Tokiomi and Kariya both reached out to Sakura with her first scream, their arms briefly bumping into one another. Then she tipped forward, and it was her father kneeling in front who caught her. His touch did little to soothe her though, for she continued to scream, a high, piercing wail of pure agony. "Sakura! My flower, w-what's the matter?!" Tokiomi tried to steady her as her arms swung about with each cry. Her eyes were scrunched so tightly, and yet tears of water mixed with blood slipped through to drip on the floor.
Jade was quickly by his side, grabbing Sakura by the wrists to stop her from hurting anybody or herself. She glanced desperately between her and Tokiomi, praying for an answer. "What can we do? What's happening to her?!"
As he got down too to help, Kariya could've sworn his heart had stopped. "Oh no…" He knew exactly what the cause for Sakura's suffering was: the same one it had been for him and her this past year. "T-The Crest Worms…" He gasped at watching one vicious little leg peek out of her screaming mouth. "They're eating her alive!"
Sure enough, they could all see the vicious spawn of Zouken Matou scuttling about underneath her skin, breaking it in some places. Glowing lines emerged all over Sakura's body, flickering about like faulty lights as they were bitten into. "Her Magic Circuits…" Tokiomi muttered in horror. "With every bite they take, th-they're ripping her very life apart!"
"W-well, do something, damnit! Please!" Another time, and Tokiomi would've been irked at some commoner snapping at him like that. Right now, he splayed one hand upon Sakura's thrashing head, Jade doing her best to gently hold her steady, and fumbled for some gems with healing mana stored inside. "Blut und Leben, erklinget mit meinem Gesang." Thus, he cast the strongest restorative spell he knew. Mana streamed from the jewels into her…
Only to be devoured promptly. He cursed to himself; of course, those damnable Worms wouldn't pass up more mana when it was served to them on a silver platter! Particles of magic sparkled over Sakura's body, and he looked up to see a pale Gandalf casting his own spell. Sadly, the result was the same. "We have to stop the Worms in order to heal her body."
"How?! They're inside of her!" Kariya snapped at the questioning look he received. "You really think Zouken would've told me how to get them out? I'm not sure it's even possible!"
"There must be a way!" Jade released one of Sakura's arms, leaving it to flail helplessly about, and offered her hand to Tokiomi. "T-take my power, pour it into her! The overflow would surely destroy the Worms-"
But he shook his head. "And her along with them, her body's too weak to handle a Servant's power, Jade!"
"Then what do we do?!"
That shout coupled with Sakura's cries sucked the strength out of everyone in the room. Tokiomi's mind raced through every last scrap of information he knew, trying to find something that could work only to come up short; Jade tried in vain to stop what bleeding she could, mentally praying the Elder Gods for a miracle; Kariya rubbed little Sakura's head wishing he could take her place, wondering why this had to happen to her and not him; and Lancelot stood above them, cursing his own uselessness. Great knight that he was, and he couldn't stop those things from violating a little girl. Desperate to find a solution, he turned to the last occupant in the room.
Gandalf's head was bowed down, and Lancelot's spirit plummeted. This one had done so much for him, his King, their Master and so many others, he'd always had an answer for any problem. But now, it seemed like there was nothing even the wise wizard could do. The Crest Worms, normally so cowed by merely his presence, seemed to have been worked into a berserker fit-
Presence.
Caster X started at Lancelot grabbing his shoulder, and his partner saw a glimmer of insight in those blue eyes. "Your Noble Phantasm, Gandalf… It's her only chance."
Wallowing in their grief as they were, the three on the ground heard Berserker's words. Kariya found his voice first. "R-right… that light, that p-power you used on Caster's monster! I-it can wipe them all out!"
"Well, yes," Caster X joined them on the floor, rare hesitation in his posture. "But I cannot be certain it will only destroy the Worms, Kariya." He hurriedly explained at the many stares sent his way. "Please understand, they have nested inside Sakura for an entire year. The Flame may consider her so tainted it would burn her away as well!"
"But you can control it, can't you?" Jade implored. "It's yourNoble Phantasm, you stopped yourself from unleashing all of it before!"
"Restraining its full release and controlling it are not the same, milady! My power is not a scalpel that can cut away disease at precise levels, it burns all evil in its path! Forgive my friends, but what you expect of me has never been done before."
Call it hope, call it despair, but Tokiomi Tohsaka wasn't about to give up. Not what he saw a sliver of a chance. "Gandalf, you are without question the single greatest practitioner of magic on this planet." For once, his Tohsaka pride kept its mouth shut despite his uttering the statement. "If anyone can do this, if anyone can save her life, it's you."
The Istar looked at them, then at Sakura, her screams and movements slowly growing weaker. Anyone could see she was running out of time. "You never doubted in any of us," he turned to see Lancelot kneeling beside him, absolute faith in those dark eyes. "How could we doubt in you now?"
Gandalf took a deep breath and passed his staff to his friend before promptly returning to the dying young soul. "I will need your help, Master." Kariya blinked at that before realizing why his mentor and savior had addressed him like that. Blue eyes peered at him, specifically his hand. "Do you trust me?"
What a ridiculous question for someone so wise, he thought to himself. "W-with all the power of my final Command Seal, Gandalf the Gray…" Kariya Matou's left hand flared with mana for the third time, "Please save Sakura's life!" Then the hand was bare.
For the second time tonight, Caster X felt energy surge through him anew, but what spurred him on to try wasn't the almighty authority of the Seal, but four pairs of eyes staring pleadingly at him… and the young soul's cries. Thus, he closed his own eyes and drew into himself. Flame of Anor, hear my call once again. He placed his hand upon the wailing girl's head, her agony rippling through her skin to his, but though his core wrenched, he continued his prayer. Deliver this girl from a fate she did not deserve.
A great light shined from his center, bathing the group in its splendor. It traveled quickly to his palm, and from there, it reached Sakura Matou, the darkness inside her attempting to fight back against the intruder. Even so, "The Sacred Flame, Comforter of Life" forged on…
Darkness surrounded her.
She could feel it on her arms, her legs, her stomach, in her mouth… She only saw black everywhere she tried to look, and she could barely move her neck at all. She couldn't move so much as a finger, and even if she could, what would be the point? There was nothing here for her to touch.
Nothing that didn't hurt her.
Bitten, crawled on, scratched, burned, ripped apart and pulled back together; that was how she felt every second. This was her nightmare, the same one she'd come back to every time she closed her eyes, for an entire year now. After … and … had given her up.
Why? Why did she have to come here? Why did she have to go down into that dark place with all of the crawling things that hurt and went into her? Why did they let this happen to her? What did she do wrong?
