The fighter I was piloting, though not large and shaped like an unstrung bow, exuded an enchanting, mystical beauty. It was twice the size of a regular Star Blaster, but where the ship truly shone was in the interior. It would be no exaggeration to compare it to the TARDIS—small on the outside, yet incredibly spacious on the inside, designed for long-distance travel.
To ensure the crew could rest well during long flights, the ship was equipped with a captain's quarters, four crew cabins, a dining room, and a fitness room. Each sleeping pod even had a small washroom for bathing convenience. Naturally, I stayed in the captain's quarters, which were more spacious and comfortable than the crew cabins.
After removing my sweat-soaked clothes, I stood under the showerhead, letting the warm water wash away the tension that had built up from my frantic escape. Steam quickly fogged up the glass of the bathroom, and I wiped away the condensation, revealing the reflection of a breathtakingly beautiful girl. It wouldn't be the first time I'd seen myself, but it was the first time doing so after my memories returned.
What surprised me wasn't just the face looking back at me but the fact that it belonged to Illyasviel von Einzbern, appearing as her actual age—albeit with an athletic build. The other difference was my hair and eye color. My long golden hair clung damply to my shoulders, framing my small, delicate face, with two gem-like water-blue eyes shining brightly. My long lashes added a dreamy quality to my gaze. My face held an innocent yet seductive charm.
As I touched my cheek, tears began to roll down my cheeks uncontrollably. "Mom, Irisviel, I look just like a younger version of you," I whispered, overwhelmed by the resemblance and the flood of emotions it brought.
Reaching out, I pressed my palm against the glass and muttered, "I'm sorry, Mom Irisviel. I failed to save you too." Lowering my gaze, I closed my eyes and slammed my right hand, now clenched into a fist, against the glass. "Story of my life—always gaining my memories back too late to save anyone dear to me! Why?"
Afterward, I slowly slumped down onto the bathroom floor, hugging my knees and staring blankly ahead. Minutes passed, each one a reminder of my losses, before I stood up again and whispered in a low, determined voice to myself, "No matter. I will grow stronger. I will resurrect you—all of you."
Shaking my head, I wrapped myself in a large towel and searched around the ship, but I couldn't find a single clean piece of clothing. Eventually, I came across a large metal suitcase with my name printed on it.
"Kara Zor-El," I murmured, reading the name on the suitcase. "It's weird, really. I've been Kara for thirteen years. Though my memories have resettled in the correct order now, I still feel like until yesterday, I was Illyas."
There was a small protrusion on the suitcase, about the size of a fingertip. Curious, I pressed it, and sure enough, there was a soft click as the suitcase automatically opened.
"An Archer Rifle? This weapon shouldn't even exist yet. Thanks to Titania giving me the specs, we managed to build it—pretty cool, but not useful for now. At least we came prepared; exposure to yellow sun wouldn't immediately turn me into Super Kara. Kal-El was a good example of that," I muttered, a mix of awe and frustration swirling within me.
Then I came across a Plasma Carbine and a few boxes of unknown metallic pieces—no use there either, but I proceeded to store them in my subspace unit for ease of access, hoping they might serve a purpose later.
"Why can't I find a decent piece of clothing?" I continued rummaging through the suitcase, my heart sinking as I discovered a pitifully small amount of clothing: a white sports bra and a pair of white bikini panties. I looked at the two "pieces" in my hands, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
"Are you kidding me? Did we forget to pack a few normal outfits for a trip like this?" I muttered in disbelief, frustration boiling over. "Understandably, we weren't sure about when our last day on Krypton would arrive, and a girl wouldn't just store her nicest clothes. Would she?"
With no other options, I slipped on the panties. However, once I put them on, I realized these underwear, crafted from some advanced alien technology, could actually change shape and adapt automatically to my body. There was no feeling of constriction; they fit perfectly, as if made just for me.
"The power of Kryptonian technology is impressive! I forgot about this function," I marveled, a faint smile breaking through my frustration. "Well, since there's no better choice, this is definitely better than going naked."
After some grumbling, I continued searching through the suitcase for other items. My fingers brushed against the fabric lining, and I discovered a hidden compartment beneath it, which took some effort to pry open. Inside lay a silver metallic bracelet about an inch wide and a two-centimeter-wide disc with a diameter of ten centimeters. Both sported a symbol consisting of a diamond-shaped outline. Within the diamond, a Kryptonian symbol resembling the Earth letter 'S' was placed in the center.
"The Crest of my House!" I gasped, a mix of excitement and nostalgia flooding through me.
I picked up the exquisite bracelet, my eyes filling with tears as memories surged back, uninvited yet welcome. I remembered the spirited bickering with my mother about whether to wear a skirt or shorts. To me, skirts were too feminine and impractical, especially in battle. I argued passionately that you could end up flashing people during a fight. We ultimately settled on shorts that could transform into a skirt, a perfect compromise that echoed our bond.
