Huh? Does Archer not know about Sakura's adoption or something? I figured he would know. Even if he followed something like Fate route, he would have learned about it sooner or later.
Ah well.
"Really?" I respond. "Maybe you should ask your Master. See what they think about it."
Fairly certain Tokiomi would set up the ability to receive and send messages to and from his Servant over long distances.
Irisvel's face turns serious.
"This needs to be got to the mediators. With the Greater Grail tainted like that, and the results of the Grail's wish twisted, it's worse than useless."
Saber continues to simmer in the background.
Listening to the conversation the situation seemed really urgent but something about the idea of going right to the mediator didn't feel right...I don't know what it was but it would be best to think things through first.
"Mom, we should get to the castle and contact dad first. Don't want him getting hurt in the mean time." I said to my mother with a quick glance at saber "and...I'm a bit worried about Onee-chan, we've been gone for a little while and...well she was feeling a little down earlier."
Listening to the conversation the situation seemed really urgent but something about the idea of going right to the mediator didn't feel right...I don't know what it was but it would be best to think things through first.
"Mom, we should get to the castle and contact dad first. Don't want him getting hurt in the mean time." I said to my mother with a quick glance at saber "and...I'm a bit worried about Onee-chan, we've been gone for a little while and...well she was feeling a little down earlier."
It appears an agreement is reached. The skeleton has entered the hotel, and hopefully will not need assistance.
I am not joining him. Not yet, at least. Considering this world has still hundreds of years to pass before Artificial Intelligence becomes widely used, my drone appearance is more than likely to draw a not so fine first reaction, at least not from the person we are out to meet. As such, I find myself hiding my drones... inside garbage cans.
Not particularly a clean hiding place, but at least one that will not attract unnecessary mundane attention.
As skeleton enters the building, you find yourself observing the surroundings.
While everything else seems to be in order, the hotel itself and the surrounding grounds seems to be quite devoid of human presence; uncannily so, without any clear reason.
After a few minutes of observation you feel faint rumbling from underground; as sound intensifies and the earth itself starts to lightly shake and buckle, you feel what the very few minutes of silence were granted to you are now finished.
Better not make any assumptions. Don't even call her Lancer, that might have changed.
...I wanted Diarmund.
"I came here to propose an alliance, against Caster and his Master." I explain. "They have already proven that they don't care about the secrecy of Magecraft, and my ally pointed me towards Kayneth when I asked if there are any Masters who are likely to help kill him. However, if you are being attacked, I would be glad to help defend the building with you, before discussing a possible alliance."
My breath caught in my throat at moms suggestion "Umm mom I don't think the car can be driven anymore." I said mostly thankful for that fact as it means we won't have to ...experience moms unique driving style.
"Walk." I huff as I turn in the direction of the castle and begin heading back to where we just left. Illya can keep up just fine, and Arthuria could carry Irisviel.
My breath caught in my throat at moms suggestion "Umm mom I don't think the car can be driven anymore." I said mostly thankful for that fact as it means we won't have to ...experience moms unique driving style.
"Walk." I huff as I turn in the direction of the castle and begin heading back to where we just left. Illya can keep up just fine, and Arthuria could carry Irisviel.
I give Saber a quick nod as a shot her a silent 'thank you' to Saber before turning to Alter "We should probably do the same, just...be careful alright we've already had enough accidents tonight"
I give Saber a quick nod as a shot her a silent 'thank you' to Saber before turning to Alter "We should probably do the same, just...be careful alright we've already had enough accidents tonight"
"Hmm, true enough. Though to be fair, the accident was on the part of your mother and not us." I pinch the bridge of my nose as I continue walking back down the way we came.
"Hmm, true enough. Though to be fair, the accident was on the part of your mother and not us." I pinch the bridge of my nose as I continue walking back down the way we came.
Huh? Does Archer not know about Sakura's adoption or something? I figured he would know. Even if he followed something like Fate route, he would have learned about it sooner or later.
Ah well.
"Really?" I respond. "Maybe you should ask your Master. See what they think about it."
Fairly certain Tokiomi would set up the ability to receive and send messages to, and from his Servant over long distances.
Archer proceeds to do what you assume is communicating with his Master, though you can't actually see him speak.
