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Thread: Fate/Heaven's Gate (Reboot!) IC Thread

  1. #41
    The Dread Nekomancer alfheimwanderer's Avatar
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    Seo Akira's Apartment
    Kyoto, Japan
    January 16, 2007


    Akemi looked on at Seo Akira, more than a little unnerved - but also a little upset. After Seo had tried to tell her that it didn't do any good to pursue her studies, when she had such a useful book from M. Vald(remainder illegible due to smears), her roommate was now revealing she had an ability of her own - and now she spoke of a ritual - a miracle of immortality. It had taken her a lot to reach this point, nights of meditation, searching for the key to unlock the gates inside her, all for the sake of her long-lost sister.

    ...had Seo Akira known about this all this time? All the time she'd spent on awakening even a fraction of power, trying her best so that one day she might see her sister again - and now that she had something, Seo Akira wanted to use her to participate in something else. Sure, she said she wanted to contain the fighting, but at the end of the day, all Akira meant was that she wanted Akemi's help to participate in this ritual.

    Akemi Yamase found herself shaking in her chair.

    Not shaking in fear, or trepidation, but anger.

    "You lied to me, Seo-san. You hid this from me, and now you want my help to let you win a miracle? I'm not a fool."

  2. #42
    As American as a foreign immigrant EnigmaticFellow's Avatar
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    Panda Compound, Zoo
    January 17, 2007 12:00 AM


    "Is that so, spirit? While I don't know much, it seems like you're simply using me for your own ends."

    "If I'm being hunted, wouldn't it be better if I were to leave this whole area?"

    "The problem is that Japan is an overlooked area by much of the vampire hunters. Most other areas that you might be able to go to would be overrun by their ilk."

    She seems to be silent for a few minutes as she contemplates her decision.

    "If that's what you say, then there's not much I can really do. I could ignore you, but that won't really do anything for me. I guess any guidance is better than none."




    Library
    January 17, 2007 2:00 PM


    "If this is supposed to summon a great figure of old like you said, why are we looking through books to find this 'catalyst'? While I may not know as much as you, an insignificant book that was printed not too long ago doesn't seem like it would hold a strong connection to a figure of any kind."

    I wonder if her agitation has to do about the section we're in. Despite always hunkering down here, Satsuki has never really gone out to read any book within these shelves. Understandable, I suppose. As I grab the book that will be needed, I answer her query.

    "While an ordinary book may not specifically link itself to any hero, this book in particular contains a powerful legend within it. You may not know this, but heroic spirits can be influenced by legends. This legend in particular is rather pivotal to the being I plan for us to summon."

    It was met with a huff, but not much else.




    Library, Private Section
    January 17, 2007 11:00 PM


    "Everything is all set now."

    The neck of a man who asked for Satsuki's company was then met with a slit neck as his blood went into a carved channel, forming a peculiar design.


    When the first stage of the ritual was complete, the catalyst was then placed on the circle as Satsuki then started her incantation.

    Let blood and stone open the path.
    As hallowed night crowns the sky.
    A war once fought begins anew.
    The time has come to heed the call
    As peers of old seize the prize.


    The blood then became a dull red. It wasn't so much that the room was luminated by the circle so much as the circle was engulfing all other light. In spite of the ominous display, the chanting continued.

    By crown, wisdom, and knowledge
    Bring forth the foundation of victory.
    By beauty, glory, and understanding
    Let us rule the night as is our right.
    If you shall submit to this call, then let living legend walk anew!


    All turned to black as the circle depleted both light and mana; an overbearing feeling washed over the both of us as markings etched themselves upon the young vampire.




    Abandoned Warehouse
    January 17, 2007 11:47 PM


    Within a forsaken building was a young woman sleeping in what best amounted to a bed.



    However, she had little to do with the current discussion.

    "Your will has been done, master. Should the situation continue as it is, I shall have sufficient strength to hold back the other Servants."

    "Good Lancer; however, how goes the search on your end?"

    "The properties of both the Second Owner and the Makiri have been located. I do not sense a Servant within either territories, some manner of creature does reside within Tohsaka manor."

    "In that case, we should hold off on seizing her until we have better information and resources."

    "As you should. Although, I do find your affliction interesting. To be corrupted by something not of your own, it is a fate I can relate to. And like me, you do not shun it but instead use it to bring about your ends."

    "Consider me interested in your fate, Christopher was it? As long as this remains true, I shall answer to you. Be sure to keep your tool around. It is the only means by which you remain in this world."

    "Very well, Lancer."

    And right after I finished my conversation with the Servant, a presence woke up Satsuki as red eyes peered into her foggy sight.
    Last edited by EnigmaticFellow; September 23rd, 2014 at 09:12 PM. Reason: Typo
    Spoiler:
    Quote Originally Posted by Mcjon01 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Tangerang View Post
    Gilgamesh has A Lck.

    wut bout that
    His fate as the most powerful Servant is to steamroll every war he takes part in.

    Somehow, he manages to defy all odds and deny this fate.
    Quote Originally Posted by anonymous
    If only I could be respected without having to be respectable.

    What Fate/Stay Night character are you?
    Kotomine Kirei
    You are Kirei. You've always been a little different from the rest. You probably have low social skills. Whatever, it's not like what they think matters anyway. Ever searching for something missing within you, you probably don't experience the same happiness as everyone else. Good and evil are just labels, you are who you are.

  3. #43
    I know what you've been doing, nii-san. Dark Pulse's Avatar
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    I awaken, in a bed. A very nice, very comfortable bed.

    How long have I been here? How many days have passed? I don't know. I don't know what day it is... hell, I have no way to tell time.

    "...I think that would be the best choice for me."

    A female voice.

    ...Followed by a voice that, while unintelligible, thunders as if it were absolute. A decidedly not female one. No... male. Echoing as if it were total and absolute truth. And dripping of jingoism.

    "...The 'Voice of God' act. How vain."

    It's not like I hadn't expected less, of course... but I just CAN'T shake that feeling. This is not going to end up how Rin wants it to if she follows his advice. Something, somewhere, is going to go horribly wrong.

    And when it does, we're both screwed.

    "Of course your job would be easier with a Servant, Kirei, but I can't fight without one. ...What's that? The Matou have yet to summon...? ...Well... Archer, of course." The creak of a shifting seat. "Gilgamesh to be specific. From what you've told me, only the Einzbern Saber could have beaten him."

    "...This isn't 'Satisfaction Guaranteed or your money back, Rin," I find myself muttering.

    To my side, I feel a movement. Glancing to my side, Silver shifts over. It seems she is starting to stir, and in the process, it has freed me from the bed, from which I get up and move around, trying to put energy into my limbs. As I do, I take notice that the room is still unchanged, save that there is now ice around the doorway, as well as a mirror on the wall. As I turn back to her, I see that she is keeping her gaze squarely on me.

    "Well, you look well-rested, at least. Unlike the girl outside, from the sound of it."

    As I move, her gaze clearly shifts off of me, and towards the wall. Blinking, she tilts her head slightly, before getting up off of the bed, walking over, and touching it. She shivers, as if a nerve impulse went down her spine, before turning towards me, a slight smile on her lips.

    "...Good morning, Toma-san. I see Tohsaka-san created an interesting warden for you."

    ...It's the first time she's spoken.

    ......But it's also clear those aren't the sorts of words she would speak.

    "...Len?" I ask.

    "That is correct." Silver's facial expression does not change, but I can almost hear a smirk in those words.

    "Well, it's not like there were many other people to guess..."

    "Huhu. Indeed."

    "You don't want me to summon?! Do you not think I am— what? What do you mean?!' How?!"

    Our attentions both return to the mirror.

    I sigh, and shake my head. "Someone's not going to be happy again when she comes in here. This is turning into a really bad routine..."

    "But how could he have lasted?! ...'Absolutely Survive?' So you mean he can't actually be killed in battle?!"

    It might as well have been the words Rin always wanted to hear. At the very least... it seems to have fortified her thoughts that Gilgamesh is the right servant for her. Now if only she can keep his ego in check...

    ...Though, Absolutely Survive... that was... Prototype's Gil, wasn't it...?

    "...But just because of that, it doesn't make him an 'I Win' button, Rin..." I say with a shake of my head.

    "Huhu, I can let you speak to her, if you'd like..." White Len-as-Silver announces.

    "Respawn? You mean, like in a vide— You mean he has something like self-resurrection? Like a... Phoenix, was it? Well, where is he...?"

    Silence. Silence that honestly... goes on for too long. Well, not TRULY silence, but the thundering voice, of what I'm presuming is Kotomine, keeps going, although utterly indistinct, so it may as well be silence by deafness, or at least unintelligibility.

    And is broken with about the expected results.

    "SOUTH AMERICA?! Why on Earth...?!"

    That figures. This IS still Gilgamesh.

    "...Because of all the attractive women there, Rin. And no, but thank you for the offer, Len. The girl is freaking out enough as it is."

    "Huhu, a pity. Then tell me, what have you to say about this farce of a ritual?"

    "Obviously, it's going to take a hit on her wallet and an extreme amount of time to find him," I reply. "And time isn't exactly something we have a lot of."

    "...He's flying in? First class?"

    ...I stand corrected. Gilgamesh is drinking orange juice out of a champagne glass, I'm sure.

    "Can he even use Noble Phantasms anymore? ...Oh, right, he'd need more prana... um......"

    Rin's voice grows quiet, even hesitant.

    It's clear what she thought of in terms of restoring prana.

    "Uh... t-the link... it'll work without... that kind of thing... r-right...?"

    As if on reflexive instinct, my face is palmed by my hand. Behind me, a metallic girl snickers mockingly.

    "...W-What do you mean he does what he wants?! He can't! Not tha— Of course I know the— ...Oh. W, Would he really want... O-Of course I'm a virgin, but that's none of your business...!"

    The snickering behind me turns into barely-contained, and admittedly cute, laughter.

    "...Correct me if I'm wrong, but she DOES know how that works... right? That there's other forms of restoration besides what she's thinking of...?"

    "Well, assuming a proper link, sex is not necessary," White Len confirms. "A path of blood works, even if it is not~ as~ fun~. Huhuhu!"

    "Of course, so why's she making it out like that's the only way? She knows there's others..." I shake my head. "At the same time, while modesty is good and all, if it comes down to life or death..."

    "The legend of Gilgamesh, and how he claimed the first night over virgins... Huhuhuhu!"

    White Len's barely-contained laughter now comes out in peals. She's having way too much fun hearing this. Not only that, she's storing up later ammunition to use in case Rin gets too snippy, no doubt.

    "Yes... droit de seigneur or jus primae noctis, as it was later called. But Rin shouldn't be worrying about something like that when getting a Servant needs to be her first priority!"

    "...Emiya hasn't summoned? ......He left Fuyuki... with Mitsuzuri...?"

    White Len's laughter slows down, and with the relevant information, both of our eyes turn back towards the mirror.

    "...Visited by a two-tailed fox?!"

    ...Shit.

    Shit Shit SHIT!!!

    There goes the one good plan I had for getting us out of this thing alive!

    "Why hasn't he summoned? I would have thought he is looking for—"

    Silence by deafness for a few moments.

    "...I heard something about a Lady Amber the other day. You mean—"

    ...Lady Amber...? That couldn't mean... Kohaku... right? But... what would they be doing in Fuyuki...?

    "...Noble Phantasms?! A 'Do Not Engage' order for both Executors AND Enforcers?! Are you shitting me?! Who is she?!?!"

    ...Okay, Kohaku is kind of dangerous, but THAT dangerous? Someone's either grossly overestimating her... or it's absolutely true. And terrifying.

    "Tsk tsk. The Second Owner's knowledge of current events is depressingly lacking. I should find a replacement for her, since even if she survives, she's not fit to govern."

    "...It's not entirely her fault, you know. I don't trust that fraud of a priest to tell her what she actually NEEDS to know. Only what she 'needs' to know, if you get what I mean."

    "Kotomine-san is rather upstanding in these parts. My Master thinks so, anyway. After judging his character in an eating contest, of course."

    "...Being able to wolf down wicked-spicy curry doesn't make you a good person, you know..."

    "A bit empty inside, that's true," White Len says as Silver shrugs. "But it's not like he abuses children."

    "...Abusing teenagers is more pleasant to him, then?" I retort.

    "Is it really abuse, or simply parenting with a firm hand?"

    "...A good parent would want to prepare their children for anything. At least... that's how I feel."

    "From what he said to my Master, he tried, but Tohsaka fixated only on the dangers."

    "...I don't trust a word of his without some second source also confirming it."

    "Huhu, so distrustful. Then why don't you wish to interject?"

    "What can I really do from in here? Worse, what if he's got some way to rip me out of her head and do god-knows-what? I'm in no rush to my death either."

    "Well, I could give you an ice clone for a bit... but Tohsaka would surely notice you missing."

    "Even if you did that, again, what could I do? I'm no magus. If I were, it'd be news to me, anyway..." I sigh. "...It's more like I need to be a balance as well as another brain here. Rin doesn't focus very well, especially when multiple things are happening all at once. Like now."

    "Then what is your plan, Dark Pulse-san?"

    "Well... not to chase Gilgamesh around. Or at least, try to. This war's being fought in Japan... so I'll get a much better benefit if I have a legendary Japanese hero. But if Caster's already been summoned, then the one I was thinking of is already out the window..."

    "Huhu, you mean the nine-tailed fox?"

    "...Well, if you read her mind, you've basically already read mine too, thanks to her," I say slightly bitterly. "You'd have no chance of getting that wrong."

    "One point to you," White Len quips.

    "...Fine," Rin announces. "But why would he want— Oh. So he wants to prove himself the strongest...? He's annoyed that he didn't get a chance to fight at his full power in the last war...? ...What?! How could vampire hunting not be exciting enough?! Doesn't he know how dangerous they are?!"

    "...And that is why, Len," I announce. "Not the most reliable of Servants, is he?"

    "Well, any Master-Familiar relationship can have tension if they do not agree," she replies with a clear air of knowledge and experience. "But I think the Second Owner wants to prove herself in battle, so it should be a good fit."

    "...You suspect Emiya will summon Archer?" Rin asks with clear surprise. "Then why would he not call forth the Einzbern Sa— Right. Catalyst..." Rin muses for a few moments on Kotomine's rumbling. "...Kyoto? Okay, fine, that makes sense. I'm surprised he didn't summon the Nine-Tailed Fox, given his father's history..."

    I wince. After all, Rin probably knew that that's who I had in mind...

    "...What do you mean some unknown summoned Caster? ...Near Mt. Fuji? Fine."

    ...And that definitely confirms the death knell of my plans. Damn it.

    "...Be honest, Len. Do you think I have a chance of convincing her that fighting smarter is better than fighting harder?"

    "That depends. Define 'smarter.'"

    "Not being of a one-track mind and focusing sheerly on the physically strongest or most durable Servant, but instead getting the one that will allow you to outwit your opponents and have the best overall chance for success."

    "Hm, then what one would you suggest? From the records on Gilgamesh, he has excellent combat abilities, and good taste in wine."

    "Well... that's kind of the catch. I don't know many Japanese legendary heroes, I'm, uh, American, you see... so it's not like I know tons of them. Now, if this were being fought in America, I could easily suggest someone like George Washington, or perhaps Abraham Lincoln... but it's not like we have a ton of mythology in my country. Just ordinary men who did extraordinary deeds."

    "Ah, but isn't that the definition of a hero? An ordinary human who rose to become a legend, and is worshiped nearly as a god? Your Washington or Lincoln would both count as heroes."

    "Well... that's true, I suppose..." I admit. "But this is Japan, so best to find someone in Japan. But it's not like I know a ton of Japanese mythology, though..."

    "Why is Gilgamesh unsuitable, then? He is here."

    "He is here, but he is not FROM here. He is Babylonian, so no land effect bonus. And... honestly, I worry about how well Rin can control him. If all he cares about is being the best, he's not going to want to withdraw when it'd be smarter to withdraw... and even if he can't be killed, Rin isn't as allergic to death as he is."

    "True," White Len muses. "But if people think he's been killed, it is a nice decoy."

    "...Ergh. I can't argue with that logic," I say with a heavy sigh. "...Damn it, if only she'd had in mind a Servant I felt better about her being able to command when we needed strategy and not force, then I'd probably just encourage her to have whoever she wanted." I sit, frustrated at my powerlessness.

    "Well... why don't you want me to summon? Couldn't I just summon Gilgamesh as well, and—— Oh. You're saying they'd try to kill each other... and if I'm not seen as a proper Master, my life won't be in danger?"

    "...Nice half-truth, isn't it?" I say while glancing at White Len, in Silver's body.

    "Are you sure it's a half-truth?"

    "Oh, quite sure," I say while shaking my head. "Ask Shirou how well he fared when he saw that Lancer-Archer fight. They're going to just let her waltz out if she's not seen as a 'proper' Master? You don't find that hard to believe?"

    "Ah, but if she is not known to have summoned, won't a Servant's actions be seen as rogue? And all she has to do is act utterly incompetent to save her life. Huhuhuhu!" Silver's whole body jiggles slightly.

    "...And the odds of her pride allowing that, Len?" I say with a clear tone of disbelief. "It was hard enough getting her to admit being angry at you wasn't going to make things any better or easier on her. There's no way she'll act like she doesn't know her head from her ass."

    "Well, she could certainly act on her own, but those actions would seem unconnected with any stray Servant. Perhaps she'd blame Emiya, and call upon Enforcers to eliminate him?"

    "Yes, and if she's found out, will become the target instead."

    "Ah, but if she has no actual command seals, how would she be found out? Especially if s-she used t-tech—"

    With a loud and inelegant PFFFT, the silver girl before me collapses into peals of laughter that echo slightly through the room.

    "S...Sorry, I couldn't help it... this magus using technology...... ahahahahahaha!" White Len seems to take a few breaths, and manages to recompose herself.

    "...Cute as hearing that may have been, you couldn't even finish your own sentence."

    "It was too funny! Like the look on that Indian Restaurant owner's face when Master and Ciel got through with the buffet."

    "...Well, either way, that's obviously not an option for her," I say. "I could possibly do it as I know technology, but I don't know magic. But even then, unless you can somehow sustain me, I'd rather not risk her getting killed and me dying along with her, you know?"

    "Well, I COULD move you over if you wanted. You'd make for an... amusing pet." Silver smiles slightly.

    ...But it gives me a case of the shivers.

    "...Neither of us are pets. Unless you'd prefer I treat you more like a cat?"

    "Don't be silly. Everyone knows cats own humans, not the other way around."

    "Ergh... can't argue that."

    "But yes, I could move you out of her brain with ease," White Len explains. "All you'd have to do is say so, of course."

    "Mmm... but what good would it do for now? Like I said, I can't exactly fight a magical battle. All I'd wind up doing is eating her food, sleeping on her couch, and probably getting yelled at if her bathroom doesn't smell like roses... or whatever she uses to deodorize it. And then I'd just be a liability."

    "You could scout and take a look around. It would only be temporary, after all. I don't feel like making a TATARI version of you."

    ...Now that's a scary thought. A TATARI version of me...? Well... let's just say there's some things I'd rather keep stowed away in my closet.

    "...It'd probably be for the best if I weren't TATARI, either way. My darknesses aren't exactly the most interesting things."

    "Then I can do two things. Ice clone for a temporary option, or a more permanent incarnation. Did you want to see Fuyuki?"

    "It'd be good to take a look around... but I dunno about permanent. Uh... if something bad happened to me out there, would that hurt or kill me?"

    "It wouldn't kill you if you were using a temporary vessel," White Len explains. "The psychic shock might send you into a coma for a bit, like what Tohsaka did to you before. You would wake back up inside Tohsaka-san." The corners of her lips curl, acknowledging that she chose to word that phrase that way on purpose.

    I do my best to not give her the satisfaction of knowing my mind briefly touched upon the other interpretation of that phrase.

    "...Ugh. That's something I'll hate feeling again. Especially given how that thing got when I got... well, you know."

    "Huhu, I thought you enjoyed that though?"

    "...I-I did, but that isn't the point! That's kind of, you know, violating her!"

    "Huhu, but can one truly violate a simple doll?"

    "It can when it looks like her and I don't just care about what's between her legs!" I say, exasperated.

    "Then would you call a dream of her a violation, too?"

    "Th... That's what I thought it was... which is why I went along with it..." I explain, embarrassed.

    "So then why feel guilty? After all, it's not like she's unwilling."

    "Did she say that it was okay? That she was fine with it?"

    "And yet, wasn't this silver construct the one that pushed you down and initiated it?"

    "It was, but it responded to my desires, and I guess in my half-there state, and smelling what I smelled..." I sigh. "...My mind and body decided that's what it wanted, and so it responded to that."

    "So then, she gave you such a construct, knowing that could happen. What right does she have to complain?"

    "Doesn't make it—"

    "Fine, you have a point, Kirei. Give me a few hours to think. And are you sure we can't just kill off Emiy—— Ah, treaties." She sounds notably disappointed. "No. No, I don't want to start a war with this... Lady Amber's faction and the Eastern mages."

    Some more indecipherable speech from the Priest.

    "Yes. I will let you know of my decision soon. But for now, I will take my leave."

    And with that, there is silence, except for the sound of footsteps, and Rin's breathing. Eventually, a heavy door pushing open, then shutting, and the lighter clacking of shoes on stone.

    A panel then appears, and after a few moments, an image of a brunette teenager, walking home. Rin, not knowing that we were listening in on her conversation with Kotomine, recaps everything, and asks if I have any objections to her plans.

    "...The biggest one is easily could you even get Gilgamesh to listen to you?"

    "...Well, he wants to fight, right? If our goals are the same, we should be fine."

    "And if your goal is to not fight, but to flee? Or to sneak? Or to use anything other than 'Swing your sword?'"

    "Then he can fight all he wants, and I'll flee. He won't die, so I only have to worry about myself."

    "...And you think the other Master will just let you stroll away, Rin?"

    "Gilgamesh can provide covering fire. And who says I have to be on the front lines?"

    "...Will your pride allow that?" I ask her, looking right into her eyes.

    "...I want to win. The end justifies the means." Her gaze means mine just as sharply. "I have lived, swallowing my pride, because of Emiya-Fucking-Shirou and his cronies for years." She crosses her arms, and announces as if it were fact, "This ends now. He dies."

    I mull over my response for a moment.

    "Winning is one thing. Potentially walking into death is another. Or are you saying that the only way to win is through brute force?"

    "Well then, if you have a better idea, why don't you tell me what you suggest? I've been planning this for years."

    "You went through my mind, remember?" I say with obvious displeasure. "You should know what my plan was. But since that choice isn't available... and even if it were, you'd probably tear me a new asshole for trying to suggest it... the best idea I have, I'd need your help for. You'll know it, but I won't."

    "Right. You want Tachibana. A Saber. So what can she offer? Besides, if I do summon myself, I make myself a target, don't I?"

    "Going by Kotomine's suggestion would mean you'd have to act like an utterly incompetent magus. Either way, he'd win – after all, he'd either get to see you looking like an idiot and having even more people doubt your competency, or you summon and in doing so, risk your life," I shake my head in disgust. "And honestly? I don't think your pride will let yourself act like such a careless magus... though if it could, and you could act it well, you could definitely turn it into an advantage."

    "Or perhaps I am not careless," Rin says, straightening herself slightly, seemingly showing her pride... which is good, as it's exactly what she needed to do. "Perhaps I act like the Second Owner, above this farce."

    "Then that means summoning, of course, and not acting like you don't know your head from your ass. Now, the logic behind what I thought was that as this is Japan, it would be good to have a Japanese Servant – you're aware of the bonus from native lands of the Servant, I presume?"

    "...And why should I have to summon?" Rin asks, crossing her arms, somewhat glaring. "A war that no one has won. A war that nothing good has ever come out of. And yes, Kotomine told me about all of that, but I doubt such a minor Servant would trump Gilgamesh."

    ......She's clearly getting annoyed. After all, to dismiss some of Japan's legendary heroes... Tamamo-no-Mae, or worse, Amaterasu, would rock your shit, girl.

    I sigh. "Look. My main worry is really that you can control him, because Gilgamesh is one thing above all others – prideful. That means he's going to be the type who will happily announce who he is, and what he can do. His identity isn't going to be secret, and if he feels like it, his first move might be to whip out a Noble Phantasm. If someone slights or insults him, saving his pride is going to become his prime goal, whether it matches your goals or not!" I look her in the eyes once more. "So if you're sure you can handle that, and still think that's what we need to do, then alright; I'll just have to trust your confidence in yourself. But if you have even a SLIVER of doubt... then help me think of someone else. I obviously don't know as much Japanese mythology as you do, since I'm sure you can tell I'm about as Japanese as 98% of the Clock Tower is."

    For a few moments, Rin is quiet, mulling over my words, before speaking.

    "...There are a few notable Japanese heroes, but most of those would have been Caster, Lancer, or Rider. We may have an Archer or Saber, but... hmm......" Her eyes roll slightly, as she begins to think.

    I take a sigh as I feel the tension release. She's considering my words, at least... for now.

    "Like I said... I'm open for suggestions. I know very few. The Sengoku Period is about the most I know of, but even then... it's not exactly covered in American history books, you know? And it's not like George Washington or Abraham Lincoln would have a land effect here. Commodore Perry would have a better land effect than they would, but he's nowhere near the same level of myth. You probably talk about him more than we do. In our history books he's basically 'The man who forced open Japan's ports' and that's about it."

    "...We try to ignore him, honestly," Rin says with a slight shrug. "He embarrassed Japan."

    "More useless than I thought then," I remark with a sigh. "...Sorry if this all is irritating you. I'm not trying to be a pain in the ass, I just... REALLY worry about Gilgamesh's pride. If I could be sure he'd listen to you, I'd be urging you to get him immediately, but the last thing you need is 'No, I'm going to fight him, I didn't like the way he looked at me' when fighting would get us into way more shit than something else would. It's not me passing judgment on how well you could fight a war... it's more about how well he could listen to you. Do you get what I mean...?"

    Rin looks at me for a few moments, before giving a simple "Hmmph" of grudging understanding.

    "That's why I wanted to think of someone else. Someone who's more likely to listen to you, who won't be swayed by ego. Ego is a good thing to have, but too much of it can be disastrous. But I'm not going to fight you over it... so if you think you can control him, then I'll just have to have faith that you're right. But if not... then we need to get somewhere and get a catalyst, fast. Or we might not have a choice. The best one I could hope for is already gone, after all; I'm already on my Plan B."

    "Well," Rin says, "It all depends on my role in the war too. Do I care about visibly being seen as a Master? Do I just want to win, even while being seen to sit out the war? Because nobody will target me if I'm minding my own affairs."

    "Assuming everyone plays by the rules, sure. But I'm sure you're old enough to know that some people just don't give a damn about rules, and just want to watch the world burn."

    "There could be Enforcers in this war. Archmagi. Others. Am I going to paint a target on my back so Emiya can snipe it? No." Rin cuts the air slightly with her hand.

    "Then how does one win when one does not participate?"

    "Contract with a summoned Servant, only after those threats are managed? Or work with one who is still a Master – albeit from the last War?"

    I sigh and shake my head.

    "...He worked well enough with father, did he not?" A slight hint of irritation to her voice.

    "Assuming everything he says is the perfect truth. Which I doubt. And I'm sure you know why."

    "In that other world of yours, yes. But in that other world of yours Emiya Shirou was an idiot who became a heroic spirit."

    "Perhaps... but hasn't the thought that everything he says, everything he does, it just all seems... awfully convenient, doesn't it?" I arch my eyebrows. "The man didn't even have the decency to tell you information until you come to him for it, and then he begins prodding you with questions that have absolutely nothing to do with that information."

    "Doesn't what you say seem just as convenient?" Rin retorts. "If he has been plotting to get the Grail for years, why would he need me? He has Gilgamesh."

    "Depends on what he wants. I don't know his exact intentions, after all. Perhaps he is actually what you say he is, and is sincerely looking out for you. Or perhaps he's exactly what I say he is, and to him you're nothing more than a tool or a puppet. Maybe the truth is somewhere in between, and it's also just as likely that it could be none of these at all." I sigh, and stay silent for a few moments. "All I know is that based on what I've seen and heard, the sorts of things he's been telling other people... it's making them look down on you. Mock you. Ridicule you. You sounded like you half-wanted to pass out from fear in Ahnenerbe at first, and then sounded like it took all of your willpower to not punch Aoko in the mouth. I'm not going to tell you I know him better than you, as I don't, but... I just can't shake that he's not as perfectly altruistic towards you as you think he is. I mean, why else would he ask if you're a virgin when he's asking you about Prana Restoration?! What's that matter for it at all?! It works the same way whether you are or not!"

    Rin blinks. "...It depends on the way you do—"

    Then she stops speaking. Then her eyes narrow, and her voice gets much more malevolent.

    "...You were listening. You utter BASTARD." The look on her face, eyes with daggers ready to kill, causes me to back up, until I reach the wall. "You hid something. Some way of using my senses. How did you do it!? Tell me, NOW!!!"

    "...A-Afraid not. Someone else decided you were worth listening to. I don't have the power to alter your mind. After all, unconscious people can't resist a mental invasion, can they?"

    Rin grits her teeth, but the look in her eyes, even if only momentary, shows that she can't deny my logic, and that indeed I can't be hiding something like that.

    "...It was that goddamned vampire. That utter—"

    "Now now, be careful what you say, Tohsaka-san. Or I'll take control of your body and use it like a doll."

    Rin, who had been glaring at me with daggers in her eyes, gains a look of shock and she turns towards the voice, as a small girl materializes out of nowhere, and, with a smile, curtseys politely as she makes her entrance.

    ".........Y-You can do that?!"

    "Huhuhu, you called me a monster, Second Owner. Shouldn't I live up to the term?"

    "Let's not fight. Please?" I sigh and get inbetween them, before they start trying to kill each other. "Look, either way, the point is, I don't think it's something he needed to ask. Yes, how it's done changes it a little, but either way, that would've been your problem, not something he needed to know. Makes me think that he's more like my Kotomine... who just loved watching the sheer look of horror on people's faces. What better horror would a teenage virgin have than to have her first time be rape, instead of someone she loved and desired?"

    "For your information, he was concerned about me!" Rin whirls right back around, stamping her feet slightly to stop herself. "And I didn't see you being concerned about rape when you had your way with that doll."

    ...God damn, you're STILL going to throw that at me?! I feel my teeth grind on instinct.

    "...If you really don't think I regret that, then why the hell do you think that I hate the fact that I did it?! Don't you get it that I feel like I violated you!? Don't you get it that it makes me feel sick that I'd let myself be swayed that easily?! Do you really think that all you are to me is what's between your legs?! Do you really think I'm that disgusting!? Why don't you tell me what else you think about me, then, if I'm that horrible?!"

    "Well, excuse ME for not reading your mind again then," she announces frostily. "But you keep trying to insult the one person who has always been on my side, no matter what. The one person who I could always go to with frustrations. Who always knew what to say to make me smile. The one who patiently taught me, and trained me."

    "And if you trust him that much, I'll have to deal with that, because that is something I will have to overcome. It's just..." I sigh. "...I don't want to see you betrayed by him. I don't know his intentions... like I said, he could indeed be good and caring, but... you KNOW why I'm skeptical. Just as you had a hard time believing my Rin could ever like my Shirou, don't you see why I have a hard time trusting your Kotomine? And unlike you, I don't have the luxury of looking into his mind to determine his true intentions. You, at least, have that with me. You know how I feel about him." I'd look down a bit. "...You know how I feel about you too. So you know I feel guilty over that, whether I was half-out of it or not."

    Rin stands there, silent, before sighing heavily, as if some part of what I said reached out to her perhaps.

    "...Fine. I suppose that's fine. Even if you do lust after that...cat."

