She was standing in a field, beneath a sky that was early dawn. Before her was the object that would change her life from this point forward...
Imbedded blade-first in a mantle of polished stone, was an ornate sword…
Caliburn…
The girl walked closer… close enough to read the inscription on the blade:
Whoever is able to pull this sword from the stone...
Is the rightful King of Britain...
The sword was placed here with the promise that he who would be deemed worthy to wield Caliburn would be the one to unite Britain and lead it out of this period of chaos.
It has stood here for years… remarkably untarnished by the passage of time or the elements. The sword was almost one with the rock itself, as men from all over Britain attempted to separate it from the stone. None were successful…
The girl had wandered all the way from her village to catch a glimpse of this holy artifact… and the longer she stood, the more she felt tempted to grasp the handle.
News of nearby villages being raided haunted the girl in recent days… enough to where she oh so desperately wanted to do something about it… this country was her home… and she wanted to fight for it.
So the girl found herself here… before the one thing she knew could help make that happen. Yet, the odds of her being the one to pull it were slim to none… she was no man, no knight of renown… there was no glory to her name. There was nothing really special about her that she knew of…
The girl was but a mere peasant… why would the sword lend itself to someone like her?
And yet… the girl did not turn away… she wanted to try… there was too much at stake for her to not even attempt to grasp that which would make her able to ease the people's suffering.
She just wanted to make everyone happy…
Spurred by her resolve, the girl reached out to grasp the sword by the handle, only to be stopped by a voice… coming from some hermit that had somehow appeared out of thin air.
"Young one..." the girl turned to see a cloaked man with a staff speaking directly to her, doing so in an almost tongue-and-cheek manner. "Did you come here seeking power or glory? The sword answers not to those who are dishonest with themselves..."
The girl was briefly caught off guard by this random passerby judging her, but he did not come off as hostile. The girl felt the need to explain herself as she glanced between him and the sword before her.
"Every I look... all I see is strife and turmoil... the landing fighting with itself... my home threatened in all directions... someone has to do something..."
Her hand balls into a fist.
"Someone has to do the right thing..."
"You believe it's you?" the man asked curiously. The girl casted her head down before going on to explain:
"No... But there's no one else... no one to take responsibility... all I desire... is to make everybody happy..."
"So… you would take matters into your own hands then?"
The girl gulped nervously before raising her head to gaze upon the sword again, steeling her resolve.
"It's what's right..."
She reached out and grasped the handle, but before she could pull, the girl was stopped again.
"Consider your next actions carefully..." the hermit warned. "Should you try not and walk away, all will be as it is for you. But should you attempt... and succeed... you will carry a great burden. You cannot return to your current life... you must live as a symbol... a beacon of perfection... something not human..."
The girl hesitated, her hand shaking as she gripped the sword tightly, not sure if she should let go or not.
"Are you willing to throw what you have away?" The hermit continued. "And begin anew as something you are not? I warn you... there will be no going back... what you seek will come at great cost to you."
The girl's grip on the sword was so much that it made her knuckles white. Part of her wanted to turn, live happily in bliss with her guardian and foster brother. Return to a life where she can be a happy, loving young girl.
But then she was reminded of all the ruined villages, and despairing populace as she made her way here… she could not turn a blind eye to that. Not when there was a fool's chance that she could do something to stop tragedies like that from coming upon her home.
"I don't care..." she said resolutely. "There is no cost too great for doing what's right... and if no one is willing to pay it..."
She started to pull the sword upwards, and at first it did not seem willing to move.
But that did not stop her… and the girl pulled harder, the sword began to budge…
"…Then it might as well be me!"
The girl heaved with all the might her petit body could muster, and before she knew it-
(SHNNT!)
The girl held the freed sword high above her head, and it shone a light that could be seen from miles around. The girl gazed up at the sword she held, in total disbelief that she had succeeded where so many others had failed.
The girl had pulled Caliburn from the stone… a peasant with no prestige, no strength to speak of, and yet-
She was worthy…
The girl lost track of time as she eventually brought the sword and stared at it, and it was not long until a crowd of people from surrounding villages have gathered around, attracted by Caliburn's light and wanting to see who accomplished the feat of freeing it. The girl looked around as the surrounding people spoke among themselves…
"Wha-? Who is that?"
"What is that child holding? No, is that-?!"
"It's Caliburn! The child lifted it!"
"The Ruler of Britain!"
"Is that a boy?"
"He looks so small..."
"Isn't that one of Ector's kids?"
"He sure no look like any boy..."
"What is his name?"
The girl had no idea how to respond, for she was still reeling from what she just did. Just then, the hermit came up beside her and whispered:
"They want to know who it is that will lead them... how will you proceed?"
The girl was stumped as the reality of what she had done sunk in. By pulling the sword, it made her King of Britain… and with it came a problem…
Women could not be kings… if she was to reveal that she was a girl… it would bring her no end of trouble... even from the people present here let alone lords from lands beyond…
Who would listen to a woman posing as a king? Everyone would think her a heretic. It would be easier if she presented herself as a boy instead.
But looking back down at the sword… there was one thing abundantly clear…
She need not the approval of those around her… the sword deems HER worthy despite being a girl. Her gender mattered not…
Thinking about the hermit's words from before… about the burden holding this sword came with… needing to be a perfect, inhuman king… that started to sit less and less well with the girl…
She freed the sword because she was honest about what she wanted… so why not have her rule reflect that fact?
Looking around at the people watching and whispering, the girl made her choice…
She reached behind her head to the blue ribbon holding her braided-bun blonde hair together. The girl pulled and let her long hair blow in the wind, making everyone gasp. The hermit himself seemed quite surprised by this…
"My name is Arturia Pendragon..." she declared. "And it was I who pulled the sword."
Almost immediately, there was confusion if not outrage. Arturia remained unfazed as accusations were thrown her way, some in disbelief that a girl like her pulled the sword, and some even saying she stole it from the man that did.
The crowd's hysteria grew until it was silenced by the thunderous sound of the hermit slamming his staff down. This even surprised Arturia, who figured out that this man must be a wizard of some kind. She watched as the man stepped forward before her.
"Then allow me to be the first to bend my knee to you... King Arturia Pendragon..."
The man's tone was cheery, but with a hint of trepidation. Afterall, Arturia had declared herself as such in defiance of the hermit's warnings, which he seemed to at least respect to a degree…
"And who is offering their allegiance?" Arturia asked, making the man lower his hood, revealing himself as having a flawless face and long white hair. The hermit had a hint of whimsy about him…
"Merlin, at your service…"
The man bowed his head slightly, and before Arturia could say anything else, Merlin glanced up and whispered to her with a worried look.
"I sincerely hope that you know what you just did..."
Shirou Emiya woke up in a gasp. Catching his breath, he looked around and realized that morning had broken. What's more was that the bed was empty besides from himself and was wondering where the other occupant had gone. Taking a moment to stretch and yawn first, Shirou then slipped into some fresh clothes and got up to look around for Arturia, who was mysteriously absent.
As he left his bedroom, Shirou found himself mulling over the dream he had just experienced. It was not just any dream, but one of Arturia's memories, which Shirou is able to see thanks to their connection as Master and Servant. The curious thing was that this was not the first time Shirou had experienced this particular memory; the one where Arturia pulled Caliburn from stone, beginning her legend as King Arthur.
This time around, something was different; something that had not been there previously. Shirou remembered that after pulling the sword, Arturia changed her name to Arthur and played herself off as a boy to solidify her standing as king.
But that was not what happened in this version of the memory. Arturia instead chose not to do that… it was not how her story had gone…
Before Shirou could make any sense of that memory, he heard running water coming from the bathroom and realized that Arturia must be in there.
"Saber?" Shirou called. "Are you up?"
When he got no response, Shirou came up to the bathroom door and saw that strangely, it was not locked. Putting his ear to the door, he heard the water running along with… someone humming?
