To The Beginning IC:ג

[Narcissist]

​

Then you notice a slowly growing feel of discomfort in your arm; a few second later, it grows into a very real and intensive pain.

It doesn't last, and after a few seconds as sensation intensified to the point where it felt like your arm is being set of fire, it's stops as abruptly as it started.

Click to shrink...

My breathing comes out ragged as I recover from the sudden pain I felt. It was an intense pain, like liquid fire trying to run up through clogged up dam. Only the dam was my arm, and it all climaxed as it the dam broke and it was free to flow through the rest of me.

The starting penalty is five

Damn it! Now isn't the time to be fucking with me.

"Haaa..."

I drag myself over to the stairs and sit down. A loud thud echoes through the halls as I hit the second step.
I hear my heart beating within my chest as I sprawl out over the staircase.

"I'm just going to, yeah.." I call out to the others within earshot as I let my eyes droop a bit. A little bit of rest is in order.

Just for a little while. So with my eyes closed, I let sleep take me.

 

[AMCS]

"We don't what to expect down there. Would it be possible for you to send a drone down there to make sure that Caster hasn't summoned Cthulhu or something? We'd be able to put together a better plan if you can."

Click to shrink...

Combat Unit JSN-117 "Jason"
Mark XXX Bolo

I contemplate the idea for a 12 milliseconds before responding in the affirmative.

"I can very much do so. Allow me to call a reconnaissance drone up."

I stop my main hull's movement to deploy a reconnaissance drone, which begins to make its way to the group. The travel takes 1.45 minutes, during which I send my main hull back on its way to its original location while my newly arrived drone joins the group. I promptly unfold my ground drone's visual screen, which shows the view of my reconnaissance drone.

"The reconnaisnace drone is now ready. Where do I have it enter?"

 

[Mortifer]

"The reconnaisnace drone is now ready. Where do I have it enter?"

Click to shrink...

"Anywhere will do." I reply. "Try and keep it near the roof of the sewer, and don't let it be seen until you check everywhere."

 

[SlugSLinger]

"It's time..."

Prana gathers and condenses. Metal mends and cracks heal. Limbs are formed and slowly, a human body begins to take shape. Fingers sprout from stumps, feet becoming more defined from the leg, golden bronze manifests itself upon formless black.

The body stands, fists clenched and back straight, as a cape unfurls behind it. Reaching down, the body gently grabs hold of its head and places it back upon its neck.

"Alright." I say, pausing to look around the larder, my settling upon the far wall. "Now..."

I summon my keyblade and run to the wall. The weapon shifts and condenses as I pull back my arm. I swing... And stop half-way.

What the hell am I doing? Breaking out of here would just bring Kuro's berserker fury on me, and don't want that to happen. At least, not yet.

I turn around and walj to the door, using my Keyblade to unlock it.

Fun fact, a Leyblade is able unlock anything, seals, suppressed memories, binds and even dimensional doors. Unlocking a simple larder door is child's play.

 

[Grue]

I begin lashing out at the shoggoths, aiming to cripple, while using my A+ agility to dodge past them and make my way to Caster.

Click to shrink...

Your crippling manages to incapacitate them after a while, and you manage to make your way to Caster.

 

[Lealope]

Your crippling manages to incapacitate them after a while, and you manage to make your way to Caster.

Click to shrink...

Hmm, I'm pretty sure that more of these things wouldn't spawn if the originals weren't outright dead and I don't think he could summon the giant Kaiju-looking motherfucker without preparation though I still kept an eye out for any more of his bullshit when I lunged at him, stabbing at the book first before swinging at his neck.

 

[Grue]

Hmm, I'm pretty sure that more of these things wouldn't spawn if the originals weren't outright dead and I don't think he could summon the giant Kaiju-looking motherfucker without preparation though I still kept an eye out for any more of his bullshit when I lunged-

Click to shrink...

CASTER INTERRUPT!

As you approach him, a burst of tentacles emerges from the book, slamming around your sword arm, disarming you and lifting you into the air.

 

[Lealope]

CASTER INTERRUPT!

As you approach him, a burst of tentacles emerges from the book, slamming around your sword arm, disarming you and lifting you into the air.