After a short while, he responds to you.
"My Master's given you permission to proceed to the lobby. Tread carefully."
He then vanishes.
The moment we arrived I breathed a sigh of relief, it didn't look like anyone had attacked while we were gone which is good. Turning to mom and Saber I smiled and said "Onee-chan should be inside, just give me a moment and i'll go get her"
With a quick hop out of Alter's arms I ran inside calling for my sister/clone "Kuro!! We're back!! We ran into mom on the way there!!" I called to her as I entered the lobby.
With Illya out of my hair, I take a moment to act on something that had been bothering me since we began our trek. Arturia and I are the same person, technically speaking. Both of us will suffer should someone figure out the others true identity. Therefor…
"Is the castle still furnished properly?" I ask Irisviel before she can run off to be with her daughter. I should make myself at least superficially different from Arturia as soon as possible. My mask will only go so far in concealing my identity.
With Illya out of my hair, I take a moment to act on something that had been bothering me since we began our trek. Arturia and I are the same person, technically speaking. Both of us will suffer should someone figure out the others true identity. Therefor…
"Is the castle still furnished properly?" I ask Irisviel before she can run off to be with her daughter. I should make myself at least superficially different from Arturia as soon as possible. My mask will only go so far in concealing my identity.
The moment we arrived I breathed a sigh of relief, it didn't look like anyone had attacked while we were gone which is good. Turning to mom and Saber I smiled and said "Onee-chan should be inside, just give me a moment and i'll go get her"
With a quick hop out of Alter's arms I ran inside calling for my sister/clone "Kuro!! We're back!! We ran into mom on the way there!!" I called to her as I entered the lobby.
Entering the lobby, you can see Kuro standing in the middle of the room, axe-sword embedded in the floor and pieces of armour scattered nearby her. The atmosphere is grim.
I stare at Irisviel for a moment before nodding my head at her and turning back towards the main building. The castle sits just as it was before, a little bit worse for wear after the brief scuttle we had with the birds. Nothing that was too noticeable from the outside.
Hopefully the castle is furnished enough that I can put my plans into motion. A change of hairstyles ought to go a long way towards differentiating myself and my twin. Though now that I think about it, the mask might be detrimental for my relationship with Illya.
…Well I guess she'll just have to get over it. Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to find a nice change of clothes. The armor isn't uncomfortable per say, but I'd be more comfortable in something that didn't make me look like a Moe Darth Vader.
I smirk and dip my head the thought comes to me.
First things first though. Into the building and find where they keep the hair brushes, and maybe the shower.
Entering the lobby, you can see Kuro standing in the middle of the room, axe-sword embedded in the floor and pieces of armour scattered nearby her. The atmosphere is grim.
Unfortunately, that plan will have to wait. I scan the lobby, looking for immediate threats, and place my hands on my sword as I get ready for more combat. I don't think I sense anything other than Kuro and Saber, but then I missed the fucking birds last time.
"Kuro, what's happened here? Are we under attack again?" I say while eyeing every corner of the room.
"The castle's not been used since the Third War, but it should be furnished."
Entering the lobby, you can see Kuro standing in the middle of the room, axe-sword embedded in the floor and pieces of armour scattered nearby her. The atmosphere is grim.
"Kuro?" I ask tentatively as I approach my sister gently placing my hand upon her shoulder. "W-what happened?" was all I could say to her as I glanced around, the armor reminding me of Mr Ling....but where is he?
As skeleton enters the building, you find yourself observing the surroundings.
While everything else seems to be in order, the hotel itself and the surrounding grounds seems to be quite devoid of human presence; uncannily so, without any clear reason.
After a few minutes of observation you feel faint rumbling from underground; as sound intensifies and the earth itself starts to lightly shake and buckle, you feel what the very few minutes of silence were granted to you are now finished.
Oh dear. It is likely the enemy has finally arrived. With the area otherwise appearing clear, I see no reason for me to remain hidden. I reactivate my drones, and have them exit the trash bins and garbage cans they had hidden themselves in.
I look around for a moment before focusing my attention to the hotel that the skeleton ally entered, and seeing that the area around my is quickly turning sour make the decision to attempt to enter the premise myself.