Spurred by curiosity, Shirou slowly slid the door open and peeked inside. And what he saw was quite the sight to behold…
There Arturia was, tall and endowed, and having just taken a nice, hot shower. The mature King of Knights was clothed in a towel (thankfully…) and was drying her hair, humming along to some tune without any care in the world.
To be honest, Shirou briefly forgot that Arturia had a "physical upgrade" due to a random birthday wish made hardly a day ago, so he needed to remind himself that this was a new normal from now on. Yet, Shirou could not stop himself from having his breath taken away from the fit and beautiful Arturia, who seemed very content with her new body, especially when she took a moment to seemingly admire herself in the mirror, as if she had trouble believing that she now possessed such an alluring form.
Seeing that smile as Arturia felt her face in front of the mirror made Shirou forget how to breathe… until the Servant saw his reflection and quickly turned around.
"Shirou!" Arturia said embarrassingly. "You're awake! Uh, I was just…"
Shirou was speechless as Arturia stood before him, holding her towel against her tightly, which only barely preserved her modesty. Shirou would be feeling equally embarrassed, having intruded on Arturia, who was almost naked no less.
But after seeing the normally guarded King of Knights acting so carefree just now, Shirou somehow found himself enamored instead. From the way Arturia was slowly relaxing as he continued staring at her, Shirou could tell that she hardly minded him walking in on her.
"Well, someone's in a good mood this morning…" he remarked, earning a blush from Arturia, who leaned against the sink and replied:
"Well, I just… felt refreshed. Sorry if I was taking too long; it's been some time since I've had a nice shower, especially now that I have… this."
Arturia cast her head down, gesturing to her new body. Shirou could hardly imagine how it felt for her to cleanse herself in this form. His face was heating up picturing the Saber/Lancer slowly rubbing a soapy loofa sponge all over her bre-
Shirou quickly curbed those thoughts, reminding himself that he and Arturia had very important business today.
"It's no problem, Saber. Take all the time you need… but just so you know, after breakfast, we are going to swing by the church and meet our mysterious executor."
Arturia's smile vanished. Part of her was getting a kick out of Shirou gazing upon her like this, knowing her magnificent body was arousing him. With a flash of yellow in her eyes, Arturia had the bold thought of letting loose her towel and having her way with Shirou right here in this bathroom, having passed on the opportunity last night.
But alas, emerald-green returned to her eyes upon being reminded that they had a job to do. The new church executor was a matter they had to confront as soon as possible.
Where even did that vulgar thought come from?
"Of course, Shirou," she said in agreement. "Who knows what Lancer's new master wants with us. It's best we find out."
Shirou nodded before his gaze dropped down, recalling the dream he had just moments ago and wondering if he should ask Arturia about it. Servants, as far as Shirou was aware, could not see exactly which dreams their masters were experiencing, despite those dreams being based on the memories of said Servant's past life.
Shirou was reluctant to bring up Arturia's past experiences, especially after seeing her so content and happy just now. It did not take long for her to notice the boy's hesitancy.
"Is everything alright, Shirou? You look like you have something to ask."
Seeing Arturia's worried look ultimately made Shirou decide against asking her about his dream, reasoning that it could wait.
"It's nothing..." he deflected before turning to leave. "I'm going to start breakfast."
Arturia watched as Shirou went out of view, deciding that she should quickly finish up in the bathroom. After drying her hair and changing into her clothes, soon Arturia was about to join Shirou in the kitchen, stopping at the door when she remembered something crucial. Turning around, Arturia made her way back to the sink and spotted Caster's bracelet.
"Can't be forgetting this…" she remarked before grabbing the charm. Although it irked her that this would be hiding her new body with her old one, Arturia knew that she could not go anywhere without it. Making sure Taiga, Issei, and Ayako never see Arturia in her mature form would mean not having to reveal the existence of magecraft to them. She and Shirou would be in serious trouble if the Mage's Association catches them slipping secrecy…
______
After a while, the front doors of the Emiya Residence opened, and emerging was Shirou Emiya followed by Arturia, who was wearing Caster's charm. After locking up, they made their way to the street and walked together along the sidewalk, making their way to Fuyuki Church. While they were strolling, Arturia caught a glimpse of a familiar teal kei-car like the one she saw coming back from Ryuudou Temple yesterday. At first she thought it a weird coincidence, but with her suspicions flaring, she whispered something in Shirou's ear whilst acting normal.
As the duo passed, inside the parked kei car, Biggs slowly rose into view from the driver's seat, watching Shirou and Arturia walk by, not seeming to notice. The agent from the Mage's Association then nudged his partner, who was snoring in the passenger seat beside him.
"Wedge, wake up!"
Biggs hit him several times before Wedge jolted awake.
"Oi?"
"The lovebirds are on the move... we got to keep eyes on 'em..."
As Biggs started the ignition, Wedge yawned and stretched. Both had slept in this tiny vehicle overnight surveying the residence, and neither felt it a pleasant experience.
"Are we not gunna stop for breakfast first, Biggs?" Wedge asked.
"We'll swing by a Family Mart or somethin'" Biggs answered bluntly as he put the car into gear. He did not get a chance to depart when Wedge suddenly complains:
"I don't want no bloody convenience store food! How can anyone live off that stuff?"
Biggs sighed in annoyance.
"Convenience stores in Japan aren't like any from elsewhere. You can get pretty damn good food."
Biggs was about to back out of the parking space only to be stalled by Wedge again.
"Hold on, how can we even stop for food when we're gunna be following them?"
Biggs grunted.
"All we need are one pair of eyes," he tells Wedge. "As long as one of us is watchin', we'll be on top on whatever happens."
"Do we even know where those blokes are goin'?" Wedge then inquired. "How do we know they ain't taking a stroll to the middle of nowhere?"
This turned into a discussion that ended up distracting them.
"How hard can it be to follow two people on foot?" Biggs countered, figuring Shirou and Arturia would be too slow to lose sight of. "Besides, why would anyone walk that far? You hear yourself, you bloke?"
Wedge held up his hands in surrender.
"I'm just worried that wherever they go, we won't be able to stop off. Can't work on an empty stomach, can we?"
Biggs could not disagree. Undercover agents such as them are not given much in terms of expenses, leaving them with little to make their assignment any better than a miserable one. He was internally thankful that he was paired with his long-time friend for this work, despite their frequent bickering.
"You know there's literally a Family Mart on every block in every city in this bloody country, right?" Biggs asked. "And if not that, then either a Lawson's or a 7Eleven..."
"7Eleven's are terrible..." Wedge quickly retorted. Biggs just groaned.
"You're spoiled for choice here, so howabout you quit your belly-achin' and let's just follow the muckin'- uh…"
Biggs turned to look back on the street, only to find their targets were already out of sight. He and Wedge sat inside the car silent until Biggs remarked:
"Crickey, they walk fast..."
______
Rin Tohsaka woke up groggy and disheveled from her bed as sunlight crept through her bedroom window. Sitting up and wearing bright yellow pajamas, she stretched and yawned before getting up and making her way to the bathroom. After a quick shower, she dried her long, black hair before brushing her teeth and eventually changing into her red top, black skirt combo. With a simple spell, she tied her hair in her signature twin-ponytails and slipped-on her thigh-highs. With her primmed and pretty, Rin took the briefest of moments admiring her "elegance" in the mirror, cocking her hips side-to-side before leaving her room with a handbag of "supplies."
Descending the steps of the vast Tohsaka mansion, Rin was spurred on by the aroma of a warm breakfast, no doubt prepared by Archer who did not need to sleep very much. As she walked, her joyous mood was hampered somewhat when she passed a large portrait on the furnished wall; a well-dressed man in red standing beside his wife, in front of his two young daughters.
Rin paused to gaze at the art, giving her the same feelings as it did whenever she passed by it every morning; one that was conflicting. The portrait was made more than ten years ago when Rin was nothing but a naïve girl with endless optimism, as well as a loving sister in the form of the now present Sakura Matou, before she was traded away.