Click to shrink...

Fuck! What a dick. I bring the Silmaril I'm holding in the other hand around to burn the tentacles. Wait, what am I even doing? I could just give the Silmaril to him, let it horribly burn him or the book, whatever he grabs it with, and then recall it. It's not like he knows that it burns evil bastard and unclean people, and considering he's been traipsing around in sewers, he definitely falls under both the categories.

With this thought I shout out to him, not giving up in my attempt to burn the tentacles, "Hey! If you want a Silmaril all you need to do really is ask. I have three of the damn things, I can afford to share. I'll give one to you but, as you can probably see, your tentacle beasts can't grab. Let me down and I'll toss one to you." I say to him, milking my Charisma for all it's worth.

 

[Grue]

Fuck! What a dick. I bring the Silmaril I'm holding in the other hand around to burn the tentacles. Wait, what am I even doing? I could just give the Silmaril to him, let it horribly burn him or the book, whatever he grabs it with, and then recall it. It's not like he knows that it burns evil bastard and unclean people, and considering he's been traipsing around in sewers, he definitely falls under both the categories.

With this thought I shout out to him, not giving up in my attempt to burn the tentacles, "Hey! If you want a Silmaril all you need to do really is ask. I have three of the damn things, I can afford to share. I'll give one to you but, as you can probably see, your tentacle beasts can't grab. Let me down and I'll toss one to you." I say to him, milking my Charisma for all it's worth.

Click to shrink...

Another tentacle pins the arm holding the Silmarill into the air, as some more tentacles snake towards the gem to prise it out of your hands.

 

[Lealope]

Another tentacle pins the arm holding the Silmarill into the air, as some more tentacles snake towards the gem to prise it out of your hands.

Click to shrink...

I feel so violated right now. Looks like diplomacy fell flat here, damn. I suppose if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Or was that the definition of insanity? Either way "Light of Valinor: The Silmarils" Isaid as I summoned one into my other hand. Then, relying on the burning to cut through the tentacles, I try yank my hands out of the mess whilst swinging my legs up into a back flip for more force.

 

[Grue]

I feel so violated right now. Looks like diplomacy fell flat here, damn. I suppose if at first you don't succeed, try, try again. Or was that the definition of insanity? Either way "Light of Valinor: The Silmarils" Isaid as I summoned one into my other hand. Then, relying on the burning to cut through the tentacles, I try yank my hands out of the mess whilst swinging my legs up into a back flip for more force.

Click to shrink...

You are now hanging awkwardly upside-down.
Those tentacles that actually touch the gem get burned, but the ones holding your arms aren't actually touching the Silmarills.

 

[Sinsystems]

​

My breathing comes out ragged as I recover from the sudden pain I felt. It was an intense pain, like liquid fire trying to run up through clogged up dam. Only the dam was my arm, and it all climaxed as it the dam broke and it was free to flow through the rest of me.

The starting penalty is five

Damn it! Now isn't the time to be fucking with me.

"Haaa..."

I drag myself over to the stairs and sit down. A loud thud echoes through the halls as I hit the second step.
I hear my heart beating within my chest as I sprawl out over the staircase.

"I'm just going to, yeah.." I call out to the others within earshot as I let my eyes droop a bit. A little bit of rest is in order.

Just for a little while. So with my eyes closed, I let sleep take me.

Click to shrink...

When my vision cleared I was no longer in the castle anymore, although where I was now was anyone's guess due to how oddly surreal everything looked. All around me was a field of black roses, each one with petals that seemed to shift and flow like ink.

It was unnerving really especially since was a blank white with what looked an ink version of the moon that was disintegrating yet not getting any smaller.

On top of that Alter, who I noticed standing right next to me, and I were for some reason suddenly wearing Goth Loli style clothing, it looked nice but it was still unnerving.

"Well it seems that worked, glad to have a chance to finally speak to you in person" said a voice from behind me causing me to turn around to face it. It turned out to be a copy of me wearing a black suit "Hello Illya, my name is Sinsystems but you can call me Sin."

 

[Prospalz]

I turn around and walj to the door, using my Keyblade to unlock it.