    "It's not that simple either! Jeez, do you have to put it like that?! You make it sound like I'm just some horndog!"

    "...Fine, you're not Emiya."

    "I also know how to keep it in my pants, even if I like someone! Like I said, if you're that angry over it, just give me a regular bed and take Silver back or whatever. I'm not here just to fuck you, or I'd be just indulging in her every minute you're not here, instead of resisting her attempts to try, because I care about the person... not just their body. I could tell seeing that hurt, and when I realized it wasn't a dream, I was horrified. Dreams... dreams are okay, but without someone actually saying yes, reality... is a bit different."

    Rin again grows silent as she mulls over my words for a few moments before speaking.

    "Hmph. I'll just have to accept that you're sincere, even if you don't know Kotomine as well as I do. You know a version of him from a game. We are living, breathing people. Remember that, before you judge us."

    "I know. After all, if I thought this was a game, would I really care if you lived or died? I'd just reload my last save, and Tohsaka Rin would be as good as new, instead of worrying that you'll end up in a way that makes me cringe and angry just thinking about it. And then to be accused of 'Well it's just because you want to fuck me'..." I sigh. "...If that were true, I'd be scum, and you'd be doing the world a service by putting me down like the rabid dog I would be. But no, I'm a human. And humans, like you or I, can have their feelings hurt. That's why it hurt you to see that. That's why it hurt me when I realized it wasn't some self-indulging dream. And that's why I haven't done it since."

    "Actually, he's being honest. He hasn't." The cat unexpectedly gives me some help. "Toma-san may be a pervert... but he's not hopelessly one, at least."

    Rin seems taken aback by this, not speaking for a few moments until a soft "...Huh" comes out from her throat, as if she were surprised by that.

    "...She tried once, and I stopped her. She hasn't since. It's not the same. Indulgence is fine and all, as long as it's in someone's mind and you can keep fantasy and reality separate. Even if she's not you... in a way, she still is, so to me, it's just as good as you, which means that since that's not what you'd want, I have to restrain myself. I try not to even look at her too much if I can help it at all... though if I got that worried, I guess I'd ask if she could clothe herself like you, at least. She had them initially, anyway, so she should be able to... uh, either way, we're getting off track. I'm going to trust your judgment, no matter what, but..." I look at her. "...Please be careful, okay? If you get into a bad spot, I can't exactly help you fight. She—" I motion my head towards White Len. "—might, but the way you've been fighting with her, who knows if she'd decide she wanted to or not. As much as you hate it, you're going to have to work with her, because Aoko was right about one thing – If everything goes to hell, she might be your only chance of getting US out of here alive."

    "...I think I could manage to get out without her help, thank you."

    "So you're not 100% sure."

    "Nothing is 100% sure. Don't be a prick about it." Her eyes slightly narrow. "For all that you like to accuse Kirei of having his own agenda, it sure sounds like you have one of your own."

    "Yeah, I do. Getting US through this alive."

    "And yet you have no faith in my abilities. That much is certain."

    I scoff slightly. "Your abilities? Oh, I won't question those. You're one of the best magi walking around on the planet, why would I question what you could do? No, the problem has nothing to do with you or your abilities. Or I wouldn't be saying 'If you think you can handle it, I'll have faith in you,' now would I?"

    "Who knows? Maybe you're just twisting your words, like you say Kirei is."

    ...God damn it. You're a real pain in the ass sometimes, Rin. Don't you get it?!

    "Then you go ahead and tell me, what part of my memories doubts your ability or skill? After all, 'that idiot' Rin I know became one of the greatest magi EVER. Even if it is some silly fiction, what's not to say I don't think you have the same potential? You should be able to do it – as long as you focus on keeping yourself alive. After all, all of the ability in the world doesn't matter when you're dead, does it? THAT is what I worry about. Not how well you can fight. I KNOW you can fight."

    "And so you're trying to manipulate me to do what you want."

    "No. I have no power from stopping you pursuing Gilgamesh if your heart is set on it. You asked for my opinion; I gave it to you. What you do from there... that is up to you. If you're confident you can get him to listen, then by all means, go for him. But if even a sliver of you doubts that you could get him to reliably obey... then it may be wise to look for an alternative." I look at the panel. "Look. Take the night to sleep on it; that's all I ask. The choice is ultimately yours, and I'm not going to sabotage it or anything. Just... think with both your mind and your heart. Because no matter who is a Servant, they will want to be sure their Master is strong, and you are going to need to be strong for them, even if they're doing the bulk of the fighting. We can neither be scared, nor indecisive."

    "Well, he's flying in anyway, so it's just a matter of if I want to work with him or not. But fine. I have other things to do now. And close that spy connection. If I catch you spying again, you're dead."

    With a sharp cracking, the panel disappears – or more accurately, shatters into a smile pile on the floor. I feel anger welling up inside of me, but I force myself to restrain my impulse to lash out, and instead I let out a deep breath, and sit down on the floor.

    "Impressively handled, Toma-san," a certain cat quips with a hint of sarcasm. "You know... you could take her over. Apparently, there is a part of you that is literally designed for spirit warfare."

    I look up at her, and the expression on my face must've said something. The light smirk she had been wearing quickly fades.

    "...Without knowledge, that's as good as saying I'm an astronaut simply because I like space. Even then, taking her over... no. She's stubborn, but she's not stupid. Just... accusing me of an agenda after pulling apart my mind like that, that's some nerve..."

    "Because your approach is working so well, isn't it?" White Len announces with clear dryness in her throat.

    For a moment, I glare into her eyes, which causes the smirk to return.

    "Not like I can blame her. I'm telling her things contrary to what she knows. Like she said, maybe this Kotomine really IS a kind person who looks out for her. Maybe he's simply a slightly perverted man. Maybe he's looking out for her as if she were his daughter. I don't know, but I know that I'm not going to just change her mind at a fingersnap. She has to be willing to consider it before that can happen. It's hard enough even convincing her you're not just some blood-sucking monster of a vampire."

    "Huhuhu. Well, don't forget, I am a monster. Anyway... I tire of this figure. Let's shift it around a bit, shall we?"

    Before my eyes, Silver begins to shift before my eyes. The hair grows... along with certain other places. The whole body becomes much more curvy, sexualized. It quickly takes on a more womanly, less girlish form.

    Specifically, that of Matou Sakura.

    "Ah, her second most-hated enemy, the heiress of Matou. This should work nicely." She quickly squares her body to me, in the process, causing the breasts and ass of her figure to jiggle significantly.

    "...Sakura? Please don't tell me you're trying to rile her up?" And yet, despite my words... my eyes can't help but wander over the figure. There's no denying that she's attractive... and that many a person wouldn't mind being in bed with her. But they don't know what happened to her... and who knows if that's the case here, even.

    "The seductress that stole her position as school idol, who apparently hangs around Emiya. A girl cold as ice, unlike her popular, helpful brother. You should feel privileged that you get to see such beauty." She stretches her arms over her head, making her breasts push out even more prominently, and a smirk continues to widen on her face with every moment that my eyes gaze.

    ...Part of me can't help but think that she wanted to get a rise out of me... or at least, a certain part of me to rise. I quickly look at the figure's feet to foil the cat's plans.

    "...That'd just get me in trouble with her. She feels angry enough over what I did with 'her,' but picturing me wanting to sleep with an enemy of hers... are you trying to get me killed, Len?"

    "Oh, fine," she pouts. "Then I'll change to someone else."

    Again, the form changes. The body sizes and proportions decrease; it's still more clearly womanly than girly, however. A pair of medium-sized, but nice, breasts and a figure with a subtle demureness to match.

    Who just happens to be holding two very deadly-looking swords in her hands and is looking at me with a smirk and eyes of amber.

    "Behold, Toma-san. The powerful Lady Amber, who even the Association is wary of. Some say she isn't entirely human anymore, even."

    Like before, I look away from what the cat clearly wants me to see.

    "...If only they knew she never even felt human to begin with. Well... in my things, anyway; who knows about here. But why do you feel the need to change forms in the first place? It's not like I have a problem with your regular self... though I guess it could be nice to not be yourself for awhile."

    "Oh, I don't. I just don't like staying in Tohsaka's form any longer than I absolutely have to," she announces, lazily slashing the air with the swords. "I'd rather wear the form of someone I have respect for. Surely you understand that better than she does?"

    "Makes sense," I reply. "Just... try to be more patient with her. If you can, I'll try to reward you... somehow. Though I'm not sure how from in here."

    "I remain skeptical," she says, stopping the slashing motions. "You won't even make use of the power you have to convince her, after all."

    "...Power like that is a last resort, if all other options fail. It's force, not will. I only want to use it if I have no choice."

    "Ah, but that's the other reason she doesn't trust you. You don't look like a spiritual war construct, but on the other hand, you have some of the abilities."

    I sigh, and I close my eyes. "...I don't like to fight. I'm not a pacifist, but to me, it's a last resort. I prefer dialogue, discussion. But I'm not so blind as to think all problems can be solved without conflict. It's inevitable, in some cases, because some people will simply never listen to words. So she and I are very much opposites there."

    "You mean you and the Second Owner?"

    "Yes. She's very eager to prove herself. I'd rather use force when it's the only option left. But you may have a point... maybe I'm being too soft. We need to be able to cooperate – all three of us."

    "Well, if you don't try to work with her and just question, of course she'll disagree. You're countering what she's known to be true for a decade, after all."

    "I know. That's why I said if she's going to go with Gilgamesh, I'll just have to trust she can control him. The decision is hers; she sought my opinion and I gave it."

    "And yet, for someone claiming to love diplomacy, you sure are confrontational."

    That comment gets me to look directly at her face.

    "...I have your attention now, I see. Accusing a lady of incompetence and 'not knowing her head from her ass' is not a way to get on her good side."

    "I didn't accuse her of that, I said that's what I felt Kotomine was trying to get her to do!"

    "And considering she trusts him far more than you, who is she likely to believe?"

    ......Damn. She has a point. Even if I don't want to admit it.

    The perspective of another person is immeasurably valuable. I keep forgetting that as far as Rin's concerned, I'm still a huge unknown, even with my mind probed and examined. She has no clue whatsoever what I am – except that I'm not what she initially suspected me to be.

    "...Never said I was good at diplomacy," I announce with a sigh of regret. "It's not like I don't have flaws either. I'm trying hard to understand her views, even if some of them worry me. But I think you're right on that... maybe it's better if I do more listening, and less pushing."

    "She's a stubborn one. A bit like a cat. I'd know." A slight tinge of pride comes from White Len's voice.

    "I know. And I'm not used to talking to stubborn people. And I'm stubborn myself."

    "I hadn't noticed," comes the dry reply.

    "...Well, you're more willing to see where I'm coming from than she is. Then again, I'm not exactly challenging your views. Then again... I also really don't like that she keeps shoving 'She's a monster!' down your throat, either."

    "N-No need to be indignant on my behalf. I can take care of myself." She briefly glances away from me. "But you're also not in my mind, or I would have killed you on the spot."

    Then she smiles coldly, and her gaze is able to return.

    "That doesn't make it right to slander you! You have feelings too! You can't control what you are, yes, but that doesn't make you a cold, bloodthirsty monster like she thinks you are." I shift, irritated, and sit so that I prop my elbows up on my knees and rest my head in my hands. "Besides, humanity are far worse monsters at any rate."

    "...Heh. Well, I won't disagree with that."

    "...She said I like you. It's pretty obvious that I do. But I need to get all of us working together. I'm sure you don't want to die either, after all."

    "Well, it would be pretty difficult to kill me. You know what I am. But point taken."

    "Right. Difficult, but not impossible. And you'd only want to stick your neck out and risk yourself if you think it's something worth believing in... not if they're just throwing 'Monster, Monster!' at you every time you talk. It might amuse you for awhile, but eventually, you'll get sick of hearing it."

    "Oh, I have no obligation to save her. Master only said I could try."

    "Yeah, but you're a lot more likely to care if you actually care about her." I rub my temples with my fingers, taking another slow exhale, having more or less calmed my nerves now. "I need to get better at listening to her, definitely. This way, maybe she'll consider my views, both on everyone out there as well as you. If I can't manage that... it's probably not going to end very well for her."

    "Probably not. But that's to be expected in this world."

    "Then, if you don't mind my asking..." I look at her. "...What do you think of me? And be honest. Because I know I'm not perfect, and maybe I don't realize everything about myself."

    White Len is silent for a moment, and I can tell she's thinking. But before long she speaks.

    "Well meaning, but misguided."

    ...I guess I could see that. I nod softly.

    "Anything else?" I ask.

    "Awkward. Like a man with a crush screwing up because he wants to protect her."

    "...Well, it's kind of pointless to deny that, but... I can't really protect her, and she can fend for herself. Like I said, I worry more like about if she could control Gilgamesh if her heart's set on him, but it's not like I'm going to be trying to say 'I'll fight him for you!' As aside from that spirit warfare stuff, I'm not exactly able to do even a sliver of the things she can... and even with that, I don't know how to make use of it."

    "True. Well, you could simply take control of her body and run, if survival is your only wish."

    I shake my head. "No... that'd just validate what she said, that I have an ulterior motive. I won't deny that I'm scared, but... I'm not that scared, or have that little faith in her abilities, that I'd forcibly control her."

    "Then you understand this world, where death is very likely?"

    "...I'm aware of that much. It's just that my knowledge of what is different doesn't match up. That's the part I need to learn still."

    White Len smiles slightly. "Well then, I suppose I could teach you a few things. What do you want to know?"

    "Well, I mean stuff like how they don't match up with what I know. Like Kotomine. I can't tell whether he's got ulterior motives and not... and the one I knew always did. And she really trusts him, so it means that it's kind of hard to try to think of him in any other way..."

    "If he did, would he have asked for assistance from Master?"

    "...Who knows," I say with a shrug. "The Kotomine I know is a master of manipulating people. After all, he..." I swallow to clear my throat. "...convinced that Rin of a lot of lies, only to nearly beat her to death. At least, in one certain direction of things..."

    "Yes, but in that timeline, he also killed his teacher and spent a decade with a strange servant, didn't he? I will put it this way..." The Kohaku imitation stands up straight, somewhat thrusting her chest out as if to make a point. "There is no orphan farm under the church."

    "...Yeah," I say with a somewhat weak nod. "That's the sort of stuff that I need to figure out about this world. I have to try to look at things differently, because if I just remain locked in to how I look at things, it could be dangerous, but... I can't tell how much of what Rin is saying is paranoia, and how much of it is truth."

    "Then why don't you ask? I'll answer, if it so amuses me." She then blinks, pauses, and looks slightly into space, as if hearing some invisible call, before turning back to me. "Lady Amber says hello, by the way."

    "Give her my regards, and tell her not to overfeed the plants."

    "...Heh," White-Len-As-Kohaku replies after a few moments. "Anyway, she says that as long as Tohsaka-san minds her own business, she will do the same in kind."

    "That's up to her... unless I can convince her, anyway. Or at worst... control her," I say with a sigh. "I'll bite. Please tell me how much of what Rin says is truth, and how much of it is her paranoia, Len."

    "Ah, but that's so general, Toma-san. Why don't you ask specific questions?" But she pauses, and thinks for a few moments. "Hmm. I suppose I can tell you that in the Fourth War, a strange and powerful Servant, possibly a true demon, rampaged through Fuyuki. Under the command of one Sajyou Manaka, it required the cooperation of most of the other Masters in that war to defeat her. Tohsaka Tokiomi was slain personally by Sajyou Manaka. His body was torn into pretty red ribbons by her magecraft."

    The very description causes me to get the chills. That sort of power... it sounds like even Hercules from the Fifth War would've had real trouble.

    But... that also means Rin is wrong.

    "...I don't get it then. If he stopped the beast, why would Kiritsugu laugh at the destruction? Or... did he simply go insane once Saber destroyed the grail?"

    "Neither," White Len says with an icy smile. "Let me ask you this. If you worked for something your entire life, sacrificing everything for the sake of it, and then learned it was a lie... what would you do?"

    "...I'd regret the choice immediately."

    "Right. Now, compound if you took lives? If your family was lost? If you had no way back?"

    ......Damn it. That... makes perfect sense.

    "......Probably go insane or kill myself," I say while smacking my fist into the ground. "Damn that holy son of a bitch. He's telling at least a half-truth." I then rub my hand to ease the pain of smashing it.

    "Or perhaps even Kotomine didn't know better. Perhaps... he is even haunted by the insane laughter of his enemy."

    "...Rrrgh, damn it. Why can't this be clear-cut one way or the other? It'd be so much easier..."

    "Did you expect this to be an easy choice, as if we were characters in a visual novel? People are more complex than that... much less demons."

    "...No, but it's not like insane laughter is difficult to grasp compared to genuine laughter. Damn it, Kotomine."

    The silver-bodies construct arches an eyebrow. "You do realize that Kotomine Kirei, of the Assembly of the Eighth Sacrament, is retiring from Fuyuki following this current conflict? He is to be appointed the Cardinal who oversees the Executors, and thus will be moving to Rome."

    "......I see," I say with a sigh.

    "In a Holy Grail War, it is hard to know what laughter means. Especially if all one sees... is a man laughing without a care in the world."

    ...And how would someone coming upon that scene view it as? What would they recount it as? What would be the first thing they remember when they think of that person...?

    Exactly what Kotomine Kirei saw. Or at least, claimed to see. But those kinds of details, those sorts of reactions... what White Len said...

    ......It just plain adds up.

    Not only that... it adds up in a way that it's not only very likely... it's possibly the only correct solution to the problem.

    Feeling my throat tighten slightly, I swallow to re-moisten it.

    "......I'm an idiot, aren't I." Even then, the words croak out hoarsely.

    "Quite astute," the silver-colored Kohaku lookalike replies.

    "...I owe her an apology. And then some."

    "You and her are very alike, Toma-san," the cat cuts to the bone. "Both idiots who act without thinking. I can see why whoever, or whatever, sent you here placed you with her. As for Emiya Shirou..." She stretches. "...I would not say he wishes to kill Tohsaka, but neither does he hold much trust for the Association. Of course, Lady Amber could tell you more, but I wonder if you would believe her."

    ...The hell's that supposed to mean? You think I distrust everybody or something?

    I find myself glaring slightly at the silver form in front of me, which once again causes it to break out into an icy smile, causing me to swallow my irritation. Not only due to that, but also because I know what she said about me was true.

    "...I'm a lot more inclined to believe Kohaku than Kotomine, but it looks like either way I need to do more listening and at least gather in alternative viewpoints before acting on anything told to me if I can at all help it." I shake my head a bit in exasperation. "Accurate knowledge is what I need, pure and simple. If I have that, then I can not only think more accurately, but react more accurately as well."

    "Ah, now see how much smoother things can be if you just ask, and not make an ass of yourself?"

    "...Taking things at face value has its own risks too. But... yes, I get it."

    "Of course. But what do you trust to be accurate? You all but insisted the Second Owner had to be wrong, and then wondered why she did not want to cooperate with you, believe you, or even listen to you."

    "Not wrong! Just... to think for herself, instead of blindly accepting something at face value that someone who she holds highly tells her, just because it's him. You know... judgment, critical thinking, reason..."

    "Do you not trust who raised you?"

    "...Most people do, but not everyone. It depends. But I guess I can't see why she wouldn't trust him... it just opens her up to a huge risk, is he is indeed playing her like a card... but I guess I have to force myself to give everyone the benefit of the doubt..."

    "This is not your world. Don't assume you have all the answers. You would be wise to remember that, Toma-san."

    "...Yeah." I sigh to relieve the tension in my body. "...Remind me to get you some strawberry shortcake somehow."

    A hint of rouge fills the silver cheeks, but the construct shakes its head. "Lady Amber is taking care of that. You may have heard, her apprentice is going to Kyoto."

    Apprentice... she means Shirou then, presumably. And either way... it's deflecting things from that she has provided me not only her patience and advice, but made me realize how much of an idiot I'm being.

    "Sure, but... that's from her. I need to thank you in my own way, don't I? That's what you're supposed to do when someone helps you out. It's a saying in English – 'You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.' You just scratched mine, so... I'd like to scratch yours. Somehow..."

    The construct blinks, but then it smiles, and even nods slightly in understanding. "Then keep Tohsaka from being such a bitch, and we'll call it even. Though..." The icy smile returns. "...That may be a tall order. Huhu."

    "Well... I can't control her – at least, not without forcing it, anyway – but you know I'm trying to get her to look at you less nastily. Give me some time with that, and hopefully after I apologize to her for being an idiot, maybe I can get her to focus on your good aspects, instead of the parts of you she hates and fears."

    "We'll see. Ah, yes, on a more cheerful note, I think there might be a Dead Apostle in the city."

    ...What?! How can you say something like that so casually?!

    "...It's not an Ancestor, is it?" Because if it were... that's seriously bad news...

    "Not sure," the construct says with a shrug. "My territorial instincts are warning me of that possibility, though. And the zoo's pandas were all found slaughtered, coincidentally along with a rather large rash of missing salarymen, and Ryuudou Issei as well." The construct forms a small chair, sitting in it casually. "It's interesting, since his brother went missing, and his father was murdered some time ago."

    "...Why are you telling me all of this? Does it all link up to the Dead Apostle?"

    "Beats me. I'm just letting you know so that the Second Owner doesn't try to blame me for the murders. The nightmares of the population are more than enough."

    That icy smile again. I'd rather not see it in this context.

    "Well... it will keep Kotomine busy, I guess. Unless this Dead Apostle begins raising some serious hell, anyway... But I suppose that besides me, you should also try to talk with her... at least, as long as you can stand trying to do such. I mean, she's not going to change her opinion of you if you keep your distance. Or keep messing with her, admittedly."

    "All I have to do is try to save her if I can," she announces with a simple shrug. "Other than that, I don't care about this little girl."

    "Yeah, well... unless I'm somehow out of her head by then, remember that if she gets killed, I go down with the SS Tohsaka."

    "Well, if you want a vessel, that can be arranged," Metal Kohaku announces with a smile.

    "...Maybe, if it came down to that. I don't know yet. I do know that I need to learn more about the truth of what's going on... and I need to learn it from sources that might not be inflicted with bias like Rin's judgments might be," I say with a slight shake of my head. "As it is... I already have to eat crow and pretty much throw myself at her feet for being an idiot about Kotomine. And maybe see if I can get her to talk to Waver Velvet and ask him about the end of the Fourth War... maybe that will change her perspective on Shirou, and when she learns it was the laughter of a dying man who just realized he struggled for naught, and not an insane murderer..."

    "Fufu. Good thinking... but Tohsaka is not in a place where she can simply call upon El-Melloi II. She has read his book, though... which largely agrees with Kotomine's assessment of the war. It ends with Kiritsugu laughing, a scene that he mentions he will never forget as long as he lives."

    "...But that's the thing. Even that doesn't reveal the details, and as the saying goes, that's where the devil is. That's what's screwing up her whole mind towards Shirou. All she knows is 'Kiritsugu laughed,' so she thinks Shirou is just as monstrous and insane."

    "Well, from her perspective, he's a rogue, powerful magus – and not just that, but the son of the infamous Magus Killer himself. He hasn't sought permission to reside here, or formally declared his presence to the Second Owner, as protocol dictates. And he is part of a new organization which even the Association does not wish to trouble."

    "Yeah, I get that. But how does all of that translate into 'He'll kill me the first chance he gets?'"

    "Simple. Emiya Kiritsugu bided his time until the moment was right, then struck. Magi rightfully feared him, even as they looked down on his abilities. In a war, he calmly and efficiently eliminated threats – and wouldn't the Tohsaka be just as much of a threat as any, if not an even greater one? The others, not so much, since Kiritsugu was formally aligned with the Einzbern, and Matou Sakura is friendly to Emiya Shirou... do you not see how that could make sense to her?" The construct stands up; at the same time, the chair melts into her foot and leg. "Tohsaka Rin is afraid. She has lived surrounded by fear for more than ten years. She simply has no one to admit that she is afraid to."

    ...And so she keeps it all bottled up. Where it can play with her head severely.

    "...I know she's afraid. That's... why I want to comfort her, if I can, as silly as that probably sounds. I can't fight to protect her, really, but I can at least try to relate to her mind... but instead, here I am, making her feel like an idiot." I laugh sadly, shaking my head in disgust. "That's my luck for me, huh?"

    "There is a difference between comfort and confront, Dark Pulse."

    "I know... less confronting, more comforting... less talking, more listening." I sigh. "I need to get myself out of the habit of making first impression judgments, too... and try to get the whole story."

    "You have plenty of information about ten general domains of knowledge. But much is missing from that."

    "I know. I'm not perfect. I can't know everything. And if I'm up with likewise stubborn people, it could mean a lot of banging our heads against the wall."

    "Especially when it's their world. Don't you——"

    All of a sudden, the construct freezes, even stiffens up, as if every cell of its body just went on alert.

    "...This scent. Roa."

    "...R-Roa?! What the hell is Roa doing here!? This isn't Misaki!" I stand up, taking a step towards Silver.

    Silver convulses hard. After a few seconds, its form begins to change, no longer resembling Kohaku, and instead returning to a carbon copy of Rin... minus the shiny, metallic "skin," naturally. She stops convulsing, then she looks around, blinking, as her eyes first focus on me, then she turns around to look at the empty space the mirror formerly held.

    "...Shit, she left. That's not good at all. None of this is good at all..." I cradle my head in my hands, trying to think, trying to plot out a worst-case strategy, trying to do SOMETHING just in case the absolute worst happens, and we have to worry about dealing with an immortal, powerful magus.

    A slight sound of worry comes from the distance, and Silver quickly sprints over, before moving down, and without another noise or movement, wrapping her arms around me in a hug.

    ...She's trying to calm me down. And I know she's right. Nothing's going to solve itself if I get too wound up. After a few seconds, I return the gesture, something that seems to please the construct, as she makes a clearly happy sound. After a few moments, and a considerably calmer head, I realize that thinking about Roa is going to do me little good when someone else is mad at me. I pull slightly away from Silver, which causes her to look at me, blinking, as if to ask "What's wrong?"

    "...I need to talk to your other half, if you can make that happen. I need to make sure I set the record straight with her, because us fighting like this isn't going to end very well, and is just going to get us killed."

    She looks me over for a bit, but then nods, and pulls away. Nearby, a new panel forms, and it looks clearly like I've interrupted Rin doing something - as the look on her face is anything but welcoming.

    "...What the hell do you want?!"

    ...And its owner is none too happy about the interruption. Not that I should be surprised by it.

    I take a breath to steel my nerves and speak my mind.

    "...Can we talk? It's important..."

    "What, you decided to apologize for being an ass?"

    "...Can you see through Silver's eyes?"

    "Not normally. Why's it matter?"

    "Well, I don't think you want to be here in person, and I can't say I blame you. So I figured that if you could see through her eyes, at least it'd be a way to show sincerity without you feeling like I'm going to suddenly move to attack you or something."

    "...Rrrrgh, fine. But make it quick!"

    Silver steps back for a moment, and clothes begin to form on her – metallic versions of what looks to be Rin's long red coat and even an Association outfit. She takes a more alert posture, and looks like she's ready to spring into action at a moment's notice.

    Clearly it is no longer Silver, but Rin in Silver's form. Understandable. It protects Rin herself.

    "I'm here. Now talk, and you'd better not be wasting my time over some dumb bullshit."

    "Right. Then, first..."

    I step away slowly so as not to startle her, then kneel in genuflection, then prostrate myself in front of her at a respectful distance. "...I'm an idiot. I'm a complete idiot who just focused on what I knew and didn't listen to what you know." I hold the position, even though it's uncomfortable for me to do so.

    ".........Huh," comes the surprised-sounding reply. "Well, that's a good start, assuming your change of heart is genuine. What else?"

    "...I need to do more listening, and less talking. You're right; this isn't the world I know, and while I always knew you were right... I'm still letting it cloud how I think and how I feel. I need to learn that even if my gut instinct is to say 'you're wrong,' that you know it far better than I do... and that you don't need me telling you who to trust and who not to. That should be your choice, not mine."

    "Good. So then you're going to trust my judgment on Emiya and Kirei without question?"

    "...Even though it really irritates me to just accept things so blindly and riskily, yes. I have to trust that you're able to dig yourself out of any problems, or at the very least know how to handle problems that come up. Though I learned a bit more about Emiya, that I think you should know... if you're willing to hear it."

    ...This is really starting to hurt my back. I never was the most flexible person.

    "...How could——— ......That monster has been in my mind again, hasn't she." The tone from her quickly grows oppressive.

    "...She's only a monster if you decide to make her so. If you trust no other words I say... then at least trust those ones. Please."

    Silence fills the space in the room, and time seems to slowly drip into the void. But eventually, there comes an inhale, and a slow, grudging exhale from a pair of lungs.

    "...Fine," says the reluctant magus.

    "I'm not asking you to blindly trust her, either. Let her actions speak for themselves. And I'm not just telling you this, I've told her to knock it off with teasing you too and treat you nicer, because that's half the reason you hate her." I feel my throat tightening, and I swallow to try to get it back under control. "...I care about you. I care about you and I want to make sure you get through this alive, and it's not going to happen if we're all suspicious of each other and unwilling to cooperate, so we need to solve this now, or else our enemies will take advantage of it..."

    Silence once again. Not only could one hear the proverbial pin drop, they could hear a spider fart.

    "...Well, you seem to mean it at least." I hear a sigh, that sounds like tension is also being released with it.

    "Of course I mean it!" I finally allow myself to look up at her face. "I told you, you're not just some object I lust after! I... yes, I like you, but I'm not here to abuse you, or use you, or anything like that! I know you're alone, and I know how much that hurts sometimes, and while I can't help whatever brought me here, I want to make sure we've got the very best chance for winning AND surviving this thing, and I don't think it'll happen if we're mistrustful of each other! So please... let's work towards trusting each other, before it's too late..."

    Rin must have seen something I can't on my face, because her expression, which had a mild toughness to it, seems to lose even that. A hint of empathy seems to take its place instead – not too much, but enough that she seems to believe my words.

    "Alright then... I suppose I can accept that." Her posture relaxes even more. "Then what is this about Emiya that you wanted to tell me? And sit up... you got your point across."

    I nod, and I move back up into a more comfortable sitting position on the floor. "...You read Lord El-Melloi II's book on the Fourth War, but I don't know exactly what he made clear on the ending. How do you think the war ended based off of that, along with what Kotomine told you? I just want to make sure you're getting it all right."

    Rin's eyes roll slightly up and to the left as she searches her memory. "Well, Emiya Kiritsugu attempted to claim the Grail, after turning on Kirei and Waver Velvet. It rejected him, and in his anger, he unleashed Saber's Noble Phantasm on it, destroying it and setting Fuyuki afire. It's considered common knowledge by the Association, and there were attempts to take him into custody following the war."

    "Do you know why he did it though?"

    "What do you mean?" Her eyes re-align to mine. "Why he destroyed the Grail?"

    "Yes. The 'why' is pretty important."

    "It rejected him," she says matter-of-factly. "And so, learning how everything he did had been in vain, he destroyed the vessel and laughed." Her eyes narrow slightly. "The man was a terrorist, pure and simple. A cold, ruthless killer who sought peace through extermination; a fanatic. And I have no reason to suspect his son is any different from his father, with how he has so cleverly manipulated things to make sure I cannot act against him. Denying the Second Owner her rights, gathering the Matou to him as Kiritsugu did the Einzbern – I can only think he intends to finish what he started." Rin then laughs a slow, ominous laugh; one that sends chills up my spine as the juxtaposition of its sound coming from that form shouldn't be possible. "But I won't let him. I'll stop him with everything in my power."

    ...Fuck. That backfired horribly. Now I seriously doubt my ability to stop this pointless attack.

