Chapter 21: Bonds
-48:06:29
As the night slowly gave way to the next day, Fuyuki City had finally calmed down. To an extent: The authorities had spent the entire night trying to find the perpetrators of the bombings, but there were few clues to start with. Even the components of the detonated bombs or those few found which were disabled left little to be traced; telltale professional work. At some sights, it was almost as if the explosions had gone off, and the bomb traces just weren't there. Like the culprits, they seemed to have just disappeared.
Either way, there was still a sizable number of worries to go around. Preliminary casualty reports listed of at least three thousand lives lost, including the thousand caught up in the first explosion at the Hyatt hotel, and severe damage in both districts. Miyama Town had been less affected than Shinto, but roughly forty residences had still suffered or been outright destroyed. The attacks there seemed to have been aimed at key spots in the rural area.
What perplexed the policemen and bomb squad members most, however, were a few disturbances near key locations: power stations, hospitals, the refinery, even Fuyuki Bridge. All of them would've been obvious targets for crippling the city, but they were for the most part untouched. Just a few bullet holes, scorch marks or cracked surfaces. It was a junior officer who finally offered the possibility that the mysterious terrorists had targeted these places but were stopped by others. Sill, that answer presented more questions like who the defenders could've been, or why they hadn't made themselves known.
Whoever they were, though, they had protected the city's most crucial parts. All of the hospitals were at full support providing treatment to the injured, and more people were being recovered and brought to safety with each passing hour. Fuyuki had taken a heavy hit, but from a metropolitan viewpoint, it could rebuild and recover.
Still, these bombings were the third incident it had to deal with in the last week alone. Even those citizens who hadn't been affected by either the kidnappings, the strange chemical leak at the river or buildings suddenly blowing up around them woke up with a chill through their bodies, a haunting worry that something was bound to happen to them as well. More than a few were even making plans to leave. "At least for a while," they'd tell themselves. "Until things calm down again." Some worried, though, that things wouldn't calm down ever again.
Glen and Martha Mackenzie were among those still debating about it. Their home had miraculously been out of range for any explosions, and Glen wanted to stay optimistic, but his wife felt they shouldn't press their luck, especially with their grandson having returned from his evening walk thankfully unscathed, but their remaining guests gone and him unresponsive. This morning they found him curled in a ball on his bed, tears in his eyes.
Now a little later, Waver Velvet was sitting alone in "his" room, staring dully out the window as the outside world slowly grew brighter. The sun's approach did little to disperse the gloom inside him, though. I still can't believe they're gone…
Rider and Berserker X. His Servants. Two of the strongest souls he had ever encountered, and young though the boy was, he sincerely doubted he would find others of their like so quickly again. Waver had thought, well, hoped he'd be a little stronger after having to watch Saber X die, but here he was, replaying the final battle of last night in his head over and over. His invoking all of his Command Seals (a completely stupid move in hindsight), the return to the Reality Marble and Rider X's subsequent defiling it, the battle of living vs. undead, an old friend returning for only a moment, Ionioi Hetairoi's destruction… their deaths.
Waver had failed completely and utterly. He'd defended Rider's ideals with all his heart, encouraged Berserker X to cut loose, done everything in his meager power to tip the odds in their favor, and it had all amounted to nothing. Megatron might've been denied the title "King of Conquerors," but that was only because of Archer's meddling. And Archer had in turn destroyed Kenpachi, a monster Waver believed indestructible. Now he had nothing left.
…Well, not completely nothing, he recalled while gazing vacantly at his left hand. Energy of a dull green shimmered over his fingertips, his body having fully replenished its afresh Aura after nearly seven hours since its breaking. Now Waver knew why he had felt fitter and stronger yesterday, and this was just a beginner's Aura. With Qrow's dreams in mind, training it further could make even a scrawny bookworm like him a force to be reckoned with. He might even discover a Semblance of his own, and if combined with magecraft…
Waver dropped his hand with a sigh. Magecraft… Any magus professor worth their title would determine with one glance that Aura was no regular application of Thaumaturgy. And no one would believe that some mediocre student with a magic bloodline of barely three generations could do something like harness his soul as a protective energy field, a discovery out of the blue, no less.
They'd strap him down to a table and peel him apart, layer by layer. They'd apply acids and burning prods, remove his organs and preserve them in jars for future experiments. He wouldn't be a student of magecraft anymore, but a case study for it. If Waver Velvet wanted to avoid being reduced to a vegetable in some Clock Tower laboratory, no other magus could ever learn about his newfound power.
So, that defeats pretty much any chance of me ever being recognized as someone special, he noted bitterly while getting up. I can't win the Holy Grail War, I won't even make the runner-up with my Servants gone. Hell, I'm not sure I'll survive whatever the hell happens next. He hung his head in defeat. Have I accomplished anything?
Waver opened the bedroom door and walked out into the hall. Saber X's final gift to him seemed to have made his arms and legs a little more eager for movement. Well, the pacing might help distract him from his self-loathing. For a little while, at least, even if his problems still wouldn't go away…
"Hey, Waver, is that you?" He stopped at Glen Mackenzie's voice seemingly coming from nowhere, glancing around before he noticed the door to the skylight door was open and the ladder set up. He slowly moved up to see the lined face peering brightly down at him. "Glad to see you're awake." He beckoned with a hand. "Come on up here, I need to talk with you."
Waver blinked in confusion. "Um, Grandfather… Is the roof really the best spot for a conversation? Why don't you come down?" Truth be told, he wasn't in the mood for any conversation regardless of the location.
But the old man simply chuckled. "Trust me, up here's the perfect spot. You won't find a better place to appreciate the coming dawn anywhere else." Waver suppressed a sigh, wondering if this obtuseness was a sign of early senility or just him deciding to act a little eccentric. He made to refuse as kindly as he could in his current turmoil when Glen said, "Listen, Waver, we really need to have a few words. Humor this old man, would you?"
Kindly spoken though the words were, they carried a strong undercurrent that brokered no argument. Realizing it would consume more energy to keep refusing than indulge the elderly man, Waver sighed audibly this time and began to climb up. "Nobody ever listens to me…"
The Mackenzie house had been specifically designed its rooftop to be easily accessible via the skylight, so the young man reached it in little time. He immediately rubbed his hands together, shivering at the winter breeze. He recalled Aura could shield against harsh temperatures, but he wasn't experienced enough with his to activate it covertly. "Here you go." Besides, Glen would've noticed something strange about his "grandson" not being cold while sitting on the roof in only his sleepwear. He draped a thick blanket over Waver's shoulders and then passed him a mug of steaming brown liquid. "Coffee's fresh, warm yourself up."
Waver managed to give him a tiny smile in thanks before he blew a little on the coffee and took a sip. It was black and without sugar, but the bitterness provided him a good kick, and his fingers were delighted over the cup's warmth. "…How's Grandmother?"
