The King of Heroes huffed in annoyance. "How many more mongrels will be sprouting out of the ground?" Though the fingers over his eyes belied a gleam of suspicion.
Not that his "compatriots" had noticed: Lancer X was trying to keep the newcomer, Rider X, and Caster's monster all within sight, clearly weighing what she could do; and Tokiomi was too busy fighting down a fresh splash of panic. A fifteenth Servant?! How is that even possible? Who could he be serving, is there a hidden Master in this War? Is he allied with Rider X as well, he saved Caster and is fighting Lancer and Saber, what is this…?
The head of the Tohsaka family drew in a breath and held it in to calm himself. He couldn't allow himself the luxury of falling apart. Not now, not ever. But… this situation was growing more complicated with each passing minute. His expectations kept getting knocked askew.
Once again, he glanced down to the back of his right hand. There was one Servant who could put a stop to all of this easily… the one contracted to him. 'Invoke a Command Seal.' As though their thoughts were linked, Jade's voice urged him. 'Even Archer will follow them, and Father Risei can replenish the one you used.'
Yes… that had been the whole reason Tokiomi and Risei had crafted this scheme for hunting Caster in the first place. And thanks to Lancer X executing the Master, he had already regained the first one he'd expended. In theory, he could use one now and still have at least two left for the remainder of the War. But… 'That would make it the second time I forced him to do something against his will. This would surely shatter any camaraderie we have left with the King of Heroes.' And if he needed to keep using his Seals, Tokiomi wouldn't have any left for when the time came…
But if they left the battlefield, that would mean hoping that the rest could handle Caster's devilry and the other three(!) deviants. He could hear familiar gunfire, a sign Archer X had already found a new vantage point. Maybe one of the foreign Servants had some kind of power that could serve as a substitute for Ea. Caster X, Berserker X if he stopped playing around… But that would leave Risei with no choice but to award them Command Seals. And Tokiomi, who'd fled the battlefield, wouldn't be eligible in the eyes of the rest. Could he risk his plans being exposed then just to resupply?
His plans… Tokiomi Tohsaka had thought he'd accounted for everything in the Holy Grail War. Even with the inclusion of the X-Servants, he'd made minor adjustments to his strategy, confident he could keep control over the board. But now… How could everything slip so completely out of control?
The whine of Rider X's aerial form ripped through his thoughts. Anger bubbled inside his mind at this megalomaniacal Servant for most probably having instigated this mess, at himself for having been so careless-
Then he looked at his Command Seals again, remembered a certain jewel in his pocket, and a plan came to mind. 'Lancer X,' he told her while reaching for that jewel, 'stand by for now.'
'You really expect me to do nothing?' The Servant was more than a little agitated at this crisis. She knew she didn't have the power to destroy Caster's monster, so she'd weighed the option of teleporting into the thing, finding that lunatic and giving him the same treatment she hadhis Master. Except she'd likely be torn to shreds within a minute in there, even with magical protection. And Jade couldn't find Caster in something that big and layered in so little time. Perhaps a Command Seal, but it would still be a one-way trip. And call Jade selfish, but she still had a wish for the Holy Grail.
'I never said that.' Something about the reply's 'tone' caught her notice. Tokiomi Tohsaka didn't look or sound like one who'd given up, which stifled her fury a bit. She spared a glance down to where a certain Servant had summoned a massive barrier of glimmering light to halt the Horror's progression. Perhaps they could get a chance…
And giving up was definitely the last thing on the Master's mind. He held the gem between his fingers and quickly activated the link. 'Kirei, are you here at the river?'
'I am, sir,' his faithful disciple replied in his usual stoic manner.
'Excellent, I have need of you.' And so, Tokiomi hurriedly explained what he had in mind all while silently thanking his lucky stars Gilgamesh hadn't steered the Vimana away from the river yet; the King of Heroes seemed to have taken interest in Caster X's actions. The magus had just finished relaying his plan when he realized the mechanical whine was far greater than usual. Either Rider X is pushing his Noble Phantasm to the maximum, Tokiomi scanned the skies, or… Lancer X tapped his shoulder and nodded upwards. He followed her nudge and saw them: two fighter planes, just arrived to join this wretched spectacle.
Oh, perfect…
"What… the hell…?" Lieutenant First Class Ohgi couldn't believe his eyes. His visor must've fogged up or something. How else could one explain the utterly insane scene before him?
Most of the Mion River was covered in an eerily purple mist save for one spot. In the center of that "clean" area was some kind of colossal… thing with writhing tentacles and ugly-as-hell features. Monster… that description didn't sound so much like a joke anymore. Not with how the pilot's blood froze at the very sight of it.
"This is Diablo 2, are you seeing this?" His partner called with audible confusion. And fear.
"Seeing…" Ohgi mumbled, "Still working on… believing." It was currently struggling against a wall of light that seemed to be coming from the coast, and there were little things flitting about on the river's surface. Diablo 1 corrected his course slightly, mumbling, "Hang on… are those… people?"
"People? Yeah, both shores are starting to crowd up, no wonder the police called for air support." Kobayashi had yet to see what he was talking about. "How the hell are we supposed to report- Wait, radar's picking up another aircraft flying around. Fast one, too. I'm also seeing a strange light six o'clock." Sure enough, there was some weird gold thing with green highlights hovering in the direction Diablo 2 had indicated. "Never seen a helicopter like that… What is it, a UFO?"
Then a third voice joined their comms. "Control to Diablo 1, what's your status?"
All semblance of joking had left Ohgi now. "Well… I don't…" Like Diablo 2 said, was there any kind of military code they could use to explain whatever was going on here?
Then his copilot said, "I'm heading down for a better look."
"Kobayashi, wait!" But the trailing F-15 had already dipped and was speeding through the mist. Swearing, Diablo 1 moved to follow him. "Pull up, Diablo 2!" He did not want either of them to get caught up in all this craziness.
Neither did Diablo 2, really, but he still flew on despite the chill down his spine. "If I get closer, I can see the whole situation better…" he mumbled while keeping his ride steady. It wasn't the first time he'd flown in spots with poor visibility, but this fog had a strange, sinister feel to it. Almost like something was waiting to reach out and-
A horrified scream echoed inside Ohgi's helmet. "Kobayashi!"
The pilot had barely avoided the first tentacle that had lashed out for him, but even more erupted from the river and went after him. They must've been at least a hundred meters long, and despite their size, they were almost on top of him. A crevice, no, a mouth opened on the thing's side away from the light, and even more shot out just as the F-15 flew past it. One by one, the tentacles caught up despite Diablo 2's best efforts, and then they began to grab hold-
Lieutenant Third Class Kobayashi blinked. For a moment, he could've sworn he saw a black bird flitting past his cockpit.
Next thing he knew, the tentacles had gotten a lot shorter, and he'd picked up a passenger. A passenger with a big frickin' sword. "Wrong spot for a leisurely flight." And an attitude.
Kobayashi blinked again, but the man was still there. Crouching over him, on the outside of the plane, with nothing to anchor him or shield him from flying at high speeds, holding a giant sword that must've come out of an anime. "Wh-who are you? Some kind of superhero?" His mouth stammered out before his brain could catch up.
"No, I'm your fairy godmother," Saber X shot back testily. He hadn't been able to take so much as a nip from flask with all the craziness going around; this was no time to be drunk, even he knew that, but that didn't mean he had to be happy about it. And while he understood this world's magi needing to keep their doings secret, it wasn't making the Servant's night any easier. "Now pull up, flyboy, and get the hell out of here. Your toy's not gonna-" His eye flickered ahead and he snapped up his sword. "Oh, hell."
Diablo 2 had shown just enough sense to fly away from the Horror, but only now did he notice another aircraft heading his way. The silver plane unlike any model the human pilot had ever seen in his life streaked through the sky with speeds rivaling that of the F-15's, then a series of violet bolts erupted from it.
Qrow was able to block most of the energy blasts headed his way, but one struck the jet's left wing, tearing off a sizable chunk. The jet began to spiral out of control despite the flyboy's best efforts. Seeing no other option, the Servant smashed the cockpit glass to pieces with his sword's handle and sliced Kobayashi free of his harness. "Hang on," Saber X grumbled while pulling him close and then jumping free of Diablo 2 just before it crashed into the river.
Kobayashi yelled in surprise and adrenaline just before he and his rescuer landed into some old-fashioned chariot. The G-forces he had just been subjected to was making his entire body rumble in pain. A boy with wide eyes was the last thing he saw before he passed out with a groan.
Saber X only leaned for a moment against the Wheel'srailing before straightening. "Get him down to the shore for rescue or something. I tried to be gentle, but somebody should check up on him just in case." He then shot himself off the Wheel before Rider or the squirt could say anything. I am gonna drink my ass off when this night is over. His next slash cut through a dozen freaky eyes that had popped up.
