths, frozen over ponds, and mounds of snow both on the ground and the trees decorated it. And with the sun glittering off of the white frost, it was genuinely breathtaking to see from the air. You had never flown before, at least, not from a plane. And now, seeing it without being carried by Rider? At a more sedate pace? You could honestly admit it was lovely.

You had never spent much time in the woods as a child. Kiritsugu had little interest in hiking, nor did Taiga. And with it being over four miles away from home, it was too far for you to simply wander. So, in truth, you had never much thought about the great forest that surrounded Fuyuki. Much less did you wonder about a gargantuan castle hiding within it. But as you sailed through the air, through the cold. You couldn't help but wonder why you never had. You flew just above the treetops, yourself tucked underneath Medea's right arm, while Fujimaru occupied her left. Just ahead, Sakura and Circe flew as well. Your childhood friend held snugly within Circe's wings as the witch sailed through the air. Neither witch was traveling at a particularly fast pace, partially so that you could take your time to look around, partially so that you could avoid being ambushed, and partially so the poor pitiful humans wouldn't be frozen to death by hundred mile an hour winds.

The search had been made in silence for the last half hour, your frustration mounting both from the absolutely catastrophe that was the morning, and the fact that somehow a castle was remaining hidden from you. You glance up towards Medea, the witch's eye flitting from spot to spot as she flies over the forest. She had been against this plan, but now that it had begun she was giving it her al-

"At least it's warmer than the last time I was in a place like this." Fujimaru says.

You turn to look at the other Magus. She has raised her hands to her face, rubbing them against her cheeks for a moment before clasping them underneath her armpits. "Last time?"

Fujimaru nods. "Twice… well, three times, but one didn't really count. I was stuck traipsing through Russia, then Scandinavia. Both were… less than pleasant."

"This servant must be quite dear to you to place your trust in another master so easily." Caster says, not bothering to look down.

Fujimaru's eyes flit up to the witch, then she smiles. "Yes, yes she is."

"We'll find her," you promise.

Fujimaru's smile widens, a genuine, pretty thing that almost makes the scars on her face fade away. "Thanks gramps!"

"... Gramps?" you reply, as Medea looks down at Fujimaru in confusion.

Fujimaru blinks, then she moves a hand to rub the side of her head as her cheeks flush. "Sorry, you reminded me of someone else?"

You're a taller than average athlete with bright red hair living in Japan. You get that all the time really. But you don't comment on it. "This servant of yours, what does she look like?"

Fujimaru pauses in the rubbing, and she adopts a look of relief as she realized you changed the subject. "My height, short pink hair. She carries a shield the same size she is."

Well, that will be easy to spot at the very least. Hopefully Illya knew something, it was a long shot. But you wanted to speak to her anyway, to make sure she was alright if nothing el-

Circe halted, Sakura letting out a yelp at the sudden stop. Medea herself was also stopped, a stricken look on her face. You, for your part, were barely breathing. The reason for that was quite simple. A woman was standing on the ground just below you, her long purple hair waving ever so slightly in the breeze. Around her arm was wrapped a long and winding chain, of course, while long, only a foot of it was left there, the other half, including the blade sticking out on the end of it, was wrapped around your throat.

You could feel the cold metal press against your flesh. And you forced yourself to control your breathing. If Illya's servant wanted you dead, you wouldn't live to be intimidated. How a woman dressed in purple standing in the middle of a white forest managed to be sneaky you haven't the slightest idea, but then, these servants have hardly been normal anyway.

"If you have come to see Illya, she will welcome you Shirou Emiya." Rider says calmly. "However, she would wish for you to come alone. I will not suffer a small army to intrude upon the domain of my master."

The chains then loosen, falling off of you and wrapping back around her arm. She then simply stands there, staring up at you… an odd thing considering the lack of visible eyes. Seemingly uncaring that both Medea and Circe were now pointing their weapons at her.

… This could get ugly.

—

[] [We're all going]

[] [Myself and Caster are going]

[] [Myself and Fujimaru are going]

[] [I'll go alone]

 

[Erien]

View: https://youtu.be/7Y7JziBUOMA?si=5dDzGvBJesyun9vD

[Mordred]

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

This occurred before they left.

—

Mother… where were you… mother, you had been left behind, I had done what I had been told to do. Where were you mother? Why did you abandon me like father? Was I not good enough mother? Was I not? I did my best mother, why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

PAIN.


Stumbling, falling. Crashing.


Gasp, breath. No air, can't breathe. Pain father, it hurts father. Why? I didn't… you didn't… Master, where? Mother… Mother… where were you… mother, I had been left behind, I had done what I had been told to do.

Where were you mother?

Why did you abandon me like father?

Was I not good enough mother?

Was I not?

I did my best mother, why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?

Why?

Why?​

Why?​

Why?

Why?

Why?​

Why?​

Why?

Why?​

Blood pools on the floor.


—


*Circe POV*

You enter the room, and you find what you had expected. She was at that part of the loop again. This Berserker of Shirou's was… a difficult sort. Her mind clouded by an impenetrable fog created by the Holy Grail war. Though you knew yourself the woman was quite insane even without the aid of madness enhancement.

She didn't look up as you entered the room, she didn't even know you existed. She was wholly focused on her delusions. She laid there on the flood, clutching her stomach as she bled eternally from the wound her father granted to her. Tears pouring down her face as her body spasmed and twitched. The woman, from what you monitored, ran in a cycle. She was either entirely passive but functional, capable of things such as eating and bathing. Or she was like this, a husk, a shell of a being with only enough sentience to make her existence cruel. There was more to it than that, you had been watching. The True Mordred Pendragon came out in times of battle, the adrenaline and focus allowing her to push past the shackles on her mind.

But they were as the gates of Tartarus, closed once, and never to be reopened except for short bursts of activity.

"Can you even hear me?" you ask.

Mordred does not move, nor does she acknowledge your presence in any other way. She laid there as a child would, crying for their mother. Soon she would pass this point, and either wait, or do nothing at all. It was a cycle, and a cruel one at that.

Letting yourself down onto your knees you turn the woman over, her armor clanking against the carpeted floor. Her green eyes stared past you towards the ceiling, seeing nothing, yet you suppose everything at the same time. What ghosts lived in her vision?

"I never liked you," you admit honestly. "But then, there were few I did much enjoy the company of. A witch isn't wont to have friends or companionship. Even in that place." You say quietly.

"Mother…" Mordred whispers.

"Soon enough." You reply. "But not here, not yet." Reaching down you place your hand over her yes, "Mordred Pendragon… may your dreams be peaceful at least while we are gone, may Hypnos guide you there, and may the Oneiroi see that they are far from any unpleasantness"

Her breathing stilled for a moment, then calmed. The tears halted, and as her hands moved away from her stomach, a small simple smile formed on her face.

This was all you could do for her, and you simply hoped it would be enough.

Reaching back you produced a single feather from your mantle, then, ever so gently. You placed it betwixt her fingers. "Guide her to some form of peace." You whisper. There was no cure for her, for this. It was simply another cruel thing amongst other cruelties that had inflicted themselves unto the family Pendragon. But you could at least grant her a pleasant, peaceful dream of knights and a fair, golden land.

Then you were gone. There were yet other tasks to perform.

 

[Erien]

[X] [Myself and Fujimaru are going]

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

You force yourself to remain calm, it is admittedly difficult, you have been ambushed twice this morning. And this was now… you had lost count in the last two weeks how many times you had been nearly killed. It was becoming a disturbingly regular occurrence. Kidnapped, stabbed, burned, chopped, decapitated, choked. You were known at school for not really being… active, emotionally. You knew your own reputation as a helpful, if not particularly interesting person. That suited you just fine, you didn't particularly care about attention as you weren't someone worth giving attention to.