"She's trying to get some sleep. With all the commotion that was going on last night, we couldn't have stayed in bed if we wanted to, especially with you, Alexander and Kenpachi running around who knows where…"
Waver flinched at the subtle admonishment; he should've tweaked his hypnosis better so they wouldn't worry. "I-I'm alright, Grandfather, seriously. They… kept me safe."
"But something happened to them, right?" When he received no answer, Glen hummed to himself. "And the same could be said for Qrow, huh?" Still no answer except for a slight tremble. "…I'm sorry, Waver. They were good men who knew how to liven things up, all three of them. It'll be a long while before Martha and I meet anyone like them again…"
"I don't think it's even possible…" Waver finally mumbled, prompting a pat on the back from his companion.
The two men sat there in silence for a while, sipping their coffee, then Glen sighed. "…I came up here because I needed to clear my head. What with everything that's happened these last couple of days. It's still dark enough that you can see the stars, even make out a constellation or two." He chuckled a bit. "Picking them out always cheered up our moods, remember, Waver? We used to come up here and watch the stars all the time."
"Oh, yeah…" Waver replied half-heartedly. He'd just noticed a slight blush in his "grandfather's" cheeks amidst the hair and doubted it was just from the cold. The old man might've been enjoying a little more than coffee this morning. Couldn't blame him, though, considering all of the chaos going on. Guilt nagged at the ex-Master; he was somewhat guilty for the chaos.
Unaware of the boy's musings, Glen went on. "The view's beautiful, isn't it? Even after the explosions, there's still so much of this city that hasn't been hurt. Gives me a feeling of hope, you know?" He smiled fondly and drank some more coffee. "I came to Japan for business and fell in love with it. When Martha and I moved here, she insisted the house be built up on Miyama's hill here and that it included a skylight that could get us to the roof. That was our dream, to sit up here with our grandchildren and just savor the world." His smile shifted to a sad one. "But… I had a bad fight with my son, Chris, when he wanted to raise his own kids in Toronto. Not a day goes by I don't regret it… I never thought my dream would come true."
Waver had meant to take another drink, but something about those words made his hands freeze up. "Our real grandchildren have never been up here with me, and Martha's not a fan of heights." A hand clapped down on his suddenly stiff shoulder. "I've always watched the stars alone." He slowly glanced over, but the elderly kept his stare ahead, even when he said, "Waver… you're not really our grandson, right?"
Waver was still as a statue. His spell must've worn off at some point… or maybe this man was simply cleverer than he'd given him credit. "It's weird how Martha and I kept mistaking you for him." The latter appeared to be the right answer as Glen continued. Maybe he wasn't that inebriated after all. "If I'm being honest, you're much too nice to be one of ours, anyway."
He should've been panicking or trying desperately to reestablish the illusion, but he just didn't feel the drive for either. He just palmed his forehead with a defeated sigh. This would be a perfect ending to the comedy that was his participation in the Grail War: getting kicked out by the couple he'd tricked into caring for him.
…Except Glen just sat up there, refilling his coffee. Waver asked dully, "Aren't you mad at me?"
The older man tilted his head. "Well, I ought to be." He turned, and Waver nearly gaped at the warm smile directed at him. "But Martha's been smiling so much lately, more than I would've imagined. And I have you and your friends to thank for that."
That made zero sense to the young magus. How could the old fool be so happy about his deception? He and his wife were being exploited! Their very lives were at risk because of Waver! If he'd tried something like this with a member of the Magus Association, they'd have used him as a guinea pig as payback, Aura or no Aura.
"Besides, I'm pretty sure none of you came into our house meaning us harm. I'm not blind to the sort of man someone like Kenpachi generally turns out to be, but I never sensed any kind of threat from him," Glen laughed, "and he was the scariest of you lot." His smile slipped away. "That said, I'm a little worried about your nightly walks, what with all the excitement."
Waver picked up on his words. "…I didn't set the bombs that tore through the city, Grandfather, and neither did Alexander or the others. But… I'd be lying if I said we weren't involved. I'm not anymore, at least." He sighed. "My part in this mess is over, just like… theirs. I'm… sorry for what I did to you and Grandmother, even if you don't believe me, and I can't really explain the reasons, but… I swear everything I'm telling you now is the truth."
Grandfather squeezed his shoulder and chuckled. "And oddly enough, I believe you. You don't look like the kind of kid who'd put lives in danger for some crazy reason." Waver tried not to snort; that description was unflatteringly similar to the attitude of most magi. "But I'm relieved you're not risking your life anymore, whatever your reasons were, Waver." He pulled him closer. "Even if it took losing your friends for this to happen. I'm so sorry."
The magus Waver Velvet almost snapped that they hadn't been his friends, they had just been Servants, tools for fighting- But he held his tongue. This normal man wouldn't have understood the nature of their situation, and… Waver couldn't see them as tools or friends. They were far too great for such terms that implied they needed him for anything.
"Martha's been insisting we get out of town, you know." He snapped out of his thoughts while Glen continued. "Just for a while until Fuyuki cools down again. And from the sound of it, whatever you boys were involved in probably isn't finished yet even if you are." He sighed. "It breaks my heart leaving this house even if it's hopefully just temporary, and I don't really know where we could go, but I have to agree with her." He poured more coffee into the boy's mug. "And I'd like for you to come with us."
Waver nearly performed a picture-perfect spit take. "Wh-what?!"
Grandfather laughed at his expression. "I know you being our grandson was just a dream," he admitted, "but it was a happy one. For old folks like us, spending time with young fools is a priceless treasure. I wouldn't mind keeping the dream going a little longer."
It should've been utter nonsense. Any real mage would've laughed their heads off at such sentiment… but Waver was focused on one particular word: Dream.
Come to think of it, he'd never had a real dream prior to joining the Holy Grail War. Becoming a great magus, being acknowledged by his peers, those were just goals. But now… he had met amazing beings who all defied the impossible to come to this city and fight for a miracle that might make their dreams come true. Three of them had been contracted to Waver Velvet, and through them he was able to experience how powerful such dreams could be.
A life unburdened by perpetual misfortune, a chance to just relax and spend as much time as you wanted with your friends and family…
One fight after another, each more challenging than the last, pushing you and your blade, your comrade, past your limits and beyond…
The hot air rippling across the sands of an endless desert, blue skies beckoning for a sea of the color, stretching endlessly into the horizon…
And what about him? Did he, an insecure brat of a tiny mage lineage, have a dream?
The desert came to mind again, along with its King's words. "Waver Velvet, would you serve me as my vassal?"
That's right… He had made a promise to the King. He had sworn loyalty to him and begged to share in the dream as one of his followers. Other words from his Heroic Spirits blazed through his mind and his heart.