Rin Tohsaka carried the pride of a lineage of mages on her shoulders. With her and Sakura showing talent at a young age, only one of them was to bear the family's knowledge of Magecraft. The sisters were separated prior to the Fourth Holy Grail War, with Rin ultimately being the one to carry on the Tohsaka family's legacy. Having been raised in a prestigious mage family, Rin never questioned how things were done, believing every word of her father, Tokiomi Tohsaka, leaving her under the guise that Sakura was sent away so she could realize her potential as a mage same as Rin.
Ultimately, after Rin's parents were killed during that same Grail War, ten years would pass before she learned the truth of why she and her sister were separated. It was an atrocity so cold-hearted that Rin did not believe it right of her father to hand Sakura off to another mage family.
Especially when that family was the Matou's… the last people who would ever treat Sakura even remotely as a human-being.
Looking up at the image of her father, the example of a mage Rin had strived for… she no longer felt the pride that came with being a member of the Tohsaka's; a family of mages who would sooner disown their children if it meant preserving their reputation.
Rin's hand balled into a fist as she felt ashamed of her father… as well as herself…
"A proud Tohsaka mage…" she muttered. "Like that even means anything at this point…"
She bitterly went down another set of stairs until Rin found herself in the kitchen, where Archer, dressed in a frilly apron (as per Rin's "order"), was busy cooking. Without turning around, the Servant of the Bow greets her.
"Good morning, Master..."
"Morning, Archer..." Rin said exhaustingly, her soured mood lifted a little when she saw what Archer was making. "Eggs? You shouldn't have..."
"No need for gratitude," Archer said before turning to put a plate of food on the counter. "After all, we both know you enjoy being pampered."
Rin had to try her best not to feel flattered, especially with Archer grinning at her like… that. She found it hard to believe that he was the same person as the teenage red head who she accidentally dragged into the Holy Grail War. She stamped the feeling down as she took a seat on a barstool before the counter.
"We'll, I'd cook too..." Rin said as matter-of-factly. "I just don't get much time too, and I rather you take care than to have to order takeout. Besides, you enjoy cooking, don't you… Archer?"
It was on the tip of her tongue to refer to Archer as "Shirou," but Rin relented, as the two seemed too different otherwise. Unfazed by that, Archer proceeded to add bacon and fruit to Rin's plate of scrambled egg.
"I'm sure the patron mage of Fuyuki has other priorities besides taking time to cook," the Servant humored his Master. "With what little free time you get between duties and school, it's better you let someone else worry about keeping you healthy. I doubt you can whip up something like that anyway..."
Archer's little tease hit a nerve a Rin. She never like it whenever he does that…
"I never said I was bad at it... don't get it twisted," Rin countered in a dignified way, feeling proud until realizing she came off as a bit defensive. Archer mainly teased her like this because it ensured Rin was still feeling like herself. Rubbing her arm, Rin said apologetically, "Still, I'm not ungrateful or anything like that..."
Archer casually sprinkled some salt on Rin's eggs… just the right amount, remarking:
"You sure have a funny way of expressing gratitude... that's tsunderes for ya..."
"Yeah, I still don't know what that means," Rin said, shaking her head in confusion. Archer just smiled again
"Sure you do," he quipped, pouring a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice. "Here..."
Archer slid the glass across the countertop to Rin.
"Diluted half-and-half, just how you like it."
Rin manages a weak smile.
"Thanks..."
Rin reluctantly takes a sip of her blissful beverage before proceeding to consume the rest of her breakfast. Archer watches as Rin ate… slower than she usually did. As having the bond of Master and Servant, Archer could tell something weighed on Rin and had a good idea as to what that is.
"Going back to see Sakura today?" he asked. Rin paused eating briefly to answer:
"Yes. She hasn't gotten much training in magecraft, living under the Matou's and all."
Archer continued watching as Rin took one more bite, only for her to stop eating altogether to confess to her Servant.
"I still can't believe father just handed her off like that..." a hint of anger seeped through Rin's voice. "He must have known what Zouken would do to her."
She then sighed when she adds:
"Too bad I can't ask him. Kotomine put him six-feet-under..."
Archer knew what Rin was getting at. Rin had very little regrets, but there was one that weighed on her more than any other and that was Sakura's mistreatment by the Matou family, and the fact that Rin could not free her sister because she never knew where her father sent her off to. It was a regret that manifested when they all encountered Dark Sakura for the first time; some of the accusations she sent Rin's way had really gotten to her, even after the Fifth Holy Grail War ended. Rin was silently blaming herself for all of Sakura's pain.
"Had I known that was where Sakura was this whole time," Rin's voice was shaking. "I would have fought the armies of hell itself to bring her home..."
Rin sighed again and shut her eyes.
"But for ten years, I never did… not until the Grail War... now look at what Sakura has to live with..."
Archer could not refute his master in the slightest. Sakura had endured abuse, neglect, and corruption in the ten years leading up to the Fifth Holy Grail War. It was a miracle she came out the shy, compassionate girl at the end of the war, and without her tormentors around anymore. Sakura now has friends and family that would be there for her.
But of course, it did not mean the girl came out unscathed. As Archer would learn through Rin, not all scars healed when it came to the lost Tohsaka sister…
"You don't feel deserving to be her sister..." he said quietly. Rin reluctantly looked back up at him.
"I allowed ALL of that to happen to her, Archer. How else am I supposed to feel?"
Archer could tell Rin was feeling a mix of sadness and anger for herself from the sight of her hand, bearing Command Seals, curled up on the counter before him. He was not sure if telling Rin none of that was her fault would help his master feel better.
"I already said I'm sorry for abandoning Sakura countless times," Rin said with a cracked voice. "It's never enough..."
Rin then manages to say sarcastically:
"Some sister, am I right?"
Rin looked away, but the moment she did, she nearly jumped when she felt Archer's hand on top of hers. Blushing madly, Rin wanted to yell at him, but stopped when Archer looked at her dead in the eye and said:
"You have no idea…"
Rin was speechless. This was the most serious and sincere response that she ever got from the normally snarky Archer. It was an affirmation that Sakura had the most loving and responsible sister she could possibly have. As long as Rin never lost sight of herself, then she will do right by her sister. She, as a proud Tohsaka mage, could not let something as petty as regret and self-loathing stop her and Sakura from catching up together. Rin manages to smile, her grief temporarily forgotten.
With her pride rekindled, Rin proceeded to polish her plate, savoring the nourishing meal and Archer just looked on contently, happy in the fact that his well-made dish was not going to waste…
Soon after, Rin was at the front foyer, going over her supplies as Archer accompanied her before she departed for the Matou mansion.
"How long are you going to be?" Archer said as Rin took inventory, crouched down, inspecting a myriad of gems, spell books and incense powder.
"Until evening..." she replied hastily, putting the contents back in her bag and tying it shut. "Remember Archer, we keep this between us. No one aside from you and Rider have to know."
Rin stood back up and handed Archer a slip of paper that was sloppily written on.
"By the way, here's your to-do list…"
Archer brazenly took the list, seeing it full of tasks and chores that have to be done around the Tohsaka mansion; all of which strenuous for someone who was not a Servant like him. Rin was about to walk out the door when Archer suddenly said to her.
"You know they are going to find out eventually..."
Rin paused, knowing who Archer was referring to. She thought it best to keep her and Sakura's activities a secret from Shirou and Saber. Rin had the worry they would react rather badly if they were to learn what she was helping Sakura with. She already had to keep Arturia from prying about it after their meeting with Sakura and Rider at Verde the day prior. Rin felt bad keeping this from them, but she cannot have them doing anything brash.
"It's safer this way, Archer..." she told her Servant. "And it's the only way I can make it up to Sakura. She's been doing well so far, so nothing should happen."
Rin sounded confident as she swung the door open, grabbing her bag before the more concerned Archer warned her:
"Still... Rin, be careful."
Rin paused and looked at him, seeing the dead-serious look on his face. She decided to wave off the Servant's worry with a snarky remark.