Fun fact, a Leyblade is able unlock anything, seals, suppressed memories, binds and even dimensional doors. Unlocking a simple larder door is child's play.

Click to shrink...

It is, indeed a child's play to open, considering what it wasn't locked.

Because It's a door to the larder, not a prison cell.

As you step out, door opening surprisingly silently despite years of disuse, you gaze stops upon the very familiar figure sitting in the corridor.

It's Kuro. And it doesn't looks like she noticed you, yet; in fact, she looks very distracted, eyes blindly turned to the floor.

 

[Narcissist]

Instead of the dreamless rest that I had been wishing for, I found my conscious pulled away to somewhere else. When my eyes opened, the world was more akin to a painting. Granted it seems like the painting of some goth that just had a bad day, but still. It's better than what I could do at least. It's pretty in its own way I suppose.

I suppose it might be best to…

"Huh" I breathe out as I take a closer look around me. Illya seems to be here, along with… another Illya. She's dressed a bit differently, more ruffles and less frills than her previous outfit, but hey. At least it's less tacky.
Ignoring goth Illya for now, I take a closer look at suit Illya.

"Well it seems that worked, glad to have a chance to finally speak to you in person" said a voice from behind me causing me to turn around to face it. It turned out to be a copy of me wearing a black suit "Hello Illya, my name is Sinsystems but you can call me Sin."

Click to shrink...

Huh, now why does that name sound familiar.

 

[Sinsystems]

Instead of the dreamless rest that I had been wishing for, I found my conscious pulled away to somewhere else. When my eyes opened, the world was more akin to a painting. Granted it seems like the painting of some goth that just had a bad day, but still. It's better than what I could do at least. It's pretty in its own way I suppose.

I suppose it might be best to…

"Huh" I breathe out as I take a closer look around me. Illya seems to be here, along with… another Illya. She's dressed a bit differently, more ruffles and less frills than her previous outfit, but hey. At least it's less tacky.
Ignoring goth Illya for now, I take a closer look at suit Illya.




Huh, now why does that name sound familiar.

Click to shrink...

Perspective: Sin

I look at Illya and Alter a smile on my face, I need to be friendly for this to work who knows when i'll get another opportunity like this so I can't afford to mess this up.

"Now i'm sure you both have some questions so let's take a seat and discuss things like civilized human beings." I said to them mentally wincing (Somehow) at the sound of my voice, it wasn't quite right sounding a bit to much like a mixture of Rin's and Illyas, I'll need to work on that later.

Illya, probably still in shock at the situation (Can't blame her, i'd be shocked as well.) simply nodded. I had to resist the urge to squeal and hug her, she was just so cute in that dress!!

Okay, calm down Sin. You need to focus, maintain the calm and cool mask you can contemplate Illya's cuteness later. For now I focused on shifting the scenery, not an easy task, mostly because I still hadn't quite gotten the hang of controlling a mental landscape yet. But in the end I managed to change things into a nice little Cafe overlooking a beach, a table with a tea pot and some cups in front of us.

"Now before I begin the explanation let's get any questions out of the way now." I said sitting down and pouring each of us a cup of tea. Illya had nervously taken a seat opposite me, her expression unsure and more than a little afraid.

 

[Narcissist]

I almost want to raise an eyebrow at the suit wearing version of Illya. She certainly has a thing for theatrics. Her monologue comes off as a little bit rehearsed to me, as though she practiced with a little bit too much fervor instead of just letting it come naturally. I grow tense as the painted world changes to a modest café.

It was another weirdly beautiful thing. The colors of the world melted away, mixing together as they dripped into an endless void, and the canvas we reside in was repainted in the blink of an eye. What little of the process I could see was breathtaking, though perhaps not as much as the original world. I liken it to watching one of those speed paintings. Only this was done much faster, and with everything becoming animate as they gain shape and detail.

"Now before I begin the explanation let's get any questions out of the way now." I said sitting down and pouring each of us a cup of tea. Illya had nervously taken a seat opposite me, her expression unsure and more than a little afraid.

Click to shrink...