"…as my vassal, it is your duty to live on, see the dream through, and pass it down through the generations to come."
"Don't just admit defeat and beg to die! Die first before you admit defeat!"
"Keep moving… Forward… Waver Velvet… I'm rooting for ya…"
"Live on, Waver. Survive this battle, witness it to the end no matter the outcome, and then tell this tale."
He sneaked a peek at his head and summoned that green-gray energy again, a manifestation of his soul. This time, he understood the reason Qrow Branwen had bestowed upon him this Aura: It was a gift. A gift to protect and help him live, maybe not as a magus… but just live.
None of them had managed to claim the Grail, but Rider, Saber X and Berserker X had all fought according to their beliefs and dreams, and they all met their ends with dignity and smiles on their faces. Was their Master capable of doing the same?
Not in his present state, and not as the fool he had been when he first signed up for this insanity. But not ever? What was it Kenpachi had thought in his last moments, the thought he had echoed…? I want to get stronger.
Finally, Waver gave an answer to his grandfather's offer. "…I'd like that. I really would. And it definitely wouldn't hurt you to be a little more cautious, maybe even leave for a week or so." Waver set down his mug and stood up. "…But I can't leave just yet. It's stupid of me, but… I feel like I should stay and see what's going on through to the end."
Glen eyed him with more than a little worry. "I thought you weren't risking your life anymore?"
"I won't be participating," Waver corrected, "but I was there when this mess started. The least I should do is watch it end, even if I'm gambling my life in the process," he admitted.
Glen Mackenzie scratched his beard, noting the posture and tone of the boy standing on the roof. No, calling him a boy wouldn't be quite right. "Well, I won't force you to come us if we do leave, but I trust you won't be throwing your life away. Good thing, too." He got up as well, collected his mug and thermos and made for the skylight. "Here's one last word of advice: When you take a moment to reflect on your life once you've reached my age, you'll find there's nothing more precious than life itself."
A sentiment a magus would've laughed at, but Waver Velvet contemplated it all the same while watching the sun's first rays spread across the horizon. "You should get some sleep."
Glen smiled at his grandson before heading down the stairs. "I think I'll do that. These old bones of mine yearn for my bed…" His footsteps slowly grew more distant, and then the former Master stood alone.
"Your grandfather's a wise man."
Or not, as Waver discovered while spinning around, the action nearly unseating his blanket.
"And more importantly, a good one." Assassin X raised his hands placatingly from where he sat on the roof's peak. "Easy does it, kid," he said calmly. "I'm just here to find out whether you're still competing or not."
Waver didn't see any hostility in his posture, and the fact he was seeing Assassin X at all confirmed the statement. Striking from the shadows was the forte of this one's class after all, and the boy had seen enough of him to know if the Servant wanted to kill him, he would've died and never realized it. Hell, Grandfather wouldn't have realized it.
With this in mind, he relaxed a little. "I don't know when you arrived here, so let me repeat myself: I'm done fighting in the Holy Grail War." His eyes flickered down for a second. "All of my Servants are dead, and I don't have any Command Seals left." His eyes returned to the Heroic Spirit before him. "There's no way left for me to win the Grail."
"We both know that's not strictly speaking true," the Servant of the Shadows countered. "If any of the remaining Servants were to lose their Master, you could theoretically claim their Seals and form a new contract with them even this late in the game. It's happened before in prior Grail Wars, hence the practice of dispatching both Servants and their Masters." He tilted his head as Waver stilled. "You're not the only one who does his homework."
"…Of course not." As a Servant-less Master, Waver should've headed for the church and renounced his desire for the Grail as per tradition. But with the overseer dead and Servants like Rider X on the loose, he hadn't been sure the safe zone was that safe at all… And he had wanted to make sure the bombings hadn't reached the Mackenzie's.
The young magus knew as well that even with his Aura, Assassin X didn't need the element of surprise to kill him in a fraction of a second. But something inside him refused to quiver. "Do you really think, though, that a Servant like Archer or Rider X or even your partner would be satisfied with a weakling like me for a Master? Things would have to be pretty desperate for even the late Archer X to stoop that low."
"And here I thought you had a higher opinion of yourself."
Waver gave a self-derisive scoff. "I've been pulled around enough in this mess to recognize my own failings. After all, I've got nothing left." He then let his blanket fall to the ground and spread his arms wide. "But if you still don't believe me, then stop wasting your time and mine."
The Shadow Clone of Kakashi Hatake peered at the young man before him, his eye going over last detail from arm to leg, searching for any tricks or weakness… and finding neither. Finally, he sighed through his mask. "Believe it or not, I don't enjoy killing for no reason," he slid to his feet and tucked his hands into his pockets, "and I don't see one to kill you, Waver Velvet." He walked down the roof towards him. "I think I can trust your claims," he stopped just short of him, "for now. But you might want to keep your guard up."
Waver dropped his arms again but didn't miss the warning. Assassin X and his Master were sure to keep an eye on him in case he started getting ideas. And even if they didn't deem him a target anymore, the same didn't necessarily apply for the other teams. Without Rider's team to protect him, he was a sitting duck. One wrong move, and he'd lose his head.
For some reason, though, that didn't scare him anymore. "Do whatever you want with me, just tell your Master and your partner to leave the couple of this house alone. They have nothing to do with magic or the Grail War. Their safety is all I ask."
Assassin X nodded his consent. "Saber's not the kind of person to kill innocents, let alone the elderly, and neither am I." Waver huffed in relief as he began to walk towards the far side of the roof. But then the masked man stopped. "For what it's worth, you have my condolences. King Iskandar and his crew seemed like a pretty merry bunch. Even Berserker X… sort of." His head shifted slightly. "It'd be a shame if their Master let their deaths be for nothing, considering he's such a young lad with his whole life still ahead of him." Upon hearing no answer, he bent his legs slightly and made to leap-
"…Archer's True Name is Gilgamesh." Assassin X turned back, but the boy was staring down at the shingles again. "He's the King of Heroes and the hero of the oldest epic in this world's history. Kenpachi came at him with all of his strength, plus two Command Seals, and Archer still killed him." A tiny but proud smile crossed his lips. "Not without effort, though."
Assassin X processed this information (and subtly checked his microphone was still on) before nodding again. "Well, that coincides with our own suspicions. Care to share anything else?"
The smile slipped into a frown. "Watch out for Rider X. He's an even bigger monster than any of us could've imagined." Velvet trembled at his spot, though whether from fear or rage the Servant couldn't be certain. "He has another Noble Phantasm, some kind of evil power he calls 'Dark Energon.' It… corrupts anything it touches and forces it under his will. I saw him infect Rider's Reality Marble with those twisted crystals of his, and he turned half of the Ionioi Hetairoi into twisted zombies that he then sicked onto the other half."
"…Did he… turn… Rider, too?"