Archer proceeds to do what you assume is communicating with his Master, though you can't actually see him speak.
After a short while, he responds to you.
"My Master's given you permission to proceed to the lobby. Tread carefully."
He then vanishes.
Lovely. Let's meet with the next Master. Masters? Has Assassin 'died' yet? If not, I'm just counting my lucky stars that we have EMIYA here instead of Gilgamesh. I have to try and figure out how that happened; Tokiomi isn't the type to trust in comptability, an he isn't an essential no-name incapable of getting a good catalyst, so why would he end up with Mr. Unlimited Blade Works? What convinced him to use that gem?
...Also, it's kind of sad that I have nowhere to bring Sakura to but Mr. A+ Parent himself, but that's life.
Nothing for it. I start heading forward to the lobby where I've been directed. Trying to keep alert and hopefully not get shot at by Archer or an Assassin.
...However, there's no guarantee Kotomine has Assassin at this point. After all, things have changed greatly. Best stay on my guard for anything and everything.
Lovely. Let's meet with the next Master. Masters? Has Assassin 'died' yet? If not, I'm just counting my lucky stars that we have EMIYA here instead of Gilgamesh. I have to try to figure out how that happened; Tokiomi isn't the type to trust in compatibility, an he isn't an essential no-name incapable of getting a good catalyst, so why would he end up with Mr. Unlimited Blade Works? What convinced him to use that gem?
...Also, it's kind of sad that I have nowhere to bring Sakura to but Mr. A+ Parent himself, but that's life.
Nothing for it. I start heading forward to the lobby where I've been directed. Trying to keep alert and hopefully not get shot at by Archer or an Assassin.
...However, there's no guarantee Kotomine has Assassin at this point. After all, things have changed greatly. Best stay on my guard for anything and everything.
As you walk, you feel the bounded fields change, letting you through.
The top-notch mortal work; by quick estimation, they couldn't have stopped you for more than a few seconds even in this reduced state.
You enter the manor, Archer walking behind, his posture deceptively relaxed.
The head of Toshaka family, Toshaka Tokiomi himself looking like he is preparing for parade – or burial – stands in the hall, ready to greet you. The only thing what ruins the elegant image is a broken glass of wine barely hidden behind the table and the Tokiomi's hurt, hastily bandaged hand.
Then, among the smell of an expensive wine ruined, you catch a smell of human blood - and almost reflexively, with a small effort you tune it out. Something inside of you tells you what concentrating on the smell of blood is a bad idea.
Still, it seems, Toshaka hurt his hand pretty badly.
"Aaah..." He says looking almost stupidly, oblivious to your observation, barely able to keep his facade as it is, before catching himself. "Greetings, Arcuied Brunestud. What leads you here?" he says awkwardly, as his eyes slide to the child you carry, and then widen almost comically. Moment later, he begins to speak again - or tries to, grasping for air, trying with a great effort to say something.
"Why..." He says finally, and then stops before continuing. After a pause, he simply repeats himself as it should somehow make everything right again "...Why? What happened?"
"Kuro?" I ask tentatively as I approach my sister gently placing my hand upon her shoulder. "W-what happened?" was all I could say to her as I glanced around, the armor reminding me of Mr Ling....but where is he?
I stare at Irisviel for a moment before nodding my head at her and turning back towards the main building. The castle sits just as it was before, a little bit worse for wear after the brief scuttle we had with the birds. Nothing that was too noticeable from the outside.
Hopefully the castle is furnished enough that I can put my plans into motion. A change of hairstyles ought to go a long way towards differentiating myself and my twin. Though now that I think about it, the mask might be detrimental for my relationship with Illya.
…Well I guess she'll just have to get over it. Who knows, maybe I'll even be able to find a nice change of clothes. The armor isn't uncomfortable per say, but I'd be more comfortable in something that didn't make me look like a Moe Darth Vader.
I smirk and dip my head the thought comes to me.
First things first though. Into the building and find where they keep the hair brushes, and maybe the shower.
Unfortunately, that plan will have to wait. I scan the lobby, looking for immediate threats, and place my hands on my sword as I get ready for more combat. I don't think I sense anything other than Kuro and Saber, but then I missed the fucking birds last time.
"Kuro, what's happened here? Are we under attack again?" I say while eyeing every corner of the room.