Though as of late, it seemed you had little choice in the matter. Regardless, you kept yourself calm, staring down at the servant that had either simply been invisible given how none spotted a tall purple woman standing in the middle of a snowbank. Or, more likely given your own limited experience with her. Had simply moved so quickly that it didn't matter. "I wish to speak to Illya regarding a missing person. If she doesn't want me to bring my servants, that's fine and I understand, but I'm taking Fujimaru with me." You reply, gesturing to the girl. "It's her friend that is missing, so she should come with."

Illya's servant stares up at you for several moments, at least, you think she does. With that blindfold it's rather hard to tell precisely what she is looking at. "You would go without your servants so willingly?"

You nod your head, ignoring the fact that Caster was ever so slowly turning her own head to stare at you. "Of course, Illya's my sister after all, why wouldn't I?"

Circe, Sakura, Ritsuka and Caster are all staring at you now along with Illya's Servant, and you find yourself wondering briefly if you had done something wrong.

"Shirou… you… cannot." Caster says, she stops briefly after every word, like they are each a struggle to get out. "You cannot think this is a wise decision! In any capacity!"


"If Illya wanted me dead I would be already, thrice now." You reply evenly. "Her servant could have slain me at the house, I could have been killed at the castle, and I could have been killed here. But she hasn't, I trust her, and her servant."

"Shirou, I… I know what you… I know how you choose to perceive this world. But even you must see the fault in this action."

"That it's dangerous? Probably. But we'll get nothing by trying to force the issue and fight her servant, and I'm not putting anyone else in danger this morning if I can help it." Once was enough, thank you. And you were still processing the fact that you would likely have to deal with Rin, likely lethally, before this was all over. But that was not something you wanted to focus on at the moment.

Sakura speaks up, her quiet, nervous voice in opposition to Medea's last stern tone. "Are you sure, Shirou?"

"I am." You reply firmly. "Illya won't hurt me." You were less certain of that than you would outwardly admit. She had kidnapped you, and there was more than you could gleam from the short conversation you had had together. But it was a start, and you would take whatever you could get at the moment.

"Then… just be careful." Sakura says.

You smile. "I'll be back Sakura, it'll be fine."

Medea opens her mouth to argue once more, but is interrupted as you find yourself suddenly staring at the wing's of a hawk wrapping around you. With all the grace and dexterity of a pickpocket Circe swaps Sakura into Caster's arms, then takes yourself and Fujimaru down to the ground where she presents the both of you towards Illya's servant "Shirou has made you a counteroffer, do you accept it?" the Witch asks, smiling at the servant. You note, however, she was still not moving her damaged arm at all.

The servant was a bit taller than you, not to some massive extent, but she was taller. So she had to look down to gaze at you, then at Fujimaru. Fujimaru for her part was smiling up at the servant, showing no actual sign of nervousness. Whether that was confidence, or she did truly know that the blindfolded servant was 'fine' as she stated back in the school, you weren't aware.

"Agreed." The servant says quietly. Then, she reaches down to grab the two of you.

A moment later, all you heard was the wind.

—

The forest was large, the forest was dense, the forest was a maze of trees, rocks, rivers and streams that even the most experienced hiker could get lost in. People did, every year. Go in without a plan and go off the hiking trails, only to either never emerge again, or, more commonly, have to be rescued from where they had fallen.

You could say with complete earnesty that you had no idea where you were going, all you knew was that you had crossed miles in less than a minute. The trees didn't so much fly by you as become shapeless blurs. You could hear nothing but the wind, your eyes could barely be opened, the force was so intense that you could feel them being physically shoved back in your skull. That was true of your entire body, your clothes slammed against you, being pressed as tight against your body as possible without actually going through you.

All the while, Fujimaru seemed relatively relaxed. From what you could see past the giant wave of purple hair separating the two of you. Illya's Servant had said nothing since grabbing the two of you, but then, in the short, indeterminate amount of time that had passed between your lift and now, you could see the castle jutting out of the forest like a page rising out of a children's picture book. You had seen the interior, and only the interior. But now you knew for certain that this was nothing that you had ever seen in Japan before. Proud spires of tan brick rose out of the snowy forest, regal and austere, with hints of a blue roof tucked away underneath all the snow that had fallen upon it. A stone bridge leads to a portcullis gate, watched over by battlements… all for decoration, as everything about the place was to show off wealth and ostentatiousness, instead of serving as a place of defense and holdout. The idea was not new to you, but the concept of someone living in a castle in the modern era for simple comfort… was quite new.

Then you were standing there, in front of the rising portcullis. Your body didn't lurch, you barely even realized the change for a moment. One second you had been just crossing over the treeline and the castle had entered view. The next, you were there. Your feet on the ground, Illya's Servant's arms no longer wrapped around you. You blinked, moving one hand to rub your eyes, before you looked back to see… she wasn't there. Fujimaru was, standing just beside you, the woman staring straight ahead towards the castle. But Illya's servant wasn't, you turn your head this way and that, trying to catch sight of her, but she was nowhere to be seen.

… You draw in a breath, then begin walking forwards. Fujimaru takes up pace beside you a moment later, her eyes flicking up to the structure. "Nice place."

"Looks like too much to clean," you reply.

"With a house like this she probably has people for that," Fujimaru notes.

"She does," you reply. "One's there to greet us now."

At your mention of that Fujimaru looks back down to the gatehouse, where, indeed, one of the servants you had seen when you had last visited was standing there. Which you couldn't tell, they were both seemingly identical. But then, last time, you hadn't exactly been paying much attention either.

You come to a stop a few feet in front of her, meeting the maid eye to eye. "Hello I-"

"It is now time for you to die." The maid intones dully.

You tense, your hand moving to your side, for what, you weren't sure. But Fujimaru takes a quick step back before-

"That was a joke." The maid continues. "Are you here to see the Master?"

You nod your head. "I have a request to make of Illya, is she in?"

The maid tilts her head minutely. "Yes. She is awaiting your arrival at the grand hall."

"You asked… if he was here to see her, but then say that Illya was waiting for him already."

"Yes." The maid replies.

"And you don't see any paradox in that?" Fujimaru asks.

"No." She replies just as bluntly.

"... Alright, well, where's the grand hall?"

The maid steps back, turns, then begins walking into the ground. An invitation to follow, you suppose. The central garden, snow covered as it was, was just as pretty as when you were last here. And to your left you could see the same door you had wandered out of after having been kidnapped just a short lifetime ago prior. The maid however, leads to the right towards a building made up of many, many windows. She opens the door, then steps to the side. You look at her a moment, thank her, then step inside.

…

There was likely more wealth in this room than Raiga had in his entire home.

Your shoes clicked onto a white and black marble floor polished to a mirror sheer. You stood in an expansive chamber, more than a hundred yards from end to end. But not barren, far, far from it. The room was well lit by well over a dozen chandeliers, and well heated by no less than four roaring fireplaces set around the place. Portraits and paintings hung on the wall, each easily a dozen feet tall and half that wide, but they were so put into scale by the room itself that they seemed far smaller than they truly were. Expansive windows, each easily the size of your old dining room, and likely far more expensive than what had been there. Were dotted every six feet on both the lower, and upper level, illuminating what the chandeliers did not.