The boy sucked in a deep breath. "He tried to… but Archer killed Rider before that stuff could spread through all of him. Rider could resist it, too. For a while, at least…"
This description alone made Assassin X a little queasy. He'd seen and heard of some pretty nasty jutsu in his time, especially the dreaded (and forbidden) Reanimation Jutsu a certain rogue of his village had picked up, but this "Dark Energon" sounded like it was on a different level. "Soldiers are one thing," he mused out loud, "but the Reality Marble itself… He could wrest control of something that all-encompassing while fighting Rider?"
Waver frowned, Saber X's voice telling him to go over the details again. "…Not completely, and it seemed like Rider X was surprised himself at how much headway he made. Whatever its origins, I don't think the Noble Phantasm alone could have corrupted the entire Marble."
"…Unless something else was reinforcing its power." Assassin X's eyes (one hidden behind his headband) widened in realization. "Something like a device that collects and stores mana for its owner's use."
The truth came to the former Master with the memory of another Servant's words. "That Reactor Lancer mentioned at the Banquet, the one Archer X stole… You think Rider X took it and… and… tapped into it?"
"It's plausible. Maybe if we can find that thing and neutralize it…" The Copy Ninja's clone trailed off in thought, then snapped back to reality as his Master called him. He bowed to the man. "Thank you for sharing this information with me. I'm afraid I don't know what to offer in return-"
"Just promise me you'll stop Megatron." Waver waved off the gratitude. He wasn't doing this for the Servant. "I won't win the Holy Grail, and I'll get over that somehow. But knowing that metal bastard doesn't get his claws on it either will help the process."
It was a small thing, but he could at least fight in his King's stead by passing on this information.
Assassin X nodded again before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Waver turned back to the horizon where the sun was now clearly visible, its rays warming his body and soul.
A nondescript car parked in front of a certain residence in Miyama Town, and its owner stepped out to walk briskly to the entrance. The house inside these walls was old-school, more traditional Japanese than the skyscrapers of Shinto. A little indulgence that had taken time and negotiations with certain individuals, but for her sake, Kiritsugu Emiya would do anything.
He was still mentally reviewing the intel Assassin X's Shadow Clone had gained from Waver Velvet; the defeated Master was a loose end, but the shinobi Servant had argued that leaving him be could do more good than harm in the long run, and Kiritsugu had let the matter rest for now. He trusted Assassin X's instincts, and there were more dangerous targets running about, especially if one took into account what the boy had told of Rider X and Archer. He'd have to review this with his Servants and come up with a few tactics for the upcoming battle.
As for the other Masters, Zouken Matou and Tokiomi Tohsaka seemed to be hunkering down in their mansions for the moment. Kariya Matou was still in his little alley, but with both Servants close by, getting to him would be tricky. And then there was Kirei Kotomine, now enjoying further protection as the replacement overseer. Kiritsugu didn't have any real proof the priest remained Rider X's Master, just suspicions and a bad feeling. He trusted the latter.
The Mage Killer passed Maiya and Saber standing guard by the storehouse, the latter greeting him with a respectful nod. He nodded absentmindedly back before he realized it, then brushed it off in favor of turning to his aide. "Are you here to check up on Ma'am?" She asked in a mostly cool tone. "Her… condition's getting worse…"
"I know." He had known from the beginning what Iri's fate entailed. Old Man Acht had told him upfront during their negotiations, of the sacrifice needed to manifest the Lesser Grail. Back then, though, Irisviel von Einzbern had been just another homunculus, a blank book to be used as kindling for the flame of miracles the Einzberns lusted after. The Mage Killer couldn't have anticipated saving her from those wolves in the snow-capped forest would've been the first step for her becoming her own person. And he never would've imagined he of all people would grow to fall in love with said person. But neither their love nor Ilya's birth changed the fact that Iri had to die for the sake of his dream.
Nobody ever accused me of being bright…
Hence the reason he stood before this shed now. This was the final test of Kiritsugu Emiya's conviction. …And for some reason, he knew it would be the last time he'd ever see Iri as… Iri. Or you can just turn and walk away, a cold voice whispered in Kiritsugu's head. Cold and without empathy, like a machine. This is a distraction. You know visiting her won't really change anything. You should invest your time with something more productive, like planning your next move.
He headed for the shed's sliding door, and once Maiya opened it, he stepped inside. As she closed it, she murmured, "The pack is with her." His lips quirked. Of course, they are.
Iri lay with her hands on her chest inside the Magic Circle, its lines glowing gently. She was so still and so pale one might've mistaken her for a corpse. Only a slight rising and falling of her chest confirmed she was still breathing. All eight of Assassin X's ninja hounds were seated at its rims, their faces scrunched up in concern. Tiny whimpers could be heard from each of them. A weak giggle bubbled up from Iri. "Such sweet little boys…"
Those red eyes then opened, and she turned slightly to smile at her husband. Damn him, why did they have to make the vessel for the Grail so beautiful? "Kiritsugu, you're here…" she whispered. Pakkun drew worriedly closer, his paws avoiding the Circle's lines with impressive dexterity, and she lifted an arm to pet him. "I'm alright, Pakkun… You don't need to look so sad…" she tried to assure him before turning to Kiritsugu again. "You came… you really came… to see me?"
"I did." Kiritsugu drew closer and knelt by her side, a hand unconsciously rubbing the nearest furry head it could find. Bull glanced up to him with black eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and he barely managed to keep his tone even. The Magus Killer could've scolded them for not being out in the city, tracking their targets' movements alongside Assassin X and his clones. "You boys mind giving us some time alone?" He'd meant to phrase it as an order.
These dogs, true to all the qualities people praised of their species, acquiesced with slight whines, one after the other poofing away. A sigh escaped him after the final Poof!
"Don't be mad at them…" Kiritsugu turned his full attention to his wife laid out before him. "I'm so happy…" Irisviel laid her arms out by her sides. "I always wondered what it would feel like… petting a dog… playing with it…" She giggled. "Snuggling with it… I never thought I would get the chance with one… Let alone eight…"
Kiritsugu nodded mechanically. Animals weren't allowed in the Einzbern castle, not even under the pretense of teaching Iri new things. He had considered smuggling a pup or a bird past the walls but decided against it. Pets tended to have short lifespans in magus households. "You ought to thank Assassin X for the opportunity," he suggested.
"I want to…" Iri agreed. "He's given us so much… opened doors for so many possibilities and ideas…" Her fingers drifted slightly together into the Bird sign. "Things I would have never imagined…" She drew in a long breath before exhaling. "He even made you working with Saber a reality… and not just my wishful thinking…"
He scoffed and noted it carried no emotion. Good. "She and I are like oil and water. It's been that way from the start. The only reason we can cooperate is because he's a busybody."