It wasn't fair. … would grow up and be the big magus she had always dreamed of being, just like …. She never cared about that. She had been happy enough just being … sister. Uncle Kariya would come by to visit all the time, she'd play with him and … while … laughed at their antics… why did they just throw her away like that? What had she done wrong? Was she not good enough, not eager enough like …? It wasn't fair!
She squirmed a little as the darkness wrapped tighter around her. Uncle Kariya, he'd promised to take her away and they'd be back together with … and …, but what if he got hurt? He hadn't been looking good at all, and it was her fault. She'd seen him just now, with …, what was … doing here? … didn't want her anymore… right?
She wanted to cry. She wanted to scream, but every sound she tried to make got stuck in her throat. It was starting up again; she could feel it under her skin and in her bones. She hated it and feared it. Why did her life have to be like this? Why was she alone in the dark? One little tear managed to squeeze out her eye, stinging the bitten flesh of her cheek. It hurt so much…
She looked around one final desperate time in the dark for Uncle Kariya or … or ...ther or Rin or anyone, but it was impossible to see anything. Even with the light, all she could make out were blurry shapes, and they reminded her of the worms-
…
…She blinked. Light?
Her eyes shifted so it felt like she'd be looking ahead: Yes, there was a little light now. A ray, small but bright, so wonderfully bright. Where did it come from? She could've sworn it hadn't been there before, but there it was, shining down on her. Well, it felt nice for a change. Probably wouldn't last long, she knew while sadly dipping her head at this truth… before snapping it back up.
Yes, she could move her head again. She blinked, and the light felt bigger now. She wondered if it was maybe that light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-thing she'd heard about, when people were about to die. Well, living hadn't been that great for a while now. Dying like this wasn't so… bad…
Blinking again, she opened her eyes to find something… fluttering in front of her. She focused on it, sweeping and darting about… like a moth or a butterfly. It fluttered closer to her, its yellow wings brushing against her nose, and something about the touch made her giggle. Sweet little thing. It flapped away a little, and she saw it had friends. She reached out her right hand before realizing she could, and one of the butterflies, a green one, landed on her finger. It felt warm… So warm, so soft. Her skin wasn't hurting so much anymore.
In fact, the more butterflies popped up, the less she felt of the crawly things inside her. Soon, hundreds of butterflies were flying around her, and she giggled again at being the center of many circles. She spread her arms out and threw her head back, closing her eyes not out of pain but relief at the sheer lack of it. No more crawling beneath her skin, no more gnawing on her nerves, it was as if all of the pain and misery inside her had been washed away.
The dark was gone, too, burned away by the light all around her and maybe inside her, too. If this was what dying was like, she didn't see why anyone should be scared of it. Although… She patted her arms, wiggled her legs, rolled her shoulders. She didn't feel that weak at all. Was she not dying, but… dead? Had it happened so fast she didn't even notice?
No, a little voice told her, and she wondered briefly if it might've come from a butterfly. But the more she watched them dance around one another and her, the surer she grew. She couldn't be dead. Not yet, even though she had never felt so at peace before in her whole life. She could sit (or was she standing? Could be either…) in this… place forever, just watching these sweet, beautiful creatures celebrating life and letting the light warm her.
Then it felt like someone was standing before her, offering her a hand. Part of her hesitated; so many people had hurt her before, and she didn't want to leave. But even as she thought that, she began to remember them: Uncle Kariya… Rin… Mother… Father. She hummed, a veil lifting from her mind as images of her family swam to the front.
She missed them. She wanted to see them again.
Sakura reached up and grasped the hand, smiling at the warmth tickling her skin. Then she felt a slight pull, not hurtful but encouraging, and she began to walk hand in hand forward, all the time in the world…
Zouken beamed to himself in vicious joy. Even this far away, he could feel his sweet little rascals ripping Sakura's body apart from the inside out. Oh, if only he could see the horror on their faces as the precious prize they'd been fighting for so wholeheartedly was devoured. Kariya would be next, and what a treat it would be, mingling the Worms' eating him away with the despair of utter failure! A fitting end for that sanctimonious little coward-
He frowned. One of the Worms had registered an odd sensation. Another reported the same, then three more, and more…
A presence swept through Zouken Matou, and as he doubled over into the grass, eyes so wide open the little black orbs might've dropped out of their sockets, a primal sound rocketed out of his throat:
"AAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGHAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH-!"
His mouth clamped shut hard enough to crack some teeth, cutting off the scream, but it offered no respite. Agonywracked every last cell of his parasitic fresh body. He thrashed about on the ground, clawing at mistreated skin while the Crest Worms within screeched and raced about against his organs and one another, some even trying to burrow out. The worst of his suffering, though, came from the deepest corner of his being, his ancient, twisted, black soul. It was as if someone had driven a pump through him and injected acid into his core!
Or in his case, holy water-
Wait. What little remained of his mind discerned this was not an attack, but the final thing his Worms inside her had registered. Zouken soon came to a chilling realization even while he lay weeping in the dirt. He knew something had transpired with the girl, and he knew who was responsible: Who it always was, always! "D-damn you… wizard… DAMN YOU…!"
-36:00:00
Despite the severity of the task before him, Gandalf couldn't help but open his eyes and frown. Something felt… off.
The current undertaking was nothing like he'd ever tried before, of course. He knew channeling the Flame of Anorinside a human body was dangerous, more so for such a young, fragile vessel like Sakura's. It took all of his focus to make the process as slow and careful as possible lest he finish the vile Worms' work for them. Even so, he had believed the purging would be met with resistance, but… The creatures were of no issue. Quite the contrary.
It was as though his power was being drawn in.
Unbeknownst to him, there was one factor Caster X had not considered. Tokiomi Tohsaka had told him and his Master two nights ago how Sakura, like her sister Rin, had been born with exceptional potential for magic, but the father himself hadn't fully grasped how exceptional she was.
Her "transition" to a Matou changed her natural affinity to Water, but originally, Sakura Tohsaka had not leaned towards any of the five natural elements. Her affinity, her Attribute, her Origin itself, was Imaginary Numbers, a concept only partially comprehensible to this world's magi. If she had been trained in a more regular setting, she would have surely rocked the thaumaturgical world. Alas, Zouken Matou had only seen her as a tool for his plans. His Crest Worms tarnished Sakura's potential, beating her down into a human Mystic Code and eating away her gifts.
But now the Worms inside her had been annihilated. Her body was being restored; her soul cleansed. The Flame of Anor, a sliver of both divine and benign essence the Heroic Spirit Gandalf the Gray retained from his original identity, had traveled into her very being… and once there, found something… harmonious.
The odds of these factors coming together were approximately one in eleventy-one billion. What their amalgamation would result in, even the very wisest of the Istar could not have foreseen.