Rider grumbled, "The Gordius Wheel is not a taxi…" but complied all the same as Waver hurriedly tried performing some first aid (and a little memory-altering) on their passenger. All the while, he continued to consider his idea inspired by Assassin X.
Rider X on the other hand cared not the slightest whether the plane's pilot survived or died. These skies are crowded enough without insects buzzing about. His bigger concerns were between this newcomer and his recent interaction with Kirei. Avenger X was on their side according to a hastily sent message from Zouken, but Megatron knew that his newest "ally" was a form of insurance for the old worm. Oh well, he could deal with that later. For now, Avenger X was contributing well to his plan: sowing chaos on the battlefield.
As for Kirei, that was about to become a good bit of fun. His Starship's blasters opened fire once again.
Tokiomi smirked to himself even as Lancer X combined her staff and magic. A green circular shield whirled before them to deflect the energy assault from Rider X as he passed over them. Gilgamesh in turn summoned two shields for himself, scowling at the metal Servant's impudence. "Never short in nerve, that upstart…" More gold shimmered around him, all pointing towards the foreigner flying about.
Just as his Master had planned; Tokiomi had told Kirei to use a Command Seal on Rider X to attack Archer, knowing the King of Heroes would not let such an insult go unpunished. That would keep him from leaving this battlefield, at least, and Rider X would surely be dealt with in a way that wouldn't draw suspicion to the Tohsaka Master. With a little luck, Archer would tear the battlefield asunder in his rampage, eliminating even more Servants in the process. Maybe even Caster. Genius, Tokiomi praised himself.
But then while he telepathically brought Lancer X up to speed in his plan, a dark shape hurtled through the sky. Oh, now what?
Failing to reach his partner by radio, First Lieutenant Ohgi had wanted to fly down and see if he could find him (and maybe shoot down that weird plane in the process) when some kind of man-sized shadow had dropped out of nowhere, smashed through his cockpit and set off his ejector seat. Now the pilot was slowly sinking towards the Shinto district, his parachute thankfully undamaged, while wondering what the hell that thing had done to his F-15.
(Said shadow would've normally shown no care for the human inside his soon-to-be new weapon, but his time with the wizard had made him a little more thoughtful of collateral.)
The now pilot-less fighter jet began tumbling down towards the lake, but its new owner had no fear in his heart. Only fury. Tokiomi's eyes widened. "Isn't that…?" Jade mumbled.
"Berserker?" Saber had the same question between clashing with the fiend's weapon. She shook her head to clear away the trepidation rising in her and returned to her current task.
Berserker X barely acknowledged his counterpart, busy carving out a couple of eyes. "Huh, he's still around?"
Archer paused in mid-fire of his "arrows" as well. "Oh? That mad dog's announcing his presence again? Curious…"
The tassels hanging from Berserker's armor shot out like snakes and embedded themselves into different parts of the vehicle, the metal blackening at the touch. Meanwhile, the knight's gauntlets gripped the main area tightly as the crimson spread out. Within seconds, the F-15 fighter looked like a machine forged in the pits of hell, red and black stretched across its form like a spider's web.
More than a few watched these proceedings in surprise, including Rider X. Quite clever for a madman, aren't you?
Tokiomi exchanged a glance with Lancer X who nodded back. She'd told him of how she and Rin had encountered this Servant when he wielded an ordinary car as a weapon…
As Irisviel replenished his strength, Assassin X marveled once again at this maddened warrior's capabilities. So… He can conceptualize even an airplane into a weapon?
Berserker raised his right hand high with a howl, and the plane's engines roared in turn as it swiftly ascended just before joining its partner in the Mion. Four AIM-7F/M Sparrows, four AIM-9 Sidewinders, M61 Vulcan auto-cannon with 940 20-mm rounds; all of these armaments were now under the black knight's control and ready to be unleashed.
A fact Archer X learned as the building she was standing on was suddenly riddled with multiple holes 20 millimeters in diameter. She sprinted away while swearing up a storm and exchanging her sniper rifle for her missile pod. Normally, the ammo of a regular plane posed zero threat to a Servant, but with that black bastard pulling the trigger, Tex didn't doubt it would kill her. Like Hell am I getting killed this easy! She fired a missile back.
But Berserker evaded it effortlessly with a barrel roll before launching two missiles of his own at the rogue. She jumped away from her current spot to another building… and the black Sparrows changed course mid-flight to follow right after her. "FUCK!" BOOM.
The bullet hole in his friend's robes hadn't escaped the fallen knight's notice.
Lancer strained to focus on parrying his current opponent and that blazing wheel he had for a weapon, but he couldn't help but notice the plume of fire and smoke from a rooftop. Concentrate, you fool! Does it really matter if that traitorous wench dies by your hand or another's? He didn't dare to answer, the agitation in him beginning to swell.
Saber X whistled appreciatively even as he sliced through an ugly-as-sin eye glaring at him. "I said it once and I'll say it again: Berserker's got style."
A few seconds later, Rider X noticed he'd picked up a tail. 'Archer X, status report.'
'I'm fine and touched by your concern,' she shot back. Good; it was too early for her demise. 'Managed to shoot the missiles before they hit me, but I'm a little banged up, and I need to find a new position. Again.'
'Then why are you still talking to me?' He tuned out the rest of her grumbling to pull away from the rounds fired his way. He veered back on course towards a certain Archer's hovering throne (which appeared rather enticing, though he'd trade the gold for a more silver color, add spikes…) to return to his prior task. Sure enough, the jet of madness blasted right after him and away from Archer X or Caster's creation. The things I do for my Master…
Dealing with the King of Heroes and the Servant who had flawlessly neutralized Gate of Babylon… not the most optimal situation, but Megatron had dared far more and survived far worse.
Caster X observed his partner's actions thoughtfully before turning to Kariya. "Did you tell him to-"
"No, he decided that himself." His friend's mumbled reply made the Gray Wizard hum in thought. He knew the knight allied with him had lost none of his martial prowess to Mad Enhancement, but the creativity of turning a military aircraft into his weapon was remarkable. He is capable of thinking somewhat clearly, of planning, Gandalf recalled the car they'd been driving for a while now; Berserker's suggestion as well. It relieved him, to be honest.
Then Caster X noticed that Kariya hadn't stopped glaring up towards that golden object hovering in the sky. He sighed. "Yes, Tokiomi Tohsaka is almost certainly up there." The hooded man started, a bit of shame creeping into his posture as his Servant continued. "Do not worry, I haven't forgotten my promise to you."
As the wizard lifted his staff high and began releasing pulses of light from its crown, Kariya grew a little more guilty over his priorities. A giant monster rampaging about in the river, the only beings on this planet capable of stopping it torn between doing that and fending off antagonistic Heroic Spirits, and here he was, making one of these beings focus on his personal vendetta. It sickened him, moreso because somewhere deep inside his soul, he heard a bitter whisper. Would you even be considering all this if Gandalf wasn't your Servant?
He didn't give an answer, even if it would be just to himself. Nor did he tell Gandalf to stop signaling to Tokiomi. Kariya Matou simply told himself the same words he'd been repeating for the last year: For Sakura.
Tokiomi had been eyeing the twin aircrafts strafing the skies warily; a Berserker taking to the skies had not been part of his plan, much less the one who really was insane. The good news was that he currently didn't seem interested in his original targets, Saber who was fighting down on the river, or Archer who was observing the two with a strange expression. No, his attention was solely on Rider X, someone Tokiomi wanted destroyed anyway.
The bad news was, Rider X was definitely leading Berserker towards the Vimana. Right. The Command Seal Kirei used on him is still active-
"Tokiomi." Lancer X's voice drew him from his musing. She was the only one not looking at the approaching Servants, but towards the roofs below them. "Caster X is beckoning for us."
The Master joined his Servant and peered down. Yes, the old wizard from another world was pointing his staff towards the Vimana, a light steadily pulsing from its tip. He didn't sense any danger coming from the mana, so it was indeed simply an effort to get their attention.
And Kariya Matou was standing right next to the familiar, glaring straight up at him.
Well, Tokiomi Tohsaka recognized a desire for confrontation when he saw one. He didn't think this was the best time to deal with the enemy Master, but the older man gave off no signs of hostility. Besides, it wasn't like staying around an increasingly agitated Archer was any safer than engaging in a good old-fashioned duel. Tokiomi gripped his cane and gave Jade a pointed look who nodded in return. "My King, Lancer X and I shall go to confront the Master of Berserker and Caster X." He made sure that his words sounded like a suggestion.
Gilgamesh, however, briefly glanced down towards where the elder spirit was, his glare turning thoughtful. Then a bolt of plasma struck the Vimana's side, rattling it for a moment. Lancer X grabbed hold of Tokiomi to steady him while the King rose from his seat fuming at the smoldering spot in his treasure. "Very well. Amuse yourself, Tokiomi. But do not kill the apparition. I want a word with him," he glared straight ahead, "after I've cleansed the skies."