"Right, what are you?" I ask before sitting in the chair closest to Goth!Illya.

 

[Sinsystems]

"Right, what are you?" I ask before sitting in the chair closest to Goth!Illya.

Click to shrink...

I smile slightly at the question, "Why that is easy Alter, i'm in the same situation as you." I said taking a sip of tea, savoring the flavor "You remember it don't you, awaking in that endless void and the being that sent us here."

I could see Illya's confusion grow at this, she hadn't seen the void and merely woken up on the roof of her school, but she was simply staring into her cup, at least until she spoke up "What about me? I don't remember anything like that."

A chuckle escaped my lips "That's simple Illya, you see the being probably due to some twisted sense of humor deciding to give us a little help in the form of merging us with someone stronger than we were. I got you" I said pointing at the girl, Illya's eye's visibly widening at my little explanation "Now i'm not an expert or even an amateur in these sort of things but if I had to guess the process would usually our minds to fuse together or end up with us fighting over the body, at least if i'm getting my tropes right."

"S-so why didn't that happen to us?" she asked nervously taking a sip of her tea, seems she was more than a bit unnerved about the idea of being fused together with someone she doesn't know.

"That's simple Illya, we were lucky. You just happened to have a nice empty space in your head that I could slot into with minimum fuss and since I am more of an operate behind the scenes kind of person I saw no problem with that.

 

[Narcissist]

I smile slightly at the question, "Why that is easy Alter, i'm in the same situation as you." I said taking a sip of tea, savoring the flavor "You remember it don't you, awaking in that endless void and the being that sent us here."

Click to shrink...

An endless void… that did sound familiar. A half remembered dream that I had before I woke up. Barely even a wisp of smoke within my mind. I nod at Sin with great reluctance. What she said made some sense at least, and it answered the question how I got here. At this point, I'll accept anything.

I could see Illya's confusion grow at this, she hadn't seen the void and merely woken up on the roof of her school, but she was simply staring into her cup, at least until she spoke up "What about me? I don't remember anything like that."

A chuckle escaped my lips "That's simple Illya, you see the being probably due to some twisted sense of humor deciding to give us a little help in the form of merging us with someone stronger than we were. I got you" I said pointing at the girl, Illya's eye's visibly widening at my little explanation "Now i'm not an expert or even an amateur in these sort of things but if I had to guess the process would usually our minds to fuse together or end up with us fighting over the body, at least if i'm getting my tropes right."

"S-so why didn't that happen to us?" she asked nervously taking a sip of her tea, seems she was more than a bit unnerved about the idea of being fused together with someone she doesn't know.

"That's simple Illya, we were lucky. You just happened to have a nice empty space in your head that I could slot into with minimum fuss and since I am more of an operate behind the scenes kind of person I saw no problem with that.

Click to shrink...

"I have another question." I say as Sin's explanation slows down. I take a deep breath before I ask, "How does one know which is the original?" perhaps not the most eloquent ways of putting it. But I remember a great deal from both my halves. "I… the last thing that I remember is, "in my mind I see a flash of memory.

Shirou bleeding out next to me. His eyes stare emptily into the blank cavern ceiling.

After nodding one more time to myself. I continue what I was saying. "I remember Shi-"I stuttered "someone with empty eyes and red hair lying on the ground next to me. Yet I also have a different set of memories." I frown as I put it all out in the open.

"Which is the original?"

 

[Sinsystems]

An endless void… that did sound familiar. A half remembered dream that I had before I woke up. Barely even a wisp of smoke within my mind. I nod at Sin with great reluctance. What she said made some sense at least, and it answered the question how I got here. At this point, I'll accept anything.


"I have another question." I say as Sin's explanation slows down. I take a deep breath before I ask, "How does one know which is the original?" perhaps not the most eloquent ways of putting it. But I remember a great deal from both my halves. "I… the last thing that I remember is, "in my mind I see a flash of memory.

Shirou bleeding out next to me. His eyes stare emptily into the blank cavern ceiling.

After nodding one more time to myself. I continue what I was saying. "I remember Shi-"I stuttered "someone with empty eyes and red hair lying on the ground next to me. Yet I also have a different set of memories." I frown as I put it all out in the open.