Iri laughed again. "Maybe… but that needn't be a bad thing… Assassin X… Kakashi is a good man… and you may have more in common with him than you think…"
Kiritsugu thought back to his dreams in recent days, the questions that rattled inside his skull whenever he thought about that masked Heroic Spirit… and said nothing. She made a playful smile. "And you can't really complain… You're the one who summoned him…"
"Don't remind me," he muttered. He nodded pleased to himself; he could feel his emotions being shelved away while he kneeled here in this shed, the love of his life laid out before him. This was that special talent of his Natalia had talked about all those years ago, before he had sacrificed her too: the ability to shut off his feelings and carry out his actions without them. His body could perform any task even while his heart rattled in conflict within. Such was the ability of the machine that is Kiritsugu Emiya.
For a while, he'd worried he had lost this ability due to the nature of this Grail War and the Heroic Spirits fighting in it. But right now, in this dark little room, his fears were laid to rest.
Iri was staring knowingly at Kiritsugu like she was aware of his thoughts, but she only smiled without judgment or reproach. Then she turned to the ceiling. "Ah yes… There's one more thing I have to give back to you…" She cupped her hands over her stomach, and a golden light shimmered before them.
Her husband watched as the fabled artifact Avalonemerged once again. He would've thought he'd be growing accustomed to its pious splendor, having seen its return just last night, but a part of him still grew awed in the presence of the radiant "Everdistant Utopia."
Once it was completely free of her body, Irisviel von Einzbern continued. "You'll be needing Avalon more than I do for what's to come. Even Saber agreed to this when I asked for her permission…" Her strength was depleting yet again, but she kept her voice strong. "It will definitely aid you in the final battle… And then, return it to Saber… once you've won…"
Kiritsugu's fingers wrapped around the Noble Phantasm even while he silently marveled over the sanctimonious King of Knights allowing something so precious to be passed on to him. She's more practical than I thought… No, more likely she's learned a few things from Assassin X, too.He almost made to argue, though, seeing as Avalon'spower was the only thing keeping her stable at this point… but she knew that, too. She relinquished it last night to save Assassin X despite the cost to her health, and though Saber had given it back, now she was giving it up for good.
It's not like it'll do her much good anymore, the Mage Killer's logic said. Between the two of us, it's more useful in my hands as Saber's real Master. Thus, he accepted this new tool in his arsenal without argument. He would do what Iri asked of her, too, and give it back to Saber once the Grail was theirs. He didn't need any reminder of her and the things she embodied in the world to come. Besides, its restorative power didn't work without her mana.
Her task complete, Iri relaxed on the stone floor. "I'm so happy…" Her voice was so soft Kiritsugu had to strain to hear her. "I'm happy I loved and was loved… I had a husband and a daughter for nine years… You gave me everything I could've wanted… All of the happiness in this world… Things I never would've hoped to have…"
"…I'm sorry." Kiritsugu stared down at her with those dark, dull eyes. "There are so many promises I made to you and couldn't keep." He had said he'd show her the outside world, the flowers that bloomed in spring, the waters that shimmered with sunlight, and so many other wondrous things. And worst of all, he should've known these were impossible promises to make to a woman like her. I really am a wretched thing, aren't I?
"No…" But for some reason, the loving light in those red eyes didn't waver. "It was good enough… More than I had expected…" Yes… Iri had known, too, what was to be her end. How was it that she could face her fate with such a sweet, brave smile? "Any happiness that I couldn't experience… please give it to Illya." He stilled as her words rippled in his eardrum. "Your daughter… Our little Illya."
The answer clicked into place. This was how Iri could face her end with no fear or regret… Because she was doing it for their little girl. If the Einzberns didn't win the Fourth Grail War, Ilya would become a tool for the next one. Thus, mother and father had come to Fuyuki, to fight in her stead so she needn't suffer. And Iri truly believed in Kiritsugu's wish… and how their daughter could live happily in a world of peace.
"Bring her here… Show her everything I didn't have the chance for… The cherry blossoms… The clouds in summer… Maybe even a few doggies whom she can love and be loved by…"
Kiritsugu nodded to his wife's wishes. "I will." It was a meaningless gesture, another promise he might not be capable of keeping… but he made it anyway. He was already fighting for the impossible because he'd made a promise long ago; what was one more?
He stood up, cradling Avalon for a moment, then planted it inside himself. He ignored its energy washing through him in favor of saying, "I'm leaving now."
Iri hummed, her smile etching itself into his memories. "Take care… my love."
He made for the door and didn't look back.
Kiritsugu blinked a few times as the morning sun shined in his face. Once his vision cleared, he could see Maiya standing next to Saber and the real Assassin X, Pakkun nestled in her arms. Both Servants stood about four meters apart and had deployed their Noble Phantasms, but rather than sparring, they were simply holding them between one another. Lightning Blade crackled and chirped as its bolts mingled with Invisible Air, a swirling stream of electricity and wind flowing between the two.
After another second, Assassin X released his signature jutsu and took a contemplative stance. "Could use a little more fine-tuning, but I think we're on to something."
"Agreed." Saber willed away her sword as well. "I'd prefer some more practice if I can help it, though. Controlling the winds is not as simple as I'd like, let alone what we have in mind."
"Go for it." The Servants and her then turned to Kiritsugu as he approached, the Mage Killer unworried by their seeming nonchalance. All three remained on high alert and were steadily monitoring the area. Even Pakkun's sniffles were only half out of sadness. "How is she?"
"There's nothing more that can be done for her," was the Master's answer to his Servant's question. He saw regret flickering in that sole eye (odds are he's blaming himself for Iri's condition), but Assassin X kept his composure. He was a professional to the core, as was Saber. While Kiritsugu had conceded to filling the duo in on his strategies and cooperating with them, he chose to keep Iri's true nature as vessel of the Grail… confidential. He couldn't risk their compassion for her clouding their judgement and hampering their performance.
…At least, that was what he reckoned the logic behind his decision was. "Stay on guard and keep on the Masters, in particular the Matou mansion and the church. We'll rendezvous just before the meeting begins at the park."
Saber's right eyebrow rose. "You're willing to attend it?" She'd have thought such a thing too risky in their Master's eyes.
"Not without precautions." They both confirmed their orders with nods, then Saber made for her bike while Assassin X summoned a Shadow Clone who would stay here while he took off. Kiritsugu then turned to Maiya. "Remain with Assassin X's clone and watch over Iri."
Maiya replied with only a slight tremble in her otherwise cool tone. "Understood."
Kiritsugu then made to turn around but stopped, standing in his spot before placing his hand on a certain pug's sad little head. "She still has some time left, Pakkun. Why don't you help Maiya watch over her?"
Pakkun's tiny, curled tail wagged slightly, and he straightened in Maiya's hands. "Will do."