She keeps silent for a few more moments, and then begins to slowly speak.
"I killed him. He went mad, and I killed him. So, he is dead now. Because I killed him. "
"He wasn't a friend, or anything. He was just a suit of armor. Why I am always killing people who are close to me?"
As she says the last words, her voice changes; you can barely hear a hint of somebody older, masculine voice of a giant...
Image of a man of impossible, imposing might crumbling under the weigh of sorrow flashes in you mind as Kuro just stands there, eye opened incredibly wide; her hands trembling.
She doesn't react to your touch, almost as she can't see you. A few moments later, she suddenly moves toward the sword and with a inhuman roar draws it from the stone only to throws it away with such a force what air cracks as the axe-sword accelerates beyond the speed of sound; crushing through the roof, and flying far, far away.
The same vile magic you felt from corrupted familiars.
As realisation settles in, the hotel trembles and for a few terrifying moments and then you feel how the building starts to fall down, before stopping a second later as abruptly as it begun to move.
As all movement cease, dead silence reigns for what seems to be eternity; Lancer grips her spear, in preparation, all indications of her desire to escape gone. The magical wards you felt while ascending here pulse with power, ready to defend the stronghold of their master.
Then the floor where you were standing just a few seconds ago bursts as a solid mass of horrible flesh, somewhat what could be barely called tentacle breaks through the stone and metal as tissue paper, only to continue to extend into the floors above you; it's smaller segments as possesing their own life start to lunge for you immediately.
As you see Lancer spring to action, stabbing and slashing at the enemy and passive defenses Kayneth set up take effect, you prepare to defend your own life.
Oh dear. It is likely the enemy has finally arrived. With the area otherwise appearing clear, I see no reason for me to remain hidden. I reactivate my drones, and have them exit the trash bins and garbage cans they had hidden themselves in.
I look around for a moment before focusing my attention to the hotel that the skeleton ally entered, and seeing that the area around my is quickly turning sour make the decision to attempt to enter the premise myself.
The source of the rumbling sounds moves away from you... Toward the Hyatt.
As it reaches it's destination, for a second, not a single sound could be heard.
Then, the earth starts to shacke and crumble, and with resounding crack, the earth splits below the gigantic building. As the dark abyss opens, Hyatt starts to collapse below... before something catches it.
The giant limbs burst through the ground, and start wrapping up around the Hyatt; vile, undescribable creatures start to slither through the lesser cracks; some an otherworldly, chthonic creature creature roars from below; the sound is loud enough to crack glass and echo across the whole city.
As the titanic masses of earth and flash move, the buildings around don't stay unharmed; as the earth quakes and shifts, some of them begin to slowly tilt into the darkness.
In the cacophony of destroyed stone and metal you hear human screams; barely a few second later, people start appearing on the streets.
Afraid, and panicking, they are running away from crumbling buildings, leaving their though-to-be safe home in attempt to escape from the newly created hell; as horrifying creatures grasp and claw at them, dragging them into the dark abyss below, they try to escape.
Confused, panicking, almost blind from the sudden darkness - many of them are going to die today, unless somebody helps.
As you walk, you feel the bounded fields change, letting you through.
The top-notch mortal work; by quick estimation, they couldn't have stopped you for more than a few seconds even in this reduced state.
You enter the manor, Archer walking behind, his posture deceptively relaxed.
The head of Toshaka family, Toshaka Tokiomi himself looking like he is preparing for parade – or burial – stands in the hall, ready to greet you. The only thing what ruins the elegant image is a broken glass of wine barely hidden behind the table and the Tokiomi's hurt, hastily bandaged hand.
Then, among the smell of an expensive wine ruined, you catch a smell of human blood - and almost reflexively, with a small effort you tune it out. Something inside of you tells you what concentrating on the smell of blood is a bad idea.
Still, it seems, Toshaka hurt his hand pretty badly.
"Aaah..." He says looking almost stupidly, oblivious to your observation, barely able to keep his facade as it is, before catching himself. "Greetings, Arcuied Brunestud. What leads you here?" he says awkwardly, as his eyes slide to the child you carry, and then widen almost comically. Moment later, he begins to speak again - or tries to, grasping for air, trying with a great effort to say something.