"As you wish." Powerful and skilled though this Gandalf the Gray was, the Tohsaka patriarch had no doubt Lancer X was capable of defeating him without killing him. He'd seen her dealing with sorcerers in her old life. Which would leave the King of Heroes free to clear away the rubbish. "May fortune be with us."
Had Tokiomi not been so caught up in his own ruminations, he might've noticed a strange look in Jade's eyes. But then it shifted to dutiful as she offered him her hand. "Shall I ferry you down, Master?"
He waved off the idea politely. "You only need worry about when we get there, not how I get there." The drop to the roof where Kariya and Caster X awaited was probably eighty meters. Child's play for a magus like him. Jade nodded before sauntering off the Vimana's edge and letting herself fall, Tokiomi following suit one step behind her.
Them gone, Archer turned his attention back to the mad beast and the upstart heading towards him. "Lowly dogs fit to only shuffle about in the dirt now seek to claim the heavens where the King dwells?" He sat back in his throne and rested his cheek against his right fist. Nine portals shimmered in golden light around his transport. "Impetuous of you, mongrels!"
Nine weapons shot through the atmosphere towards Rider X and Berserker behind him, all of them Noble Phantasms, any one of them sufficient to slay their targets. Yet the extraterrestrial tyrant and disgraced warrior, both Heroic Spirits who had honed their reflexes in the fiercest of battles, easily darted out of the projectiles' trajectories and soared unimpeded past the Vimana. Megatron couldn't resist his next taunt. "Was it beneath the King of Heroes to learn how to aim in his youth?"
Archer simply scoffed, not deigning to waste more words. Not when four of the arms he had launched suddenly ceased in their falls to spin 180 degrees and return the way they'd come. Rider X's flight mode had to veer hard upwards to evade them again, and the weapons simply adjusted course again to hound after him. He was nearly so caught up staying ahead of Archer's toys that he forgot there was a third party.
A roaring Berserker fired twin Sparrow missiles from beneath his ride that hurtled straight down for the silver jetting in the sky. Rider X dipped, the projectiles barely blasting past him, when they, too, changed course and shot right back for him. Now there were six objects chasing him. No matter where he soared or what maneuver he made, they continued without a drop in speed. Slowing down would mean instant death, armor or no armor.
Megatron couldn't remember the last time an aerial battle had been so exhilarating.
The many weapons he and Berserker had trailing the foreigner had gathered together into a collective. The Servant of the Mount made a sharp U-turn to face them. Then he suddenly shut off Alt-Mode Starship in mid-flight and returned to robot form. Accepting his demise? Hardly. Rider X powered up his fusion cannon and fired twice. The concentrated plasma shots struck the missiles dead-on, the resulting explosions blasting all the other projectiles to dust. Megatron smirked at his handiwork before returning to vehicle mode and roaring on.
Berserker made to intercept him, but the smaller aircraft nimbly evaded crashing into his jet, provoking a frustrated howl from him. Archer then gave a tight smile at the silver streak heading once again towards his vessel, energy blasters flaring. "Cocky upstart…" His gauntleted fingers drummed against the armrest of his throne.
Insectoid wings of a radiant green promptly unfurled from the Vimana's sides. Their spreading generated a hum rather beautiful in comparison to the roars from Rider X and Berserker's engines, then the entire craft dodged the other jets with an almost mocking grace. Rider X flipped swiftly around before unleashing the full power of his blasters, but Berserker evaded them in a barrel roll of such agility that would've shredded any human pilot to pieces. The King of Heroes' aircraft simply ascended unconcerned with the others, Gate of Babylon producing two golden shields that absorbed the oncoming attacks.
Gilgamesh hummed in amusement as the other two chased after his flight of superior splendor. "Interesting…" The upstart had made no effort to conceal his interest in challenging the King, but this here didn't feel quite right. It was too abrupt for one of Megatron's cunning, too many variables out of his control. That growling dog chasing them, for example. No, this scuffle among the heavens wasn't part of the upstart's plan, he was most likely being forced to engage Gilgamesh now. Only Kirei had the means for that, which could mean only one thing.
Tokiomi… Archer scoffed to himself. A convoluted scheme to both keep the King of Heroes in this fight and get rid of the upstart. You must be thinking you're so clever, don't you, 'Master?'
But he would hold off on deciding the human's fate later. For now, "It's been so long since I've been this amused," he commented loud enough for the others to hear. "To think two lowly dogs covered in metal could entertain me so!"
He received a barking laughter in response. "A pity I cannot say the same, Archer." Despite no visible mouth, Rider X's voice was perfectly audible from the Starship.
Berserker's savage howl was the final signal for this three-way dogfight to commence.
As for Archer's Master and partner, Lancer X landed silently and effortlessly on her feet before the two men on the roof. No magic or acrobatics, only an agility that would make cats turn green with envy. Tokiomi for his part adjusted his mass and the surrounding air currents almost as an afterthought to control his fall before descending to his Servant's left side. His shoes touched the roof with nary a stumble, summoning a Bounded Field for privacy as well with just a twitch of his cane.
Caster X noted the flawless use of this world's magecraft with a respectful nod while Kariya only scowled. He hasn't changed at all. Always so perfect, so dignified in every word he said, every action he took. Always elegant; his catchphrase. Tohsaka always acted like he'd put into the world this way, a special class above Kariya Matou and the rest of the rabble.
His mutilated heart now ached with such fury at having to look into those condescending turquoise orbs.
Tokiomi merely stared back with a sense of disdain at the broken man before him. His breathing had grown ragged, his posture hunched over; no doubt Berserker's activities taking their toll on him. He looked like he was about to collapse any second now. He reaps what he sows, the Tohsaka family head noted coldly, for abandoning his duties.
Were he less composed, Tokiomi might've returned Kariya's hateful glare.
Caster X caught hold of his Master's arm, steadying him just as his legs would give out. The more experienced magus felt a surge of mana from the bearded man, a soothing presence that relaxed even his inner thoughts. And… Tokiomi detected something else, now that his sixth sense was active. A magic turmoil inside Kariya's body. Curious. An error in his contract?
Kariya ceased in his glaring to smile in gratitude at the Heroic Spirit, the blasted Crest Worms within him settling down again. They had to keep working lest Berserker become unable to fight with the plane (which would be suicide against an airborne Archer and Rider X), but Gandalf was helping both of them. Just like he always did. His fury only receded, though, but it remained.
Gandalf returned his smile before loosening his grip slowly, a question in his eyes. "I'll be alright," Kariya whispered to him in reassurance. The wise Servant thereby released him fully, allowing him to stand again on his own two feet. The Master even waved off the offer of his staff as a support. He'll need it more than I do for fighting Lancer X.
As the enemy Servant stepped closer forward, Tokiomi gave his own Servant a telling look while she moved in front of him. "You've changed a fair bit, Kariya Matou." The two men fixed their gazes on the Tohsaka Master, standing straight and proper. "Forsaking the path of magecraft, yet still seeking the Holy Grail after all. Now you return to this path in such a state. I would consider you a disgrace and insult to the once proud Matou family…" Tokiomi's eyes shifted to the elder one, "yet you still were able to call forth a Caster as your secondary Servant. And an exemplary one. Perhaps you have some talent after all."
A bitter laugh bubbled from Kariya's throat. "You think I'man insult to the Matou family?" He repeated the statement with cruel humor. "You can't soil a pot that's already filthy, Tokiomi." Then his expression softened. "But you're right about Gandalf the Gray, at least. I don't know how I managed it, but he's far better an aid than a failure like me deserves."
Tokiomi was a little baffled at the acidity giving way to sincere warmth in his opponent's voice. Privately, he scoffed at the familiarity between Matou and his Servant; there was a definite friendship. Foolishness. A Servant is a familiar. A tool meant to aid their Master in battle and win the Holy Grail for him. Even if they somehow manage to be the last team standing -an impossibility in itself- Caster X will ultimately cease to exist in this world. Leave it to an amateur to become so sentimental with his weapon.
Then he cleared his throat, ignoring the odd feeling (What is it? Jealousy? Regret?) that panged inside him. "In that regard, Lancer X tells me the both of you, as well as Berserker, played no small part in saving Rin's life last night."
Kariya's hatred faded even more, partially out of shock from the tone in the other man's voice. "Is she all right?" But he chose not to address him but the one he knew cared for sure.
"I brought her safely back to her mother," the Servant Rin had taken a liking to -Jade- replied with a nearly maternal gentleness. "She was involved in no other part of the Grail War." Her fingers drummed slightly against her staff.
Tokiomi noted the relieved slumping in Kariya's posture; the girls had always been so fond of him. "And they will both remain safe for the remainder of the battles." He swore that part to himself with all his pride as head of the Tohsaka line. "We may be enemies for the Holy Grail, Kariya, but for your aid, you have my thanks." More sincerity crept into his words despite himself; conversing with Jade really had let his sentiment slip past its years-old leash. And surprisingly, he couldn't be mad at her for it.