With that, the Mage Killer completed his revolution and made for his ride. "Um, Kiritsugu," Maiya spoke up, making him stop and look back. She was giving him an odd little smile. "It's strange… You don't look quite like you used to… but that doesn't feel… wrong, either."
"…Really?" He glanced over to the yard's final occupant. "Do you think I've changed, too?"
The clone of Assassin X gave his usual shrug, hands in his pockets. "Change is change, Master. Whether it's good or bad is generally up to your perspective." He tilted his head. "That said, you don't seem any less than what you were before."
He considered these observations, then headed for the gate without a second glance.
-44:58:12
"Father!"
A smile came to Tokiomi's lips at the sight of the little girl rushing towards him. He tried not to run from his car towards her, but he did meet her in the front yard a mite more quickly than usual. He knew this visit was a risk. He had pushed his luck enough by visiting the Zenjou residence once in this Grail War, though that had turned out to be Rin's salvation. A second time was just begging for trouble, especially with the number of Servants having dwindled. Three more dead… and one of them had managed to scar the King of Heroes.
Tokiomi still remembered his and Lancer X's shock upon Archer's return to the manor. The ancient King's smug demeanor while telling of how he killed Rider and Berserker X changed abruptly when he happened to glance at his reflection in a mirror and see what had baffled his "teammates." Furious wouldn't have been quite the right word for the Servant's expression, but… Jade and Tokiomi had silently agreed treading (more) carefully around him was best.
Despite his newly acquired scar, though, the fact remained that Gilgamesh had proved himself every bit as mighty as the Tohsaka Master had hoped. That granted him some relief given his suspicions that the battles would only escalate from here, and given how last night had begun with a mad Servant basically turning the entire city into a minefield…
Well, he couldn't deny he needed this little visit, if only to be sure his… oldest daughter was safe. Tokiomi sighed to himself as he set down his briefcase to stroke her head. The raven-black hair, the turquoise eyes gleaming like polished gemstones… They all reminded the magus of his own mother. So young, and Rin was already a sweet bundle of energy. And she was only going to grow even more beautiful and incredible. With her gifts, she would eclipse him in no time.
But I might not be around to see it happen… He closed his eyes, but the worry was a realistic one. For all of his plans, all of the meticulous preparations he had undertaken, next to nothing had transpired the way he had expected in the Holy Grail War. From the coming of the X Servants to the formation of an entire team of Heroic Spirits who answered to no one…
Add more details like the death of his father's friend, Risei and the revelation of Zouken Matou's machinations… Sakura's circumstances…
"Are you okay, Father?" Rin's voice cut through his musings. He snapped back to reality and relaxed his fingers from her hair with a sigh.
"Yes, my dear." The father reassured his daughter while smoothing her hair. "Just thinking. It's something you're always doing when you're my age."
Rin peered up at him curiously when a familiar shape shimmered into place next to him. "Not the worst of pastimes." Rin's eyes lit up as the green-clad woman knelt down to her level and uncovered a wide smile. "Hello there, little sister."
The girl hopped into her savior's arms and pulled her close, a smile and a pout struggling for dominance on her face. "Will you ever stop calling me little?"
"Not while I can still pick you up," the Servant teased right before doing so, Rin's giggles rippling in her ears. Both females turned to see Tokiomi significantly more at ease. He began to walk towards the house, briefcase back in his grip, with his Servant one step behind him.
Rin blinked where she sat inside Jade's arms. "Are you staying today, Father? Have you and Jade won the Grail War?"
"Not just yet," Tokiomi replied as Aoi met him and his Servant with a friendly, if confused, smile. His eyes lingered a while longer on his wife, but when she turned to him, he had already recomposed himself. "I have an urgent matter that needs settling." He'd have preferred doing this at their own house, but having Aoi come there ran the risk of another team capturing her and holding her hostage. Even sending Lancer X as an escort mightn't have been enough if the attacker was someone like Rider X. The church was an option, but… then they wouldn't get to visit Rin.
Once everyone had entered the house, he gave his Servant a pointed look. Jade in turn said, "So, tell me, Rin," his daughter shifted about to look her in the eye, "would you care to see if I can teach you a trick or two?"
Her eyes nearly turned star-shaped before she squealed, "Really?!" Then she flushed redder than the ribbons tying up her hair and quickly turned slightly away, mumbling, "I-I mean, if you're offering and you think you have anything to teach me, Jade…" Rin glanced hesitantly over to her father, a silent plea in those big bright eyes of hers.
Tokiomi's mouth was set in a straight line. "Always maintain your composure, Rin. Dignity is very important for a magus of our standing." She nodded, her excitement deflating.
Then his grin broke free. "And don't let opportunities like this pass you by but seize them with both hands."
That was all the encouragement Rin needed. She hopped out of her friend's hands and grabbed one to lead her through the house. "Come on, Jade! I've been practicing in the basement, so there's all of my books and stuff."
Lancer X flashed the adults a quick grin they returned as she let herself get pulled along. "Well then, let's go and see what happens. How's Kotone doing, by the way?"
"She's doing better now." Rin's voice wavered a little. "Her memory was wiped of that night," it lightened again, "but I saw her at school the next day and helped her in math. But classes were canceled today…" Their voices trailed off as they made their way down.
Aoi shook her head fondly. "Your Servant has no idea what she's in for…"
"She'll find out soon enough," Tokiomi replied with a quiet laugh.
His humor slipped again, however, when he turned to her. She noticed his look and fidgeted slightly. "Tokiomi…? Is something the matter? I-I was surprised when you called and said you and Lancer X would be coming." She had always been a little meek, particularly during the early times of their relationship. So restrained, so careful, as if one wrong word or move would shatter her betrothal to him. There were times, though, where Tokiomi wondered if there wasn't a thorn or two hidden underneath her beauty.
He had considered this matter carefully, rehearsed every word, every step needed to make what he had planned work… but right now, when he looked at her, he couldn't help but think of their other little girl.
Rin might've inherited her father's genes… but Aoi had bequeathed much of her likeness to Sakura. The gentle features, the soft voice, the unspoken promise of mystery… All in the face of a young flower he had let slip into darkness. But now he had a chance to make things right. A chance and a responsibility.
Tokiomi opened his mouth, closed it without a word, swallowed, then tried again. "Aoi… if Sakura were to return…" Her eyes widened, and he gave her a moment to process his words before continuing. "…If I were to bring her back… what would you do?"
She hesitated, then tried, "I-Is this a rhetorical question?" He shook his head. "W-well, if you believe it was best-"
"That's not what I am asking," he cut through the response any family head would normally want to hear. "What I would like to know is, what would you do?"
Aoi Tohsaka stood at her spot, not moving a muscle save for her eyes staring at him, then darting towards the front door, then at the side of the house where their only remaining daughter would be, then they returned to him. Tears began to gather, but they were kept inside, and her voice carried not a single tremble when she gave her answer.