"Which is the original?"

Click to shrink...

I pause a moment to muse over the question, all things considering there was only one answer to the question, "Honestly if I had to guess i'd say both. It was a merge process after all and it's a little difficult to merge someone with something that's fake." as I finished I tried a giggle, which actually sounded kind of nice. "Although i'd suggest you work on separating your memories from Alter's, in situations like this it's best to compartmentalize."

Taking another sip of my tea I decide that it's time to move onto the matter at hand "But we need to focus something more important at the moment, the Holy Grail War and more specifically stopping it before things start to snowball and people start dropping dead."

 

[Narcissist]

I pause a moment to muse over the question, all things considering there was only one answer to the question, "Honestly if I had to guess i'd say both. It was a merge process after all and it's a little difficult to merge someone with something that's fake." as I finished I tried a giggle, which actually sounded kind of nice. "Although i'd suggest you work on separating your memories from Alter's, in situations like this it's best to compartmentalize."

Taking another sip of my tea I decide that it's time to move onto the matter at hand "But we need to focus something more important at the moment, the Holy Grail War and more specifically stopping it before things start to snowball and people start dropping dead."

Click to shrink...

It sounds like good advice. I'll have to think about it later, hopefully when we aren't in some freaky weird dream state thing. I perk up at the mention of the "Holy Grail War" even though a chill runs down my spine at the same time.

"People will die regardless of our actions." Great, I just had to blurt out the first thing that came to my mind. Ugh… "That is the sad truth of the situation. But I think I understand what you're trying to say."

The Holy Grail, a near omnipotent object that grants wishes. If I could get my hands on it then!

No, bad idea.

"You want to destroy it I guess?"

 

[Sinsystems]

It sounds like good advice. I'll have to think about it later, hopefully when we aren't in some freaky weird dream state thing. I perk up at the mention of the "Holy Grail War" even though a chill runs down my spine at the same time.

"People will die regardless of our actions." Great, I just had to blurt out the first thing that came to my mind. Ugh… "That is the sad truth of the situation. But I think I understand what you're trying to say."

The Holy Grail, a near omnipotent object that grants wishes. If I could get my hands on it then!

No, bad idea.

"You want to destroy it I guess?"

Click to shrink...

I smirk, noting that Illya was listening in intently "Yes I want to destroy it and the corruption within before the inevitable happens." as the words leave my lips the landscape shifts once again, all around us were the ruins of Fuyuki city countless buildings turned to rubble with the odd splatter of blood here and there.

However the real center piece was behind me, I could hear Illya gasp when she saw it. The Corrupted Greater Grail


"My goal is to prevent this from happening and ensure as many good endings as possible. Call it idealistic, call it naive but that's what I want a simple happy ending where people can laugh and smile living the rest of their lives as they see fit." with those words the images of destruction fade instead being replaced with brief moments of happiness.

Rin and Sakura studying magic with their father by their side, Kirei running a ramen shop along with his daughter that is famed for it's Tofu, Gilgamesh teaching a high school class (admittedly that was more for my own amusement), Waver working at the clocktower Alexander at his side and of course the Einzbern residence having a family dinner.

"Honestly in the end I am a softy for a good happy ending." I honestly admit with a chuckle.

 

[Narcissist]

I smirk, noting that Illya was listening in intently "Yes I want to destroy it and the corruption within before the inevitable happens." as the words leave my lips the landscape shifts once again, all around us were the ruins of Fuyuki city countless buildings turned to rubble with the odd splatter of blood here and there.

However the real center piece was behind me, I could hear Illya gasp when she saw it. The Corrupted Greater Grail


"My goal is to prevent this from happening and ensure as many good endings as possible. Call it idealistic, call it naive but that's what I want a simple happy ending where people can laugh and smile living the rest of their lives as they see fit." with those words the images of destruction fade instead being replaced with brief moments of happiness.

Rin and Sakura studying magic with their father by their side, Kirei running a ramen shop along with his daughter that is famed for it's Tofu, Gilgamesh teaching a high school class (admittedly that was more for my own amusement), Waver working at the clocktower Alexander at his side and of course the Einzbern residence having a family dinner.