Fearing for the girl's life, Gandalf the Gray tried to stop the unique pull coming from her. He channeled all of his will into damming the Flame of Anor's flow, and just when he sensed his own soul caught in the tide, it came to an end. The wizard slumped forward, weakness washing over his old bones, as his partner hurriedly reached out to support him. His eyes remained trained on Sakura, though, as were the others', hoping for some sign of life.
They didn't need to wait long.
Her whole body flared up with light that surprised but didn't blind the speechless audience. Rather, it was the same as when Gandalf had first released the Flame of Anor against Gilles de Rais' Gigantic Horror: Warm, comforting. Protective. They could therefore see clearly the unnaturally dull purple of Sakura's hair fade away to reveal a white purer than that of any Einzbern homunculus, a white only Lancelot had seen before…
Then the light dimmed again, and they found it to be the same shade of black as Rin's hair; the way she had been before she had been sent to the Matou family.
First one eyelid fluttered a little followed by the other, then they slowly peaked open jointly. Tokiomi's heart stopped and Kariya gasped as two eyes of beautiful turquoise, not the wretched purple what was more proof of how Zouken had violated her, peered sluggishly at a very still Gandalf. The ancient Heroic Spirit's surprise lasted for only an instant before his mouth shifted into a tired but relieved smile.
Sakura Tohsaka returned it and maintained it while her gaze traveled to Gandalf's left, a tiny murmur escaping her, "Uncle Kariya…?" then she glanced to his right, "…Father?"
Tears gathered in both men's eyes even as hers fell closed again. Kariya hurriedly reached out to catch her head when it lolled back, Tokiomi checking her arm and chest before sighing in relief at the steady pulse against her fingers. "She's alright, she just fell asleep again."
"Thank God…" Kariya laughed, crying more happily than he had in his whole life. He shook his head. "No… Thank you, Gandalf."
The wizard for his part would've collapsed on his back if Jade and Lancelot hadn't caught him. He managed to wheeze out a soft, humble laugh, though. "Do not… be so quick… to dismiss… higher powers… Kariya. There are… other forces… at work… besides the will… of evil."
"Indeed," the sole female Servant agreed patting his arm. "And one of them surely sent you."
Lancelot nodded to her, the two helping their friend to his feet. He passed him his staff with one final comment. "And all of this happened thanks to you, Gandalf. Do you regret it?"
Gandalf sighed, feeling every bit the aged man he appeared to be. "Not for a moment… Lancelot." He smiled again at the sleeping young girl. "Not for a moment."
Tokiomi was busy checking Sakura to be sure of her health, but he swore to make his own gratitude clear before the night was out. For now, though, he marveled at what the foreign sorcerer's power had done for his daughter. It wasn't just her eyes and hair that was back to normal, she was physically fit as a fiddle; not a blemish on her skin or any signs of broken bones or ruptured nerves. This "Flame of Anor" had restored her perfectly, right down to…
Gandalf, of course, noticed first the father's brow furrowing. "Is something the matter with Sakura, Tokiomi?"
"I… I'm not sure," Tokiomi admitted, tracing a finger along her exposed arm. "Her Magic Circuits…"
Kariya leaned closer with a frown. He didn't want to think this crazy miracle was too good to be true. "Right, those da-arn Worms would've chewed them up first. Are you telling us they're still damaged?"
"…No, Kariya, there's nothing wrong with them, per say…" he muttered, his confusion plain to see. "…Except they're no longer there. It's as though they never existed in the first place."
Kariya Matou blinked. "…Wait, what?"
Slowly, everyone stared at Sakura Tohsaka while her father delivered the shocking truth:
"Sakura's Magic Circuits… They're… gone."
Roughly nine thousand kilometers from Fuyuki City sat a certain little store in London, right across the street from a certain complex respected and feared across this world's magic community. The store itself was rather mundane in appearance, more of a hole in the wall, its sign barely legible due to the passage of time. But its goods were of such high quality that quite a few from Clock Tower, students and faculty alike, would pay a visit.
Today had been a relatively slow day, roughly a dozen regulars as well as one or two tourists popping inside to have a quick look and purchase something that caught their eye. That left the owner, an… eccentric man not to be underestimated, with plenty of free time to spend on his most recent project. He was currently seated before an odd device inside a tiny private room, eyes narrowing at the displayed readings. A hand reached up to scratch messy blonde hair while a whistle echoed through the room:
"…Well now. Didn't see that coming."
…Darth Sakura? Really? Did you guys honestly believe I intended to make poor Sakura even more miserable than in canon? I know Vonnegut's advice is, "Be a sadist," but that there? That's way more than I could stomach. Just typing the words of Zouken's last revenge attempt was horrible enough for me, I swear, it was the absolute hardest part of this chapter for me to visualize, let alone put into words. So, sorry if it comes off as a little short, but give me a break! She's six years old for God's sake!
Gandalf saving her life (and ripping Zouken a spiritual new one as a side effect) was all that kept me going.
I've been planning this moment since I first decided Gandalf the Gray would be Caster X. Yes, Sakura is one-hundred percent Crest Worm-free now, and well, things are going to be a little bit different for her from here on out.
Glamdring would be an A-rank sword, BTW, if wielded by Turgon. Or if Lancelot, Artoria or another sufficient famed swordsman were to wield it on Middle-Earth.
P.S.: The title of this chapter originates from a quote by Leonard Cohen: "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." I felt it appropriate given what transpires here.
…
…
…
…Oh come on, you guys didn't seriously think I was done yet, did you?
-35:36:06
The trip to the Tohsaka manor was thankfully uneventful. No Servants like Rider X or an Assassin (Tokiomi gritted his teeth at the thought) attacking out of nowhere, no exploding houses, nothing that threatened the weary group of five and one child.
At the front gate, Tokiomi considered for a moment, then willed the Bounded Field to allow Kariya and his group in. He knew the man wanted to spend as much time as he could with Sakura, and after tonight… the father couldn't fault him for that. He was already deliberating ideas for a family trip after the Grail War was done, somewhere relaxing and for Sakura to feel like she was with her real family again.
Archer was somewhere on the grounds or in the house, but that barely bothered him. He was too happy to feel frustration with his Servant's lack of cooperation.
He glanced to his little girl peacefully slumbering in Jade's arms. The Servant seemed to have made Sakura's safety her personal mission, and from the way she toyed with dark locks of hair, Tokiomi pitied any fool that tried to harm her charge. "Are you sure you've never been a mother?" He asked chuckling while they walked down the path.
Jade returned the laugh while shaking her open face; she'd pulled down her mask, allowing Tokiomi to see her levity fully. "Outworld wasn't exactly the most inviting place to raise a child. Though, I wouldn't say I avoided allopportunities for it." She winked before adjusting her hold on the slumbering girl a little. Sakura in turn burrowed into her shoulder mumbling. "Still out like a light, but her pulse remains strong. The last time I've ever seen anyone sleep this deeply, it was Kitana after fighting for five days and five nights nonstop."
