Fate/Identity Reborn

[nick_of_fire]

Fate/Identity Reborn Chapter 61: Icon

Mordred Alter let his Instinct guide him as he swung at Diarmuid every time he tried to move past the Pretender, the Berserker always jumping back and returning to leaping about the room to try and disorient his opponent. Diarmuid continually attempted to get around Mordred so he could get to his target, King Arthur, the King Arthur he faced and was betrayed by in his eyes. Thankfully the narrow passage the fight took place in made it simple for Mordred to block the path as if he were one of the Spartans at the Hot Gates. The Berserker’s greatest skill was his maneuverability and having such a small space made it hard to utilize that as an advantage. Mordred found his own greatest asset, Avalon, less useful than normal given Diarmuid wasn’t trying to kill Mordred, he just wanted to get past him.

The greater speed and the brief accelerations his Mana Bursts created made Diarmuid far faster than Mordred, but the Instinct of the false King Arthur allowed him to avoid losing track of the Berserker. It was also helpful that Mordred could extend his reach a good bit with his own Mana Bursts. The Pretender could destroy the whole area of the tunnel they were in using his lightning to try and tag Diarmuid if he wanted, though it still wasn’t a guaranteed hit and doing that could remind the Berserker of just how fragile their surroundings were, at least by the standards of beings like them. That fragility was something that could be taken advantage of to get around the false King Arthur. Servants were strong enough that they could just run through solid stone as if it weren’t there, though at the cost of it being difficult to determine one’s surroundings.

It was unfortunate for Mordred that the Berserker managed to come to that realization without inspiration. Diamuid looked like he was heading Mordred’s way again, but then he turned towards a wall and dove into it. Mordred used his Instinct to detect where in the walls Diarmuid was. He had already gotten past the Pretender in the millisecond he had been swimming in the stone. A slash infused with gold and black lightning ripped open the wall and the entire side of the cavern as far as Mordred could see. Diarmuid had dodged and was now underground, but the detour forced him to slow down. Mordred dashed over to where the Berserker was, the false King Arthur thrusting his arm into the ground and grabbing Diarmuid. Armored fingers pierced into the Berserker’s shoulder as Mordred pulled him out of the ground. Not letting go, Mordred stabbed Excalibur at Diarmuid who blocked with his red blade. Diarmuid tried to retaliate by cutting the Pretender’s arm off, but Mordred lifted and swung the Berserker through the air. The slash missed as Mordred slammed Diarmuid into the ground before trying to stab him again. He had to divert that swing when Diarmuid thrust his spear. The weapons banged into each other and released a clang that echoed throughout the cave. Both armaments and the arms that held them bounced backwards, but the Berserker still had his sword. Diarmuid’s blade arced towards Mordred’s neck. The Pretender had two options: let go of Diarmuid to dodge, or use Avalon which would make Mordred let go anyway since he would be within a different dimension than the Berserker. Both choices produced the same result.

Avalon’s light protected Mordred from the red blade’s edge and caused his hand to lose its hold on the Berserker. Mordred immediately deactivated his scabbard and tried to grab Diarmuid, but the madman raised his legs and kicked off of the Pretender’s chest. The hit was infused with a Mana Burst that sent Mordred into the ceiling while also pushing Diarmuid underground. The armor on Mordred’s chest crumbled, as did his ribs which stabbed into his lungs. The Pretender’s chest caved inward and Avalon went to work healing it.

“Saber!” Diarmuid popped out of the ground and jumped down the tunnel towards his quarry.

“Get back here, you shit!” Mordred slipped out of his restrained persona as he threw Excalibur at the Berserker. Diarmuid dodged around the blade, but Mordred was already running at the raging warrior, leaping onto him. They began to wrestle on the ground, Mordred trying to restrain the madman.

“Saber!” Diarmuid elbowed Mordred in the face, denting his helmet and breaking his nose. Another elbow shattered several of the Pretender’s teeth. Mordred hit the back of his fist into the Berserker’s liver which caused him to vomit. They continued rolling around and hitting each other whenever they found an opening, Diarmuid trying to get free and run while Mordred did his best to keep the Berserker in place. While Mordred’s wounds healed, Diarmuid’s piled up. The madman could regenerate to a degree since he was a Servant, but it was far more limited, even with the Grail giving him magical energy. He did have the benefit of holding both his Noble Phantasms while Mordred didn’t, but using them in a grappling match wasn’t simple.

“I’m not gonna let you hurt my mom!” Mordred was too focused on wrestling with Diarmuid to keep up his usual demeanor that imitated his ideal King Arthur. “She did nothing wrong!”

“Nothing wrong? She betrayed me!” The Berserker nearly squirmed his way to freedom, but Mordred jumped back onto him.

“She didn’t know about her Master’s plan!” Mordred had heard a little bit about the Fourth War from her mom in preparation for the Fifth. Mom wasn’t coordinating with Kiritsugu Emiya at all so she didn’t deserve any blame over what happened to Diarmuid.

“She knew what kind of man her Master was! She decided to serve a man without honor! She enabled him to shame me!” Diarmuid thrust the butt of his spear into Mordred’s collar bone, breaking it in two.

“It isn’t her job to watch her Master like he’s some little kid, and he was just doing what he had to! It was war!” Mordred grabbed Diarmuid’s arm.

“She’s a villain who ruins everyone’s lives!”

Mordred was originally going to retort, but then he remembered both the lives he lived in Camelot, the history where he was killed by King Arthur and the one where he killed King Arthur. His mom’s actions had left Mordred isolated and miserable, but that was okay because Mordred deserved it. He was the monster who caused Camelot to collapse because of his childish spite. But she also caused Lancelot’s betrayal, though she only caused it because she was too nice. She was just too good for the rotten people in this world. But it wasn’t kindness that made her reject Mordred, it was fear and suspicion, she said so herself. Mom was being honest when she said that. She admitted she was wrong.

Mordred was wrong too though. They were both wrong. They were both culpable in the fall of Camelot, but Mordred was far more responsible as the one who incited the insurrection that tore the kingdom down. Mom was still partly responsible though. Mom made mistakes. Mom wasn’t perfect. Mordred knew this, he kept remembering this, and he kept remembering he shouldn’t hate himself. Despite thinking that over and over, Mordred kept on falling back into self-loathing. Why? Old habits? He had spent decades hating himself and worshiping his memory of King Arthur, the habits such a life created couldn’t be shed in just a few weeks.

Was there any point in trying to change in that case? If this cycle of hollow progression followed by immediate regression was going to happen every time, perhaps it would be better if Mordred gave up and just remained as he was.

Soon enough Mordred got on top of Diarmuid’s back and caught his legs under his armpit, Mordred using his free hand to grab the Berserker’s head and pull it back. The only things the mad warrior could use were his arms and the weapons they held, but the angle made hitting anything near impossible.

But it wasn’t impossible as the tip of the red spear headed for Mordred’s back. If the Pretender used Avalon, then Diarmuid would be completely freed, so instead Mordred opted to release the head in his hand and reach back to grab the spear just past the blade. This would have been the perfect opportunity to break the spear and Mordred’s biggest headache with it, but the angle his arm was at made it impossible to gather the necessary strength to do so even with a Mana Burst. Instead the Pretender prepared to release lighting in all directions from his body to destroy the Berserker while he couldn’t run.

“Moralltach!” Diarmuid calling his sword’s True Name caused his legs to gain a boost in jumping power and thus became strong enough to wrench themselves free from Mordred’s arm, breaking it. Mordred was knocked away as Diarmuid leaped high, his sword and spear both raised. They glistered as they crossed before the Berserker shot downwards and swung both instruments, releasing magical energy that formed into three great blades full of Divinity.

“Avalon!” Just as Diarmuid descended past Mordred, the Pretender activated his scabbard. The triple blade of energy failed to cleave the false King Arthur into four pieces. Mordred touched the ground while the Berserker was already running after mom.

The Pretender scooped up the dual-colored Excalibur as he ran after Diarmuid. The Berserker’s jumps made it impossible to keep up with him and Mordred wouldn’t trick the madman by throwing Excalibur like last time. Diarmuid wasn’t so insane that he couldn’t strategize and remember past deceptions.

Mordred stopped running as his arm finished regenerating. The false King Arthur’s helmet disassembled as he held out his half-corrupted Excalibur with two hands. The blade erupted with golden light and blazing darkness that shot upward into and through the ceiling. The shaft of twin energies broke out of the surface of the mountain before swirling together into a tornado of black and gold. Mordred Alter could not use the proper True Name release of Excalibur due to its partial impurity, but he could still use a modified version of the Holy Sword’s true power.

Diarmuid kept on running towards mom. She was all he cared about. King Arthur had become the icon of all he hated. He was the opposite of Mordred Alter in that sense, and yet they were so similar. They were both obsessed with the image of King Arthur that existed in their heads. It blinded them. It wasn’t healthy. Mordred had wondered earlier if there was any point in trying to change, but to give up trying was to become like this corrupted Diarmuid, a single-minded monster who would let the entire world die for the sake of his vengeance.

If Mordred was ever to save himself from such a fate, he had to grow or at least try to. His self-loathing and idealization of his mother had to be overcome. Mordred had to forgive himself. He had to accept that his mom was just a person like anyone else. No more exaggerated perceptions. Mordred had to look at reality for what it was, something complicated. Pretending it was full of clear cut rights and wrongs was only going to cause Mordred to drown in the nuances. It was time to move forward.

“Excalibur-” Mordred took a step forward and raised his sword high.

“Saber!” Diarmuid’s voice echoed.

“Camlann!” Mordred swung his arms down and a spiral of darkness and light rampaged down the tunnel, demolishing the edges of it and far beyond. Diarmuid was destroyed before he even had a chance to think about dodging. The blast erupted into a tower that pierced out of the mountain and devastated even more of the cave system.

The dust settled and what was in front of Mordred now was a massive cavity in the mountain with no ceiling.

“Holy Hell.”

Mordred turned around to see Rin who had an unconscious Illya on her back. The magus in red was missing an arm, a cauterized elbow being all that remained of it. Rin’s steps were all unsteady, like she would collapse at any moment.

“Are you two okay? Where’s Assassin?” Mordred ran up to them and took Illya off Rin’s back to ease her burden.

“Assassin’s dead, but so is Gilgamesh.” Rin’s face twitched for a moment when she spoke of Assassin’s demise. “I’m exhausted and Illya’s out cold. What happened after we left to fight goldie?”

“I ended up having to deal with Diarmuid, which I just finished doing.” Mordred pointed his thumb at the missing chunk of the mountain. “The others should be in the Grail chamber by now, but it’s hard to tell with all the cursed magical energy wafting through this place. It’s hindering my senses.”

“Same here. It’s good that you dealt with Diarmuid. Are you gonna help deal with the Grail now?”

“Yes. I was lucky enough to have avoided any major injuries thanks to Avalon. I used a lot of magical energy just now, but the Lion King provides me with so much, even in her weakened state, that I can still keep going.”

“That’s good. I can’t and obviously neither can Illya. Even if we healed all our wounds, we used too much energy and that can’t be restored with Avalon or anything like that.’

‘You should teleport to safety then.”

“Already planning on it.” Rin pulled out a green rune that hovered at the tip of her index finger.

“Wait.” Illya started to wriggle around in Mordred’s arms, consciousness having returned to her. “I’m staying.”

“Illya, you’re in worse shape than me, well, if you ignore the arm thing.” Rin said. “You’ll only get in the way here.”

“I need to see mama. I’m not leaving until I save her.” Illya’s eyes opened and there was a heat in those rubies that reminded Mordred of the fire he saw in her mom’s eyes when she made a similar declaration. Mom was a mess after defeating Lancelot, and yet she still insisted on staying to save mama-er-Iri-Irisviel. “I’m going to mama, even if I have to get through both of you.”

Rin sighed and pressed her palm into her face.

Mordred reached into himself and pulled out his Avalon.

“What are you doing?” Rin tried to take a step, only to nearly fall over.

“With two Avalons, Illya should heal enough to move on her own.” Mordred guided the sheath into Illya’s body, the scabbard joining its counterpart inside the homunculus and speeding up her regeneration.

“You’re seriously going to let Illya stay?” Rin said.

“She needs to be there for Irisviel. Having as many important people in her life present will increase the chances that we can reach her.”

“This is a terrible idea, but I guess I can relate to the sentiment.” Rin’s body relaxed. “Fine, but don’t get so obsessed about saving Irisviel that you all let yourselves get killed.”

“We won’t.” Illya got to her feet. “Our whole family is coming out of this okay. That includes me.” The homunculus looked at Mordred. “That means you too by the way.”

“W-Why?” Mordred leaned back.

“What d’you mean, why? You’re a part of the family.” Illya put a hand on her hip.

“But I’m not your Mordred-”

“You have his memories?”

“Yes.”

“You care about our family?”

“Well, y-yes. I don’t want you people to die.”

“That’s good enough for me. Let’s get going.” Illya ran deeper into the cave without another word, her body a blur.

Mordred was both stunned by Illya’s acceptance of him and the fact that she somehow was able to move so fast.

“Here.” Rin took off the winged sandals she was wearing, holding them out to Mordred. “They give you a speed boost. I projected them during the fight with goldie.”

“Thank you.” Mordred took the footwear and replaced his boots with them. “It feels strange to wear my armor with opened toed shoes. Anyway, I’m going after Illya. Be safe.”

“Be safe.”

Mordred took off with greater speed than he had ever previously achieved. While he caught up to Illya, he thought about how easily the homunculus accepted him. The Pretender was struggling to not hate himself with all his being, and yet the daughter of the woman Mordred had wronged more than anyone was willing to accept him as a part of her family without a second thought. Illya thought that the very idea of Mordred not being part of her family was ridiculous. It made Mordred feel guilty for some reason. That said, Mordred supposed that if he was ever going to forgive himself, doing it while among people who had already forgiven him would be the best way.

[nick_of_fire]

Fate/Identity Reborn Chapter 62: Hold the Sky

Heracles carried both Chloe and Artoria on his back as he followed the Lion King down a tight corridor. Curses filled the air and made it vile, every breath being painful for even the dark giant. They were about to reach the bowels of the mountain where Avenger gestated. It was time to face the ultimate evil of this journey, a darkness that was one of the greatest evils Heracles had ever heard of. The malignance had to die.

The group had one more obstacle to deal with first. Daggers came from both ahead and behind. The Presence Concealment of an army of Hassans was undone, the possessed civilians standing at both ends of the tunnel. Heracles turned around and used his body to take the knives coming from behind, the blades bouncing off his skin. The goddess handled the front, swinging her spear to destroy the daggers.

The Assassins pulled out more knives and held them up to their necks. They were using the same ultimatum they had when they first appeared, threatening to end their lives and thus the lives of the innocents they had pilfered the bodies of if the enemies of the Grail didn’t stand down. The difference in this case was that, due to the narrow passage, there was no way to run down the hall and destroy all the masks before at least a few of the Assassins could self-terminate.

“God, not this shit again. Can’t we just let these people die?” Chloe groaned. “We’re trying to save the world, they're gonna be some sacrifices.”

“No.” Heracles spoke deeply. “We aren’t making any more needless sacrifices.”

“Normally I would agree with Chloe.” the goddess put a hand on her chest. “However, I can feel Gray inside me, and she doesn’t want to sacrifice anyone. I want to respect her human choice.”

“So we’re just gonna bend the knee here?” Chloe said.

“Of course not.” Artoria echoed what Heracles was feeling.

“We just have to be careful about this.” The Lion King spoke as she fired multiple beams of energy, Heracles simultaneously summoning his bow and shooting several arrows. The Archer’s shots hit the walls of the cave, rebounding off them and hitting the masks of multiple Assassins before they had the chance to pierce their necks. The hits were all grazing blows that avoided harming any of the civilians, only breaking the masks. Meanwhile, the Lion King’s beams moved with curving trajectories that cleanly shattered all the remaining masks. The innocents all hit the floor, unconscious. Despite the awkward shape of the arena, the team of the goddess and demigod managed to kill Hassan for good and save all of the victims in one second.

“Fucking Hell.” Chloe was in awe. “I keep forgetting how fucking strong you guys are.”

“That had nothing to do with strength, it was technique.” Artoria said.

“You know what I meant.” Chloe huffed and summoned a green rune. “Gather all these people together so I can teleport them somewhere safe.

“Where are you going to send them?”

“Depends. I’m going to contact some of the others to see if any of them can quickly get to one of the teleport spots to watch over these people.” Chloe began having a telepathic conversation. Heracles smiled as he thought of how Chloe’s empathy had grown thanks to Illya and her family. It was unlikely that Chloe would have cared about sending these people somewhere safe before she grew. She still was willing to kill these people when Assassin first got in their way, but that was because the entire world was on the line. She was concerned about the world, about humanity. Her hatred wasn’t tinting her view of humanity as unilaterally cruel anymore. “Alright. Bazett and Scáthach are free.”

Heracles and the Lion King gathered all the civilians together. Chloe fired a few runes and the innocents were teleported to safety.

“Aight, let’s go. The Grail awaits.” Chloe said and the group took off.

Once they entered the chamber, they saw the Greater Grail. It was a black spot in the air, sitting like an ebony sun at the top of the crimson-tinted chamber. While Heracles had seen far more powerful forces, none were so full of hatred that made even the valorous hero of Greece feel his hair stand on end. Below the Grail sat the womb, a translucent structure shaped like a teardrop, within which was a writhing entity with four eyes trained squarely on the invaders bent on destroying it. The nearly born Beast was excreting curses that formed little pools and piles around itself. This womb sat on a plateau that led to a platform over a lake of the Grail’s mud. Around the room were so many giants made of mud that they crowded the area and made it difficult to see. There was barely any space in the room that wasn’t occupied by the titans composed of curses. There was one other large mass, but it was made of meat rather than mud, an avatar of an Outer God so large it barely fit in the room. It was something between an amoeba and a squid and it exhaled a mist that darkened the chamber. This must have been the gigantic entity that Gilles was able to summon. In that case, the false magus was inside that monster. The serial killer hadn’t used the river in the city, but perhaps he managed to use the lake of mud in the room to bring about this affront to all things.

“Suffer.” Standing in front of the womb was the Black Grail. She looked identical to Chloe and Illya and was wearing a black dress woven from threads of mud. She was…not all there. She displayed no clear acknowledgement of the group that had entered the room other than the one word she spoke. She wasn’t stable on her feet, waving back and forth slightly while her eyes were pointed towards the ground. Irisviel, the vessel of the Grail, was previously being controlled by the wish granter’s will, but she still had some sense of a personality. Now it seemed her ego had all but completely eroded away. Both Artoria and the Lion King looked at Irisviel with squinted eyes and clenched jaws. Their breathing was steady.

“Iri!” Artoria's voice was strong despite her battered body. Her cry reached out and grabbed the Black Grail’s attention, the haze in the homunculus’s mind clearing enough that she looked Artoria’s way. “We’re going to save you! Iri, this night won’t end until all of us are leaving this cave together! We’re going to go back to Denmark and we’re going to live as a family! You, me, and our children! I swear on the love I feel for you with every atom of my body, we will save you!”

Irisviel tilted her head.

“Who are you?”

A frigid silence followed. Heracles could feel Artoria’s hands squeezing his back. Despite Heracles’ near impregnability, Artoria’s grip hurt.

“It’s okay if you don’t remember. We’ll still save you. We will save you.” Artoria was smiling.

“As if there was any other option.” Chloe said as she got off Heracles’ back, the giant handing Artoria to his Master. “I’ll watch her, so you two just go all out.”

“We shall.” The goddess said as she stepped forward, the giant at her side. “I shall charge in, you watch my rear. Does that sound agreeable?”

“It does.”

“Suffer.” The Black Grail’s word caused the horde of mud titans to charge while the extradimensional god destroyed the platform with a whipping tentacle and jumped into the lake of curses. The mud titans would preoccupy and wear away at the invaders while the horror protected the Grail. A good plan.

The Lion King jumped and you’d be forgiven for forgetting she was in a weakened state given the speed at which she moved. One thrust of her spear tore one of the titans in half while a follow up swing brought down two more. The mud from the felled titans began gathering tougher to reform while more of the monsters kept moving forward. Sparkles danced around Rhongomyniad before firing like bullets and filling several titans with holes that quickly sealed shut. The Lion King could have brought down this army with a few swipes of her spear when in her prime, but now she was struggling. A dozen mud punches flew at the goddess, but Heracles’ arrows made a whistling sound as they crossed the air and blew apart the fists before they could land, allowing the Lion King to counterattack by stabbing her spear downward. Her entire body shot into the ground and unleashed a shaft of light that widened until it had overtaken and eradicated all of the mud titans in the nearby tenth of the room. The goddess followed up by jumping around the room, bouncing off walls while blanketed in light that made the Lion King look like a living laser as she sliced the titans into pieces. The chunks of curses tried fusing back together, but Archer rapidly fired shots that dispersed them. The droplets that remained still gathered back together, but more slowly. The only way to get rid of the mud was to completely annihilate it down to the most fundamental particles. That was difficult when the mud dissolved almost everything it touched, including the matter and most of the energy behind both the Lion King and Heracles' attacks. A high rank Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasm was necessary for this. Rhongomyniad would have been perfect for the job, but its True Name was sealed due to the damage to the Lion King’s Saint Graph.

The fight continued with the Lion King tearing apart attacking titans while Heracles provided support from a distance. Shooting through the chamber with her spear forward, the goddess burst through over fifty titans in a single motion and soared over the evil god. She was headed straight for the Grail. She lacked the power to destroy it as she currently was, but she could damage it enough to stop its womb from functioning for the time being. Tendrils from the evil god rose up and got in the Lion King's way. She pierced through them, but they slowed her down enough that another tentacle was able to swat her out of the air. The goddess was slammed into one of the mud titans, both the curses and the gluttonous meat of the horror eating away at her.

Heracles became a juggernaut as he jumped towards his captured ally, his body breaking through the mud and flesh to grab the goddess and leap back towards the ground. As they descended, more mud giants ran at them, but the Lion King felled them all with her lasers which she swung like a blade. Both Heracles and the Lion King were hurt from having their bodies and Saint Graphs eaten away at, but the goddess was doing far worse. Some patches of her skin had actually turned black.

The two heroes hit the ground and were immediately surrounded again. They both unleashed a barrage of projectiles that blew away the attacking force, only for another wave to be heading their way. The two warriors were in one place which made it easier to assail them both at the same time. It also meant that Chloe and Artoria had nobody to protect them. Three titans lumbered towards Heracles’ Master and the wounded king.

“I’ve got them!” Heracles charged through multiple mud giants and got between the three that were about to attack his Master. The Archer unloaded hundreds of arrows and the masses of mud were reduced to droplets that hit the opposite wall of the cavern.