    "...So my 'new information' wasn't as new as I thought it'd be," I announce with a depressed sigh. "Now I'm literally wasting your time. He went insane alright, but you knew that... so I guess I'll just repeat the information Len told me, and whether you believe it or make use of it or not is out of my hands."

    "As you will. What is it, then?"

    "'I would not say he wishes to kill Tohsaka, but neither does he trust the Association.' I intend to learn more if I can."

    "I see. It doesn't matter though. In the Holy Grail War, there's always seven Masters and seven Servants. If he joins the war, he'd come after me. Archer would be too hard to kill, but a Master... Emiya Kiritsugu practically wrote the book on killing Masters. Even Assassin would find it hard-pressed to best him."

    "Does that mean the son does too, though?" The words slip out of my mouth without thinking, and I punch myself slightly in the thigh as a punishment.

    "Heh. It's irrelevant either way, because Matou Sakura, who he is allied to, does want to, and she also wants to become the Second Owner. But the Matou will never be Second Owner, unless I die." She sits down herself, carefully, making sure her skirt exposes no undue flesh. "It's me or him. I don't have a choice. Not with Emiya Shirou a powerful magus under the tutelage of Lady Amber, and myself as the Second Owner of a spiritual land second only to that once owned by the Aozaki."

    "...I can't argue with that logic," I say with a heavy sigh. "So I'll just have to trust you. We can't keep fighting like this – neither you, nor I, nor Len. We have to work together, and I'm easily the most worthless of the three. Basically just dead weight, trapped in your brain."

    "Well, I suppose I could put you in a familiar, and send you scouting."

    "Yes, Len offered that too. But uh... admittedly, I'm kind of worried what would happen to me if I got caught, much less killed, since I'm... not as versed with walking with death as you are. But I don't want to just be useless, either." I smack my palm with my fist. "I know I'm no fighter. I don't know your magic, your curses, none of that. All Len said is that I have some kind of spiritual warfare capability... whatever that is..."

    Rin's face screws slightly. "Ugh. Of course she would." She sighs. "Fine. You want to know why I was suspicious of you? It's because the shape of your soul isn't quite human. There's something in there that I have only ever seen in constructs – spirits meant to enter minds, and take people over."

    "...I could see that, but well... I don't want to take you over. I like you too much." Awkward silence fills the room, causing the blood to flow to my cheeks, and I look away in slight embarrassment. "...I identify with you too much."

    "...That's why I haven't killed you yet. I can tell that." Her voice sounds slightly awkward. "I still need to find out who sent you. And of course, you don't want to take over... Hmph. I was surprised to find out you didn't know even when I looked through your mind, and there wasn't even a trace of someone else's prana... so really, I have no choice but to believe what you're saying, even if it's amazingly unlikely."

    "Taking over would just prove I'm a heartless monster who doesn't care. Not that I know how to do it anyway. I mean, I'm helpless in here. I couldn't even resist anything, and it's making me feel like I raped you. And then I try to be good-intentioned but instead make it sound like I'm saying you were an idiot..." I sigh. "...I guess I'm just horrible at saying what I mean. I like you. Yes, you know how far it goes, as much as I hate to admit it... but that doesn't mean I don't know when something is right or wrong. It doesn't give me reason to just assume you're fine with anything. But... I care about the person. Not just the parts I like, but the parts I feel I could help her with, too. Even if it's just... sitting there and listening while you vent your daily frustrations, or something. Even if I can't fight, or assist you in a huge way... that's something I can do, at least. This way... you're not alone, and you will have someone who you don't have to worry about keeping up appearances for. You can just be... yourself. The good things, and the things you hate about yourself, even. Because to care about someone, means accepting all of them... not just the parts you like."

    It feels like it takes forever for Rin to respond.

    "Well, it's nice to know the voice in my head is a friendly one. Thank you."

    I can't help but smile slightly at those words.

    "I'm trying. I'm not perfect. So... again, I'm sorry."

    "Well then, right now I suppose getting information would help me. If you can get that... cat to let you out, that's fine. But I want to know more about what Emiya and his teacher are planning."

    "I may already have the answer to that, but I don't know if you'll approve of the method."

    "Do you have details and specifics?" Rin asks. "I should let you know that Kirei invited an Enforcer to Fuyuki previously. This is why he was concerned, because if I were an official Master, she would certainly kill me. It's also why I need a Servant capable of overwhelming without a specific trump card."

    "Then I'll come right out and say it straight. How would a face-to-face meeting with Lady Amber sound?"

    Rin looks at me in disbelief, blinking a few times before replying. "......The de facto head of the Eastern Magi? That's scarcely better than meeting a Magician..."

    "...Yeah, that's about what I expected. That is why I will go, and not you, so that you have plausible deniability. But it will get you the sorts of answers you wanted... hopefully."

    "If she happens to be around Fuyuki and in an agreeable mood. No one usually knows where she is until she decides they should know." She looks away, clearly thinking for a second, then stiffens up slightly, as if shocked, before looking back in my direction. "...Don't tell me the cat knows her!"

    "Alright, then I won't tell you." I look away, and start whistling.

    There's a slight smack of face meeting palm. "...This just keeps getting better and better."

    "Ahem. We're trying to agree to work together and letting actions determine trust, riiiiight...?"

    "...Right, right," Rin says, sighing.

    "That goes both ways, too. It means I have to trust your confidence in Gilgamesh, for example, since you're rather set on him."

    "...Well, if you think it will do any good to meet with her, you are welcome to try." Rin stands up, dusting off the back of her skirt and coat. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have preparations to make, as it's the only way to get a Servant that won't involve me becoming a target by default – and killing uninvolved magi is generally frowned upon."

    "Yes, that's fine. I've said what I needed to say." I stand up myself, shaking my legs a bit to get rid of the feeling of pins and needles pricking them. "Thank you for your time. And... again, sorry for everything. I hope we can build a more comfortable relationship with the air and intentions clear."

    "Well, we can all hope."

    And with that, Silver shudders hard once more. The coat, and clothes, melt off of her once again, absorbing into her legs and feet. After a few moments, she looks at me, blinking once more.

    "...Thank you, Silver. I owe you one." I walk over to her and hug her against me.

    The construct makes an agreeable sound, not dissimilar to a purr.
    "Get lost. You wouldn't recognize a goddamn vampire if one jumped up and bit you on the end of your fucking dick."


    Of Leaves and Lilac - Two weeks in the life of Tohno Akiha.
    Returning real soon-like!


    Old Quote Crap!

    Quote Originally Posted by eddyak View Post
    99% of all Terminators would destroy John Connor over any other carbon-based life form.
    Quote Originally Posted by RoadBuster
    Why do you think we got all these mods? So I can sit back and do jack shit, obviously!
    Quote Originally Posted by ItsaRandomUsername
    I propose more forumite-based words. Like Darpleosity (adj. a state of existence signified to calmly analyzing and making an argument/case in a way that defuses tensions and makes the participants in said argument look like twats for continuing on with antagonizing and/or being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn while also using good-natured humor to enhance said post).
    Quote Originally Posted by DezoPenguin View Post
    Having been, as I3uster put it, "other clueless dude" earlier today in precisely this fashion, I'm going to have to be in favor of necromancy. Or be a hypocrite. But as a lawyer, I prefer to get paid when I indulge in hypocrisy, thank you, so I'll stick with necromancy.

    [14:06] [Cruor] petri is it possible to play Phoenix III/Steppewolf without it crashing
    [14:08] [Kelnish] no
    [14:08] [Kelnish] it isn't
    [14:09] [Cruor] how can there be so many bugs
    [14:09] [Cruor] in one mod
    [14:10] [Dark_Pulse] Because quality assurance doesn't exist anymore
    [14:10] [Dark_Pulse] Unless it's Quality Ass, U Rance
    [14:10] [Daiki] ...
    [14:10] [I3uster] oh god dp was funny
    [14:10] [I3uster] apocalypse confirmed
    [14:10] [Wakame] the horror

  4. #44
    Konkon Kitsune~ Kuroyuki's Avatar
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    Kuroyuki ‘Kuro’
    Location: ???
    January 17, 2007 AD
    7:00

    I woke up partially hoping that what happened last night was just some odd dream. I mean what kind of odd, strange thing would allow me to go into an eroge. Well not just go into it but interact with them entirely. And I had this power… I barely used it but I felt that I could reach my body's full potential with it.

    So it was definitely a surprise when I woke up in an entirely new place. I was in a Japanese house? Well that’s a way to start I guess. I mean it’s sort of hard to mistake it with the tatami mats and sliding doors nearby. I’m not Japanese as far as I remember… Granted I don’t have that many coherent memories, but I’m fairly sure I was from… was it Germany or the United States?

    I mentally groan at my lack of memories. I mean I might as well be a blank slate save for my (limited) knowledge on Type Moon works and other anime. It’s odd that I completely my personal life, but somehowwww I managed to keep my anime knowledge? That’s some odd logic. Well I should actually get up and try to figure some… thing out?

    I attempted to stretch my legs when I found a man on my legs… Huh? Who is this guy? I glanced over him. Maybe this guy can jog my memory a little bit? Now let’s see. Red hair? Ayako. Touko Aozaki. Aoko Aokzaki… Okay those are all girls. Oh right this has to be Emiya Shirou… Am I at Shirou’s house?!?

    I slowly pull my legs out from Shirou’s head. I don’t know why but this kind of pose disturbs me but pleases me? What is with this oxymoronic feeling?!? Whatever, I need to use the bathroom before I can think more about these feelings.

    I enter the bathroom and stare at the mirror. I don’t find a person with black hair there but instead I find Ayako Mitsuzuri.

    “EH?!?”


    Location: Empty 'Room' in Mitsuzuri Ayako's Mind


    After my sudden realization that I was controlling Ayako’s body, I suddenly found myself seeing both the bathroom and the Empty Room simultaneously. Ugh… My brain is starting to hurt from seeing both images. I’m sure I can get use to it but now is not the time. I set myself no Ayako securely on the toilet and ‘cut’ my connection to her body.


    Now that I’m fully on this side. Let’s wake her up. I head over to what I presume to be her side of the mind and lightly shake her awake.

    “Kuro? Eh?!? What are you doing in my room?!?”

    Oh right… I forgot she doesn’t want me in her ‘room.’

    “Sorry to wake you up, but can you open your eyes?”

    “Open my eyes? Aren’t they open already?”

    “I mean… In the real world and before you ask… This is all in your head.”

    She opened her eyes in the real world and as expected she was confused by the simultaneous views of both worlds.

    “How is it that I can see both here and there?”

    Sounds like she doesn’t suffer the minor headaches of seeing both in her mind and the real world. I guess it must be because it’s her body whereas I’m hijacking it when I do it.

    “That’s not all.”

    I start to control her arms briefly to illustrate that things were odder than we thought. Not only was I in her mind, but I was able to control her body if I wanted to. Which in hindsight, I should have just explained instead of arbitrarily taking control from her...

    “Well this is a little awkward because I’m not intentionally doing it, but it looks like I’m partially possessing you.”

    “Are you some kind of ghost then?!?”

    That’s the million dollar question isn’t it? I’m not exactly sure what I am. A ghost, phantom, spectre, split personality, or something. All I know is that “I” am “me” or what is left of me.

    “Maybe? I don’t know what I am myself. But anyways, I thought I should let you know about this odd situation since it affects both you and I.”

    That’s bound to give her some points to trusting me. Right? I mean I could’ve taken over her body at the most opportune time for me and gain full control, but now I’ve lost pretty much all opportunity to do that now that I’ve mentioned it. Now that she knows she can defend herself against me and as a helpful side effect anyone who tries to invade her mind.

    “So yeah… I’m just going to go back to my side of your brain and let you live your life.”

    “Okay?”

    I close the door between the two sides of the brain. Now let’s see… Now that I know that this is just a metaphorical room inside of Ayako’s brain, I guess I can change how it looks just a little bit. Let’s see… Let’s add a few bookshelves, a desk, and some athletic equipment. There now it has an feeling that someone actually lives here.

    What do I do now though? I could sort out my memor-. I grimace slightly as my brain gives me its STRONG reaction to that idea. I guess I can experiment with that power from last night. Of course, I should keep some connection to Ayako in case things happen.


    *Reaction to Shirou*

    “Ayako… Is that Shirou?”

    “How do you know about Shirou?”

    “Well you see… Shirou gets involved with the Holy Grail War… And I guess you could call him the protagonist of it. There’s umm… a little discrepancy for me though.”

    “What is it?”

    “He wasn’t blind.”

    “Are you sure you’re talking about Shirou?”

    “...Well this is certainly different from what I know.”


    *Reaction to Sakura*

    “Exhale and let the power separate from my body saf-”

    The sound of an explosion showed my success in externalizing my power. Did I lose control of it due to how slow I was releasing it? No maybe it was too fast… I need to experiment more but I need a break from these constant explosions.

    I make an effort to see what Ayako’s seeing and find Sakura openly trying to seduce Shirou.

    “...Is that Sakura trying to seduce Shirou by purposely placing her breasts on Shirou’s back when she’s placing down some of the food?”

    “Yes… Yes that bitch is.”

    “...Yeah this Sakura is a bit different from the Sakura I know. Yet Taiga is the same… This amazes me more than it should.”


    *Reaction to the lack of Shinji at the Archery Club*

    “Let the power flow out. Form an outline… Fill the outline… Stabilize it… Whew. This one didn’t blow up on me.”

    I spoke too soon as the now powered filled outline exploded on me. I start coughing.

    “I almost ha- *coughs* ve it… I just need to lower the amount of power I place in it. May- *coughs* be. I need a breather… Let’s check up on Ayako. Oh they’re practicing Archery. I enjoy Archery but I’m not looking forward to seeing Shinji.”

    “Shinji? Why would you see Shinji here?”

    “Isn't he your vice-captain in Archery?”

    “That’s Shirou.”

    “...He’s blind.”

    “He hasn’t missed unless it was on purpose.”

    “He must be using Structural Analysis...”


    *Reaction to Rin*

    “Let the power flow out. Form the outline. Fill it with power. Stabilize.”

    I quickly dove for cover waiting for the inevitable explosion. One thousand. Two thousand. Three thousand… It’s stable? Looks like my idea on externalizing it was successful. However, it needs work if I want it to work as a “clone” like I intend for it. After all I still need to transform it to look like a person… Actually how long does still last with just the initial energy it was given?

    “Oh hey there’s Rin. Let’s say hi to her Ayako.”

    “Why would I say hi to her?”

    "Isn't she your friend?"

    "No?"

    “...You know what I’m going to blame the Second Magic and Zelretch. That’s the only reason why everything seems to be different.”

    “Who?”

    “A Magician who can jump in between parallel dimensions.”

    “...”

    “Yeah. I don’t expect you to believe me.”


    Kuroyuki “Kuro”
    11:30 AM
    Location: Ayako’s Mindscape

    Hmm this power is pretty versatile… In fact, it’s like Ki. Wait… Let me check what I can do. So far I can: body enhancement, clone, blast attacks, transformation, and hiding. Yeah this fits my memories of basic ki usage. Huh I don’t remember being able to use ki in my life… So why do I have this ability?

    Is the difficulty in learning some of the techniques correlated to my aptitude to using it? I mean I learned body enhancement, transformation, and hiding pretty quickly, but I had problems with cloning and the blast techniques. I guess the first technique was the default form of it, but I guess I can attribute the other two to my aptitude in being unnoticeable (or just my general aura it seems).

    I guess I was so caught up with training myself that I forgot the time. I look out and see people eating their lunches. Perfect an opportunity to show Ayako that magic (and ki) is real!

    “Hey Ayako can you head to some place private real quick? I promise it won’t take long.”

    Ayako gave her apologies to Shirou before heading off to the rooftop. Oh this should be a good place. I’m sure most people wouldn’t even bother with going up here due to how cold it is.

    “So what is it?”

    “Can I have control of your body real quick?”

    “Sure…”

    She hesitantly gave me control of her body. I wish she was a little more trusting of me… Actually on second thought, her giving me control must be terrifying for her. I mean I could probably try and make her commit suicide by jumping off the rooftop. Of course, these fences should prevent that but still terrifying.

    “Thanks Ayako. I’ll get started.”

    I let the ki flow from our body and made a clone. Well not a perfect clone because I started altering it mid-creation with small stuff like black hair.


    11:32 AM
    Location - Homurahara Gakuen Rooftop

    After I finished it, I placed my consciousness in it and “left” Ayako’s mind. I say “left” because I could still feel a faint connection with her. I raised my hand towards Ayako in greeting.




    “Yo.”

    “...Eh?”

    “Well you said that magic and the like wasn't real last night… And well… I sort of figured out this technique.”

    “So magic exists…”

    “Yup. So does the Holy Grail War.”

    “And you want me to enter this thing.”

    “I have an idea on how to get that started too.”

    “Do I have to do anything?”

    “Just stay here and not shut off my body’s connection to you. Otherwise I’ll just fade back into your mind.”

    “I see…”

    “Any more questions before I get going?”

    “...Just one. Why are you in a girl’s body?”

    “That’s because I’m a girl ob-”

    Wait a minute… That statement seems to be wrong. That’s right… I’m a guy. All I had to do was look into my memories to remember… There’s probably more to this “possession” than I know about.

    “I’m going to have to blame you for this Ayako. Me living in this body does not help my amnesia at all and I think the possession is doing something to my psyche too.”

    “I didn’t choose for you to possess me!”

    “One sec. I’ll change myself to a guy.”

    Destroy the outline. Let the ki fly freely for half a second. Reform the outline. Transform it. Make sure it’s the Homurahara outfit.




    “Better?”

    “Better.”

    “I'm off! Enjoy your lunch with Emiya now!”

    "What?!?"

    I quickly run while she’s shocked by my implied statement. I moved at a brisk rate down the steps before blending into the crowd of people. I don’t think anyone noticed the new me. After all I’m currently unremarkable to anyone but the most accomplished martial artists who can see ki. Even then I’m trying to suppress any traces of Ki and my aura is definitely lower than a normal person’s. So I must be a little hard to find even if someone noticed.

    I slipped into the men’s restroom and turned invisible. Okay let’s get a little away from the school and find a bookstore.


    12:30 PM
    Fuyuki Bookstore

    I see... Currently there are several summoning catalysts that I can grab from museums nearby. Hanzo Hattori's sword. Sugari no Ontachi the sword of Susanoo. All would give me an impressive Heroic Spirit, but they all have one fundamental problem. I or Ayako can't support a servant... Well we could but only if I were to convert ki into Prana or use Breathing and Walking to make myself into a pure magic circuit which is impossible for me right now.

    That’s why I’m going for the infamous sword used by Oda Nobunaga. Famous and homeland bonus which should be useful. Add onto the fact that Oda Nobunaga is both a famous swordsman and marksman. So Archer won’t have any weaknesses in long distance or long range combat. So now to ride a train to Fukuoka.


    4:00 PM
    Fukuoka Museum

    I’m finally here… That was a long and boring train ride. I mean I was able to refine the ki and come up with a plan on how to steal it but still. Now to locate his sword… That’s not it. That’s not it. That’s not it. Seriously wh- ah there it is. Nobunaga’s sword Heshikiri Hasebe.

    Okay now that I’ve found the sword let’s look at the rest of the museum.


    4:50 PM
    Fukuoka Museum

    Okay next step. Leave the museum. Buy an umbrella from a convenience store. Good thing the clouds already look like they’re going to rain. After exiting the store, I entered a discrete location and activated Stealth.

    Sneak in with one of the late minute entries. Observe the camera’s movements and potential blind spots. Now to wait till closing time.


    5:30 PM
    Fukuoka Museum

    Okay. I have everything ready. The camera will be looking away in a few seconds. The umbrella from earlier has been transformed into a copy of the katana. No guards are around. Wait for the camera to turn.

    NOW!

    I quickly swap the transformed Umbrella and the katana. Now then… How am I going to get out of here without being noticed. I head back to the entrance in hopes of finding someway out when I see the guard letting out someone

    ...It was that easy? Just wait for someone that slowly went through the museum and just now got to the entrance… Man and here I thought I would have to go through some long roundabout method of overloading a camera watching a door that is rarely used to escape.

    Well this works so much better than some convoluted idea that is just asking for something to get a wrench thrown into it.

    Now to make my way to the train station again!


    6:30 PM
    Somewhere in Japan’s Countryside

    “Okay this place looks deserted and flat enough for me to do this. Okay what did Rin’s circle look like again…”

    Surprisingly I was able to pull up a perfect image of Rin’s summoning circle… Better yet how do I have perfect recall on Rin’s summoning circle but not my own life… That is very depressing…

    I externalize some of my ki and start drawing the circle.


    “Let’s get to work then…”


    6:45 PM
    Somewhere in Japan’s Countryside



    “Okay everything is set up perfect… God this thing is a headache to control.”

    Let it be noted that ki reacts to commands outside of your body but is hard to control. So Breathing and Walking ki ‘paint’ is viable but much more effort than just getting mercury paint. Okay ki ‘paint’ is set to be filled. I place Heshikiri Hasebe in the middle of the summoning circle.

    “Everything is set.”

    Now to copy Rin’s incantation minus that first line.

    A wall for the descending winds.
    The four gates shall close and come out the crown.
    Let the three-forked road to the kingdom cycle.
    Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill).
    Five times for each repetition.
    Simply, shatter once filled.
    Set.


    With each “Shut (fill)” I slowly turn my body and by extension my ki into a pure magical circuit from breathing and walking.

    I announce.
    My will shall create thy body, and thy blade shall create my fate.
    Abiding by the summons of the Holy Grail,
    if thou dost accede to this will and reason, answer me!
    I hereby swear.
    I will be all that is good in the world.
    I will be the disposer of evil in the world.
    One of seven heavenly beings bearing the three great words of power.
    Come forth from the cycle that shackles you.

    Guardian of the scales!

  5. #45
    As American as a foreign immigrant EnigmaticFellow's Avatar
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    Abandoned Warehouse
    January 17, 2007 11:48 PM


    As a door opens without waking the sleeping vampire, a small white figure walked towards the sole tenent of the warehouse. The presence of the small girl then prompted Satsuki to wake up as red eyes locked into each other.

    "Good day to you."

    The figure then curtsied towards Satsuki. It might be best to keep silent for now. I don't know what that creature is, but there just seems to be something familiar about it. Working with too little information is hardly appealing.

    "Who are you?"

    "Peace. My name is Len, a simple vampire like yourself. Who might you be?"

    Satsuki tenses up as she hears the now identified vampire identify itself. Chances are she's as apphrehensive about this encounter as I am. Since when did vampires simply meet each other for social outings?

    "I would be Yumizuka Satsuki. Why would a vampire seek me out?"

    "Because you smell of a disturbing scent. The name Roa...does it mean anything to you?"

    She already caught on to it. This isn't good. Partial truths can only go so far.

    "I heard someone speak about him once, but he didn't really tell me much about him."

    "A human?

    "He claims to be a spirit of some sort."

    I see. But you are from Misaki town."

    Yes, I am from there."

    "As I thought. A child of Roa, the unnumbered Dead Apostle then."

    "I was told that he was the one who bit me."

    "And what brings you to Fuyuki then? It is a strange time to be here."

    "I was hiding for a time within this place."

    "Was, you say?"

    "I heard that there was a ritual that is about to start here, so I want to leave once the participants are too preoccupied to notice me."

    "Is that so? So then, the word Servant would mean nothing to you?"

    Well, it looks like she's really catching on now. Still, I want to see what she says before she notices me.

    "I heard a magus talk about it at one point after I entered this city."

    "You are still young to be hiding things from an Ancestor."

    "Ancestor?"

    A sudden spike of killing then comes off of Len as she stares directly at the young vampire before, an oppresive air permeating the building.

    So that was why she was familiar, but that still leaves some questions. Might as well project my voice to the world and make some inquiries of my own.

    "Zepia... No, no. that can't be it. Yet, you taste of that phenomenon. Just who are you?"

    "And you must be the one who mentioned Roa. Curious that you would have knowledge of the 27. I am indeed the 13th of the 27. TATARI."

    "I certainly know of their numbers, but to think that a phenomenon would die. Well, that's certainly news to me. You must be the product of an interesting magus."

    "An interesting spirit. I wonder if you truly plan to leave Fuyuki - or if you will participate in the Holy Grail War as a Master?"

    Flattery didn't work. Could have sworn most Ancestors liked talking about themselves.

    "Why leave? Magi of great power and influence tend to waste their lives in this quaint ritual. Potent and filled with unreasonable ambitions. Such a chance doesn't happen often."

    "Interesting, but spirits themselves cannot enter this competition. Unless..."

    Len then looked towards Satsuki with renewed interest while Satsuki appears to be rather uncomfortable about the whole situation so far.

    "An interesting choice. Powerful circuits. However, if the slaughtered animals and disappearances are to blame - rising bloodlust?"

    "She seems to be in denial about it."

    "So she is a Master then, spirit?"

    "Indeed."

    As the conversation went on, Satsuki's unease caused her to start trembling as facts about her start to lay bare. She just needs a little more of a push, and our guest can certainly arrange that for me.

    "Yet I get the feeling that you're not paticularly interested in this ritual, one way or another. What interests do you possibly have with the Infinite Reincarnater?"

    "He is a rather troublesome individual for Ancestors. If he is here and in this ritual, things could become troublesome."

    "Shouldn't you already know of the criteria his candidates must fall under? I heard of a white cat trailing the Second Owner. Could that possibily be you?"

    "I have reason to suspect that one of the Masters in this War is Roa's current incarnation. Hence I came when I smelled something...suspicious."

    "Strange, I too have that suspicion. I'm not sure what interests he would have in Fuyuki, though. Last I checked, he viewed the Third with disdain."

    "And how would you know of Roa, praytell? Or the other knowledge you bear, for that matter"

    "Didn't you already claim that the host I happen to reside in is a child of Roa?"

    "Ah, but if she heard of him through you."

    Len did not look amused. I think she caught on to what is going on, but I do need to verify it.

    "You and I both know that Roa takes full control of his host once he awakens."

    "I am not insinuating you are Roa."

    "Very well. I apologize for rushing to a conclusion."

    "Indeed. I would like to know the source of what seems to be your extensive knowledge. Will you consent to a search of your mind, or would you rather talk?"

    Looks like Len wants to verify if I know how to best respond. Might as well give her that answer.

    "I can arrange a place to talk within this girl's mind if that's to your liking."

    "I would prefer remaining here, if its all the same. I would rather nothing else step out of the shadows"

    And she gave a hardly surprising answer. I guess that's to be expected.

    "Very well, what is it that you would like to talk about then?"

    "The scope and scale of your knowledge of the Ancestors - and your purpose in making Yumizuka Satsuki a Master."

    "Girl, what is your wish?"

    And here comes the push I've been looking for, and it even allows me to evade going more into a less than convenient question.

    "For the ancestors, I'm familiar with certain members. As for the master, something has to bring magi in."

    "You are using her as bait."

    Satsuki becomes speechless as I continue my explanation.

    "Less bait and more providing her something to feed. Random animals can provide only so much, and I doubt that most of the magi are particularly competent of the Second Owner serves as an example of current magi. The moment she stops being afraid of her own nature would make her have an easier time dealing with those vampire hunters. A dead host is hardly of use to me."

    "How interesting. I suppose battle would definitely cause her to embrace her nature or die but...."

    She then turns to Satsuki.

    "Is it your wish to fight in this war?"

    "...I wasn't thinking everything through, but even if I didn't conciously acknowledge the risks at the time, I already knew that I had to do something. I can't go on running forever."

    "Admirable. Perhaps you will even survive this war."

    Len seems to think for a moment.

    "Then let me make a proposal. If both of you will agree to work with me against Roa - should he be in this town - and not to oppose me directly or through the use of a Servant, I will not otherwise interfere."

    "I'll admit that I too have reason to deal with Roa. Should you wish to seal or otherwise hinder his existence, I will be willing to help you."

    "I have no reason to refuse your offer as long as you don't interfere with what I'm doing."

    "Very well. Would you be willing to make a binding oath on your circuits?"

    "As long as that proposal is equally binding to you as it is to me."

    "This oath will include the spirit's actions if that is acceptable"

    "As I said before, as long as you're equally bound by your proposal as I am, I will accept it."

    "So mote it be then"

    "Then I accept your allowance."

    "Smart girl. Both in your terms and in likely - keeping a Servant in reserve?"

    "So, shall we bind the pact?"

    An air of sheer hate seems to be permeating from another spirit, directed at the familiar.

    "As I suspected. Let us do so, then"

    Satsuki then raises her hand along with White Len. And with that, the pact was sealed.

    "Consider yourself lucky, pale shade."

    While the voice was immaterial, its presence remained very much apparant.

    "It is not necessarily I who should count herself lucky, old one."

    "A pretender is all that you are, and a dead one at that. But I shall depart from your presence. There is better things to occupy myself with."

    "Likewise...Dracula, if you are so concerned about pretenses, to the Night of Wallachia."

    The room then loses any sense of loathing as the Servant moved on to another part of the city.

    "How impressive, girl. I expect great things from a future Ancestor."

    "...thank you," she said while both satisfied and worn out.

    With the pact made, I might as well do my part to honor it even if I'm not explicitly bound by it.

    "If you really are after Roa, perhaps you should look into the Makiri? Decrepid, though, they may be, but they still have an appreciable wealth. Not to mention that few people would expect Roa to choose to reincarnate among their numbers."

    "I will continue my investigations and inform you of what I find. I trust you will do likewise."

    "Agreed."

    Len curtsies right before she leaves.
    Last edited by EnigmaticFellow; November 19th, 2014 at 12:39 AM.
    Spoiler:
    Quote Originally Posted by Mcjon01 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Tangerang View Post
    Gilgamesh has A Lck.

    wut bout that
    His fate as the most powerful Servant is to steamroll every war he takes part in.

    Somehow, he manages to defy all odds and deny this fate.
    Quote Originally Posted by anonymous
    If only I could be respected without having to be respectable.

    What Fate/Stay Night character are you?
    Kotomine Kirei
    You are Kirei. You've always been a little different from the rest. You probably have low social skills. Whatever, it's not like what they think matters anyway. Ever searching for something missing within you, you probably don't experience the same happiness as everyone else. Good and evil are just labels, you are who you are.

  6. #46
    The Best Kind of P.C. Megas's Avatar
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    Lluviagelita's Mindscape
    January 17th, 2007 11:45PM

    "I see you've found yourself here again, Milady"

    The room, while appearing the same as the previous time she had been there had one noticeable difference.

    There was a small girl standing to the left of the grey haired man, who couldn't have been older than 12, in a blue french maid uniform.

    "Welcome back to the Velvet room," The man stared straight into Lluviagelita's eyes, then pulled out the chair from the table, "please, take a seat."

    Lluvia took a second look at the young maid, then crossed the room to sit down.

    "I see you've noticed the new face," the man's eyes shined, "Please introduce yourself."

    "It's a pleasure to meet you Lady Lluviagelita," the young maid gave a small bow, "My name is Miyu ,I will be responsible for helping you along your journey."

    Lluvia's brow furrowed, "My journey? What journey?" she looked pointedly at the older man, "Where to you plan on taking me?"

    "On a journey to find the best path through the coming ordeals," Lluvia rolled her eyes at this. She crossed her arms and glared back at him.

    "I do not need assistance in finding my own fate, you'll find that I'm more than capable of caring for myself." She frowned, as he poured tea into a cup in front of her.

    "Now, now, please relax, I didn't mean to imply anything," the 'butler' began to sweat again, "I was merely informing you that a she will be able to provide you with a path to new power and possibilities."

    "A new power?" Lluvia's eyebrows raised, and she shifted her view from the man to the young maid.