"I'll have a doctor examine her in the morning, but so long as her vitals are stable and she keeps waking up, I say we shouldn't worry." Despite his words, Tokiomi's eyes didn't leave her peaceful, healthy face, his mind drifting back to his discovery.
He had checked and double-checked in every way possible outside of a workshop, but he received the exact same result: Of the thirty-eight main Magic Circuits and thirty-four subs Sakura had possessed, not a single one remained in her body. In fact, it was almost as if she had never had anyto begin with.
Tokiomi's eyes drifted behind them to the girl's guardian angel being helped along the path in his tired state by Berserker and Kariya. Gandalf had been as much at a loss as he with this discovery, perhaps a little more due to his lack of familiarity with Magic Circuits. After some thought, he offered the theory of them having been so damaged and tainted by the Crest Worms, his Noble Phantasm had deemed them hazardous to Sakura's health and erased them along with the Worms. Moreover, even the wizard had no idea on how to restore them, either.
Under normal circumstances, Tokiomi Tohsaka would've been appalled and horrified. Such a loss was terrible for any magus, and in Sakura's case, the top-notch key to potential only equaled by that of her sister, potential her father could've never hoped to reach in ten lifetimes… just gone, never to return?
…And yet, he had felt oddly… at ease with the loss. It had been Kariya who voiced his thoughts: "Sakura only got into this whole mess because of her Magic Circuits, right? If they had to be sacrificed so she can have a good life, then I'm fine with that." And surprisingly, so was Tokiomi. Her loss of magecraft was a shame, but now she was at less risk of being claimed by the Magus Association. And an ordinary life in a family of magi, well… It was still leagues better than Sakura's alternative.
No, Tokiomi found he had little complaints. He just needed to amend his preparations a little.
As for Kariya, he couldn't help but look up at the grandiose mansion before him with token bitterness. Seeing Sakura alive and healthy was definitely worth a hundred years of the pain he'd suffered so far… but letting her go back to Tokiomi… seeing the other man with the woman and the two girls that should've rightfully been-
"Steady, Kariya," Gandalf's voice cut through his thoughts, and he turned to see his friend nodding down at the ground. "Mind your footing, you nearly stumbled there for a moment."
He looked down at his feet even though his attention wasn't on the path. And his gut told him Gandalf knew exactly what he'd been thinking. Don't know if he's a mind reader or if I'm just that much an open book… But he settled for joking, "What can I say, the stones are a little uneven here and there. Not quite as perfect as advertised." Yeah, it was a little petty, but Kariya settled for sharing a laugh with his Servants. Take what good you get, you idiot…
Lancelot stood between them, supporting both men easily. Kariya's condition fortunately hadn't gotten worse (the Master liked to imagine Gandalf's Noble Phantasm had lacerated Zouken so thoroughly he was too scared to try anything else) but the knight's partner was still drained from his efforts. He was practically draped over Lancelot's shoulder, his staff tapping heavily against the ground with every step, and as he'd confided to his friend privately on the way, Gandalf had a feeling his strength wouldn't return, not completely, in this War.
Still, the Gray Wizard clearly didn't lament his fate, and the Knight of the Lake was more than happy to assist him now. It was the least he could do for him, and he was certainly in good spirits. They had helped save their Master's little girl (blood be damned), another rogue was dead, and Lancelot had actually succeeded in controlling his rage instead of the opposite. His strength was also just about back to normal (non-Mad Enhancement-normal), so the trio didn't lag too far behind the owner of the residence and his Servant.
But as Tokiomi inserted his key into the lock and picked up on the second layer of his Bounded Field, his smile dipped. Someone was already inside. The Field hadn't been breached, so it wasn't an intruder waiting outside his office.
And he had a very good idea of his "guest's" identity. Still, Tokiomi didn't let his musings show as he unlocked and opened the door. He beckoned for Jade to enter first and Kariya's group to follow, befitting a good host. Well, I wasplanning on having this little discussion. Didn't think it would be so soon, but no time like the present, I suppose.
So, he cleared his throat once everyone was inside, gesturing towards another door. "Apologies, but there are a few important matters I must deal with, and I think it best to deal with them as quickly as possible. Please make yourself and your friends comfortable in the parlor, Kariya." He hesitated before adding, "If there is any… trouble of any sort," his gaze flickered to Sakura, "let me know immediately. I shall be in my office."
The other Master momentarily fought the urge to chew him out; he'd just gotten his daughter back and was now running off to handle a little paperwork? But a look from Gandalf and some clear thought made him stop. Right… different way of thinking, that's just how magi were. And he knew the smug prick's top priority was Sakura. "Alright, it's not the first time I've babysitted for you and Aoi." He tried not to wince, mumbling, "And I wouldn't say no to a chance to sit down…"
"Nor would I, and perhaps something to drink." Despite his words, though, Gandalf paused on the way to the parlor to send Tokiomi a concerned look. Something felt… wrong from the first step he'd set in here. Lancelot noticed his expression, and they wordlessly agreed not to let their guard down.
Then Lancer X spoke up. "I can provide some tea if you permit me a few minutes, gentlemen." She passed Sakura over to an eager Kariya, the men agreeing with her offer, while transmitting a private message to her Master. 'Kirei is waiting for you up there, isn't he?' She didn't need to wait for an answer. 'If what Emiya said is true, it could be a trap. I'll come with you-'
'No, I'll have Archer join me in my office. I need you to stay by Sakura's side.' Out loud, Tokiomi casually added, "As one who's enjoyed it exceedingly, I can only recommend Jade's ginseng tea. One sip, and you'll feel like your strength never disappeared."
"You're far too kind, Master." But Jade's inner thoughts were far less at ease. 'You and I both know Archer can't be trusted to guard a pair of chopsticks, much less your life, Tokiomi! If you think I've taxed myself, you still have two of my Seals, and maybe we could ask them to aid us again.'
'It's enough we needed their help to save Sakura, I can't let someone like Kariya interfere with my family's affairs.' If word got out of that, the Tohsaka name would lose respect, and that wouldn't do any good in the long run. 'I still have three Seals left for Archer, I can handle him.' His expression softened slightly; they were now alone in the chamber. 'But I know my daughter will be safe if you're by her side, Jade. Please.'
The two friends stared at each other before the Heroic Spirit of the Spear finally sighed. 'Very well, but don't let your guard down, Tokiomi. And if you sense danger, call me.' She shifted partially towards the kitchen. 'I promised your other daughter I'd keep you safe, you know.'
Warmth fluttered inside the Master's heart at the mentioning of Rin. To think his little girl worried so much over him… Still, those thoughts would be for later. He made to march up the stairs but only got past the first four before pausing. Tokiomi then turned back to the Heroic Spirit with a smile he reserved only for those closest to him. "…Thank you, Jade. For everything you've done for me and my family."