"Why..." He says finally, and then stops before continuing. After a pause, he simply repeats himself as it should somehow make everything right again "...Why? What happened?"
...Okay, seriously, what did I miss? I feel like I accidentally skipped the first quarter of the book and am just now arriving after all the important characters and set up of plot lines has occurred. I would normally have unfair future knowledge in this situation, but with the way things are going, I actually feel like I know less than I would if I was just Arcueid. I have two many assumptions, assumptions that I have no way of knowing whether they're correct or not until I actually run into something that challenges them. I have enough powers to survive mistakes, but that in itself is an assumption that could be challenged. For example, what if Lancer is Cu Chulainn and I end up in a fight with him? I know Gae Bolg can kill me. And while EMIYA was less able to spam Noble Phantasm activated effects than Gilgamesh, he probably has that in his repertoire. And Tokiomi obviously doesn't know what happened, considering his reaction to seeing Sakura.
So, best to make nice. Or at least tell something close the truth.
"I was hoping you could tell me. I found her under a pile of rubble that used to be the Matou mansion. She was the only thing alive left there. Any ideas who or what caused that?" I explain, and ask. Tokiomi could have some information that I don't with his familiars, even if he doesn't have access to Hundred Faced Hassan monitoring everyone. He's a magus, and he 'owns' Fuyuki, he should know some of what's going on in 'his' land. Then another thing occurs to me.
"But first, is there any place I can put her?"
I feel something odd while we're talking. Almost like a bad feeling in my bones(and isn't that something I never expected to say), but whatever it is, it isn't about what's happening right here.
The source of the rumbling sounds moves away from you... Toward the Hyatt.
As it reaches it's destination, for a second, not a single sound could be heard.
Then, the earth starts to shacke and crumble, and with resounding crack, the earth splits below the gigantic building. As the dark abyss opens, Hyatt starts to collapse below... before something catches it.
The giant limbs burst through the ground, and start wrapping up around the Hyatt; vile, undescribable creatures start to slither through the lesser cracks; some an otherworldly, chthonic creature creature roars from below; the sound is loud enough to crack glass and echo across the whole city.
As the titanic masses of earth and flash move, the buildings around don't stay unharmed; as the earth quakes and shifts, some of them begin to slowly tilt into the darkness.
In the cacophony of destroyed stone and metal you hear human screams; barely a few second later, people start appearing on the streets.
Afraid, and panicking, they are running away from crumbling buildings, leaving their though-to-be safe home in attempt to escape from the newly created hell; as horrifying creatures grasp and claw at them, dragging them into the dark abyss below, they try to escape.
Confused, panicking, almost blind from the sudden darkness - many of them are going to die today, unless somebody helps.
I would have liked to receive an answer, but at that point, the sounds hit me. Well, not literally, but my ears almost twitch as sheer noise of earth shattering in the distance filters through them. Even those two, with their insensitive ears, should be able to hear that. Right after that, screams. They're incredibly far away, but my hearing can pick them up. Something is making a very big, nasty, public debut.
'...Caster perhaps?'
Could this have happened at a worse time? I needed to talk to Tokiomi, but right now, there's something more important. So that's why I speak up again before he says anything else. Well, rather than speaking immediately, I hold her out and simply place the unconscious young girl into his hands. As shocked as he is, his instincts as a father are still there; I don't have to say anything for him to immediately take her as she comes close to him.
Sakura is now back in the care of her Father. And given what Rin was capable of, he should logically have knowledge of healing magecraft to treat her if anything happened to her.
"I'm sorry to cut this short, but lots of you humans are screaming on the other side of town right now. It seems rather important."
I'm not sure whether the man is upset with my popping in and then immediately leaving, relieved, or simply afraid and angry about what has happened to his daughter. Whatever it is, I'm not sure I have more time if I want to figure out what's going on. Up until now, I've just been running around talking to Masters and Servants, trying to figure out changes after the fact. I should be able to find out more about what's going on by seeing that fight.
Still, I'll give Tokiomi and Archer just a little more time to respond before I'm going to leave.
She keeps silent for a few more moments, and then begins to slowly speak.