"Aren't I always?" she said before stepping out and closing the door behind her, leaving Archer standing there with rare trepidation. Taking a sigh, he shrugged and answered:
"Usually..."
______
The walk to Fuyuki church had been uneventful as Shirou and Arturia walked through the streets of Miyama, after taking a "detour" as per Arturia's insistence. They acted casually enjoying the beautiful, sunny day like two teens on a date to any passerby. However, the atmosphere was tense however that as determined as they were, Shirou and Arturia were apprehensive about returning to the church where Kirei Kotomine oversaw the Holy Grail War, expecting a less-than-warm welcome from the new occupant who was now Lancer's master. There was no telling if this new executor from the Church was friendly or hostile to them until they ultimately came face-to-face.
So after a while of trekking, the duo arrived at their destination…
"Even during the day, this place still gives me the creeps."
Arturia could not argue with Shirou's statement as they stood before Fuyuki Church, which the sight was bringing up unpleasant memories for them, to be put lightly.
"Seems the feeling is mutual..." she remarked. "Lancer was right about one thing... it doesn't look as decrepit as before I must admit."
Indeed, the building looked to have a fresh coat of paint since the last time she and Shirou were here, and the garden along the path looked vibrant with fresh flowers, making the church seem more welcoming.
Even with the facelift, the duo could not get past the sinister aura the building was giving off, especially with the knowledge of what Kirei Kotomine was up to in this place during the Holy Grail War.
It made them more curious as to who exactly is now running this place… and they were here to find out. But before they ventured closer, Arturia decided to take off Caster's charm and be battle-ready at the first sign of trouble. Now back in her tall, mature form, she and Shirou continued on. Walking up the stairs to the front doors, Arturia and Shirou opened the doors and stepped inside, and immediately heard someone playing the church organ... and singing.
"Mama… just killed a man…"
"Put a gun against his head…"
"Pulled my trigger, now he's dead…"
"I think I know this song," Shirou uttered as he and Arturia closed the doors behind them before making their way past the pews towards the front altar. The room was bright as sunlight crept in from the windows, giving the church an ethereal atmosphere that it never had before. As they came closer, they saw who was playing the music.
"Mama… life has just begun…"
"But now I've gone and thrown it all away…"
There was a young woman expertly playing the keys on the church organ. She had long silvery hair, gold-colored eyes, and was clad in a dark blue and white church robe. Along with that, they could see bandages wrapped around the girl's palms, which in no way obstructed her playing.
"Mama…"
"Didn't mean to make you cry…"
"If I'm not back again this time tomorrow…"
The girl could not have been any older than Shirou, nor was she particularly tall either, but she had the complexion of an angel. She had the voice of one too…
"Carry on, carry on…"
"Because nothing really matters…"
Arturia and Shirou stood there watching while she continued playing on the organ, not knowing if the girl was aware that she had an audience. They waited as the young lady finished playing and was massaging her palms before Shirou tried getting her attention.
"Ummm, excuse me-?"
Shirou was cut off by the girl clearing her throat, and without turning to face them, she pointed towards the altar.
"Do you two mind?" she asked with a bored tone. "You are in a house of God after all…"
Confused, Shirou and Arturia followed where the girl was pointing, and saw a basin of water close to where they were standing. They immediately understood as they collectively wet their fingers and signed a cross.
"Thank you," said the girl before she finally turned to face the duo. If she was priestess here, Shirou could tell the young lady was taking that role more seriously than Kirei ever did. "Did you two like the song?"
Judging by her tone, Arturia and Shirou could tell that this girl had been expecting them, and they both nodded. The girl smirked in affirmation before she stood up.
"They play that at every Christmas and Easter Mass... for reasons that I can't imagine."
Standing up fully, the girl came up in front of Shirou and Arturia.
"I see Lancer has extended you my invitation," she starts courteously as she eyes both of them judgingly. "You must be Mr. Emiya... and Saber..."
The girl's gaze lingered on Arturia's tall and mature form, not seeming impressed. It honestly made Arturia slightly uncomfortable being looked upon like this.
"I must say..." the girl begins. "I had an image of what you looked like before when I was briefed on both of you... I did not believe Lancer at first when he said my assumptions were out of date. Now I see why he said that…"
Feeling… "humbled" by this, Arturia decided to just cut to the chase.
"You know who we are... but who are you and what business do you have with me and Shirou?"
"Forgive me, I almost forgot my manners..." The girl said and curtly bowed before Arturia and Shirou. "My name is Caren Hortensia. I'm the new executor from the Church, sent to oversee our affairs here in Fuyuki. That includes preserving the secrecy of magecraft."
"By new executor..." Shirou starts with suspicion. "I assume you know what happened to the last one?"
Caren's gaze briefly darted to the floor.
"Unfortunately, yes," she said remarkably earnestly. "Kirei Kotomine went beyond his assignment, and from what I understand from Lancer, caused both you and Ms. Tohsaka a great atrocity."
"That is putting it mildly, Ms. Hortensia," Arturia remarked, crossing her arms. Despite this girl being cordial with so far, the King of Knights still did not fully trust her. "Kotomine sought the Holy Grail for himself so he and Gilgamesh can lay waste to humanity."
"That wasn't all he did either," Shirou said to Caren. "This church was where he held and sacrificed orphans to fuel Gil's strength as a Servant. For a priest, Kirei was as evil as anyone can get."
Caren's gaze dropped again, this time for slightly longer. Arturia and Shirou watch her carefully.
"Lancer told me about that as well," she said, almost remorsefully as she looked back up at her guests. "And it is very regrettable. In fact, that is why I've wanted to meet you both in person. I take it you were the ones who "dealt" with him?"
"Yes..." Arturia affirmed, wondering if this girl held any hostility to them because of Kirei's demise. "Why do you want to know?"
Caren crossed her arms and shifted her weight. Whatever she was about to say took great effort on her part, out of shame from the look on her angelic face.
"So that I can apologize," Caren said before adding, "not just on behalf of the Church, but also personally."
"Personally?" Shirou asked. "What was Kotomine to you?"
Caren took a deep breath before dropping a bombshell.
"He was my father..."
Arturia and Shirou were caught completely off guard by this revelation.
"WHAT?!" they exclaimed in unison, for it sounded unbelievable.
"You haven't misheard," Caren clarified, not seeming surprised by their reaction. "I'm afraid it's true."
"H-How-?" Shirou stammered. "I can't imagine Kotomine of all people being a father..."
Caren then put her hands together in front of her humbly and replied:
"I understand your confusion. It's a long story that I am more than willing to tell, Mr. Emiya. After all that has happened regarding Kirei Kotomine, I guess I owe you at least THAT much..."
Arturia and Shirou listened with great interest as Caren told them everything.
"Kirei was born into a devout family with prestigious positions in the Church. Tried as he might to live up to the teachings of his priest father and those of the Lord, Kirei was never quite satisfied. He saw himself as fundamentally flawed, full of thoughts of sin that he could not silence no matter how selfless he acted. He went so far to punish himself, suffering as Christ himself has suffered in attempt to purge these evils from his mind."
Arturia was astonished.
"How do you know this?" she asked curiously.
"My father kept a journal that was sent to me after news of his death reached the Church," Caren replied. "Kirei Kotomine was an obsessive, self-analyzing individual..."
"The vibe I was getting from him was psychotic," Shirou remarked with palpable apathy. After all, he had no reason to sympathize with a mad priest who committed several atrocities in the span of two Grail Wars, including causing the Great Fuyuki Fire that left the boy an orphan. Caren was unsurprised by his reaction.
"That's one word for it, Mr. Emiya. The World is one full of evils, and Kirei saw himself apart of it whether he could accept it or not. But there was a time when he achieved relief from such thoughts, at least for a while..."
Both Arturia and Shirou found that hard to believe but continued to listen as Caren went on.