And it all somewhat paled in comparison to the princess standing at the far end. From the door you had entered she couldn't have been more than thirty feet away. Atop a marble staircase flanked by handrails of gold. With a spotless red rug running down them more like a river of blood than a stretch of fabric. Atop it, one hand on the rail, was Illya. Dressed far unlike you had ever seen her before. When you had last seen her she had been bundled up in winter clothing, now she was dressed in something far more flowing and loose. A purple longsleeved shirt that came down over a white skirt that flared out to just above her knees. Capped off by a pair of purple boots the same shade as the shirt. Between the gold lining, the gleaming buttons, and the silken ribbon she wore to hold it together around the neck, you could see that despite its 'simplicity' it was still quite an expensive outfit.

She was also frowning. "Why haven't you visited?" she asks, sounding more an indignant child than a princess.

"Sorry Illya." You say earnestly. "I've been very busy recently, and people have been trying to kill me… some got rather close."

The frown drops, and she gains a look of worry for a fraction of a second before it morphs into that of anger. "Then you shouldn't have ever left! I could have kept you safe here." Illya blinks. "I could have… yes… I could have just kept you here."

"I have people I have to look after," you say. "It's a lovely castle, and you are lovely as well. But I have people to look after mysel-"

"And I'm your sister, I should get priority, big brother." Illya replies. The frown returning. Then, with a rapid series of steps she makes her way down the staircase and comes to a stop in front of you. "What happened?"

"There's a monster out there hunting down random people, a big bulging mass of flesh and eyes and… frankly I couldn't tell you what he looked like fully. He changes everytime I think about him, if it even is a him. He stabbed me," you leave out Medea cauterizing the wound via magic, deliberately. "Then I got my hands burned by another servant, lost the use of them for a time." That was, you think, your fault. But you weren't quite sure yet. "And then I got… almost decapitated." You weren't sure how dreams worked in that regard, but it felt real enough for you at least.

"You should stay here where it's safe." Illya says. "That way I can look after you and we never have to be separated. Then we could play all day!"

"As… lovely as that would be, as I said I do have people I have to look after. And I'm sorry I couldn't come back quickly, that day I came back, after we had our talk, I found my home in ruins and I had to quickly find another place to stay. Things have been chaotic ever since."

"Even more reason for you to stay here." Illya presses. "I can keep you where nobody will ever hurt you again, then nobody can separate us!" she steps closer.

"Illya, I can't." You say, doing your best to sound calming despite her pleas. "I'll come by more often, I promise."

Illya looks up at your face, saying nothing for several moments. Her hands clutch at her side, balling into frankly adorable little fists, before she releases the tension, then turns her head towards Fujimaru. She stares at the woman for a good ten to fifteen seconds, her eyes flitting up and down. Before she takes a step back, grabs the hem of her dress, and curtsies. "I am Illyasviel von Einzbern, welcome to my manor."

The mood shift from desperate pleading to dignified courtly manner is nearly enough to get whiplash, but Fujimaru recovers admirably. "Fujimaru Ritsuka."

Illya smiles at her, then turns to look at you once more. "You needed to speak to me?"

"... Yes. Fujimaru?"

Fujimaru clears her throat. "My friend has gone missing, she's my height, wear's black armor and carries a cross-shield taller than she is. Purple eyes, pink hair. We were hoping you knew something about it."

Illya looks over to you. "You think I have her?"

"No." You reply earnestly. "But you are one of the few people I consider trustworthy that aren't immediately around me. So I wanted to check to see if you knew anything. Fujimaru isn't part of the grail war so I'm helping her."

"I don't know anyone like that," Illya says after a few seconds of staring at you, she had been gaining a small smile but wipes it away with visible effort.

"Then, could you help me look for her? I'm well aware of the speed of your servant."

"And why would I do that? I am a rival master in this war Shirou."

You tilt your head. "Because we're family?"

Illya blinks, once, then twice. Then she runs up the stairs. "Okay! I'm going to get dressed!"

She takes a right, then disappears through a door, leaving you standing there alone with Fujimaru.

"Well," Fujimaru says after a few seconds. "That was easy."

You were halfway sure Illya was about to kill you more than once, but still, yes. It ended well enough. But the question was… now what? You glance around the room, then to Fujimaru, then to the maid you could see waiting by the door where she had let you in. You could simply wait, you suppose, but this was the first time you were in the castle of your own free will.

… Hmm.

—

[] [Talk to the Maid]

[] [Look for Illya's Servant]

[] [Talk to Fujimaru]

 

[Erien]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfjconfe1BI

[The dead cannot lead the living]

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

This will be the last servant revelation for quite some time. Fitting I suppose.

—

The grail was wrong, one needed not to be a scholar to know that. It fought him every inch of the way, a seeping, cloying, darkness that tried to prevent his arrival. But he was stronger than it, and, in any case. He was needed. This… war was out of order, a city was being placed in chaos, the rules had been broken, and, above all others. There was a force, a darkness, building an army.

That was an action that would not be entertained.

His body birthed itself of the air, and, in the space between one moment and the next. He was alive once more. His body felt the chill for a moment, only a moment, before familiar clothes formed around his body. His boots hit the snow a second later, and he drew in a single, but long breath as he once more… lived. Blood filled limbs, senses activated, then sharpened far beyond human capabilities. His hands moved down by instinct and long practice, straightening his coat, then he turned his head towards the city. The Throne had prepared him for it, but there was something about seeing the world once more with his own eyes.

Too large for his taste, perhaps, yet beautiful regardless.

Then he turned his head to the west. He could not see it, he could not see them. But he knew it was there. An evil had formed, and it had conquered. And soon… very soon, it would march. He would fight it, as he had against other evils long ago, he would protect this world from the dead. But for now, he had other tasks to accomplish. Reaching up, he gingerly adjusted the hat upon his head, then he began his slow walk towards the city. He did not know how long this task would take to perform, he did not know what it would require, and he did not know when he would be home again.

But he knew he would be.

His rule had been one of simple faith that with enough perseverance one could overcome anything. And he would, then he would return to his deserved rest. He had never been summoned before, and he likely would never be again. But if this was the task set before him, he would do so to the utmost of his ability. With that thought, and a small simple smile he increased the speed of his march, he would admit some eagerness to see what had become of this world since he had been last alive.

… He could do without the knee deep snow however, it brought back uncomfortable memories of Pennsylvania.

He flexed his hand, feeling the saber strapped to his side. There was something in these woods, something… different, something evil. Not the same evil, but similar. He turned his head, ever so slowly to see it watching him. A hulking form, bulging with muscle and with madness in his eyes. It stared at him, he stared back. Then it moved, and the man whose life had been defined by battles fought again.

He had never been a ruler, he had been a leader to be certain, a guide, a voice of reason as necessary, and if truly required a tyrant. But the role of a ruler had been thrust upon him, he had served then, and now… he would again.

 

[Erien]

[] [Rin's Inner Turmoil]

[] [The Calamity of Ayako]

[] [Taiga's Promise]

[] [Mata Hari's Plot]

Next chapter by Tuesday.

 

[Erien]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-obPL9WW6Q

[Talk to the Maid]

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta!

—

You do believe wandering around the mansion aimlessly would do little more than cause Illya's rapid mood changes to devolve even further. And, at the moment, you didn't feel much like talking to Fujimaru either. That was not a slight against the woman, just… you still weren't entirely sure what you thought of her and this whole situation.

Well.

You knew what you thought about this, it was a concerted effort on your part at the moment not to think about that ruined shop. But regarding Fujimaru specifically, you didn't know. Chaldea as a concept was a lot to think about, and you had far larger worries at the moment. Namely just keeping everyone you cared for alive, something the universe was seemingly doing its best to make difficult. But you would. You would, and you would pay any cost to do it. But for now… now you wanted to talk to Illya's maid.