The battle had returned to its original state, excluding the fact that both the Servants were now in less than top shape.

“This fucking sucks!” Chloe held on to Artoria. She wasn’t strong enough to help abate her Servant’s struggle, so all she could do was watch over the injured King of Knights. Even that wasn’t actually helping since Chloe lacked the capability to halt a single attack from the mud giants. All her barriers would be too vitreous to stop a force akin to what those titans could output, and that wasn't even taking into consideration the fact that the mud would just melt any defense actually durable enough to handle the raw force behind the curse constructs. One might think Heracles couldn’t personally empathize with her vexation given his might was ever present no matter the obstacle, but her helplessness struck a chord with him. He too knew what it was like to feel helpless before the will of beings that possessed power that was on a higher plane. Many of his life’s tragedies were the work of gods he could not challenge.

“Heracles.” The goddess telepathically spoke to the hero. “Can you make a path for me using Nine Lives? It’s clear I can’t make the path myself and also move through it in time.”

“I’ll try. Get right by the wall to my right.”

The Lion King topped a few titans as she got to the designated wall. As she did, the hero of Greece readied nine arrows to all be released simultaneously. Even before he fired it could be felt that he was preparing something grand. This was ultimately a technique more so than an ability, which meant his magical energy didn’t spike too highly, and yet it would be obvious to any warrior that he was initiating his ultimate attack.

“Nine Lives.”

The nine arrows left the bowstring and became dragon-headed lasers. They were on a collision course for the evil god. Many of the mud constructs gathered together and became like a fortress wall to dampen the force of the incoming projectiles. It was then that the shots all changed their vectors, making a hard turn as they went around the extradimensional horror and curved parallel to the cave wall. The dragons charged through dozens of titans and left a clear path for the Lion King to go down to reach the Grail.

Since the goddess was already prepared to move and wasn’t preoccupied with anything else, she just had to kick off the wall and become like a beam light to cross right over to the womb. Neither the evil god nor the cursed constructs could react in time to stop her. Rhongomyniad was thrust towards the gestating Beast.

A curved blade came from a pile of mud near the womb and arced towards the Lion King’s face. The goddess tried to stop her attack and evade, but she only achieved the first of those two goals. The blade stabbed into the Lion King’s left eye and destroyed it. Before it could go any deeper, the goddess propelled herself away with a Mana Burst, the point ripping out of her head. She landed a few feet back and found a woman with long purple hair wearing a dark hood rising out of the muck. They held a scythe in their hands and their face was unmistakably familiar. It was Medusa. Medusa Alter.

Out of more of the mud that had been scattered around the Grail came four more figures. Three looked identical to Medusa except they lacked the hoods to their outfits and only one of them had a scythe, the other two having a mirror shield and a sack. They were the Gorgon Sisters Alter.

Last was a giant with black armor made of individual plates who held a kopis in one hand and a sarissa in the other. Iskandar Alter.

They must have all died against their opponents and now had been resummoned as Blackened slaves to the Grail. They hid among the mud near the womb where its vile magical energy would be thickest to hide themselves from detection.

The Lion King tried to regenerate her eye, but she couldn’t. The weapon she had been wounded with rejected all unnatural forms of healing, meaning her eye was gone forever.

The four gorgons turned their hair into chains that came at the Lion King from all sides. She jumped up, but the conqueror thrust his sarissa at her while channeling electricity through it. The goddess met the spear with her own, Iskandar’s polearm splintering. As the goddess landed a fair distance away, she felt her body petrifying slightly from the four sets of Mystic Eyes that were trained on her. More chains came at her from the front while multiple titans punched towards her from all other directions. The Lion King thrust her spear towards the ceiling and she was surrounded by a pillar of light that destroyed the titans and would have killed the enemy Servants if they hadn’t dodged backwards.

Photons gathered at Rhongomyniad’s tip to burn through the five bodies standing in the Lion King’s way and make a hole in the wretched womb. Iskandar ran in the way.

“Ionioi Doúlos!”

The conqueror summoned and absorbed a Reality Marble which caused him to grow and gain tails of electricity in the shape of chains on his back. In his hand was a branching lightning bolt that he swung at the Lion King’s beam to swat it away. Thanks to the speed boost he had gotten in tandem with the goddess’ speed decrease due to the petrification, Iskandar got right up to Lion King and exhaled a wave of electricity right in her face before she could run. The Lion King predicted the attack and so preemptively began summoning another tower of light to protect herself. The weakened goddess’ power wasn’t enough to completely halt the metamorphosed Iskandar’s lightning, so some of it broke through the light and hit the king. She was sent flying off the plateau, her armor cracked and her skin burned. She was sent right to the evil god which grabbed her with its tentacles. The otherworldly horror began devouring the king through its flesh, subsuming her like a unicellular organism.

Heracles wanted to run over and free the Lion King, but he’d have to leave Chloe and Artoria unattended to do so and that was an opportunity their enemies wouldn’t let pass them by. The hero fired multiple arrows to try and destroy the tentacles holding the goddess, but those projectiles were destroyed by another electric beam from Iskandar who then lunged at the Archer. The conqueror crossed from one end of the cave to the other and swung his branching bolt. There was no way that Heracles had the strength to match such a blow. He was as strong as a Servant could be, but Iskandar’s current might was beyond that of a Servant. If he dodged, Chloe and Artoria would take the hit, so he had to be their shield. The bolt struck the demigod and his skin turned to mist. He tried to hold himself together, Chloe using her full body Command Spells to reinforce him with the order, ‘endure.’

When the strike had ceased, Heracles was just a pair of legs. He had been killed three times over and his Bow of the Hydra had been destroyed. God Hand restored the hero’s upper body and he grabbed the ax-sword at his hip. Iskandar swung his branching bolt again while Heracles drew his weapon and slashed in one motion. The bolt hit Heracles first, but the demigod didn’t stop his own swing which hit the Berserker’s chin. Heracles’ ax could only break through the skin, the conqueror’s jaw bone being too tough to take anything more than some cracks. The impact did hit hard enough to knock Iskandar away. Heracles’ upper body was a melting mass of bubbling flesh and blackened bone. This time the hit only took a single life. Heracles regenerated again and got ready to face what came next, but he found that Iskandar wasn’t coming at him again.

The tentacles around the Lion King were blown to pieces by an explosion of light the goddess radiated. Her armor had been eaten away which left her in the blue leotard she wore underneath, her body bloody, partly petrified, and stained black in multiple spots. Chains wrapped around the goddess. The quartet of bloodsuckers had been waiting for the king to try and escape. The fetters wrapped around her limbs, waist, neck, and even her head. The Lion King’s trick of summoning and desummoning her armor to escape the chains wouldn’t work this time since there were too many of them. The chains began to squeeze, threatening to crush the Lion King. At the same time, the four gorgons turned any of their hairs that weren't in the form of chains into snakes that all lunged at the goddess. More light erupted from the goddess, the chains and snakes getting vaporized. A giant hand wrapped around the king’s waist. Iskandar Alter had switched targets from Heracles to the Lion King. The Berserker threw the goddess into the lake of curses, exhaling a lightning beam to follow up. An honestly pitiful golden barrier tried to stop the electric wave, the mud eating up most of the Lion King’s shield as it was being formed. The lightning was halted just long enough for the goddess to have time to jump out of the mud, the beam missing her.

It was then that a scythe came for the goddess’ neck again. The hooded Medusa was wreathed in a purple aura denoting she was using some kind of Noble Phantasm. The Lion King blocked the incoming slash with Rhongomyniad, the gorgon following up with many more which the goddess barely managed to guard against. As soon as Medusa paused, the king swung back, but the gorgon jumped away.

“Caress of the Medusa!” Medusa’s eyes began to glow eerily before firing off a laser of petrifying energy, a condensation of the power of her Mystic Eyes.

At the same time, the other three Gorgon Sisters attacked with more chains and Iskandar threw his branching lightning bolt. There was nowhere to run.

The ground crumbled under Heracles as he jumped with so much force that the leg he used was reduced to ribbons. He was overloading his own body with magical energy in a way similar to how Broken Phantasms work in order to reach the Lion King in time to wrap himself around her. The power of God Hand made the attacks from the four bloodsuckers, even the petrifying beam, do no damage, but the Berserker’s javelin was another matter. That attack was equivalent to an A+ rank Noble Phantasm as it hit the demigod and became a storm of electricity that killed the giant seven times over, leaving him with only one last life and turning his ax-sword to dust. As the slop that Heracles’ body had become began to reconstitute, multiple mud giants punched down at the demigod and the goddess he just protected. The Lion King fired a wide ray of light that destroyed the giants, but the Alter Servants were already beginning their next wave of attacks. The hoodless Medusa fired another beam from her eyes while the Gorgon Sisters attacked with snakes made from their hair. Iskandar held a lightning javelin in each hand which he threw at the same time.

There was no way to dodge, nor to block. Even if they escaped this wave, another would come for them. They were going to die if Heracles didn’t do something drastic. He didn’t want to due to the consequences, but there was no other choice.

Heracles’ body reformed enough for him to be able to look his Master’s way. Chloe and Artoria were about to be attacked by a group of mud titans. Chloe was running while holding on to Artoria and forming a barrier. Despite doing so many things at once, she was looking at Heracles. She was worried about him. How kind of her. He hated to have to leave her, but she was strong enough to endure the loss and move on.

“I’m sorry, Chloe.” Heracles took a breath right as Iskandar’s lightning was about to hit. “Hold the Sky!”

Heracles swung his arm and the wave of lightning was dispersed on the particle level. The hero stood tall as his aura of magical energy grew so fierce that it destroyed the attacks of the gorgons before they even had the chance to strike true. The Divinity in Heracles’ body increased by the power of his final Noble Phantasm. This ultimate power embodied two legendary aspects of the life of Heracles. The first was when he temporarily took Atlas’ place as a pillar holding the Texture of the World in place using strength alone. Heracles in his original life possessed strength so great it allowed him to keep the very fabric of reality in place, and it could also tear it asunder. This Noble Phantasm returned that strength. The second thing this power represented was Heracles’ ascension to the status of a Divine Spirit upon his death. Heracles was not only becoming a Divine Spirit once more, but he was reacquiring his Authority over the concept of strength. This was a power that would lead to his self-destruction after using only a few attacks due to the nearly incalculable power he had regained, but it would be worth it to save Chloe.

The Alter Servants and titans of mud were all stunned by the sight of the god before them whose hair and skin turned pure white like his father’s. Even Goddess Rhongomyniad before she was weakened couldn’t achieve this level of power while being limited to using Gray’s body as a vessel. Only her original form’s power could compete. The entire chamber was constantly vibrating, even the Greater Grail quivered. The god of strength had to be careful or he could legitimately destroy the World.

“Archer, what are you doing?” Chloe screamed from across the cave, tears pouring from her eyes. “Why would you do this? Now you’re going to die! You’re going to leave me!”

“I know. I’m sorry, Chloe, but I had no other way to protect you. I wasn’t strong enough to succeed without sacrifice.”

“How am I supposed to go on without you? You saved me from my family! You’re the only reason I’m free!”

“No, you’re free because you had the strength to ask for my help. You’re free because you had the will to fight back against your family after years of abuse. You’re stronger than anyone, Chloe.” Heracles smiled.

“But I’m not!” Chloe clutched at her clothes. “I act tough, but I’m just scared! I’m a coward!”

“If you were a coward, then you wouldn’t be here right now, fighting for humanity. Your fear is normal. I’m scared right now, I’m terrified to leave you, but I know you’ll be okay because I trust you. You will be okay. You’re strong enough to live without me, and you won’t be alone anyway. You have Sella, Leysritt, and Illya. You are loved, Chloe. I love you, Chloe. You’re like a daughter to me.”

“I love you, too! You’re like my dad! I love you so much!” Chloe rubbed her tear-stained face, her makeup smudging. She looked Heracles in the eye. “Fine, you want me to keep going, then I will! I’ll show you how strong I really am! I'm your badass daughter after all!”

“I know you will.” Heracles looked to Artoria. “I was honored to meet you, Artoria Pendragon. Make sure to treasure your family.”

“I will.” Artoria nodded. “I was honored to meet you as well, Heracles.”

Heracles turned to face the Lion King.

“It was a pleasure fighting alongside you, Lion King, Gray.”

“The pleasure was all mine. I’ll make sure Chloe makes it out of this okay no matter what.”

“Thank you.”

Thumping sounds. A group of mud titans finally managed to break through their paralysis and ran at Heracles. The god brought his middle finger and thumb together. He flicked his finger and fissures formed in the Texture, cracks in space and time that ran through the giants and obliterated even the very atoms and magical energy that formed them.

Despite the display of power, the enemy forces were only incensed to take action. It was fight or flight, and they chose to fight. Iskandar and the gorgons prepared to attack again while all the mud titans ran at Heracles and even the evil god moved to strike at the hero.

“Throughout my life, I caused tragedies and took innocent lives, even those of my family. Now I shall revel in knowing that I now fight instead to defend my family, and the families of the innocent.” Heracles looked Chloe’s way one last time and smiled before taking a low stance and raising his fists. “Nine Lives.”

Heracles moved with steps that rocked the heart of the World. His fist flew and ripped through the fabric of existence, burning in an extradimensional flame born from conceptual friction. The punch tore a hole in spacetime and the bodies of hundreds of titans. Another punch took out even more. The entire area began to warp from the might it was trying and failing to contain. Iskandar threw two javelins of lightning, but both were erased by a kick from Heracles. The embodiment of strength followed up with another kick that defied distance and wiped away the conqueror as if he was a canvas being painted over. Four jabs followed and left four holes in the Texture where the four gorgons had once been. Heracles moved from where he was standing and began eradicating all the mud titans with strikes that were nothing less than martial arts perfection. Not a single mud monster remained as Heracles moved on to the extradimensional horror. He had used eighty-nine of his one-hundred hits. He was almost done.

A pang. Heracles stumbled. The backlash was hitting him. He was going to disappear.

It was too soon. He wasn’t done yet. He needed to do more.

“By my Command Spells!” Chloe cried out as her whole body glowed bright. “Keep fighting, dad!”

Heracles was rejuvenated and he smirked.

“Of course!”

A rising kick burned away the evil god and the false magus inside. The same leg Heracles just used came back down as an ax kick that crushed the lake of curses into nothingness. Ninety-nine hits. Nine left.

It was time for the Beast.

The hero shot past Irisviel and towards the womb with a body burning with extradimensional fire. As soon as he got close, he unleashed a combination of eight strikes that were so fast and flowed into each other so well that they might as well have happened simultaneously. Eight large portions of the womb disappeared, as did the mud that was around it. All that was left was a single eyeball of Avenger. Heracles couldn’t leave anything behind or risk some minor manifestation of this monstrosity.

Heracles reared his arm back for one final punch. This would be it. The Beast would be gone, and he would be gone too. This second chance at life had been a pleasant experience, but it was time to move on.

The hero punched and it was over in an instant. The eye was eradicated and an explosion of flame came from Heracles’ fist.

The arm Heracles just punched with turned to particles of magical energy and the rest of his body began following suit. He hadn’t had the chance to destroy the Greater Grail itself, the dark sphere still high in the air, but he trusted that his allies would be able to dismantle it.

The hero looked back at his daughter. She was crying. It would be okay. She was strong.

Finally, Heracles had found a family that he hadn’t ruined.

Finally.

“Thank you.” Heracles said as he completely dissipated while awash with contentment.

---

True Name: Heracles
Class: Archer
Alternative Classes: Saber, Lancer, Rider, Berserker, Assassin, Avenger
Species: Servant, Heroic Spirit, human
Type: Heroic Spirit
Gender: Male
Height: 253cm
Place of Origin: Greece
Likes: Justice, his family and friends
Dislikes: Losing loved ones, his sins
Talents: Archery, wrestling
Natural Enemy: Gilgamesh
Source: Greek Mythology
Region: Greece
Alignment: Lawful good
Hidden Attribute: Heaven
Armaments: Ax-sword
Summoning Catalyst: Axe-sword
Strength: A++
Endurance: A++
Agility: A++
Mana: A+
Luck: B
NP: A++
Class Skills: Magic Resistance(A), Independent Action(B)
Personal Skills: Divinity(A), Mind’s Eye(True)(B), Valor(A+), Battle Continuation(A+)
Noble Phantasms:
God Hand(Anti-Unit, B, -, 1 person)
Bow of the Hydra(Anti-Unit, A+, 5~100, 10 people)
Nine Lives(unknown, C~A+, “as the occasion demands,” -)
Hold the Sky(Anti-Unit(Self), EX, -, 1 person)

True Name: Hassan-i Sabbah Alter
Class: Assassin
Alternative Classes: N/A
Species: Servant, human, wraith, Alter
Type: Wraith, Heroic Spirit
Gender: N/A
Height: N/A
Place of Origin: unknown
Likes: N/A
Dislikes: N/A
Talents: Several
Natural Enemy: Gilgamesh
Source: middle east, Old Man of the Mountain
Region: middle east
Alignment: Lawful evil
Hidden Attribute: Human
Armaments: daggers
Summoning Catalyst: Their Saint Graph
Strength: E
Endurance: E
Agility: A+
Mana: C
Luck: E
NP: B
Class Skills: Presence Concealment(A+)
Personal Skills: Librarian and Knowledge(C), All Kinds of Specializations(A+), Battle Retreat(B)
Noble Phantasms:
Zabaniya: Delusional Illusion(Anti-Army/Anti-Unit(Self), B++, -, 100 people)

True Name: Medusa Alter
Class: Lancer
Alternative Classes: Archer, Caster, Rider, Berserker, Avenger
Species: Servant, bloodsucker, Alter
Type: Heroic Spirit, Divine Spirit, Anti-Hero
Gender: woman
Height: 172cm
Place of Origin: Greece
Likes: Snakes, sucking people's blood, her height
Dislikes: Mirrors, people taller than her
Talents: Stalking, seduction
Natural Enemy: Humanity
Source: Greek mythology
Region: Greece, Shapeless Isle
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Hidden Attribute: Earth
Armaments: Scythe
Summoning Catalyst: Her Saint Graph
Strength: B
Endurance: C
Agility: A+
Mana: C
Luck: E
NP: A+
Class Skills: Magic Resistance(B+)
Personal Skills: Divinity(E-), Independent Action(B), Monstrous Strength(A), Mystic Eyes(A+)
Noble Phantasms:
Harpe(Anti-Unit, A+, 1~5, 1 person)
Caress of the Medusa(Anti-Unit, B, 0~20, 1 person)

True Name: Gorgon Sisters Alter
Class: Lancer
Alternative Classes: Archer, Caster, Rider, Berserker, Avenger
Species: Servant, bloodsucker, Alter
Type: Heroic Spirit, Divine Spirit, Anti-Hero
Gender: woman
Height: 172cm
Place of Origin: Greece
Likes: Snakes, sucking people's blood, their height, each other
Dislikes: People other than themselves
Talents: Stalking, seduction
Natural Enemy: Humanity
Source: Greek mythology
Region: Greece, Shapeless Isle
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Hidden Attribute: Earth
Armaments: Scythe, mirror-shield, sack
Summoning Catalyst: Their Saint Graph
Strength: B
Endurance: D+
Agility: A+
Mana: A
Luck: E
NP: A+
Class Skills: Magic Resistance(B+)
Personal Skills: Divinity(E-), Independent Action(B), Monstrous Strength(A), Mystic Eyes(A+)
Noble Phantasms:
Harpe(Anti-Unit, A+, 1~5, 1 person)
Shield of Athena(Anti-Stealth, C, 1~40, 500 people)
Kibisis(Anti-Sealing, A+, 0, 1 person)

[nick_of_fire]

Fate/Identity Reborn Chapter 63: Identity Reborn

The Lion King looked up at the Greater Grail floating at the top of the cavern. Its womb was destroyed thanks to Heracles’ sacrifice, but the wish granter could still flood the World with curses if it wasn’t terminated. Below the black sphere was a plateau where the Black Grail stood as a thoughtless puppet. At the entrance of the cave, Artoria was comforting Chloe who was still reeling from the demise of her father figure. Neither of them would be able to fight in their condition, so it was all up to the Lion King to finish off the Holy Grail.

The dark eye began to weep mud that dripped onto the plateau. The goddess had to stop the Grail or it would generate enough mud to make more giants, or even create more Alter Servants. If Heracles Alter appeared while the Lion King was so greatly fatigued, then this battle was lost.

Rhongomyniad began to change as the goddess held it out, tip pointed towards the Greater Grail. It was time to use the holy spear’s main ability. The Noble Phantasm known as Rhongomynaid was not actually a weapon, or rather its main purpose was not to act as a weapon. The tower that resembled a spear was an anchor that held Textures of the World in place. More specifically, it existed to pin down the modern world of humanity and the Reverse Side of the World, keeping them in place and as they were. The pillar of the farthest ends could restrain Mystery and such a capability made it a useful tool in the current situation. The spear floated out of the Lion King’s hand as it changed into a long golden crystal with an ornamental ring around it. It glimmered so brightly that it lit up the cave.

“Rhongomyniad Mythos!” A beam of light fired from the crystal and pierced into the Greater Grail. The seal of Rhongomyniad reached into the core of the polluted wish granter and ‘pinned it down.’ Just like how the holy spear itself had thirteen restraints that prevented its true power from being utilized, a great limiter was now being put upon the Grail that prevented it from releasing more curses, or from doing anything else for that matter. Due to the goddess being in a weakened state, she couldn’t properly seal the Grail for a century like Rhongomyniad Mythos was supposed to. Instead this seal would only last for a few minutes.

As the Lion King kept firing the beam into the Grail, the mud that had already been excreted gathered around the Black Grail. There wasn’t enough mud to make a titan, but it was still a pile three times the homunculus’ size. The vessel herself blinked rapidly and held out her arms. She grabbed her head and winced as she looked around the room. The grip Avenger had on Irisviel’s mind had loosened enough that she regained sapience.

“Iri!” Artoria’s voice echoed across the chamber and grabbed the Lesser Grail’s attention.

Before, Irisviel gave Artoria a vacant look when the knight called out to her. This time, the Black Grail sneered.

“I’m really sick of you.” Irisviel had been freed from the Grail’s direct control, but she still had been tainted by its pollutants. Her Mind and Soul had been scarred, fused with pure hatred. Even if the Greater Grail was destroyed, Irisviel wouldn’t stop being the Black Grail.

Artoria clenched her fist so tightly that her nails dug into her palm and caused it to bleed. Chloe put a hand on her back.

“We’ll save her.” Chloe said.

“I know.” Artoria took a breath.

“No you won’t.” The Black Grail flicked her wrist and some of the mud around her formed into bullets that fired at the Lion King, Artoria, and Chloe. The goddess couldn’t move or do anything other than keep the Greater Grail anchored. Neither Artoria or Chloe could block or dodge the curse shots.