Kariya nodded back after some hesitation, and then Caster X spoke up for the first time in this meeting. "In truth, our aiding your daughter was accidental. But it was a pleasure doing so, and her friend Kotone was delivered to safety as well." Kotone… Yes, Tokiomi recalled Rin mentioning her from time to time when she'd talk about school or go out to play. The latter especially after… He breathed and refocused on the Servant's words. "And I believe there is an urgent matter we must settle now."
"I agree," Lancer X replied while walking forward. Caster X copied her actions, both Masters bracing themselves as the Servants moved… towards the edge overlooking the greater battle.
Kariya was the first to voice his surprise. "Gandalf, what are you doing?!" He sounded a little betrayed, an emotion Tokiomi might just possibly have shared in that moment.
The Gray Wizard sighed before giving him a chiding look. "I promised you, Kariya, that you and I would confront Tokiomi, and so we are. But a confrontation needn't be a battle, especially not at a time like this. I am the one who suggested a temporary ceasefire, no?"
"We all wish for Caster, his abomination and his allies to be stopped tonight," the green-robed staff-wielder continued patiently. "If we fight now, we would only weaken each other, and killing one of you would come at the cost of Archer or Berserker. Is it not smarter to focus more on standing by should we be needed against it?" She inclined her head towards the Mion.
There the Gigantic Horror loomed in the water, eyes glaring about in every direction… tentacles swiping at those Servants attacking it. Except… its advance had actually stopped. A second, more careful look revealed that it wasn't in top shape. Berserker X's anti-demon ability, combined with his relentlessly assaulting it, showed in the many cuts of varying lengths and depths all across its body, none of them healing. Not to mention some scorch marks from the previous burnings still remained, especially with Saber X and Rider targeting open wounds. Both were also taking pains to intercept Archer X's sniping of Berserker X, leaving him free to keep hacking away at the monster.
Still, it was too massive for them to reach Caster any time soon, and though tested, its regenerative power was still active. Thus, the battle was at best a stalemate. One the two Servants had every good reason to keep an eye on, Tokiomi and Kariya conceded.
"None of us should exhaust our energies until the current threat is resolved," Caster X finished in a tone that brokered no argument. "It is the honorable and the practical decision. However," He waved his staff, and a clear field shimmered around the four, melding with the one Tokiomi had created (seamlessly, the magus noted impressed), "there is a serious matter the two of you should discuss. Lancer X and I will stay here to ensure none disturb you while doing so, provided our efforts for the rogues are not required."
Jade simply nodded in agreement, drawing an accusing look from her Master. …Did she set this up with them? The idea rankled Tokiomi a fair bit, enough to consider ordering her with a Command Seal to slay Matou and this old fool. His left hand twitched… before stilling. They were correct, at least, about this not being the right time to kill one another. Archer and Berserker were dealing with Rider X (and the King of Heroes would most likely kill the unknown knight in the process), and with all the rest preoccupied with the Horror or the other rogues, they couldn't waste resources.
Tokiomi suppressed a sigh; he'd be sure to have a word with Lancer X afterwards for betraying his tru- disobeying him, but for now, he'd play nice. His guard was raised again, though, when he noticed Kariya eyeing his Command Seals; a full set of each, like his. And there was definitely a gleam of violence in his eye.
But just as Tokiomi made to invoke his own, the other Master let his hands drop with a noticeable slump and a weary look towards his Servant. He doesn't want to disappoint his benefactor and friend. How adorable.
Kariya for his own part wanted to make Gandalf tear the smug bastard and his puppet apart so badly. The Worms inside him were practically egging him on to do so… all the more reason he decided against it. He did keep his word to me, sneaky old coot… Kariya Matou ultimately couldn't bring himself to shatter the relationship he had with the Ser-friend who had been there for him time and again through this hell of a War.
So, he settled for glaring at his enemy. "Fine. But like Gandalf said, you and I need to have a word, Tokiomi Tohsaka." Anger boiled within him once again as a certain little girl flashed into his mind. "Before anything else happens, I want you to explain to me, right now, how you could give Sakura to Zouken!"
"What?" Kariya stared at Tokiomi's eyebrows, furrowed in confusion of all things. "Is this really the reason you and your Servant sought me out now of all times?"
Kariya made to shout his demand for an answer when another voice cut in. "I would like to hear the answer to that question myself, Master." A creaking sound briefly drew their attention to Lancer X, who was clenching her staff rather tightly now. Her hazel eyes were looking between the two men. "My loyalty to you remains, but I have been told some… troubling things." The broken man glanced in growing surprise to Gandalf. Did he tell her? "Please, Master. I shall accept any punishment afterward for my impertinence, but…"
Tokiomi glared at her for only a moment before both curiosity and a magus' pride surfaced. And maybe lingering affection for a most reliable fri-pawn. Caster X was also visibly attentive. "Very well." He sighed and recomposed himself. "I can understand the confusion of these foreigners, Kariya, but you shouldn't have to ask such a question. I made my decision to ensure my precious daughter will have a bright future."
Jade grew concerned at how Caster X and especially Kariya stiffened at the words. "Excuse me?" the latter whispered.
The Tohsaka patriarch shifted a bit where he stood so he could face all three of them. "In this world, every magus with two children faces a dilemma. For only one may inherit the secrets of magecraft."
Jade tilted her head. "Forgive me, but why exactly could you not teach both of your daughters magecraft? You told me you are officially the magus of highest authority here in this city, changing the rules should not be impossible." Her tone turned playful. "Besides, Rin sang praises of you showing her all kinds of magecraft. Surely you could handle a second pupil."
A fond smile briefly flickered on Tokiomi's mouth before it shifted back to a professional line. "Even as the Second Owner of Fuyuki, I still answer to the Magus Association, the authority of all practitioners of magic in our world, and their rules. And their rules state that each magus house may only pass on their full teachings and protection to one in each generation. No more." The Edenian nodded in concession to this. "Thus, I may only instruct one daughter, and the other would have to be satisfied with a mediocre life."
Mediocre life? Kariya's mind burned at how the wonderful memories within -Aoi, Rin, Sakura together, smiling, laughing- were so easily dismissed. But it was Gandalf who spoke, his Master instinctively lending him his ear. "Mediocrity is not such a terrible thing, lord Tohsaka. And the peace of a normal life is not to be dismissed." Not exactly what Kariya would've said, but he'd never argue with the wizard over a statement like that.
Tokiomi recognized the wisdom in the outlandish mage's words as well as his polite tone with a nod. "Perhaps." Still, he kept the lessons and teachings in his youth close to his heart. "But sadly, neither of my daughters would know peace in a normal life."
Kariya stilled; had the man sounded regretful just now? "My wife blessed both of them too much as a mother," Tokiomi continued unheeding of their confusion (even as Caster X frowned thoughtfully). "Rin and Sakura were both born with rare, exceptional abilities. Both of them needed the full nurturing of a magus house. Depriving one their potential to care for the other's future… As a father, how could I ever allow such a tragedy?"
Kariya Matou's mental state was a maelstrom right now. He destroyed that beautiful family, the one I should've had, all because he feared normality? Would it really be so terrible for Rin or Sakura to not hone whatever potential they have?He felt a churning within, the Crest Worms, maybe, or it was his inability to understand. Maybe he didn't want to understand all this magus bullshit.
"I could make no other choice for the sake of both their talents but to give up one of them for adoption." Tokiomi focused on the stony faces of his Servant audience; Lancer X seemed conflicted but still understanding, Caster X was… thoughtful. "Matou's acceptance was a stroke of luck." Those grey eyebrows drew together now, anger flickering, but a Tohsaka wasn't easily cowed. "Within a family that knows of the Holy Grail, there increases the chance of reaching Akasha all the more." He straightened himself even more while reciting how he had been taught. "We magi are born into this world with power and learn to cultivate it throughout our lives. We all have to bear responsibilities even before learning of them. That is what it means to be a magus of this world, Jade. Gandalf the Gray. Kariya Matou." His gaze drifted to each of the three as he said their names.
Then fatherly pride crept into his tone. "If I fail to accomplish my family's responsibility, Rin will succeed, and even if she does not, then Sakura will." He had no doubt in the great talents his wonderful daughters carried. No, the great talents his wonderful daughters were. "But no matter what, the Tohsaka family's quest will be fulfilled."
Lancer X was conflicted about this idea. For the sake of the greater family… She'd grown fully familiar with meritocratic thinking in Outworld, but the beliefs Tokiomi had explained were not at all dissimilar with how noble houses conducted. Including what she remembered of Edenia's culture. Every family member was meant to serve a purpose and contribute to the welfare of the family. She did not agree with Tokiomi's assessment of how the sisters' situation should be, but she could understand his viewpoint.
But Kariya's fury blazed at full force. "You… you'd actually set them against each other?!" He yelled out despite the fresh pain from those blasted Worms. He batted away the arm Gandalf had stretched out to him. "Sister versus sister?!"