"I killed him. He went mad, and I killed him. So, he is dead now. Because I killed him. "
"He wasn't a friend, or anything. He was just a suit of armor. Why I am always killing people who are close to me?"
As she says the last words, her voice changes; you can barely hear a hint of somebody older, masculine voice of a giant...
Image of a man of impossible, imposing might crumbling under the weigh of sorrow flashes in you mind as Kuro just stands there, eye opened incredibly wide; her hands trembling.
She doesn't react to your touch, almost as she can't see you. A few moments later, she suddenly moves toward the sword and with a inhuman roar draws it from the stone only to throws it away with such a force what air cracks as the axe-sword accelerates beyond the speed of sound; crushing through the roof, and flying far, far away.
Kuro's outburst startled me and I flinched away for a moment, the memories of the battle with the berserker class card bubbling to the surface. I recalled the fear I felt at the possibility of losing my friend, the creatures rage as it mindlessly attacked us..
Hope
But I also recalled why I went there and why even though I technically have only been with her for less than a day Kuro was precious to me and I couldn't stand to see her in this state. I took but a moment to steal myself I approached my sister/clone, physical protection at max (just in case) I flew so that I was eye level with her and did the only thing that I could think of....I kissed her and gave her a hug "Shh it's okay Kuro, everything will be fine." I whispered into her ear as I slowly ran my fingers through her hair.
The same vile magic you felt from corrupted familiars.
As realisation settles in, the hotel trembles and for a few terrifying moments and then you feel how the building starts to fall down, before stopping a second later as abruptly as it begun to move.
As all movement cease, dead silence reigns for what seems to be eternity; Lancer grips her spear, in preparation, all indications of her desire to escape gone. The magical wards you felt while ascending here pulse with power, ready to defend the stronghold of their master.
Then the floor where you were standing just a few seconds ago bursts as a solid mass of horrible flesh, somewhat what could be barely called tentacle breaks through the stone and metal as tissue paper, only to continue to extend into the floors above you; it's smaller segments as possesing their own life start to lunge for you immediately.
As you see Lancer spring to action, stabbing and slashing at the enemy and passive defenses Kayneth set up take effect, you prepare to defend your own life.
In an alley in the heart of a city, a priest wipes a line of blood from his nose and lips.
Father Machado's head is still aching from the vision forced into his mind, and the after effects of whatever transported him here...Fuyuku City, Japan, according to the locals who were able to understand his heavily accented English. So. That much was true, at least...
He has spent the past few hours simply walking the streets, turning matters over and over in his mind.
"PROTECT LANCER." A commanding voice, laced with cynical amusement, reverberating in his ears, his thoughts, his very soul, accompanied by the image of an armored women with a beatific expression, wielding a shining spear with nigh inhuman skill.
"TOKIOMI TOHSAKA FALLS."
This time the image is of a mustachioed man, clad in red business wear with the satisfied expression of one who has achieved much in life, and has no reason at all to doubt he will achieve more.
"POWER AND KNOWLEDGE WILL BE YOURS..."
"And Satan bore him up to a high place, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world." Vicente mutters to himself in Spanish. "And said, all this will I give unto you if you but worship me..."
He has turned the matter over and over, prayed, contemplated...neither the woman nor the man are known to him. Who is to say that she is not numbered among the wicked...one of the thirsting dead, perhaps, they often garb themselves in such archaic trappings. And the man...proud, too proud for his own good, if Vicente was any judge of demeanor, but if that was enough to condemn someone to death, who then would deserve life?
And so the miasma wave of vileness that suddenly washes over him, the screams of terror and pain in the distance....it almost comes as a relief.
Perhaps whatever power sent him here is a godly one. Perhaps it is one of the True Fallen. Yet all things work together for the glory of God.
When something like the foulness pressing against his perceptions threatens the innocent, there is only one proper place for a true soldier of God and bearer of the mantle of Hidalgo Fuerza to be.
Standing between them.
He steps into a side street with practiced ease, looking around to check for onlookers. Satisfied with his examination, Vicente draws one hand across his face and....
"VAYA CON DIOS!"
The weatherbeaten aging priest is gone. In his place stands a warrior of light.
Hidalgo explodes back out into the main street, weaving around, past, and occasionally leaping over the running citizens, heading towards the source of the trouble.