"Kirei could not find happiness in academic achievement or following the path of God, so he sought the one thing every human desires," Caren then pulled an old photo from her robes and handed it to Shirou for him and Arturia to see. "A loving partner."
The duo were astounded by the person shown in the picture; a grown woman who was every bit an older version of the girl before them. The lady was very pale, albino most likely, and she had a patch over her left eye as well as a bandage on her upper left arm. The woman had a look of longing that only needed her one golden eye to convey to whoever gazed upon her angelic, delicate complexion.
"She's beautiful..." Arturia lets out, and from the corner of her eye, Caren's face turned somber once again.
"Her name was Claudia Hortensia. She was born immuno-deficient; even the tiniest wound was fatal to her. She did not have it in her for a very long life, but she loved my father with all her heart, even if Kirei struggled to reciprocate her feelings. Claudia lived just long enough to give birth to me."
"That's really too bad," Shirou said solemnly as he handed the photo back to Caren.
"Even more so for my father. When mother died, he was... lost; in more ways than one as it would turn out. Claudia was his last light of hope for normalcy, and she was gone."
Caren then closed her eyes.
"My father thought about killing her, giving her the mercy of a swift death without needless suffering as was Claudia had experienced in her final days. Kirei himself was not even sure if doing so was for her benefit, or his pleasure... either way, father wished that he had ended her by his own hand… but my mother, who was already terminal, did that for him…"
Arturia was visibly astonished, feeling like her heart got stabbed through as it bled for the priest-girl with sympathy. Shirou himself appeared slightly guilty for expressing his displeasure for Kotomine, knowing that the man actually tried having a life free of atrocity that he would conduct without remorse. All Shirou could say upon revaluating Kirei was simply:
"Yeah, that would do it..."
Caren did not seem to pay much heed to the uncertainness in Shirou's voice, for it was clear that the boy still had his reservations. Arturia for one could not blame him after all they had suffered by Kirei's hand.
"He sent me off to be raised by Claudia's close relatives," Caren continued. "I would not have blamed father if after mother's death that he couldn't stand the sight of me. Father gave up on happiness all together after that, keeping his condition to himself since. I believe you both know the rest…"
Both Arturia and Shirou stared at Caren, who was clearly talking about Kotomine's role in both the Fourth and Fifth Holy Grail Wars. There was no need for Caren to explain that part of Kirei's life to them. Arturia however, had a thought that coincided with what the priest-girl had revealed to them regarding the late Grail War Overseer, and decided to share it.
"Gilgamesh mentioned something about Kirei seeing from the Grail what it is he wanted all along... the Great Fuyuki Fire."
"Destruction... despair... death..." Shirou added. "It was Kirei's sole wish to see that fire spread everywhere."
"That's exactly what would have happened if Kirei had seized the Grail," Caren said, revealing that she knew of Kirei's intentions during the Holy Grail War. "The truth is, father always had such dark thoughts within him. Gilgamesh's words only poured gasoline on the fire that was already there. I feel like I could have stopped it had I just seen father once after all these years…"
Hearing the hint of regret in the girl's voice prompted Arturia to inquire as to why Caren had not made her presence known until now. What is her story?
"Ms. Hortensia... If you're here as a representative of the Church here in Fuyuki same as Kirei, then it would be likely that you two have crossed paths in your organization."
Caren tilted her head; her lack of reaction indicating that she had been anticipating this inevitable question.
"Your logic is commendable, Servant Saber," she starts before her tone turned regrettable. "But I'm afraid that has never happened in my tenure."
Arturia and Shirou listen attentively as Caren now explained:
"You see… after I was sent away, I was raised by a devout priest and without early education until I was baptized at the age of eight. That's when I got these..."
Caren rolled up her sleeves and undid the bandages on her hands. One of which revealed Command Seals pertaining to Lancer…
But it is what was on the other side of Caren's hands that made Arturia and Shirou's eyes widen.
"What the-?" Shirou lets out as he and Arturia saw dark, jagged scars on Caren's palms that looked like they were gouged through by railroad spikes. Glancing at the altar, and the image of Christ nailed to the cross, it was what those wounds reminded Shirou of.
"Stigmata," Caren stated. "Spontaneous wounds that mirror those Christ had sustained during his crucifixion, that then become permanent scars. For these to appear on a child upon being formally inducted into the Church means I'm destined to be an asset to the Lord's good name."
"They look painful..." Arturia remarked, cringing a little bit. Caren, however, just smirked at the response.
"You get used to them..." her words made Arturia and Shirou look at the priestess completely dumbfounded. "It's considered a great honor to bear these, and they have their perks."
"Such as...?" Shirou asked as Caren began tying her bandages back on her hands.
"Well, in my case, you can start becoming a priestess very early. In addition, it opens the door to other disciplines in the Holy Church."
With one final fasten, Caren added:
"That includes working as an exorcist in the Burial Agency."
Shirou's jaw dropped, and Arturia was left speechless that this little girl had close encounters with demons. From what few horror-flicks she and Shirou watched together (unwillingly, thanks to Illya of all people…), Arturia's stomach churned at the thought of Caren having underwent ghastly and gory rituals to expel evil spirits, scenarios unthinkable for someone of her age.
Caren looked to be taking enjoyment in seeing the faces of her guests' imaginations running wild.
"I know what you're both thinking..." she says lightheartedly. "But the process of expelling demons is not as... "crude" as some horror movies make them out to be. It's actually a very sophisticated process, while only occasionally offering the usual occupational hazard. I wouldn't mind sharing with you how I got each and every one of these scars, like these for instance…"
Caren pulled up her skirt, revealing a long line of ugly scars that ran down the length of her leg. Arturia and Shirou's faces turned white at the sight and were shaking as Caren proudly shared:
"You should've seen the mess of flesh that burst out and went up and out all the way to my-!"
"NO NO NO, THAT'S ENOUGH…!" The duo yelled out in a panic, waving their hands and begging Caren to stop her slew of words that were forming grotesque images in their heads. Caren relented and giggled, letting her skirt fall back down.
"Guess I got a bit carried away there. My apologies," Caren said amusingly. Having calmed down, Arturia and Shirou just kept looking at the young priestess like she was a weirdo. How messed up in the head does one have to be to boast about having demonic abominations bursting out of their body?
Caren composed herself and (thankfully…) returned on topic, her face turning stoic.
"Sadly, despite working in the Church, I never saw my father again. I only heard about him after the Fifth Holy Grail concluded. And that's how I became aware of you two..."
"So, if you're here then..." Arturia said, and Caren was ahead of her.
"My job is basically the same as the Enforcers from the Mage's Association. As long as magecraft stays a secret, you and your friends won't face the wrath of the Church."
Arturia and Shirou went tense, quickly reminded of the fact that Caren had business beyond simply wanting to meet the two of them. They knew thanks to Rin that the Church had their own stake in keeping magecraft hidden from the world at large and would take action same as the Mage's Association if anything was revealed.
This friendly meeting had suddenly turned hostile.
"You talk like we're not facing enough pressure from the Association already," Shirou said to Caren. "I'm having a hard time as it is keeping Arturia's new form a secret from Taiga..."
"Somehow I doubt the Church can be any more threatening to us than the Association should anything were to happen," Arturia expressed her skepticism. Caren's gaze just narrowed.
"Is that what you think?" she asked with seriousness. Caren then revealed regrettably, "Well, as the new executor for the Church here in Fuyuki, then it is my duty to let you know whatever the Association will do to you is nothing compared to what my organization will should you let slip the existence of magecraft. Only the Lord above and his Holy Son can grant someone the power over nature, as well as eternal life. Magecraft is heresy in the eyes of the Church..."
Caren's eyes shift between Arturia and Shirou.
"And if you two know your history... then you would know full well what the Church does to heretics..."
Shirou's throat went dry, picturing people being crucified, drowned, or burnt alive on the stake. He dreaded the possibility of that happening to his friends should he slip up even once. Sensing his distress, Arturia made her stance at Caren.