You had now met her twice, and both times she had done her best to throw you immediately off balance, and, much to your chagrin, you didn't even know her name. That would need to be rectified since you planned on working with, and getting to know Illya better in the future. That, and the concept itself interested you. Raiga had staff, to be certain, but a maid was something you had no experience with, and those cafes that Gai mentioned sneaking off to whenever his mother wasn't looking… You had turned down his invitation more than once. Though that had somehow led to a passing mention to Otoko, which led to her getting ideas of retheming Copenhagen until her father yelled that idea out of her brain. You did not understand that woman, but then, you came to a realization a long time ago you didn't understand most women. And you certainly didn't understand their interest in you.

But you were distracting yourself. Without a word to Fujimaru you make your way back over to the door, a quick glance over the shoulder shows the master-sans-servant wasn't following, instead looking around at the opulence on display with a look of polite 'while I do not particularly care for the level of wealth on display, I am observing it patiently and with consideration in case you quiz me on it'. It was a skill you had obtained from years of dealing with Raiga. Of course, Raiga didn't have a castle.

Probably.

Opening to the door to the outside, you wince momentarily at the sharp contrast of the heated interior to the Winter making its presence known outside. The plaza was beautiful, if now covered, and you give it only a moment's glance before you look at the Florence Nightingale to your left. At least, that is what the outfit reminded you of in the very least. As the door shuts behind you she ever so slightly turns to look at you, bright red eyes observing you with no hint of emotion. There was no hint of emotion anywhere on her to be honest, she stood there, still as a statue with her hands clasped in front of her waist. Beyond that slight move to observe you, she might as well have been a mannequin.

"Do you require something?" the maid asks after another moment, her posture unchanging.

"I was hoping to talk to you a bit," you respond with a smile.

She stares at you in silence, for seconds drawing on long enough that it almost makes you miss the awkwardness of dealing with Caster at times. Especially after that dre-

You weren't going to think about that at the moment. You still needed to… ask her about that.

"Why?" the maid finally asks.

"I was just hoping to get to know you better." You reply honestly. "I met Illya, and her servant, and you that day."

The maid processes that, then nods, her eyes closing as she does so. "You wish to get into my good graces so that you can use me to sneak into the castle at a later date and murder Lady Illya."

You stare at her, not quite sure what to say. So you simply say. "No."

The maid's eyes open once more. "I see." Then she takes a step to the side. "Then you are doing this so that you may have your way with me."

You open your mouth to defend yourself, but the maid cuts you off.

"My Master's servant has stated you were surrounded by many women, I would have hoped that that would have been enough to protect myself. But I see you are but a wild beast that cannot be contained. Tell me, are you seeking my Lady as well?"

"... I never even got your name." You finally manage to get out.

The maid says nothing once more for several seconds, her eyes studying you for several moments before she speaks. "Leysritt. I am in charge of the garden, cooking, and the laundry."

"That's… a lot of work, are there only the two of you?" you ask, having seen none else around.

Leysritt nods. "Sella is in charge of the cleaning."

You were about to remark on the difference in workload, about to, until you recalled how large this building was. "Are you… a Spirit Liner? If you don't mind me asking?" you would have asked if she was a servant, but she would likely turn that statement around quickly.

"No." Leyritt replies simply. "Lady Illya only has one. I am but a maid in her service. Destined to forever take care of the garden and to cook."

"I think you forgot about the laundry."

"I was attempting to, yes." Leysritt replies. "Milady's dresses are too fragile for a washing machine. Each takes several hours of careful preparation and work so that she may toss them onto the floor once the day is over."

"I-"

"But if they get dirty it is my fault, even if I cannot control the fact that one tends to get messy while flying through the forest at roughly the same speed as a rocket attempting to leave the atmosphere."

"Sounds like a lot of work," you say quietly.

Leyritt nods minutely. "Yes. But Lady Illya is a good master."

That causes you to smile. "Have you been with her for long?"

"My entire life," Leysritt responds. "It is my purpose."

That's a fair bit of dedication, but then, you didn't even pretend to understand how rich people functioned. "Well, it's very nice to meet you in any case, Leysritt."

She smiles, slightly, but it's there. "It is a pleasure Shirou. Now, Illya prefers Vanilla cakes and I should stress that."

You blink.

"She prefers to be in bed at nine, however, for her health it is best if she is tucked in by seven and no later. However, if she complains about it, do not attempt to dissuade her from whatever choice she makes regarding a proper bedtime."

"Be-"

"Her preferred tea is Liu An, though she can accept Spring Longjing if necessary. She prefers to drink it with fresh biscuits prepa-"

"I came here to talk to you, not to ask about Illya." You interject.

Leysritt blinks, several times in rapid succession actually. "So you do wish to have your way with me?"

You felt an overpowering desire to scream, but said urge was removed as the doors to the parlor swung open to reveal Illya. She had changed out of her dress into… what you believe may be called a coat, but it was far fancier and had far more buttons than those you had ever seen before. Purple… wool or velvet ran down to her knees, with a white scarf or cravat wrapped around her neck. On top of her head was a squat and flat purple hat, and from the knees down she was bare legged until you reached her feet, which were covered in boots made of the same material as the dress it appeared.

You might wonder if she was cold, but the fire in her eyes was likely enough to heat the rest of her just fine. Her eyes glowed as she caught sight of you, before, with great apparent effort, she stood up straight. Coughed into her hand, then smiled at you, "how do I look?"

"Pretty." You answer simply.

Illya's smile could have melted the snow away.

—

In rapid order Illya's servant was summoned, and you now all stood, including Fujimaru but not Leysritt, the maid having excused herself. In the parlor. "So, Shirou, what precisely do you desire?" Illya asks.

"Has this happened before?" you ask, turning your gaze to Fujimaru.

Fujimaru nods. "Unfortunately. Mash… my servant, she would attempt to find the nearest leyline, or she would hole up in a safe place. Though she hardly followed protocol, she always tried to find me instead."

… You didn't know anything about the leylines in Fuyuki. But you at least knew some people who might, that being Caster and perhaps Sakura. Beyond that, if she was trying to find people, there was always the police, you had a few friends there as well. You look to Illya. "Can I collect my servants and friends for this?"

Illya goes silent for several moments, her face impassive. Then she looks to her servant who… nods.

Illya looks back towards you, "I don't mind."

Well, that's a relief.

"I suggest-"

—

[] [We ask my servants about the leylines]
You knew what they were but not where they were, of course, knowing what they granted a magus they were likely under watch as well. And they were.

[] [We head into the city]
Pink hair and a giant shield, not exactly subtle. Someone had to have seen her. But there was another, it was back.

[] [We check the school]
Grasping at straws, but it worked for Fujimaru. Though you aren't sure how they would have missed each other. Would be a good way to ask Issei however. But things weren't as they seemed.

—

Sorry for the short length, wasn't going to force it longer. But there'll be a sidestory this week.

 

[Erien]

View: https://youtu.be/q22ZJNhq6VI?si=yxmhxGqIENBSh4Od

[Rin's Inner Turmoil]
—

Rin Tohsaka was a Magus.

She was capable of wielding all the great elements, she was a sire of the Tohsaka family, she had summoned the strongest servant. All of these were things to be proud of, and she was. She was continuing the family tradition of excellence and living up to the legacy her father had left her.

She had lost her workshop, she had lost her relics and trinkets. But she was still a Magus, and a powerful one. This was something she could hold close to herself, even as she pressed herself against the wall of the alley.