After reminiscing for a while, I sized the bracelet against my wrist before slipping it onto my left arm. Just as I snapped the clasp shut, the silver bracelet emitted a soft "click."
Suddenly, the bracelet seemed to come to life, instantly shattering into a series of silver, honeycomb-like scales that began to spread from my arm across my body. Within seconds, the silver substance enveloped me, forming a sleek, form-fitting suit with a distinctly futuristic, armored aesthetic. The core of the bodysuit was a deep metallic blue, accented by dark green armored panels on my shoulders, forearms, and sides of the torso. These panels not only added a sense of strength and durability but also hinted at high-tech capabilities embedded within the material. Across my chest, the iconic red and yellow emblem of the House of El—the Kryptonian "S" shield—stood proudly, glowing subtly, symbolizing my lineage and heritage.
For the lower body, the suit seamlessly transitioned into skin-tight shorts, matching the upper portion's blue and green color scheme. My thighs were protected by thigh-high boots, reinforced yet flexible, designed for swift movement. The glossy finish complemented the rest of the suit, reflecting my newfound determination.
Around my waist, a golden belt with subtle engravings completed the look, sitting securely while accentuating the suit's streamlined form. A sleek and form-fitting mask hugged my face, featuring a reverse semi-rimless design, with a two-centimeter-wide strip covering the area beneath my eyes, my cheekbones, and the bridge of my nose, enveloping my ears without covering them. The mask had a metallic, glossy green color with sharp, angular lines, giving it a futuristic, tech-like appearance that made me feel invincible.
On my back, the iconic red cape billowed out, completing my transformation.
"Oh wow, Titania and unawakened Kara surely did a great job. This is amazing!" I exclaimed, exhilaration bubbling within me as I looked down at the battle suit that had suddenly appeared on my body. I raised my arm and noticed a virtual control panel manifesting on my left forearm. Without thinking, I tapped at it with my finger, anticipation thrumming through me.
Suddenly, the display brightened, and various data began streaming in front of me—my physical status, heart rate, environmental readings, and more—all flashing like a vibrant waterfall.
"Navi, show me my appearance so I can see," I requested, a mix of anticipation and self-doubt swirling within me.
"Understood, miss," Navi replied, and a red beam swept across me, projecting a 3D holographic image of myself into the air. Unlike the suit from the TV show, this form-fitting attire looked incredibly stylish and cool, infused with advanced technology. The snug design accentuated my curvy figure, showcasing a captivating blend of strength and sensuality that I had yet to fully embrace.
"I don't deserve to wear this suit yet," I thought to myself, a wave of insecurity washing over me. "I haven't earned that right yet. This symbol means hope," I murmured, running my fingers gently across the emblem. With a few quick taps on the holographic interface, I let out a sigh of resignation. Following my command, the armor swiftly retracted, returning to its bracelet form and fitting snugly around my wrist, a reminder of the potential I still needed to unlock.
Returning to the suitcase, I retrieved a metal disc—my battle armor, which was styled similarly to Faora's. Just as I finished storing it in my subspace unit, I slammed my forehead with my palm, muttering, "I am a moron," the weight of my frustration echoing in the empty space around me.
Acting quickly, I retrieved a set of clothing from my subspace unit. It was a stylish ensemble with a similar property to my undergarment: adjustable size, ensuring it always fit perfectly. This time, however, it was magical in nature, layering a black sleeveless jacket over a long-sleeve red shirt. A sweeping maroon skirt, black thigh-high stockings, and stylish short-heeled shoes completed my outfit on the lower half. To accentuate my look, I wore black fingerless gloves. The finishing touch was adding Kiritsugu's pendant around my neck.
Technically, she wasn't cosplaying as Rin; they just happened to be as close as sisters, and she used to like Rin's style. After having her memories returned to her some time after the events of the Fourth Holy Grail War, and with knowledge of the future, she escaped from the Einzbern Castle in Germany with her two maids and settled in Fuyuki, where she started living together with Rin.
"Grumble!" After hours without food or water, my stomach finally protested, a reminder of my human needs. I rubbed my smooth abdomen and sighed helplessly. "Ugh! It feels almost unreal to need food again."
In a rush, I grabbed a nutrient meal from the automated food dispenser and ate until I was full, savoring the reprieve as sustenance filled the void. The moment the tension left my body, exhaustion hit me like a tidal wave, overwhelming and unrelenting. The extreme fatigue I'd been holding back surged forward, dragging me under its weight.
"I'll take a break, Titania. Wake me up in six hours," I said to my biomechanical fairy companion.
"Yes, mistress," Titania responded absentmindedly, her focus clearly elsewhere.
"Probably busy with one of her own projects," I thought, a faint smile tugging at my lips despite my fatigue.
The lights in the captain's room gradually dimmed. I covered myself with a blanket and fell asleep in almost ten seconds.