Lancer X looked back at her Master, the past days flowing along her thoughts, before smiling herself. She'd thought she knew exactly who this man was going to be -a cool, confident, aristocrat with a hint of naivety… and he still managed to surprise her. "Call me a fool, Tokiomi," Jade smiled back, "but for all your faults, I believe you would do no less for me."
He chuckled at that, shame creeping into him at those words as he continued up the stairs. Would Jade still have helped him if she had learned the original conclusion to his plans? How he had intended to betray her…?
His stomach churning at such a possibility was all the more incentive to see his… revision through. Nagato Tohsaka had theorized that it would take the sacrifice of all seven Servants for the Holy Grail to fulfill their wish of Akasha. In this unusual War, it would most likely take fourteen to see it through.
But… technically, Avenger X's death could serve as a substitute sacrifice… so Jade may have a chance of having her own wish granted.
Tokiomi knew he was swimming in uncharted and volatile waters. Cheating the Grail had only been attempted once before, and that failure continued to haunt the Tohsaka name. It would no doubt require further preparations… but in terms of mana, he still had ample jewels he'd been stockpiling in anticipation of the Grail War. The one adorning his cane could certainly help to… jump-start the Grail and convince it to see both his and Jade's hopes realized. Risky though it was, Tokiomi had to try. He owed the Edenian that much.
Archer was a tool, a weapon for a specific purpose and best disposed once that purpose was complete. But Lancer X… Jade was a loyal friend to Tokiomi and the Tohsaka family. She deserved better than a knife in her back. And a magus, a Tohsaka always paid his debts.
He reached the upper floor, his face settling into neutral upon the sight of his pupil waiting patiently beside his office door. "Kirei," the taller man turned calmly to him at being addressed, "apologies for making you wait." 'My King, would you be so kind as to join me in my office?' he issued the telepathic request in nearly the same breath.
'Oh, very well,' the King of Heroes's disinterested tone rippled inside his mind. 'There's nothing particularly diverting transpiring outside, anyway.'
"Not at all, sir. Forgive me that I come to you at so later an hour." He sounded and appeared just the same as always: Unflappable, ready, dependable. All traits he had deeply impressed Tokiomi with over the course of his apprenticeship, and from the way he acted now, not all the chaotic circumstances of this irregular Holy Grail War, including the death of his own father, had fazed him. "But there are a few things I need to tell you before I depart Fuyuki."
"Ah, of course, the church has requested you head off, then." Tokiomi restrained himself from letting Emiya's warning show on his features. "A shame our goodbye has to happen like this."
And it was a shame; Kirei had been a diligent pupil and great contribution to his efforts in this Grail War, especially as he had objectively little to gain from the experience. In fact, he'd lost a fair bit with Risei's death. "My plane for Italy is scheduled this morning so as to deliver my father's possessions," Kirei explained smoothly. "It will probably be some time before I can return to Japan, so this seemed like my last chance to speak with you." Taking into account the many responsibilities placed upon him and shock, Tokiomi was willing to give him the benefit of doubt. For now.
"Then step inside with me." The Tohsaka Master opened the door to his office and gestured to a chair in the far corner. "Please have a seat, I'll be with you in a minute." Kirei did so, his eyes never leaving his teacher.
Unrest continued to grow inside Tokiomi's mind even as he stepped over to his desk and retrieved some very important documents from his safe. He sat down, pen and paper in hand, and began to write (though the part of the desk Jade had smashed yesterday presented a little difficulty) down his amendments. The scribbling sound before shoved all concerns of Kirei aside for the moment, the documents for Sakura taking precedence.
He only needed to make a few adjustments there, but the other file he'd collected gave him pause. After staring at it for a few seconds, he stood up and stowed away the amended papers in his safe; its combination was something he'd shared only with his wife, but Tokiomi still cast an additional enchantment over the door so only he or Aoi could touch it.
That done, he collected the remaining document and a small box from a drawer before walking over to his guest who hadn't moved an inch. A crackle of mana signaled to him that Gilgamesh had entered the room, too. Good. When Tokiomi sat down across from him, Kirei finally spoke. "Pardon me, sir, but I can't help but notice Kariya Matou and his Servants appear to be downstairs. May I ask why you permitted an enemy team entry here?"
Tokiomi put on a cordial smile. "Very astute of you, Kirei, though I suppose it's to be expected from a former Executor. But there's no need to worry about them. Kariya Matou and I reached an… understanding not long ago, and this very night, we cooperated to deal with a…" His mouth twitched. "…Significant matter. Most of all, I have his word he and his team shall relinquish the Matou family's claim to the Holy Grail in exchange for reclaiming my daughter."
One of Kirei's eyebrows rose, the biggest sign of his surprise. "You mean Sakura? Is she to return to your family?"
"For good," Tokiomi confirmed with an absolute tone. "Apologies that I did not inform you of these developments, this all happened so quickly I'm ashamed to admit it slipped my mind." He chuckled in self-deprecation, carefully watching his student's features, but he simply closed his eyes and inclined his head in acknowledgement. So, he tried for a different topic. "You know, the closer your departure seems, the more reluctant I feel in letting you go, Kirei. I do hope you will continue to follow in your father's footsteps and aid the Tohsaka family, no matter this War's outcome or other factors…"
He intentionally left those last two words open to interpretation, but Kirei simply replied, "I would do so gladly, for you have provided me with so much as my teacher, sir. More than you may realize…" Tokiomi blinked; Kirei seemed to be emulating him now. Accident, or a taunt?
He couldn't be sure, and he didn't believe in calling for someone's head because of some vagueness. Only barbarians conducted themselves as such. "…Well, even if we only met due to circumstances brought about by Heaven's Feel, I thought myself very fortunate to have you as my student." Kirei's mouth twitched so briefly Tokiomi nearly didn't notice it. He pressed on. "You showed exemplary dedication to your lessons, and as your teacher and patron, I could only hope you assist my house with the same level of dedication." He shifted a little in his seat to retrieve something. "I even hoped my children could learn from you, which is why I had written this."
He held up the document he'd retrieved from his safe, flicking it open so Kirei could read its contents. The priest's dark eyes scanned them, widening with each passage. "Sir, this is…"
"A sort of final testament, yes." Tokiomi's own eyes didn't dare leave the other man. He knew what he'd written, after all. "I drew this up in the extremely unlikely event of something happening to me in this Grail War. In which case, Rin succeeds me as head of the Tohsaka family and Second Owner of Fuyuki once she comes of age. You would be her guardian until the latter, of course, and I would amend this to include you being Sakura's guardian now that she is with us again. Simply turning in this letter to Clock Tower would suffice to make it official."