    "I will serve as your representative from the Arcana of Fortune, I am in your care." Miyu removed a card from a breast pocket, and offered it to Lluvia.

    Lluvia moved to accept it, and suddenly, it shattered. At the same time, the space behind her seemed to shatter in the same manner.

    From the shattered space, a presense behind her formed into a human shape with a wheel in the center.

    'I am thou and thou art I, I am Fortuna, born of the bond of Fortune. I shall lend you my strength...' These words seemed to be transmitted directly into her brain. The being then shattered, the pieces forming into the card from earlier, which gently floated down right above her palm.

    She snatched it out of the air.

    "What is this, Megas?" She demanded, standing and turning to look at him, "where did it come from?"

    "It is a manifestation of your personality and will, a persona, as long as you acknowledge Miyu and have the courage to face yourself in your entirety, it will be of use to you wherever and whenever you choose."

    "....You're interest in having me attempt to summon Assassin, did it have anything to do with this, persona, as you call it," she narrowed her eyes.

    He met her gaze, cool as a cucumber this time. "That was an attempt by myself to hopefully allow you to forge a strong relationship with one who would allow your bonds to be tested and forged beyond there limits, hopefully giving rise to your persona strengthening."

    "It can grow stronger.....how?" she brokered no room for argument.

    "Miyu? Why don't you explain?" The man smiled and looked over to the young maid, who curtsied.

    "Of course. Lady Lluvia, your relationship with me and others is what fuels your persona's growth. As you deepend your bonds with yourself and others, your persona will grow as a result of your understanding. A truly fulfilled person, able to overcome all of life's challenged, would have a persona that could even match the Servants vying for the grail."

    Lluvia stared at her, then at the card in her own hand. She tucked the card away.

    "While I'm not sure whether or not to trust you entirely yet. This appears to be useful," Lluvia paused, "I'll will head to the site of the grail war, if these hardy bonds to strengthen my 'persona' as you call it can be forged, it is likely I'll find them there."

    She frowned, then smiled and looked again at Miyu, "It was nice getting to know you, but please hold off on bringing me here until I will it from now on."

    The maid tilted her head, looking straight into Lluvia's eyes, "If that is what you wish milady...." She then blushed and turned her face away.

    "Now, Miyu, what would you like to talk about?" Lluvia squatted down to look the you maid straight in the face.

    *Lluvia spent a good bit of time getting to know Miyu Edefelt, the bond between them has been forged*


    .......
    .....
    ...
    ..
    .

    ------One-Week-Later--------------

    The Edefelt Apartment Building
    January 24th, 2007 11:45 AM

    "As expected of you Auguste, well done on aquiring a location."

    Walking into the entry hall, she noticed that Auguste had already cleaned everything to a sparking finish.

    "Very well done indeed," she said, running a finger along one of chairs there, then inspecting it to make sure it was clean of dust.

    "I trust that my workshop has already been set up in the basement," she turned to look back at him.

    "It is as you requested my lady," Auguste's glasses gleamed, "Everything is ready for your residence for the forseeable future."

    "Good, I'll get started on preparations for some basic bounded fields, Auguste, make sure to deliver flyers around town advertising this place as a dormitory," she smirked.

    "If you don't mind me asking my lady, why?" Auguste asked.

    She walked a few more paces into the lobby of the building. Looking around before answering.

    "Well, I suppose I just thought, it might be interesting to have some company," She smiled at him before heading downstairs to begin her preparations.

    "As Milady wishes...." The butler bowed after his exiting master.
    Come visit Mobius Space where
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  7. #47
    Konkon Kitsune~ Kuroyuki's Avatar
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    Kuroyuki “Kuro”
    Somewhere in the Countryside
    January 17, 2007 AD
    6:45 PM

    The circle overflows with power, temporarily blocking my view from its interior. A voice comes after the light dims slightly.

    “So you’re my master… Servant Archer. I have come in the response to your summon.”



    “You. Who... are you.”



    I wince in pain as I feel Ayako and I get branded with the command spells. I look at my right hand and find a familiar pair of command seals. Extra MC’s seals. How fitting, but I should answer Archer before she gets mad. Wait she? Oda Nobundaga is a… History how did you screw up this badly?!? Nobunaga didn’t even have an anti-aging artifact or spell.

    “Um… I guess I’m your one of your masters, Kuroyuki.”

    “One of my masters? What do you mean by that. You have one minute to explain or else.”

    She took her blade Hasebe Heshikiri out to illustrate what the “or else” was. Easily in range for her to slice at me, and just barely enough room for me to dodge if I place myself into combat mode.

    I won’t die if she cuts me, but I don’t want to die. So how do I explain this?!? Persona and Regalia quotes can’t explain the situation enough by themselves. Wait if one can’t explain it then the two of them combined probably can.

    “This quote is probably the best way I can sum it up as ‘I think, therefore I am. My thoughts are myself, therefore my existence is me… But I am her and she is me. We are ourselves.’ A contradiction in of itself, but I know it is true.”

    “I see… So that’s why you feel both my master and not. What a troubling fellow.”

    Whew… I could feel the tension in the atmosphere dissipate as Archer sheathed her sword. That’s one thing out of the way, I guess I should explain that “off” feeling for her.

    “Well the reason why I feel ‘off’ is because I’m just simply a spirit living in this ki construct or clone. Actually I’m surprised I managed to get this down in a day.”

    “A day… What kind of training do ninjas go through these days…”

    “Um… It wasn't anything unusual? I just sort of felt for what was right?”

    “Amazing… The people of this time must be great martial artists for them to master in that short of a time without instruction…”

    “We aren’t really that great? I’m more of the exception than the rule in this case. In any case, Archer can I ask you a question?”

    “You already asked one, but go ahead.”

    “So will you accept me as your master as well?”

    “...”

    Did I go too far? She already mentioned that I felt to be both her master and not. In fact, it is asking a bit too much to ask between the one powering the both of us and what seems to be a spirit haunting said person.

    “I did say I have come in answer to your call for a summon… Even if it is confusing.”

    “Whew… And for a second, I was about to worry…”

    “So where is the other master?”

    “She’s currently in Fuyuki… Packing for a trip. Wait she’s packing for a trip?!? When did Ayako make plans to leave Fuyuki?!?”

    This really is a different world from what I know. Because I don’t remember Ayako making a trip… Wait what do I know? I technically only know about Ayako’s plot two days prior to the Holy Grail War. This is significantly different from what I know.

    “So Master how far away are we from my other Master?”

    “Umm… a couple of hours? Maybe less if we can catch the next bullet train to Fuyuki?”

    “There’s a train that can travel as fast as a bullet?”

    “It isn’t that fast… It’s a figure of speech. Anyways, we should hurry up.”

    “Dearuka.”

    “Also one more thing, could you call me Kuro instead of Master? It makes me feel a little uncomfortable...”

    “As you wish... Kuro.”

    Kuroyuki’s Results:

    • Archer has been Summoned
    • Ki Stealth, Clone, Henge, and Reinforcement has been created.


    Kyoto
    January 18, 2007 AD
    3:30 PM

    ...Well this is definitely different from what I know of the Nasuverse. I mean the trip to Kyoto was unexpected and well I’m not really surprised by the fact that Shirou is coming too. The thing that has surprised me is…

    “Ayako-chan. This is where Shirou-kun and the Fujous swears allegiance to me.”

    “I, Fujou Shirou as the Head of the Fujou, swear allegiance t-”

    Yeah… I didn’t think Shirou was related to the Fujous. Let alone a meeting of this caliber happening right before the Holy Grail War. I mean just from Ayako’s point of view there’s Akiha Tohno, Hisui Fujou, Ryougi Shiki, Sajyou Ayaka, and most importantly Kohaku who is now known as Lady Amber.

    I would ask Ayako to look closely at the other attendees, but it would odd if she doesn’t watch the main ceremony closely. I would personally watch it, but there’s a problem. I look at the seemingly physical barrier. Being aware of ki and made of it, I can see a barrier stopping my advance. Archer could probably go through this kind of barrier, but me? This thing is likely to dispel me instantly.

    Kyoto
    5:30 PM

    I kept watch outside while keeping a steady watch on the proceedings. Things I noted was that Kohaku was trying to unite the Eastern magical associations into one similar to the Clock Tower (Archer liked this idea), the demon hunters and the half-bloods have come to a truce, Ayako was offered a temporary job as a secretary, and Shirou has been engaged to Akiha.

    The last one is probably the thing that shocked Ayako the most. Never mind getting a crash course in both the Holy Grail War and witnessing the start of an Unified Japanese Magus Association.

    Things were going fine until after the meeting, I decided to hop off the roof and follow Ayako closely. Honestly, I thought it would be fine to walk in front of Kohaku, but I forgot one thing. Kohaku knows everything and is definitely more powerful than the Kohaku I can barely remember. So it was a surprise when Archer and I were spoken to.

    “Ara ara. What do we have here? A ki construct and a being made of prana.”

    “Wha-”

    “It appears we have been detected, Kuro.”

    With that, Archer and I revealed ourselves to the small group. Shirou jumped in surprise as we revealed ourselves a few scant meters behind him and Ayako. Akiha froze at the realization she’d been tailed, while Kohaku...no, Lady Amber kept her smile despite being in the presence of a Servant.

    “So what brings the two of you here?” she asked casually - too casually.

    I look at Archer who gave me a noncommittal shrug. Meanwhile, I look to see the reactions of Ayako and Shirou.

    “Um. I’m here to guard Ayako? And umm… Kichi is here for some business that requires Ayako’s help.”

    “I see you’re here for Ayako-chan. Could you two please tell me your name?”

    “Kuroyuki.”

    “Kichi Oda”

    “And both tied to Ayako-chan, your Master. How charming.”

    “!”

    She noticed that we’re both tied to Ayako? Archer is barely pulling any prana from Ayako right now, and only the most ki-sensitive can see the minuscule trail between the two of us. How strong is Lady Amber?!?

    “Fufufu, so that is where Ayako-chan's ki got off to. Shirou-kun, you did not tell me she could make shadow clones,” she said, though her golden eyes looked not at her apprentice but at me. “Or should I thank you for that, Kuroyuki-san?"

    “Ah….yes… I’m the one who figured out how to use it.”

    She figured out that much just from a glance and a brief chat?!? She would probably give Archer here a run for her money if a fight broke out. I tensed, in case this meant the outbreak of hostilities, but---

    “Perhaps everyone would like some tea to discuss this recent news?”

    ---of all things, I did not expect a simple invitation to tea.

    ...no one did, except Archer, who simply nodded.

    “Lead the way.”

    -----

    While drinking tea, I explained as best as I could about my situation such my role and powers as a “guardian spirit”. Essentially, I described myself as helping to awaken powers that others held inside of them - though I wasn’t sure if Amber completely believed me. Akiha seemed skeptical, at best, though at least Shirou and Archer merely seemed curious. I explained that my presence had catalyzed Ayako’s newfound ease at controlling ki, but that I didn’t know why I was able to do what I did.

    I had hoped I could avoid the topic, but on Amber’s prompting as to ‘Kichi’s nature, I simply asked if they were familiar with the Holy Grail War. Shirou stiffened at that, brows furrowing in recognition, while Amber raised an eyebrow and stopped smiling.

    ...that was not good. From what I remembered, if Kohaku ever stopped smiling....

    At that point, I quickly tried to describe why I entered Ayako into the Holy Grail War, with Shirou baldy asking if “Kichi” was a servant, then. The conversation that followed could be summoned up as:

    “Shirou-kun, you should have figured that out from her name.”

    “I’m amazed someone remembered that traveling name too...”

    “But of course. It is an honor to meet the would be unifier of Japan. In the flesh, as it were.”

    Trust Akiha to do a spit-take at that moment, staring at Archer as if she’d seen a white elephant prance into the room, do a somersault and take a bow.

    “The unifier of….you’re Oda Nobunaga?!? Wasn’t he a guy?!?”

    Archer only sighed and cradled her forehead in her hand. I suppose it must get annoying to be thought of as a male after spending your life proclaiming yourself the most beautiful girl in all of Japan. Couldn’t have done wonders for her vanity.

    Surprisingly, only Akiha was really surprised - Ayako was mildly so, but with her exposure to magic lately, she was coming to believe anything was possible.

    I’d gotten over the shock factor, since I had summoned Archer. Shirou had presumably been told by Kiritsugu or Amber that how history might misrecord heroes such as King Arthur being a girl, or a single hero as two individuals in some cases. And Amber...she wasn’t surprised at all - she’d apparently figured it out after I’d addressed Archer as “Kichi.”

    ...all of the sudden I was really glad she was on my side.

    ...she was, right?

    ...right?

    “Ufufu...Shirou-kun, you certainly have the most interesting companions.”

    ...I really, really hope so right now.

    “Master, I…” Shirou began, clearly uncomfortable with either the fact that Ayako was a Master, his new fiancee was bearing witness to all of this, or that Amber was in a mercurial - and therefore dangerous - mood.

    “Return to Fuyuki, Shirou. If the Grail War is coming, then that is as it will be, but the events of the Fourth must not be allowed to recur.” Amber said quietly, though all present knew that was an order. “Tohno Akiha - go with him or stay, as you wish.”

    And then she rounded on Ayako and myself: “Fufu...as for you, Mitsuzuri Ayako, you hold an interesting opportunity in your hands, but do know that to be a Master is to be a target. You are marked for death by the others in this ritual, Mitsuzuri Ayako. And you have no escape, unless you surrender your right of Mastership.”

    She smiled again then, but this time, her smile was cold.

    “Kuroyuki-san, knowing this, why did you enter Ayako-chan into the War?”

    It was not a simple request. The air was fraught and tense - if I had lungs, I wouldn’t be able to breathe right now.

    “Because Ayako was targeted despite being innocent in the Holy Grail War I knew.”

    “In the War you knew,” she repeated, staring at me for a long, tense moment. “Fu… I did not think you knew Zelretch-san.”

    The atmosphere lingered for a long moment, before the tension bled away.

    “It matters not if you do - I see you speak the truth.”

    Kuroyuki’s Results:

    • Allied with Amber’s United Japan Association (?)



    Ayako’s Mindscape.
    January 19, 2007 AD
    8:30 AM

    After all of the explaining last night, I let myself fade when everyone left. I briefly thought about staying up and training, but I was likely to overextend myself if I did.

    After all it’s better to take one step back and two forward consistently then it is for me take three steps everyday and risk going back to the beginning if I screw up. And was I glad I followed that policy in the morning...

    “Shirou, can we go tour Kyoto?”

    “Whoa! Wait just a minute! Let me at least make a body so you can have privacy. Unless you want me to crash your date at the most irritating times.”

    I voiced a joking complaint that in most cases would calm the person down. However, "calm" was the last emotion on Ayako's mind judging by her facial expressions.

    “I need to do it as soon as possible!”

    “It won’t hur-”

    “If I wait! I’m going to lose Shirou! I’ll lose to his teacher or his fiance!”

    “C'Mon, its his teacher and someone he just met. Are you saying that Shirou would value them more than you?”

    "Yet, if Lady Amber asked, I think he'd so anything. Even leave me or go to his death. And I've seen how well he gets on with that Tohno girl..."

    “One always listens to their teachers. They teach several things techniques, life lessons, and for some purpose. And the first thing a magus learns is that to practice magic is to walk with death. And the Tohno girl? They've interacted amiably, but they barely know each other. I would think the "Tohno Girl" would be more jealous of you. Shirou brought someone to the meeting. Not a guy friend, but a girl that is clearly more than a friend."

    "I don't know. If he had a relationship with me, why would he let Matou be all over him?”

    "Maybe he's pampering his kohai? But anyways I don't see Matou Sakura here. I saw Mitsuzuri Ayako introduced to Emiya Shirou's elusive teacher and new family."

    "I’m here because Shirou noticed my use of ki, and figured it was time I could be part of something that might keep me safe."

    She blushed slightly after making that last remark. Could this be a chance for me to raise her mood? No I’m viewing this wrong. I’m the one who sets it up for her mood to improve.

    “Just give me a moment so that you two can properly go on a date."

    "!"

    She started to blush even more at the thought of going on a date with Shirou.

    Kyoto
    8:45 AM

    I materialize myself in the real world while Ayako slowly calms herself down.

    Then I gently start pushing Ayako to the outside of the hotel with Shirou slowly following behind.

    "Now the day is young and there are things to explore! So enjoy your time in Kyoto!"

    As I made my way back to the hotel, I quietly said something to Shirou.

    "Please cheer her up Protagonist."

    He turned around in an attempt to face me, but the door closed behind me before he could say a word.

    Hmm what to do? I could train right now, but to be honest I really want to explore Kyoto. I could just wander around, but I'll admit my memories of Kyoto are lacking. I can't ask Akiha or Amber. The first won't because she doesn't know me. The second makes me feel uneasy and worried about keeping her on my side.

    Wait! I keep forgetting the best person to guide me through this city. Archer!

    I make my way to Archer's personal room courtesy of Lady Amber. I did a light knock on her room.

    “It’s me Archer.”

    “Come in then Kuro.”

    I opened Archer’s door just to find...


    “Oh you’re just going to stand there? I thought you had some business with me.”

    This. I’m surprised that Archer hasn’t attempted to run me off for doing this. I mean I did just do a quick scan of her nearly naked body. Good sized breasts and hips. Black lingerie. Good figure while also having a good bit of muscle. Wait this isn’t the time to be ogling Archer!

    I quickly enter the room and was trying (futilely) to not stare at Archer. I’m sure I would be blushing

    “Care for a drink?”

    “Thanks.”

    I don’t really care for alcohol in general, but I always try to finish a glass if it’s offered. I gave it a sip before I realized it was something I’ve had before - a Pinot Noire. Which thankfully was something I could enjoy drinking slightly.

    “I was hoping that you could show me around Kyoto.”

    “Sure. Let’s finish our drinks before we go though.”

    So I went on a tour with Archer. It was great to hear about the history of it from a person who was actually involved in its past - and I would like to think that I got closer to Archer. Well I know Ayako and Shirou are certainly getting along after theirs. If anything, I swear I saw a jealous Akiha. Before resting, I trained slightly with Archer. I think I might be getting the hang of reinforcement

    Kuroyuki’s Results:

    • Relationship with Archer has gone up slightly.
    • Ki Reinforcement has gone up slightly.
    • Ayako's mood has stabilized



    Kyoto
    January 20, 2007 AD
    12:30 PM

    I came across Ayaka Sajyou during one of my breaks from training. I waved to get her attention before waving a second drink in offering. To my surprise, she came over, and we had a somewhat lengthy chat in my opinion. At first, I mentioned my surprise towards her being a subordinate of Amber (I kept the fact that Ayaka didn’t exist - at least here - to myself), but moved to mentioning that I was in the Holy Grail War (and planned on stopping it due to its corrupted nature), to which, I recieved a possible offer of assistance.

    At the end of the conversation, I think I established an amicable working relationship with Ayaka, as well as a potential ally depending on her circumstances.

    Kuroyuki’s results:

    • Potential Back-Up by Ayaka Sajyou
    • General Ki Training up



    Kyoto
    January 21/22, 2007 AD

    There wasn’t much happening these two days so Archer and I trained. Well when I say training, it’s more of me trying to refine the techniques I do have. I tried to keep my training well-rounded, but I noticed that certain aspects of usage would be more useful such as ki reinforcement (internal and external), stealth, and ki creation.

    The stealth training progressed probably the fastest due to being the simplest. I would trigger it, move away, and attempt to attack. At the beginning of the training, I was only able to move from a faraway distance before I was noticed. As training progressed, I started to be able to walk around Archer without her noticing. However, I still failed to land a surprise attack on Archer - or even prepare for it.

    Ki Reinforcement was simply me trying to match Archer when she was serious (apparently the fastest way to learn reinforcement was to get beat up alot, meaning that Shirou may not have been as stupid as I’d thought in the original Fate/Stay Night). It worked wonders for my limited combat experience and figuring out how to use to my ki on the fly. Thankfully, pain was reduced slightly… Reinforcing external objects was easy once I figured out how to scan it for its weaknesses.

    Ki creation? Well I learned one thing, I am not Shirou. It’s good enough to maybe hold one blow from Archer’s fist. Maybe. And even then it’s just better for me to reinforce with a sword than it is for me to create one. Up side? I can form blasts and clones a little faster.

    Kuroyuki’s Results:

    • Ki Stealth leveled to Rank D Presence Concealment
    • Ki Reinforcement can now boost to Rank C Physical Stats. Can reinforce objects with Ki.
    • Ki Creation can create low ranked objects out of ki. External ki creations such as clones and blasts are easier to make.



    Kyoto
    January 23rd, 2007 AD
    8:00 PM

    The last day of this Kyoto trip.

    To wish Ayako, Shirou, and I luck in our adventures in Fuyuki, Amber hosted a special dinner for us. I thought it was an encouraging sign, but something felt off, though I couldn’t place my finger on what exactly it was.

    I didn’t have much time to think on it, as Amber kept a steady conversation going. One of the more notable questions was “what I was going to do after the Holy Grail War.” Ayako was unsure, Shirou said he intended to finish high school and then go to Kyoto, Akiha had university and a future with law to look forward to - and I...I responded that I was interested in working for Amber or Archer (provided Archer and I were still here).

    At some point that night, Amber offered everyone a toast, pouring out a drink she had kept in reserve. In hindsight, I should have suspected that something was wrong, but I thought it was just routine - and that this Kohaku wasn’t anything like the Kohaku I knew. At the time, I just thought it was a good luck drink by an ally that I could not risk offending.

    I should have noticed things were off when everything turned “off” for me, with my physical form fading out from the real world. Yet, despite having cause for concern, given that my ki connection shouldn’t have been cut off, I couldn’t really move. Worse, I felt utterly unconcerned, utterly peaceful, with everything becoming harder to focus on by the second. Slowly, my eyelids grew heavier and heavier…

    Before I blacked out, I attempted to connect with Ayako to make sense of it. But somehow I knew that even if I succeeded, I wouldn’t be able to make heads or tails of it.

    Kuroyuki’s Results

    ??? - An event happened but what is the outcome?
    Last edited by Kuroyuki; November 27th, 2014 at 03:33 AM.

  8. #48
    As American as a foreign immigrant EnigmaticFellow's Avatar
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    Azbu Academy
    January 19, 2007 6:23 AM


    "You make me wonder sometimes. At one point, you manipulate people to do what you want them to do. At the other, you enroll a vampire into a Christian academy."

    "Well, our main threat happens to be the Holy Church which happens to be a branch of the Catholic Church. This academy; however, happens to be Protestant run."

    "Remind me to never ask you about the history of Christianity again."

    "You were the one that asked for as complete a history as I can give."

    "And you purposefully gave too much information just to annoy me."

    "We could continue this purposeless discussion, or you could address the person engaging in a conversation with you."

    Satsuki then looked up to notice that a girl was looking right at her expecting a response.

    "I'm sorry. Can you repeat yourself again?"

    "Don't worry too much," she said as she waved her hand in a placating manner. "You're probably just tired from getting used to school life here. I heard that students who went to public schools before going here tend to hate the curriculum and campus life here. I was just hoping that you were adjusting well here as a new student."

    "I'm okay, I just had a trying time before moving here is all."

    The girl then had a frown on her face as she likely contemplated what 'trying times' Satsuki endured before enrolling to this school.

    "Just remember that student president Kotone is here to help you if you have any problems that need to be addressed. Mind giving me your name before class starts?"

    "It would be Yumizuka Satsuki, president."

    "No need to be so formal Yumizuka. The teachers here will already be demanding much of that. Kotone is fine enough for me."

    "Okay... Kotone."

    Kotone then beamed after the hesitant response and went back to her seat.

    "A kind girl, don't you think?"

    And before the young vampire can give a response, the teacher then came in to start the lecture.




    Azbu Academy
    January 21, 2007 7:36 PM


    "No, no. You're suboptimally manipulating the prana. Just because you can brute force an object into existence doesn't mean that you should."

    "I'm trying to, but I just can't form the object with what little prana you want me to use."

    "You can't expect to actually master any noteworthy mystery without being able to perform gradation air as I have perscribed."

    "Has anyone ever told you how bad of a teacher you are? How can you expect me to perform this spell as you told me to by simply taking over my body for a moment and 'demonstrating' to me how you want it done?"

    "Most magi such as myself pride ourselves to be researchers, not teachers. You should be glad that I'm even teaching you these basics. Most instructors are simply quacks that are hardly qualified to even understand the most basic of thaumaturgies."

    "It doesn't matter how great of a magus you just happen to be or how much you masterbate to your works. This exercise is too hard and I have too little to work with to actually perform it to your satisfaction."

    "And this is why I tell my mother that I never wanted to be a teacher. You know how it feels to manipulate the prana correctly. Just keep trying it until it feels like how I did it."

    Despite how irritated Satsuki was, she went back to creating more empty bottles of water, finally leaving me to my own devices.

    The workload that is being piled upon by her various teachers is rather excessive at the moment, but I'll arrange things to lighten the load so she can focus on more pertinent tasks. Still, things are going well enough. Satsuki is going through my lessons faster than expected, but it's not going as fast as I need it to be. I rather not rely on doing things myself if need be due to the cost associated with it. Then again, I already took that into account. Not to mention that the participants are unlikely to be all that worrisome. Lancer's powerbase is already secured and is being harvested upon, and intel on current candidates remain promising. Interestingly enough, a known servitor of the Edelfelt is scouting out various properties. Well, that could be fortuitious for me. Perhaps I can send my...

    I then remember what befell of my crow as a white-haired woman took it down before it could do anything. Just what are the Einzbern thinking by giving that homunculus such power? Is that thing even going to be stable enough before the path to the grail can be opened? No matter, seeing her has made me want to look into some old newspapers that this school has in their library. And I can always create a new messenger when the time comes.
    Spoiler:
    Quote Originally Posted by Mcjon01 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Tangerang View Post
    Gilgamesh has A Lck.

    wut bout that
    His fate as the most powerful Servant is to steamroll every war he takes part in.

    Somehow, he manages to defy all odds and deny this fate.
    Quote Originally Posted by anonymous
    If only I could be respected without having to be respectable.

    What Fate/Stay Night character are you?
    Kotomine Kirei
    You are Kirei. You've always been a little different from the rest. You probably have low social skills. Whatever, it's not like what they think matters anyway. Ever searching for something missing within you, you probably don't experience the same happiness as everyone else. Good and evil are just labels, you are who you are.

  9. #49
    Lethum Milbunk's Avatar
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    Milbunk, Assassin, and Kuzuki


    Day 1

    I have decided to create these journal entries to help keep track of the days events. Thanks to Kuzuki lending me his body for a few minutes everyday I hope to write down my notes of the days events.

    To start with, nothing seems to be going how I’d hoped. After we returned to Fuyuki when we began our march towards Ryoudou Assassin stopped before we had even gotten close. According to her someone else had already taken up residence there.

    Was it the real Caster? Did I just ruin things for Kuzuki by trying to help him? I wasn’t sure, but we couldn’t just sit there. So after talking with Assassin and Kuzuki we decided that whoever was there now must have been of great magical capabilities to be able to already manipulate the temple. If that was the case then it was best to hide ourselves somewhere else. And after discussing the possible locations we found a new location deep in the heart of a residential district.

    It wasn’t the temple but perhaps that was alright. If I was here then others might also be here, if that was the case the temple would be one of the largest targets. With that in my mind we decided to lay low.

    I’d never really seen anyone being hypnotized before but Assassin was able to easily to do so. Thanks to her skills she had the entire family under her control and immediately set to work taking control of the residence. I didn’t know if it would help much but I suggested a few things to Assassin that might help us with our circumstances. Rather than creating a mass of bounded fields perhaps focusing in and creating strong items might be the better plan. Leave the boundary fields to the Caster at the temple, that way they would get all the unneeded attention. I also suggested a few other ideas I had in mind but I’m not sure if she’ll actually agree to all this.

    Day 2

    It was time to return to school for Kuzuki. I’d never really gotten a chance to see what was going on before we left so this was a good opportunity to check for anything unusual. But things were completely different from what I was expecting. Nearly everybody was different in some way, far different from what I’d consider their ‘normal’ selves.

    To make matters worse after returning home we discovered that the Matou Mansion was completely gone. It must have been some sort of huge explosion or something because the entire area was a giant crater.

    It had to be the work of a Servant but the most obvious ones I could think of was either Saber or Caster, had they already made their move?

    Day 3

    Apparently a servant was summoned today, somewhere quite a ways away in Kyoto I think? I’ve never really been there but that’s definitely not Fuyuki. And if what Assassin is saying is correct that leaves just one Servant left to be summoned. But which class is it? Saber? Archer? Rider? And who will summon? Shirou?

    Though he’s drastically different now there is still the possibility that he’d still get his Saber. The Grail can transcend time and space after all, so it’s best not to rule that out quite yet.

    Day 4

    Today I took the time to explain to Assassin everything I knew, with things already different from the stories I knew it might not help much but it was better than nothing right?

    I shared with her all the appearances, skills, classes, and such that I could remember from all the different stories I knew. Though she was skeptical about it all of this information she said she’d take it under advisement.

    Day 5

    Even with her scrying abilities Assassin has been unable to find the two people we need to find. That’s really unfortunate but until they decide to show themselves there is little we can do about it.

    Day 6

    I wonder what Assassin thinks about all this? I’m too afraid to ask and Kuzuki has been quiet about most of what’s going on. He seems content to just continue living out his school life as a teacher and as long as he’s fine with it so am I. After all it was Kuzuki acting as himself that allowed him to forge a relationship with Assassin in the first place right?

    Day 7

    Everything seems to be moving along a lot smoother than before, I’m not sure if that’s really a good thing or not but things move on regardless.

    I asked Assassin how things were going and she commented that things were moving along “As planned”. If it’s her then I’ll trust her on that.


    But how much time do we have until the final servant is summoned? It’s got to be soon right?

  10. #50
    The Dread Nekomancer alfheimwanderer's Avatar
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    During the Week
    Black Caster
    Summit of Mt. Fuji


    Slowly, footsteps crunched along the gravel of a mountain road, as curious eyes peered out upon the world below, spread out like a tapestry. In one direction, the glittering lights of a human city. In another, the darkness of a sea of trees, rising from the richness of volcanic earth, heedless of danger. In a third, the mountains. In a fourth, the sea. And all around her, ice and snow.

    Against the backdrop of white she moved, a shadow of the past.

    The air was chill and cold and clear on this moonless night, when only the stars illuminated her path. Yes, she could have been quiet - even invisible, intangible, invulnerable. This was her place, after all, her realm, her domain - the mountain called Mt. Fuji - one of the two aspects that defined who she was as Caster.

    She sighed as she reached the rim, looking out over the frozen crater from which destruction had once poured. Destruction which allowed life to bloom, life which died, giving rise to more. A crater on which a bear apparently was sleeping.

    "...very funny."

    At her words, the beast opened eyes of gold, lifting its head inquisitively as it sniffed once, twice, then settled down and closed its eyes again as if to sleep.

    "...really now?"

    "Uworo?" the bear growled, flicking open one lazy eye.

    Now, Caster had always had a bit of a temper, but she suppressed it - it wouldn't do to get angry at this one. Still, that bear...

    "Do I need to set you on fire again, for old time's sake?"

    There was a amused, not-quite-threatening edge to the Caster's tone, as the form of the bear crumbled to sand, the grains falling away to reveal an old man.

    "Hello, my daughter," the Old One said, in a voice that spoke of portents, thunder, and war.

    "Hello, Father," the Caster replied. "It has been many years since we have seen each other in the flesh."

    "And yet true flesh you are not," the old warrior noted. He ruled War, Water, and Mountains, after all - he knew these things. "I recall that you returned to sleep, and sleeping you still are."

    "That I am. Yet I am here as well."