“Fuck!” Chloe put up a barrier.

“No!” The goddess braced herself.

“Iri!” Artoria said.

Two blurs entered the chamber. One grabbed Artoria and Chloe, flying them out of the way of the bullets while the other stopped in front of the Lion King. A knight slashed with a blade wreathed in black and gold lightning that destroyed the mud shots heading for the goddess.

Mordred floated with winged sandals, as did Illya who had Chloe and Artoria in her arms. Illya was no longer in her Dress of Heaven given it would turn Artoria to gold upon touching her, instead wearing the sports bra and compression shorts she had underneath.

“Great, the whole family’s here.” The Black Grail’s veins pressed against her skin as they bulged.

“Mama!” Illya jerked her head forward as she yelled. “We’re gonna sa-”

“All of you shut up about saving me!” A whip of mud lashed out at Illya and her passengers, but they flew out of the way. The tendril kept swiping at the trio even though it missed every time. “I don’t need to be saved! For the first time in my life, I’m doing what I want! I’m free!”

“You’re free?” Artoria said. “You weren’t even conscious before, because the Grail was controlling you! It’s just using you for its own ends!”

“The Grail hasn’t freed you, it's controlling you just like the Einzberns did! It’ll never make you feel happy or at peace! Even if you and the Grail eliminate humanity, you still won’t feel better!” Chloe added.

“N-” Irisviel couldn’t rebut them, for she knew they were right. “It doesn’t matter! All that matters is making everyone suffer! Humanity needs to die!”

“No, the Grail needs to die.” Mordred held out his sword and its blade was encased in a tornado of light and darkness.

“Stop!” The Black Grail formed all her mud into a three meter long spear that hurtled towards Mordred with surprising speed. Mordred raised his weapon as the energy around it grew into a high column. Particles of purple and gold filled the room as the spear was like a flash as it accelerated from having all the Black Grail’s magical energy pumped into it. If it hit its mark, it would impale not only Mordred, but also the Lion King which would end Rhongomyniad Mythos’ seal on the Greater Grail. It was all over if that happened.

“Excalibur-” Mordred took a step forward and swung his arms down. The spear kept getting closer. The light and darkness of the half-corrupted holy sword began to amass and fire forward. The spear was nearly past the point where the blade’s blast would cross. The sword’s power flared and exploded into a great beam that overtook the mud weapon and reduced it to nothingness before Mordred could even finish calling his Noble Phantasm’s True Name.

“Camlann!” The spiral ray shot right into Holy Grail. The magical energy in the chamber became so dense that it overwhelmed the senses and stopped the Lion King’s breathing. The well of hate that hung in the air tried to endure the destructive force it was being drowned in, but the wish granter’s fate had been decided the moment that Mordred had entered the chamber. No, it had been decided as soon as Mordred had been resummoned as an Alter Servant by the Black Grail. They had made the mistake of thinking that Mordred would be easy to manipulate, but the strength of will the knight possessed was beyond comprehension. Once he found something to live for, he was a force one should never hope to face in the theater of battle. The Holy Grail began to crack and fall apart like a crumbling ball of glass. The great threat to Human Order, the wretched device that had been the centerpiece of these foolish Holy Grail Wars which had imbibed the lives of countless magi, heroes, and innocents, was finally facing its dismantling. Watching the cause of so much suffering be deconstructed by a great wave was satisfying, but it also left the goddess anxious. Was it really going to be destroyed? The constant tragedies and turns for the worse had left the king cynical. An explosion rocked the entire mountain and forced everyone to look away lest they go blind from the light.

Once everything quieted down, the Lion King opened their eye. There was no Holy Grail in sight, nor was there any mud except for that which robed the Black Grail. The goddess looked around, trying to find something wrong to validate her cynicism, but all she could find was the Black Grail who was standing with her shoulders forward and head down, Mordred standing tall in front of the Lion King, and Illya carrying her mom and twin.

“It’s dead!” Illya put her passengers down and she and Chloe high fived.

“Fuck yeah!” Chloe raised her arms before hunching forward. “Mordred finished the job for you Archer. You can rest easy.”

Artoria took a deep breath as she looked at the spot where the Holy Grail once was.

“Finally! I thought that dumb ball would never die!” Add returned to his normal form. “Great job, Mordred! You didn’t screw up this time! It’s a miracle!”

“Shut it.” Mordred responded with a bite to his voice that sounded more like the old Mordred than the Altered one.

“You did a wonderful job.” The Lion King put a hand on Mordred’s shoulder.

“You really did.” Artoria walked over and put a hand on Mordred's other shoulder.

The knight looked back and forth at his mom and his…other mom who was also her sister? Mordred blushed and scratched his cheek.

“It was…well it was a big deal but…mmm.” Mordred couldn’t find the right words it seemed.

“You people just have to keep ruining my life. So close. I was so close, and you people had to ruin everything.” Irisviel spoke in a whisper and yet her words managed to echo throughout the chamber. She scratched at her head, nails digging into her skin and splitting it open. Blood dirtied her hair as her black dress shifted into a series of amorphous blades. She leaped off the plateau and made a mad dash towards her family. “I hate you! I hate all of you!”

“We’ll save you.” Artoria whispered. “Mordred. Goddess Rhongomyniad. I’m sorry, but can I trust you both to restrain Iri. We just need to hold her down and then we can try our plan to restore her to normal.”

“We’ve got this!” Mordred and the Lion King towards Irisviel.

“Just die!” Tears of mud left Irisviel’s eyes and her dress of blades swung and stabbed at the two knights. Add formed into his scythe form. Normally the Lion King would want to use his halberd form since it was an approximation of Rhongomyniad, but some part of the goddess wanted to use the scythe instead. The Lion King blocked the various mud blades with Add while he absorbed ambient magical energy. After the Grail’s destruction, there was so much mana in the air that the goddess was quickly rejuvenated.

Mordred slashed and used Mana Burst several times to destroy the mud blades of Irisviel’s dress. Her mud was a serious threat in large quantities, but it wasn’t as big a problem in small amounts, at least for combatants as strong and skilled as the Lion King and Mordred Alter.

“I hate you!” Irisviel was pushed to the ground, Mordred sitting atop of her and unsummoning his armor so as to avoid crushing the homunculus. Mordred was left with a blue suit and tie that he wore under his armor. The Lion King and the rest of Irisviel’s family formed a half-circle around the pinned woman. “I hate all of you! Why can't you all just die? Just die! Die! Die already!”

“Add.” The Lion King said.

“I got it right here for ya!” Add’s body opened up and released a light that faded to reveal a bottle of glowing blue liquid. The Lion King grabbed it and kneeled over Irisviel’s head.

“Don’t even think of trying to force me to drink that! I don’t know what it is, but as soon as you try, I’ll kill myself. I have mud wrapped around my heart that’ll crush it with one thought from me.”

The Lion King froze right as she was going to uncork the potion.

“Can’t Add do that thing he just did before to seal Iri’s mud powers?” Chloe grabbed the goddess’ forearm.

“I don’t have enough magical energy.” The Lion King quivered. Her voice was softer than normal. Gray’s personality was surfacing. “And even if I did, using Rhongomyniad Mythos twice in a row would be too much strain on Add. He could die.”

“Iri, please just drink this potion. We’re trying to take away your hatred.” Mom got on her knees and crawled over to her beloved’s face.

“I don’t want it taken away! I want it released! I want people to suffer like I have!”

“Iri, please! Would Kiritsugu want this?”

“Wh-Who cares what he’d want? He’s responsible for my suffering! He and I could have run away together, but instead he insisted on fighting in that stupid Holy Grail War!”

“You loved him! He was the man who taught you to be human!” Mom’s fingers dug into the ground. “He wasn’t perfect, but nobody is and that’s okay! Please, Iri, just stop and think! Kiritsugu loved you! I love you! We all love you! You aren’t alone in your pain!”

“Shut up! I’ll k-kill myself! I really will!”

“Mama!” Illya was in tears. “Please don’t die! I want to keep living with you! You’re my mama! I need you!”

“Well I don’t need you!” Irisviel looked away from her daughter.

“Look at me when you say that! Look me in the eye and say that! I'll believe you if you do, but if you can’t, then that proves you don’t mean what you say!”

“Fine then!” Irisviel swiveled head to look Illya in the eye, but her burst of bravado shriveled away as soon as she actually gazed upon her weeping daughter’s face. The Black Grail’s white skin somehow paled further and she looked away again. “I won’t play your stupid games!”

“Irisviel.” Chloe’s voice was unexpected. “I know what you’re feeling.”

“How could you know?” Irisviel spat.

“I lived a life of constant torture when I was being raised by the Einzberns. I never could rest, never have fun. Any failure was met with pain so horrible that I still have nightmares every night. I ended up filled with so much hatred for everything and anything that I was desperate for an outlet to let out all the fury inside me. I wanted to kill you and your family because of these misguided feelings. It was only when I lashed out at Sella, at someone I love, that I realized I was willing to kill anyone as long as I got to utilize my anger. There was no way I’d be satisfied or happy if I kept on that path.” Chloe put a hand on her chest. “It was inner peace that I needed. I know that sounds pretentious and it’s definitely easier said than done. I’m still full of hate that I have to restrain and channel. I’ll probably always have some of this hatred in me. I’ll never truly be at peace, but I think I can get close to it. What I’m saying is that I’m trying to improve and not just for my family, but also for myself. I’m being altruistic and selfish. Irisviel, you’ve suffered like I have and I know that if I’m strong enough to live with my pain, then you certainly can too.”

“Wha-y-you-” Irisviel had wide eyes as she was overwhelmed by Chloe’s words. Her teeth clattered against each other.

“All you have to do is drink the potion and all the suffering will stop.” Add said. “The way I said that sounded a little suspicious, but I’m being genuine. You just have to trust us.”

“Trust? Why should I trust any of you? What even is that potion?”

“It’s the Potion of Youth. It will revert you to before you were polluted by the Grail. It’s supposed to reduce you to childhood, but since you’re an artificially created homunculus who aged super quickly, you’ll probably stay an adult, or you’ll grow back up really fast. The only sticking point is that the potion causes those who drink it to keep their memories, but not their personality, that gets reverted to what it was when the drinker was a child. Normally that would make the potion a no-go and we’d just use Avalon, but that wouldn’t work since it only dispels outside influence and the curses have become a fundamental part of your body at this point. The reason we decided to stick with the potion is that, since you had no distinct personality before Kirtsugu met you, you probably won’t lose your current identity since you have no previous traits to revert to. There’s no old identity that would come into conflict with your current one, and even if you reverted to a doll, your memories should make you develop more or less the same personality that you have now.”

“But you don't know that for sure. I might just become an emotionless husk again. The person I am now will die.” Irisviel scowled.

“We’re certain it will work.” Mom said. “Please, Iri, trust us.”

“Why should I? Everything keeps going wrong no matter what anybody promises.”

“I-eh-Mordred kept his promise. Your Mordred kept his promise to protect you.” Mordred Alter spoke softly.

“He did and it cost him his life. Things still went wrong.”

“But you brought me back.” Mordred Alter’s sentence didn’t garner a significant response initially, but then everyone realized the implications of how Mordred phrased his statement. ‘Brought ME back.’

“Hold on.” Mom wrapped her arms around Mordred. “You’re…”

“I’m Mordred, the old Mordred, and yet I’m also Mordred Alter. When I was first revived as an Alter, the memories of my Alter self colored my perceptions of reality. I became pissed off at myself. I was so guilty to know I actually succeeded in killing mom in another reality that I felt the need to atone. That became my personality and it made me think I wasn’t really the same as the old me, but I am. I’m Mordred. I’m a part of your family.” Mordred’s eyes got cloudy before tears started to drip down onto Irisviel’s face as he sat atop her. “I was so scared when I died. I had finally found the family I’d always wanted, and I had to die to protect it. It wasn’t that I didn’t feel proud doing so, but I was also terrified to disappear and lose everything I had found. That’s why I’m so glad you brought me back, mama. You saved me and that’s why I want to save you now. I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me, for saving me and accepting me as a part of your family. I want us to live together again, all of us. I want us to be a family again, mama.”

“Mordred.” Mom hugged her son tight as she began to cry as well. She pressed her head into Mordred’s shoulder. “Thank God. You’re alive. You’re alive.”

Illya dropped to her knees and covered her mouth as she sobbed with joy while Chloe crouched down and hugged her.

The Lion King felt a stirring within herself upon learning her brother was alive. Gray’s personality had already begun resurfacing in her, just as it had when she confronted the Black Grail atop the Vimana days ago, but this time it was stronger. The old Mordred had managed to persist despite having a new identity forced upon him. It inspired the existence that had been buried within the goddess, lighting its will ablaze. The Lion King’s very essence was rumbling, her personality and Saint Graph forming a fence that was trying to keep out Gray. Even though the goddess wanted Gray to return, it was ultimately only Gray that could restore herself, and it had to be through sheer force of will just as Mordred had done. The difference was that Mordred was ultimately just accepting himself, but Gray was actively fighting against a power that was trying to suffocate her Mind and Soul.

The tears kept falling on Irisviel’s face as she laid there with her mouth hanging open and eyes trained squarely on Mordred.

“You’re…here.” Irisviel put a hand on Mordred’s cheek. This latest revelation, bolstered by the various sentiments of love from the other members of the Pendragon family, chipped away at the corruption within the homunculus. The Grail was no longer giving a direct feed of curses into Irisviel so she could actually have her heart swayed. Irisviel’s hand trailed down to Mordred’s neck. Her eyebrows curved and her brow creased as she began to squeeze Mordred’s throat. The hatred within her was still alive. “I-I…I still hate you.”

“Please, mama. Stop.” Mordred was never going to choke from the weak grip of his adoptive mother, but the sentiment hurt far more than any physical wound.

When the Lion King gazed upon Irisviel’s face, she did not see hatred. What she saw was defiance. She was fighting against the mud, but she wasn’t winning. There was a desire to let go of her resentment even though the voices of the mud were screaming at her to rage at everything within her reach. Despite everything weighing on her, Irisviel was still fighting. Mama was still fighting.

The Lion King was shaking. Gray was struggling even more to breach the surface of the goddess’ shell. She had been motivated by both her brother’s success in regaining himself and her mama’s efforts to do so as well. Gray wasn’t going to give up until she was in control of herself again and she could help her mama return to normal.

Gray was at the center of the Lion King’s Divine Core. It was like being imprisoned in the heart of a star as the goddess’ heat tried to reduce Gray to nothing. The young girl felt the outer layers of her existence burning away which she then had to recreate with pure determination. The pain was something all-encompassing and impossible to ignore. It was indescribable because it was a suffering that exceeded the physical and even the mental as it damaged the very concept of the person known as Gray and the information that defined that concept. It was a genuine miracle that she was still persisting despite the pain she was feeling and the difference in power between her and Goddess Rhongomyniad. She was a human who had been thrown into the Sun, and yet she was still alive and hadn’t yet lost her mind from the suffering. Instead she was pushing back against the light of the goddess with a recalcitrant spirit. The only way Gray could be free would be if she could consume the goddess and thus switch their positions in the current dynamic. Was Gray capable of that? It really wasn’t worth questioning ‘if’ as Gray refused to give up, so the only thing she had to ask was how much harder she had to fight to take control.

It was funny how much Gray had been terrified of losing her identity, of becoming someone other than herself, but now that it had essentially happened, she wasn’t afraid at all. Gray knew that the smallest remnants of who she was could still be snuffed out, that she was still in danger of finally disappearing, but now that the event she dreaded was still only a step away, she became focused. She wasn’t wasting her time worrying, she only concerned herself with handling the problem now that it was here. The fear of becoming nothing was no longer something abstract and unquantifiable, it was something measurable and tangible, something Gray could understand and overcome. Gray’s foe was not infinite. She reached out and took hold of the light around her and made it hers. The Lion King wasn’t fighting against Gray, so as long as she could withstand holding the total power of the goddess within herself, Gray could take back control. The difficulty for Gray was trying not to lose herself to the might she was taking in. If her concentration faltered for the briefest instant, then she would finally die for good.

Gray was drinking in the waters of a sea of light that looked endless, but she knew it wasn't. She would ingest it all eventually as long as she didn’t give up. Just keep drinking. Ignore the pain, just keep drinking. You’ll be done eventually, so just keep drinking. Your mama’s fighting too, so just keep drinking. Just keep drinking. Keep drinking. Drink. Drink. Drink. It hurts so fucking much. The pain just won’t stop. Why hadn’t she finished drinking yet? Would she even be done? Would she ever be free? She could just give up. She could sleep then. The pain would end. It’d be so easy. No! Fight! Drink it all! Gray couldn’t give up! She needed to return to her family! They were going to reunite and then they’d live happily ever after! No more magecraft or Holy Grail Wars, just peaceful days. Gray could do this. More and more divine light was taken into Gray and caused her existence to grow, making her fill up more of the Lion King’s Mind and Soul. It was working, Gray was gaining more control, but this caused even greater pain. She just had to keep on drinking, fighting, growing. Every moment was progress made towards freedom. Keep going. So close. Gray just had to endure for a little longer.

A touch. Gray had hit the edge of the sea. She had done it. Thank God.

The pain had gone away. Gray was within a black void filled with glowing gold lines. They were her Magic Circuits and they were filled with the Divinity and Authority of the Lion King who was now floating in front of the young girl.

“I did it.” Gray felt a catharsis that was so intense that she didn’t know what to do, she was too absorbed in her relief. She was basking in the absence of agony, her thoughts reduced to a dull haze.

“You did.” The goddess smiled. “I knew you could. You’re strong, Gray.”

“Thank you.”

“Now you need to send me away.”

“What?” Gray’s mind regained focus.

“Your personality has been restored, but it won’t last long if I’m still within you. You need to return me to the Throne of Heroes. I’m weakened from the earlier fight which, alongside the damage I took to the core due to Diarmuid, has made me a feeble enough existence that you can eject me from yourself now that you’re in control.”

“Oh.” Gray frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“You’re going to disappear. I feel bad.”

“You wanted to be your own individual, yes? Shouldn’t you be happy to have me gone?”

“I know, but I still don’t want you to disappear. You helped so much with destroying the Grail and you protected my family. I’m so thankful to you for all you’ve done in my place.”

“I was just doing what any human would have in my situation.” The Lion King put her hands on Gray’s shoulders. “You’ve given me the opportunity to save the World as a human. That’s a treasure I will appreciate until the end of time.”

Gray reached out and hugged the goddess. The Lion King held her arms out, hesitant to reciprocate before she relented with a grin and embraced the young girl. This pair had come to have a uniquely intimate understanding of each other. They saw each other’s memories and felt each other’s emotions. Despite the turmoil the Lion King’s manifestation caused Gray, she was still glad the goddess was there to provide her strength to protect their family. To lose the Lion King would be like losing a part of Gray, but it was only in excising the goddess that Gray could finally be who she truly was.

“Goodbye, Lion King.”

“Goodbye, Gray.”

They pushed away from each other and shared one last meeting of gazes before Gray closed her eyes. She concentrated on expelling the Divinity within her Circuits. The golden light in the veins around her began to rise and flow out, changing to a cool green that was Gray’s own magical energy. The Lion King dissipated and Gray felt herself rise up. She was rushing towards consciousness, mere moments away from breaching the surface.

Gray opened her eyes for the first time in over a week. She looked upon the crimson cave and the faces of her family. She smelled the putrid stench of the Grail’s mud and tasted the accompanying sour flavor that filled her mouth. The weight of her own body and the voices of her loved ones made Gray realize she was back, she really was herself again. She was real and alive.

“I’m back.” Gray was crying from her one eye. She wasn’t bawling her eyes out the way she thought she wound. It was a gentle flow of tears as she remained tranquil.

Everyone looked at Gray.

“What do you mean?” Chloe hadn’t picked up on what had happened. Everyone else needed only a single glance at the woman before them, at their family to know that, even if she still looked like the Lion King, she was Gray. Chloe noticed everyone’s shocked expressions. “What’d I mi-”

“Gray!” Both mom and Illya latched onto Gray as if she would disappear if they didn’t catch her in time. They squeezed Gray so tight that it actually aggravated her wounds, but she didn’t say anything. Her happiness at being held by her family far exceeded any pain she was in.

“I missed you so much!” Illya rubbed her cheek against her sister’s. “I love you so much, Gray! You’re my favorite little sister!”

“I’m your only little sister. Well, I guess Chloe’s your little sister too.”

“Am I?” Chloe pointed at herself.

“I mean you’re essentially identical twins, but you’re younger than Illya so-”

“Both of you, shut up! I’m having a moment!” Illya yelled while ugly crying.

“I’m so sorry!” Mom was shaking. “I failed to keep you from losing yourself. It’s all my fault.”

“No it isn’t.” Gray had almost forgotten the guilt mom felt for her situation. “Let’s stop with the self-flagellating. Everyone keeps blaming themselves over something or other and all it does at this point is hurt us. We all need to just let go of the past and move on.”

“You’re right. You’re right.” Mom’s voice evened out. “No more looking for who to blame things on.”

“Good.” Gray smiled and hugged her mom and sister back.

“Hey, Gray.” Mordred had an unstable grin as he waved. He probably didn’t want to subject Gray to even more iron maiden-esk hugs. Also he was still busy pinning mama down.

“Hey.” Gray giggled a bit from the awkwardness and waved back.

“I’m glad you’re back.”

“I’m glad you’re back too.” Gray waved at Chloe. “Hi, Chloe.”

“Hi.” Chloe looked especially uncomfortable. “Sorry that the plan I suggested about finding Aozaki led to you getting ambushed and everything.”

“It’s okay. Like I said before, no more blame.”

“Right.”

Gray looked down at Add, her best friend.

“Hi, Add.” Gray could barely get the words out due to how much she just wanted to cry out with joy.

“Hey, Gray. Been a bit.” Add spoke softly. “Missed ya bud.”

“I missed you too.” Gray lifted Add to her cheek in an approximation of an embrace.

“Gray.” The word fell out of mama’s mouth. “Mordred. You’re both alive.”

“We are.” Gray said.

“You’re okay.”

“That’s right.”

“You’re really okay?”

“We’re all okay. Things can turn out okay sometimes. I know that so many bad things have happened to us and it seems like there’s no point in continuing to fight, but there is. We can win. Good things do happen. It isn’t good all the time, I’m not sure if it’s even good most of the time, but sometimes things are okay. I think that’s enough to get by with, and we can get through the hard times together as a family.” Gray sniffled. “I know that we can make each other upset sometimes, but I don’t think we ever truly hurt each other. We’re a family. We’ll always be there for each other when it really matters. We’re here for you right now, right, mama?”

“I…” Mama stared at the ceiling. “Where’s the potion?”

“Right here.” Gray held it out.

Mama swallowed some spit.