The results of this test: Kirei staring at him in what appeared to be pure shock before bowing his head to him again. "I am honored you would trust me with these responsibilities. Though I am hardly perfect, I would do everything in my power to aid your daughters the best I can."
A strong, carefully worded declaration, Tokiomi noted, and he knew from Father Risei that being offered heavy responsibilities was of the highest honors a priest could receive. And yet, he felt a heavy pit in his stomach for some reason. "You know, I had hoped that would be your answer," he put away the paper and retrieved the box, "which is why I had this made for you."
Rather than give it to Kirei, though, Tokiomi opened the box himself. He reached inside, feeling the sides lined with rich velvet, and withdrew a silver dagger, a work of art from the sleek engraved blade to the vibrant ruby-like jewel in its hilt. Kirei stared at it in awe as his teacher held it almost reverently up to the moonlight. "The Azoth Sword… Forged with utmost precision and Tohsaka jewels passed down through generations. Charge it with mana, and it can become a most versatile Mystic Code." He muttered while lowering the dagger to waist level. "I had intended this to be a gift to you, Kirei, as a symbol of your graduation in Tohsaka magecraft."
Yet he made no move to hand this gift over. Visibly puzzled for once, Kirei stared at him without saying anything or reaching for the Azoth Sword. Then Tokiomi's smile faded as he fixed him with a cold stare. "So, in light of all my hopes and belief in you, Kirei Kotomine… would you mind explaining to me why an Assassin was spotted this very night?"
Even in the dim light, Tokiomi thought he saw something flash across the priest's face. He couldn't see it clearly enough in time, but whatever it was, it nearly drew a shiver from him. Then Kirei's brows furrowed and his mouth shifted into a perfect frown. "Assassin? Alive…? Are you sure this sighting wasn't referring to Kiritsugu Emiya's Servant, the other Assassin?"
"Oh, I doubt that…" At this point, the Azoth Sword's tip was centered on the other man's chest. "You see, Kiritsugu Emiya is the one who reported this sighting to me."
Another flash, and this time, Tokiomi knew he had glimpsed something. A grin. But Kirei continued to wear his perpetual stoicism. "With respect, sir, you were the one who warned me of treacherous Kiritsugu Emiya is." And now that he was paying attention, there was this odd inflection whenever Kirei said the mercenary's name. "You tell me you believe him?"
"I wouldn't, Kirei, if it were only him speaking against you." Of course, Tokiomi knew better than to trust the words of a man like the infamous "Mage Killer." He didn't want to trust them over Kirei, a man who had assisted him so much these past three years. It was why he hadn't burned the "will" for Rin yet, why he was giving Kirei a chance right now to explain himself right now. He had earned that as well. But with each passing second, the doubts continued to grow.
"Irisviel von Einzbern mentioned that you had been… hounding her team since the beginning of their activities in the Grail War. When I negotiated for an alliance with her, she agreed on one condition: That I cast you," he pointed with the Azoth Sword, "out of Fuyuki City for the remainder of the Grail War."
He ran his finger carefully along the dagger's edge; razor sharp, as he'd instructed. "And promptly after this, she and Emiya run off with their Servants saying that Assassins, your Assassins that should be long dead and returned to the Grail by now, had abducted an associate of theirs." Tokiomi hid his frown no longer. "Now it could all be some convoluted lie, but then, why go through so much effort to shatter my faith in you, Kirei? You may be my student, but why show this interest in you? Better yet, why do you have interest in them?"
He hoped for fervent denial, a concise, logical argument that delivered irrefutable proof that Emiya and Einzbern hadbeen playing him for a fool. Such a fact would've been irksome and eroded his respect for the Einzbern family totally, but better that than the alternative that grew more plausible with each passing second of watching Kirei sit in his chair so nonchalant.
Jade had warned him, too. She'd told of how something had felt… off about Kirei ever since the murder of Father Risei. A telling timepoint. Despite having known her for barely a week, Tokiomi trusted her instincts now more than ever; she'd had to have been sharp to survive the Darwinistic nature of Outworld. Furthermore, she'd earnedhis faith.
Whereas it became increasingly apparent Kirei Kotomine had abused said faith. And now, in light of all these facts presented to him, Tokiomi Tohsaka retrieved his cane while his other hand continued to grip the Azoth Sword, his gaze locked on his pupil. "Well, Kirei? If you have any plausible rebuttal against your accusers, I await it most anxiously."
The priest didn't even cringe against the iciness aimed at him. Instead, he shrugged slightly. "I'm afraid anything strong enough to convince you is currently beyond me, sir. I will reiterate, though, how grateful I truly am for everything you taught me and especially the doors you opened for me. When I first joined the Holy Grail War, it was indeed as your student. I lacked any ambitions of my own and would've settled for walking away once the tasks you'd given me were complete."
In that moment, the grin Kirei had been hiding finally emerged, and the sight of it made Tokiomi nearly as uneasy as when he'd first learned about Sakura. "Regrettably for both of us, I encountered a… complication along the way."
The Tohsaka magus' frown deepened. "A complication going by the designation of Rider X, I presume." Now it was all starting to make sense; Kirei's shift, the difficulties of him controlling that wretched titan… "He turned you against me, then. You've been on his side."
"Not quite, sir." Kirei tilted his head just so, an odd gleam in his eyes. "I won't deny he is a very persuasive speaker, but to say I've joined his side wouldn't be accurate. More… I've chosen my own side, and it just happens to bridge well with his."
Both cane and Sword now pointed directly at Tokiomi's enemy. "In that case, I don't think you owe him any particular loyalty, Kirei. So, unless you want to learn just how harshly a Tohsaka punishes betrayal, you will surrender and tell me where Rider X is this instant. Call him here, for I suspect you retain his final Seal even now." The magus hadn't admittedly recovered all of his strength from the battle at the Matou house, but he could surely handle his fallen pupil even now.
But Kirei's grin only widened despite the danger before him. "No need for that." He nodded to his left. "He's standing right there."
Tokiomi scoffed, not even bothering to look at the empty space in front of the bookshelf. "I am not in the mood for jokes, Kirei Kotomine. Tell me now or-"
"Kirei doesn't need to make any jokes, Tokiomi."
He sprang up in surprise, keeping the Azoth Sword aimed at Kirei, as the gigantic metallic body shimmered into plain view exactly where had been indicated. Rider X sneered down at him, broad arms folded behind his back. "For you are truly the greatest joke in this War."
Tokiomi backed away, cane in his left hand, Sword in his right, noting dully how Kirei was calmly standing up. The Servant before him shouldn't have been there, but he was too real to be mere illusion. "You- How did- How long have you been there…?"