"Is that a threat?" she warned, standing up straighter to emphasize that the Servant was ready to defend Shirou at a moment's notice. She knew Caren was Lancer's Master and could order him to carry out her threat should she choose to.
"A promise, Saber," Caren answers apologetically. "One I must condone regardless of my opinions on the matter. It's the way that the Church has ALWAYS operated; Spread the word of the one, Almighty God... and silence the others."
Arturia continued to glare at Caren, who then put her hands together and added with a modicum of hopefulness:
"However, that does not mean that we cannot help other to make sure that doesn't happen..."
Arturia relaxed slightly upon hearing that offer but kept her guard up. Shirou, however, was more curious.
"What do you mean?" he asked, and in response, Caren raised an eyebrow at him.
"You don't watch the news very much, do you Mr. Emiya?" she asked, causing Arturia to look at Shirou in confusion. When the boy did the same, it indicated that he or Arturia apparently did not. Caren sighed and reached into her gown, causing Arturia to be tense again, thinking the priestess was reaching for a weapon.
"Relax," Caren said calmly, pulling out a phone. "Take a look at this..."
She showed the duo the footage that was on screen, and Shirou recognized it.
"Yesterday's news broadcast... a series of random murders in Fuyuki..." he stated, seeing it was the same news bulletin that was on television yesterday evening, just when Taiga returned to the Emiya Residence. He did not know why Caren was showing them this; a sentiment shared by Arturia.
"Aren't the police investigating these?" asked Saber, and Caren answers:
"They're out of their depth in this case. I had some agents from the Church help me procure these..."
Caren walks to the altar where she then opens a drawer and pulls out a file.
"Autopsy reports," she reveals, handing Arturia the folder. She flips through the papers, letting her and Shirou see the names and profiles of the victims, wondering why the Church would concern themselves with these reports when Caren asked cryptically:
"What do they all have in common?"
Reading carefully, Arturia and Shirou could see one thing that all the victims shared with each other.
"Their hearts are gone..." Shirou said in low, astonished voice. Arturia was equally beside herself, revealing:
"No external wounds, and no other sign of struggle..."
"The investigators have no way of explaining how this happened to all the victims," Caren said to them, undisturbed by the subject matter. "But I suspect the perpetrator is using magecraft to commit these murders, or worse still... given how "clean" these killings were, even a mage would be a little sloppy. So that just leaves..."
When Caren trailed off, Arturia and Shirou quickly realized the answer.
"A Servant?!" Shirou exclaimed. Caren nods in affirmation, causing the astonished Arturia to try and make sense of it. It seemed unbelievable that the other Servants they knew would go out of their way to attack a human.
"But that's not possible!" Arturia reasoned. "None of them would do anything like this, unless..."
She stopped when she thought of something even more absurd. Arturia's face morphed into one of shock the more she thought about it. Shirou looked at her and eventually reached the same conclusion.
"Saber, you aren't thinking...?"
"I'm afraid so, Shirou," Arturia said in a grim tone. "It's Assassin..."
"Sasaki Kojiro?" Caren asked curiously, prompting Arturia to clarify:
"No, not that one... the other one... Hassan-i-Sabbah."
"Zouken's Servant..." Shirou revealed. It made perfect sense… Zouken Matou's Servant was the only one he and Arturia knew had the ability to reach out and seize a victim's heart; Hassan's Noble Phantasm, Zabinaya. Hassan had first turned up in the Holy Grail War after Shirou and Arturia defeated Medea, taking them along with Rin and Archer by surprise. The Assassin had lured Arturia into a trap where she got corrupted by Dark Sakura, and was killed later on by Medusa, who cooperated to help Shirou get Rin and Saber back, along with sparring Sakura from a dark fate.
But one thing did not add up…
"But how is he even alive right now?" Shirou asked, only for Arturia to come to the sad realization:
"Shirou..." she said to him solemnly. "I think you wishing me back, brought Hassan back as well..."
Shirou stared at Arturia in total shock.
"No..." Shirou lets out, his gaze dropping to the floor shamefully. He knew that thanks to the Grail shard, that the other Servants had returned, and not just Saber. But because Assassin had not turned up in all this time after Shirou made that wish, he assumed that Zouken's Servant had not come back.
Shirou had been hopelessly naïve. Having his beloved Saber back came at the cost of Assassin returning and carrying out these random killings.
These murders were Shirou's fault…
Arturia was worried sick for Shirou after he had fallen silent and could only imagine how much grief and self-loathing he was feeling right now. Arturia did not know what to say at this moment, for she felt equally responsible for all these killings happening.
"The irony isn't lost on you it seems, Mr. Emiya," Caren said. "Every wish has repercussions..."
Hearing that, Arturia glared angrily at the callous priestess.
"Ms. Hortensia, there is no way Shirou could have known," she insisted. "Hassan had to have been keeping his head down this whole time, and we don't know why now of all times he has-"
"He needs mana..." Shirou said solemnly, cutting Arturia off as he continued staring shamefully at the floor. "With Zouken dead, Assassin doesn't have a master."
Arturia's anger was curbed at the sorry sight of Shirou still blaming himself, and she realized that she was letting her emotions get the better of her. Pulling herself together, she then added for Shirou:
"Then he can't sustain himself... that's why these killings are happening. Vital organs are a source of mana, and if consumed by a Servant, they can keep their forms stable for a considerable while..."
Shirou's hands balled into fists.
"And when Assassin needs more… he'll keep killing..." he said angrily under his breath.
"Unless we stop him, Shirou," Arturia said with finality. With silence falling again, Caren would eventually be the one to break it.
"Well, didn't take much convincing on my part," her remark prompted Arturia to look back and glare at her, silently telling her to read the room as Shirou continued to sulk. Caren stayed unfazed as she then said, "Then you two know what you must do. If you clean up this mess, then I, as well as the Church will owe you a favor."
"What kind of favor?" Arturia asked in a distrusting tone. Caren then put her hands together and answered humbly.
"That remains to be seen, but I have no doubt with how frequently trouble seems to find you two, you'll be more than thankful to be able to call on me... or my friends from the Burial Agency. I hope that this makes us even after all the harm my father has done to you."
"Us doing you a favor makes us even?" Arturia said bitterly.
"I'm afraid Assassin going unchecked concerns all of us, Saber," Caren stated. "I may be Master of Lancer, but even with my stigmata, I lack the prowess that a competent mage has to confront him directly. I hope you two will succeed in my stead with the aid that I have offered you. Take the files and just be sure to return them when you are done."
Arturia sighed, knowing that despite Caren's earlier "sassiness," she wants to be on good terms with both her and Shirou. The Church looming over everyone in Fuyuki is a reality Caren wanted to avoid. Not to mention, Caren was apparently Kotomine's daughter and would have every right to seek retribution on the individuals responsible for his death. Arturia was sort of thankful that Caren held no such grudge against her and Shirou.
"We'll keep that in mind, Ms. Hortensia," she said cordially to the priestess. "Let's go, Shirou..."
"..."
Shirou stayed silent as Arturia led him to the exit of the church, all while Caren watched them depart and bowed.
"May the Lord be with you… go in peace."
Outside, Arturia closed the doors behind her and Shirou. She looked at her beloved as they stood silent and solemn on the terrace to the church. The boy was still shaken by what Caren revealed to them.
"Shirou?" Arturia asked in an empathetic voice. "Are you okay?"
Shirou did not say a thing and refused to look Arturia in the eyes. She could not stand his silence, knowing he was still beating himself up mentally.
"Shirou, talk to me..." she pleaded, and the first words out of Shirou's mouth was:
"This is all my fault," he said with a broken voice, tears threatening to escape his eyes. "I had the shard... and the one time I decide to be selfish, everyone pays for it..."
"No, Shirou, you can't think like that..." Arturia tries telling him desperately. "You couldn't have known that-"
"I didn't care to know!" Shirou suddenly burst out angrily, causing Arturia to be taken back. "All I thought about was having you back, Saber! Now people are dying because I made that wish. There's no excuse for it! Their blood is on my hands!"