Mama inhaled deeply, air filling her lungs until her chest had visibly distended.

Mama exhaled slowly, a steady stream of carbon dioxide flowing past her lips.

“Pour the potion into my mouth.”

“Wait, you trust us now?”

“Just pour it into my mouth before the curses make me change my mind!”

“O-Okay!” There was no time to contemplate mama’s change of heart. All they could do was be thankful and put their plan into action.

Gray uncorked the bottle while mama held her mouth open. The potion poured down and mama drank the stream that splashed into the back of her throat. The blue liquid got all over her lips which she licked off to make sure she ingested as much of the potion as possible. Gray stopped pouring and the homunculus shivered.

“God, that tastes disgu-”

There was a flash of light with mama at its epicenter. It was impossible to see, but the magical energy of the Grail’s mud that resided with mama could no longer be felt. The potion successfully rid her of the last remnants of Avenger’s influence. The only question now was if Irisviel would still be herself, or if she’d revert to an emotionless doll.

The light faded and mama was still lying under Mordred, her dress of mud gone which left her in the nude. She was still an adult, so the potion didn’t take her too far back. Mordred got off of her and she sat up.

“Iri.” Mom spoke hesitantly.

“Yes?” Mama turned to face her. Her gaze was empty, not a trace of light in her eyes at all.

“Iri?”

“Yes?” Mama’s voice was completely flat.

“Who are you?”

“I am Irisviel Pendragon, formerly Irisviel von Einzbern. I am a homunculus built to act as a Lesser Grail.”

“W-What do you want to do right now?”

“I don’t want anything.”

“W-W-W…What are you feeling right now?”

“Nothing.”

“No.” Mom’s face reddened and her teeth grit.

Gray’s heart sank. There was a pit in her stomach as she processed the audacity of this moment, the blatant horror of this loss. Her mama was gone and Gray was desperate to try and think of a solution to this, to think of a way to save her, but nothing came to her mind.

Illya moaned in sorrow as she broke down. Chloe held her twin.

“Why?” Mordred clenched his fists and slammed one of them into his forehead. “Why?”

Add didn’t even say anything. He just kept quiet.

It was like the entire world was unraveling. This couldn’t be happening. They had come so infinitely close to a happy ending only for that ending to slip through their fingers like water at the last minute.

What next? Was the sky going to fall? Would the planet crumble? Did God just want to make everyone suffer? Was it a law of the universe that happiness was only allowed to last just long enough to make it hurt all the more when that happiness was stolen away.

Gray wasn’t ready to say goodbye to her mama. She covered her face with her hands. She didn’t want to look at anything. She didn’t want to hear, or smell, or taste anything. All experience would only bring new sorrow.

Would it have been better if Gray hadn’t returned? She should have embraced the bliss of nonexistence.

“Don’t cry.”

Gray’s mind went blank before she looked at her mama.

“Don’t cry.” Mama said. Her previously phlegmatic face began to make small movements, hints of emotional expression.

“Iri, are you-” Mom got choked up.

“I remember. I don’t just remember.” The sides of mama’s mouth twitched upward.

Illya pressed her arms tightly to the front of her chest.

“I feel things. I feel things about all of you.” Mama’s breathing became labored with feeling.

“What do you feel?” Mordred hunched forward.

“It’s strong. It’s a feeling that makes just looking at all of you a blissful experience.” Mama’s eyes lost their haze.

Really? Was this happening? Was this just a trick? Gray was afraid to believe, but she wanted to.

“The thing I feel for all of you, I think I know what it is. I think it’s love. I love all of you.” Mama smiled as she began to cry.

“Mama.” Gray’s breathing quickened. “Mama. Mama. Mama, you’re…”

“I’m back.” Mama said.

As if they were predators pouncing on their prey, Gray, mom, Mordred, and Illya all latched onto mama. They hugged her so hard that she quickly started turning red and not from embarrassment.

“I think she’s dying.” Chloe commented from a safe distance. The grips holding mama loosened just enough to stop hurting her, but they weren’t letting her go any time soon.

“I missed you so much, Iri.” Mom planted kisses all over mama’s face.

“I missed you too.” Mama held mom’s face and they kissed each other on the lips. They separated and mama hiccuped. “I’m sorry for ev-”

“No more saying sorry!” Gray buried her face in her mama’s back.

“Right.” Mama chuckled. “No more sorries. Instead, I’ll just promise this: Things are going to be great from now on, I know it.”

“I knew you were too tough to go out that easily!” Add said as he bounced around despite lacking limbs.

“Is there any mud left in you or anything?” Illya said.

“No. The voices are gone thanks to all of you. It’s so quiet inside my head now. The way I phrased that makes me sound like I’m dumb.”

“That’s gotta feel really cathartic.” Mordred sat back. “Like taking a shit after holding it in for a day or two.”

“Gross.” Chloe groaned.

“That wasn’t very…Mordred Alter-y of you.”

“I’m trying to accept myself and that includes my true personality.” Mordred looked over at mom. “I’ve tried to be like you for so long, or at least the Alter version of me has. The Altered me put on that persona for so long that I’d nearly forgotten who I really was. No more though. I’m Mordred and I’m proud.”

“I’m happy to hear it.” Mom looked peaceful. It was as if she was at ease for the first time in forever.

“How about we hit the old dusty trail?” Chloe stood up while taking off her fur coat and holding it out for mama. “I don’t mean to cut this family reunion short, but I think you’ll be able to enjoy it more in a house with food and cushy pillows than in this fuckin’ cave from Hell.”

“You’re right.” Mama took hold of the coat and began to stand, Illya and mom helping her to her feet. She slipped into the coat and snuggled into it. “Let’s go. I’m tired, and hungry, and thirsty.”

“I could eat, I suppose.” Mom said which immediately got a laugh out of everyone but Chloe and herself. Mom blushed. “I’m not fond of the fact that the mere concept of me eating has become a joke.”

“You have a bit of a glutinous streak, mom.” Illya snickered.

“It’s one of your charm points.” Mama wrapped herself around mom’s arm.

“Mom’s not the only one with an appetite right now. I could eat a dragon right now.” Mordred crossed his arms behind his head. “Who’s gonna cook by the way?”

“I can.” Gray raised a hand. “As long as there’s ingredients, I’m sure I can whip something up to feed everyone. I’ll make fudge for dessert.”

“It’ll be just like old times!” Add said.

It had been a long battle to cap off a war that caused great suffering. Lives were lost and wills were tested. The participants and those that allied themselves with them all faced each other in battle before coming together for the greater good. A lurking evil had hidden itself in the town of Fuyuki, but its existence was brought to the light. The coalition of heroes faced the evil as one and as many. Sacrifices were made, perhaps too many, but victory was claimed by the righteous and the villain of this tale was eradicated with little ceremony. The pointless ritual that had been the foundation for this averted disaster was aborted. Scars were left upon all the heroes that would never fully heal, but none of the heroes were broken. They still had the strength to persevere through the darkness that inevitably came with the act of living, all so they could savor the moments where they could bask in the light. These individuals would act as pillars to prop each other up when they weren’t strong enough to endure by themselves, all while being able to exist as unique people with their own lives. The remaining Masters, Servants, and allies were all forged into stronger people as a result of this war. They had been forced into life or death situations that tested their morals, their ideals, their identities, and in the end they found out who they truly were.

The Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War was over and the victor was humanity.

[nick_of_fire]

Bonus: Old Chapter 63: Student vs Teacher

This is the old version of chapter 63. I deleted the original due to being unsatisfied with it and you can go back to the previous chapter to read the canon new version. I decided to reupload the old version for anyone who liked it, even if it's no longer canon.

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It only took Illya a second to reach the Grail’s chamber thanks to the winged sandals she wore. Illya and Mordred found a warped area, space itself full of cracks, holes, and bends that were gradually reverting to normal. There was a profoundly vile sphere floating high that made Illya want to vomit just from looking at it. That was the Greater Grail controlling her mama. All the exhaustion the homunculus felt was forgotten at the sight of her enemy. Below the sphere, on a plateau, was mama. She was a husk of her former self that showed no awareness of her surroundings. A little closer to the entrance was the Lion King who was lacking her armor and had splotches of black all over her skin. Right by the entrance was mom and Chloe, the latter being in tears while the former held her with her single arm.

“What happened?” Illya ran over to her mother and twin. “Are you both okay?”

“Where’s Heracles, and where’s the womb?” Mordred ran up too. “Is the fight over?”

“Heracles is gone.” Chloe whispered. That answered why she was crying. “He died destroying the womb and all the enemies. He went out like a badass.”

“I’m so sorry, Chloe.” Illya wrapped an arm around her twin, mom letting the homunculus go.

“Mordred, come with me.” The Lion King said. “If you and I use our strongest attacks together, we can destroy the Grail.”

“I’ll be right there.” Mordred zipped right to the goddess thanks to his sandals.

“Once we destroy the Grail, we can try our plan to turn your mother back to normal.” Artoria looked at mama.

It was then that mud began leaking out of the Grail and piling atop the plateau around mama. The cursed device excretion made it look like a weeping eye.

“It’s still trying to fight back, we need to destroy it quickly!” The Lion King charged up a golden beam while Mordred held out his sword, about to call its True Name.

Projectiles shot out of the waterfall of mud. Bullets and arrows forced Mordred and the Lion King to dodge out of the way and stop their attacks.

Two figures appeared and joined mama in standing atop the growing pile of mud. One was a man with dark skin and white hair in a buzz cut. He held two handguns that had familiar bayonets, one red and the other white. Illya had to admit, those guns were the coolest things she had ever seen and it made her wish she was able to project modern weapons. Wait, she was able to trace them. Those were modified versions of Kanshou and Bakuya, so they still counted as swords. That meant they were fair game, Hell yeah! No, this wasn’t the time to get hyped up. If those were Kanshou and Bakuya, then that was the Altered form of Emiya. He looked…different. His face was so cold, even colder than it used to be. There was no life in his expression, only focus sans passion.

The other figure was a man with red skin and a strip of cloth that hung over his head, covering his face. He held a bow in his hand and he had an aura about him that made it a struggle for Illya to move, instinctual fear paralyzing her. That had to be Heracles Alter. It was hard to get a read on him, but he was definitely the biggest threat in the room.

“Heracles?” Chloe whimpered.

“I am Alcides.” The bowman summoned a sash that was saturated with Divinity, wrapping it around his arm. He summoned multiple arrows into his hand that he dunked into the mud, infusing them with their curses along with divine power from the sash. The red man fired a salvo of arrows that was met by a series of lasers from the Lion King, deafening booms resulting from the projectiles destroying each other. More arrows followed in an even greater quantity. The goddess tried to destroy them all, but there were too many and she was too exhausted by this point. Mordred destroyed the remaining arrows with slashes of her sword, but she needed to use Mana Burst every time in order to have the necessary offensive power. The arrows just kept coming so Mordred and the Lion King had to switch to dodging while deflecting any projectiles that they couldn’t avoid. Mordred used their newfound speed and flight from the sandals to soar over to the trio on the hill of curses, thrusting Excalibur at the bowman. The sword pierced right into the veiled man’s chest. It should have been instant death, but it seemed this version of Heracles had some kind of immortality Noble Phantasm as he survived and grabbed Mordred by the head. The knight was dunked into the mud. Mordred was an Alter so he was pretty much immune to the corrosive curses, but his sandals dissolved, returning him to his normal speed. The Lion King charged towards the mud hill to save Mordred, but multiple titans formed from the coagulated curses and got in her way. The submerged knight slashed at the hand holding his head, forcing the bowman to let go which let Mordred jump out of the mud. The goddess finished destroying the titans and both she and Mordred struck at Heracles, but he dodged and forced them back with more arrows.

“Mom!” Illya grabbed her mother’s arm. “I have Mordred’s Avalon inside me. Take it so you can heal up a bit and help fight.”

“Yes.” Mom put her hand on Illya’s chest and pulled out the scabbard.

“Reincarnation Pandora.”

The sheath disappeared from mom’s hand. Illya looked around until she noticed Avalon was in the corrupted Heracles’ grasp. He inserted the sheath into himself, the wound in his chest knitting closed.

“Fuck.”

While the weakened Lion King and Mordred Alter continued engaging with Heracles Alter, Emiya Alter began shooting at Illya, mom, and Chloe. Illya grabbed her twin and mother before flying out of the chamber and back into the tunnels that led to it. Woefully, Illya’s winged sandals didn’t last much longer. They were Divine Constructs so maintaining projections of the footwear for long wasn’t possible without a consistent amount of magical energy being pumped into them, something Illya couldn’t do in her current condition.

The sandals disappeared and the trio face planted into the ground. They had made it a good ways into the mountain’s tunnel system at least.

“God, I landed on my tits.” Chloe groaned.

“The corrupted Emiya is following us. I can feel him.” Mom tried to get to her feet, but couldn’t.

“Shit fuck. Chloe!” Illya got up. “Make a contract with me.”

“What? You’re not a Servant.”

“Yeah, but we can use our attribute of the flow and transfer of power so you can send your magical energy to me so I can fight. Mom is too hurt so even if you gave her extra magical energy, she wouldn’t be able to heal fast enough. The only thing holding me back is a lack of magical energy since Avalon fixed up my physical wounds already and I can fight on the level of a Servant. C'mon, let’s do this.” Illya was talking so fast that her words blended together.

“I guess it’s the best we got. Give me your hand.” Chloe stood up and held out her arm. Illya clasped hands with her twin. Chloe began an incantation as Emiya got ever closer.

“Come on, come on.” Illya bounced on her feet while Chloe continued the ritual.

Emiya appeared at the end of the tunnel the trio was in.

“Chloe!”

“It’s done!”

Illya was filled with power that reinvigorated her. She went from barely conscious to so awake that she felt like she was hopped up on stimulants.

Emiya rapidly fired with his pistols.

“Time alter - square accel!” Illya’s time dilated to make her faster while she began projecting two weapons. In her hands appeared perfect copies of the guns Emiya Alter was using. As soon as they appeared in her hands, Illya knew that these were the perfect weapon for her. Despite her Origin of sword, the homunculus would always be a marksman first and foremost. Guns were more her style so using pistols that still utilized her Sword Origin was the perfect combat method for her. Illya’s fighting style had finally been completed.

A few pulls of the trigger were all that were necessary to shoot the incoming bullets out of the air. Illya projected multiple Origin Swords around her that she fired at Emiya who weaved around them whilst running at Illya and company. The homunculus kept on sending blades and bullets, but the Alter kept dodging the former and destroying the latter with his own shots. Once close enough, Emiya slashed with his bayonets. Illya blocked and slashed back. The fight became a mix of a sword fight and a close range gun fight, the pair attacking and defending using both blades and bullets.

“Argh!” Chloe got hit in the upper arm by a stray bullet.

“Chloe, mom, get out of here! I’ll hold Emiya back!” Illya said. Chloe and mom ran further into the cave system, Illya’s mother looking back for a moment before leaving sight.

Both Illya and Emiya began twirling their guns around their fingers while slashing with them and firing. Bullets went in just about every possible direction and the spinning made the firearms act like buzzsaws that created sparks with every collision. With such a hectic duel, it was amazing that Illya was able to keep up even with time alter. Thankfully, Emiya Alter wasn’t very fast by Servant standards. Neither completely avoided every attack, as some bullets and slashes managed to hit their mark. Holes and cuts covered Illya, but they quickly healed thanks to Avalon. Not a single bullet got to Emiya as he had nigh unparalleled skill in avoiding and redirecting projectiles, but he ended up with some lacerations that couldn’t heal as easily as Illya’s.

Despite how comfortable using guns was for Illya, they weren’t very useful against this opponent so she had to change fighting style. The homunculus’ pistols fused together into a staff with curved blades resembling Kanshou and Bayuka at each end. Illya twirled her new weapon while swinging it repeatedly. Such a large weapon rotating at high speed caused it to have a large functional surface area that made it a good shield against bullets while it was being used to attack. Emiya’s shots rebounded while he dodged around the staff. One time when Illya swung her weapon, she let it go, throwing it and thus extending its reach beyond what Emiya was prepared for. He barely got out of the way as the makeshift buzzsaw flew past him. While he was dodging, Illya projected an Origin Sword that she thrust at Emiya. The Alter dived out of the way and rolled, getting back on his feet a good few feet away.

“I am the bone of my sword.” The Origin Sword disappeared from Illya’s hands and a new one replaced it, a demonic sword of the Sun that rivaled Excalibur. Illya took a wide stance and pulled the blade back as it gained a blinding aura that resembled solar rays. Having such power in her hands made Illya feel unstoppable. She swung the sword and unleashed a giant laser. “Gram Image!”

Emiya projected an ax into his hand and swung, slicing open a hole in space that the beam flew into. Illya already knew what was happening.

“Av-” Illya stopped short of saying her scabbard’s True Name as she was filled with intense pain. Using her Reality Marble, which was created with Avalon’s power as its base, had some longer lasting side effects than it already seemed to. Even now that she was healed and reenergized, Illya could’t use Avalon’s true power and likely couldn’t for the next few weeks. That was a problem considering a portal opened up behind Illya from which Gram’s laser came out. “Rho Aias!”

Seven larkspur formed a multi-layered shield that stopped the great light. A layer broke and parts of Illya’s arm ripped open. Another layer broke and more wounds formed on the limb. As the shield gradually caved to Gram’s might, Illya formed a space-rending ax of her own, cutting open a gate to freedom that she jumped through and closed right as Rho Aias broke completely.

Illya landed on her feet in a spot safe from the laser, only to come under fire from Emiya Alter. Not only were bullets headed her way, but projected Origin Swords. Her own weapon was being used against her. She prioritized evading the blades, doing so at the cost of getting riddled with bullet holes that Avalon started repairing along with her mangled arm.

As she was about to launch a counterattack, the homunculus noticed that she couldn’t find Emiya. He must have used his mantle that let him hide himself. There were no further attacks targeted at Illya.

Nothing.

Emiya wasn’t attacking.

Was he still here?

Illya realized that she wasn’t Emiya’s main target. If he wanted to deal Illya’s group the worst possible blow, then he should go after Chloe and mom. If Chloe died, Illya would lose her source of power.

“Fuck!” Illya ran in the direction of her mom and Chloe, and Emiya by extension.

There was no way to know how far Emiya had already gotten, and there was no good way to find him. Illya decided to use the brute force method to solve this. The homunculus projected a sword like a burning dragon’s wing, Sul-sagana. It was so large that it filled the entire hall, its heat melting the surrounding stone, and Illya fired it deeper into the cave, steering it so it drove through the halls like water through a straw towards mom and Chloe. If Emiya was after them, then such a massive weapon would hit him eventually as long as it continued down the path he had to go to reach them. The only other option for him would be to burrow into the walls, but that would leave a trace that Illya could use to find him. He couldn’t use the ax to create a portal to them since it wasn’t capable of creating tears that led to specific places unless they were within line of sight.

Illya sensed a condensed clump of magical energy behind her. She swiveled and saw a single bullet headed her way. Upon tracing it, Illya saw that it was the Unlimited Blade Works Reality Marble that had been transmogrified into a bullet. Unlimited Lost Works. Emiya had tricked Illya into thinking he had run off in order to make her panic which would leave her unprepared for a surprise attack.

A weapon began projecting into Illya’s hands as the bullet pierced her chest and became lodged deep within. The projectile's power began to bubble up. It was a step away from releasing the infinite swords inside it to make Illya burst apart. Illya finished creating Gáe Dearg, the homunculus stabbing herself with it. The tip of the magecraft canceling spear touched the bullet. Normally the spear couldn’t nullify Reality Marbles due to their scale being too great, but having the alternate space be condensed down made it easy to touch it in its entirety and erase it.

There was more gunfire from Emiya, the homunculus pulling her spear out of her chest and deflecting the bullets. The shots came from different directions which meant Emiya was on the move to obfuscate his true position. Rather than try and find an invisible opponent, Illya just created multiple Gáe Deargs and launched them in different directions. Similarly to when Illya used Sul-sagana, the homunculus was just going to attack everything until she hit her target. As spears stabbed into and shattered the walls, floor, and ceiling, one happened to graze something, the cursed weapon causing a red cloaked man to flicker into view.

“There!” Illya projected multiple swords larger than her own body and launched them at the strobing man. The blades all missed, intentionally so as Illya knew Emiya could easily dodge them, but she wanted to instead use them to block all his escape routes as he returned to invisibility. The cage of armaments that formed around Emiya meant he could only move in one direction quickly, the direction Illya was shooting Origin Swords down. The hidden man created his own Origin Swords to counter and destroy the homunculus’ while Chloe created an invisibility mantle she put on. She then projected an Origin Sword into one hand, and a Gáe Dearg into the other. After that she created more giant blades to form walls at both ends of the hall the fight was taking place in, preventing Emiya from being able to sneak off without detection. The blades around Emiya were broken simultaneously by multiple projected Noble Phantasms. Now both fighters were invisible and neither was sure of where exactly the other was. Any attempt to randomly bombard the area and hit the other could give away the attacker’s location. It was a cold war.

Illya proceeded to step around the cave, each movement of her legs full of jitters and occasional retractions. She knew the only way this was going to end would be with her and Emiya bumping into each other. In that case, the one who struck first would win.

Illya took a step. She swallowed some spit.

Another step. A knot formed in the homunculus’ stomach.

Another step.

Another step.

Another step.

Another step.

Another step.

Another step.

Bump.

The touch to Illya’s shoulder made her instincts take over and she thrust her spear towards the sensation. Emiya came into view as Gáe Dearg pierced his mantle, though it missed his actual body. Another red spear stabbed through Illya’s mantle and actually managed to impale her gut as it returned her to visibility. Blood rose up Illya’s throat as she thrust her Origin Sword towards Emiya’s solar plexus. The Alter projected a katana into his free hand; it was one of the weapons Gilgamesh fired from his treasury. The blade could reject and cut through concepts like causality, karma, and fate, so when its edge met the Origin Sword, it denied the power of Illya’s weapon to cut and tie. The katana cut through Illya’s blade as if it was made of air, Illya jumping back in an attempt to evade, but since the sword ignored causality, it wasn’t limited by needing to actually make contact and thus have a cause for its effect to be inflicted upon the target. A diagonal gash went from Illya’s right shoulder to her left hip.

Tsumukari Muramasa. That was the name of that katana. It was a sword forged in the future, but due to the nature of the Gate of Babylon granting Gilgamesh all the weapons of humanity, he had access to it. What was strange was that the sword was a fusion of all the swords in Unlimited Blade Works in a similar vein to Unlimited Lost Works. Did it belong to another version of Emiya? It would have been enough to kill Illya if it was used at full power, but Emiya Alter refrained from speaking its True Name and thus limited it since its full capacity was so great it would kill the user along with the target. Even the limited usage of such a sword was extremely taxing in terms of magical energy usage, but the Alter Servant didn’t have to worry about that given he was being fueled by the Grail. Illya couldn’t copy that blade given it was essentially infinite blades in one. It was too complicated.