"Why, I've been with my wonderful Master since the beginning." Megatron's grin widened as he leaned forward. "I was standing right next to him long before you pranced up your little stairs and saw him. Yet you didn't even notice me?" He shook his head chuckling. "It appears you taught your student a little too well, Tokiomi. Or perhaps you simply thought yourself a greater magus than you truly are."
Heat flared up inside Tokiomi at the insult, but he forced it down to smile himself. "And you seem to have overestimated your own intelligence, familiar. My King!" Archer materialized next to him, dressed in that casual clothing of his, and his spirit soared. "This would-be conqueror of your garden has finally stepped out of hiding! Surely, he deserves to perish by your hand!"
Kirei's betrayal aside, this setting was perfect. One good barrage from the Gate of Babylon, and Rider X would be gone for good. "Yes, I would agree with you on that, Tokiomi…" The Master smiled broadly, turning his attention to the traitor.
"But what do you deserve?"
He froze at the words and the tone. Though he didn't dareturn to look, he knew Archer's crimson eyes fell on him now. "I've heard some rather… vexing stories from Kirei. One of which you neglected to tell me… mongrel."
A very dark and foreboding chill ran through Tokiomi, and he turned panicked his head to see Archer baring his teeth in a smile at him that screamed danger. He knows…! The Master hurriedly ran through his rapidly declining mental list of options before stopping at one. 'Jade-!'
Sh-shk.
Tokiomi Tohsaka was a man of extreme self-discipline, but anyone would have been rattled if they had experienced everything he had in this single night.
And for a trained Executor like Kirei Kotomine, it had been child's play to close the distance between them, wrest the Azoth Sword from his grip, and run it between ribs and straight through the heart.
Tokiomi could only let out a weak gasp as the priest looked him in the eyes with utter glee. "I truly am grateful for everything you have given me, sir. Now let me show you my gratitude…" Those cold, dark eyes glowed an evil violet. "With a new trick I've learned."
One floor down, Lancer X had been chatting with the house's guests while serving her unanimously appreciated tea when she stiffened and looked straight up. She could sense something wrong, a distortion in the link between her and her Master. 'Tokiomi, are you alright?' Edenian Sojourner Staff extended into her waiting hands.
Thrown off by the Servant's sudden behavior, Kariya turned to the best source for answers. But Gandalf was simply glaring at the upper part of the house as well. "Something's wrong," he muttered, readying his own staff while Lancelot drew his sword. They had both been aware of Archer's presence in the house, but only now did they notice another… sort of. Like a hazy image.
'Jade- Take her-! Safe-!' The words barely reached the Edenian, garbled as they were. She immediately began gathering her mana for a teleportation spell, then one final message flickered through her mind: 'For… Forgive… me…'
Lancelot moved warily towards his ally as she jerked and then stiffened. "Jade, what's the matter-"
"Kariya, run!" Her cry stunned everyone, then the Master barely registered Lancer X suddenly appearing in front of him, Staff swinging at his head. Glamdring deflected the blow with not a moment to spare, allowing Kariya to regain his wits and hurriedly crawl away, Sakura unconscious in his arms again.
The couch was split apart by Lancer X's Staff, then Berserker was forced to flip her onto the table, sending broken china and wood flying. She kicked out as he hesitated to bear his blade against her, then made another lunge for Kariya. This time, Gandalf intercepted her, pinning the Servant against the wall with his telekinesis. "What are you doing, milady?" He demanded in a concerned tone. "Are you under a Command Seal?"
"I… I don't know, Gandalf!" Jade struggled against the magic holding her up. Or more likely, she was fighting with herself judging by the anguish written across her face. "Something's happened to Tokiomi… I feel… I feel the drive to kill Kariya… Stop me!"
Then the wall cratered as she disappeared in a flash of green, emerging before Kariya as he limped for the exit. He stared wide-eyed at the Servant haltingly aiming her weapon at him, but she' resisted long enough for Lancelot to meet her again, Noble Phantasms clashing as they moved out into the house's antechamber. Kariya followed them as did Gandalf, the latter still more sluggish than usual.
"Get Sakura and Kariya out of here now!" Jade pleaded with them even as she flipped towards wider space. Promise Keeper flicked out in one hand, and the duo braced themselves for her next move. But then she stiffened again… and put the collapsed blade to her neck.
Lancelot's eyes widened as he rushed towards her and Gandalf raised his staff, both shouting, "No!" But they were too late.
Why…? Such was the final thought passing through the mind of Heroic Spirit Jade, Servant Lancer X of Tokiomi Tohsaka, before she slit her own throat.
Sakura was still out, but Kariya shifted her anyway as blood sprayed from the Heroic Spirit who had risked her life so much for the Tohsaka sisters. Lancelot could only catch her body from pitching over, holding the noble warrior in sorrow as she slowly dissipated into nothing. Master and Servants alike mourned her passing. As a respected ally and a loyal hero, Jade had deserved a far better fate.
"Well, isn't this a sight to behold…"
Their mourning was cut short upon hearing that voice. All three turned towards the staircase and found Rider X at the top, grinning broadly down at them. "First, I get to have a little fun with the King of Knights and her lapdog, then I am finally freed from Tokiomi's blathering, and now two of my enemies, weary though they are, grace me with their presence." He took a step down, the wood creaking under his weight. "A night of delights, this is…"
Lancelot immediately donned his helmet and made to meet him, Glamdring out to his right for a beheading swing. He wasn't about to let this metallic blackguard ruin anymore lives, let alone that of his King. But before he could ascend the stairs, light flared around him. "What-" He turned shocked to the source. "Gandalf, what are you doing?!"
But Caster X focused first on establishing the force field with his diminished powers, his mouth set in a frown. "…This is not the time or place for a battle with him, Lancelot," he finally said. "If we fight now, we put Sakura's life at risk."
"…He's right," Kariya sighed, clutching the girl he loved like a daughter as tightly as he could. "We're in no shape to fight him anyway. We'll fall back and-"
"No." He froze at the sad look Gandalf gave him. "You will fall back. I must stay."
"What?!" Master and Servant yelled as the wizard moved to the front of his barrier. Kariya shook his head fervently, a cold feeling growing in his gut. "N-No, no way in hell! W-We c-can outrun him together and take him down t-tomorrow night-"
Gandalf shook his head without even looking back. "He is a Rider, Kariya. If we run, he would catch us with little effort. One of us must stay here and delay him while the rest escape."
"Then let me face him, Gandalf!" Lancelot shoved him slightly so they could look eye-to-eye. "I'm the better warrior, Kariya has one last Seal for me, I have yet to show my full strength-"
A hand fell onto his shoulder. "All of those are reasons why you must take them and run to fight another day. That, and you are quicker on your feet than I," Gandalf added with a slight chuckle before pushing him towards the humans. "Remember your duty, sir."
"My duty is to protect my Master and stand by my friends' side!" Meanwhile, Rider X's heavy footsteps drew closer.