Rin Tohsaka was a Master.

She hit the ground, her breath coming in pants, her arms wrapping around her knees. She had been running for a half hour, twenty minutes past the time she thought she might have been followed. But you could not be too careful, not when they were that close. Her servant materialized nearby, masked face looking down the alley towards the street beyond, saying nothing, showing nothing. Being just near her sickened Rin, Saber… Saber before had been quiet and taciturn, now she was no longer even like a human.

But that wasn't what she was focused about, it was… what Shirou had said to her.

Had he meant that? Shirou, Shirou would kill her? The boy who helped everybody, the idiot who was always running around the school, the boy who had…

Thoughts of the street came to her mind, memories uncalled for unbidden and unwanted. She… it was the best place, far away from wherever his workshop was, she ambushed him, it was the right decision. That woman had… she was just in the way, she was a human. It was… just unfortunate.

"Good work master." Saber said quietly.

Rin turned her head to look at the servant, her mask was gone now, revealing that corpselike face. She was smiling, she had never seen her smile, even before. She didn't much like it.

"Could have had them if they went into the forest," Saber continues. "But we nearly had them. It was tactically sound," she nods her head. "Next time, let me go all out earlier. Seems that weakling is distracted by collateral damage."

"... That woman in the shop." Rin said quietly.

Saber's grin turned vicious. "Could have killed him in there while he was distracted if that Caster hadn't gotten in the way. Next time we'll get them."

Then she turns her gaze back to the street, awaiting her master's next order.

…

Next time…

Rin Tohsaka was a Magus.

Rin Tohsaka was a Master.

Rin Tohsaka was a Young Girl.

And as she hugged her knees tighter to her chest, she began to cry.

 

[Erien]

Adhoc vote count started by Erien on Feb 6, 2024 at 9:20 PM, finished with 43 posts and 21 votes.

• ---

  13 people have voted

  [X] [We ask my servants about the leylines]

  • Parzival95
  • silentorphan
  • nmorrow
  • SomeOneElse007
  • Ferb_Ancos
  • Modus_Tollens
  • DragonOfAtlantis
  • Toygu
  • AsAft
  • DarkVeracity
  • ew28
  • Touch Dom
  • Nevill

  4 people have voted

  [X] [We check the school]

  • Martin Bajar
  • Ghost in the sun
  • Glernaj
  • Preventer Squall

  2 people have voted

  [X] [We head into the city]

  • TheFairTyrant
  • Nottheunmaker

  1 people have voted

  [X] [We ask my servants about the leylines] sounds like what a Singularities and Lostbelt veteran would look for with Senpai missing...again

  • F.I.M.M.98

  1 people have voted

  [X] [We check the school] But with Illya in our group Shiro could use a break wether he wants it or not with Illya being a expert magus, besides it'll help us bond with our older sister

  • Wateryblue

Locking in 24.

In the meantime, have Shirou's life.


View: https://i.imgur.com/5hQBIvU.png

Courtesy of my good friend Mel.

Melisa Ong Mi Qin (@MelisaOngMiQin) | Twitter

The latest Tweets from Melisa Ong Mi Qin (@MelisaOngMiQin): "So *happy* to see my Country standing TOGETHER with the others!~ ^.^ https://t.co/KuYTeRMH2I"

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[Erien]

[We ask my servants about the leylines]
You knew what they were but not where they were, of course, knowing what they granted a magus they were likely under watch as well. And they were.

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta! He's very handsome!

—

"Fujimaru's servant is supposed to head for the leylines, so… we should just need to check those. I know there are several in the city, but I don't know where they are, my fathe… you pause, looking at Illya. "Our father never told me. But Caster would, I wouldn't be surprised if she hadn't scouted them out already."

"You believe she did so without telling you?" Illya's servant asks.

You look up at the purple-themed servant. "She does a lot of things without telling me, some of them are even for my benefit. She probably has three workshops there along with a portal that will make me stumble headfirst into Circe's temple." You wince as the name leaves your lips, then remember you were no longer under that specific curse. "If not, her abilities will likely let her find them easily enough. She's an utterly fantastic mage."

Illya nods, smiling an adorable smile. "Then… where are we going?"

You pause for a moment, thinking. The house would likely be a poor decision, not that you didn't trust Illya. Just, you would rather not draw yet more attention onto the place. The park would work, but… you have also just come to the realization that you have no means of contacting Caster. You knew there was a spell magus could learn to communicate with familiars… but you were, and would likely forever remain, a remarkably bad magus.

So, knowing her. Probably back at the house much as you would like to do otherwise, if only because her wards would inform her of your arrival. She was probably waiting for that, so that she could reprimand you properly for your actions. Unfortunately for her, that would have to wait until at least the evening, where she could do so both privately and when you weren't so busy. "Would you happen to know where the Fujimura compound is?" you ask, looking back to Illya's servant.

The servant nods, you… didn't expect her to actually know that, but you won't look a gift horse in the mouth. "Then there please."

—

It had taken you a good hour to walk through town, and another while after that to be 'picked up' and taken to Illya's castle. You had returned from the castle and arrived back in the compound in just shy of five minutes. You don't recall much of it, as it seemed that Illya enjoyed her servant moving quickly, and everytime Illya showed joy at that, the servant would move faster, which would cause Illya joy, which would cause her servant to move faster. It was a vicious cycle that led to you making the journey with your eyes closed, but as you came to a stop in the compound, much to the surprise of the men and women in the immediate area… you didn't actually feel too out of sorts.

You did your best to ignore the surprise of those around you. Mostly because you had given up the masquerade… a thing you had never cared about to begin with, and because with Medea teleporting in front of you a split second later, you realized it meant precious little. Your father would be upset, you were sure. But he wasn't here to question your decisions at the moment. That was entirely Medea's job, and she, as always, did so splendidly.

"What are you thinkin?!." Caster hisses out. "Bringing them here?"

"Where are the leylines in the city?" you ask, not bothering to explain yourself at the moment.

Caster blinks, the anger on her face fading away as she realizes you answered her question with another. "The park where you found me, a mansion in town, and a nearby temple. Why?"

You nod, thinking over those. It wouldn't be the park, unless Fujimura's servant wished to make herself look homeless, and then, that was one of the nicest parts of the city, that ruse wouldn't last long. The mansions… you knew precious little about them, but the temple. There was only one temple, "Ryuudou, the Ryuudou temple. We'll be heading there, can you call Circe?"

"I…" Caster begins, then blinks, the frown returning a moment later. "Why? Master, explain yourself."

"I know the man who runs it, and his son. They take in the homeless and others that have no place to go. If Fujimaru's servant was going to be anywhere instead of searching for her, it would be at that temple, the park would be untenable, and I don't know much about the upper class of this city, so it's the best place to start."

Caster stares at you wordlessly for several moments. "And the reason you have brought your kidnapper to this place?"

"It's not kidnapping if it's done with good intention," you reply. "And regardless, it was my decision to make and I decided it was worth it. I trust Illya, much like I trust you Caster."

"... We will discuss this later, Master," Caster replies.

"Of that I have no doubt, now, can you please retrieve Circe and everyone else?" you ask.

Your servant disappears, and you let out a quiet breath.

"She means well, if it helps." Fujimaru says.

You look back towards the time-traveler. "She has her reasons, and I do not fault her for them." You reply. "Though it does… lead to stress."

A light pat on your back caused you to turn your head, only to see Illya smiling up at you with a wide smile on her face.

Well, at least someone was happy.