Despite how hard she tried to stay on her feet, Illya fell to her knees. Emiya’s slash ended up cutting through both the red mantles, turning them to scraps that languidly fell to the ground. The wound on Illya’s chest was healing, but the Alter was about to swing his katana again.

Illya was going to die.

Hold up. Emiya Alter could have projected Tsumukari Muramasa or other Noble Phantasms of that level all he wanted without consequence thanks to the Grail giving him a functionally limitless amount of magical energy. Why did he wait until now? A version of Emiya that could spam his strongest projections all he wanted should have been a nightmare for the same reasons Gilgamesh was, yet he was holding back.

Why was Emiya holding back? He was never the type to show needless restraint, and there was certainly no need to use anything less than full power to slaughter the Grail’s enemies.

Emiya wasn’t acting in the Grail’s best interest.

“Are you not completely under the Grail’s control?”

The Alter jerked to a stop right as he began to swing his katana.

The only sound Illya could hear was her own breathing and the painful pounding of her heart. Both fighters stood still as stone. Illya tried to not let her mind wander to the metallic taste in her mouth or the burning throbbing she felt throughout her body. She was getting dizzy as her adrenaline high faded. It was hard for her to tell if she was bobbing her head or if her vertigo was that bad.

“I have a skill called Derisive Heart of Steel.” Emiya spoke. “It embodies my devotion to the protection of the Human Order. As a Counter Guardian, I live only to eliminate threats to humankind. The Grail is such a threat, but it is the Grail’s mud that gave me life. Its will is too great for me to completely resist. All my skill allows me to do is restrain myself to a degree. Only-”

Emiya couldn’t stop himself anymore, his arm continuing its swing. Illya’s mind focused and projected a new weapon. She had no time to swing whatever she made, so instead she made something that would serve as an attack by merely summoning it. Heracles’ ax-sword formed, with the positioning of Illya’s hands and the great size of the armament making it form inside Emiya due to his close proximity. The Alter figured out what Illya was planning and managed to sidestep, the ax-sword manifesting in his shoulder rather than his torso. The Guardian’s arm, the one that held Tsumukari Muramasa, was severed. The homunculus slashed with her new weapon, Emiya evading it by backflipping. He projected his own copy of the ax-sword and both combatants stared each other down.

“You need to defeat me here.” Emiya said. “You won’t get another chance.”

“Fine by me. I can’t waste any more time here.”

“Consider this your graduation test.” Emiya raised his arm and his giant weapon with it. “Prove you were worthy to be my student.”

“Don’t go acting all sentimental on me now. I still hate you, so just shut up and come at me.” Illya took a deep breath and raised her ax-sword as well.

Both warriors spoke simultaneously.

“Nine Lives Blade Works.”

Illya and Emiya dashed towards each other. They channeled the experience and technique of Heracles, wielding their oversized weapons with immaculate precision that maximized their power and speed. This was a Noble Phantasm that adapted to any situation, becoming the ultimate martial arts offensive that could handle any situation. In the case of two people using it at once, each user would constantly be reacting and readjusting their most minute of movements in reaction to each other, both of them trying to get the slightest edge that would be the difference between victory and defeat. The first swings collided, the twin ax-swords creating a shockwave that caused the area of the cave the duo was in to break apart into pebbles, even the walls made of swords turning to shrapnel. The exchange was occurring so fast that not even a single grain of the destroyed ceiling had a chance to drop a micrometer, and they wouldn’t until the battle was finished. Both weapons bounced backwards and the bones in Illya’s arm cracked down to the marrow. Avalon healed her and she and Emiya slashed again, their weapons once again crashing into each other. Oscillations traveled through Illya’s body, churning her insides. The swings of the ax-swords created vacuums that would pull in the surrounding air to fill themselves by the time the exchange of swings ended.

The third slashes hit each other again, but this time Emiya managed to hit Illya’s ax-sword from the side, knocking it far off course and sending a wave of wind that burrowed a new tunnel in the wall. Thanks to having her weapon and the arm that held it pushed far out by Emiya’s swing, it took her longer to ready herself for her fourth slash this time. By the time she was set to swing, the Alter was already mid attack. Illya held out her ax-sword with both hands and blocked Emiya’s slash, the force of the hit transferring into Illya’s arms and breaking them apart internally before they healed. As soon as her arms were in good enough shape, she pushed with both arms and slashed horizontally while Emiya was still pulling his own weapon back to ready his fifth swing. Illya took advantage of the dissonance between the two fighter’s attack timings that Emiya created. Instead of trying to block or slash, Emiya pressed the side of his armament into the side of Illya’s, pushing the homunculus’ ax-sword upward while ducking. Illya’s fourth swing missed because of this, but the redirect still caused Emiya’s arm and the weapon it held to be flung out so he couldn’t quickly counterattack. Both fighters had to pull their arms back in, so neither could attack while the other was unready and thus the staggering of the attack rate was undone.

Slashes five, six, and seven were all simple clashes of blades that continued pulverizing the surroundings with storms of dispersed air. Illya used both hands each time while Emiya still had to rely on his single remaining arm. Both fighters unleashed their eighth swings and when the ax-swords hit each other, one of them was broken in two. Illya’s weapon had split thanks to Emiya having hit it in the exact same spot almost every previous time the two armaments clashed, all while he made sure his weapon was impacted at a different spot each time. Emiya had created a small weak point from the repeated strikes that he then used to break Illya’s ax-sword and leave it with less than half its full length. Illya had already figured out that this was Emiya’s plan and had initiated her own stratagem. She came up with it after she blocked Emiya’s forth slash and she felt the majority of the blow’s force enter her arms. While Emiya had been focusing the majority of the force of his swings on Illya’s ax-sword to break it, Illya was angling her attacks to send the majority of the force into Emiya’s single remaining arm. The homunculus was using two arms and had Avalon healing her, and Emiya wasn’t targeting her arms, so she didn’t have to worry about limbs breaking. Meanwhile, Emiya had only one arm that couldn’t heal as fast, so it was no surprise when Illya’s targeted attacks had worn away at it to the point that it ruptured. Skin and muscle tore open while blood and splinters of bone went flying. Only a couple strands kept the arm from falling off. The limb was no longer usable and its hand released Emiya’s ax-sword. It seemed like the Alter was helpless as Illya was about to use her final swing, but Emiya caught the handle of his dropped weapon with the crook of his knee. Emiya swung his blade with his leg right after Illya did. Normally Illya would have the advantage since she swung first, but the surprise slash from an unexpected angle with a longer weapon made it so Illya’s faster attack left her with less time and space to react. She would get hit with Emiya’s blade if she tried to dodge and its greater weight made it so blocking would just lead to Illya’s weapon getting cut through along with the homunculus herself. Since both those options weren’t viable, Illya chose the third option, the most insane one. She kept running in while angling her body so she wouldn’t get hit in the head. Emiya’s ax-sword bisected Illya at the waist with a diagonal cut that caused the homunculi’s organs to spill out while her body continued to fly forward thanks to her momentum. Illya lifted her broken sword high and before she brought it down on Emiya’s head, she saw the corners of his mouth rise ever so slightly upward. The broken blade smashed the Alter’s head in and continued downward until his body had been split down the middle.

The exchange ended and the sand that was all that remained of the area that hosted the duel was sucked towards Illya and the corpse thanks to the vacuums they created. Illya was hit with hundreds of tons of pulverized rock, the dissipating corpse of Emiya Alter, and her own severed legs and groin. The homunculus whited out for a second before regaining her bearings.

Illya was buried alive and she lacked the strength to dig herself out. It was a struggle just to stay awake given this was Illya’s second big battle of the night. She sat underground, disassociating, her mind wandering to random topics. The Lion King and Mordred were still fighting Alcides. Hopefully they’d be okay. Illya believed in them. How was everyone outside doing? The sea demons should have all died since Gilles died. Hopefully none of the others were dead. Actually, Illya wouldn’t mind if Fujimura was dead. Was it still nighttime? How close was it to sunrise? Illya was kinda hungry even though her stomach fell out. Phantom hunger? She was certainly feeling phantom pain. How long would it take for her legs to grow back? She had never lost a limb before so she didn’t know how fast Avalon worked when it came to missing body parts.

A muffled sound hit Illya’s ears. The weight on top of her decreased. The sand was cleared away from the homunculus’ face and she opened her eyes, a few grains getting in them. Mom and Chloe had come back and were digging Illya out of the pile she was in.

“Illya, are you okay?” Artoria cupped her daughter’s cheek.

“I’m-” Illya accidentally got some sand in her mouth that she began spitting out. “I’m alive. I don't have legs, but, y’know, Avalon. You two alright?”

“We’re fine.” Chloe picked up some strands of her twin’s hair and tried in vain to brush off all the sand. “The real question now is whether we leave or if we’re gonna go back to the Grail chamber again. None of us can actually help fight at this point, but I doubt that’s gonna deter either of you.”

“Actually, I think we should leave.” Mom said.

“What? But we need to be there for mama.” Illya grabbed her mom’s wrist.

“Illya, what will happen if we get taken as hostages?” Mom’s statement was met with no retort from Illya.

“Considering how the fight between Heracles and the Lion King against the Grail’s forces went before, the Grail will definitely try to attack us to divert attention.” Chloe added.

“But we need to be there to help reach mama.”

“I understand how you feel, but we need to trust that Mordred and the Lion King can break through to your mother. They’re both part of our family as well, so we need to have faith in them.”

“I do have faith in them.” Illya pulled her head back slightly as she was hit with embarrassment she couldn’t explain.

“Then we need to show that we do.” Mom sighed. “I’ve already done all I can to reach your mother. I doubt repeating the same points could budge her heart at this point. Is there anything you haven’t already said that you think might reach your mother?”

“Not really.”

“What do you mean by not really?”

“I mean no. I can’t think of anything.”

“We’ve done all we can to help. I bested Lancelot and allowed us to enter the mountain. Chloe gave Heracles the power to destroy most of the Grail’s guards and even Avenger's womb which was honestly amazing.” Mom smiled at Chloe who blushed and looked away in response. Illya became the focus of mom’s attention again as she petted her daughter’s head. “You not only helped to take down Gilgamesh, but even defeated the corrupted Emiya. Both you and Chloe have done more than enough. Let’s leave the rest to Mordred, Add, and the Lion King. I think they’ll be better able to help your mama, because they understand what it’s like to lose yourself to the will of another. They’ll save Iri.”

“Okay.” Illya closed her eyes. “Okay. You’re right. I need to trust them. I do trust them.”

“So we’re leaving?” Chloe said.

“Yeah.”

“Then I’ll shoot over a telepathic message to the Lion King and Mordred so they know. I’ll teleport us out after that. Just give me a sec.”

While Chloe did that, Illya finally relaxed. She had done her part and put her faith in her siblings, and so she had nothing left to do other than rest. Sleep swept upon her like a thief in the night and took her to a dreamland filled with memories. The memories of her current Servant, her mom.

The woman king who made herself an icon stood upon a hill of corpses and swords, including the remains of her son. The tragedy Artoria Pendragon stood at the top of was one born from her own inability to trust Mordred, to accept him into her life. The king did not trust that her subjects could handle having anything less than a perfect king who was omnibenevolent, and in the end they rebelled in rejection of her inhuman rule. To trust her current family was to avoid those past mistakes.

Illya would trust her family too.

[nick_of_fire]

Fate/Identity Reborn Epilogue 0: Goodbye 2004

A week and a half had passed since the Holy Grail was destroyed. Peace had finally come to Fuyuki, though the aftermath of the war had drawn numerous eyes. Buildings and mountains vanished, a whole new canyon appeared, hundreds of innocents had disappeared, and the city was full of curious individuals from scientists to conspiracy theorists. Thankfully, as things had quieted down, some of the people attracted to Fuyuki had begun to filter out due to boredom. The Mage’s Association and Holy Church were still furious, so many of the participants in the war would have to answer for what had happened. As for those participants, all that had survived the battle had mourned those that gave their lives for the cause and licked their wounds. Thanks to Mordred’s Avalon, everyone was able to quickly return to full health and even regrow any lost body parts. The only thing that could not be fixed was Gray’s lost eye as she was wounded by a weapon that negated regeneration. She didn’t seem too bothered by that fact and she even said that she ‘looked more unique now.’ The last week and a half had been a time of rest and preparation for what everyone would do next.

As for Kirei Kotomine, he would be going to the Vatican. He had been subpoenaed by the Holy Church to explain why the Grail War had gotten so out of hand. If things went well, Kirei would be forgiven with only a minor penalty and he’d get a new church built for him, at worst he and maybe even his family would be killed. Rin was in a similar position with the Clock Tower, as were Bazett, Luviagelita, Henriikka, Lord El-Melloi II, Reines, and Chloe. The Pendragons were off the grid essentially since they were in hiding from the Einzberns for so many years, so they didn’t have to go anywhere but home. Considering just how much of a disaster the war had been, normally the Clock Tower would kill everyone involved who was still alive, but the many participants were allied with one another and several were of significant power. There was no way for the Association or Church to tell how many Heroic Spirits remained. Plus, individuals like El-Melloi and the Edelfelt Sisters possessed significant influence and there would be many who would side with them if a large-scale conflict broke out. Considering the potential strength of this coalition, the Clock Tower and Holy Church would be unable to slay them all without sustaining a few casualties of their own. The coalition would still face punishment, but it would be limited in scope.

Speaking of punishment, Kirei was currently witnessing something of the sort in the backyard of the estate where Fujimura was letting everyone stay.

“Thinking of running away?” Luviagelita crossed her arms and she stood in her sleeveless dress. Across from her stood Fujimura who unsheathed her katana, a normal one as all the Noble Phantasms and Mystic Codes Assassin had projected for her had disappeared since his death.

“Not at all.” Fujimura bent her legs while Luviagelita’s skin lit up with the light of her Magic Circuits, her body reinforcing.

“Is this really necessary?” Henriikka whined as she stood with the rest of the spectators on the back porch, which included Kirei, Rin, Caren, Reines, Lord El-Melloi II, Bazett, Scáthach, Illya, Mordred, Chloe, and Leysritt.

“She took Clown’s life and cut out my tongue.” Luviagelita crouched into a grappling stance while keeping her eyes on Fujimura. “Such indignities can’t be forgiven. It would soil the Edelfelt name.”

“Just-” Henriikka exhaled through her nose and crossed her arms. “Just don’t hold back. I don’t want you dying because you were too busy posturing.”

“Don’t worry, I’d never pull my punches against someone who has earned my ire the way this scoundrel has.”

“Even if she does hold back, I can’t see how Fujimura could win.” Bazett had her arm around Scáthach’s shoulder while the queen held the suited woman’s hip. “Just reinforcement magecraft is enough to make the user’s skin too tough to pierce with a normal sword swing. Fujimura has no way to hurt Luviagelita without Assassin’s equipment.”

“Hm.” Scáthach made a noise.

“Did you use Clairvoyance?” Bazett said.

“I did.”

“How does this end?”

“Interestingly.”

“Mind sharing?” Chloe spoke slowly to show her annoyance with Scáthach’s reticence.

“Don’t spoil it.” Caren interjected. “That ruins the fun.”

“Caren.” Kirei spoke sternly. Caren may have grown, but only so much. Caren and Reines began whispering to each other and despite not being able to hear them, Kirei was annoyed. Lord El-Melloi II pinched the bridge of his nose.

“One of you, say when to start.” Luviagelita’s demand was met with Kirei stepping forward and raising his arm.

A moment of silence. A frigid breeze blew through. A misty breath left Kirei’s mouth.

“Fight.” The arm swung down.

Fujimura didn’t notice Luviagelita had moved until the magus’ fist had already buried itself into her gut and lifted her off the ground. Without any supernatural defenses, Fujimura was completely at Luviagelita’s mercy. The ex-yakuza vomited from the blow to her stomach, the mess getting all over the magus’ arm and skirt.

“You are the second person to regurgitate on me in a duel!”

Rin smiled when Luviagelita said that for some reason.

Despite being a wrestler, Luviagelita unleashed a flurry of fists that beat Fujimura around like a sandbag. Welts covered the ex-yakuza who somehow managed to stay standing. She wasn’t even fighting back.

“Why did Fujimura even agree to this?” Illya winced at seeing the ex-yakuza get brutalized. She didn’t seem to be enjoying watching this which was a surprise considering the vendetta the homunculus had against the woman.

“How do you like the weight of your sins?” Luviagelita’s fist swiped across Fujimura’s jaw and knocked out half of her teeth.

Luviagelita relented in her assault. Fujimura stood slouched forward, blood dripping from all over her body. She could barely hold up her katana.

“I asked you a question. How do you like facing the consequences of your actions?” Luviagelita put her hands on her hips.

“It feels good. It’s like having a bucket of water dumped on you after you haven’t bathed in a decade.” Fujimura said.

“Oh.” Illya said. She figured out why Fujimura agreed to this. There was only one way this could end and it was what the ex-yakuza wanted.

“I see.” Luviagelita’s lips pursed. “I’m fighting a corpse. I’ll bury you then.”

With grace, Luviagelita dashed behind Fujimura and wrapped her arms around her opponent’s waist before lifting her up. She was going for a German suplex. It would splatter Fujimura’s upper body upon impact with the ground.

Most everyone leaned forward to watch this finale to the battle except Scáthach who already knew the conclusion to come.

It was when Luviagelita was beginning to arch backwards that Fujimura suddenly went from sluggish to filled with urgency. She spun around her katana so she held it in a reverse grip with both hands, the tip pointed towards her own torso. The sword pierced its owner's chest without any hesitation, the blade going straight through Fujimura’s body and hitting Luviagelita. Was this Fujimura’s plan from the beginning, or was this something she was inspired to do by some last second survival instinct? The blade’s tip couldn’t pierce Luviagelita’s reinforced skin, but that didn’t stop Fujimura from putting both her hands on the pommel of her sword and pushing with all her strength. Her teeth grit so hard her gums bled and teeth cracked. The expression on her face presented a fierceness that seemed beyond her up to this point. Such passion in the face of overwhelming odds made her seem like the tiger that challenges the dragon.

Snap. The katana broke in two under the strain while Luviagelita’s body remained unharmed. The hilt dropped to the ground while the blade remained lodged in Fujimura’s chest. This was the end of the ex-yakuza. It was time for her to pay the price for all the sins she had committed. Fujimura appeared to accept this as she closed her eyes and let her limbs hang limp. Perhaps she could finally attain peace this way, as horrific as that was to say about the end of a person’s life.

Luviagelita didn’t move. She just needed to arch a little more backward and she’d complete her suplex. She also could have just squeezed Fujimura tighter to split her in two. It was actually rather strange that Luviagelita stopped her suplex when Fujimura tried to stab her. She could have just kept going. Luviagelita leaned forward and gently put Fujimura onto the grass. There was a tiny hole in the chest of Luvia’s dress. Kirei could see a dot of blood where Fujimura’s blade had thrust into the ringlet girl. The swordswoman had barely managed to do damage to her opponent.

“Mordred, give Fujimura the sheath, quickly.” Luviagelita said and Mordred did as he was told, running over the ex-yakuza and inserting the scabbard of Excalibur into her body.

“I’m going to need to take this out.” Mordred touched the blade in Fujimura’s torso. “I’ll count to three and then-”

“Just rip it out.” The ex-yakuza let out only a long grunt as the weapon in her body was yanked out. Fujimura breathed slowly as her wounds began to heal and she accepted that she was alive. She looked over to the woman who had spared her life. “Why didn’t you kill me?”

“I would have if you didn’t fight back. As I said before, I would have just been burying a corpse, but you weren’t a corpse.” The ringlet haired girl was handed a rag and bucket of water by Henriikka to wash off the blood and vomit she was covered in. “You have the will to live and thus the will to properly atone for your transgressions.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You dying achieves nothing. It wouldn’t undo the sins you’ve committed, nor would it create an equivalent amount of good in the world to counterbalance your previous evils. If you truly want to repent, you must live and dedicate yourself to making the world a better place!” Luviagelita pointed at Fujimura. “Do you wish to repent?”

The ex-yakuza looked at the grass that had been colored red with her blood. She tried to wipe a couple blades clean with her sleeve, resulting in some of the redness going away, but not completely. A chuckle left Fujimura’s throat and she looked up at Luviagelita again.

“I do. I will repent.”

“Then from now on, you are my new butler!” Luvigelita’s words were followed by silence and the sound of the breeze.

“What?” Chloe said.

“Why?” Rin said.

“This is stupid.” Caren said.

Everyone was gobsmacked except Scáthach who smiled and Henriikka who was fuming.

“The Hell are you talking about?” Henriikka yelled. “You want a criminal as your butler?”

“She killed Clown, so she must take his place as my personal attendant.” Luviagelita held her chin. “It makes sense, no?”

“No! You can’t make her your butler!”

“It’s not your decision to make, it’s mine and Fujimura’s. So, Taiga Fujimura, you shall serve me for the rest of your days!” Luviagelita crossed her arms.

Fujimura had an almost absent minded look on her face as she gawked at the ringlet haired girl. Then she began to laugh. It was a loud and uncontrolled laughter that made Fujimura clutch her stomach. She was swaying her body to and fro as she was overwhelmed by a degree of jubilance that brought tears to her eyes. Her laughing transitioned into coughing mixed with giggles before the ex-yakuza finally managed to calm down and stand up.

“Alright. I’m your butler.” Fujimura extended a hand. Luviagelita took it and they shook. “I’ll dedicate my entire being to making your life a lovely one.”

“I’m glad you’re being cooperative.”

“Has everyone gone crazy?” Henriikka grabbed her head.

Fujimura was going to live and would now have the opportunity to make up for her crimes, and it would also provide her the opportunity to find inner peace. The benevolence Luviagelita was displaying was admirable and somewhat mind boggling. Henriikka wasn’t unjustified in her distrust and distaste for Fujimura, and Luviagelita also hated the ex-yakuza, so the ringlet girl’s actions were hard to parse in terms of underlying motivation. Perhaps she saw making Fujimura her butler as a form of punishment, perhaps planning to treat the swordswoman poorly. It was also possible that she decided to turn the other cheek in order to be the bigger woman. Was Luviagelita planning to do this from the beginning, or was it spontaneous? Considering the magus was clearly holding back in the fight, otherwise Fujimura would have been blown to pieces from the first punch, Kirei leaned towards the idea that Luviagelita never planned to kill the swordswoman. In the end it wasn’t the motivation that mattered, but the result. This was Fujimura’s chance to turn her life around and that was a wonderful thing.

“What a lame ending.” Caren walked away with Reines following behind her. Chloe and Leysritt followed suit, as did Rin and Lord El-Melloi II.