"…I would never let her go again."
Tokiomi nodded sharply. "Well then, we have much to discuss." He gestured for the living room, and while visibly confused, she went in first before he followed, carrying his briefcase which held documents that would be vital for when the Magus Association came knocking.
Kariya Matou sat with his arms folded on the mattress he'd been sleeping on the last couple nights. His one good eye was fixed on the one standing above him. "I don't like this, Gandalf."
The Servant acknowledged the statement with a slightly exasperated nod. "I understand that, Kariya, but we cannot storm the mansion recklessly. Even with two of the rogues dead, Zouken most likely retains this Avenger X as protection, a foe capable of contending with knight-class Servants and the murderer of Saber X, lest we forget. And you should know better than anyone how dangerous Matou himself is. He's the one who summoned Avenger X."
"I don't think you're giving yourself and Berserker enough credit. You're each top-notch heroes alone," the pitiful Master's dreams from last night bolstered his confidence there, "and as a team, you're practically invincible!" He pointed out the alley, towards the direction of Miyama. "I know you two can save Sakura, and we might not get a better chance later."
Caster X tilted his head. "You refer to the other Masters and Servants? Are we to seek their aid?"
"We don't need to." With his hood down, Kariya's excited face could be seen clearly. "Caster and Archer X are gone, leaving that gang of rogue Servants without a monster or clone army, and with all of the stunts they've pulled, they've guaranteed that everyone else will want them out of the picture. While the other teams take on Rider X and Avenger X," he held his right hand to one side and moved his left into another direction, "we can slip into the mansion," both hands snapped together into a fierce clap, "pulverize Zouken, and get Sakura out." His mouth slipped into a frown, and he enunciated. "We. Don't. Need. His. Help."
Lancer X's visit in the prior night had come with a proposal of Tokiomi Tohsaka: The two teams would form a temporary alliance with the twin goal of eradicating Zouken and rescuing Sakura. Once she was in safe custody, they could go their separate ways or be enemies again.
Gandalf had brought up the unlikeliness of Archer investing his energy in any action of no interest or gain to him, a statement Lancer X had agreed with. She in turn argued that even if it were only her, Caster X and Berserker, the team could surely weather whatever threats that old worm threw their way, especially if they convinced the other Servants to cooperate or at least stay out of the way.
Berserker had needed all of his regained willpower not to leap at a certain prospect.
Kariya, though, had been unconvinced at the time, and his opinion hadn't changed in the last couple hours. Yes, he wanted to save Sakura more than anything else, but he knew he didn't trust Tokiomi with a mission that important. Does he really think me so weak I can't save her with my own strength?! He hissed as the Crest Worms continued to chew on his innards, the pain bolstering his anger.
Then an unexpected voice chimed in. "Rider and Berserker X perished the night before as well, Master," Berserker pointed out his friend's findings, For Someone's Glory continuing to enshroud his voice. "That leaves only six other Servants in play besides myself and Gandalf, and I have faced both rogues in battle. They are fearsome adversaries not to be trifled with, Rider X in particular."
It felt strange to see the black-armored Servant veiled in deranged darkness stand and speak so clearly. "At this stage in the War, we can hardly afford turning aside any offer of aid."
"We can hardly afford taking risks either, Berserker." Kariya wasn't about to budge just because both of his Servants could speak coherently now. "And letting any other team get too close, let alone that pompous snake, is a very big risk." A Worm bit into his spinal cord.
"Master-"
He snapped his arm through the space between them. "Look, I'm happy for you that you found your sanity again, Berserker, and I get that you've got your own unfinished business," the fallen Knight of the Round Table clenched his fists, but Kariya pressed on, "but don't forget the reason we're here as a team. I'm not about to let him take all the credit for pulling Sakura out of that damn worm pit."
Gandalf eyed him disapprovingly, but the Master sat against the alley wall with a bitter huff. Even if this Heroic Spirit had done for him than he could ever repay in fifty lifetimes, he already knew what he would say, and he just couldn't agree with it, even if the Worms weren't gnawing away inside of him. Oh, sure. We agree to his little team-up, and as soon as the rogues are out of the picture and Zouken's about to be splattered across the wall, Tokiomi will sic his golden jackass onto us, wiping out all of his competition and returning to Aoi as the heroic dad in one fell swoop.
He spat on the asphalt. Screw that. Tokiomi had his chance to be a good father, and he blew it for the sake of the Magus Association and their bullshit. I'll save Sakura, and then I'll get her, Rin and Aoi somewhere safe where no magical bastard will ever lay a finger on them again-
"Kariya…" the wizard knelt down to place his free hand onto his Master's shoulder, freeing him from his Worm-spurred fantasies, "what matters more to you? That Sakura be saved…" he squeezed slightly, "…or that you save Sakura?"
The battered man flinched. "I-is there a difference?" He stuttered while glancing away from those blue eyes that could peer into his soul so easily. They both knew the answer already: "There is to you."
"Tokiomi made a grave mistake in trusting Zouken Matou." Gandalf patted his shoulder while gong on, making Kariya glance back up to him. "Therefore, we know for certain he is not the infallible genius he presents himself as. But I sensed his determination to correct this mistake. And as much as you'd want to disagree, Kariya, Tokiomi Tohsaka isn't one to be easily discouraged." The wise Servant's words soothed the anguish inside the amateur magus and spurred him on. "With or without our aid, he will go to set things right and kill Zouken."
Lancelot smirked beneath his helmet. Though he was nowhere near as lecherous or irritating, Gandalf the Gray carried equal persuasive talents to the wizard he had known in life. "So, should we let him stumble about into Zouken's trap and put a little girl's life in further jeopardy…" he knelt down to his partner's side, "or shall we take a risk, join forces with him, and ensure she will be safe and that creature never harms anyone again?"
Kariya Matou knocked the back of his head against the wall with a tired sigh. Why did it all have to be so complicated? Why couldn't Tokiomi be the monster he had envisioned him as for so long? Why couldn't the Matou "magus" feel like he was the crusading hero of this story? Why couldn't he just imagine Aoi and her girls staring full of awe and love at him like he used to without guilt panging inside his battered heart?
His chin brushed against his ragged old sweater. …Because a real hero, the one they deserve, wouldn't blow a chance to reunite them just so he can feel proud about himself, would he?
Kariya stared between the two Servants, then after a minute or so, he grumbled, "Who the hell is the Master here?" A tired smile began to stretch across his face, though. "Alright, alright, we can at least talk with the prick and his belly dancer of a Lancer."
"It won't be just them." He and Berserker turned with some shock to Gandalf. "I happened to run into an interesting little dog, and there may be a fine chance of others attending the gathering to come."