"Gandalf, don't do this, please! W-W-We'll steal a car, w-we can all make it!" Kariya pleaded with him, tears flowing freely from his eyes. This wasn't what it was supposed to happen. He hadn't just saved Sakura only to lose the man who'd picked him up time and time again, the man who had given him more hope in a week than he'd ever known in his life! This wasn't right! "C-Come on, Gandalf!"
For the first time, however, Caster X ignored his Master's plea. "You are a knight," he reminded his loyal friend. "And your first duty is to protect the innocent, those who cannot protect themselves." Lancelot tried to protest, but Gandalf gave him another shove. "Now go!"
"G-Gandalf, no-" Kariya begged again, but the Knight of the Lake knew his friend wouldn't be budged. He turned slightly towards the approaching rumble of footsteps, then slumped. The last thing he did before picking up his sobbing Master and the girl… was return Glamdring to its rightful wielder.
For Someone's Glory arose around Lancelot, the better to hide his anguish. "Thank you… for everything."
Then Berserker was sprinting down the streets of Miyama for the city's outskirts with two innocent lives secure in his arms, Kariya's fist banging down on his shoulder. Inside his helmet, hot tears streamed down his cheeks.
A tiny smile crossed Caster X's lips as a familiar phrase came to mind: "Fly, you fools…"
Then the smile faded, the familiarity shifting to when a dark presence had loomed over him, a danger so great he doubted he would survive the imminent confrontation. In fact, the malevolence he felt prickling against his consciousness seemed almost greater than that of Durin's Bane. Because of his weakened state, maybe… or because he faced a truly worse monster now.
"Do you really think there's anywhere they can hide from me? Or that you can stop me in your present state?" Megatron chuckled at the pathetic obstacle in his path. "So powerful… so wise…" He taunted as he drew closer. "And look at what you've reduced yourself to. A slave to lesser creatures."
The Gray Wizard brandished Glamdring alongside his staff and forced his legs steady. "And what are you, Megatron, but a slave to your own desires?"
As he spoke, he noticed a flicker of gold above Rider X. Archer stood with his arms crossed atop the stairs in modern clothing, red eyes staring down at them. Gandalf thought he could make an unspoken message in them, a challenge. Just as he had suspected: Temperamental as the King of Heroes was, Lancelot's presence might've provoked him into joining the fight, and then Kariya and Sakura would surely be doomed. Even now, Gilgamesh was testing him. What will you do now, apparition? Will you beg for my aid or try to face me as well and die?
Caster X met Archer's gaze… and simply, respectfully, acknowledged his presence before returning the bulk of his attention to Rider X. Threats, demands or submission weren't the answer with the King of Heroes. This here wasn't the best solution, but it was the one he chose. "Poor, pitiful soul. You believe yourself to have seized power when in fact it holds you in its grasp. I prefer my fate to yours."
The Decepticon conqueror's optics blazed violet while his servos ground against each other. Finally, a growl deeper than the farthest corners rumbled from him: "Then let me show you precisely what your fate is, wizard."
Gilgamesh gazed back at him, four different emotions seemingly warring across his face, then closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly forward. He subsequently turned and walked back upstairs, his earlier vow resonating in the wizard's mind: I will not help you… Gandalf sensed no attempt to breach or slip through his barrier. …And I will not hinder you.
Caster X suppressed a relieved sigh. Foolish though it seemed, he trusted now Gilgamesh would not pursue Lancelot, Kariya and Sakura, his greatest concern. Thus, the final piece fell into place, and all that was left was to hold off another not nearly as principled. He met the burning gaze of Rider X who was now standing in front of his shield, visibly contemplating all the ways he could tear his enemy to shreds. His taunts had worked, then.
A plasma blast struck the barrier, and his body shook from the impact. He was already running on fumes from the earlier battle against Zouken Matou, and this time, there wouldn't be any Command Seals or support from Lancelot. Megatron by contrast had apparently recovered from whatever injuries suffered in his skirmish with Saber and Assassin X, and Gandalf could sense a cold sort of darkness gathering inside of him, about to emerge.
Whereas he couldn't even call on his own trump card anymore. The Flame of Anor was gone, expended for good. If he had known this battle would follow, Caster X lamented briefly even as he readied Glamdring, he would've tried harder to spare some of it than-
He banished such thoughts from his mind. There was no point dwelling on hypotheticals now. And whatever the circumstances or his fate, he did not regret his decision for a moment.
Not while his heart had engraved inside itself the smile of one little girl.
And right up to when the Decepticon tyrant's dark blade pierced his weary body… Gandalf the Gray, Servant Caster X of Fuyuki City's Fourth Holy Grail War, did not let him pass.
-35:07:56
At the Zenjou residence, Aoi Tohsaka would be stirred from where she'd fallen asleep sitting at the dining room table. She hurried over to the door, following the dull sound that had woken her, and opened it to gasp at the sight of a black knight kneeling in front of the house, a weeping familiar face in his arms.
His hood was down, and even with his hair now white and his features scarred and mangled, she recognized him. "Kariya!" Aoi rushed over to her old friend, barely noticing how the knight's armor rattled from his own shaking. He barely managed to look up at her, his left eye pale and not just from the tears. They locked eyes, and for two agonizing seconds, she feared the worst.
Then he shuffled about in his Servant's arms and revealed what he'd been holding, the sight robbing her of her breath anew. The mother fell to her knees, hands cupped over her mouth, as she stared with moistening eyes at her youngest girl nestled in Kariya's grip. Sakura's eyes were shut which worried her, but then Aoi picked up a peek and a little murmur. "Mother…?"
That word set off a switch in her brain, and she quickly closed the distance to stroke her daughter's hair, muttering assurances and other things barely coherent. "S-she's fine," Kariya mumbled as he passed Sakura over gently, "just a little tuckered out…" His fingers played with her hair a little, and Aoi offered no protest. Sakura was soon out like a light.
She bounced her little girl slightly against herself like so many times when she'd been even smaller. Dear God, how long has it been since I held her like this…? Rather than dwell on the answer, she raised her head to give the battered man a tearful smile. "…Thank you, Kariya."
He managed to return the smile, his gaze locked on the girl in her arms. Aoi's joy had reached its apex, though, and a chilling thought entered her mind: If Kariya and his Servant had brought Sakura here, then where was Jade and… "K-Kariya…" Her breath hitched, and she saw his shoulders tense. Both knew what her next words would be: "Where's Tokiomi?"
Kariya finally met her gaze again, and somehow, she knew this young soul in her arms was the only thing keeping either from falling into utter despair. "…I'm sorry, Aoi…" Tears trickled down his face and landed onto Sakura Tohsaka's, near her eyes. "I-I'm so sorry…" So near, they might've been mistaken for her own.