    "...mortal craft then, I see. What Amaterasu saw in those young children..." the old man trailed off, shaking his head. "But I assume you woke me from my slumber for a reason - there are few enough of our kind left that I have not wakened in a very long time."

    Caster chuckled at that, a low throaty sound.

    "Can I not simply visit?"

    "I doubt it. You swore you would never return, once."

    "...well, you went to sleep when I departed. I can't help but think you simply don't like change."

    "...perhaps you have a point, but too many of our kind sleeps now," the old man seemed to grumble. "Save for your strange state, the only one awake is my meddlesome younger sister."

    Konohanasakuya blinked. It had been a long time since anyone had talked about her revered grandmother-aunt in that fashion, given her status. But then, she didn't remember too many that were actually older than Amaterasu, and precious few who had more power in the land of the rising sun.

    "She is awak--" but Caster frowned and cut herself off. "She never slept, did she?"

    "No, child, she was one of the few who never did. She meddles."

    "...so when I sensed the mirror had returned to its owner..."

    "Well, if mortals do not value the gifts she bestowed, there is no reason for them to keep them. But that is not why you are here. You seek something."

    The lady of fire and shade twitched, but said nothing.

    "You said once that you would not return, that you would become ephemeral as the blossoms of man, because that was what that whelp you were infatuated with desired. Yet here you are."

    Ōyamatsumi just looked at the one who had once been his daughter, as she looked away, grumpily.

    "D-don't get the wrong idea. I-its not like I wanted to visit you or something."

    "Hmph, stubborn as usual," the old god spoke, half-amused. "But ask what you will."

    "...very well then. The Totsuka-no-Tsurugi - do you know its whereabouts?" she asked baldly. Sometimes directness helped. And as one of the oldest of those who remained, she suspected her father might have some insight as to where that monster-slaying, god slaying, magic-drinking sword might be.

    ...the sword that had contained the power of Izanagi, the instrument through which death first came into the world - and which, as a side effect could turn water into sake.

    The old man was silent for a long moment. He had not thought to see someone ask about that darkly powerful weapon. Susano'o had once raised unholy hell with it...

    "Ohoho...I do not. What happened to your husband's shining sword, hm?"

    <unintelligible muttering>

    "What was that?" came the amused voice of the Old One. "Surely you could sense it through earth or fire."

    "...but not lost to the wretched sea," the lady of fire groused. "As you know full well."

    She glared, but it did no good. She couldn't sense it. Couldn't feel it. Couldn't--

    And then her eyes widened, as Ōyamatsumi drew the sword from his back.

    "You. That is..."

    "Oh, this? I just reclaimed what someone dropped into the sea long ago. Can't allow this to be lost, now can I?"

    "And all this time you..."

    She fell silent, as he held out the sword to her.

    "...what?"

    "Its for you."

    "...what."

    "Compliments of Amaterasu, who said a hero needs a proper blade before going to battle."

    "...what."

    This time, the old god broke into a belly laugh, his body shaking with a genuine mirth.

    "I did say that she was a meddler, yes? When I attempted to return it, she asked me to await the one who would seek her brother's sword."

    "...how long ago was this?"

    "Before she incarnated herself as Tammamo-no-mae?"

    "...great-aunt really does meddle too much."

    "From the portents, I hear she's incarnated once more, fed up the wreckage mortals have made the world into - and no, I do not know where she is now. Even if I did...it is not my story to tell. Simply do not use her sword against her."

    "Do you think me ma..."

    Konohanasakuya grimaced, but bit her tongue after a few rough words. The old man had a tendency to be annoying in that way, never giving out all the answers.

    "And the soul I serve? What do you know of him?"

    "A soul that is but a fragment, twixt wraith and dream and ruin. A fire that burns, burns, burns and wanes, melting way before the rain. Worlds, spheres, times, and a vessel that screams of violation, as is his family's due."

    "...you are aware of what happened to the monk's family?"

    "Only that an ancient curse awakened, corrupt, twisted, tangled, hungry, and devoured that which awakened it."

    "..."

    "You were right to ask for my brother's sword. It is a shame I do not have it."

    "...do you have any other surprises?"

    "Do you have a reason to ask?"

    She just looked at him pointedly.

    "Fine, fine. A gift for my daughter then. I will grant a boon to the spirit you work with, the ability to possess the very stone."

    "So he can become a golem then?"

    "Well, surely you remember how to craft stone for a proper form. If not, I am sure a clump of rock or rubble will do."

    "...humans don't have that much prana, father."

    "Not even Abe no Seimei?"

    "...he was different," the once-goddess harrumphed. "Besides, he was half fox."

    "Be that as it may, surely an anchor is more useful than none?"

    "...this is true, but..."

    She fell silent, seeing the distant look on her father's face.

    "What?"

    There was a long, pregnant pause again as the old man just looked upon her unwavering.

    "You look so much like your mother..." he whispered, before stepping back, schooling his features to be as impassive as stone. "Now, as much as I am enjoying this father-daughter moment--"

    "...You are returning to sleep, aren't you?"

    "Yes. Lest Mt Fuji awaken with us both upon it and drown the world in flame."

    A long sigh.

    "That would be bad, I take it."

    "Quite," the old man quipped dryly. "Will you return?"

    "Perhaps, father."

    "Very well then, Kono. A father's blessing to you."

    And with that, the old one became dust and faded away.

    "And a daughter of the earth's to you," the Caster answered, bowing her head in quiet respect - for just a moment, though those listening closely might have heard her mutter "...never could resist showing off. Or being too dramatic for his own good. Baka. Baka. Otousan no baka."
    Last edited by alfheimwanderer; December 8th, 2014 at 11:46 PM.

  11. #51
    死徒二十七祖 The Twenty Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors Caster's Avatar
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    Issei Ryuudou's Hymnosphere
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    January 17th, 2007

    Darkness surrounded me. This was definitely something of an odd experience, though I suppose I'd get used to it since I lacked a body currently. Despite not needing to, I felt myself start to breath heavily, trying to calm down. I could only imagine the reception that awaited me within Issei's mind. It had not been a peaceful coexistence so far, though only a little bit of time had passed. With any luck though this trip would help to smooth things out. I just hoped that Issei wasn't too angry. It had seemed like the right course of action at the time, but it had been done too hastily, even if my decisions felt justified to me.

    The darkness cleared abruptly, showing me a dazzling circus. Lights, smells, sounds, every part of it seemed exactly like how I imagined a circus would be. I'd never been to one myself, but it was amazingly detailed. I looked around, trying to keep myself focused. It might not have been intentional, but it seemed possible that all of the distractions were a kind of defense of Issei's mind after all. Of course, this Issei was known for having lived in a circus, so it could just be how this layer of the hymnosphere presented itself. And since it was showing itself as a circus, the most logical place would definitely be that large tent off in the distance. I walked off for it, moving at a brisk pace.

    As I moved to enter the largest tent though, it seemed like the inhabitants moved, my way quickly becoming blocked. It was difficult to make out, but it looked like all of them were members of the drama club Issei helped with, though they all seemed a bit... warped. Not just because of the bizarre circus outfits they all were wearing either, they just seemed strange. From what I knew of this Issei, his best friend was Shinji, and he was also the leader of the drama club, so with any luck he'd be able to help direct me to him. It took a bit to find him, especially since I didn't realize I was looking for a clown. I tapped him on the shoulder and crossed my fingers.

    I couldn't help but stare as I looked at Shinji, the garrish nose on his face seeming to draw your eyes. I cleared my throat and pressed on though. "Hey, I'm looking for Issei, seen him around?" Shinji stared back, his eyes glazed over. "The Ringmaster?" The others all turned to look at me as well, as they echoed Shinji's reply. I nod my head, trying to keep my cool. "That sounds about right. I'm off to see the wonderful ringmaster of Oz." I chuckled, but my joke was met with cold silence. "You don't have a ticket." I sighed, as I reached into my pocket, hoping that the dream-like nature of the world would work to my advantage. Sadly, no such luck. I held up my hands, empty. "Where is it?" Shinji seemed impatient, as did the crowd, another one chiming in. "Or is it not there?" This one seemed to be a Himuro Kane, though she was dressed in an outlandish sword swallower outfit.

    I sighed, a bit frustrated. "I must have already handed it in. I really need to see the ringmaster though. It concerns his family." This seemed to trigger a strong response out of the crowd, which I had been counting on. I honestly didn't have anything new about his family. I had some guesses, but nothing solid. If it got me in to talk though, I'd have to push that button, cruel though it seemed. "Family?" Makidera walked out from the crowd. It was getting a bit difficult to tell who else would show up at this rate. "What do you know of family?" I tried to smile, hoping to reassure the crowd. "I've been thinking about what I know, and I think I have at least an idea as to what happened to his father and brother, even if I don't know why." It wasn't a lie either, even if it wasn't a guarantee. "What you--" "--know. Strangeness--" "--/magic/" "Possession. Trickery. Conquest" "/theft/"

    The voices blended, making it hard to tell who had said what. I raised my voice, trying to speak to the crowd as a whole. "I know much about magic. Even if the magic of this world is different, I still seem to have kept my memories of it mostly in tact. It might not help give the ringmaster the answers he wants, but it may help him to understand my actions." This seemed to soothe the crowd enough, or at least helped to open a path. They dissipated, letting me pass to the large tent that I had been headed for earlier. I took a deep breath as I walked into it, still a bit rattled from Issei's subconscious, or whatever that was.

    Issei stood in the center, the spotlight shining on him. Across from him, in another light, was a chair. Issei looked at me, the mood on his face difficult to read. "Places, please," I nodded as I walked over towards the chair, keeping my eyes on him. "It took a bit, but it looks like I've managed to find you." Issei's voice was quiet as he kept his gaze on me. "I was always here," With a flourish of his hands, lights started to turn on. "Action!" Music started to play, though it was quiet and indistinct. The audience all seemed to have their attention on me. Feeling the weight of Issei's entire mind on me was a bit unnerving, but I couldn't let it get to me, keeping my focus on Issei as he spoke. "My family?"

    Two simple words, but they carried more weight than the stares of the entire audience. "From what I know... it is likely that your family wound up suffering from the darkness that dwells within the Grail. I don't know if they simply stumbled upon it or if someone lead them to it, but I'm seeking to keep everyone else from that." "Why do you think that?" Not necessarily dismissive, but Issei's reply was quick. It seemed like he was aware of more than I expected. Who knew what he had found out in the course of his own investigation after all. "A few reasons. The location of where your father was found. The nature of the mountain your temple is built on. Just the general knowledge I've gotten on the subject in general, both from before I arrived and after. It is vague, of course. But I intend to try and help you find the answers to that." Issei paused, as I held my breath, watching him. "But the darkness should not be...active."

    I nodded. Issei was definitely right about that. It seemed odd for Angra Mainyu to be up and about at this stage. "Should not and is not are different things, unfortunately. Sadly there is little that can be done about it currently. But it's dangerous. It's power needs to be kept from those who would abuse it until it can be cleansed." If Caster was indeeed as powerful as she seemed, she should be able to help out with it, though it was a risky proposition. "Do you know it dark? Have you seen it?" Issei's eyes held the barest hint of a challenge, doubting my claim. "I haven't seen it's effects since I've traveled here. But I have seen the effect it's had in the time I'm familiar with. And though things are different, they definitely aren't different enough for that knowledge to not be true." Though my knowledge seemed to be only partial, I still had retained enough to recognize the Grail at work. "Are they? But you are not certain." Issei's voice was quiet again, seeming to contemplate what I was saying. "It adds up though, does it not? Even if my speculation on what happened is false, my concerns about the Grail aren't. And I do think that I'll be able to find out the truth soon with Caster's help." I pushed forward, trying to convince Issei. Even if I was wrong about the Grail's role in his loss, the threat it posed was serious.

    "While my counterpart holds that...stick. His knowledge remains. I can see it. The knowledge of endless worlds. Possibilities beyond compare. Heroism beyond measure. Villany beyond redemption. Each one me. It is strange. It could be the Grail. It could be Matou Zouken. It could be someone else." Issei seemed to quiet down after that. It was hard to tell how intense the Kaleidostick must be. But if the knowledge helped to keep us from defeat, it would have to be done. "All humans hold within them great potential. For good or for evil. At the end of the day it's your choice what you'll do with your life. But I think you'll want to side with trying to make this war go as safely as it can. And yes, there are definitely other possible factors here. It all comes back to the war though, in one way or another." Issei stared at me again, the barest hint of... something in his eyes. "A war I am already part of, due to you." Here was why I had come down. Even if I didn't think myself solely responsible for how things had played out, there was no denying I had played a major role. "You would have been dragged into the war somehow or another. In the world I know of, you wound up serving as Caster's pawn, someone who very likely would have taken the same actions this time around if summoned. I'm sure if you check the Kaleidostick you'll see many Issei's involved in the war in big or small ways if a war happens in Fuyuki like it does here." I did my best to keep my voice calm and steady. I wanted to convey the feelings that had went into my decision, but not yet. The music seemed to stop entirely as Issei spoke, his words carrying a deep hurt. "You could have asked."

    I nodded, accepting what he had said. "Things... didn't happen like I expected. I wasn't expecting the Kaleidostick to show up as it did. Honestly, I've never known it to overwrite someone's personality, so I thought it was you, just a bit more... flamboyant. By the time I realized that wasn't the case, things were already in motion. Though you being drawn to the Kaleidostick would have made you a target for some as well." He nodded as well. "Perhaps. Although it is possible to give it away" I heard his words, but my mind still had continued, focused on what he had said. "It doesn't matter though. I was impatient and worried, and should have slowed down to study the situation more. To be honest I don't know what to make of it even still. I'll do my best to make up for my earlier blunder, and to work with you as best I can." Issei tapped his foot, his expresion thoughtful. "Then tell me what who you are, and what you are. And how you intend to stop the Grail."

    It was a good question. I knew who I thought I was, but I definitely had not been part of any Holy Grail Wars, let alone been a spirit. Still, I would do my best to answer it. "What I am I can't say. I have memories of a life before I arrived here. Whether those memories are what truly happened or not I can't say. But my knowledge of this situation seems to be accurate, leading me to believe the rest is. As for who I am... as I said, I go by Caster. It'll probably get confusing, so I'll try and find a better name to go by. In regards to the Grail... I'm still working on that honestly. Currently my best plan is to simply stop anyone from getting it. If no one claims it we should be good. Barring that, I'll try and disable the Grail somehow." I hoped it wouldn't come to that though. Something told me that, if purified, the Grail might help to solve my current trouble, or at least make things better. "From the knowledge my other self holds, that would required the destruction of the temple mount, and may not be successful." It made me wonder what all of the other Issei's had seen. I didn't recall Rin or Ilya being hit with this kind of level of information, but perhaps the Kaleidosticks were different here. "Well, as I said, the best plan is simply keeping everyone from it. Hopefully all it'll take is knowledge of what the Grail actually is to keep most from it, but there will still be one or two who want it despite that. But the Grail has been successfully disabled in other timelines, meaning it can be done in this one too."

    As I said it out loud, it struck me how absurd this entire situation was. Here I was, trying to figure out how to stop a war, when I was literally nobody currently. It seemed like Issei gave my words some weight, but it was probably only due to the Kaleidostick helping to show I wasn't entirely crazy. "Wars have been fought over that, worse than any of the normal Grail Conflicts. In other worlds, the Grail had a mind of its own as well - how do you propose to overcome that?" Worse of all, it seemed like the Grail might be more aware than usual. Still, if I didn't try then things would only go downhill. "They have. But with Caster and what I have planned, I'm confident in our ability to succeed. It may not be as easy as it seems, but right now we have a strong advantage." Caster was amazingly strong in all actuality, and her strengths played right into mine. Of course, I had limited influence, but I think Issei was kind of willing to ceade direction over things in regards to the war efforts, at least currently. "Though a Saber or Archer could be problematic. Even Caster is not invincible, nor immune to temptation." Archer, but not Lancer? I was a lot more worried about Cu than I was about Emiya, assuming he somehow managed to show up. Arturia of course would be terrifying, but even then I was sure in Caster's strength. "Of course she isn't. I can't account for everything, but I'll do my best to prepare us for what will happen. As things stand now there are a number of major threats, but we've got strong allies. And the potential for more if we're diplomatic."

    Diplomacy might not be my strongest suit, and with the war already being so weird it might be difficult. But it was still my plan. "The potential, yes. But once the War begins, things become more difficult." I sighed just a bit, trying not to let my frustration show. I knew Issei was doubtful, but he made it sound like everything was doomed to failure before we even began. "They will. Which is why we need to work together as best we can to ensure success. I want to keep everyone safe as best I can." It was a bit of a foolish wish, but it was still my hope. "Difficult when some will wish to kill each other." Issei's dismissive attitude to my desire was a bit disappointing, but it only made me more determined to show him wrong. "Yeah. Sadly can't do much about that. People will have their grudges. But keeping people from the Grail is something." If it prevented everyone from dying, that was definitely a worth while goal really. "Will it manifest at the Temple?" Of course Issei would want to know that. If it manifested at the temple, at the very bare minimum all the monks would need to evacuate. "It might. I'm not sure currently. If everything follows the same timeline as the one I know it would. But things are very different. Doubtless it's something Caster should be able to help figure out." If possible, it'd be nice to keep the temple out of it, but I wasn't so sure that I could.

    "Unless she is needed to end a threat permanently." It was true, if needed and asked Caster would probably give her life to help us. Or be compelled to by the Command Seals. But I wasn't going to use them, or let Issei use them if I could help it. She was our ally, or at least mine if Issei saw her differently, she deserved our respect. "It should be possible to determine it now based off of the flow of energy with the leylines. It hasn't been a day since we summoned after all though." It was hard to imagine that I had summoned so quickly honestly. It was supposed to be difficult to perform a summon before the start of the war, but I suppose the Kaleidostick was handling that for now. "Though without at least one servant dead, there is no manifestation trigger - or is unlikely to be. Right now, the flows seem - aberrant. There are at least two possible sites of manifestation. The Temple is one - the Church another." I was a bit surprised. I hadn't expected Issei to look into it so quickly, or to be able to find out the information. It was impressive, especially since it gave me some hope for shifting conflict. "We could possibly direct the flow to the Church then. Might be possible between you and Caster." I don't know how easy a feat it would be, but feng shui could enact some impressive results alone, and we possessed a great deal of power to interfere with the earth's energies, relatively speaking.

    "A dangerous undertaking. That is a very substantial amount of prana to shift - one may as well disrupt the ley lines." I chuckled, surprised Issei would think that small. If it wasn't dangerous chances are it wasn't worth trying to do, at least not in this kind of war. Every advantage we could get we had to take, in order to keep the enemies from overwhelming us. "Do you think I haven't considered that? Believe me, it's on my list of ideas." I hoped it wouldn't come to that though. It would probably conflict with my other idea right now. Though if it came down to it, I still had it planned. "I see. Isn't part of the risk the manifestation of the Grail in the first place?" Of course he was right, but when you have the ability to swing the tide of battle you take it. "It is. But I'd prefer to minimalize risk as best I can. Caster is... much stronger than anticipated, but still will be hard pressed in the war." She was stronger than Medea, but she hadn't been a threat really even at her peak. And who knew what was lying around the corner in this war. "Depends - do remember that it is very hard to permanently kill White Caster." It was true of course. Caster was surprisingly resiliant, at least for her container. "I haven't forgotten. Caster is indeed very strong. But I have plans to better protect us." Not the best of plans, but I would see how Caster felt about it. "I'm listening."

    I nodded, thinking of how to word this. "There was something another Servant did... something that could help turn the battle. But I don't want to get your hopes up until I talk with Caster." Issei nodded. "But you wish to do the same?" I did, but it was a moot discussion right now. "Indeed I do. I've got it figured out. All I need to do is get Caster's cooperation." I hoped she would be open to the suggestion, but it was hard to tell with her. "Matou, Tohsaka, Einzbern - plans for them?" The founding families, and the only solid in this war. Or at least they should be. "Berserker is a known element. While Ilya herself may be different, I'm confident in being able to handle them. Matou and Tohsaka are more likely to be potential problems, but we'll see what information can be found while we set up base." If Berserker was the same, that left Ilya as the only potential wild card. But it was hard to tell when things changed, or what all was different. "And Matou Zouken? My dimensional counterpart seems to regard him as his arch-nemesis, a puppetmaster who uses worms to control people's hearts and minds." Zouken... if anyone was the same it would be him. And that was terrifying on many levels. "Zouken will be dealt with. It doesn't seem like the changes occured far back, and were mostly recent, meaning Zouken is no doubt the same as the one I know. It will be difficult, but it will be done."

    How exactly that would happen would I couldn't say, but somehow he would have to be dealt with. "Let it be done then." I was surprised, both at my surprisingly cold attitude towards Zouken as well as Issei's. "So you don't mind?" It seemed ill at place with Issei, at least the one I knew. "...I cannot say that I don't mind. But that is war." And war was not the nicest. With how I was now, there was little I could do to protect Issei. "Are you prepared to train yourself though? Even without him as a Servant, Abe's book should help." Especially since Onmyoudou had some connection to Buddhism, being a magic system that blended a few different eastern systems into one whole. "To an extent. I will not be anywhere near the level of the others, as you know. I am not truly a magus - or a monk. I'm just used to these...circuses." It was hard to imagine how circus performances would help, but who knows. Misdirection could go a long way, and magic tricks were still magic in a way. "I'm not expecting any miracles. But I would still like to prepare you as best we can." If Caster couldn't keep him safe from both Servants and Masters, he needed to be prepared to fight, even if just a little bit. "I will do what I can. I am hoping I can /read/ the tome, and that it was not written in code." I chuckled, amused at that thought. It would have to be a tough code to keep Caster out though. "That's all I can ask. So I trust that things between us are alright for now at least?" I crossed my fingers, hoping for the answer I wanted. "I can see why you did what you did. I can see some of it may not be your fault - but I do not have to be happy with how things have ended up. A war..."

    Issei went quiet before he continued. "My counterpart has fought them. Too many of them. Too many dead. Too many lost. If we can end this before I forget..." It must have been hard on Issei. I resolved then and there to try and be by his side, as best I could. The weight of even one death would be a lot to remember, let alone more than you could count. "I will do my best to keep you safe. Though it may seem risky, I fear that if things had been left without my intervention you would have wound up involved, and with less leverage at that. Let us just hope that the other Masters are willing to parley." If things went as I hoped, we'd have a lot of leverage, perhaps enough to keep all but the most stubborn of opponents at bay. "It is a possibility. With the Temple as a site, I would be at risk." That and even without that I still think he would have been pulled in. Fate had odd ways of playing out. "I don't know what the knowledge of your counterparts is like, but at least the Issei I know wound up a pawn. And that seems like the best case scenario at times." A scenario like that wasn't good at all really. "That is not the knowledge I have now. These were survivors - warriors - those who made contracts with others for power." That was a bit strange. It may just have been how the stick worked, but it seemed odd that it didn't have any recollection of the Issei I knew. I'd have to look into that sometime. "It's a shame you can't draw on more of their knowledge. But we'll experiment with the Kaleidostick while we have it as well. We'll make it work."

    It was too strong to ignore. Even as just a prana generator it's potential was unmatched. But there was a lot more it could do besides that. "There are risks to their knowledge. And that knowledge is not permanent - it disappears along with this...stick." A frustration that seemed to loom ever closer. The stick had let us both know it wouldn't be there forever. And when it was gone, one of our advantages went with it. "I know. It's why we need to use it to defeat the difficult opponents if need be now while we have it." I had a couple in mind already, but I'd have to see how that went before commiting to those plans. "Suggestions? I thought you wanted to keep me in Tokyo?" It would be safer, but for now at least we needed to have a base closer to the site. Once I knew it was safe to leave though we likely would pull up, assuming we aren't needed here. "We'll see who is active other than the three families, and who they have for Servants. I'm hoping we won't need it though." Of course, it wouldn't be that easy, but I could hope for that none the less. "I suppose. While the various forms are powerful, they cannot withstand a Noble Phantasm." Though the Master's weren't likely to be that strong either, so it's not like I needed Issei to take on Berserker for it to be useful. "Most definitely not. It would be the Master I would worry about. But if possible we'll try and avoid fights anyways." It might seem cowardly to some, but thankfully we didn't wind up with a very chivalrous Servant. "Very well then. Keep me advised." I smile, standing up to shake his hand. "I will. You do the same, you may find something out I'm not expecting." As I let go of his hand, the world fades to black, as I feel myself leaving his hymnosphere.

  12. #52
    The Dread Nekomancer alfheimwanderer's Avatar
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    Dream (Memory)


    In her heart of hearts, Yumizuka Satsuki felt herself slipping towards becoming a terrible monster. She didn't want to hurt people, she told herself, didn't want to hurt anyone, and most of the time she managed to restrain herself - but the truth whispered to her when she slept. It whispered of bloodlust and lust combined. It whispered of pleasure most exquisite, of the joy of taking a life, of power. Power beyond her wildest dreams, if she would only embrace she really was.

    Every night she dreamed, and in the dream, there was blood.

    Blood, lightning, and darkness.

    In the middle of it all, she'd stand, laughing, as the acrid tang of smoke and ozone lingered in the air, her Circuits thrumming in pain and joy as she manifested a reality marble, inscribing her soul upon the world.

    ...only it wasn't hers, just someone who might as well be her. It felt like...her father, but she knew that wasn't right. Her father was just a normal human, not a monster hiding in human flesh. It was male though, it was the power of...a parent, and it made her tremble in ecstasy.

    She hated it - but she reveled in it.

    Darkness - darkness all around her, snakes of shadow and light weaving in a cage that was like another world. A world where all that mattered was power. She stood within it, a ghastly thing laced with cracking coils of lightning, flashing hither and fro like serpents guarding their master’s lair. And that low, dangerous growling from her throat - a sound like laughter.

    All around her were bodies, torn to pieces. Human? Monster? Animal - alike were blended together in a sea of red, faces and parts unrecognizable after an orgy of destruction, with entrails, organs, blood splattered over the ground. Weapons, powerful ones, swords, keys, bows, staves were scattered, broken, shredded.

    She had bested all who stood against her. She had won. Did the moon itself rise up against her, she would squash it like a bug.

    "Oh, do you really think so?"

    A voice called out, as a figure passed through the cage of lightning and darkness. A small girl floating through the air, clad in darkness - and who shone with crimson light.

    "Fool, you defiled my sister, ---. Time to die, Serpent."

    The figure rushed forward, forming a blade of crimson light--

    ...and Yumizuka Satsuki screamed, a howl of pain ripped from her throat as she brought forcibly back to the waking world. Her hand was burning. Her arm was burning. Everything inside her was burning from the inside out.

    This was new. This was...weird. This had never happened before.

    Pain. Pain . PAIN. PAIN. PAIN.


    A sound - a sound in her mind. A clash of steel, a howl, cold, implacable footsteps.

    Lancer. Lancer was in danger.

    She knew it - just as she knew what she had to do.


    "Come back now!" she called out, the force of her order activating a Command Seal.

    Space warped. Space bent.

    ...and the crippled form of Dracula was deposited at her feet, his body smoking as if a blackened ruin. His right arm - gone. His left leg, gone. And the Servant howled in pain, howled in madness.

    "Gone. Gone. Gone. Gone. Gone," he kept repeating over and over and over.

    He wasn't healing, although nothing remained in the wound. He was crumbling. Crumbling away to ash. She could see it - from where the limbs had been cut, something was spreading, breaking him apart from the inside out.

    It reminded her of...

    'Sunlight.'


    But that wasn't possible. A powerful Dead Apostle - a false Dead Apostle like this - how could he be vulnerable to the sun? Overcoming the weakness to the sun was what marked power, well, most of the weakness. The sun slowed Apostle Ancestors, weakened them, but to kill them?

    "Lancer, release it. Go back to normal."

    But he couldn't. He wouldn't.

    Lancer was consumed by pain. By fear. By something else.Rage. Helplessness. Even terror. He couldn't just stop his Noble Phantasm - not like this. Not when he was so sorely wounded. His body longed to fight, was trying to fight - but the more it tried, the more he crumbled away, and soon the damage would reach.

    "Lancer, return to your normal self now!"

    Another seal disappeared, as her order was bound into reality by a centuries old power - and the Noble Phantasm that had transformed Vlad Dracula into a Dead Apostle, like the one he was rumored to be, faded.

    The decay - ceased.

    Lancer lay still, save for his ragged breathing.

    "Saber..." he growled out quietly. "It was...Saber..."


    He told her everything - how he'd gone out at night to hunt prey on the orders of the spirit inside her. How on this night, like any other night, he'd seen a woman. A fair skinned, redhead walking alone in the moonlight, as if lost. A normal human, he'd thought then, but tasty prey. Vlad Dracula had many appetites to fill, after all - even if talking about his vampire self disgusted the heroic side.

    He'd moved to strike - and his arm had been taken off by a crimson blade, one that had screamed of blood and pain, of the promise that those wounded by it would not heal, that those put into the grave would not return.

    A servant?

    Maybe. Certain servants could conceal their presence, after all. And that sword...it had to be a Noble Phantasm.


    '...Tyrfing?'

    But the woman had said nothing, her full lips just curling into a cruel, cruel smirk as she went on the offensive.

    Lancer knew. He knew that he couldn't let that blade touch him - to do so again was death as his arm was not regenerating! Why...why wouldn't the severed part grow back?!

    Desperately, he'd summoned the Dead to delay her as he retreated, but to no avail.

    She'd simply snapped her fingers - and his minions - the many he'd gathered, had crumbled into ash - well, after exploding with concussive force that knocked him backwards.

    Somehow - she controlled the Dead. The Dead were under her aegis. She'd stolen his power...

    'What was this, a Caster? But a Caster couldn't use a sword!'


    And in his moment of utter shock, she'd moved with the speed of an angry god, her crimson blade slashing forward to tear him to pieces. But the Lancer class was known for speed, and he'd poured every ounce into avoiding that blow, avoiding that sword. He sprang back and sideways...

    ...avoiding it indeed - only for a leg to be torn out from under him by a second blade. A blade that shone like the sun, crackled like the storm.

    Lancer, with only one leg remaining, toppled to the ground, the figure pressing her assault with twin blades...but before she landed the final blow, Lancer had vanished.

    Control of the dead. A sword that screamed for blood. Red hair. Pale skin.

    She could only be one hero - one who had so often hidden her face.

    The one who had tamed the dead, adventured as a man, claimed Tyrfing.

    The woman known as Hervor...

  13. #53
    死徒二十七祖 The Twenty Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors Caster's Avatar
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    Gate of the Great Barrier
    Fuyuki, Japan
    January, 2007 (Need to check with Alf in terms of what day this is)

    Caster sighed as she walked up to the source of the mysterious barrier. It had sprung up seemingly over night, with no build up. And it's power kept other supernatural creatures at bay, only leaving the Masters and Servants to participate in this war. But who had set it up, and why, were unknown. And it was why Caster was there now. Her Master, or the spirit that accompanied him at least, was interested. It was likely that the barrier was set up by someone they had been looking for, but even if it had not been it was still good information to have. As she walked the steps up towards the barrier though she stopped, sensing the sudden approach of something not altogether human. On strange wings she approached, looking more akin to tears in the sky. Caster watched as she stood her ground, wondering who the moonlit pseudo god might be.

    Caster bowed as the guardian descended, intending to offer some measure of respect. "I take it that you are the guardian of this barrier." Not exactly a question, and as the strange figure landed with a nod, Caster's suspicions were confirmed. The strange wings gave way to more normal ones, though they were dyed blacker than the guardians hair. "I am indeed. And you are a goddess who has seen better days. And a Servant of the Holy Grail War." Caster scowled, trying to maintain her composure. It would have been better to send her other half if it was going to be like this, but she would have to manage. "I am indeed a goddess, and I come here seeking one. Perhaps you would be able to direct me to the creator of this barrier."