—

Circe, Archer, Medea and Sakura arrived ten minutes later. Archer carrying Sakura, Medea looking annoyed, and Circe… still only using one arm, the other was hanging uselessly at her side. You want to ask, but now wasn't the time, especially since she spoke first.

"My darling piglet!" Circe says, smiling from ear to gigantic ear. "What have you found?"

"My sister is willing to help," you say, gesturing to the girl by your said. "Illya, my friends."

Illya steps forward, her hands moving to her skirt as she performs a picture perfect curtsy. "Illyasviel von Einzbern. Head of the Einzbern family, and Shirou's sister." She then raises her head, and… halts unnaturally, her gaze fixing upon Sakura. She catches herself and recovers a moment later. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Sakura blinks in apparent surprise, then catches herself. Returning the gesture before smiling down at the girl. "Sa… Sakura Matou. It is nice to meet you."

"Circe."

"Archer."

Illya nods to them in turn, and you look over the group curiously. "Where's Taiga's?"

"Still searching," Caster replies. "She's also making sure that the other master isn't tracking you." There was bite to that statement, you ignore it.

Instead you nod your head. "I have reason to believe Fujimaru's servant is at the Ryuudou temple, that's where we'll be heading next. I know the way there, and it's not a far walk… from the old house."

"Do you plan on walking boy?" a new, voice, grizzled with age asks.

You turn your head to see Raiga making his way out of the building, his cane tapping against the ground. "I-"

"Will be taking one of my vehicles, I will not have you traipsing across the city in public view, lest there are more incidents like this morning."

"Raiga, the last time-"

"The last time was unfortunate, I admit." Raiga says. "And I have already given my suggestions to that organization. But I will not have a friend of the family, a boy I see as my own grandson, travel unescorted, at least to his destination. I presume you will have no objections to this?"

You say nothing.

Raiga smiles, it is not a friendly smile. "That's good, now, go upon this errand of yours. I shall speak to you this evening regarding events in the city." The man then turns, before pausing. "And boy?"

"Yes Raiga?"

"Do understand that I will expect recompense for this, the manner of which has already been decided."

"... I don't suppose you'd be willing to share what that would be?"

"In due time, due time." Raiga replies, leaving you to simply stare after him in silence.

…

"So… what are you to Shirou exactly?" Illya asks a few seconds later, looking at Sakura.

"Oh, a friend." Sakura replies, smiling simply. "How… well, do… you are a magus, correct?"

Illya nods her head. "Yep!"

Sakura was never the best around children, never had been. Though you did think she would be a good mother, she always seemed horrifically embarrassed whenever you told her that however. You watched the conversation with some amusement as a limousine was brought around, though you couldn't help but notice that Fujimaru was staring at the both of them with a rather… odd expression on her face.

—

The drive to the temple was, thankfully, a peaceful one. Containing little in the way of conversation besides Illya seemingly being bound and determined to learn as much about Sakura as possible. Why you couldn't say, but you let yourself relax for the first time since the attack in the morning.

It was a half hour before you reached the steps of the temple, and there the car was parked. Unlike the church where they were right near the doors, this was several hundred feet away. If only because that despite the amount of money Raiga had, he had failed to buy a car that could walk up a hundred steps up a hill. The goons opened the doors for the lot of you, then, to your relief, stayed by the car as the lot of you began making your way up the hill. With the servants invisible, it was just a group of four friends, or, three friends and a small child making their way to the temple, on a school day… while three of them were filthy from fighting an evil swordswoman earlier.

You were going to say it was relatively normal before you realized how stupid even the thought of that was and quashed it. Still. It was a staircase you had made your way up many, many times in the past. And you allowed yourself to relax further as your shoes clacked against the stone. The only conversation was that of silence between you, with Sakura to your left, Illya to your right, and Fujimaru taking up the spot just behind. A spot you would suspect she took in order to pace herself, as she had an eagerness to her step the entire way, you did somewhat as well, as finding her servant would be one of the few good things that had happened recently.

Cresting the temple, you take in the grounds you hadn't seen in several weeks. It was a simple thing, a large, singular building with a proud blue roof. Behind it there were more of course, but they were invisible from view at present. For now you stood in the shadow of the gate that marked the entrance to the temple proper, just nearby, turning his head to look at you was a priest, one of the many that resided here.

"Ah… Shirou, good…" He looks to the sky. "Almost noon, did… Issei send you here needing something?"

You smile, you don't recall the priest's name, but you knew his face. He was the usual type, bald and dressed in a robe. You had helped him long in the past delivering food to the less fortunate. "No, I was looking for someone actually."

The priest tilts his head, smiling. "Oh? Who might tha-"

"It wouldn't happen to be me would it, Emiya?" Shinji's voice responds to your left.


View: https://youtu.be/yOgi3nBDh04?list=PLr8oeV3cmlKm1pBlnXBN_3nvsg6ZDlSKR

You snap your head, and see Shinji Matou, stepping out of the shadow of the gatehouse. He looked… worse for wear. His left arm was missing, his sleeve tied up at the shoulder, and his face was… burnt, scarring covering the entire left side with the eye there being a milky white. A gasp came just beside you, and you didn't need to look to know it was Sakura.

Shinji's eyes… eye flitted to her, and a sneer came onto his face. "Ah. So that's where she went." He steps forward, coming to a stop side by side with the priest. "He said you would be showing up here at some point, it's been boring Shirou. Since when are you ever late for anything? Always such a boot-licker."

"I thought you were dead, Shinji," you reply.

The sneer returns, it had the impressive ability to make an already ugly face uglier. "From that? Not likely Emiya. Here I thought you'd be happier to see me. These priests were kind enough to take me in."

The priest smiles… slightly, but looks rather uncomfortable with the sudden change in mood.

"Too many surprises lately," you reply simply. You'll need apologize to the priest later if you had the chance.

The sneer drops, replaced instead by a look of simple hate. "Sakura, come here."

You feel her stir at your side, but she doesn't move. "N-no."

Shinji stares at her, saying nothing for a moment, before snorting. "So you're a magus Shirou, I suppose this makes things more interesting then."

"Interesting how?" you ask carefully.

Shinji then grins, a crazed thing. "Now I get to be better than you in more ways than one!" then he slaps the priest hard on the back. The man gasps, stumbling forward and into you. His eyes bulge in pain, and he opens his mouth to speak before a yellow smoke tumbles out of it.

Your eyes burn and your vision goes briefly hazy before a hand grabs you by the back of your shirt and yanks you back. You barely have time to register Caster holding onto you before you are twenty feet away further down the steps. The priest lands atop them, his body spasming. He hands dart to his throat, the flesh bulging outwards like an overinflated balloon as the skin rips open between his fingers, blood and yellow smoke pouring out. His eyes roll back in his head as loud, desperate wheezes escape his throat, tears pouring down his face.

You struggle to move forward, you struggle to help. But Medea holds onto you with vice grip before-

The man's throat bursts open in a torrent of blood, bone, and yellow smoke. He then goes limp, bleeding motionlessly upon the steps as the smoke begins to roll down the staircase towards you.

"Shouldn't have dodged Emiya, it just makes this take longer. This leyline is mine!" Shinji Matou laughs, "come any closer and I'll deal with the rest of the people in here the same way!"

"Master, a servant is near." Caster whispers.

…

Fine.

—

[] [Retreat for now]
You aren't leaving the people in this temple to Shinji's mercy.

[] [Go after the master]
If Shinji is the master of whatever servant is allowing this to happen, or if he did it himself, then he was going to die.

[] [Go after the servant]
Find the servant, end the servant.

[] [Go after the people]
We have to clear the area before we do any form of fighting here.