"Honestly in the end I am a softy for a good happy ending." I honestly admit with a chuckle.

Click to shrink...

I cut through Sin's chuckle with a harsh retort.

"It's a nice sentiment, but it's ultimately unrealistic."

Rider would go on his quest to take over the world. Archer almost certainly had no interest in such a mundane thing. Sakura…
No, it's a nice dream. But a dream is all that it will ever be. The only one that I believe is remotely possible would be making sure that Irisviel doesn't die. A feat I'm not even sure Avalon is capable of…

"It is not in the character of these individuals to settle down in the way that you desire." I continue with confidence in my words. Both of my memories are in some agreement with that statement.

 

[Sinsystems]

I cut through Sin's chuckle with a harsh retort.

"It's a nice sentiment, but it's ultimately unrealistic."

Rider would go on his quest to take over the world. Archer almost certainly had no interest in such a mundane thing. Sakura…
No, it's a nice dream. But a dream is all that it will ever be. The only one that I believe is remotely possible would be making sure that Irisviel doesn't die. A feat I'm not even sure Avalon is capable of…

"It is not in the character of these individuals to settle down in the way that you desire." I continue with confidence in my words. Both of my memories are in some agreement with that statement.

Click to shrink...

"Possibly, most of those are merely dreams, Illusions and fantasies but honestly I have to try, even if it's impossible, even if many of them are doomed to die I have to try. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I gave up on those kinds of dreams, it's childish I know but that's how I am." I said watching the fantasies appear and fade away, even one with Saber and Alter simply out shopping appears for a moment. "I don't expect even a quarter of it to happen, but it's the intent that matters to me in the end knowing that I tried and failed rather than not having the will to try at all."

I turn back to Alter as the final image fades away "But I suppose we'll cross those bridges when we get there."

 

[Narcissist]

"Possibly, most of those are merely dreams, Illusions and fantasies but honestly I have to try, even if it's impossible, even if many of them are doomed to die I have to try. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I gave up on those kinds of dreams, it's childish I know but that's how I am." I said watching the fantasies appear and fade away, even one with Saber and Alter simply out shopping appears for a moment. "I don't expect even a quarter of it to happen, but it's the intent that matters to me in the end knowing that I tried and failed rather than not having the will to try at all."

I turn back to Alter as the final image fades away "But I suppose we'll cross those bridges when we get there."

Click to shrink...

Her idealism is going to get Illya killed. I can just feel it…

But then that's why I'm here I suppose. To protect Sinsystems until something is achieved. I can't remember what I need to wait for, but I'm sure it won't matter in the end. We'll throw down with any challengers that get in our way and emerge triumphant.

I close my eyes and sigh as I decide to go along with it.

"Alright then, if that's the dream that you're going to chase then all I can do is hope that you don't meet the same end as Shirou." I sound exhausted. I suppose that's something to expect when I consider my histories. It seems that we're destined to be connected to idealists.

 

[Sinsystems]

Her idealism is going to get Illya killed. I can just feel it…

But then that's why I'm here I suppose. To protect Sinsystems until something is achieved. I can't remember what I need to wait for, but I'm sure it won't matter in the end. We'll throw down with any challengers that get in our way and emerge triumphant.

I close my eyes and sigh as I decide to go along with it.

"Alright then, if that's the dream that you're going to chase then all I can do is hope that you don't meet the same end as Shirou." I sound exhausted. I suppose that's something to expect when I consider my histories. It seems that we're destined to be connected to idealists.

Click to shrink...

I nodded with a smile "Thank you, hopefully things will work out in the end." I said as the world around us begins to break apart "It seems we are out of time, it was nice meeting you both and I hope we shall meet again."

and then the dream shattered.
--------------------------------
Perspective: Illya

I awoke on the ground of the castle, the dream of that conversation with that other me still fresh in my head. It couldn't have been real right? I had just dreamed it up after all.

It's true​

But I knew that was a lie, every word out of her mouth had been the truth I could feel it and while even I could tell the goals were idealistic and naive I couldn't help but respect the intentions behind them.​