"Even if it would come to that, I and my ancestors would know great joy," Tokiomi said with calmness; though Caster X wondered if this assurance was for his audience's benefit alone. "To the victor go all the spoils, and the defeated will still have served the family. It would be a heartrending battle, but one that yields benefit all the same."
Yes… The Grey Pilgrim detected that though his eyes brimmed with familial love and pride, the patriarch's smile was rather forced.
But Kariya was too enraged to see this. "You're insane!" He threw back his hood, exposing his bleached hair, scarred face and blinded eye for the others to see.
Tokiomi was unfazed at this aggression. "I don't know why I bothered explaining myself to you, Kariya. You who turned your back to the duties of his house and couldn't begin to grasp the principles of magi."
"Fuck that!" He doubled over, blood dripping from his mouth. Many little somethings were crawling up through his body, waiting to come out. And he welcomed it. Go ahead, you little demons. Devour my flesh, my hatred, become a curse upon my enemy. Worms began to wiggle out from the roof's shadows, gathering around the one who'd called them (but taking care to stay as far away from a certain being). I'm sorry, Gandalf, but… "I won't forgive you…" he spat out. "You filthy magi…" He pushed himself to his feet. "I'll kill you! You and Zouken! I'll tear you all apart!" Kariya Matou declared as his familiars began to shuffle with his aggression.
Lancer X made to step between them, but her Master's hand halted her. Should Caster X be called into action, he would allow her aid, but Tokiomi didn't need a Servant to deal with an opponent of such a paltry level. A collection of insects as combative familiars? The Matous truly had fallen. "Seeing as you cast aside the Matous, their magecraft will be imparted to Sakura. For that, I should thank you." His tone turned ice cold. "But I cannot forgive you either. Not for abandoning your responsibilities and not even bothering to consider why that was wrong." Looked like a confrontation would happen now after all.
"Now wait just a moment, both of you-"
His Mystic Code was passed to his right hand, the brilliant jewel pointing ahead. "You, Kariya Matou, bring shame to the honor of all magi. Now, that we stand opposing each other, I must end your existence."
"Shut up, you inhuman monster!" The worms beneath Kariya Matou twitched.
"Kariya, wait-"
"Wrong. Taking responsibility for one's own actions is a fundamental part of being human." The cane's jewel glowed as Tokiomi Tohsaka channeled his mana into it. Flames erupted into being and wove themselves alongside white lines into an elaborate symbol. "Anyone incapable of even this is nothing more than-"
"I said… Wait."
Avenger X stiffened before just barely parrying a swing from his shorter opponent. He shoved her back, not even registering the blood trickling down his forearm, and glared for a moment across the lake. That presence… I've never sensed anything like it before. Like… Master's… but different. Warmer… brighter… Could it be the one Zouken warned me of?
Wood cracked against the roof's ground hard, and the sigil before Tokiomi's widening eyes faded away like ashes in the wind. On Kariya's side, the Blade Wing Worms that had been about to take flight stopped and went still. What animal instincts they possessed besides savagery were screaming at them not to move lest it take notice of them.
Any protest Kariya Matou might've made to his Servant died in his throat when Gandalf the Gray fixed him with his stare. Those eyes, normally so kind and encouraging, now glinted with disappointment, silently chiding him for his outburst. Kariya glanced down to the roof, his rage giving way to shame, even while he noticed the wizard's shadow had grown larger.
Then it was Tokiomi Tohsaka who found himself facing those exceedingly cross blue orbs, growing actually nervous as they fixed on him. "Bickering and ready to attack each other like children…" That voice he had heard through Jade's ears a night ago, rumbling like the thunder of an oncoming storm, reverberated in his eardrums, made him grip his cane anxiously. This Heroic Spirit… this wizard seemed to tower over him now, as though Tokiomi was trying to see him atop the peak of a vast mountain. How long has it been since I felt this way…? he wondered as the wizard continued. "Magi or not, you are both grown men. Yet this is how you discuss the fate of a precious, innocent girl?"
That's when Tokiomi realized he couldn't feel the mana in his cane anymore. His Mystic Code, the product of countless years of research, training, channeling his powers into the brilliant gem he held… it was no longer there. And to his rising panic, his Magic Circuits, his family's Magic Crest itself felt… numb. Everything he had worked for and accumulated, now out of his reach. It was as if… as if…
…As if this being before him had countered all of his magecraft before he could even invoke it. Tokiomi Tohsaka, a proud magus, utterly powerless before this wizard. …Is this the gap between me and a Caster class? Or… is it really the gap between me, he forced himself not to swallow nervously while facing this old man of grey robes and aged staff, and him?
"Caster X…" Jade now stood between her Master and the other Servant, fingers drumming against her Sojourner Staffshe raised to parry. Relief blossomed inside Tokiomi at registering her presence, and it grew when he recalled her Command Seals. He could still use them to fight this being… even if he wasn't sure whether he could still trust her.
"You've made your point," Lancer X said in as level a tone as she could manage; Magic Resistance aside, she had no desire to fight this man. "Neither grasps fully the situation yet."
The ancient Istar gazed back at her… and eased his posture. His shadow receded to its normal level, and when he spoke again, even Kariya relaxed at hearing his usual gentle volume once more. "No, they do not, Jade. Forgive me my acerbity, I continue to have no desire for unnecessary battle."
Kariya stared at his Servant in confusion. "Unnecessary…? Gandalf, we're in a Grail War!" He glanced away at a horrifically slurping noise and sighed. "Fine, this might not be the best time for us to fight them, but he's our enemy! You know the hell Tokiomi's put Sakura through, how can you just let that slide?!"
Tokiomi's relief at sensing his magic power once again shifted to confusion. Sakura? Hell?
"He doesn't know, Kariya Matou." Both men looked to where Lancer X had also relaxed from her battle stance. "He isn't aware of what Sakura must endure like you and I." Kariya gaped openly at her, but then he saw again this Servant not just protecting Rin, but being so playful, so gentle, so loving with her… far beyond any Command Seal Rin mentioned of Tokiomi using. But that could just mean Tokiomi only cares for-
Then he heard Tokiomi's voice. "So… you've already spoken with Kariya before tonight, Lancer X." His words were harsh, accusing. He gazed at the back of her head with eyes cold as a blizzard. "I place my trust in you, and you scurry off behind my back to listen to the ramblings of a deserter among magi and make plans-"
"Placing your trust in Lancer X was not a mistake, lord Tohsaka." Caster X interrupted him coolly, the magus instinctively growing heedful. "She did not speak with Kariya, she spoke with me, earlier today. And she only did so because she worries for Sakura's sake." The words soothed Tokiomi's anger; yes, that sounded just like Jade. Especially when he considered the end of their last conversation before she went off to find Caster. And he conceded that of Kariya's group, the most reliable information would come from this wizard who'd convinced two Kings (maybe even three) to depart from a meeting on peaceful terms.
"But I confess there is still a piece of your explanation which intrigues me." The Gray Wizard continued. He'd detected no lies or deception in Tokiomi's words, not even a speck of malice when he spoke of his family. This man genuinely loves his daughters, Gandalf deduced. He simply expresses it differently than how an ordinary man like Kariya would. But he has not revealed the entire story, either. "Before I tell you what I have told your Servant, I must ask, what precisely did you mean earlier when you said Rin and Sakura wouldn't know peace if they were to live normally? What is the nature of these 'exceptional abilities' you praised?"
A twitch went through Tokiomi; the Servant had perceived a glimpse amidst his words. "With all due respect, Gandalf the Gray," he began in an earnestly courteous tone, "that is no simple matter to discuss, especially with individuals who do not understand the ways of our magus-"
"With all due respect, Tokiomi Tohsaka…" Caster X cut through his deflecting with an echo of his earlier words and a look not far from the one that had cowed the Master earlier, "do not take me for some conjurer of cheap tricks." The magus would've been much more insulted had it not been for that earlier… humbling experience. Some of his Magic Circuits still felt a little numbed. "I trust you can explain your reasons in a way all three of us can comprehend."
Kariya watched all of this with a childish sort of pleasure. How refreshing it was to see the mighty Tokiomi Tohsaka be talked down to! The humor did help push down his temper even more, though periodic jolts of pain from Berserker's antics didn't help. 'Pay attention, Kariya,' Gandalf's words echoed in his mind. 'There is more to this situation than we know.' He sighed but perked up his ears nonetheless. Gandalf hadn't led him astray yet.
Tokiomi sighed as well before speaking again. "I meant what I said earlier about my daughters' potential. Either girl is destined to bring about greater wonders in her lifetime than I ever could in ten." His fingers drummed again atop his Mystic Code. "A normal magus of this world can wield at least one of five Elements: Fire, Earth, Water, Wind, and Void. Some can harness two, even wield them in conjunction."