[] [Write-in]

 

[Erien]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_c5FPFdSow

[Archer, Rider and Circe go after Servant while we and Caster go after Shinji]

Thanks to @Armoury for the beta! He mains Lancers!

—

Your heart pounded in your chest, but your mind… was calm. It thundered with thoughts like a boat upon the ocean in one of Circe's tales… but you kept it in order. People were in danger, someone had already died. There was an enemy Magus here, and a Servant. Panic would get you less than nowhere. A servant was nearby, you had the numbers to deal with that, and you could deal with Shinji yourself.

You could. But why go alone if you didn't have to?

"Caster," you say quietly. "I'm going after Shinji. Help me with that. The rest of you, go after the servant. The sooner we get this under control the less danger there is for everyone else."

"Master that's…" Caster begins, then pauses, a perplexed expression on her face. "A fine plan actually."

"I agreed to help you find the missing servant, I didn't agree to fight another master Shirou." Illya comments. "Why should I?"

You turn your head to look at the white-haired master, thinking for a moment. There was genuinely no real reason why she should in terms of the Grail War. And you didn't know her well enough to know if the fact that Shinji had just murdered a man would be enough. Regardless. "Please?" you offer.

Illya stares at you for a moment, then she grins broadly. "Okay!"

Then she's gone, the only sign that she was ever there being a new fresh snowfall caused by the shockwave of Rider's movement.

"Shirou, are you sure?" Sakura asks.

You could hear Shinji yelling from the top of the steps, likely indignant about Rider and Illya moving. But you didn't care at the moment. Turning to look at Sakura you nod. "Do you want to head back with your servant?"

Sakura shakes her head. "No… no." She then looks up the hill towards her brother. "Archer, follow Rider. Carry me."

Then she was gone, Shinji letting out another squawk. Circe disappears a moment later, leaving you, Shinji and Medea alone. There was a bang further up the hill, and the sound of clashing steel a moment later.

Then you began to walk.

The smoke from the corpse was still present, but dissipating rapidly, and Shinji stared at you in shock for but a moment longer before readopting a familiar smug expression. It was the same he frequently wore back at school, the scars however, only made it uglier. Shinji doesn't move, he doesn't run, he just stands there, basking in his superiority as you crest the top of the staircase.

"So this is your plan Emiya, to get everyone in this temple killed, for what? The leylines? I never even knew the Emiya were magus before no-"

Shinji's words were cutoff as your fist collides with his mouth. Your circuits roared to life as you reinforced your hand and arm, and Shinji stumbled backwards, his hands moving to his mouth as blood poured down from it and onto his shirt. You leapt forward after him, one arm slamming against his chest, the other grabbing a leg and yanking it up. The boy tumbles, falling back onto the snow. His own hands shoot up, trying to block you as you fall onto him, but it does very little as you close the distance and press your arm against his throat. Not enough that he can't speak, but enough that you could crush his windpipe with only a little more effort and some reinforcement.

In some ways, you expected both this outcome when you attacked him, and the sheer panic in his eyes. It was always Shinji's style. He was a friend, but he never liked to get his hands dirty himself, he always tried to pawn off work. He likely expected you would focus on his servant and ignore him entirely, he likely assumed he wasn't even a target. He was a Magus however. That made him a target. It was one of the things Kiritsugu taught you, a Magus was always a target.

Your eyes flit to the command seals on his wrist, then to his face. "Shinji, did you kill that man, or did your servant?"

"H-how dare you strike me, Emi-"

His words gurgle as you press your arm against his neck, "Did you kill that man, or did your servant?" you ask again, releasing a pressure a few seconds later.

"Why!?"

You stare into Shinji's eyes. He was a friend, he had been a friend for a very long time now. But… no. No, you simply couldn't show mercy, not for that. "Because that information is the only thing keeping you alive."

"He was just a guy!" Shinji says through broken teeth.

You stare down at him, your thoughts coming to a screeching halt. So that's what it was. Exactly like it was with Rin. Just a man. Just a person. Not a Magus. Just a Human. That's how it was going to be this war. It's how it was with him, it's how it was with Rin, and it was how it was with that archer. People were just targets.

"Goodbye Shinji." You say quietly. Then begin pressing your elbow down.

Just at the exact moment his cheeks bulge outwards. A gurgling erupts from Shinji's lips, black bubbled bile pouring out profusely, mixing with his blood and saliva as his hands, arms, torso and legs begin to swell. You find yourself staring for a moment, in fascination as much as confusion before your instincts begin to cry out. You then find yourself pulled back once more by Medea, her cloak surrounding you as Shinij's body detonates into a cloud of black smoke.

The smoke lunges forward towards the two of you, taking a humanoid form of twisted tendrils of acrid, stinging smoke. Your eyes water, your throat seizes. Then Caster waves her hand, a frown on her face as a shimmering, purple field of fire surrounds the two of you. The smoke burns into nothing as it touches it, and in a matter of moments it was gone, the only trace of anything happening at all being the silhouette pressed into the snow where you and Shinji had fallen.

"Master, are you unharmed?" Medea asks.

You nod your head, you didn't feel well, but the effects were fading already. "What was that?"

"A poison, far below those of my time, but effective." Medea replies, "dare I ask why you charged him in such a manner?"

"Because I know Shinji, he thinks he's invincible and wouldn't bother trying to defend himself first. Where is he?"

Medea flies up into the air, and you take a moment to take stock of the area. Monks and others were pouring out of the building, the shrine was never heavily populated, and several faces you recognized were already making their way out. Fujimaru was off near the entrance, helping someone back down the staircase, while a woman you didn't recognize with… pink hair was helping one of the elders out of the building, the man covering his face was a rag.

You had but a moment to process that, and the sounds of ongoing battle behind the temple before Caster appeared, grabbed you by the back of your shirt, and lifted you in the air. She paused once you were fifty feet up and long before you had the chance to complain, instead she raised a hand to point to a figure running, or, more accurately, stumbling through the forest just outside the temple.

It was Shinji, and even from here you could see he was grinning. So he survived with a trick. That's fine. You draw in a breath then channel your magic, forming the image in your mind.

Judge the concept of creation… hypothesize the basic structure. Duplicate the composition material, imitate the skill of its making. A bow of composite wood appears in your hand. Sympathize with its growth, reproduce its history. Finalize the manufacturing process… the world is in decay, life is simply a perception. An arrow is knocked.

'Palintonos - Penelope'

You fire the arrow. It screams through the air, and your arms burn from the force of the bow releasing its tension. Your archery was designed for tournaments and competition, it was formal, it took far too long to be functional. But Shinji was a stumbling target.

And you never missed what you were aiming at.

The iron tip of the arrow went through his neck and jutting out the otherside, the teenager stumbled for a few moments before falling forward, his arms limp at his side.

"Caster…" you say quietly. "Please make sure he's…"

Your words fall short, and you look away.

"Of course Master." Caster replies. Then quickly lowers you both back onto the ground before she takes off into the forest.

You stand there for several moments, unsure if you should be helping people make it out of the temple and away from the fighting, or if you should be running towards the fighting yourself. Your decision however, is temporarily halted by Fujimaru's voice calling out.

"Mash!?"

You turn towards the sound of it to see Fujimaru at the midpoint of the steps, with that pink haired girl you noticed earlier at the top, having just made it with that elder she was helping move.

"Master!?"

With interest you watch as Fujimaru sprints up the steps, a wide smile on her face. The pink haired girl, Mash you suppose, has but a moment to look surprised before Fujimaru wraps her in a hug and kisses her.

… Mission accomplished, you suppose. You stare at them for only a moment longer, before you begin hurrying around to the back of the building.