Arturia was astonished. Shirou was hell-bent on punishing himself for inadvertently bringing Hassan back. Shirou had killed those people as far as he was concerned, and he seemed to believe it when he started sobbing after his outburst, sitting down on the steps and burying his face in his hands.
She was shaken, but Arturia could not allow Shirou to continue despairing like this. None of his self-loathing would change the fact that Hassan needed to be stopped. Arturia crouched down and put a hand on Shirou's shoulder, causing him to tense up for but a moment.
"Listen," Arturia said with the utmost resolve. "I know you feel responsible, Shirou, but you did not kill those people; Hassan did. If our roles were reversed, I would've wished you back Shirou, even if I knew everyone else would come back too. That's how much you mean to me."
Shirou's head perked up slightly, and Arturia was assured that she was getting though to him as she continued.
"I've learned first-hand that good things will inevitably lead to bad things. You taught me to live with my choices and take proper responsibility Shirou. We can't change the past, nor can we bring the people Hassan has killed back either, so the best we can do now is making sure he doesn't hurt anyone else. Do you agree or not?"
Shirou stared blankly ahead as Arturia's words sunk in.
"You- you're right, Saber…" he said with his voice still broken. "It's just…"
"I understand about consequences… you know I do; you've seen it…" Arturia said, referring to Shirou experiencing her memories. "If it was me who brought you back, I wouldn't retract my wish. I'd make sure the monster who did this gets justice…"
Arturia lowers her head to Shirou's eye level and offers a determined smile.
"So, what do you say… my Hero of Justice?"
At last, Shirou meets Arturia in the eye, and his solemn demeanor disappears, replaced by a face of conviction.
"I say we hunt Hassan down…" he ultimately said. "And take him out."
"Great," Arturia agreed, helping Shirou back on his feet. "So, what's the plan?"
Glancing at the file that Saber was still holding, Shirou contemplated before offering the first course of action.
"We… should let Rin know about this. We don't want to be taking on Hassan by ourselves. Assassins don't fight fair after all."
"Let's not waste any time then…" Arturia said optimistically, knowing that as long as she and Shirou acted as a team, then Hassan would not stand a chance once they were able to find him. Maybe Rin can provide more insight on how to track the Assassin down...
______
Meanwhile…
(ding-dong)
Rin had just rung the doorbell to the Matou Mansion. She stood before the front door and waited patiently until it opened. There to greet her was Sakura's Servant, Rider, aka Medusa.
"Hi Rider... where is Sakura?" Rin said hastily. Rider motions for her to enter, knowing exactly why the Tohsaka mage was here.
"In the study, waiting for you," she coolly answers, and Rin walks in, wasting no time going where Rider directed.
"Good... she is preparing herself," Rin said as the heel of her shoes clicked against the tile floor of the Matou entrance hall. Rider closed the front door and immediately followed the Tohsaka mage.
"Are you sure you don't want tea first?" The Servant asked, only for Rin to decline.
"Unfortunately, I don't have much time for small talk," she replied before stopping to turn and ask with a low voice, "But as for...?"
"Shinji hasn't done anything," Rider quickly responded. "As has been the case for months..."
Rin gave a sigh of relief. She constantly worried about Sakura's wellbeing knowing Shinji Matou was still living here with them. Satisfied with that answer, Rin turned and continued making her way to the study.
"Still... can't fully trust that jerk around her..."
"Sakura is trying to get through to him," Rider said to Rin before reluctantly adding, "with mixed success..."
"Good for her..." Rin remarked before opening the double-doors that led to the study. Rin then calls out, "Sakura?"
"Over here, nee-san!" came the voice of Rin's sister, who was somewhere past the row of bookshelves.
"Excellent," Rin whispered before turning back to Sakura's Servant. "You know the drill, Rider. No one goes in, only both of us come out..."
"Understood," Rider acknowledged, knowing what was about to transpire and which made her ask worryingly, "And if-?"
"I've got contingencies," Rin quickly answered, pulling a violet gem out of her bag to show Rider. "Don't worry."
"But-"
"I'll handle it!" Rin cuts Rider off, trying to curb the Servant's worry. Rin could not afford to doubt herself, as she needed to focus on her and Sakura's "practice". "I just need zero interference, as always."
"Okay..." Rider said anxiously as Rin stepped inside and closed the doors behind her. Rider reluctantly stepped away from the doors, unable to shake the feeling of dread whenever Rin and Sakura underwent this… training. She stopped in the middle of the foyer and saw Shinji standing on top of the staircase, having stayed out of sight of Rin. He looked down at Rider and said with a hint of uneasiness:
"They're at it again, huh?"
Medusa need not have said a thing. The worry on her face said everything about how risky this activity between Rin and Sakura was. Despite this happening numerous times without incident, it put Rider on edge each time.
Still, this was a matter that even a Servant could not help with. Rider had no choice but to put her faith in Rin as she eventually went off to read and have some tea in hopes of easing her worries.
Back in the study, Rin was busy casting enchantments and putting thick blinds over the windows, letting in as little sunlight as possible while Sakura was in the middle of the room, having drawn a ritual circle as per Rin's instructions. Once completed, the circle glowed blue, lighting up the darkened room. Sakura stood up and waited for Rin to join her.
"Everything is ready, nee-san," the violet-haired girl said as Rin made her way to one side of the ritual circle, bringing her grimoire, gems and incense powder.
"Great," Rin said exasperatingly. Truthfully, she would be lying if she said she was not nervous about what was to happen. In this ritual she devised just for Sakura, Rin knew that there were a million things that could go wrong; things that could end up endangering herself as well as her sister. But Rin steeled herself, assuring that she prepped very well and accounted for every detail. She needed that assurance if she was to stay focused on this ritual.
Rin was a mage through-and-through, and mages are not afraid of putting themselves in danger. They could not afford to, and neither could Rin. For her sister's sake…
Taking a deep breath, Rin looked up to Sakura, who had taken her position directly across the opposite side of the ritual circle.
"Are you ready, Sakura?" Rin asked with all seriousness. There was no backing out once the ritual starts, and Sakura resolutely nods and answers:
"As much as I will ever be."
Her breathing heavy, Rin sat down on her knees followed by Sakura, and their magic circuits glowed to life.
"Alright," Rin said determinately. "Let's get started..."
______
Back at the Tohsaka mansion, Archer was in the front yard, using snips to trim the hedges that lined the edge of the property. He was snipping with considerable speed and precision, making sure the garden looked pretty as per Rin's to-do list. He was humming to himself when he suddenly stopped and felt the imminent presence of two approaching individuals; ones he knew all too well. He pretended to be minding his own business when Shirou and Arturia (wearing her charm) came up to him from the other side of the hedge. Judging from how out of breath his younger self looked, Archer figured they ran all the way here and were no doubt looking for a certain "someone."
"Archer!" Shirou said while Archer absently continued trimming. "Where is Rin?"
"She's not here," the Servant of the Bow answered, not needing to reveal exactly where the Tohsaka mage was. "In fact, she has other business today, which she can't turn her attention away from."
"This is very important, Archer," Arturia tells him. "We need to know where she is this instant."
"I'm sure it's important, Saber," Archer responded in a bored tone. "Whatever it is, it can wait until master returns."
"Which is…?" Shirou asked impatiently. Archer looked at him and said bluntly:
"Eight o'clock tonight."
"Are you serious?!" Shirou exclaimed.
"Aren't I, kid?" Archer said, unfazed. "Rin really cannot be bothered right now. You'll just have to sit tight and wait."
"Archer, we don't have time for this!" Arturia cuts in. "I know you're deliberately keeping Rin's whereabouts from us. Why?"
Archer sighed before telling Arturia.
"Look, I have my orders. Rin has important business today, and the last thing she needs right now is you two butting-in on her."