    "And what business would you have with my mistress, Iwanagahime?" The question seemed casual, but the air crackled with her intent. The promise of a fight hung in the air if Caster answered poorly. Despite that, Caster was not happy to have her name used so carelessly. "It's far too soon for you to be using that name. But I mean her no harm. My current Master seeks her, though I would like to see her again as well." The guardian stood there, peering at Caster. Her gaze was fierce, trying to stare into the very depths of Caster's existence. "And you have her sword, of course." It was little surprise to Caster that the guardian knew. It was a rare weapon after all. "I do. My father was the one who lent it to me, as well as letting me know she was around. It was surprising to hear she was active, though not unlike her."

    "The Old Man was always one to meddle, my mistress says. As for being active - with darkness covering the world, there was a need for light. Or so she claims." A bit bold of a statement, but that was definitely like her. Still, if she was the one who put up this barrier it only made this war easier. "What kind of darkness is she referring to?" It seemed likely to be tied to the War if she was interfering in it, but there were a lot of possible options. "The coming of the Beast and the ever faster rise of demons." Both of which were definitely big concerns. Though what they had to do with the war Caster was not entirely sure of. "The Beast? What would make her worry about that becoming a possibility?" Especially enough of one to force her to act after so long. "Rather, a Beast - a demon wrought of all the evils of the world. Again and again, such beings seek to rise. Social media apparently contributes, with fears fermented, hate and rage roiled up, and more. Fuyuki burned last War from such a creature, ripped from the heart of the Void by one linked to it. The one called the Witch of Calamity."

    Caster shuddered a bit, surprised that Fuyuki had been left standing after such a monster had been unleashed. "And you're saying that such a threat will rise again? Is that why she has intervened in the Grail War?" It seemed to match up somewhat with what the spirit had told their group about, though the fears he had were somewhat different. "It is of concern to her, yes. Yet she herself is not a Master. She is there to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Dead Apostles lay within. The stirrings of demons. And more." Trouble after trouble seemed to be heaped upon this war, enough that Caster wondered why the mages bothered with it. "I know not if my... Master is being sincere, but that at least claims to be his goal in all of this as well. To prevent the Grail from falling into dangerous hands, and to prevent the calamity he's seen occur." Though he was not in truth her Master, it was the easiest answer for the time. "We will see if your Master is sincere indeed. Now, as a Servant, I will not bar you from entry, but note that you will be watched. Even so, you wish to enter and to seek her?" Caster nodded, confirming her intent. "I do indeed. It is not just my desire, but that of my group as well. I imagine she'd be interested to see her family again as well."

    "It may be so. I will pass along your intentions. If she agrees to meet, then Ahnenerbe will serve as a neutral location." It made Caster wonder what they would do if she did not. This would not be a fight they would win if it came to that. "I will let my side know then. Perhaps together we can stop this war before it starts in earnest." At least that was the intent of the spirit, though whether that was possible would remain to be seen. "Perhaps. I am of the opinion that it may already be too late. Two manors have been destroyed. A skyscraper has fallen. The dead walk." Caster was surprised that so much had happened before the proper start of the war. "We will handle each problem as it comes. That is all we can do. But I'm sure your mistress will have much she wishes to discuss anyways, it will hopefully be handled then." The guardian nodded, as she flapped her wings, her last words drifting down as she vanished. "Indeed. Such is the hope of those of us who serve."

  14. #54
    As American as a foreign immigrant EnigmaticFellow's Avatar
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    Azbu Acadamy

    "So, is that who you claim Saber to be?"

    "Yes master, all the clues match up to the Servant being Hervor. The very fact that she blended amongst the living and used her powers as she did proves as much.

    If that were the case, then why would Saber hide herself as a woman? Didn't her legend state that she hid as a man? No matter. Such thoughts can be dealt with later when Lancer is in better health.

    "Well then, Lancer, you know what we need to do."

    "I do, master."

    "And just what would that be?"

    "That would be to harvest souls, of course. We can't allow our Servant to persist in this state when Saber knows he's in a weakened state."

    "While I understand your concern, master, I just can't consume souls en masse without us being hunted down by the Church."

    "That may be true, Lancer, but there's a way to get away with this. Various buildings suffered from structural integrity during the last war. Why not simply repeat history? Sure the mediator may be none-too-pleased with this, but we should be fine as long as we cover our bases."

    "If that is your will, master."

    "Then do what you must."

    With that, the presence of the Servant disappeared.

    "We'll also have to depart shortly, Satsuki. Without Lancer being able to drink blood for you, you will once need to drink. This school served its purposes, but we'll need to go to a more secure stronghold."

    "...very well.
    Spoiler:
    Quote Originally Posted by Mcjon01 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Tangerang View Post
    Gilgamesh has A Lck.

    wut bout that
    His fate as the most powerful Servant is to steamroll every war he takes part in.

    Somehow, he manages to defy all odds and deny this fate.
    Quote Originally Posted by anonymous
    If only I could be respected without having to be respectable.

    What Fate/Stay Night character are you?
    Kotomine Kirei
    You are Kirei. You've always been a little different from the rest. You probably have low social skills. Whatever, it's not like what they think matters anyway. Ever searching for something missing within you, you probably don't experience the same happiness as everyone else. Good and evil are just labels, you are who you are.

  15. #55
    死徒二十七祖 The Twenty Seven Dead Apostle Ancestors Caster's Avatar
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    Ahnenerbe
    Fuyuki, Japan
    January, 2007

    Issei walked into the restaurant, a small bell chimed as the door opened. It wasn't hard to find the person he had been sent to meet, the cafe was quiet right now, part of why this time had been chosen. That and a shade of red so vibrant was hard to not notice. Already at the table was some tea and delicacies, which would hopefully make this meeting more easy. Issei was terrified honestly, and it made him glad the spirit was the one who had offered to do the speaking. Issei sat down at the table, still trying to steady his nerves. Lady Amber offered the first greeting. "Good afternoon, young Master Ryuudou." Issei didn't miss the emphasis on Master, and her smile indicated that was intentional. "Good afternoon to you as well. It's nice to meet you." The words flowed out of his mouth, but they weren't Issei's truly. The spirit was already at work, and Issei could hear his counterpart's mind at work. "It is good to meet my grand-niece's associate. And my, what an interesting staff you have." The spirit laughed, knowing all too well how "interesting" it truly was. "Interesting doesn't begin to cover it. But I'm sure you know all about it. It's a shame I won't be able to use it until the end of this war."

    As the words leave Issei's lips, a third chair is pulled out, catching both Enchanter and Issei by surprise. "Indeed. But these things have a mind of their own." Issei didn't recognize the man, but Enchanter was left temporarily stunned. "Ah, Zelretch-san, an unexpected pleasure," Amber greets, inclining her head. "What brings a magician to this place?" The Zelretch here, let alone the true identity of Lady Amber had left Enchanter unable to focus, as he tried to avoid staring. "It's a bit shocking to see one noteworthy figure, but two? I feel a bit in over my head right now." Why Zelretch would show up in an obscure cafe was pretty obvious after all, but it still hadn't been expected. "Well, I did want to see who was in possession of the delightful Kaleidostick. An old vampire must get his amusement somewhere." Zelretch chuckled a bit at the end. "It's... well, delightful might be a bit of a stretch, but it's very helpful. The quirks might not be as big of a concern if not for the situation I find myself in." Quirks a plenty for the Kaleidostick, though it's use was worth all the trouble.

    "War." Amber states simply. "One you helped to found," she said pointedly to Zelretch. "In my defense, I wanted to see what humanity could accomplish." "...and?" "...my heirs are worthless." "I thought as much." Enchanter watched the two quibble, kind of surprised. But it showed that they were both definitely human beneath all of their power. "I don't know about the Rin here, but the Rin I know of didn't strike me as being that worthless. But it isn't that important right now. Though I do wonder, are you planning on getting involved more directly than you are right now? Or just curious?" It made Enchanter wonder if Rin in this dimension was more incompetent, but perhaps it was just Zelretch's high standards. "It is merely a matter of curiosity with me," Zelretch says. "What becomes of Fuyuki is not my affair." "Ara. We cannot all have your attitude, Zelretch-san," Amber said, as the room seemed to get a little brighter. "Not all of us meddle as much as you, Lady Amber," Zelretch says, to which Amber glances at the Kaleidostick. "...fine."

    Enchanter tried to keep himself from laughing, surprised at how that exchange had gone. Still, it was important to keep calm and focus on the goal here. "I suppose I understand that, even if I fear that matters may not stay that way. But at least the Lady Amber is active and seeking to calm things." Though how calm they could remain would be dependent on the war. "Seeking to calm or seeking to extend the dominion of the sun, I do not know." Zelretch said pointedly. "Not all of us are content simply observing humanity bring itself to ruin." And that was what Enchanter feared the most. "If it prevents the rise of the Beast, I think I'm fine with whatever she has planned." Well, maybe not whatever, but Enchanter doubted it would come to drastic measures. "If you say so. You do realize she is raising a new order, a new faction?" Enchanter shook his head. "I am not aware. But we're looking at something that could vastly unstabilize the world as we know it. And if the faction does good I'm quite fine with it." Once the more disturbing matters were handled, then anything less troubling could be taken care of.

    "Interesting. But are those the words of the Archmage, or of the Interloper?" Zelretch seemed to be pushing a point, but whatever it was Enchanter didn't understand. "I'm not sure I follow. Is there something you're wanting to know?" Enchanter had a hard time following what was happening at times, probably because his guests were privy to so much more. "Just satisfying an old man's curiosity." "What he means is, who is the one currently speaking?" Amber interjected. "Whose view is it." Thankfully, on this both Enchanter and Issei seemed to be in agreement. Right now it wasn't a concern. "I would prefer a better name than Interloper, though it doesn't surprise me you both are aware. And Issei and I are in agreement on this matter, right now it isn't a concern." It was good that both of us were in agreement, success depended on it. "I see. What would you prefer to be called then?" Enchanter thought back to his time on the forums, and recalled the other name he went by. "Well, one of the names I went by was Caster, but honestly it's gotten pretty confusing with two other Casters around. Only other name I went by when involved in this kind of thing was Enchanter, so that will have to do for now."

    "Yes, Caster could be a confusing title, I agree. So Enchanter, then." It was a shame that something better wasn't around, but going by his real name seemed odd to Enchanter in this situation. "I suppose I am an interloper, but it wasn't intentional. Things have spiraled out of control pretty rapidly. I don't suppose either of you have any inklings as to what brought me here, do you? This is definitely not my dimension." With any luck things would smooth out with time, but it was still a ways off. Amber took a sip of her tea before she replied. "Likely the Grail. Some rifts remain from the last War." "It is difficult to see what will happen in this iteration, with the many interventions - and at least two incarnations." Enchanter wondered what Zelretch meant by two incarnations. "Ah, you are aware of the other?" "Well, it did come through the Grail Lady Amber." "You'll have to forgive me for asking this, but what incarnation? Do you mean to tell me there are others like me?""I mean beings like Lady Amber," Zelretch spoke. "Those who have incarnated into mortals from the Throne - a supposedly impossible event."

    It was why Enchanter had requested the meeting, but it was surprising that Amber wasn't the only one. "It would appear there are a great many strange things happening in this war. With any luck it won't turn out too badly though." Of course, the only Grail Wars Enchanter was aware of had all ended with some level of tragedy, but still was what he wanted. Luck you say? You ask for much." And it seemed like Zelretch agreed with Enchanter's hidden thought, which was a bit unnerving. "I won't ask for anything I believe I can't bring about. Though if I had your assistance as well as Amber's I think I would cease worrying all together." Though he hadn't expected Zelretch, Enchanter still could hope for that. "I am merely an observer. This is not my mess to fix." "Hmph, there is already a magician involved, but only to erase everything should we all fail." "Well, Aozaki was always impulsive." Aozaki was here as well? Enchanter tried to figure out what must have lead to this bizarre chain of events, but it was too much to really understand. "I never said it was your mess. I still can't help but hope for help though. The more people trying to prevent a disaster the better the odds. At least I hope I can ask you for a personal favor though."

    It was a bit bold to ask Zelretch directly for something, but Enchanter figured it couldn't hurt. "You may ask. I may not grant it." At least he seemed like a nice guy if he was willing to listen. "If possible, I would like to be able to stabilize my self and repair my soul. I had the Kaleidostick working on that, but it seems more direct to ask the man behind the magic." The Kaleidostick was difficult to work with after all. "Mm, difficult for a fragmented soul. That sort of work would have been Lizleihi's business." "Ara, have you tried using your Servant's Noble Phantasm?" Amber asked. "I figured you might be able to do it like the Kaleidostick was. By scanning my original soul and using it to boost this one. And could she fix this Amber? I didn't think it would be possible." If it was, Enchanter only had to head back and hopefully keep Issei and himself from being bound. "That depends if I can find your original," Zelretch said. "There is a basic personality matrix there, and knowledge, but not too much else besides, so it would be difficult to know where your original came from. There could be several possibilities."

    Much as the Kaleidostick had said, though it was still looking. "True. I figure you could check with the Kaleidostick and see what it may have narrowed down. The information I have on this situation seems like it would be tied to the original soul, so just using that part of my soul should help." It was still a long shot, but it couldn't hurt. "The jewel could certainly stabilize you for now, arrest the decay. The trouble is that you are not a full soul, unlike mine when I and Kohaku merged." Ambers advice would only help if Enchanter left Issei, but for now that seemed unneccassary. "I wouldn't want to merge with Issei. I honestly don't know what lead me to be here, if possible I'd like to keep Issei from suffering because of our connection. And ideally I would like to repair my soul." It was concerning for Enchanter to hear that his soul wasn't whole, it made him wonder what wasn't there. "Provided you survive this war, I will aid if I can." Amber's offer was enough to sooth Enchanter's concerns, at least for now. He had no intention of ditching Issei after all. "That will help then. I will do my best to keep Issei and myself whole, as well as our Servants. What are your intentions here though? I'm guessing you have some sort of plan."

    Though not directed at Zelretch, it was he who spoke first. "To be honest, I am here to observe, more than anything else." "And I am here simply to prevent the atrocities of the previous war would be enough. Stopping the threat of demons and Dead Apostles would be better. Ara, perhaps we could hold a grand feast and ask why people want the Grail?" Zelretch chuckled. "Not the most successful ploy of in the alternates where Iskander attempted such to his fellow kings." "Mou. But then, I am hardly simply a King, am I?" Enchanter nodded, doubting anyone would refuse an invitation from a Divine Spirit. "If this war is anything like the one I am aware of, it could almost be a feast of the gods. Certainly a high amount of divine spirits or those associated with them in this war." Though how many Servants this time around would be accurate remained to be seen. "Ufufu, and at least two not Servants." The mysterious second Incarnation, Enchanter wondered who it was. "If you don't mind my asking, who is the second? I know of you, but not the other. This seems new to this war as well." Incarnations hadn't ever shown up in the holy grail war he knew of. "The one of Darkness." Unfortunately, that didn't help Enchanter narrow it down. "Ah. Do you know anything beyond that?"

    "I do not. I do not believe whoever it is is a Master, but beyond that, I do not know for certain. The presence is clouded, as I would expect." As expected of a spirit of darkness, but it didn't help. "That is a shame. Have you reached out to any of the Masters to try and garner support? This seems like something that would concern all who hear of it." Well, everyone except the most cold of the Masters. "I do not think whoever it is has acted, and I will not judge someone by their nature. So long as he or she is not responsible for disaster, there are other concerns - such as the Servant who wore the guise of a Dead Apostle Ancestor." There weren't many Servants really who would match that. "What Servant are you speaking of? The only one I know of would be a very strange Servant to have appear here and now." That and they didn't seem like someone who would concern Amber. "Vlad Dracula. Likely a Lancer." "That's very strange indeed. What is it that concerns you about him though? He seemed to wish to be cured of his ailment." "He attacked me." She smiled, a very thin smile. "That seems pretty bad. Did he seem in control of himself, or was it under his Master's command?" "I would have killed him, had he not been called away. Oh, he was bloodthirsty. He believed I was just another young maiden, until I drew my swords." Enchanter wasn't surprised that Amber had been able to hold her own. "Hmm, this seems pretty strange. Do you think he is the one behind the rise in Dead currently?" "He was one of them. There is more than one Apostle here, present company and one sleeping in the Church excepted." Amber nodded at Zelretch for the last comment. "No offense taken."

    That seems like a large number of Dead Apostle's here, way more than Enchanter remembered showing up. "How many are there? This seems like a pretty big difference as well." "Hmm. Two that I know of are not making Dead. Two likely are." Four vampires were here, even if they weren't active. "The Host of TATARI is here, as is Crown as a Church representative. Aside from that, one Master and one Servant." And not only four vampires, but two of them were major figures. "Good heavens, those two are here as well? At this point I'm expecting Arcuied to show up as well. And do you know the Master?" None of the Masters Enchanter remembered had been Dead Apostles after all. "Yumizuka Satsuki is the name.Yes, a potential host for Roa, who both Crown and TATARI suspect may manifest here. One of the Masters is a host - but few know who" Zelretch chimed in at this point. "I'd assume you would know," Enchanter gestured at Zelretch "But would you mind sharing? That seems like something that would be good to keep an eye on. And my joke may become a reality if that's so."

    "From what I have observed, the Servant who attacked Lady Amber was Vlad Dracula, in the guise of a Dead Apostle. His Master is Yumizuka Satsuki, one who has become notorious for slaughtering zoos of animals, not unlike the Ancestor she may take the place of. As for Roa, those who pay attention to such things believe he has found a host in Fuyuki. I do not know the details, but I can say it is likely someone who is female and has influence over a Servant." Seemed like a strange way to narrow it down, but it helped. "Influence... so it sounds like they aren't a Master proper. I suppose if we could narrow down who the Masters are we could find out who it is then. And Satsuki? I really hope things mellow out." Though at this point it was hard to imagine it getting worse. "I cannot tell if it is a Master or not. This timeline is...messy." "Fufufu, you don't like Divine Spirits meddling, old man?" "No." "Mou, you're no fun." At least the situation couldn't have been too bleak if both of them were so carefree. "As much as she is one of the more... stand out influences currently, I don't think it's fair to lay the blame at Amber's feet. It's probably whatever force brought me here for whatever purpose."

    That was still the biggest mystery, and it seemed no closer to being solved. "Well, it wasn't my doing, which disturbs me." "I think its likely echoes in the wake of the 4th." The 4th wasn't one of the True Magics I knew, but it seemed likely Zelretch would know it at least. "Could it be the result of another True Magic? It seems like soul manipulation would be with the 3rd." Dimensional travel and soul manipulation though together, it was hard to imagine Zelretch wasn't involved. "If the Grail has taken on a degree of sentience, yes. But that would mean either Lizleihi's consciousness has somehow returned - or some other presence is within it. We can only hope it is not the Witch of Calamity." Or Angra Mainyu, which was what Enchanter was worried about. "Who is this Lizleihi? You mentioned them before. And honestly, with the way things are going? I'd bet that the worst case scenario is exactly what it is." "A former colleague," Zelretch mentioned. "The Archmagus the Einzbern called the Maiden of Winter. The homunculus whose body became the Greater Grail."

    The Einzbern who had helped to start this war, it was hard to imagine her being involved as well. "Has that happened in other timelines? I realize there is a first time for anything, but I imagine we could rule things out somewhat based off of how frequent they are." "No, it has not. But this timeline is an aberration. There is no known timeline where both Amaterasu and another spirit, perhaps Angra Mainyu - become embodied. The Witch of Calamity's involvement in the 4th War appears in some, but in most of those, she controls a Saber. Not the Beast." Though with all the rules seeming to be tossed out the window, it was hard to tell where it would go. "What the Old Man is saying is that he doesn't have the data to predict the outcome here, right?" Amber gently chided Zelretch. "...yes." It must have hurt his pride a bit to admit, but this war was not ordinary. "Then this is truly unknown waters. I realize you seek to be uninvolved, but even if it's just background help it would be most appreciated. Calamity is most apt for what I fear will be coming soon." Unfortunately the gravity of the situation only seemed to increase with each bit of information I gathered. "There are enough other powers involved here. Dead Apostle Ancestors. My young magician colleague. Masters, Servants. Even two Embodiments. I doubt the intrusion of yet another power would help."

    Enchanter wasn't quite ready to let go of it yet, though he doubted Zelretch could be persuaded. "To be fair, the way you word it also makes it sound like yet another power wouldn't hurt either. At this point I don't think it could become any worse, especially if we start banding together." "I think what Zelretch-san is worried about is if he becomes involved - and aligned with any one side, there will be some kind of retaliation, or balance, yes?" "Roughly, yes. I am not Alchemist of Atlas, but even I can see how my presence could be destabilizing." Enchanter felt like sighing, frustrated at how complicated things were. "Isn't that kind of enforced balance brought about more from Embodiments, not any involvement? It's not as though every war is fought between an equal number of good and evil participants." "No, but thus far, the other Embodiment has not acted. Should I intervene..." "To be fair, the Old Man does have a point."

    Enchanter nodded, conceding the point. "I suppose I am just being greedy. I also think that it's more likely they'll act regardless of his interactions. But I guess we shall see either way. Unless it spirals out of control I think at this stage it should be manageable." "Yes. More to the point, I think Zelretch-san is also worried. The battles he fights in - nothing tends to be left." "...well, fighting Crimson Moon is no small..." "The point is, I think we can contain things for now" Enchanter nodded again, hopeful his next proposition would be met well. "So... I suppose being direct, would you care to work together Lady Amber? I'd like to keep this war from becoming more of a mess than it has. I had no idea how out of hand it had gotten, but apparently it's pretty bad." Amber closed her eyes for a long moment. When she opened them, her deep, golden eyes fixed on you. "I will do what I can independently for now. But I would be amenable to sharing information and future collaboration. Let us not escalate things before there is need." Enchanter smiled, as he nodded his head. "I am grateful for that. I'll be doing the best I can to keep things from going out of control as well. If possible I'd like to have you meet some of the others on my team, if they want to. I imagine they might want to catch up." Enchanter knew word had spread around amongst the Servants after all about this meeting. "Homura told me of Iwanagahime. I suppose her...counterpart is here as well."

    Enchanter nodded his head. "She is. From what we've talked about, that seems like it would be... awkward. But there is another too." Saver would like to meet Lady Amber as well, in all likelihood. "...her husband then? I had a feeling it might be so. The residual prana the Matou mansion seemed like Kusanagi." It had been a regretful decision, but at least with it Zouken should be no more. "Indeed. If you would rather not though I'll understand of course." At least things seemed to have gone as well as Enchanter could have hoped. "I will let you know a time. Watch for my foxes." Enchanter smiled as he stood, bowing to both members of the party. "I will. I'm sure you both have things to get to. Sir Zelretch, if you do have any time I would appreciate the help with my trouble, but I understand if not. And I look forward to working together with you Lady Amber. I don't want to keep either of you longer than I already have." He felt bad enough having spent so much of their time as it was. "Until next time then." "Adieu."

  16. #56
    I know what you've been doing, nii-san. Dark Pulse's Avatar
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    I fall deeper into the color of a dream.

    In the distance, are two figures. Clearly female. One of them, tall; the other, shorter and more petite. The small one is working on a canvas of some sort, while the tall one is seemingly watching over the work.

    I approach. A flow of symbols flies from my mouth, swirling in the air around the two girls. The taller one, having had her attention caught, turns to me, and clearly smiles. Excitedly, she reaches for my hand.

    Smooth skin, on a hand smaller, and yet, more pleasant, than my own.

    And just as quickly as my awareness of the dream had begun, with a bleaching of color and a blink, it ends.




    I sit up slightly on the bed, trying to make heads or tails of what I saw. Before I realize it, a forlorn sigh wells and exhales itself from deep inside of my lungs, and I realize, after I have done it, the notable tinge of regret that the expulsion contained.

    The silver sheets feel warm and comfortable around my skin, almost as if they are made to fit against me snugly.

    ...Silver sheets.

    ......Silver.

    “...Silver?”

    There is no reply. Perhaps... she is asleep, then? Can she sleep, for that matter? Well, I know she can, but I mean, why would she still sleep if she knows I'm awake? Perhaps she doesn't.

    I slide out of the sheets as carefully as possible, off of the also-silver bed. There's almost no doubt this is actually her, but for some reason... she does not awaken.

    Did something change in the room? No, noth— wait.

    ...What's this ice sculpture? Sunflowers...

    “...Well, at least she's trying to bring a little cheer in here.”

    I walk over, examining it carefully. It looks like Edward Scissorhands himself couldn't have created a better one if he tried, and the cold touch is both a familiar sensation, and yet a pleasant one.

    [Please select your option.
    Schedule.
    Observation Log (Rin).
    Shapeshift.
    Contact.]

    I blink. Is this... augmented reality? From an ice sculpture, of all things...?

    “...You're certainly a cat who keeps up with the times, aren't you...”

    One by one, I begin selecting options. It's intuitive enough – for me, anyway – but I have no doubt that to Rin this would be as foreign as her admitting that she has a crush on Kotomine.

    The schedule option is, unsurprisingly, blank. But it does have some... interesting sub-options.

    [Enter Appointment.
    Schedule Appointment.
    Request Real-World Time.
    Access MagiNet.]

    ...Real-world time? That's definitely something I could go for. I'm kind of eager to get out of this place... as much as it might be comfortable at times, even I feel like going somewhere now and again.

    ......And MagiNet? That's a horse of a different color for sure. I didn't even think that magi would have the understanding to set up such a network for themselves, considering how a lot of them are in a lot of ways “old timers” who would be more likely to resist this kind of technology... whoever's done (doing?) the groundwork for this kind of system is easily a visionary; the sort of person who is likely to wield some sizable influence and power when their way becomes the only clearly correct solution.

    The temptation to access it, thankfully, fades fairly quickly. If I'm right about who made this ice sculpture – certainly neither Edward Scissorhands, nor a certain brunette who I'm currently inside the mind of – I will need some kind of login to even access it, and attempts to just type things willy-nilly will probably get me something far worse than an annoying CAPTCHA.

    Observation Log...

    ...Well. This one is full of interesting details. Psychology profile, explaining how she feels alone and seems to revere Kotomine as both a father figure and a love interest ever since her own parents died. Detailing of her preferences, both in men (to nobody's surprise, the more Kotomine-like, the more appealing) as well as women, with a note that “Tohsaka seems reluctant to admit her curiosity in her own sex.”

    I flick through the log of what's happened in the last few hours.

    [8:47 PM: Tohsaka has finished reading her spell tome. She is now preparing to make a small meal.
    8:59 PM: Tohsaka is now eating her meal, and drinking a milk tea.
    9:14 PM: Tohsaka has finished eating. She seems somewhat tense, distracted.
    9:20 PM: Video Report: Tohsaka taking shower, embarrassedly masturbating. Would you like to watch this video?]

    .........I'd better not watch that video. And it's clear that the cat is having considerably too much fun with this device.

    Daily summary... “Tohsaka's current worry is about her success in obtaining Gilgamesh. Her stress is considerably high, as evidenced by her masturbating in the shower for some momentary relaxation, but even within a half an hour of it, the tension returned. She eventually cried herself to sleep...”

    ...Sheesh, Rin. I get that you're worried, but... this is depressing even me.

    But it's still useful. White Len must no doubt be tapping into her subconsciousness somehow; likely through her dreams. Either way, it means that I know a little more about what Rin is thinking... making my debt to the chat de neige even greater.

    What else is on this menu......

    “......Shapeshift?”

    ...Huh? Shapeshift? You mean, like, change the sculp—

    “...Cat. Young boy. Cat-Boy Hybrid. Wraith.”

    ......Okay, clearly not for the sculpture. For... me? But what good would it be if I shapeshift in here...?

    [These are intended for your use, with which to mix things up.]

    I quickly exit. Okay... I get that White Len is both TATARI and a human girl and a cat, but does this mean she's lonely too and this is her way of saying it...?

    Wraith has an icon indicating that it's got sub-options. Checking it, provides a few more radio buttons.

    “...Posession Form. War Form... Well, I guess on the bright side, I'm immune to Fighting-Type and Normal-Type.”

    Did she really have to go to that trouble of referring to me like a Pokemon? But well... I'm not going to complain to the architect over something this trivial. The fact I could shapeshift at all thanks to her overrules that.

    Looking closer, there are specific details for each form. The Cat form has no attack or magic capability, but high agility and stealth. The young boy form has high charisma and agility, with some magic defense. Wraith form is clearly intended for physical fighting with its sky-high attack, and Posession form is for mental assaults with similarly sky-high magic attack and defense. The Cat-Boy Hybrid form seems to be a bit of a blend of Possession and Cat, with high agility, some magic attack, and basic cursing, but it's not nearly as stealthy. However, sky-high charisma.

    I guess maybe people naturally like fluffy tails.

    And then, of course, there is the button currently popped - “Default form,” which is, well, how I am normally. According to what this says, high intelligence, somewhat-there magic attack and defense, strength somewhat above average. Not much agility or stealth, but then again, let's see how well you hide in a crowd when you're as tall as I am, too.

    Well... that will be something I'll have to tinker with later.

    Last, but not least, is the Contact option.

    [Audio Call (Tohsaka Rin).
    Audio Call (Len).
    Summon Mental Model (Tohsaka Rin).
    Summon Mental Model (Len).]

    ...Seems this will let me talk to them, and bring them “inside,” respectively.

    “Might as well thank the creator then.”

    I push the button for an audio call to White Len. Within a few moments, her presence fills my ears.

    “Good morning. I see you have awakened.” Her voice, however, sounds like she is in the middle of something. I'd probably better keep this brief then.

    “And I see you gave me this... device, for lack of a better word. You've moved up from one or two slices of strawberry shortcake to at least one whole cake.”

    “It was but a trifle. You needed some way to contact me, after all.”

    “Well, yes. But all the extra stuff? Transformation? Scheduler? Real-World Time? Whatever this MagiNet is? The... observation log? That's definitely going above and beyond just contacting you.”

    “It was something your host wouldn't figure out. Besides, independence is good.” I can somehow hear a small smile in her voice.

    “You got a point. It gives me some kind of connection and something to do as opposed to just sitting in this room all day, I suppose...”

    “...That, and you have material which you can now watch to keep up your... vitality.”

    That smile got bigger, in a big way.

    “...I'm not that much of a pervert to whack off to someone not even knowing they were being recorded. Especially when I value them more than that.”

    “Huhuhu, so you say, so you say... But at least this way, you will get to know her better. Her preferences, biases, relationships, plans, and such are mapped as well.”

    “Yes... that much I noticed more. Going to have to look it over when I have time... maybe it'll help us get along better. Hopefully.”

    “Perhaps.”

    “Now if I can get her and you talking on a decent level, we'll be getting somewhere. Anyway, is this a bad time? You sound somewhat busy.”

    “Ah, it's fine. Just a problem I had with another Ancestor.”

    “...You mean Roa?”

    “Indeed. I encountered one of his children. And he is nearby.”

    “Mmm, I see. Should I leave you be for now, then? There's questions I'd like to ask about this thing, but if need be, they can wait until you have more time and I'll just start reading these observations of Rin in the meanwhile.”

    “You may ask one or two, as right now I am working on tracing his Dead. There seem to be multiple subordinates, given the number of them.”

    “Alright... one, what the heck is MagiNet?”

    “As you likely have surmised, you could call it a version of the Internet for the magical community. Common information is maintained mostly by psychics, alchemists, and others of that sort. Access requires knowing one of the curators, as only a relative few understand how this medium can be adapted to their needs. It's a rather exclusive network – one of the few things that the faction which maintains it agrees on.”