The Servants nodded patiently at his explanation while Kariya rolled his eyes. "Yeah, even I know about the Elements, Tokiomi, and that most magi are born with a natural affinity for one. Mine's Water, same as every other member of the Matou family-"
"And did you also know Rin has a natural affinity for all five?" That statement, along with the steely gaze Tokiomi leveled at him, made him pause. "…From your silence, I wager you also know just how rare and celebrated such potential is among magi." Kariya said nothing, and he drew in another breath before continuing. "Sakura on the other hand does not have an affinity for any of the five, rather, her affinity lies in Imaginary Numbers. That means she may be able to access magic far beyond what most can imagine let alone use." The pride of a father crept into that man's voice again, and this time, Kariya could really hear it. "Could any of you grasp an idea of the endless possibilities that are open to Sakura? To Rin?"
"I can," Gandalf replied with a reverence that actually assured Tokiomi, helping him back down from his earlier heat. "And I can see why you would want to help them fully cultivate their gifts. Especially because such gifts can so often become curses in their own way."
Kariya turned to him in surprise, but the wizard faced the other Master, the latter a little rattled himself. "Middle-Earth was a world more than familiar with wonder and magic, lord Tohsaka. I know of many great blessings that turned into terrible burdens for entire kingdoms." He inclined his hat towards the Mion River. "Lancer and Saber X could sing tales of such troubles, and among the Servants, they are merely the most open about speaking of the grievances their 'gifts' bring." He grew more sympathetic with each word. "Great dangers would await Rin and Sakura if they are not prepared, correct?"
"Great dangers await them no matter what, Gandalf." Tokiomi propped up his shoulders with his willpower; no matter how taxing this idea was, it eased him a bit that one here truly understood. "Magical ability inadvertently draws magical experiences to those who carry it. And the greater the ability, the greater the experiences. The history of this world's magi can attest to these two truths." His turquoise eyes stared into one gray, the other stark white. "You denied what ability you had at a young age, Kariya, so you wouldn't know what kind of dangers would be attracted to two little girls brimming with extraordinary powers."
The words may not have been a direct accusation, but they still stung. And worse, the gears turning inside the man's worm-bitten brain were grasping the logic in what this man was saying. Those memories of Rin and Sakura playing together, with Aoi watching them happily, grew darker as shapeless things sprung out to assault the little girls, claws rending their mother apart, shadows wrapping around Sakura as she called out for help… Very, very plausible. And what could Kariya do to stop it, throw bugs at shadows?!
"And the only way to make sure they'd survive these dangers is for them to embrace their powers…" He turned to where Lancer X was murmuring. "Rin and Sakura need a home that can shelter and teach them until they are able to weather the dangers on their own." Those words shook Kariya to his core, especially when she continued. "And as you've said before, your house cannot provide these boons to both sisters."
"Only one." And this time, the regret on Tokiomi's face was clear as day. "I chose Rin as my heir because she is the older of the two, but… as I told you last night, Jade, I did not make the decision to put Sakura up for adoption easily." His eyes shimmered with something, and damn Kariya Matou to hell, he couldn't deny there was true paternal love in them.
Tokiomi by contrast was berating himself for letting his composure slip so much in front of an enemy. Always elegant, always refined; the Tohsaka motto was banging against his skull as though to admonish him. But there was just something about this Gandalf that made him want to confide, and as angry as he was with Jade for her deceit, his heart somehow knew that regardless of whatever friction lay between them as Master and Servant, she would never wish harm on Rin. Or Sakura after what they'd discussed tonight. Not with her own past and the things she'd had to do, in mind. This knowledge was… refreshing. Especially compared to that of other individuals out in this world.
Kariya's head was pounding like crazy at this strange upheaval of everything he'd known, but he latched onto one last inconsistency. "Wh-why didn't you just explain all of this to the Magus Association? Tell them that there are special circumstances with your daughters, c-convince them that they should make an exception in their case, they could permit bending the rules for Fuyuki's Second Owner, right?!"
Tokiomi barked a laugh so abrupt and so harsh that it took the others aback, even Gandalf. He shook his head while his face shifted to amusement. "I'm flattered you think so highly of my position's influence, Kariya, but you really don't know anything about the ways of magi, do you?" The Matou Master snarled briefly before the Tohsaka frowned in cold anger, startling him. "The Magus Association is not comprised of paragons of integrity like the wizard you've befriended. If I were to tell them that I had an additional daughter with magical potential equal to the one I've already taken under my family's protection, they would snatch her up for themselves, perform all manners of experiments on her, cut her open while alive and conscious, and preserve her organs for future studies. All for the sake of expanding the borders of magecraft." This horrifying image was painted with an odd sort of matter-of-factness and yet blinding fury that made Kariya sick with worry and his own anger.
Tokiomi steadied his breathing while taking in his audience's reactions. Kariya the poor fellow had nearly doubled over again, his expression one of utter horror. Horror and fury that didn't seem quite so directed at him as before. Lancer X was still standing straight, but her posture was tighter than the Gordian Knot, and her hands were practically strangling her staff. Her hazel eyes blazed with such righteous rage that people of a certain taste would've found deeply alluring. No wonder Kotal fell in love with her,Tokiomi mused. She looked just about ready to travel all the way up to England and carve a bloody path through Clock Tower.
Tokiomi Tohsaka really needed to get his emotions back under control, because that prospect was currently so appealing. Hell, I just might empower her with a Command Seal to do that.
He deliberately avoided looking to check Caster X's reaction.
Kariya trembled on all fours, his thoughts an utter mess. He'd always considered magi a cold-hearted bunch of sociopaths, but this?! Sakura was only six years old! But even he had heard whispers throughout his life of what those of the Moonlit World would do to further their studies, increase their knowledge,add to their family crests. What Tokiomi was plausible, so very agonizingly plausible. 'He is telling the truth,' Gandalf's voice rumbled in his head with anger nearly rivalling his own. That confirmation was appreciated by the Master.
'And his love for his daughters is genuine.' Thatconfirmation was… another matter.
"Hate me for my decision if you will, but it was the best one I could make," Tokiomi was speaking again. "If I were to try going against the Magus Association, my losing the title as Second Owner of Fuyuki City would be the best-case scenario. Worst case, the entire Tohsaka family could be marked with Sealing Designations. Our efforts, our prestige, our dreams, our future, all gone."
"And Sakura and Rin would both end up suffering the same fate…" Kariya finished dully, grudging comprehension written across his body as Caster X helped him back to his feet. He spared him a smile in gratitude out of habit (and relief at knowing this wizard was nothing like the bastards that practiced magic in this damn world) before sighing. "…Fine, I can understand this logic to some degree, Tokiomi." He leveled one final glare at his lifelong opponent. "But I still can't believe you could put Sakura's life in Zouken's claws!"
Tokiomi restrained himself from rolling his eyes. "I've already explained my reasoning for that part of my decision, but if I must appeal to your sentimentality…" He held out a hand. "The Tohsakas and the Matous were allies long ago. Despite the circumstances of the Holy Grail and the latter's fall from grace, our families' names retain influence among the magus community. Entrusting Sakura to a once respected magus family within Fuyuki City is frankly preferable to shipping her off to some foreign country where she would be a prize, a weapon or mere breeding stock." The latter idea rankled his fatherly pride more than a little.
This time, it was Kariya Matou who laughed in bitterness and Tokiomi Tohsaka who was taken aback. "Oh, Tokiomi…" the latter snarled after calming down, his right arm wrapped around his stomach. "You really don't know, do you?"
The father of Rin and Sakura frowned, especially upon noting the lack of surprise in both Servants' faces. "What are you talking about?"
Kariya just shook his head, white locks dancing about. "Of course not… He always was good at playing others for fools." Then his mirth faded away, and he stared with all the conviction he was capable of into Tokiomi's eyes. "To a magus like you, I'm a coward, right? An irresponsible fool who walked away from the world of magecraft and left his family to decline even further. Maybe I am.
"But let me ask you something, Tokiomi Tohsaka: did you ever wonder why I would leave the Matou house?"
Kariya Matou spread his arms as wide as he could before Tokiomi could answer, indicating the hundreds of insects surrounding him from the shadows. Still unmoving, awaiting their master's call to action. "This is the magecraft of myfamily. And this," he pointed angrily up at his hair, his scarred cheek, his blinded eye, then smacked his bad leg, "is what it does to those who practice it."
Tokiomi stared at the man before him in equal measure of curiosity and disgust, the latter of which came from how something moved under the man's skin. He widened his sixth sense again and focused ever more on the human body before him. Now he could see it clearly, a collection of squirming, wriggling things around Kariya's Magic Circuits all throughout his body. The process must be utter agony… and it explained Kariya's dilapidated state.
Kariya then heaved and coughed something up that sickened both Jade and Tokiomi. "The Matou family's Magic Crest is pretty different from that of most." He held up the thrashing worm between his right index and middle fingers. "This Crest Worm and its lovely little cousins are implanted into the host's body and can aid the Magic Circuits, even be used as familiars in many of the usual ways, but in return, they feed on their host's flesh. Our life is steadily consumed away so we can use this beautiful magecraft you're so proud of."