“I understand what you meant when you said this was an interesting ending.” Bazett held her beloved tighter. “I should have known this wouldn’t have ended in a standard way considering your description. You’re very particular with your words.”

“It’s important to speak precisely when you’re a teacher. You need to be aware of how your phrasing of things will influence your students’ perceptions of what you tell them.”

“I love listening to you explain things.” Bazett smiled and pressed the side of her face into the top of Scáthach’s head. “You’re so intelligent.”

“And you’re so kind.” Scáthach raised her free arm to hold the hand on her shoulder. “What do you want to do now? We have to leave for London soon, so we can’t go out.”

“Let’s just relax.”

“No training?” Scáthach snickered.

“Train for what? I’m quitting being a magus and a Sealing Designation Enforcer.” Bazett had a cheeky smile that made Kirei do a double take. Seeing such an expression on the suited woman’s face was so strange.

“You’ve changed so much.” Scáthach said.

“In a good way?”

“In a very good way.” Scáthach and Bazett kissed.

Bazett and Scáthach had a cheeriness to them that seemed so divorced from their behavior before they were reunited. Their stoicism gave way to a calm enthusiasm for life born from their infatuation with each other. They were in the honeymoon period of their relationship, and such periods always end. As time marched on, they would face new challenges that would test their relationship, the most daunting of which being Scáthach’s immortality and Bazett’s mortality. One would live forever and the other would not. Could they truly dedicate their lives to each other and become deeply attached to one another in the process when that would lead to Scáthach’s suffering once Bazett passed on? Neither Bazett nor Scáthach were the type to rush into things without contemplation, so it was possible that they had good reason to believe they could overcome the ultimate problem of the queen’s immortality. No matter what the future held, Kirei appreciated seeing Bazett so happy. She had lived a life of quiet tragedy. She endeavored to achieve great things because it was the only way she could perceive herself as worthy, doing so at the cost of her parents disowning her. Despite her aspirations, Bazett was rejected by the Clock Tower, the organization proceeding to taunt her with the smallest sliver of acknowledgement in exchange for acting as their tool. Thus she became an Enforcer whose profession was her life. She was alone, desperate for acceptance. Scáthach was the savior who provided that acceptance. Even if the jubilation Bazett and Scáthach felt now might someday disappear, it didn’t make their current happiness any less valuable.

Illya walked over to Fujimura and cleared her throat to get the swordswoman’s attention.

“Hey, uh, so, like, I still hate you.” Illya’s eyes were looking everywhere but at Fujimura who had an eyebrow raised. “You nearly ruined the lives of everyone in my family so, y’know, fuck you, I hope you burn in Hell.”

“That’s fair.” Fujimura said.

“But you still helped me get stronger and if you hadn’t, then I probably wouldn’t have been strong enough to help beat Gilgamesh, so thanks for that. It still doesn’t make up for what you did and I never would have needed to get stronger if Assassin didn’t attack mama, Mordred, and Gray which caused mama to lose control, so really you were doing the bare minimum to fix your fuck up, but you still helped, so thank you.” Illya had a fist raised in front of her face.

“You’re welcome.” Fujimura spoke slowly and with hesitance.

“Fuck you. Anyway, bye.” Illya scampered away into the house.

“I’d apologize for Illya being so abrasive, but I kinda hate you too, so, y’know.” Mordred shrugged.

“Don’t worry, I think it’s best that you all hate me. My sins shouldn’t be brushed aside.” Fujimura watched as her swollen skin shrunk down. “Thank you for letting me use your scabbard by the way.”

“I mean we’ve basically been playing hot potato with it for the last week and a half to fix everybody. I feel more like a doctor at this point than a knight. Anyway, I’m heading inside. I’ll take back Avalon in a few hours.” Mordred waved as he entered the mansion.

As an exasperated Henriikka began to air her complaints to Luviagelita and Fujimura about the latter being employed as a butler of the Edelfelt family, Kirei decided to enter the house as well.

The priest arrived in the living room and its connected kitchen. The Pendragon family was currently having lunch with Chloe, Sella, and Leysritt. Mordred and Chloe sat down on two free pillows next to the short table that had been covered in so much food it resembled a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast. There were so many plates and bowls of German and Danish cuisine crowded together that they actually needed to put two tables together to have enough room for it all. There was smoked fish, pickled fish, sausage, potatoes, asparagus, meatballs, rye bread, rolls, cheese, salami, curry, hard boiled eggs, roast pork, oysters, roe, lobster, and more. They were having one last big meal before they had to leave.

“Hello, Father Kotomine.” Irisviel spoke with a quiet anger like a low flame. She still hated the priest for trying to kill her, which was fair.

“Would you like to eat with us? There’s plenty.” Gray spoke with a smile. She had a black eyepatch covering the eye she lost.

“I’ll refrain, thank you.” Kirei thought it a bit inappropriate to share a meal with a woman he once attempted to murder. Also, despite Gray saying there was an excess of food, Artoria and Mordred were eating such large quantities that the priest was doubtful. That said, Kirei was low on fuel. “I’m just going to make something small for myself in the kitchen.”

“Okay. Let us know if you change your mind.”

Kirei proceeded to search the fridge for ingredients, becoming disappointed with the lack of spices. All the while, the luncheon behind him was full of delight and fervor. Artoria and Irisviel were sitting so close together that they were practically conjoined, the lovers whispering sweet words to each other. Mordred and Chloe bickered while Sella chided them and Leysritt occasionally added her own commentary. Gray and Illya were chatting about a cute girl named Miyu Sakatsuki that Illya had met a few days ago in town. She and Illya were apparently the same age and they had gone on a few dates. Now Illya was going to start a long distance relationship with her. It seemed a little fast to start that kind of relationship in Kirei’s opinion, but Gray was supportive. The Pendragon family was having a wonderful time after having undergone so much trauma during the Holy Grail War. They had all fought hard and their efforts were rewarded, allowing them to have this moment of peace. Chloe had not been so lucky, because Heracles gave his life to save mankind. The hero who had saved Chloe from her captors was gone, and yet the homunculus did not let herself wallow for long. She was just as cheery as everyone else eating lunch. Heracles had saved her life, so it would be a waste not to enjoy that life. This was what the hero would have wanted.

“So you’re going back to Germany?” Illya asked Chloe.

“Just to pick up the leftover treasures in the Einzbern vault to keep us funded for the rest of our lives. We aren’t taking Das Rheingold since it’s cursed and all. We’re also gonna donate any of the non-cursed fortune that we don’t need to different charities and poor countries.”

“Make sure the charities are reputable.”

“We will.” Sella finished a piece of fish on her plate. “We’re going to do a lot of research, both into the charities and into the governments. We’re going to send the money to the places where it will be best used for the greatest good.”

“Have you decided on where you’ll settle down?” Artoria said before she dug into a large serving of roast pork.

“We haven’t decided yet.” Chloe twirled the fork in her hand. “The United States seems fun. Maybe New York City or Snowfield would be good. Finland also sounds nice. I dunno.”

“You could…” Illya trailed off and she cringed.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“We wanted to propose something to you three.” Irisviel gestured towards Chloe, Sella, and Leysritt as she took the reins for her daughter.

“Shoot.” Chloe leaned forward.

“We talked it over as a family and we realized that we want our family and your family to keep in touch.”

“That’d be nice.”

“We also thought about how you three need a place to live, and our family is already going to need to buy a new house since our old one doesn’t have a room for Mordred, so we were wondering if you wanted to live with us.”

“You’re asking us to join your family?” Sella was so taken aback that her fork missed the piece of sausage she was going for, the tines scraping against the plate which released a screech that gave Kirei goosebumps.

“If you want.” Irisviel emphasized.

“We already see you as family.” Illya looked straight at Chloe. “It would be nice if we stayed close, especially when there’s so few of us.”

“We aren’t trying to pressure you.” Artoria said. “If you don’t want to live with us, feel free to be honest. We won’t be offended. We understand that we’re being presumptuous.”

“No, no, you aren’t being presumptuous.” Sella waved her hands. “You’re making a reasonable suggestion and I’m not opposed to it. Uh, Leysritt, Chloe, what do you think?”

“What Chloe wants is what I want.” Leysritt didn’t look up from her sandwich.

Chloe crossed her arms, closed her eyes, and leaned her head back.

“Chloe?”

The tanned girl’s lips flapped as she blew out her mouth. Then her head jerked back down and her eyes shot open.

“I’m down.”

“You’ll live with us in Denmark?” Illyasviel perked up.

“If Sella’s okay with it.”

“I’m fine with it.” Sella nodded.

“Cool. We’re Pendragons then.”

“Yes!” Illyasviel pulled Chloe into a bear hug, the recipient responding by attempting to punch her twin in the liver.

“Let me go!”

Smiles and laughter abounded at the humorous display of affection.

Merry conversation returned to life as Kirei finished making himself a plate of curry. He planned to eat in his bedroom, but as he left the living room and entered the hall, he heard a question that made him stop.

“You don’t care if you look like mom anymore?” Mordred blurted out which killed the simultaneous discussions and left the feasting group quiet and curious again. Kirei’s intrigue got the better of him so he stood just out of sight in the hall so he could eavesdrop.

“I’m over it I guess.” Gray said.

“Are you sure?” Irisviel spoke with an uneasy lilt.

“You aren’t just saying this because you don’t want to bother us, are you? We’re happy to try and find a way to give you your own face. You know that, right?” Artoria’s voice lacked strength. “All we care about is making you happy.”

“I’m not holding back or anything. I really don’t care anymore, well, not exactly. I still care a little. Some moments I care more, other moments less. But just because I’m not perfectly happy doesn’t mean that I’m not happy at all, and it’s not like the disappointment I sometimes feel could ever possibly ruin the happiness I have now. After nearly losing my personality for good, I’ve come to appreciate my ability to think my own thoughts. No matter how I look, as long as I can think, I am me. My body is another part of me, but it’s not all that I am.”

“How enlightened.” Chloe said.

“I don’t think I’m enlightened, just more appreciative.”

“Are you really sure you’re okay?” Artoria sounded like she was on the brink of crying.

“I’m sure. Honestly, being upset about how I looked all the time was exhausting.” Gray said with a goofy tone before giggling.

“You’re such a strong girl.” Artoria was certainly crying now.

“Please don’t cry. This isn’t your fault. No more blame. Let’s just enjoy the present and look forward to the future.”

“Okay.” Artoria sniffled.

“Besides, I have this now.” Kirei couldn’t see what Gray was referring to, but it was obvious what it was. Her lost eye. “This is something I have that none of the rest of you do. No matter what, I’ll always have this to make me stand out. I guess it was the Lion King’s last gift to me.”

Artoria was correct when she said Gray was strong.

Kirei decided he had listened enough and continued down the hall towards his room.

As the priest made his way, he passed by Lord El-Melloi II who was playing his PlayStation Portable as he walked with an expression even more sour than normal. The two men nodded wordlessly as they passed each other.

The Lord was doing well considering how upsetting his battle with Iskandar must have been. To face the man he longed to see for so long, only to have to kill his tainted reincarnation, it was so horrible that it made Kirei feel pleasure at the thought. And yet the Lord didn’t let that daunting trial defeat him, nor did he let the bitter taste that event must have left with him stop him from living his life. He was such a scrappy lad in the Fourth Holy Grail War, desperate to prove himself yet terrified to take action. Now he was a man who had proven himself one thousand times over. He attained what his younger self had dreamed of and he probably didn’t even care. Kirei did not know Iskandar well, not at all, but if he wasn’t a fool, then would be proud of the man his former Master had become.

The priest entered his room which contained nothing but a futon, a dresser, and a suitcase with Kirei’s personal items packed inside for when he left in less than an hour. Kirei sat on the ground and began eating his curry. He ate at a precise pace, not too fast, nor too slow to optimize his consumption speed without risking any stomach problems. The curry was nowhere near spicy enough, but it served as fuel for the body and that was what mattered most.

Upon finishing his meal, he grabbed his plate with one hand and his suitcase in the other. It was time he left. He left his room and power walked back to the living room. He quickly washed his plate in the sink before addressing the feasting Pendragons.

“I’m leaving now for the Vatican. It’s been a pleasure fighting alongside you all. I wish you all well.”

“The honor’s been ours.” Artoria stood up and shook the priest’s hand. The rest of the Pendragon family followed suit with their own farewells of varying enthusiasm and formality.

Kirei journeyed throughout the estate, saying goodbye to all the members of the alliance until he only had Rin, Sakura, and Caren left to talk to.

Arriving in the dojo, Kirei found Caren and Rin sparring while Sakura was kneeling near one wall, watching the match. Rin was actually giving Caren some trouble, no doubt thanks to the knowledge she gained from her future self. Caren raised a leg before stomping it forward, her upper body slingshotting towards Rin as she punched. Rin spun around the fist and used the momentum from her motion to slam her back into Caren, the white haired girl nearly getting knocked off her feet.
She managed to keep her feet on the floor as she slid backward, Rin pursuing her and kicking low. Abandoning using Bajiquan, Caren crouched as soon as she stopped skidding, the kick that was originally coming for her leg now headed towards her upper body. Caren raised her arm and took the hit to her side before wrapping her arm around the leg. Like a decompressing spring, Caren shot up from her crouch towards Rin, all while continuing to hold her opponent’s leg which forced the Tohsaka girl to fall back. The magus hit the floor and Caren got on top of her, the white haired girl’s fist raising up before swinging down like a hammer towards Rin’s nose.

Caren’s fist stopped right before it hit Rin.

“I win.” Caren stood up and Sakura clapped.

“Good match.” Rin got up and extended a hand for Caren to shake, which the white haired girl took, much to Kirei’s surprise.

“An excellent bout.” Kirei made his presence known.

“Kirei!” Sakura rose to her feet and jogged towards the priest. “You're leaving now?”

“I am. Sakura, Caren, did you move your things into the Tohsaka Mansion?”

“We did, not that there was much left to move after the church got demolished.” Caren said. Sakura and Caren would stay at the Tohsaka family mansion for as long as Kirei was gone. The priest would purchase a permanent residence once he had returned.

“I actually need to leave now too.” Rin said as she looked at some suitcases in the corner of the dojo.

“I’m going to miss you both.” Sakura put her hands to her chest.

“I’ll be back soon.” Kirei said.

“I know.” Sakura was mainly upset about Rin’s departure. She wasn’t just going to be interrogated and punished for the events of the war. She was a Magician of the Second Magic now. The Clock Tower was going to want to recruit her immediately, and Zelretch was going to be especially interested in mentoring her. The Mage’s Association would stipulate in their punishment for Rin that she’d have to immediately start training in London, as well as use her Magic for their own purposes for at least a while. In short, Rin wouldn’t be returning to Fuyuki any time soon.

“I’ll visit whenever I can.” Rin smiled at her sister.

“You don’t need to.” Sakura smiled back. “You’re going to be doing what you’ve always dreamed of doing. Don’t distract yourself because of me.”

“Sakura.” Rin’s eyes got misty. “In that case, make sure you live the normal life you’ve always wanted here in Fuyuki.”

“I will. I’m actually going to ask Shirou out on a date the next time I see him.”

“That’s great! He better say yes or I’ll fly back here and kick his ass.”

“Don’t bother, I’ll kick his ass myself if he says no.”

Both Rin and Sakura laughed before they grew quiet and just looked at each other. In unison they hugged and let tears fall from their eyes. The Tohsaka sisters would be leaving each other after a lifetime of codependency. It would be difficult to put it lightly, but they could do it. They had both grown into fine young women during this war, so much so that they were nearly unrecognizable to Kirei. Rin and Sakura were no longer obsessed with each other and instead were each able to stand on their own. Rin was a genuine Magician and was going to probably change the world of magecraft in more ways that Kirei could count. Sakura was freeing herself from the Tohsaka name to live the life of a normal person. It was hard to believe, for the priest most of all, but Kirei felt proud of his two wards. At this point, they were essentially his daughters and he was blessed to have had them, so much so that he felt guilty that he still couldn’t feel normal kinds of happiness since it meant he couldn’t perfectly appreciate what he had.

It was as Kirei was introspecting that he felt himself get dragged into Rin and Sakura’s hug, as was Caren.

“Don’t mention this to anyone, Kirei.” Rin hid her face.

“Of course.” Kirei rolled his eyes. There were some things that never changed.

The priest noticed that Caren wasn’t resisting this family hug the way she normally would. Kirei’s eyes locked with his daughter’s. There was a sheen around her eyes, as if Caren was on the brink of crying. She looked away and pouted. She was actually emotionally moved. It seemed that she would miss Rin that much. Despite her barriers, Caren cared about her family. It brought untold relief to Kirei to know that his daughter would not be forced to live a life with the same unholy instincts, at least not to the same degree. Caren could live a peaceful life without needing to exist with an emptiness inside like the priest had to.

Though at this moment, Kirei didn’t feel particularly empty. He wasn’t happy, but there was a stirring within him. It was a sensation that was similar to the one Kirei felt when he was with Claudia, the feeling that compelled him to be with her. The only word that came to mind that somewhat captured the sensation was satisfaction. Perhaps he was satisfied with how well his three daughters turned out. No matter the answer, Kirei was at least at peace knowing that his children were all following paths that made them happy and would likely make the people around them happy as well. What more could he ask for?

For the first time in a long time, Kirei smiled.

[nick_of_fire]

Fate/Identity Reborn Epilogue 1: The Magician and the Magi

2023, nearly twenty years after the Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War.

“Alchemy allows for the manipulation of matter as we understand it in a scientific sense, but traditional alchemy also holds the ability to use certain materials as catalysts in rituals based on what those materials symbolize. For example, salt can symbolize the body and it is through this that one can replicate God’s feat of turning Lot’s wife into salt. The body and salt are equivalent in alchemic philosophy and so the former can be transmuted into the latter under the right conditions.”

Waver stood at the front of a lecture hall in London, teaching his Modern Magecraft Theory class. The last two decades have gifted his face with more lines and turned his hair a dark gray. Not much had changed for Waver, he was still a professor of the Clock Tower and a famous one at that. He was almost fifty but that didn’t stop him from being a sex symbol for many of his students. He was still a weak magus, but his progressive theories have become more and more popular. The most overt change was that he wasn’t Lord El-Melloi II anymore, his time as a stand-in for the true heir having passed. It was nice not having so many responsibilities, but he still had new troublesome students every year and would encounter new mysteries that needed to be solved. Overall, things have been relatively peaceful.

“By streamlining these symbolic rituals we ca-”

“Rin Tohsaka, I knew I smelled your poor stench! How has it been riding on Kaleidoscope’s coat tails?”

“Oh, Luvia, good to see you! Hey, just letting you know, but you don’t need to scream like a banshee when the person you’re talking to is right in front of you. Maybe you should go back to preschool so you can learn what an inside voice is.”

And there went Waver’s peace.

The two voices outside the classroom kept squabbling loudly. Waver put his hand on his forehead and dragged it down his face.

“Apologies, but I need to go handle the commotion outside. Everyone please study quietly until I come back.” Waver rushed out of the room and followed the echoing voices that were coming from the other side of the Clock Tower. He was getting too old for this nonsense, the long dash leaving him sweaty and with lungs begging for oxygen. When he finally arrived at his destination, Waver found two women who were gripping each other’s collars in the middle of the Clock Tower’s courtyard.

At first Rin and Luvia seemed to get along well due to the camaraderie they felt during their time in the Fifth Holy Grail War, but over time the incompatibility of their personalities caused any good will between them to break down. Now they’re always a step away from trying to kill each other.

Rin’s hair was long and wavy, its color a gradient going from brown to red. Despite her status as the Magician of the Second Magic, she dressed simply. A red sweater, a black cardigan, a white skirt, red stockings, and dark boots. If she hadn’t become such an icon in the world of magecraft, you’d never know she was one of the strongest beings in the human world. She’s had a hand in so many major events that she’s always expected to show up every time a new form of magecraft is created or a new way to repair the degradation of Mystery is found. Both the title of Red and of Grand had been granted to her thanks to her achievements. You’d think she’d be a well respected figure, and she was to a degree, but she was also feared for the chaos that often followed her.

Luvia, in contrast to her nemesis, wore a long sapphire off the shoulder dress with detailed gold patterns embroidered onto it. Her hair was shaped into ringlets that went all the way down to her knees. In her free hand was a parasol that she was just about ready to shove down Rin’s throat. Though not as famous as her rival, Luvia had also become a successful and influential magus thanks to, well, doing what the Edlefelts have always done, forcing themselves into conflicts they had no business in and taking the spoils for themselves. At least Luvia mainly focused on cleaning up conflicts that threatened to cause great collateral damage if left as they were, the majority of which being Subcategory Holy Grail Wars.

The Subcategory Holy Grail Wars. The Fifth Fuyuki War seemed like it would be the last ritual for attaining a wish granting device, but a magus named Doctor Heartless had observed the war and discovered how to replicate it. They disseminated that information and now there were countless Subcategory Holy Grail Wars, incomplete simulacrums of the original ritual that usually just existed to generate large amounts of magical energy. Most end up spiraling out of control so they’ve become a serious problem, Luvia, Rin, and some other magi having taken it upon themselves to handle these Grail Wars themselves. Luvia once dealt with a Grail War taking place in the Seventh Labyrinth of Caubac Alcatraz, and Rin won a Grail War where each Master summoned two Servants rather than one. Heartless used these fake Holy Grail Wars as a method of directing attention away from himself so he could continue his work unbothered. He also used many of the Subcategory Holy Grail Wars to gather magical energy for his own use. He partnered with Francesca Prelati to create their own Holy Grail War that used a fragment of the Fuyuki Grail that they had salvaged to make a new Grail. This “Sixth” Holy Grail War threatened to cause another World ending catastrophe, but Rin and Luvia worked together to destroy the Grail and end the Heartless and Prelati’s plans.

Two individuals stood behind Luvia, one being her sister Henriikka who had become so used to Rin and Luvia’s spats that she was just looking at her phone. She wasn’t as paranoid as she used to be. The old her would have been freaking out that her sister was about to get into a fight with a Magician. Henriikka had mellowed out after getting married; apparently her husband helped her get out of her comfort zone and not be such a shut-in. The plump girl wore a blue sweater and gray jeans while her hair was tied into a neat ponytail.

The other person behind Luvia was her butler, Taiga Fujimura. She wore a stereotypical butler tuxedo that gave her an elegant air that paired well with her mature face and short hair. At her side was a sheathed katana with a tiger phone strap dangling from its guard. She was smiling as she watched Luvia and Rin yelling in each other’s faces. The ex-yakuza was, as far as Waver could tell, enjoying her life as Luvia’s attendant. Every time Waver had seen Fujimura since she became a butler, she was always smiling or at least possessed a spring in her step. She always accompanied Luvia on her missions to dismantle out of control Grail Wars, making the world a better place to make up for her past sins.