    “Well, clearly not Rin then. Which faction runs it? Clearly not London, there is no way they would collaborate on anything involving the Alchemists of Atlas.”

    “Master considers London to be a closed-minded backwater,” the cat says coolly.

    “I'm guessing that this is something that Aoko or Kohaku's factions run, then.”

    “Well, Lady Amber and Master did cooperate with the Director of Atlas, so that is more or less an accurate guess.”

    “...Well, I guess I'll have to talk to one of them to set things up for myself, then. Unless you've done the honors already?”

    “There are some benefits to being a Familiar. For example, administrative powers.” The slight smile returns.

    “Well then, guess that answers that. Later, if you don't mind, I'd like to get it set up and look around in there. After all, can only read up so much on Rin... and it'll tie into other questions I have, anyway, like about these forms... you're, uh, not lonely, are you?”

    There is a momentary pause from the Cat. Whether it is of surprise, or whether she's shaking her head, I really can't tell.

    “No. They are just a calque of my own transformative abilities. It was the easiest way.”

    “I see. The choices made me wonder, but it looks like they'll be fairly useful in certain situations.”

    “They are the usual ones I transform into, just genderswapped.”

    ...Well, I admit that a catgirl can be cute, so I guess that's why a catboy makes sense.

    “Yeah, it makes sense to me. It'd be a bit strange if I became a girl. And I take it none of them are nearly as powerful as yours.”

    “Huhu, no.”

    “Yeah. I'm not exactly TATARI, after all. But I guess this'll let me practice, maybe even fight or something. Get me used to dangers I might run into...”

    “Correct. MagiNet lets you create mental models of enemies in full, accurate form to fight against. It will be exactly like fighting the real thing.”

    ...Exactly alike? You mean...

    “...This thing can't kill me, can it? There's a difference between the Danger Room and the Death Room...”

    “Not permanently, no.”

    ............

    ............That's hardly making me feel any better.

    “...Temporary death still doesn't sound too appealing.”

    “Then simply don't die,” says the voice with a smile. “You will respawn, but it will be painful. Consider it... a reminder of the consequences of failure, perhaps. And enjoy the luxury of it either way.”

    “...Geh. I'd better start small then. Suggestions for what to fight? It's not like I'm used to fighting... kind of try to avoid it when I can, so I'm not exactly versed.”

    “Metal slimes,” White Len comes out with quickly. “They're a very simple familiar.”

    “...Alright. I guess that gives me stuff to do until you've got some time, then. I'll read up that database on Rin, and try my hand at fighting. Not like there's much else I can do.”

    “Oh, you can share Rin's senses,” the cat interjects.

    “...How? I didn't see that option in the menus. I saw one to summon models of you two, but that's a bit different...”

    “Observation section. Look deeper; you'll find it, I'm sure.”

    “...I'd tease you over the GUI design finesse, but that'd be in bad taste considering what you're doing.”

    “Well, we don't want it to be easily seen.”

    “...Rin is more likely to melt the sculpture than figure out how to access it.”

    “Well, on the odd chance that Tohsaka does somehow figure out how to access that system, would you rather take the chance of her finding that option? If you'd prefer, I could make it blink and scroll like a marquee.”

    “No, no... I get why you stuffed it all the way in there. Alright. I don't have any other questions that can't wait, but let me know somehow when you got the time to spare to go over this with me more in-depth.”

    “Well, the other reason is that in case of mental attack, it will be harder to notice. Roa or The Church would definitely love those sorts of observations, for example.”

    “...Yeah. I guess when you put it that way, we might even need to secure it better. Hiding it a few layers deep is a good start, but anyone technologically inclined will still find it without much trouble.”

    “Well, in that case, it can self-destruct, killing the soul of the unauthorized user in the process.”

    “Handy. We'll worry about it later, though. Right now, Rin wants to stay under the radar, so we have the luxury of time, and with time, fortification.”

    “One last thing: You can use the MagiNet to install some defenses or alter options.”

    “I'll make sure to look into it, then.”

    “See that you do. Farewell for now.”

    With that, the link cuts with a soft hum, and goes dead.

    “...Right. Well then, I guess I'll get started.”

    I crack my knuckles, out of habit, and then pull up Rin's observation logs, and begin soaking in all of the information they contain within.




    The mind of Tohsaka Rin is... complicated, to say the least.

    Her memories of the Fourth War, both sharp as day, and yet, at times, fuzzy and unconfident.

    The Beast, whose visage is clear as day, and even in this state, still sends a chill up my spine.

    Emiya Shirou, an enemy ever since she found out about him and the fact that he was trying to keep himself well-hidden from her.

    Matou Sakura, whom to her is the epitome of everything she hates – attractive, promiscuous, and an usurper.

    Kotomine Kirei, whom is father and object of desire all in one – a position that makes her feel uncomfortable, as if it were incestual, but in her heart of hearts, she can't deny it or her feelings for him. Unflappable, strong, brave, handsome... the plaudits go on and on.

    The Clock Tower – “A society of snobs.” Nothing but contempt for them whatsoever.

    Waver Velvet, a sort of quasi-girlhood idol, whom she attempted to emulate, failing and falling short not by her standards, but by London's.

    The Sea of Estray... a potential home. A potential place that would fit her, although London is still the ideal.

    New factions arising, so little known that she simply does not trust them in the slightest.

    “...No wonder you're so bitter. You feel like you got nothing.”

    Everyone, and everything, in this world seems to be against her in some way, shape, or form. The one exception: Kotomine Kirei.

    ...Her thoughts and feelings on me, as a construct she can't make heads or tails of. Made for mental infiltration and subversion as a wraith construct, and yet genuinely believes that I was not aware of it.

    Silver's purpose... as an anti-wraith construct, made of a portion of herself that usually disables and destroys. The ulterior motive... inspire some affection, to make me more pliable.

    Her thoughts on what I said – most of it being treated as highly suspicious. The Kotomine information being seen as virtually impossible. However, on the flip side, she does indeed believe that Shirou is capable of a Reality Marble, but then again, Shirou may as well be Satan himself – capable of anything, utterly merciless; a prime manipulator and philanderer.

    It's clear what the pattern of all of these thoughts are...

    “...Safer to view everyone as an enemy than risk being hurt, huh...”

    That's only confirmed when I get to her thoughts on one Matou Sakura. She's no longer a sister – just an enemy, for she has allied herself with Emiya Shirou, then proceeded to try to undercut every single power base Rin has. She's even stealing her reputation as the school idol – something that while Rin normally didn't try to think too much about, losing it is actually making her immensely jealous.

    ......This one's interesting... rumors of a network of people Sakura taps for prana...? Well, if it's anything like the other world's Sakura, that could make sense, but I've learned pretty quickly that I shouldn't take even something like that for granted...

    I'm sure that at least some of that is a misunderstanding.

    Matou Shinji. Outgoing and kind. Seems to live an almost idyllic life with his sister. A part of Rin wishes she had a brother so she could experience what it's like.

    ...Ryuudou Issei, he who ran away to join the circus, followed by a mass murder at the temple.

    White Len, identified as both a Familiar to a True Magician as well as TATARI itself. She reminds Rin strongly of Sakura... thus, the near-instant dislike, especially as Sakura's power is ice-based. Black ice, specifically.

    More generic information, on her abilities and talents – one of the few things that's still managed to more or less be the same. Notes are attached as to how White Len feels she can improve.

    Information on how Rin likes to relax. Wine, fairly frequently. A good meal when she has the time; something fast when she does not.

    ...White Len tricking me into reading, briefly, what Rin's bed preferences are. I stop reading as soon as I get to “Tohsaka enjoys being on top” as its true nature is revealed.

    A final assessment. “Likely not worth the effort. Would be useful for recruitment in an agency, but her paranoia and wariness render her a liability to long-term partnerships.”

    And with that... we reach the end of the profile for now. Buried near the bottom, is an option to gain Rin's senses.

    “...You really are alone in this world, aren't you...?”

    This is depressing as hell. Nothing? This girl really has only one ally, one single person she can trust...?

    I never thought I'd be saying this, but... don't die, Kotomine. Even leaving might be kind of bad...

    ...I'm going to have to look into getting her something to ease all of these tensions.

    Still... White Len really did her homework. Well, it couldn't have been too hard for her, but still.

    I get up from where I've been sitting for roughly the last... hour? Two hours? I can't keep track...

    I push the buttons to go to the training module.

    [Level: 2.
    Recommended Foe: Slime.
    Rating: Wussy.]

    Gee. Thanks Len. I've had warmer receptions from a walk-in freezer.

    Well... of all these forms, I guess the Cat-Boy Hybrid form is the best one to try first. The Cat form isn't for fighting, nor the Boy one, and the Wraith form is just... way too strong for a simple slime. It's got some basic curses, a drain curse, some small ice capabilities, and Reinforcement as a standard spell.

    ...I guess I'd better do my best.

    I prepare myself, then push the button to summon the slime.




    The first thing I'm aware of, is the pain.

    Pain that feels like a red-hot stake got pounded into my head with a sledgehammer.

    Pain that feels like all of my skin has been ripped off, cured, smoked, then sewn back on.

    Pain that feels like every single possible opening on my body is burning as if everything had come into direct contact with hydrogen peroxide.

    That sucked. That REALLY fucking sucked.

    My arm burns as it bends, then lifts, towards the screen. Everything is burning, as if it were entirely new nerve connections being formed... probably because that's exactly what was happening.

    [Too direct. Fighting a slime by direct methods is ill-advised. Improve at indirect methods.
    It would be wiser to use superior reinforcement strategies. Consider it with both attacks and defense.]

    Thanks, Little Professor. Gonna wiggle your mustache and smile when I get the math problem right, too?

    “...It'd help if I knew what else this form could do and how to DO it. Rrrgh...! Ow, fuckin' ow...”

    It doesn't shake its mustache at me, much to my mild disappointment, but it does give me a study guide on Slimes. Weak points. Attack patterns. Comparisons as to what types of more humanoid enemies are likely to adopt similar attack patterns.

    Useful stuff, admittedly. But right now... I'm so exhausted, I want to just... crawl to bed and sleep. I got my ass handed to me... but that bed could be a bed of nails and I could probably sleep on it.

    I manage to stagger my way back to the bed. I quickly fall into a dreamless sleep.




    “...Mmm... hh...?”

    ...Something... feels weird...

    A sudden jolt of pleasure fills my mind, as I become aware of a sliding motion down a sensitive place. It then, slowly, rises back up. A slight sucking at the tip makes my hips shift up before I realize it, and then they slowly push back down.

    Opening my eyes slightly, I see that Silver is looking at me expectantly, as if knowing that I was going to wake up. The slightest hint of a smile – as much of one that can be formed when one's lips are wrapped around an object, anyway – forms, and then her eyes take on a slight expression of love as she once more slowly pushes her head down.

    “...W-Wait... I didn't... ah...”

    ...Everything about it feels too good. The pain in my body has numbed considerably, and somewhere in my mind, a fleeting thought about arousal increasing pain tolerance floats through my mind before being discarded nearly as quickly.

    Down. Up. Slowly. Carefully. The goal of this isn't to really quickly bring me off, it's... to make me feel good. Just like Rin is.

    ...Wait, huh...?

    ......Why would I think about Rin feeling good...?

    I open my eyes again, and I look around the room. There's... no doubt the room has changed a little. The walls seem a little... swollen, for lack of a better word. The fluid that flows outside, clearer, more viscous, yet somehow... flowing faster.

    “...Ah...”

    The slow, loving pleasures of Silver quickly refocus my attention on what is happening to my own body. I can... feel myself, throbbing hard in her mouth... it's like every cell on the skin is being rubbed by a thick, warm, wet gel, and yet, that gel has resistance...

    ...It's making my whole mind go crazy.

    “......Ah......”

    ...I want to move. I want my hips to pump up, to follow my instincts and fuck her mouth. But I'm so tired... so exhausted... that the only way they will move is if my body wills it on its own. I can't even stop myself from moaning, that's how good it feels...

    “......Mgh!”

    A sudden feeling of... change washes over me, causing my body to convulse... along with the room.

    ...Why the room? Am I... that out of it... that I'm hallucinating it...?

    ......Or maybe this is some kind of dream? No, it... can't be a dream... it feels way too good to be a dream...

    “.......Haah!”

    My hips move up on their own, proving they still can... if they feel like it. It's... starting to build... it hasn't even been that long, but it's starting to build...

    As if sensing that, Silver's body begins to melt, and wrap slowly around me. Crawling up my legs... my stomach... my chest... all the while, still slowly sucking, like no living being ever could.

    A gentle pressure keeps my body pressed firmly to the bed. As if to test how well it's restrained, there's a sudden, sharp lick at the underside of my penis – causing me to gasp sharply and my hips to move... or, more accurately, try to. All they do instead is stiffen. Seemingly satisfied, she begins to move up faster, and the same gentle pressure begins to press on my stomach and chest, leaving me immobilized.

    ...It's clear what she wants. She doesn't want me to get away...

    After a moment or two, I feel a gentle massaging against my scrotum. The testicles, normally beginning to pull inward towards orgasm, are tugged downward carefully, and then rolled around inside of the pouch of skin. At the same time, a slightly wet, firm sensation, not much different from a tongue, begins to rub and tease at my nipples.

    It doesn't even take thirty seconds until my hips uselessly attempt to push upward a few times, and then with a deep sigh, I feel myself ejaculating into Silver's “mouth.” A few clear, noisy swallows are all that my senses pick up, and a carnal satisfaction that my seed was accepted registers in my brain, allowing them to black out once more.




    “...Kirei.”

    “Yes, Rin?”

    “...Where is Gilgamesh?”

    “Right before you, of course, Rin.”

    “......Kirei. This is a woman.

    “Aww, something wrong with that, darling?”

    “W-What are you calling me that for?!”

    “Ohoho, flustered easily, are you? I like you already. Anyway, Ki-kun, I take it this is the one who you said wanted me to be her Servant?”

    “Quite. She feels it will be best if she flies under the radar, as it were.”

    “I see... then, what do I get out of it?”

    “Aside from needing to keep her alive, that is something that I will leave you and her to work out. I am here to oversee this war, after all – not participate in it.”

    “......Is that so? Then I'll help you, cutie... on my own terms, of course. Go on, tell me just how badly you need me... hoho.”

    “Kirei... you can't be serious! Just where did you meet this... this man-eater?! She seems more suited for the bar or the whorehou—”

    “Ohohoho! Subtlety isn't one of your strong points, I see. Or maybe... it's that you're interested in him? Hmm?”

    “W... W-What?!”

    “Ah, so that IS the case! I can't blame you. Ah, who would be more fun to corrupt, him or you... he's more pious, but you are far more innocent... my perfect type...”

    “......Rrrrrgh! K-Kirei, this must be some kind of joke!”

    “...Do I look like the type who would joke, Rin? Of course, if you don't wish her, that is fine, but time is definitely of the essence...”

    “...F-Fine! But YOU! You're not going to be pulling anything, got it?!”

    “Now sweetie, why would I ever think of something like that...? Hohoho... she's very much like your wife, Ki-kun.”

    “W...... WIFE?!?!?!

    “Ah, you didn't tell her? Did you really think he was pure just because he is a priest? Sweetie, you have a lot to learn about the reality of the Church, much less the world. You're still just a little pussycat.”

    “...K-Kirei! You never told me that!”

    “......You know I have a daughter, Rin.”

    “I THOUGHT YOU ADOPTED HER!!!

    “And whose fault is that for assuming that he would be so... pure as you? Ah, Ki-kun, you know how to pick them, don't you?”

    “...That would be an... inappropriate relationship for her and I to have. As it would be in any situation aside from Master-Servant relations and so on.”

    “Hoho. Indeed. That just makes it all the more fun... well then, dearie, you're untouched, are you? I'm sure I could acquaint you quite well...”

    “...Gilgamesh, I trust that you will get along well with her?”

    “Quite well. I don't think it'll be a problem.”

    “Then, I leave her in your care. Inform me if any situation arises.”

    “...K-Kirei! Wait! I didn't say you could leave yet...!”

    “It would be inappropriate of me to advise a Master and a Servant. My role is mediation, not participation...”

    “...Kirei!”

    “Ah, don't worry. You won't need him as much as you think you will. Besides... I know more than enough about just what sort of thing will drive a girl like you wild... hohoho!”

    “You... I don't want that!”

    “Oh? We'll see...”




    “Here... don't you like that? It may be an indirect kiss, but just think, his lips have pressed against these...”

    “...Mmmh... hah...”

    “...Oh? You like being kissed while something's inside there, do you? It's certainly moving very easily...”

    “...Haah! Agh......!”

    “Hoho, it's twitching so hard, too. Tell me... when you touch yourself, don't you imagine that it's his hands...?”

    “Noooo.... ahhhh!”

    “Ohoho, but that squeezing says otherwise! You were saving yourself for him... well, don't worry. Just think of me as him, and let your body do the rest...”

    “...Nnnngh! Uuuuurgh.....”

    “And your butt is taking to the other end so easily! Did you know that Caren-san washed it carefully with holy water? Her father is taking your front hole, while she is pleasing your back one...”

    “Ahhh...! Ahhhhhhh....!”

    “Hoho, there you go. Take it all the way inside... doesn't your body feel wonderful? Your nipples are sticking up so hard right now...”

    “...MMMGH!”

    “There, there. Good girl. You're close, aren't you? It's okay... he'll cum inside... and impregnate you... while his daughter pleases your back end...”

    “......AGH!!! NNNNNNNN!!!!!”

    “Feel him! Feel him filling you with his seed! Claiming you for himself, forever!”

    “ARRRRGGH.... YARRRRHHHHHH!!!!!!!!”

    “Ohohoho! Did you see that?! Even with that inside of you, you still squirted a good half a meter...!”




    ...Pressure on top of me. Up. Down.

    ......A body. Up. Down.

    Silver... is aggressive...

    Maybe I've... ignored her too much......?

    She's moving fast. She's squeezing hard. It's... almost as if her very life depended on not just having me, but having me release inside of her. It's so... tight and wet... tighter and wetter than any other time before.

    ...Damn it. She knows I can't resist her when I'm too turned on, too...

    I reach for her head, and pull her down into a liplock. Her mouth opens after a few moments, and she breathes fiercely upon my lip as her tongue pushes into my mouth, tasting slowly. At the same time, her hands reach for mine, pulling them away from her back, and instead, placing them against her breasts, bouncing and lightly sweaty from the effort. Her nipples dig hard into my palms, and the way she's pressing them, it's clear that she wants me to squeeze her breasts. I do so, making Silver groan with appreciation, and her thrusting gets even harder and faster. The squeezing of the part of me that's inside of her also gets much harder, even more desperate. Her hands reach around behind my neck, and pull me into her mouth even more firmly.

    Squishing and sucking noises fill the room. It's just... amazing. It felt good before, but... this is something else...

    ...Is it... because the room changed...? Does... that have anything to do with it...?

    Our saliva begins mixing into each other's mouths. From below, I can feel liquid heat coating my penis as Silver pushes herself up and down on it, making moist, erotic noises that are just making me swell up even more than normal.

    Ah... if she keeps this up... at this rate, I'm gonna come again... it feels so good, I'm even feeling a little faint...

    ...And yet, that just makes Silver go harder......

    Is she... trying to kill me...? Kill me by literally fucking me to death...?

    Even if she is, I... don't mind...... I'll... die happy, just please don't stop, Silver... please...

    I can feel that pressure starting to build...

    “...Kirei... I'm going to cum...!” Arms tighten around me and hips are moving so fast up and down on me that our thighs make loud, slapping noises as they meet.

    .........

    My eyes snap open.

    ...Rin is... on me... and Silver is... Caren... with... her tongue at Rin's butt...

    Her face... she's so into it... but she didn't...

    I feel a deep, boiling sensation in my balls. I'm... going to cum in her...

    Rin, somehow, senses it. With a wet “schlop” noise, my penis falls out of her vagina, and she moves back slightly... only to stumble. Her lips brush against the tip...

    ...That's all my body needed.

    With a small cry, I come. A thick, heavy glob of semen shoots out, blasting Rin right across the cheek.

    “...C-Caren-san! Agh......!”

    Rin grimaces, then grunts, and her butt shudders as a small amount of juices begin to dribble out of her pussy, onto my leg and the bed, just as a second and third stream from me hit her lips, slightly dribbling into her mouth, and then her chin. The reaction makes her shudder harder in kind, and I too am rewarded with more fluids from her own body, as we share a mutual – yet separate – orgasm.

    A fourth. A fifth. Against her neck, against her chest, slightly towards her left breast. My head drops back to the pillow, as the feeling of deep release drains my body of strength. A sixth, smaller one, but I have no idea where it lands.

    Rin gives a small grunt and I can feel her body collapse fully onto the bed.

    That... felt amazing, but... oh god... it really was her...

    How the... hell did that happen? There's no way...

    Labored breathing – our labored breathing – are all that I can hear.

    ...She didn't even call my name. She called Kotomine's... is this... her having a wet dream...? No, that's... silly...

    ......Silver was Caren... what was that all about...? Did... did she put us up to this...? That... makes no sense though...

    A warm and wet sensation once more envelops my penis, and I can feel it being sucked – no, milked – gently, making my hips shudder and push up as a small blast of fluids lands on a warm, wet tongue.

    Looking up, Silver has, once more, assumed Rin form. She's lovingly looking at me as she carefully cleans and sucks my fluids out with her mouth and tongue.

    ...I didn't think it could, but despite how drained my body felt, I can feel myself starting to harden in her mouth.

    “...S, Stop... Silver... Rin will kill me if...”

    The construct doesn't listen. Instead, her tongue moves along sensitive spots, knowing full well just what will make my body go craziest. Despite myself, she manages to get me hard again very fast, and as soon as she does, she calmly moves up, holds onto my erection, and slowly guides herself down, letting out a satisfied cry as she does, before rocking her hips slightly and then starting to move up and down.

    Hazily, I look at the brunette just behind her on the bed. The way Rin has collapsed... I can see between her legs. Not only is it still wet, it's... getting wetter... getting more aroused... If I throb inside Silver... Rin's pussy tends to convulse in kind...

    “...Rin...”

    A flood of panic fills my body as I just realize I moaned out Rin's name. Th... That's not Rin! No! I value Rin more than this!

    Silver, however, lets out a happy laugh. Her hands, formerly on my stomach, pin me down by pressing firmly, but carefully, against my shoulders. The way her body moves, it's making sucking noises, and small, pleased moans and sighs come out from it.

    ...Rin is going to kill me. Not only... not only am I doing this thing when I said I wouldn't... I did HER. There's no way in hell – absolutely no way – that this could ever, ever end well.

    “...Ah...... Rin...”

    ...God... I just... want to take her so badly, it's driving me crazy...

    It's wrong... I know it's wrong... but... I can't help it... am I... really a pervert after all for liking this...?

    My hands move, as if they had a mind of their own, rubbing against the round backside of the construct who is, right now, bouncing on top of my body. A pleased sound comes from it, and it leans in to kiss me on the lips – a tasteless kiss, unlike the flesh-and-blood girl who has her hand between her thighs and is rubbing her very swollen clit – but I get two moans once I allow my hand to move to where a butthole would be on a human girl, and I am surprised to find that not only does Silver have one, but that entry is exceedingly easy. It causes her to begin thrusting against me faster, and our kiss intensifies.

    ...I can't help myself anymore. I know it's wrong to do this, to want this... but... I'm just... too turned on to care...

    I want her.

    ......I need her.

    “.........Rin...”

    If she wants to hate me afterward, she can. She knows this part of me exists, anyway. I'll pay the price, I know it, but... I want her to feel good. I want her to forget all of her pains, worries, and miseries for just thirty or sixty minutes, and instead, let her body be enraptured.

    I want to feel her melt into me.

    I want to feel her cum on me.

    I want to feel her accepting me...

    A gasp from the throat of the construct. Opening my eyes, her expression clearly shows she's at her limit.

    All of that servicing... you poor thing... you've built up quite a lot, haven't you...

    “...It's okay, Rin... you can cum...”

    My other hand reaches down and both rubs and squeezes the erect, firm tissue that is just on top of the place where we are joined to each other.

    Silver's eyes light up and widen, and without realizing it, the construct stops moving, burying me deep inside of her. She lets out a stifled grunt, and I can feel her vagina, and then her anus, squeezing and sucking hard on the intruders inside of them, along with a rush of fluids coating the larger of the two. It's more than I can stand to see the sight of, and it immediately sends me over, causing me to grunt heavily as I feel a small amount of seed begin to shoot out into her. Mere moments after I begin to come inside, Rin lets out a weak cry, rolls onto her back, and her hips writhe in instinct as she brings herself off to her own touch.

    An intense drowsiness begins to assail me. I fight for my consciousness, but Silver rests herself on top of me, her warm, soft body melting slightly and merging with mine, making it impossible to pull myself out of her... but after a few seconds, I don't really care. It's too comfortable.

    As I feel the release of my seed into the accepting construct begin to slow down, my senses fizzle out, and I quickly lapse into an extremely deep unconsciousness.




    The world has finally outlived its use for us.

    We left the dome a week ago. We haven't stopped walking since then.

    But... we can feel ourselves growing weak.

    With the end of the threats, humanity – what is left of humanity – can rebuild. Those few, hardened survivors, in due time, will find that their seeds will plant anew in the Earth – both the Earth of their planet, and the Earth of their bodies, shall find room for growth and rebirth.

    It no longer needs monsters like us A-Rays.

    Together, __k___ and I have walked, and talked, on our march towards the eternal forever.

    In the last few days, our steps are weak, our breathing labored, our minds clouding. But still, we trudge on. The best gift we could've hoped to give them... a future of their own... means a death of the past.

    Of all of their past.

    Her knees buckle, yanking me down towards her slightly. After a moment, as she has countless times before, she tries to get up, but her muscles – her body, an engine of physical destruction to match my engine of mystical annihilation – fails to do so. Frustration sets in on her face, but before long, she seems to accept it.

    Here, is where she will die.

    Using much of my remaining strength, I pick her up. My legs and arms burn, begging, pleading for me to stop in a way they haven't done in years.

    Since before I fought the Aristoteles and lived to tell the tale, being part of a group of saviors of humanity.

    Since before I became an A-Ray.

    For once, I feel human again. It's... a welcome feeling.

    “...This is where we'll die, isn't it...”

    “...Yes. Yes it is.”

    I carefully prop her up. Her breathing is labored, her forehead sweaty. I do my best to smooth out her hair and wipe her brows, her left hand never leaving my right, squeezing me tiredly, but strongly.

    Her feelings for me turned me into what I am. I could've never done this without her, this woman to whom I felt a connection that went beyond simple love, or desire, or even lust.

    It's like... we were meant to be inseparable.

    Every year we came to this city, she made sure we were taken care of. Real meals as opposed to the scraps we normally subsisted off of. Beds so comfortable it was impossible to not only fall asleep quickly, but to have one of the soundest, most restful sleeps we'd ever have. Rin and Luvia loved it just as much as I did... for those brief days, we could actually just relax, and tend to our wounds, and recover.

    They will live on, even though we will not. But I am sure, Rin, and Luvia, and Shizuku will make sure that our memories will not be forgotten, our sacrifices not in vain.

    In the end, we fought for humanity. That should matter more than us being A-Rays. _____u was made that way, but I wasn't. I was born human, and then my near-death, in a moment of desperation, caused her to make me akin to her – into the monster that she had wanted us to forget she was.

    ...But I never looked at her as a monster. Not once. The rest of the people inside Fuyuki-Tengai didn't know the truth, but that was a truth they could never understand.

    The A-Rays became humanity's willing monsters, because in order for humanity to survive, someone had to be there to kill their humanity for humanity. To fight the horrors, they had to be an even greater horror. Objects of respect and fear, protection and hatred, safety and envy.

    And we won, because the Aristoteles hadn't counted on one of humanity's very key aspects – that as a species, if we have even the slimmest chance of overcoming any obstacle, no matter how insurmountable or improbable it seems it can be, given enough time, we will find a way.

    Humanity has proven that it does not need other deities looking out for it. Those that tried to destroy it, are now destroyed themselves. Those who realized humanity's power... have become its new stewards.

    I can only hope that V/V is as wise as she seemed to be when she realized her brothers and sisters were slowly falling to the power of man.

    But that concern is of neither ___a__'s or mine.

    The worst thing you can do is threaten humanity with extinction. As long as even a handful of them are left, they will find a way to adapt, rebuild, and return, stronger than ever before. Humanity has faced countless near-deaths in all of its millions of years, but now, more than ever, we were in firm control of our destiny – both on this ball, as well as, perhaps, to the stars and beyond.

    ____r_ and I made sure of it.

    I settle down beside her, and as she has countless times before, she – for the final time – rests her head on my shoulder. Looking up, she sees the long, winding forms, reaching upward towards the heavens; heavens that had been hostile to man, now returned from a blood red to a bright blue.

    “...It's just like how you said it was.”

    “...Yeah.”

    It's still a hollow victory. Neither of us want to die, but we know we must. Humanity now is in control of its own destiny once more. Monsters like us are no longer needed for it to thrive.

    “...It will look beautiful when it blooms.”

    “...We will feed it so that it may.”

    “...Do you think that there is something after this...?”

    “I hope so... but if not, I think that I lived a life worth living, as hard as it was. I couldn't have asked for a better person to help me get through the dark times than you, H_____.”

    “...That makes me happy to hear that.”

    A small smile manages to form on her face, and she squeezed my hand tightly, as her eyes slowly began to shut. Allowing my last vision to be of her, after turning my head inward towards her body, I allow mine to close in kind.

    And together, _i____ and I died, under the tree, so that it may have life anew.




    “HURRRRRRRRRRGHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”

    A scream rips itself from my lungs. Moments later, I slam into the wall, knocking the wind out of me just in time for my face to kiss the floor.

    Coughing to catch my breath, I try to look up at just what the hell hit me. It felt like frenching a Mack truck.

    A naked Rin stands there, wincing, with her right arm covering her breasts, and her waist turned away from me. Despite her wincing, the look on her face is one of absolute, seething fury. Her crest is lit up like a green laser pointer in an absolutely dark room, and it throbs with ripples of arcane energy.

    WHAT. THE. HELL!!!

    “...Same... to you...” I cough after croaking out my words. I quickly look down so as to not provoke her into a further volley.

    Rin, however, has other plans. A second volley is flung at me, and I feel myself slammed into the wall repeatedly, pulverizing my ribs and turning my internal organs into jello. I collapse once more onto the ground, coughing much harder, bright and frothy red blood coming up through my nose and mouth.

    “...Spare... the Gandrs... please...”

    “You... You RAPIST. Get the hell up, I'm not finished with you yet!”

    My whole body screams with pain as it just hears her words. Getting up is not something I want to do, but eating a third set of Gandr shots is something I'd like to do even less, so I put all of my willpower into forcing myself to stand upright.

    Somehow, I manage to do it. Even though it makes Rin cringe and slightly clutch at her stomach and ribs for a moment.

    “...I want answers, and I want them RIGHT. NOW. How did you do it?! How did you steal my senses?! How are you linking us?! And you claim to not be a monster!”

    ...Linking? I haven't... even... activated that...

    “...Don't know... slept... dreamed... of you and Gilgamesh... was a woman...” I cough further blood out.

    A wave of fury erupts over Rin's face. Her arm glows bright as the sun as she, not caring about exposing herself for a moment, stances and then flings are arm to fire a volley of shots at me.

    I close my eyes, clench my teeth, and prepare for the pain.

    ...But pain is not what I feel.