Something dawned on Tokiomi, but he didn't dare address that yet. "So… this is how you became a somewhat eligible Master after not bothering with studies your whole life…"
"And then cramming the bare amount of what I need to be a Master in only one year?" Another laugh bubbled up from Kariya. "Pretty much. And Zouken never bothered dressing up what sort of pain this would entail, not even when I was a little kid. I didn't see the point of magecraft then, and even now, it's just a means to an end." His expression softened into an exhausted smile. "This Grail War's special rules of two Servants per Master was, honestly, a godsend. If I hadn't summoned Gandalf, I don't know where I'd be." Caster X smiled back at him while he continued. "And even with his help, it's taking all I've got not to cry whenever Berserker fights. I've got about a few weeks left to live, maybe a month."
"Provided I cannot make my wish upon the Grail," Gandalf reminded him, earning a kinder laugh from his battered Master. And the way he eyed his Servant just now made it clear there was no bad blood between them. Then the wizard cast a sympathetic eye towards the other, visibly shaken Master. "Tokiomi, you understand, don't you? If this is the magecraft the Matou family passes on, and Kariya, a man of average magical aptitude and Zouken's family by blood, is in such a state after only one year of enduring the Crest Worms…"
"Then what fate would he have in store for Sakura?" Lancer X finished in horror of her own. The wizard had told her much of this tonight, but actually seeing its effects… Kariya Matou, with those wretched things crawling about in him like a human turned into a Kytinn… And what did it-
Tokiomi was staring at the display before him. "No…" he whispered in denial. And no small amount of fear. "This… this can't be true…" He was trembling now, eyes darting frantically between the Master and the Servant. "You're-"
"Mistaken?" Gandalf replied. "How? Lying? Why? What possible reason could Kariya, a man who openly disdains the beliefs you magi endorse, have to endure this perpetual pain, risk his life in the Holy Grail War, approach you with all this?" Those eyes shone with such sadness and sympathy that couldn't have been faked.
Even as Tokiomi tried desperately not to accept it. "This is… not what we discussed…" He cupped a hand over his mouth, bile stirring within him. "Zouken told me… he simply wanted… an heir…"
"And that's all Sakura is to him," Kariya growled with his hatred returning. "Zouken doesn't care about this Grail War at all, I'm the one who insisted in representing our family in it. If I lose, Sakura will just produce the heirs Zouken wants to win him the next Holy Grail War in sixty years. But if I bring him the Grail…" desperation crept into his mouth, "… he won't need her anymore. He'll let her go back to the Tohsakas."
"And you believe him…?" Tokiomi shook his head, still unwilling to consider what Sakura would likely undergo right now. "Do you really think… any magus… let alone Zouken Matou… would keep his word?" What awaited her should this Grail War end without a victor. "Why would he make such a bargain with you… and then put you in… this state… if he believed you could win?"
What he had subjected his own daughter to…
Tokiomi clutched onto his cane like his life depended on it, shaking with so many emotions he couldn't quantify let alone label them. "How do we know we can trust you?"
Jade turned to him in shock; both because he had included her in such a vulnerable state, and because she couldn't believe he doubted the evidence laid before him. No… she amended her thoughts while taking in her visibly unsettled Master. He does believe Kariya and Gandalf's words of Sakura. And he knows they're right… because he knows what a magus is capable of.
In another time, had Gandalf not appeared, Kariya would've relished watching the man who'd stolen everything from him tremble in such pain. Good. It's your fault, you fucking bastard! You sentenced Sakura to this hell! Those were only some of the words (the nicer ones) that had been rattling about inside him for the last year. He'd rehearsed this moment again and again and again with every crawl along his spine and every bite into his flesh… Now he had the perfect opportunity to throw all of this into Tokiomi's smug face…
If he hadn't felt so tired in that moment. Maybe this fatigue came from the perpetual drain of Berserker trading blows among the clouds with those tyrannical monsters… or maybe he found himself satisfied with watching the agony etched across Tokiomi. Or maybe he just wanted to prove himself deserving of a Servant like Gandalf the Gray.
Whatever the reason, Kariya Matou settled for the coldest stare his one functioning eye could give. "Believe whatever you want, Tokiomi. I honestly don't care about your opinion of me or whatever you're telling yourself right now. I just want to make it clear to you and Jade:" he clenched his right fist before his chest, "I will do whatever it takes to save Sakura. If it means winning that goddamn cup so Zouken can finally make himself immortal, fine. If it means I have to fight you, kill you, then that's what I'll do. If it means I have to go up against the whole Magus Association while they're sharpening their scalpels, then to hell with them. Just so long as Aoi can watch Sakura and Rin play happily together again."
That series of ridiculous proclamations and the disrespect thrown his way rankled Tokiomi enough to calm down just a tiny bit. "Brave words," he chuckled out, maybe just a hint of respect in them. "But don't you think Gandalf's help is making you just a little overconfident? Saving Sakura, and I mean fully saving her, is no small task."
"That is precisely why I stand with him," the Gray Wizard answered as he stepped closer to his Master and friend. "I swore to Kariya Matou my loyalty and my abilities, and for the sake of the girl you both care for, I will do everything I can."
"That might not be enough…"
"Maybe," Kariya nodded to himself. "Maybe there isn't any hope for me even with Gandalf and Berserker. But I'm still going to fight." He then pulled up his sweater and shirt, exposing his ravaged stomach. "I'll damn myself before I let this happen to Sakura."
Tokiomi flinched at the pale stomach, scars barely visible but there, multiple things rummaging about. And just as his mind began to cruelly depict images of this with Sakura…
"YOUUUUUUU!"
A Brobdingnagian shadow loomed over the rooftop, drawing the attention of all four.
The strange presence Caster X had emanated during the two Masters' argument had not escaped the Gigantic Horror's notice. It had sensed danger in that moment. It had taken a substantial amount of time for its receptors to travel through its many inner layers, especially with Berserker X carving unrelenting its flesh, before reaching Caster, and even more time for the Servant's addled mind to process the sensation, but he understood eventually.
The foul priest with his ragged robes, twisted staff, hideous beard, pious words, unclean magics… the one who was surely responsible for everything Gilles de Rais had suffered in this Grail War. He was here. He was close by.
He was going to pay.
"Watch, oh wretched God!" The Demon Marshall's voice emanated from the Gigantic Horror for all to hear. "Watch me drag your decrepit slave into my embrace! Watch me inflict a thousand obscene acts upon him!" One of its main tentacles lashed up to smack away a lunging Saber X, sending him hurtling through the air as red energy crackled across his whole body. "Watch me avenge dear Ryuunosuke's demise with this bountiful offering!"
That same limb hurtled down like a colossal fleshy whip cracked, its tip enough to smash the roof, the entire building to rubble. Jade pulled Tokiomi to her side and began gauging the distance to the next rooftop, but Kariya stared with wide eyes at his oncoming doon. No… not like this…
Then a familiar shape stepped in front of him the mere sight dispelling his despair.
Caster X did not allow himself to panic as the tentacle drew ever closer. Instead, he reached deep inside his spirit and called upon what lay there, the power he had been holding in reserve due to its finite nature. But now, if he did not act, the Horror would finally have reached the land, and the city would fall. There was no other choice for the Istar but to grasp his staff, raise it high and invoke his Noble Phantasm.
"Heed my call… Flame of Anor!"
For a single moment, the entire area was engulfed in light. The Horror could be heard shrieking in unholy pain much like its creator, but they could barely see it. Everyone present, Heroic Spirit, human or homunculus, ceased in their actions, even those three chasing each other among the skies, to stare at this feat of… of…. Magnificence.
Those standing the closest to the one who'd cast this miracle could barely make him out among the light. Perhaps he was the light. It was blinding but not painful, Lancer X noted in wonder. As for the Masters, both knew, even Kariya with what limited (and painful) experiences he had, they knew that this was no mere magecraft. In fact, "magic" was perhaps not encompassing enough a word for the power this Heroic Spirit of Sorcery possessed.
Then the light dimmed again, and battles slowly restarted. Caster X himself slumped where he stood, staff barely keeping him propped up. He breathed in heavily, sealing away his Noble Phantasm again before it was unleashed in its entirety. This was not the final battle of the Holy Grail War, after all, and Gandalf sensed he would need the Flame of Anor again before his time on this world ended.
For once, it was Kariya offering a shoulder for Gandalf to lean on, an irony both acknowledged with a chuckle. Then Jade propped him up from the other side while Tokiomi joined them in watching the Horror cautiously. It was still standing, but its entire body was covered in burns heavier than it had sustained before. The Mion's waters had been purged of the countless tentacles festering within, and even most of the mist above the river had been lifted. Not exactly a good thing, Tokiomi noted with concern, but the crowds were too confused for now. The church and the Magus Association could make this work.