-42:37:58
That should do it for now, Kirei sighed to himself as he finished writing down the final orders. This document and others would be dispersed to key locations in both the authority and the media, hopefully confirming initial theories that the previous night's bombings were the work of terrorists. He had also applied certain charms to the paper designed to ease resistance and make anyone who read the words more willing to believe them. Frankly, the relatively mundane nature of these explosions made it easier to cover up than sightings of a colossal sea monster and an even more colossal pillar of light that incinerated it.
But on the flipside, tensions were high. A contact warned him less than an hour ago that calling in the military was being taken into consideration. No surprise, considering the loss of two fighter planes in the night before and now the possibility of terrorists walking through Fuyuki's streets. The agent was already working to preempt any decisive order, and this wouldn't technically have been the first time a Grail War occurred while armed force occupied Fuyuki.
The real difficulty was warding off the Magus Association. This latest incident's non-magical aspects were of little comfort when it seemed like a new crisis would emerge every night to threaten the moonlight world's veil of secrecy the longer the Grail War proceeded. The church, too, had expressed concerns, particularly over the death of their appointed overseer. Risei Kotomine had been a faithful and respected follower of their faith, and among the early condolences Kirei had received for his father's passing (he forced his lips to remain straight) were carefully worded inquiries over the current situation.
And with Tokiomi apparently preoccupied, Kirei was left to juggle all of this by himself. He could stall for a few days, but Fuyuki City was sitting in the center of all attention, with the Japanese army on one side, Clock Tower's agents on the other, and the Holy Cross hovering nervously over it all. If the Holy Grail was to be claimed by a Master and not stumbled upon by some magus or lucky soldier or, Heaven forbid, a reporter, the War needed to end soon.
Fortunately, its participants were of the same mind in that regard. Only nine Servants left, though the majority believed it was eight, and judging by what Assassin observed, Waver Velvet had no intention of continuing the fight, which left five Masters. Tokiomi and Kariya Matou were simple enough to deal with, but Zouken Matou couldn't be underestimated, especially since he was Rider X's associate…
And at the end of it all, standing between him and all the answers to his questions, awaited Kiritsugu Emiya. How could Kirei Kotomine possibly let those vultures into the city when such a scene awaited him?
He leaned away from his desk when a familiar presence drifted into his study. "Hard at work as ever, Master?" Megatron's rasp carried its usual amusement but also a hint of boredom; it seemed the extraterrestrial warlord had finally returned from the high of facing his rival last night and walking away the victor.
Then again, the latter part was mostly due to Rider X being the survivor, as he had not been the one to steal Rider's life, let alone his army and power as Kirei suspected. No, Archer had gleefully rubbed his feat of killing both Iskandar and his pet monster in everyone's face, and in private, he had informed the priest of his doing the deed right in front of Rider X's optics.
Kirei had to fall back on his old lessons to maintain a neutral demeanor, otherwise, he might've relished the blatant frustration within his Servant's posture. "Well, last night was a bit of a chore for the both of us, I imagine. I should be grateful that Archer X didn't succeed in her plot and the city's still standing," for the most part, he added to himself with a silent prayer to the poor souls caught in the maddened Servant's rampage. "But you, though… one pawn gone along with your chief rival. I suppose for once, I ought to ask how you're doing."
"So many little ironies in life, and of different flavors as well," the Decepticon founder chuckled while drawing a yet unopened wine bottle from the stock. "The loss of Archer X and her firepower is a bit of a bother, but it wouldn't be the first time circumstances had pushed me to adjust my plans." Idly inspecting the bottle's label, he then faced the human. "And I never expected every little detail of this War to proceed exactly as I had envisioned. Unlike others."
"Sir Tokiomi seems to be understanding this lesson," Kirei noted, sorting the files before him into appropriate stacks. He briefly wondered if his Servant would interfere with their distribution so more chaos could be sowed through Fuyuki but dismissed the idea almost immediately. Chaos could only be used so much before it slipped past one's grasp, even if the grasp was that of a metal hand. And conniving though he had proven to be, Megatron was at Spark a warrior. Merely outmaneuvering his enemies tactically would never be as satisfactory as personally crushing their bodies under his heel for the Champion of Kaon's pits. One only needed to recall his confrontation with Rider last night for proof.
The battle taking place within the King of Conqueror's Reality Marble had prevented Assassin from witnessing any more than the beginning and the conclusion of the dual duel on Fuyuki Bridge. However, Kirei still "knew" of what had transpired, and not just through biased retellings. His mind had received… flashes, distorted images and sensations of terror, pain… chaos. One glance down at his hand, a mental nudge, and he knew their source.
Instead of telling Megatron this, though, he opted for staying on the current topic. "In terms of resources, he's at least on par with the other two Masters. Both Servants in peak condition, all of his Command Seals at his disposal, and he's suffered no injury whatsoever." Physically, at least.Ever since Kariya Matou had confronted him, the Tohsaka heir seemed rattled, even a little distracted from his goal, something Kirei would've never imagined.
Rider X had deftly removed the bottle's cork and was pouring wine into two glasses he had set on the desk. With Kirei sitting behind it and him leaning his massive body over, an observer with a romantic eye might've mistaken the scene as a great knight in shining armor serving his lord. "Your position is hardly any lesser than his, Kirei," the Cybertronian Servant noted. "You hold more Seals at his disposal and have received a boon he lacks."
"I'm not quite so eager on falling back on Dark Energonyet." The Master accepted his glass and gave it a light shake, observing the red liquid splashing within. "Besides, only one of my Servants is suited for direct combat on a base level as opposed to Tokiomi's two, and we've had to sacrifice much of Assassin's strength."
"Because of Tokiomi's blundering," the Servant grumbled while claiming his own glass. "But I wasn't speaking of Dark Energon." He straightened with a smirk at the curious gaze he received. "I mean you have developed your own reason to fight for the Grail, Kirei. You have ambition."
Kirei Kotomine's eyebrow arched. "And Tokiomi doesn't? My even being part of the Holy Grail War is because he seeks the Grail."
"Ah," A sharp finger rose, its tip pointing to the ceiling, "and why does he seek the Grail?"
"To achieve Akasha, discover the Swirl of the Root, we've already talked about this, Rider X. It's the goal of every magus including the entire Tohsaka family-"
"Yes." The fingertip was now aimed at his chest. "Precisely. How did you describe Tokiomi again? Right winged, a typical magus archetype?" Rider X shook his head with a wry chuckle as Kirei blinked in initial confusion. "Tokiomi Tohsaka joined the Holy Grail War not because he actually seeks that chalice but because his surname is Tohsaka. There is no ambition in him, merely obligation."
The confusion settled, and the Master made himself comfortable in his chair. "Some would praise such devotion to the family name, putting one's responsibilities to their house over personal interests." His words carried no anger or reprimand, though.