—

You made it halfway before you ran headlong into the entire group, and none the worse for wear at that… Barring Circe but that was unchanged at this point. "What… happened?" you ask, looking over at the witch in question.

Circe opens her mouth to speak, but someone half her size answers. "Fled." Illya replies. "Was a giant ball of yellow gas, nothing human looking inside of it. It turned and ran just a little bit ago."

"Thirty seconds," Archer replies. "I tracked it a ways but it dissipated into nothing, not even magical energy. But I do not believe it to be defeated."

"Where's…" Sakura begins, looking at you.

"Dead," Caster replies, landing just to your left. "The command seals are no longer present and I have confirmed the body isn't a duplicate like before. The servant shall soon disappear now that its master has ceased to be."

You stare at Sakura, unsure of what to say. So you say nothing at all. The girl looks away, hands clasped in front of her as an expression you don't want to try and discern worms its way onto her face. You don't feel much like discerning or figuring out anything at the moment.

"With…" You draw in a breath. "With luck, that's one less problem to deal with." You say, "We also found Fujimaru's servant." You turn your head to see the woman in question still standing by the front of the shrine, your eyes meet, and she begins making her way over to the group.

—


View: https://youtu.be/ZKCCs9DNEJs?si=9KdZ2uSkkHElUe5s

—

Introductions were had, Fujimaru was grateful for your help. You didn't much recall the details however. She was somewhere in the mansion, she had tried to suggest she stay somewhere else, but you would rather her stay somewhere safe than back at the school… you didn't trust it, or anywhere else at the moment.

Illya had departed shortly afterwards, and had asked to go out with you again. You had agreed, and you vaguely recall inviting that she could stop by Raiga's whenever she wanted. Caster disagreed of course, you didn't particularly care.

The rest of the day had passed in an undefined blur, you had made your way back to the estate, checked on Berserker… doing nothing but staring at a wall. Sakura said little, did little, you hadn't paid much attention. After that you had a quiet dinner, then you had all gone your separate ways. You tried to think back on it, but… you honestly couldn't make out any of the details, it was far away from you now. The little things, the conversations, you could only focus on one thing in particular, and repeatedly at that.

—

Then you had sequestered yourself back in your room, staring at the bow in your lap. You hadn't called it back, you had simply never allowed it to fade away. Both from the fact that you might have needed it once more, and the fact that… you didn't really want to. You sat there, on the bed, staring down at the composite wood. It was an odd thing, so very different than the bows you were used to. In shape, form, and… purpose. But you had used it well enough, it fit into your hands well, and you understood how best to nock and draw the heavy thing despite having only wielded it briefly on Circe's Island.

It had a history, you were sure, though Circe hadn't gone into it. But it was a finely made thing, it, and the arrow you had summoned with it. It pulled cleanly, it loosed without snapping your fingers, and the arrow struck true.

Straight through the neck of one of your childhood friends.

You close your eyes, letting out another breath. He had to die, it was as simple as that. He was a magus, and beyond that, he was killing people. You knew Shinji was trouble, but never to that extent. You had, until just a few hours ago, thought him to be dead. You had thought him to be more moral than that.

But this grail war had ways of surprising you.

Far, far too many ways of surprising you.

You were beginning to understand why your father looked so very tired. Was this what being a Magus was about? You wanted to save people, it's why you wanted to become one to begin with. You had saved…

Who had you saved?

Ayako's brother…

Some priests at the temple, but not all.

But more had died. And they would continue to die. And you didn't see what you could do about it. You had no path forward despite Raiga's threats. There was nothing you could do about i-

The door to your room opened with a click, and you raised your head expecting to see Medea.

Failing that, you had expected to see Mordred wandering around as usual, the swordswoman as mindless as she ever was.

It was neither, instead it was… Circe. The woman opening the door without a word, slipping inside, then closing it behind her. She didn't speak even after, approaching like a ghost, not so much walking as gliding atop the carpet with the ease at which she moved. Then, in one smooth motion she discards her shoes and sits herself on the bed next to you, one hand moving to her lap, the other dangling useless at her side.

"Medea asked me to speak to you." Circe explains, answering the question of 'why she was here' before you could even ask it. "She thought I would be better suited."

"Why would you be better suited to talking to me?" you ask, allowing the bow to finally fade away.

Circe watches the motes of light for a moment, the golden orbs illuminating her briefly before the dim lighting of the room takes over once more. The bed creaked as she turned slightly, the only sound beyond that of your breathing. "Because I am a beautiful, humble, all powerful sorceress." Circe replies with a grin. Then it shrinks, turning into a more natural, smaller smile. "And I also understand the hearts of men far better than she."

"I'm fine."

"The most oft-repeated line in recorded history." Circe replies, the smile now fading entirely. "You became passive this afternoon, in a manner not fit for yourself naturally. You reacted, you smiled when necessary, you laughed. But you were no longer there, not truly. Medea noticed, as did I." She draws her knees up onto the bed, on arm wrapping around them. "Was it the priest, or the boy?"

…

"Both," you say quietly. "I'm tired of watching people die, I became a magus to help people, and… Shinji was a friend of mine, once."

"Would that I could say your situation was unique, Shirou." Circe says wistfully. "But you would not be the first, nor the last to grapple with such a thing, and you are kinder than most at that, so this affects you doubly." She removes the hand and waves it in front of herself, light from the desk lamp twists and bends as she does so, then it forms into images in the air, a golden trail linking the images it makes back to the light source. It forms scenes, men and women in war, walled cities, a dragon. "There are those like Achilles who saw themselves above other men, who thought nothing of the slaughter. There are those like Ajax who lived for it. There are those like Agamemnon, who simply believed it was what had to be done."

"I'm not any of those men," you reply.

"No," Circe agrees. "And that is for the better. You grieve for your failures, or what you perceive to be failures. That is not a bad thing, but do not let them overtake you. Medea would be quite sad if you wallowed in your misery, the same could be said for Sakura and Ayako."

"And Shinji?" you ask.

"Should he have lived? After what he had done? And do not think for a moment that was all he had done," Circe says. "He was a vile, wicked boy playing at being a man. The world will not mourn his loss."

"So it's fine that I killed him? I recognize that he was my enemy, that he was a magus on top of that. But that…"

"It isn't, no." Circe replies. "Or, at least. If you do not believe it to be fine, it isn't. Nor is it my task in this world to convince you that the blood upon your hands can be washed away with merely a thought. That is your burden to bear as you wish." Her hand then moves to your shoulder, and you turn your head to find yourself staring into her gemstone-like eyes. "But I will say that if you hadn't, more would have died. You saved more lives today than you took, by far."

You would have liked to say that made you feel better. But that would be a lie. You had too many memories of Shinji to just let them fade away like that, even if you recognized it had to be done. You just hoped Sakura could forgive you for it, you hadn't even had time to ask. Or… been willing to check with her afterwards.

"Now, dwelling on such things serves no purpose, at least, not without an ample supply of wine. Instead, let us discuss other matters. We shall go… tit for tat, as they say, I ask you a question, you ask me one." Circe smiles impishly. "More than Medea would give you."

She stretches out her legs, then lays back on the table. "Now tell me, do you have any questions for this grand witch?"

—

Choose two. This is popularity, not by plan.

[] [Why me?]
Why choose me for training? And how?

[] [That bow I used today]
Who did it belong to, really?

[] [Her relationship with Medea]
It doesn't seem particularly pleasant.

[] [Her thoughts on the situation.]
She spoke at length about… Mordred.

[] [Why… did she come onto you?]