But the biggest problem was that the Horror was still there, and it was mad. "DAMN YOU TO HELL, YOU OBSCENE PRIEST!" Oh, and so was Caster.
Kariya eyed that tentacle rising again. "Gandalf… Could you use that light power again?"
"Not right now, not even with a Command Seal." Caster X huffed in exhaustion. "Even if I had used all of my power, I am not certain it would have sufficed to destroy Caster's work completely."
But help arrived in the form of a cackling Servant who had finally managed to climb to the very top. "Hell of a lightshow, old man!" Berserker X called down to them before leaping up and brandishing his nodachi. The Horror screeched as its entire tentacle was chopped off in a single swing.
Kenpachi landed onto a smaller thrashing tentacle with a chuckle. "Looks like he went and softened you up, huh? Wonder what fighting that geezer would be like." Then he leaped into the fray again, as was his way.
Back on the roof, Lancer X shook her head with a sigh. "I suppose even battle-crazy brutes have their place in this world…"
"As do all characters…" Caster X mumbled while eyeing a series of bulbs growing atop the Horror. Something told him that even with the Horror injured, the battle had yet to end.
Zouken fumed inside his mansion, hand clutching his weary old chest. He didn't know what exactly that wave was that washed over him, hell, probably washed over every part of the city, and it had incinerated all the scouts he had sent to monitor the battle at Mion River. But he recognized the stench within. Caster X…
(And in another part of the Matou residence, a little girl slept just a little more peacefully than usual. She even enjoyed the first pleasant dreams she'd had in… a long time.)
The centuries-old Matou still had no idea what that blasted wizard had been up to since his Worms had reported him and Kariya confronting Tokiomi and his X-Servant. The ones inside his "son" were still too terrified of him to tell Zouken anything, but they existed, he knew that much. That meant Kariya hadn't gotten himself killed yet. Alright,Zouken held up the special book he'd constructed while sending out a fresh batch of fliers, I guess sending Avenger X isn't enough of a hand to lend. But Gandalf the Gray, you are not welcome here!
Caster had felt a great swell of power within him, and with a jubilant cry, he channeled every last piece of it into Prelati's Spellbook. The energies of the Command Seal allowed him to call upon a different power, albeit of a lower level, while maintaining the current one simultaneously.
The bulbous formations atop the Gigantic Horror swelled, then burst as many things were launched high through the air. They splattered onto the rooftop where Tokiomi, Jade, Kariya, and Gandalf were, the fleshy blobs rearranging themselves into roughly thirty of the Horrors Bluebeard had commanded during his first confrontation with his counterpart.
Lancer X spun her Edenian Sojourner Staff as green energy crackled along its length. "Well, it seems we are having a fight after all."
Glamdring's blade shined blue as Caster X drew it from its sheathe. "A warning to both of you Masters, but you may have to engage these creatures as well."
"That's quite alright," Tokiomi Tohsaka leveled his cane's crown before him as flames danced around it. "I do believe I need to vent a little."
Kariya Matou glared about himself as dozens of Blade Wing Worms hovered around him. "For once, Tokiomi, we're in agreement."
And while every part of the battlefield -river, land, sky- grew evermore heated, Iskandar the King of Conquerors came to a decision. 'Kenpachi, Qrow, meet up with me. I have a plan.'
Phew, so many different ideas went through my head at this big battle, and I ended up rejecting half of them. I'm not so happy about the flow, but this is sadly the best I could do. Hope you guys are satisfied, I at least tried to give all the Servants time to shine here.
I'm aware you were all expecting Gandalf to be much harsher with our oblivious magus of a father, but after thinking it through again and again, it just seemed like a "The Reason You Suck" Speech wasn't entirely the right answer here. Not with the story I'm writing. Breaking Tokiomi down would've been fun, but also a little too simple for my taste, especially because he has (by a magus' standards) legitimate reasons why he gave Sakura to the Matous. For those of you skeptical about his reasonings, I advise you to take a look into the original light novel: Volume 3, Act 12, -62:48:35.
Ah, yes. Before I forget, here's someone many of you have been waiting for…
Avenger X-
Class: Avenger
Master: Zouken Matou
True Name: Maul
Titles: Darth Maul, Son of Dathomir
Sex: Male
Source: Star Wars
Region: Dathomir
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Strength: B+
Endurance: A
Agility: B
Mana: C
Luck: E
NP: C
Class Skills-
Avenger: Is a Class Skill of the Avenger class, representing the state of an Avenger as one that gathers people's hatreds and grudges onto oneself. It is easier for one to accumulate hatred and resentment. The rate of mana generation becomes higher when receiving damage.
B: Avenger X has been trained to wield dark emotions both within himself and others as weapons. He has slain many throughout his life and knows how to awaken hatred and other forms of darkness within his opponents, thereby strengthening himself. A dangerous individual at the best of times.
Oblivion Correction: Is a Class Skill of the Avenger class. People are creatures that forget many things, but an Avenger never forgets. The critical effect of Avengers who attack from beyond one's memory is strengthened.
A: Avenger X learned from a young age to embrace the hatred within himself. This makes him one to hold grudges quite easily, such as the warrior who took his legs and his former master who cast him aside for this and later slew his brother out of sheer cruelty. And no matter how long it takes, Avenger X will bring death to them all.
Self-Replenishment (Mana): Is a Class Skill of the Avenger class. One's Magical Energy endlessly surges until their revenge is accomplished. Recovers a minuscule amount of magical energy every turn.
B: Avenger X's dark connection to The Force allows him to passively draw in mana with little trouble. He can even sustain himself without a Master for a given period of time.
Personal Skills-
The Force: Refers to the user's innate connection to a special energy field which is formed and flows through all living things. Those who can tap into this power may be able to perform incredible feats including Mana Burst, Clairvoyance, Presence Detection, Throwing (Retrieval), and more.
B: Avenger was trained since his youth in the ways of the dark side. Though the loss of half his body reduced somewhat his talents, he remains dangerously skilled at practical applications. He can increase his physical abilities, see slightly into the future, receive warning premonitions, and telekinetically lift objects and beings by waving his hand. The latter ability can even be turned into a sort of psychic choking, though Magic Resistance can shield others from direct effects of these powers. Equal or higher rank negates them outright.
Berserk: Is a composite Skill of Valor and Mad Enhancement. Grants the user the ability to negate mental interference such as pressure, confusion and fascination. It also has the bonus effect of increasing melee damage.
A: Anger, fury, hatred… these emotions all fuel Avenger X and his already fearsome attacks. He is utterly merciless in battle and not easily distracted. Only the most skilled can hope to survive a clash with him.
Battle Continuation: Allows for the continuation of combat after sustaining mortal wounds. It will also reduce mortality rate from injury. This Skill represents the ability to survive and/or the mentality of one who doesn't know when to give up, consisting of one's strength of vitality in predicaments.
A: Even when cut in half and losing everything beneath the waist, Avenger survived the near fatal experience through tenacity and hatred alone, though driven mad in the process, and lasted on a desolate, garbage laid world for at least a decade before being rescued. Avenger can power through even the destruction of his spirit core and will do everything to take his enemy with him to his grave.
Protection From Arrows: Is the ability to deal with projectiles, an increased defense against ranged attacks by predicting the projectiles' trajectories through exceptional means, such as hearing the sound of air being cut, or sensing the killing intent of the enemy.
B+: Through a combination of The Force and years of training and experience, Avenger X can evade or even deflect multiple high-speed projectiles with his Crimson Dawn. His reflexes are top-notch, but the true reason behind his prowess is limited precognition: he knows instinctively where each and every projectile is aimed and moves accordingly. Avenger X can even make shots visible to him veer off course with hand gestures. The latter requires higher concentration, however, and sustained assaults can overwhelm him.
Cyborg: A Skill where parts of one's body have been replaced or modified with mechanical components. These enhancements and their effects cannot be disabled by anti-magical methods, though may also raise vulnerability to electrical attacks.
C: Avenger X's most hated enemy cut him in half by the waist, nearly killing him. He survived through sheer hatred and willpower and later received prosthetics. They are incapable of feeling pain or fatigue due to their cybernetic nature.
Noble Phantasm-
Crimson Dawn: "Dual Blades of Blood-Red Fire": C (Anti-Unit): Avenger X has wielded many weapons throughout his life, but the one associated with him the most is his Noble Phantasm. A metallic handle far longer than most models, with a grip guard protruding from one end, its wielder regularly attaches a wooden shaft to its bottom to hide its dangerous nature. A long blade of red mana-based plasma emits from either end of the weapon. This energy can slice or pierce through most materials, including Noble Phantasms of lower rank. Those of equal or higher can clash evenly with the blades without sustaining damage, though prolonged combat may be another story. Avenger X is a ferocious combatant in wielding Crimson Dawn, having cut down many a skillful adversary in his time. He can choose to activate only one or both blades, granting him the element of surprise. This weapon shares its name with the criminal syndicate its master founded in life; another step of his bloodstained path.