    A wave that sends a shiver up my spine to my brain blasts through me. It feels like the icy hands of death itself are playing xylophone with my vertebrae and doing a sweep alongside it. I hear a few slight, popping noises, and then a hiss seems to coax itself from my mouth as my chest burns strongly, and then... feel nothing. Even the pain is somehow reduced. Even my breathing... is deeper, more natural, less raspy.

    Confused, I open my eyes.

    Rin has an absolutely horrified expression on her face. No, not just horror – utter and total defeat.

    “...Curse... of restoration......?” She says it in an unusually frightened voice.

    “......What the hell did you just do to me...?”

    “...Y-You tell me, Monster!” She shoots once more.

    I feel my body reflexively moving as if to prepare itself for the attack. As it gets within three feet of me, a large purple aura erupts from within my body, rising up to meet the magic bullet hurtling towards it. With a soft pop, it meets it, dissipating, and making the aura briefly glow the color of the shot.

    And I barely feel like I'm in pain at all anymore.

    “...You're consuming the curse...” It's clearly a voice of panic.

    “Rin...”

    “SH-SHUT UP!”

    “Look, whatever it is, just stop shooting already! Or are you going to keep punishing me for something that I have no idea how it happened?!”

    “Right, because you don't know of this power, you didn't borrow my senses, and you didn't rape me!”

    “I didn't even know you were in here! How the hell could I rape you if I didn't know that?!”

    “Right, and seeing both me and Silver wasn't enough to get you to want to stop, now was it!?”

    “Rin, will you just SHUT UP for a second and let me try to explain it instead of firing at me?! Jesus Christ!”

    I'll get all that I can from him.
    Anger is clearly snarled on Rin's face.


    “...Explain. Now.”

    “Thank you!” I sigh to catch my breath a little, then speak. “Look. Len and I had a talk and she said it would be good if I could act as a sort of second set of eyes, to help you out. So she suggested I do some training. So I did, and got my ass handed to me by a slime, and being reborn hurt like hell, even worse than those Gandr shots. I crawled over to the bed, and I must've passed out. I don't even remember passing out!”

    “Training? Slime? Explain. Did that training unlock some kind of hidden wraith power? That level of healing is anything but human.”

    “...Hell if I know. All I know is I fought it, got my ass handed to me, and it really hurt, so I must've fallen asleep when I hit the bed. And I dreamed about you and a female Gilgamesh, which is absurd, because Gilgamesh is a male, not female. There's no way you'd let someone do those kinds of things to you, either. I woke up, I felt good, and it was Silver doing things to me. I asked her to stop, she wouldn't. If anything, she made sure I couldn't escape, so I just... gave up and gave in and came inside of her before passing back out again. I mean, what do you think, I can control her in my sleep, Rin?! If she wants to have me, she can pin me down and do exactly what she did, so maybe she wants me after all, have you ever thought of that?!”

    “Ridiculous! That'd mean something I don't feel at all! And how did you know Gilgamesh was female? What did you see?!”

    “...What do you mean she's female? Gilgamesh is a male! Babylonian hero, not heroine! Even Kotomine was saying he's a guy, right? It was just some silly dream, because even if Gilgamesh IS a woman, there's no way you'd let what happened happen, considering how much you're blasting me!”

    “......Forgetting what you said in record time, aren't you? Wrong universe. Hero is also the neutral noun.”

    “So then why would you get all submissive like that?! Look, it was a stupid erotic dream, okay? Probably brought on by what Silver was doing to me. I'm a guy, I'm going to dream these sorts of things if I try to keep myself from pretty much anything sexual! It's not like I can control my dreams, okay?!”

    “I can't fight a Servant. Not that one anyway.” She'd sigh, looking both angry as well as irritated. “...And it wasn't a goddamn dream.”

    “...What?” I can feel the blood starting to drain from my face. “...You mean... that...”

    “......Your senses are linked to mine. That's why it hurts me when I shoot you. That's why you felt good. Don't pretend you didn't know. I HATE liars.”

    ......Then... all that stuff... and Gilgamesh... with Rin...

    Despite myself, I can feel an erection stirring, hard.

    Rin must be able to feel it too, because her hand glows as if she is forming a fireball, and with extreme annoyance, she throws it, full force, at me, overhand, like Nolan Ryan throwing a fastball.

    I barely have time to square myself to it before it reaches me.

    Around me, a massive conflagration erupts. It pushes in, hard, against me, and it gets close enough that I can feel searing, blistering heat actually lap at my skin.

    But that's as far as it goes.

    It's only a few seconds, but it seems like a small eternity. The fire dissipates, and the flames become part of my aura for a few moments, before dissipating themselves. My fingernails, singed by the blaze, return to their normal appearance nearly instantly, and the pain is absolutely abolished from my body.

    “STOP IT!!!” I find myself yelling, both out of anger as well as fear. There's certainly no more erection.

    “...Impossible...” comes a much more scared voice from across the room.

    Looking at her, there's a clear look of fear in her eyes, and her skin has gotten pale. After a few moments, she sinks to her knees.

    “...Fine. I am at your mercy then. Do what you want.” After a moment, she half-disgustedly adds “You already did it anyway.”

    Seeing her form like this reminds me she's nude. I find myself looking away quickly.

    “I'm not here to rape you, damn it! Will you stop acting like I have no respect for you at all?! Why do you think I'm trying hard not to look at you right now?!”

    “I see. So since you've already had me, your interest is gone. I understand.”

    “NO!!!” I force myself to look her in the face. I wince slightly when I realize that there is still what is very clearly dried-up semen on it.

    “...What? Don't you recognize your own handiwork?”

    “Enough! You're the one who was on top of me!”

    “As if that's supposed to change the fact you put up the link and tricked me?”

    “Tricked you HOW, Rin?! I was asleep! I woke up to Silver sucking me, I passed out after I came, I dreamed, I woke up again, I assumed it was her until you moaned Kotomine's name and realized it was you! What are you going to do, accuse me of sleep-raping you now?!”

    “You looked like someone else. How did you...”

    Rin stops mid-sentence. Thanks to the link, I know exactly what her brain just realized.

    ......Silver did it.

    But even with this realization, she can't just believe that. Right after “Silver did it” comes “He planned it.”

    “...You really think I commanded her to do lure her in here so I could rape you under the guise of me being Kotomine? Go ahead and check her yourself. You should be able to tell if I've messed with her, she's a part of you.”

    “As if you couldn't have tainted her with fluid contact, then wiped the traces. That cat can do such a thing, and apparently, you're not much different from her.”

    “...I see. So I'm willing to believe you when you tell me I'm wrong, but when I try to tell you you're wrong, it's 'Fuck you, you rapist monster liar.'”

    ...It hurts that she thinks that low of me.

    “...I didn't trick you into sex...” It sounds notably faltering though.

    “Yeah, well, I've never thought about raping you, or anyone. Frankly, if I did it, I'd want to kill myself. Maybe someday you'll realize I value women for what's up here—” I tap my forehead. “—and not for what's down there!”

    This pisses me off. This being accused of being a filthy rapist who just wants to get into her pussy... it's seriously aggravating. I turn from her and look away; right now, the mere sight of her is making my blood boil.

    “I didn't force a link so you couldn't hurt me without penalty.”

    “I didn't even KNOW I could force a link with you in that bed!”

    “Yet you did, and then you have the gall to pretend to be a victim? You won't even take responsibility!”

    For once, the urge to want to lash out, to DO something rises up within me. But just as quickly, I fight it back down, because lashing out will get us nowhere. And if she can't control how she treats me... then I have to at least control how I treat her.

    “...Fine then. If we've got a link, it's two-way. You go ahead, look in my head as much as you'd like – you've already done it once before WITHOUT my permission, after all – and see what you find. Go ahead. You have my permission this time.”

    I stand and wait. I feel nothing. The reason, I can feel, is wariness, thinking that it's a trap of some kind.

    “Then you can either take my word for it, or keep making me feel like shit. If that's what you want to do, then don't be surprised when I don't like you for it.”

    Silence fills the room for awhile.

    “......Then swear it.”

    “...What?”

    “Swear by what power you have, an oath that you did not do that on purpose.”

    I feel tears starting to well in my eyes. She really thinks that I wanted to rape her...

    ......It hurts. It hurts so much that it's embarrassing that I can't keep myself from crying, but it's just so against my very being, and how I treat people, that I can't help it.

    “...I swear that you can dissect me cell by cell if I ever do a thing like that on purpose.”

    “...So mote it be,” she says. Pulling out another gem from thin air, she holds it aloft, then crushes it to consume it.

    A glow envelops my body. After a few moments, it dissipates. Nothing happens.

    Rin sees it, and deflates sharply. I don't even need to read the link to know what her face is saying.

    He's telling the truth.

    She can't bring herself to look at me. Turmoil is in her head once more. Now, faced with irrefutable proof that I hadn't acted in malicious intent towards her, only now is she forcing herself to confront the possibilities that I hadn't done this out of lust or control over her.

    “...Then how did you...?” She doesn't finish her thought.

    “...Well, at least you believe me now. It only took bargaining my life to do it.”

    She winces slightly at the verbal jab. “Then you tell me just what I'm supposed to think when you demonstrate new powers, look through my eyes, and do whatever you want?”

    “I know what it looks like, but you know more about this stuff than I do. How am I supposed to explain it? It'd be like telling you how to format a computer... in DOS. I don't know of these abilities, you're still teaching me things about them, and I'm doing my best to learn as I go along. If it comes to some kind of magical ability I have, assume I'm clueless about it, okay? I wasn't born into this stuff like you were, so I don't know a curse from my ass.”

    “...It didn't seem like you had to try very hard to heal or negate, though. That is... advanced...” She momentarily loses herself in her thoughts, before getting herself back on track. “...Nevermind. You slept with me. Against my will. How are you going to make it up to me? Or should I just go speak with Kirei about this?”

    ...Really? Turning it to the sex again?

    “...Look. If it'll make you feel that much better, just get over here, kick me in the balls, and be done with it. I didn't plan on it, I didn't realize it was happening until it was far too late, I thought it was Silver being Silver, and apparently, you thought you were having Kirei, so if you want to blame someone, go blame your unconscious half. Or do I need to bargain my life again for you to believe that too?”

    “...No,” she says with a sigh. “But I think it's time you started being helpful and not just a pain in my ass. At least Gilgamesh can protect me. What can you do? Maybe... break into some other minds for me.”

    “...I wish I knew fully. Like I said, I'm trying to train, and Len set that up so I could practice. I know some of them are better than others at certain things, but thanks to what's happened, damn if I can remember the details. But before that... as embarrassing as this is to say... it'd probably be best for both of us if we cleaned and dressed ourselves, wouldn't it...?” I can't help but sound awkward at the end.

    “......Probably,” comes the equally awkward reply.

    At this, Silver turns into a large bathtub, clearly intended for two people.

    “...You can climb in before me, I won't look.”

    “A bit late for that. You've already seen everything. But... thanks.” A small bit of embarrassment comes from her voice at the last part, but I hear her begin to step inside, and wait until she settles in fully under the water.

    “...It's more about respect than what I haven't seen. I'm sure you'd do the same if it were me in your position.” I begin to walk towards the tub.

    “Yes, well, just remember that I have no interest in you except for what you can do for me.”

    “...Fine. It's better than nothing.”

    With that, I step into the tub myself.
    "Get lost. You wouldn't recognize a goddamn vampire if one jumped up and bit you on the end of your fucking dick."


    Of Leaves and Lilac - Two weeks in the life of Tohno Akiha.
    Returning real soon-like!


    Old Quote Crap!

    Quote Originally Posted by eddyak View Post
    99% of all Terminators would destroy John Connor over any other carbon-based life form.
    Quote Originally Posted by RoadBuster
    Why do you think we got all these mods? So I can sit back and do jack shit, obviously!
    Quote Originally Posted by ItsaRandomUsername
    I propose more forumite-based words. Like Darpleosity (adj. a state of existence signified to calmly analyzing and making an argument/case in a way that defuses tensions and makes the participants in said argument look like twats for continuing on with antagonizing and/or being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn while also using good-natured humor to enhance said post).
    Quote Originally Posted by DezoPenguin View Post
    Having been, as I3uster put it, "other clueless dude" earlier today in precisely this fashion, I'm going to have to be in favor of necromancy. Or be a hypocrite. But as a lawyer, I prefer to get paid when I indulge in hypocrisy, thank you, so I'll stick with necromancy.

    [14:06] [Cruor] petri is it possible to play Phoenix III/Steppewolf without it crashing
    [14:08] [Kelnish] no
    [14:08] [Kelnish] it isn't
    [14:09] [Cruor] how can there be so many bugs
    [14:09] [Cruor] in one mod
    [14:10] [Dark_Pulse] Because quality assurance doesn't exist anymore
    [14:10] [Dark_Pulse] Unless it's Quality Ass, U Rance
    [14:10] [Daiki] ...
    [14:10] [I3uster] oh god dp was funny
    [14:10] [I3uster] apocalypse confirmed
    [14:10] [Wakame] the horror

  17. #57
    Lethum Milbunk's Avatar
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    Kuzuki and Milbunk
    Secret Base

    'Is this correct?'

    'It should be fine, I'm sorry you know how to make these better than I do.'

    'Very well then.'

    'Ok then, go ahead and take the tray. It should be enough.'

    'Towards the basement? Should we be intruding there?'

    'It should be fine to just take it down there, I hope.'

    'Very well then.'

    'Ok she seems to be busy with her crystal ball, just leave the tray on the nearby table and leave.'

    'Is that all?'

    'Yes, that should be fine.'

    'And then leave?'

    'Yeah, we should start by keeping things simple. And what better way than a simple gesture like a small tray of tea?'

    'Very well then.'

    ************************************************

    'Alright, five days down. Keep up the good work. Have you noticed any changes in her behavior?'

    'Other than the emptied tea at the end of the night, nothing.'

    'That's alright these things take time, are you ready to go again?'

    'Yes.'

    'Just down the stairs like usual. There she is concentrated on her own work not even paying attention to us.'

    'It is done.'

    'Alright then let's leave again.'

    "Why are you doing this?"

    "It helps to relax the body... Take care."

    "...Thank you..."

    'You see? Slowly but surely as long as you desire to do so it will work. Now let's go for the night.'

    'Very well then.'

  18. #58
    The Dread Nekomancer alfheimwanderer's Avatar
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    Undisclosed Location
    [IDENTITY REDACTED]

    [ ] walked through a foreign landscape. A land of fire, blood and shade, of screams and moans and relentless cruelties perpetrated one after another by those who sullied their innocence out of fear. Fear of loneliness, fear of emptiness, fear of DEATH DEATH DEATH. THE STARTING PENALTY IS FIVE. Howls and wails and dripping dripping dripping blood drips it drips it drips...

    ...so thirsty...

    Take the needle. Take the fang. Plunge it deep into a ve--nononononono. Cannot cannot. Cannot. Danger. Danger.

    Waking.

    He is. Who is. I is am was ...M--a-l [static] Vald-[static]. Slither.

    I am...thirsty.

    I...




    Somewhere in Fuyuki, a magus wakened with a blood curdling scream.

  19. #59
    The Dread Nekomancer alfheimwanderer's Avatar
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    Undisclosed Alleyway
    Several Days Prior to the War

    As Lancer was passing by, a shadow revealed itself.

    "So, who are you and what do you want with me?"

    "Lancer, I presume? For the moment, I mean you no harm. I simply want to better understand your motives so I can ascertain what to do next."

    "I am simply following orders to bring about victory for my master and me. There is no need for me to divulge more information than that to a witch who won't even show her face to me."

    "While it may be true that you may not have much reason to trust me, what would you say if I were to help you with your injuries? I can assure you that my brews can cure your current ailments."

    "That won't be necessary. I have a means of taking care of it myself."

    At that response, the shadow pondered to itself on how to move forward on the conversation. She was sure that there were few ways for a spirit to heal from such greivous injuries. For a Servant who clearly knew of no mystery, there was only one recourse to take.

    "And how do you plan on getting all the souls necessary to cure yourself? Discretion is a rule we must all abide by in this war."

    "Know that this city has a history. My actions will be well covered as a result of it."

    Regrettable that she couldn't take use the situation as a leverage; however, this encounter won't be a complete waste if she can help it.

    "Very well, Lancer. It appears that my assistance is not needed. Seeing as I have no reason to strike you, I would wish to ask for a non-aggression pact between the both of us and our masters."

    "So you wish not to interfere with me? I find the terms acceptable as long as you or any parties allied with you do not hinder me."

    And with that, the two beings agreed to the recently forged mundane contract as the shadow dispersed and the remaining Servant went on his way.

  20. #60
    I know what you've been doing, nii-san. Dark Pulse's Avatar
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    I take a long, deep breath of the air, feeling it fill my lungs and slowly be exhaled. The chill of the night, present as ever on this February evening, feels warmer than back home. I wouldn't dare to be dressed down this much during that time of year.

    Then again, I also would have produced a cloud of vapor from my mouth, unlike now.

    I also would've been about two feet taller.

    I've gotten increasingly used to this form, but it's still a little bit of a shock and slightly disorienting to go from my usual height down to this. I haven't been this short since... about 11 or 12, I'd say.

    Still, I suppose it's a better disguise than trying to hide someone of my normal height. At least clothes are relatively easy to find, even if I were teased about being “such a cute boy” by no less than a witchy woman and a snow cat.

    At least my Drill Instructor has been keeping her hand firm, but fair.

    It seems like it's been forever, but I've begun to get good, thanks to Silver's rummaging through my memories and pulling out a faded face from a dream of mine. It's been most effective. She must have somehow gleamed knowledge of me from that phantom, that A-Ray who knew me so well; it seems she knows my absolute limits, pushing me harder to do just one more when I think I've given it all that I can, and then when I truly hit my limits, telling me to stop and rest, reforming herself into that bed of utmost comfort right under my exhausted form, knowing that it won't take more than a few minutes of gentle, soft warmth and even what feels like minor rubbing before my exhausted body succumbs to the relaxation and simply sleeps.

    Needless to say, I destroyed that slime. Then two. Then five. Then ten. When I got up to single-handedly dispatching fifty of them without even breathing hard, she moved on up the chain. Before I knew it, I was able to take out Dead with minimal trouble.

    Not bad for a few weeks of training. And it certainly impressed one suspicious magus.

    With me less useless to Rin, we've been able to patch up our relationship; with that happening, she's been at least more willing to view me as something useful, as opposed to someone just trying to get under her skirt.

    Leisurely, I walk, finding it both more and less annoying than with my usual body. Less annoying as I can definitely move faster, but more annoying in that my strides are quicker than normal; something I'm still trying to get used to.

    Still, it's a bit strange to walk around and pass by all of these landmarks; places that are simultaneously familiar and yet foreign. I've gotten pretty good at blending in with the crowd, not that many are out on nights with news about those murders going on. Every now and then some adult tries to ask what I, a child, am doing out so late, but lately I've been getting better at both avoiding them, as well as simply passing by those whose paths I must cross.

    Usually, the scouting is fruitless. Occasionally I see something a little strange or unusual, but for the most part, my usual scouting report to Rin is “Nothing to report.” The first few days she seemed to be mildly irritated by it, but I could also tell the irritation was due to the lack of action as opposed to a doubt in my capabilities. Despite this, she's sent me out every night, looking more and more uneasy every night that she does it.

    It doesn't take a genius – or a magus – to figure out she's waiting for the fireworks to begin.

    Tonight, my path has taken me across the Fuyuki Bridge, straddling the Mion River. I'm basically to do a patrol alongside the river, through the Riverside Park, before diving into Miyami-cho properly, circling it from the north before returning along its southern route, and reporting to Rin back in the Church. I've been walking for about an hour, perhaps an hour and a half, having already gone through Shinto, and marveling at technology that must feel modern for its time, but yet is already somewhat ancient to me – nary a smartphone in sight, and even flip phones are somewhat uncommon. Flatscreens that are impressive sizes now, but will be everywhere in ten or fifteen years.

    ...And Windows 98 SE. Or if you're really unlucky, ME. Ugh. Save me, XP!

    As I get away from Shinto, the hustle and bustle of its 24-hour shopping streets and buskers fade away slowly, to be replaced with nothing more than a nippy breeze that has me tighten my jacket and put my hands in my pockets to warm them up a little more. As I walk across the bridge, I get a slightly uneasy feeling – as if the air were slightly heavy, but I dismiss it as nothing more than my body starting to crave some warmth.

    Heeding Rin's orders, I stay well away from the Emiya house, taking a more southerly route that has me reach my deepest stretch into Miyami-cho near its Shopping District, which is about as barren as I expected, before I head back along the southern roadway.

    As expected, my trek reveals nothing out of the ordinary. Now having walked for about two hours, I'm starting to feel a small amount of fatigue – impressive for legs that aren't normally mine.

    Before long, I see a familiar house in the distance – the Tohsaka Residence.

    At least, at one point, it was the Tohsaka Residence.

    Rin moved out, and at some point, someone moved in. We have no idea when, as it seems to have already been inhabited by the time I made my first, much more nervous, trek out here, but we do know one thing very clearly: It's not friendly. The bounded field around the place definitely got changed; to transgress upon it now would be a rather bad idea. Even the air near it seems heavier; inhospitable to life. It feels like if I went closer, the air would gather as one and stab me clean through.

    As a result, I go only as close as I comfortably can while being 100% sure it doesn't trip. No signs of life seem to be within the house, but... I know something is in there. I just don't know what, but if I had to guess, it got occupied by a squatting Master and Servant. And Rin doesn't seem particularly eager or willing to find exactly whom, which suits me fine enough, as I'd rather not be dying, even if death in this form won't be permanent.

    Behind it, somewhat hidden by some trees, I can just see the Matou residence peeking out behind them... well, what's left of it anyway. It's pretty much a pile of rubble and a scorched crater – resembling more of a neolithic dwelling than an actual, more-or-less modern home that'd once stood there.

    Shrugging my shoulders slightly, and having never broken my stride so as to not draw suspicion, I keep on going. Another boring night in Miyami-cho; nothing out of the ordinary there.

    I begin to approach the park once more. A slight nip in the air causes me to shiver so hard I temporarily draw my eyes downward to rub my shoulders slightly for some more warmth.

    And when I look up... I see her.

    It is nearly a dead ringer for Kohaku. Or Magical Amber, or whatever other nom de guerre she is going by these days.

    She doesn't seem to notice me, however. So I stand my distance, and watch what she does.

    It's hard to tell her expression from here, but the posture of her body is very clear – happy.

    She looks up, towards the bridge.

    Immediately, a bright glow bathes it. Swords begin to rain down, followed by a blood red spear.

    Rain of swords... that could mean...!

    I look at her again. Seemingly satisfied with the development, the woman turns on her heels, her back to me, and begins to walk off.

    At that moment, I notice a small, white cat following her. That can't be...?!

    I try to look closer, but despite all my efforts, I can't tell if it is a certain cat that I know of. Before long, the woman and the cat are both out of sight.

    Clicking my tongue slightly, I skirt the edge of the park, getting deeper into it – and closer to the bridge.

    A golden chariot circles in the sky, chasing what looks to be a... golden spaceship?

    The hell...? Gilgamesh wouldn't have a spaceship, would she...?

    The bridge shudders and rumbles with every blast that strikes it. Already I can see bits and pieces of it falling into the water.

    ...Not good. There's no way to get back over towards Shinto without crossing that bridge. What genius of city planning designs a city that has only one bridge across a river...?!

    Damn it.

    I retreat back slowly towards the way I'd came. If Emiya – or his Servant – came, they'd be coming from the northern side of Miyama-cho. The south is safer... though it runs the risk of running into the Matou, as well.

    It'd be better to slip away unnoticed than it would be to be forced to destruct, for several reasons.

    A thundering WHOOM shakes my senses – and then the earth beneath my feet. As I stumble, I turn back around... only to see a cloud of smoke and fire, followed by many gaping holes where there had been road before.

    The Bridge has gone from small bits and pieces falling off, to whole sections of decking.

    SPLOOSH. SPLOOOOOSH. Fragments of what had formerly been road fall into the water.

    The skies behind me inexplicably brighten, and a monstrous roar echoes through the air. Turning once more, in the distance, I see streaks of light over the Tohsaka residence, impacting the wards, focused on blasting the place.

    The shields, an uncharacteristic bloody red, seem to hold, absorbing the shots.

    ...This is no mere precision strike. Some sort of fight is going on there as well.

    Not good. None of this is good...

    ...She has to know about this. Just in case something happens...

    I try to focus while walking fairly quickly towards the Tohsaka residence.

    ...Rin.”

    After a few moments, her voice fills my head as if she were right in my ears.

    What? I can see a lightshow even from here – what's going on?”

    Sorry if I'm bothering you. How many of them can you see from where you are? As there's two that I can see.”

    I only see one,” she says with a slight hint of concern.

    The one with the chariot and the UFO, I take it?”

    Yes. Where's the other?”

    I don't think you'll like this, but your house is shining like fresh blood from the lungs.”

    ...What?!” Her voice resonates with shock. “Who?! Can you see?!”

    No,” I reply. “Seems someone really wants whoever – or whatever – is in there, though. It didn't feel very friendly when I came even moderately close to it, so as always, I kept my distance.”

    Do you have any idea who is inside? Or who is attacking?” A clear tone of worry is in her voice.

    Not a clue. I heard a roar, and the next thing I saw, silver streaks of light flared and slammed into it. The shields held, but past that and seeing that they're still glowing, I have no idea who attacked – or who they're attacking.”

    ...I see,” she says, notably disappointed.

    Naturally, with the bridge having... shall we say, a critical existence crisis, I don't have a quick way to get back, short of the painful and obvious way. I can keep observing, but I'm trying to keep a good distance from these battles as much as possible.”

    ...I just want to know who dared to take over my house... Rrrrgh, damn it! Where the hell is Kirei at a time like this?! Have you seen any sign of him?”

    I'm afraid I've seen nary an amice.”

    ...Pardon?”

    A vestement Catholic priests wear. I haven't seen him, in other words.”

    Rin clicks her tongue slightly, perhaps embittered by the fact that I knew something about the Catholic Church that she did not.

    I see. I'm guessing Gilgamesh is involved in the bridge battle.”

    Based on the rain of swords, I'd say that's reasonable to assume.”

    Is there another who could even use such power?”

    ...Well, there is one. Kind of. But if it were him, I think you'd shit bricks, Rin.

    I'd say no, but then again, we both know that what I know doesn't strictly match up with what's here. I'd say hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, is the most prudent thing to do.”

    ...Works for me,” Rin says somewhat half-heartedly. “As for the people attacking my house... where are you located again?”

    A few blocks from Riverside Park. About five minutes away from your house. Fifteen from what's left of Fuyuki Bridge.”

    If you could hear a roar from that far away, possibly Berserker. But the lights indicate a Caster...”

    It was similar to an attack from the Caster I'm familiar with, but not exactly the same. Needles of light as opposed to rays...”

    Rin is silent for a moment as she thinks. Another salvo of the needles of light strikes. The shields glow bright red for a moment before re-darkening, continuing to hold.

    The Einzbern specialize in metal alchemy. I wonder...”

    ...You think it's them attacking, then?”

    Maybe. I don't know for sure, but I know their homunculi are quite powerful.”

    Powerful enough to knock through your wards? Those are still standing, it seems, but who knows for how long.”

    ...At this point, I'm not even sure if they're my wards. Mine don't glow bright red when triggered, anyway...”

    I see. So do you have any idea who it could be?”

    I'm not 100% sure, but at the Emiya residence, Gilgamesh informed me she ran into Berserker. His Master was a silver-haired homunculus, powerful with both their magic and their halberd, who used a silver needle type of attack.”

    ...Hm. Then it's puzzling as to why they'd attack your house. Unless they're aware of your link to Gilgamesh and suspect you'd still be there...”

    ...I hope not,” Rin says with a clear note of dread in her voice.

    I hope not too. That doesn't look like it'd be fun to be in.” I stop walking. “What do you want me to do?”

    Rin thinks for a moment before she speaks.

    ...Get closer to my house. I want to know what the hell is happening there.”

    Understood. I'm going silent until I get safe enough to report.”

    ...Alright. Be careful.”

    With that, I focus my energy on causing my form to change. It still takes a moment or two, but with every success, it becomes that much easier.

    The young boy walking the streets now becomes a striped tabby cat. After a few moments to re-get its bearings, and adjust to the very different visual and audio spectra, I lope off towards the even brighter glowing now, lighting up as if it were a sun in the sky.

    After a few minutes, I'm inbetween some trees a relatively short distance away. The trees provide me some needed shade, but also go a long way towards hiding my presence.

    Before long, a towering mammoth of a man manages to stray into my view for all of a moment or two before he charges off, insanely fast.

    Not fast enough to fail to confirm his identity, though. Hercules... son of Zeus and Alcmene.

    Moments later, a being that looks disturbingly like a stereotypical vampire. Dracula, perhaps...?

    Where's a Belmont when you need one...?

    Off to the side, revealed only when the movements of the two fighters make clothing flutter, is a woman with long, silver hair, standing confidently. While I can't be 100% sure, she resembles, very strongly, a more grown Illyasviel von Einzbern.

    ...Homunculi and the slayer of the Nemean Lion confirmed.”

    ...Shit.”

    And if I'm correct, it appears they're fighting someone that resembles Dracula.”

    ...Shit, shit, shit... damn it!”

    Most unladylike words flow from a lady's lips.

    ...If you don't mind, I'd really rather not get closer than this. But if that's what you want...”

    ...No. No, no need. I'm just wondering what will be left of my house at this point...”

    Then, shall I fall back and wait to see if it remains standing, or would it not matter one way or another?”

    Rin sighs heavily. “...I doubt you can do anything in the current situation. Just... fall back and don't be noticed. I may not be the best in mental warfare, but the Einzbern sure are.”

    Then I will see if I can find a way back without the bridge, without destroying this form... and without getting wet. It still makes me sick if I destroy it, after all, and it'd be suspicious to see a cat swimming.”

    Understood. Let me know when you're nearby.”

    With that, after a few moments more of watching, I turn tail and retreat back towards the riverbank.

    Finding a way out of this will definitely be a challenge...
    "Get lost. You wouldn't recognize a goddamn vampire if one jumped up and bit you on the end of your fucking dick."


    Of Leaves and Lilac - Two weeks in the life of Tohno Akiha.
    Returning real soon-like!


    Old Quote Crap!

    Quote Originally Posted by eddyak View Post
    99% of all Terminators would destroy John Connor over any other carbon-based life form.
    Quote Originally Posted by RoadBuster
    Why do you think we got all these mods? So I can sit back and do jack shit, obviously!
    Quote Originally Posted by ItsaRandomUsername
    I propose more forumite-based words. Like Darpleosity (adj. a state of existence signified to calmly analyzing and making an argument/case in a way that defuses tensions and makes the participants in said argument look like twats for continuing on with antagonizing and/or being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn while also using good-natured humor to enhance said post).
    Quote Originally Posted by DezoPenguin View Post
    Having been, as I3uster put it, "other clueless dude" earlier today in precisely this fashion, I'm going to have to be in favor of necromancy. Or be a hypocrite. But as a lawyer, I prefer to get paid when I indulge in hypocrisy, thank you, so I'll stick with necromancy.

    [14:06] [Cruor] petri is it possible to play Phoenix III/Steppewolf without it crashing
    [14:08] [Kelnish] no
    [14:08] [Kelnish] it isn't
    [14:09] [Cruor] how can there be so many bugs
    [14:09] [Cruor] in one mod
    [14:10] [Dark_Pulse] Because quality assurance doesn't exist anymore
    [14:10] [Dark_Pulse] Unless it's Quality Ass, U Rance
    [14:10] [Daiki] ...
    [14:10] [I3uster] oh god dp was funny
    [14:10] [I3uster] apocalypse confirmed
    [14:10] [Wakame] the horror

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