“You wanna see my new Mystic Code, bitch?” Rin summoned a weapon that resembled a macuahuitl, but instead of obsidian lining the club’s edge, it was instead covered in jewels carved into teeth, each a different color and each housing a different spell. The teeth began to revolve like a chainsaw which released a rainbow of light and a high pitched whine. The saw used the multi-dimensional refraction phenomenon to power itself with infinite magical energy to be able to cut through anything, unleash myriad spells, and exist in several places at once. It was a Mystic Code so gaudy and over the top that it would revolt any traditional magus.

“Unlike you, I don’t need to rely on fancy toys to get the job done!” Luvia tossed her parasol at her sister and pulled out a fistfull of jewels. Her Magic Circuits lit up as she used an earth spell that gathered ambient carbon to create a black epidermal armor over her skin that was harder than diamond while also having excellent shock absorption. Luvia’s shell became filled with numerous colors. The exoskeleton had a crystalline structure that allowed Luvia to transfer the spells in her jewels into it. This meant she could infuse spells into her martial arts in a way similar to Rin’s Shin Madō.

“Ms. Tohsaka! Ms. Edelfelt!” Waver cried out as he stomped over to the two beasts in human clothing.

“Professor.” Luvia’s armor crumbled as she released Rin’s collar. Rin did the same, releasing her rival and making her chainsaw-thing disappear.

“Can you two just tolerate each other for the day? You don’t have to like each other, just ignore each other.” Waver thrust out his open hands.

“I’m sorry for my immaturity.” Rin bowed.

“My apologies.” Luvia’s posture lost its straightness.

The rivals glanced at each other and grimaced, but looked back at Waver before they could start another argument.

“You're both nearly forty and you still act like children when you’re together.” Waver walked over to Henriikka and Fujimura. “It’s good to see you both. I hope you’ve been well.”

“Things have been nice. How are you?” Henriikka had a weary smile as she shook Waver’s hand.

“I’ve been okay. Tired, but okay. There are always some problem children in my classes that I have to deal with.”

“The trick with those kinds of students is to figure out their preferred method of learning and how you can cater to them without pandering to them.” Fujimura said.

“Indeed. Personalization is ideal, though that can be difficult when you have so many students.”

“That’s why smaller class sizes are better than large ones.”

“But then you need more teachers.”

“Which is why measures need to be taken to make teaching a more appealing job.”

“That’s true, but we’re getting off track. We have important matters to discuss and I’m supposed to be teaching right now. Head to Lord El-Melloi’s office while I finish my class. I’ll meet up with you in…” Waver looked at his watch. “eight minutes.”

“Apologies for distracting you from your class.” Rin said.

“It’s fine. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Waver jogged off. He was once again reduced to a shaking mess by the time he returned to his lecture hall. There wasn’t enough time left to cover everything he planned for that class, but he at least managed to finish his earlier discourse on modernizing symbolic alchemy. Upon the class' end, Waver apologized and explained he had an important meeting that couldn’t wait. This disappointed several of his students who wanted to talk to him, including Monji Gatou who wanted to go on another of his weird religious tangents, and Tsubaki Kuruoka who had questions about alchemy’s ability to modify the human body.

One more exhausting run and Waver reached the door to the office where the meeting would be. He grabbed the doorknob and stopped, letting himself recover from his exhaustion for a minute before he steadied his breathing, stood up straight, and entered the room.

“It’s good to see you so energetic, elder brother.”

“Hello, Lord El-Melloi.”

“So formal.”

Reines was the current Lord of the Archibald family and the Department of Modern Magecraft Theory. She took the position after she came of age and Waver managed to repair the El-Melloi Crest. Under her care, the Archibalds and the Modern Magecraft department were in the middle of a golden age thanks to her intellect and ruthlessness. She had cleared the board of all dissenters and old blood in her clan, transitioning to the Democratic Faction. That ended up being a fiasco worthy of being called a war, but it ended surprisingly well. As a magus, Reines has more than lived up to Kayneth’s legacy despite lacking the raw power he had thanks to her masterful magical energy control. Compared to two decades ago, Reines was taller than she used to be, though she was still relatively short. Her hair was still long and blonde, her eyes were still full of passion, and she still wore a doll-like cobalt blue ensemble with an accompanying beret. The biggest change in her appearance was that the right side of her face was covered in burn scars caused in the conflict that arose during her coronation as a Lord. She sat at her desk with her head resting on her interlocked hands. Behind her stood Trimmau who looked no different than she did nineteen years ago, though she now had many new functions thanks to Reines.

The desk was at the back of the office where there was a large window, in front of the desk being a long table surrounded by plush chairs where Rin, Luvia, and Henriikka all sat. Fujimura stood behind the Edelfelt sisters, ready to protect them if need be. On the table was a teapot, multiple full cups of tea on saucers, and an afternoon tea tower with various sweets, scones, and sandwiches. Bookshelves lined the walls that housed grimoires, jars full of pickled body parts, and boxes with powerful relics and Mystic Codes in them. There were various plants in the corners, near the window, and hanging from the ceiling. There was a door that led to a dark room where Reines kept her large supply of wine. Waver probably needed to stage an intervention for her soon.

“Sorry for the wait, everyone.” Waver stumbled over to a seat and sunk into it. He sipped some tea and took a cucumber finger sandwich to nibble on. Normally he’d be too reserved to just start eating like that, but he was too tired to care and most of the people present at the meeting were either the cause of his exhaustion, or were enjoying his pain.

“Now that everyone’s here, how about we end the small talk and move right along to important matters.” Reines said. Waver wasn’t even going to get a moment to decompress before everyone got down to business.

And so everyone began discussing various subjects that mainly involved Grail Wars. This group was an unofficial council that investigated any and all matters involving Holy Grails and Holy Grail Wars, interfering whenever necessary. This often led to butting heads with the Holy Church and other magi. The dangers these Grail rituals posed made it necessary to properly regulate them, and who better than magi who have experience with the original version of the Holy Grail War? They also just didn’t want to see any more tragedies like the ones they saw during the Fifth War. Thankfully there hadn’t been any major Subcategory Wars lately, so there was little to talk about, and in turn there was little to worry about.

After the important topics were covered, the conversation gradually shifted into small talk.

“By the way, Rin, where’s your apprentice?” Luvia bit into a scone.

“She’s finishing up a mission I gave her as a test. There’s a magus that can use the primordial language of humanity who’s been causing trouble, so I sent her to deal with him.”

“Who’s your apprentice?” Henriikka asked. “I haven’t met her yet and Luvia’s never mentioned her.”

“Really? I didn’t realize. I met her when she was a little girl.” Rin leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. “She was very sick, so I cured her with my magecraft which she was really grateful for. I inspired her to want to help others the same way I helped her so she begged me to take her on as an apprentice. I didn’t want to at first, but she looked at me with puppy dog eyes and I relented.”

“You’re so soft.” Luvia crooned.

“I’m sorry I’m nice.” Rin blushed.

“What’s your apprentice’s name?”

Rin opened her eyes.

“Kiara Sessyoin.”

[nick_of_fire]

Fate/Identity Reborn Epilogue 2: The Teachers and the Artist(and the Box)

“I think this outfit comes together well. What do you think?” Bazett stepped out of a changing booth wearing blue jeans and a thin black turtleneck sweater. Her hair was long enough to reach her waist. In the last two decades her face had gained a few lines that she didn’t bother trying to hide, and she had also become a bit chubbier thanks to her wife teaching her to appreciate food more.

Said wife eyed Bazett up and down. Scáthach had changed little since the Fifth Holy Grail War, though she decided to mirror her wife’s decision to try growing her hair out by cutting her own hair down into an asymmetrical pixie cut that looked good with her cream colored sweater dress.

“You look beautiful.” Scáthach had a lecherous glint in her eye.

“I feel like a mom when dressed like this.” Bazett chuckled dryly as she adjusted her pants.

“If so, then you’d certainly be the mother that all your son’s friends would have a crush on.”

“How sweet of you to say.” Bazett laughed.

Bazett and Scáthach were on a shopping date, their current stop being a clothing store on Main Street in Kinsale, a town in County Cork, Ireland where they now lived. They were happily married and living a quiet life in a seaside town, dealing with mundane problems that were nothing more than meager annoyances when compared to what the Holy Grail War had put them through.

The couple bought the clothes they wanted and left the store with bags in their arms. The tight street had brick sidewalks and many of the tiny shops were painted bright primary colors that created a calm and cozy atmosphere. It was the kind of place that made people feel nostalgic, even if they had never been there before.

“Where do you want to stop to eat?” Bazett felt her stomach rumble. It was around lunch time.

“If we want to save money we can just go to the Chinese food place near where the road forks, or we could stop at that reading cafe. We’re going to the seafood bistro for dinner, right?

“Yeah. I want to order their oysters again. They had such a strange flavor that was briny and fishy, but in a good way, with a bit of a smoky aftertaste.”

“You’ve become such a gourmand.”

“You can blame yourself for that.” Bazett nudged her darling who pushed back.

“You should be thanking me. It’s better than when you used to eat anything as long as it filled you up.”

“I am thankful, though I should try to lose a few pounds. Will you help me train a bit to get back in shape?”

“I’d love nothing more. I haven’t trained anyone in so long, I’m afraid I’ll lose my touch.”

“Like that could ever happen, besides, you mentor people every day.”

“But I don’t help people get in shape anymore.”

Now that the duo were living as normal people, Scáthach had become a school teacher, guiding children to greatness. She had actually become somewhat famous due to her ability to help any and all of her students succeed in her class, as well as teaching them skills that they could take with them into the future to keep succeeding. Scáthach was also known for being a very intense teacher who regularly made her students cry. Many upset parents had called the school Scáthach worked at to complain for rather understandable reasons, but in the end all the students succeeded with flying colors so Bazett’s beloved always kept her job.

Bazett initially worked as a commercial fisherman for ten years, but eventually grew tired of the job and opened her own martial arts school which had become popular. She was lucky to have a wife who could give her tips on how to be a good mentor. Many of Bazett’s students had become successful mixed martial artists and boxers using the combat techniques she taught them. Some even asked her to be their coach and cornerman, but she always declined. Despite having a job that required constant physical activity, Bazett had still managed to put on weight due to how much she was eating and the fact that she didn’t exercise as intensely as she used to.

“Anyway, let’s go to the Chinese food place. If we read at the cafe, then we won’t be able to talk to each other.” Scáthach made a good point. What was the point of going on a date if Bazett and her darling didn’t interact with each other.

As they walked towards their eatery of choice, they chatted a bit, or rather Bazett did as Scáthach went quiet.

“Scáthach, is something wrong?”

“No, but I think I see someone we know.” Scáthch pointed towards someone a little ways ahead of the pair.

There was a woman with golden hair in a ponytail. Her voluptuous figure was wearing a crop top, ripped jeans, and high heels. It was hard to be sure from behind, but that woman resembled someone Bazett and Scáthach knew.

“Gray?” Bazett spoke softly, and yet the woman heard and spun around. She had a black eyepatch.

It really was Gray.

“Bazett, Scáthach!” Gray smiled and jogged over to the couple. “Coincidence of the century, huh?”

“It’s good to see you.” Bazett hadn’t seen Gray since the Fifth Holy Grail War. The only ones Bazett had kept contact with from back then were Kirei and Waver. “How have you been? You look amazing.”

“Thank you. I’ve been fantastic. You both look great too by the way!”

“Thank you. Is your family here with you? Do you still live with your parents and Illya and everyone else?” Scáthach probably already knew the answer. She was asking for Bazett’s sake.

“They're not here. I moved out when I turned eighteen, though I visit them a lot. I’m traveling the world right now.” Gray gesticulated with every word she said before stopping to put a hand on her hip.

“Really?”

“Yup. I’m a traveling artist. I bounce around all over the planet, painting the different cities and landscapes I encounter. Kinsale is my current stop and I gotta say, this town is gorgeous. You’re lucky to live here. You do live here, right? I just realized I don’t actually know that.” Gray waved her arms in the air.

“We do. This town’s very lovely.” Bazett didn’t remember Gray being this energetic. To be fair, Bazett didn’t know Gray for very long since the girl had only become herself again after the Greater Grail was destroyed, but she still left the impression of being an introverted person. It appeared that the years traveling on her own had changed that.

“Are you not even gonna take me out?” A voice said from inside Gray’s purse. “I’m here too!”

Never mind, Gray wasn’t on her own.

“Sorry.” Gray unzipped purse and both Bazett and Scáthach peeking into it. Inside was a cube with a face.

“How’s it going?” It was Add. Bazett almost forgot about him.

“Good. Things are good.” Bazett had never actually spoken to this box before. “How are you?”

“I’m doing alright. All Gray’s traveling leaves me in her purse most of the day which sucks, but it is what it is.”

“Don’t blame me! I wanted to get you altered into an earring so I can wear you openly and we can talk without anyone noticing!” Gray’s voice was shrill.

“Getting modified like that could mess with my systems! I could have my personality reset! That’s basically death!”

“You just don’t wanna be jewelry!”

“That’s also true!”

“I know you said you don’t live with your family anymore, but how have they been, generally speaking?” Scáthach said.

“Oh they’ve been great. Mordred and Chloe are always fighting, but in a sibling kinda way and they always have each other’s backs when things get serious. Sella is the one who always takes care of everybody and Leysritt is, well, quiet and eats a lot, which means she’s good. Mom and mama are closer than ever; they’re so lovey-dovey that you’ll get a cavity just from watching them. Mom’s a mukbanger now by the way!” Gray couldn’t suppress a laugh when she said that last sentence.

“What’s a mugbanger?” Bazett couldn’t even say the word.

“It’s this Korean thing where people on the internet watch her eat. It’s weird, but nobody’s better at eating things than Artoria so she’s managed to become an online celebrity.” Add said something that Bazett half-expected was just nonsense he made up based on how bizarre it sounded.

Bazett didn’t even know how to process what she’d just been told, so she didn’t.

“Maybe you should become a mukbanger.” Scáthach simpered as she looked at her wife.

“Not happening.” Bazett said. “The last thing I want is to have my face plastered all over the internet.”

“You say that as if it’s guaranteed you’ll be popular.”

“Hush, you. How’s Illya?” Bazett changed the subject.

“She’s great. She’s married.”

“Oh, congratulations.”

“Thanks!”

“You said you’re a painter? Is that your main source of income?” Scáthach held her chin with her thumb pressed into her cheek.

“It is! I do a lot of commission work in-between traveling. I also submit a lot of my art to galleries which has helped me get decently popular, and my popularity gets me a lot of clients. I’m not the next Salvador Dalí or anything, but I make enough to pay for everything I need to!”

“That must be fun, getting to do something you love for a living.” Bazett enjoyed her work well enough, but it wasn’t her passion or anything.

“It’s amazing! When I was little I always liked painting, but I never thought I could ever get good enough to make a career out of it. I had a lot of confidence issues. Eventually I just said screw it and went to an art college. It helped that my parents were super supportive, even if neither of them really get the appeal of art, or, well, they understand the appeal, but they don’t feel it themselves. Anywho, now I’m here!” Gray bounced a bit as she shrugged her shoulders. Bazett wished her own parents had been so supportive. She hadn’t seen them since she left to join the Mage’s Association. Maybe she should visit them.

“How long are you two staying in town?”

“We were planning on sticking around for a couple of days at least. It depends on how many different spots catch my eye.”

“We can give you a tour of the town if you’d like. We know all the prettiest spots, as well as a lot of nice restaurants and things to do.” Bazett turned to her wife. “You don’t mind, right?”

“Of course not.” Scáthach grinned from ear to ear.

“Thank you both so much! That’s so nice of you!” Gray balled up fists waved through the air.

“We’ll make sure to pay you back for this!” Add said.

“There’s no need, we’re happy to show you around.”

“Have you eaten yet?” Bazett hoped the answer was no since her gut was still rumbling.

“Not yet.” Gray shook her head.

“Then how about we go eat?”

“Sure.”

“There’s a really nice restaurant nearby. Let’s head over.”

Bazett led the way, her fingers interlocking with Scáthach’s. The couple’s date may have been interrupted, but neither was bothered by it. They got to spend every day together. Plus, Gray’s energy was infectious, so a day or two with her was a blessing.

These simple days, where meeting someone they hadn’t seen for a while was an event, were a treasure that Bazett hoped would last for the rest of her life.

[nick_of_fire]

Fate/Identity Reborn Epilogue 3: The Family

“Once again I’d like to thank HelloFresh for sponsoring this video! Click the link in the description and use the code LittleLion14 to get twenty-one free meals and free shipping! I’d also like to thank my patrons whose names are scrolling down the screen right now, as well as give special thanks to thelittlelurker, WaifuWhy, Angry Mango, No_Life_God, and Lincolnisplayinggames37. Finally, I’d like to thank all of you watching at home, it means the world to me. I’ll see you all next meal, and don’t forget to exercise!” Artoria pressed the button to end her recording before she sat back and rubbed her belly. She had just eaten three HelloFresh meals as part of her sponsorship and they were pretty good, especially the vegetarian chili.

“I love listening to my LittleLion do ad reads.” Irisviel spoke from the doorway of Artoria’s recording studio. The Youtuber jumped in her chair and stood up.

“Iri, don’t listen to me record! It’s embarrassing!”

“But you’re so cute and peppy when you’re doing one of your videos.” Irisviel put her hands together and skipped over to Artoria. The homunculus Artoria adored hadn't changed much in the last two decades besides that she had a bob cut now and was no longer being plagued by the Grails’ malice. She had the same unyielding elation with life that she had back before she was touched by the mud of the Grail. Seeing her wife constantly radiant made Artoria feel a warmth throughout her entire body. Irisviel suffered for so long, so she earned the happiness she now had.

“I’m not ‘peppy.’ I’m merely showing my enthusiasm for food.” Artoria fiddled with the bottom of her hoodie.

“Whatever you say.” Irisviel kissed Artoria’s cheek. “You should probably get changed, Illya and Miyu are going to be here soon.”

“Right.” Since Illya and Miyu were flying in from Japan for a family get together, it only felt appropriate to wear something more than mere casual clothes. Irisviel was wearing a frilly white dress for the occasion.

Artoria jogged out of the studio and into her and Irisviel’s bedroom, undressing before putting on the outfit she had laid out in advance. Going with a more feminine option than she normally would, Artoria put on a simple black dress.

Leaving the bedroom, Artoria entered the lounge. Pictures lined the blue walls and sat on small tables. They were mostly snapshots of moments that were precious to Artoria and her family. Many included pictures of Gray, who had become so lively as she aged. It was unfortunate she wasn’t here, but she was doing what she loved and that was what mattered most. She had come into her own after years of being imprisoned in Artoria’s shadow. The former king couldn’t be more proud of Gray. She also missed Add, despite how much of an annoyance he could be. He was just like Kay, so Artoria thought of Add like her brother. Despite Kay’s vexatious barbs, he was a good sibling, and so was Add.

The lounge had two couches on opposite sides of a short table, multiple cushioned chairs also adorning the room. Bow windows showed off the verdant yard of the Pendragon household. Decorative vases and various knick-knacks like an old toy train and an octangular music box decorated the space courtesy of Irisviel and her habit of impulse buying. The floor was black and white checker pattern tiling that was currently spotless thanks to Sella having given it a good scrubbing.

Speaking of Sella, she was putting plates of food onto the table, mainly little things for everyone to nosh on as they chat like pretzel sticks, mixed nuts, and freshly baked cookies.

“I don’t know what we’d do without you, Sella.” Artoria always tried to show Sella her appreciation given she had become the backbone that kept the house in tip top shape and made sure everyone was fed.

“I’m not sure how you got by before I joined the family.” Sella straightened out a decorative blanket that was draped on the back of one of the couches.

“It helped that we had a smaller home and both Illya and Gray developed good homemaking skills.”

“So you basically let your children take care of the house for you.”

“When you say it like that you make it sound like Irisivel and I weren’t good parents.”

“I’m not saying that, it’s just that you perhaps should have noticed something was off when you found your children doing the majority of housework when you and Irisviel are the adults.”

“That’s a good point. Let’s just say we were giving our children chores to help them learn to be responsible.”

Sella just sighed in response to that. She was wearing a sweater and a long skirt, which wasn’t much different from what she usually wore, but she was always a bit more formal than even Artoria herself. To be fair, Artoria had slowly become a bit less decorous as time had gone on and she became more separated from her life as a monarch. She was no longer King Arthur, just Artoria Pendragon.

Leysritt, who was slumped on one of the couches, arched her body forward and grabbed a handful of cookies before sitting back again. Crumbs got onto her purple blouse as she started eating the sweets.

“You’re getting your blouse dirty!” Sella ran over to her fellow homunculus and tried to pry the cookies from her hand, but Leysritt’s hand was like adamant. No food that had fallen into Leysritt’s grasp could be liberated unless it was heading for her mouth. “Let go!”

In defiance, Leysritt shoved all the cookies she was holding into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out and she struggled to chew them.

“Leysritt!” Sella took two napkins and cleaned off Leysritt’s chest. “No more eating until Illya and Miyu get here! Also, sit up straight and use a plate or a napkin!”

‘Mmm.” Was the response Leysritt gave. She was a freeloader and a glutton, but she could be helpful sometimes and she always managed to make Chloe and Mordred smile when they were down, so Artoria was glad she was around.

“Do you need any help with anything?” Artoria asked Sella.

“No, everything’s ready.” Sella smiled. “I just need to finish cooking which I can handle myself. Thank you though. I’ll be in the kitchen.”

Sella left the room and Artoria sat down in a chair just as Mordred and Chloe entered. Mordred was wearing a black three piece suit while Chloe was in a pink dress with beads and feathers all over it and she had a fur boa hanging in her arms.

“You both decided to dress flashy today.” Artoria felt underdressed now.

“I just wanted to break in this new suit I got.” Mordred posed with one of his hands in his pocket and the other pinching his chin. It was like he was expecting someone to take his picture.

“You look like a butler.” Chloe covered her mouth with her hand.

“And you look like a prostitute.” Mordred bit back.

“What’s wrong with prostitutes?” Chloe put a hand on her chest as if she were actually offended. “Do you look down on sex workers? They’re just doing what they have to in order to get by.”

“What’s wrong with butlers? Do you look down on ‘the help?’”

“I never said there was anything wrong with butlers, I just noted that you look like one.”

‘Well I never said prostitutes were bad either, just that you look like one.”

“Your banter’s a lot more passive aggressive than usual today.” Artoria said. Mordred and Chloe were usually more direct and proud when they argued.

“We’re trying something different. Fighting the same way all the time gets boring. Gotta spice it up.” Chloe waved her hand through the air, showing off her manicure.