"Is it as important as a matter of life and death?" Arturia asked, deadly serious. "We just played audience to the new executor at the Fuyuki, and she told us something that concerns ALL of us. Rin needs to know… so please tell us where she is, Archer."
Archer was conflicted, gripping the snips tightly. He had no doubt the two of them meant well by seeking Rin, but for their own good, Archer could NOT reveal where his master was at this time, nor what she was doing. The results could be catastrophic…
As silence hung, and Archer refused to answer, Shirou impatiently turned away.
"As helpful as ever…" he said with palpable frustration. "Let's go, Saber. We're wasting our time with this guy. We can find Rin ourselves…"
"And where do you propose we look, Shirou?" Arturia asked, feeling much the same as her master in wake of Archer's lack of cooperation. "Fuyuki is no small settlement. Rin could be anywhere."
Shirou thought carefully.
"How about we try calling her-? No, Rin wouldn't know how to use a cell phone let alone HAVE one." The boy then grunts in frustration in seeing no other way to contact the Tohsaka mage. "Dang it… Rin, would it kill you to practice some tech-savvy? Get with the times!"
But hearing that got Arturia thinking.
"Practice…" she whispered to herself, her mind going back to yesterday at Verde, where she and Rin bumped into Sakura and Rider. There was a moment when Rin mentioned something about her and her sister meeting later…
"Shirou!" Arturia said in epiphany. "I know where to look!"
"You do?" Shirou asked in confusion, while Archer stiffened, albeit also feeling slightly impressed.
Clever girl…
"Yes! This way!" Arturia proceeded to grab Shirou's arm and drag him as they ran off and up the street, no doubt heading to the Matou Mansion. Once they were quickly out sight, Archer snapped out of his astonishment and went back to trimming the hedges, knowing he had no chance of stopping them.
"Ah well, I tried…"
______
"Where the bloody hell ARE they?" Biggs grumbled as he and Wedge drove along in the kei car, scanning Miyama district for any sign of their targets, Shirou and Arturia. They searched just about everywhere with no sign of them.
"Command ain't going to like the fact that we lost them a second time," Wedge deadpanned. "We are terrible at this…"
"Shut up already," Biggs said as Wedge helped himself to a box of chicken wings they got from stopping at a conbini. "They could only go so far on foot…"
Biggs pulled the car over onto the street they were currently driving on, which happened to be almost in front of the Matou Mansion.
"Let me just check the map here," Biggs said, pulling out a foldable street map which was full of roads they highlighted. Wedge was quick to point out:
"You know this car has something called GPS, right?"
"Not interested," Biggs said absently.
"AND the map you're using is out of date. This street ain't even on there…"
Biggs paused and turned the map over, seeing the map was indeed several years out of date.
"Sod it!" Biggs yelled, throwing the paper map in the back of the car, on top of all the other food and drinks that they bought at the convenience store. "The cashier said it was recent! I got pikey-ed!"
"I bet you they were unloading old inventory," Wedge while munching on his chicken. "Got to admit it was clever of the guy."
"Wait," Biggs turned to Wedge suspiciously. "If YOU knew it was rubbish, why didn't you say anything when I bought it?"
"I only just now saw it. Besides, I was busy stocking up. I left you with the store-bloke because your Japanese is better than mine. By a little bit…"
Biggs was stunned. Perhaps he did not get scammed, but somehow got his Japanese mixed up and bought an outdated map. Sighing in defeat, he said to Wedge:
"Listen, try to save some food for me, alright? Right now, I feel like drowning my stupidity in vendor coffee and chick- Get down!"
Biggs' sudden outburst prompted Wedge to duck under the windows same as his partner. The two agents slowly peeked up and saw Shirou and Arturia going through the front gates of the Matou Mansion.
"Seems we ended up in the right place at the right time," Wedge whispered, and Biggs nodded in agreement that they caught a lucky break. Wedge then asked his partner, "So what's the plan?"
Biggs considers carefully as he sees Shirou and Arturia approach the front door to the mansion. He then said discreetly:
"I say we park the car next block over, out of sight. Then we go in for a closer look…"
"Sounds good to me," Wedge replies. "These damsels ain't got much reason to be here of all places. Somethin' is cookin', and it ain't fried chicken…"
Biggs nodded in agreement, pretending to ignore the aroma of fried chicken in the car.
______
(ding-dong)
Rider was sipping tea while reading a book when the doorbell rang, this time rather unexpectedly.
"Oh, don't tell me…" she uttered as she got up and made her way to the front door of the Matou mansion, afraid that she knew exactly who was there. Sure enough, when Rider opened the door, Shirou Emiya and a shorter Arturia were standing right there.
"Is Rin here, Rider?" Shirou asked as if they were in a hurry, but as per Rin's instructions, Rider could not let them in.
"In the study with Sakura," she says before quickly adding, "But this really isn't a good time-"
Rider was cut off when Saber nudged her aside and entered, followed by Shirou.
"I'm afraid our matter is urgent, Rider," Arturia said, turning left from the entrance hall to the double-doors of the Matou private library. "We need to speak to Rin…"
Rider followed the duo as they were about to enter the study; a rare look of horror was on Medusa's face as she tried to stop them.
"No, wait-!"
Arturia swung the doors open, and she and Shirou quickly entered. It did not take them long to find where Rin Tohsaka was.
"Rin! We've got something to tell you-" Shirou started only for words to fail him when Rin came into view. He and Arturia stopped dead in their tracks when confronted with the scene before them.
Rin was sitting on her knees in a glowing ritual circle across from Sakura, who was positioned in the same manner. They looked to be in a meditative trance and did not even notice Shirou and Arturia burst into the room. Rin's circuits were alight with mana as she was discreetly chanting.
But that was far from the most shocking thing about the scene, as Shirou and Arturia's gaze shifted to Sakura, who instead of circuits lighting up on her body same as Rin, her arms were enveloped in blackness, highlighted by crimson-red lines that evoked a familiar malice. The sight of Sakura in this transitory state was giving both Arturia and Shirou flashbacks to when she was-
"WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON HERE?!" Shirou exclaimed before his rationality could catch up. Arturia's instincts were flaring dangerously as Shirou's outburst had caused Rin and Sakura to finally become aware of their presence. The sisters turned to face the interlopers, with a stunned and worried Rider standing behind them.
"Emiya-kun?!" Rin said in astonishment, quickly followed by Sakura. Except…
"Senpai-? Argh!"
Sakura suddenly recoiled as if she was in pain. Shirou and Arturia stood there horrified as the black mass on Sakura's arms went on past the girl's shoulders, and quickly consuming her whole body.
"Sakura!" Rin yelled out with worry, hurriedly reaching into her bag for a violet gem. Shirou and Arturia move to help Sakura, only for Rin to stop them. "Stay back! I've got a-!"
She was cut off when a black tendril shot out from the dark mass that was Sakura and wrapped itself around Rin's leg…
"Oh crap…" Rin let out before being thrown off her feet and pinned against the bookcases behind her; the gem dropping to the floor as more tendrils wrapped around Rin's struggling form.
"RIN!" Shirou yelled as he ran towards her, Arturia reaching out to stop him when more tendrils burst from Sakura's form, grabbing them and pinning them against the opposite wall. Rider quickly burst into motion, using her great speed to make a grab for the gem Rin had dropped. The lavender-haired Servant had barely brushed her fingers against it when she was caught and trapped herself, this time held upside down in midair with tendrils wrapping around her entire body save for her head.
As Shirou and Arturia struggled vainly to free themselves, their worst fears were confirmed when they heard sinister laughter coming from the black mass that had trapped them, making the room light up in bright red. The mass partially receded, revealing Sakura, now with pale-violet hair and a jagged red marking below her eye, matching the lines running the length of the blackness that she wore like a dress. Her eyes a menacing red, Dark Sakura looked around at her captured prey and smiled wickedly.
"Finally... someone let me out of my cage..."
TBC
[A/N] Featured song: "Bohemian Rhapsody," by Queen (written by Freddie Mercury)