“I see. Just don’t go through another phase where you actually physically fight each other.” The last time they did they ended up ruining the backyard.

“We won’t. It’s no fun fighting when you know you’re gonna win.” Mordred smiled with his teeth bared.

“You’re just lucky you’ve got Magic Resistance.” Chloe turned her head away from the smug knight.

Chloe hadn’t changed much over the years other than gradually becoming a calmer person. She didn’t need to work given the riches of the Eiznbern the Pendragon family had, so she decided to get into fashion design and just focus on her passion for clothing. She hadn’t been very successful, but she didn’t appear to care. Chloe just wanted an outlet to express herself.

Mordred had become a fine man. He decided to get a job at an orphanage which initially seemed like an odd choice and poor fit, but it turned out that Mordred was surprisingly good with kids when he wanted to be. He wished to take care of children without proper parents and potentially find homes for them so they didn’t have to suffer as he had. Artoria couldn’t be more proud of him if she tried.

A knock came from the front door.

“I’ll get it!” Iri ran down the hall and opened the door.

“Hi.”

“Hello.”

“Illya, Miyu, it’s so good to see you! Come in, come in!”

Artoria stood up just as Iri led both Illya and Miyu into the living room.

Illya was wearing jeans and a white top while Miyu was in a blue and black dress. Illya had met Miyu in Fuyuki shortly after the Fifth Holy Grail War ended and apparently they immediately became close. They kept in contact after Illya left and over time they fell in love and got married, Illya taking Miyu’s last name of Sakatsuki and moving to Fuyuki. Miyu worked as a programmer while Illya was the homemaker.

“How have you both been?” Artoria hugged both Illya and Miyu.

“We’ve been great. Miyu just got a promotion.”

“That’s good to hear.” Greetings and embraces continued to be exchanged before everyone sat down and Sella returned to the kitchen. The Pendragons began inquiring into what Illya and Miyu had been doing lately and the couple inquired back. Recent events, trite annoyances, and little pleasures were shared as the family reminisced. The whole time, Miyu sat right next to Illya with her arms wrapped around her wife. She was very touchy-feely with Illya and Illya alone; she was averse to physical contact with everyone else. Miyu also didn't talk much. She was a passive person at heart.

“The New Years Festival in Fuyuki was amazing this year.” Illya said. “The food vendors really gave it their A game. The fried squid threw me for a loop. It was so good.”

“I’d love to visit Fuyuki the next time they have a festival like that. It sounds so fun.” Iri swooned.

“It’s great, there’s games, food, dancing. Me and Miyu danced our hearts out.”

“I didn’t know Miyu liked dancing.” Artoria never figured Miyu for the type to enjoy it.

“I don’t. It’s too abstract of an activity for me.” Miyu’s voice was flat, but then it gained a little life. “Illya likes it, so I dance with her whenever she wants to.”

“Daaaawww.” Chloe put her hands on her cheeks. Miyu blushed and looked downward.

“Are you a good dancer?” Mordred leaned his head on his arm.

“No.” Miyu whispered.

“She’s not the best at coordinating her body when she isn’t following a strict routine. I like dancing that’s more freeform so, y’know, there are trips and tumbles when we go out dancing, but who cares?” Illya wrapped her arm around her wife. “It’s about having fun, not being perfect, though Miyu’s pretty perfect anyway.”

Miyu leaned her head into Illya who kissed the top of it. Illya and Miyu were perfect for each other. Illya was a lively person, but she could also be brash, so a cool head like Miyu’s kept her in check. Meanwhile, Illya helped drag Miyu out of her shell. Artoria was initially suspicious of Miyu, as the former knight would be of any that would attempt to court her daughter, but time revealed the purity and strength of Miyu’s character. Artoria was won over, and now Miyu was yet another child to Artoria in many ways. Illya was in good hands.

This Pendragon family was full of wonderful people that Artoria constantly questioned if she deserved to be surrounded by. They were smart, strong, and kind. It was thanks to them that the day to day life Artoria lived was so magnificent. Every time Mordred and Chloe would boast about themselves and everyone would roll their eyes, every time Sella took care of everyone and someone made a joke about Leysritt not doing anything, every time Miyu would say something complicated related to math or science and Illya would pretend to understand, every time Irisviel would smile and laugh, Artoria knew she had been given the greatest blessing that anyone had ever known.

Artoria had endeavored to be the greatest possible king for her countrymen, and she wasn’t happy. She had quested for the Holy Grail to undo the tragedy that had befallen her kingdom, and she wasn’t happy.

Here and now, where she was amongst people who loved her and whom she loved, she was finally happy. After so many years, Artoria had finally attained what she always needed.

“Lunch is ready!” Sella called from the dining room.

“Thank God, I’m starved.” Mordred jumped out of his seat, everyone else following suit.

Artoria stood at the back, her fingers interlocked with Iri’s.

“I love you, Iri.” Artoria just felt like saying it.

“I love you too, Artoria.” Iri squeezed Artoria’s hand tight.

Moments like these were all Artoria needed.

[nick_of_fire]

Fate/Identity Reborn Final Epilogue: The Priest, the Apprentice, and the Next Generation

Kirei felt the spice of the mapo tofu bubble on this tongue, the heat burning the entirety of the priest’s mouth. The volcanic flavor was all-encompassing, every one of Kirei’s senses besides taste deactivating so he could fully comprehend the sheer potency of the tofu’s existence. The taste was so complex, and yet each facet of it came together to form a rainbow rather than the chaotic mess it risked becoming if any aspect of the dish was slightly off balance. Kirei swallowed, the star traveling down his throat and giving it a coating of flames. A meltdown was occurring in the nuclear reactor that was Kirei’s body, sweat drenching him to try and keep him cool. Every breath was an exhalation of dragon fire. The priest had to open his collar to assist in lowering his body temperature. Kirei watched the restaurant spin as he was overcome with heat syncope.

“Splendid.” Kirei said with a smile on his wrinkled face. He was almost sixty, though he looked relatively good for his age which Kirei attributed both to the fact that he regularly exercised and that he ate mapo tofu. His hair was gray, nearly white, but he was relatively fit if you ignored the pops and cracks his body made every time he stood up. “You’ve ascended to yet another level of culinary mastery. Rejoice, young Caren.”

“I’m not ‘young Caren’ anymore.” Caren stood next to Kirei’s table in Koushuuensaikan Taizan. She was the spitting image of Claudia, though Claudia never wore a qipao nor was her hair ever so boyishly short. Caren was the current head chef of Koushuuensaikan Taizan. Every day she got to serve people food that she always made a bit spicier than what they ordered so she could enjoy their pain. It was paradise for her. “It’s no fun watching you eat my cooking since you like it.”

“That’s a statement that no other chef can relate to.” Kirei ate another spoonful of mapo tofu, the spice taking him once more.

“Whatever, just keep your moaning to a minimum. You’ll scare away my customers.” Caren returned to the kitchen and Kirei kept eating, slowly, methodically. Every bite needed to be appreciated on its own. To not savor such a supper would be a sin.

This was the life. Kirei got to eat mapo tofu whenever he wanted, though that was no different than two decades ago. He was still acting as a priest at the now rebuilt Fuyuki Church while occasionally going on missions as an Executor. Kirei was still living as he had after the Fourth Holy Grail War. The one major difference that came about after the fifth was that Kirei was the only resident of his church now, his wards all having moved out. It was nice and peaceful, though sometimes Kirei reminisced about when Rin, Sakura, and Caren were growing up and how raucous things could get because of them. The priest wasn’t sure why he thought about those bygone days as often as he did.

Kirei was satisfied after finishing off his fifth serving of mapo tofu, so he took out his wallet and put the money for the meal on the table. One might think Caren would give her father a discount or even let him eat free since they were family. Instead she made Kirei pay double. The priest got up from his seat while Caren was on her way to give a group of people at another table their food.

“Thank you for the m-”

The priest’s leg gave out as he tried to stand up quickly. He was on a collision course with the floor.

Plates shattered and spicy sauces smeared across the ground.

Kirei’s body hung above the floor as he was held by the arm. He was pulled onto his feet, a hand going onto his shoulder to make sure he wasn’t going to drop again.

Caren had dropped the food she was carrying to catch Kirei. The other patrons of the restaurant were looking at the father and daughter, as well as the mess on the floor.

“Why did you save me?” Kirei assumed Caren would want to let him fall so she could enjoy his pain.

“Don’t think about it.” Caren released her father and snatched the money off the table before walking away. “Now I have to clean this mess and make the food again.”

Caren didn’t want Kirei to get hurt, more so than she wanted to relish in his pain. She felt affection for her father, or at least concern for him. There was no religious or moral motivation behind Caren’s actions, only genuine feeling. Despite her hard exterior, Caren was able to be genuinely kind when it mattered most, and that meant she wasn’t cursed in the same way Kirei was. She was able to live a proper life where she didn’t indulge in her dark impulses too much and still be happy. Kirei was concerned when Caren was young over how she would turn out, but she ended up fine. As a father, there was nothing else he needed than for his children to be living safe, moral, and pleasant lives.

Kirei considered thanking Caren, but he was sure that even saying goodbye to her would lead to verbal barbs born from embarrassment from her. Instead the priest just left the restaurant without another word, a smile on his face for reasons he couldn’t discern.

The nighttime chill nipped at Kirei’s ears and nose. Fuyuki’s night sky was starved for stars due to light pollution. There weren’t many people in the shopping district. Anyone out on the town after dark would be in Shinto. Kirei made his way through the quiet town, his arms behind his back.

It was an uneventful walk until certain words reached Kirei’s ears.

“Just come one. It’ll be great. I promise I’ve got a nice big one.”

“No, thank you.”

“Do you gotta be such a bitch? Just let us have fun.”

“Why are you guys even asking her? Just hold her down.”

It didn’t take much detective work to deduce that there was a woman being accosted by multiple men in the nearby alley. It was something that the priest had to stop.

Kirei ran into the alley and found a young woman with brown hair in a pair of braids that reached down to her ankles. Her eyes were yellow and she had three pink dots on her forehead. She wore a golden necklace and a puffy pink and white jacket.

It was just as one of the three men surrounding the woman moved in to grab her that she slammed her palm into his torso so hard he went flying back into the wall behind him. The man hit the ground, writhing in pain. The two other men responded in different ways to the sight of their ally being incapacitated in a single blow. One tried to run away while the other punched at the woman. The fist was deflected and the woman grabbed the attacking man’s collar before punching him three times in the face so fast that none of the strikes would have been perceptible to a normal human's eyes. The attacker slumped to the ground while the fleeing man was heading in Kirei’s direction. The priest needed only a single elbow strike to make the man drop. With all three ne’er-do-wells trounced, the young woman spoke.

“Hello, Father Kirei. Funny seeing you here.”

“Hello, Ms. Sessyoin. What are you doing in Fuyuki?”

“I was handling a mission in a town nearby that I completed just yesterday. I figured I’d come visit you and Sakura before I went back to the Clock Tower.” Ms. Sessyoin put a hand on her cheek as she gazed upon her defeated assailants. “Then these three men appeared and decided to try and have their way with me. Why do I attract so much attention?”

“A face and figure considered attractive by conventional standards will do that. Is Rin in town?”

“No, she’s in London. This was a solo mission for me that was meant to be a test. I faced a man who could use humanity’s original language to manipulate people. It was one of the most challenging tasks I’ve ever faced.”

Kirei wondered where Rin learned to be such a hard mentor, sending her apprentice on life or death tasks that caused her to engage with powerful magi. The priest went rather easy on Rin and Sakura when teaching them magecraft and martial arts. Perhaps it was just Rin’s way.

Ms. Sessyoin called the authorities and they came to pick up the three hooligans. After giving a report of what happened, the police left with the trio while Kirei and Ms. Sessyoin left for Sakura’s home, the Tohsaka mansion.

“They know you’re coming, yes?” Kirei noticed it was almost midnight. It took a long time for the authorities to arrive.

“I texted Sakura. I wouldn’t want to appear unannounced, especially not this late. We agreed we’d have a little late night snack together.”

“On a weekday?”

“She said she was fine with it.” Ms. Sessyoin’s smile and half-lidded eyes never changed.

Kirei and Ms. Sessyoin arrived at the Tohsaka mansion. There was no light peeking through the windows and the curtains were all closed.

“Are you sure they’re expecting you?” Kirei couldn’t find any traces that anyone was awake on the premises.

“I’m as sure as can be.” Ms. Sessyoin tapped on the bars of the front gate, making contact with the Bounded Field to get Sakura’s attention.

A light turned on and a curtain peeled open slightly, someone looking out at Kirei and Ms. Sessyoin. The curtain closed again and there was a brief wait before the front door of the mansion opened to reveal Sakura in a pink nightgown, her waist length hair uncombed and her eyes squinting. She ran over to the front gate.

“Kirei, Kiara, why are you here? Abzug Bedienung Mittelstand.” Sakura took down the Bounded Field and opened the gate. “Is something wrong?”

“No, I’m here to visit.” The gears in Ms. Sessyoin’s head finally began to turn. “We talked about it earlier, right? I texted you.”

“I don’t remember that.” Sakura manipulated the key to the gate that was in her hands, moving it around aimlessly as she thought. “Are you sure you texted me?”

“I’m pretty sure.” Ms. Sessyoin pulled out her phone which she had previously neglected to check. A few taps and she was scrolling through her text history with Sakura. Lo and behold, there was no recent conversation about coming to visit. “I swore we talked about this. I remember it so vividly.”

“Are you sure you aren’t thinking about the last time you came to visit?” Sakura said. “You texted me that time and you came to visit us late at night.”

Ms. Sessyoin became like a statue as she was struck with realization.

“Oh.”

Kirei rubbed his eye as he was faced with just how airheaded Rin’s apprentice was. This was not new information, but that didn’t make the individual instances of Ms. Sessyoin’s scatterbrained behavior less frustrating.

“Kiara.” Sakura had a weary smile on her face. “You really need to start writing notes or something to keep track of these kinds of things.”

“I tried that, but I always forgot to look back at the notes.” Kiara’s face finally became anything besides a smile, that being frown.

“Perhaps you should see a doctor if your memory is really that bad. Moving on, do you want to come in? Shirou and I are awake now and we’re probably not going to be able to go back to sleep any time soon.”

“Would that be okay?” Kiara clasped her hands together.

“At this point, it would make you coming all this way meaningless if we told you to leave. Kirei, do you want to come in too?”

“I might as well.” The priest would have preferred to go home and sleep, but he didn’t want to walk all the way back to the church and there was a high chance that Sakura would ask him to stay the night so he wouldn’t have to.

“Follow me then.” Sakura led Kirei and the airhead into the mansion. Right at the door they were met with a man with short red hair wearing a white t-shirt and black sweatpants. Sakura gave a quick explanation to him about what was going on.

“So that’s what happened. It is what it is.” The man extended his hand to Ms. Sessyoin who shook it. “It’s good to see you, Kiara.”

“It’s good to see you too.”

The man looked at Kirei and glared at him before offering his hand. The priest shook it as well.

“Hello, Kirei.”

“It’s good to see you, Shirou.” Kirei and Sakura’s husband had never gotten along. It wasn’t that there was anything that happened between then to instigate this distaste they held for each other, it was instinctual. There was something fundamentally incompatible about the two men that made it impossible for them like each other. They decided to avoid interacting with each other as much as possible whilst attempting to remain cordial around Sakura.

“I’ll go brew some tea.” Shirou said before heading towards the kitchen.

Sakura led her guests into the living room. It resembled how it looked two decades ago, with fancy European chairs, tables, and bookshelves, and a grandfather clock in the corner, though now there were some modern additions like a flat screen television mounted on the wall. Kirei and Ms. Sessyoin sat down in chairs while Sakura took a seat on the couch.

“It’s honestly nice having some unexpected guests. Things have been a little monotonous lately.” Sakura put her hands on her knees. “Not having little Kirei around has made things a lot quieter.”

“How’s he been enjoying Africa?” Kiara said.

“He’s been loving it. He’s been on his best behavior and he calls us all the time to tell us about the things he’s learned and the experiences he’s had. Little Kirei’s so cute when he gets excited.” Sakura and Shirou had named the eldest of their three sons after Sakura’s adoptive father. The young man had been rather rebellious recently, but he jumped at the opportunity to study abroad. Perhaps his acting out was because he felt antsy having spent almost his entire life in one city. “He did break his glasses the other day, but he managed to tape them back together. I’m still worried so we might send him a new pair, but he told us not to.”

“He probably doesn’t want to rely on you right now. Him traveling has been an opportunity for him to be more self-reliant. It’s a chance for him to figure out who he is when he isn’t a part of your family.” Ms. Sessyoin’s analysis sounded believable. Despite her airheadedness, she was the most perceptive person Kirei knew at times.

“You’re probably right.” Sakura stretched her arms and let out a little groan. “I still want to help him though.”

“How’s Hiro and Ritsu?”

“Hiro’s the same as usual. He’ll be head of the archery club next year, though that’s assuming he doesn’t get cocky and make a big mistake.”

“He does that rather often.” Kirei said. Hiro was a cheerful lad, but he was prideful in the same way Rin was, and just like her, he was prone to stumbling at the last moment.

“Ritsu’s been okay and he’s transitioned from kindergarten to first grade pretty well, though he’s really antisocial. We don’t want to immediately panic like I know a lot of other parent’s do when their child isn’t immediately making a lot of friends at school, but I’m still a little uneasy. It’s okay if he’s a bit reclusive, I just hope he isn’t completely averse to being around anyone who isn’t a part of our family.”

“It’s a reasonable concern to have. Like you said, there's no need to go to extremes, but if it really seems like he’s having long term problems interacting with new people, then it might be worth meeting with doctors and therapists.” Kiara’s tone was empathetic and clinical.

Kiara was a wise woman who could read people like a book and find solutions to their problems. She had a disposition befitting someone in the medical field, especially due to her capacity for compassion. Rin had chosen a good student, and Rin herself was someone who had more than lived up to her father’s expectations. She had turned the Tohsakas from a family best known for having a large number of patents and for having provided the land necessary for an obscure ritual, to a household name among magi that would forever be respected, envied, and admired. Even after all that she had managed, Rin still worked to achieve ever greater heights. Kirei was proud to have been her teacher.

Shirou walked into the room with a tray covered in cups filled with green tea and a bowl of homemade rice crackers. He served everyone their drinks and sat down next to his wife.

“Thank you.” Ms. Sessyoin took a sip of her tea. “Is the restaurant doing well?”

“It’s as great as ever. The only problem is that we get so many customers now that we don’t have enough tables.” Shirou had an innocent smile. He was the owner and head chef of his own restaurant that had become quite popular. The man had always loved cooking and he had a talent for it. In contrast to Kirei, Shirou felt great joy at other people’s happiness, he was similar to Kiara in that way. He was loving, giving, and would go to any length to safeguard his family. Sakura had made a smart choice in picking Shirou. After being stuck with trauma that wet the palette of Kirei’s sadistic side every time he thought about it, Sakura was now living the plain life she always desired. She had a husband who loved her and children she could dote on, and she had become a fair bit more assertive. Just like with Caren and Rin, Kirei was proud of Sakura.

Kirei was feeling that inexplicable emotion again. What was it? There was a potential answer that kept creeping into Kirei’s mind, but he knew that couldn’t be it for it was fundamentally antithetical to his nature.

The unnamed emotion kept bothering Kirei as the conversation continued. Eventually the discussion died down as everyone got tired, or more tired than they already were. It was time to turn in for the night and Sakura offered to let Kirei and Ms. Sessyoin stay in their guest rooms.

“We still have an extra set of clothes for you from the last time you stayed the night.” Sakura said as she brought Kirei to his room.

“Thank you, Sakura. Sleep well.”

“Goodnight.” Sakura said before walking away.

Upon entering his room, Kirei went and sat on the side of the bed.

What was he feeling? This emotion occurred when he thought about his children. The obvious implication was that he was feeling paternal love for the girls he raised, but the priest was incapable of that. He wasn’t able to feel affection, only the desire to cause human suffering. Even when Claudia took her life and when Kirei found his father slain, the only thing running through the broken man’s mind in those moments was how he wished he had been the one to kill them. How could any man who was so inhumane, so horrible that his thoughts could make the Devil himself wretch, feel love?

Was love antithetical to Kirei’s nature? The priest could feel joy only from human pain, but were love and joy nested subjects? It was impossible that they could be mutually exclusive. Perhaps it was in some way related to the instinct within Kirei to reject his nature? The fact he was capable of resisting his urges implies that there was a degree of complexity to his mental structure. He had morals that could overpower his urges. Was it through rejecting his dark nature that Kirei was able to cultivate normal emotions?

Perhaps Kirei wasn’t feeling love and it was just that he had become such a skilled pretender at being normal that he had constructed false emotions. The love inside the priest was just a simulacrum used so he could better act the part of a righteous human. Or maybe it was real. Did it matter? Ultimately, it was the actions people took that mattered, not their thoughts, for it was action that altered the world. Of course there were curses which could harm people using one’s thoughts, but that was getting off topic.

In the end, what was inside Kirei didn’t matter. He was living his life as a true human who had managed to make those around him happy. He helped save the world from Avenger and raised his daughters into fine adults who loved him and who he potentially loved back.

Kirei remembered Claudia. She always said Kirei was capable of love, and it turned out that maybe she had been correct. If Kirei really was feeling love now, why couldn’t he love his wife? Perhaps he could have learned to if she hadn’t passed away so soon.

Why did Claudia have to be so extreme? Why did she need to take her own life? If Claudia hadn’t taken her own life, would she have survived long enough for Kirei to learn Spiritual Healing? Would his Spiritual Healing have been enough to cure Claudia? If he had been motivated, could Kirei have summoned a Servant with the ability to heal Claudia in the Fourth War? There was nothing to be achieved by thinking of what-ifs.

The world was in one piece and Kirei’s family was happy. What more could the priest ask for?

Kirei got undressed, kneeled beside his bed and said a prayer, before slipping under the covers and closing his eyes.

He fell asleep quickly, ending yet another simple day of earned peace.

000

This is the end of the story. Writing this has taken a little over a year. It feels like it’s been far longer and far shorter at the same time. I hoped you liked this series and this ending.

Stay tuned. I’m going to post at least one more chapter that’s not really a chapter, but an update on my future plans, a reflection on the process of writing this series, ideas that I didn’t go with, what I think I did right and wrong, and a presentation of some ideas I have for my potential next fanfiction which you all can give your thoughts on.

Any constructive criticism is encouraged and appreciated.

Thank you for reading, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this chapter and this series as a whole, and I hope you check out my reflection chapter, and my next series.

[nick_of_fire]

Fate/Identity Reborn: A Reflection

Hello, everyone. It is I, the author of this fanfic, Nick_of_Fire. Did you like it? If you bothered to read this entire fanfic and even this reflection, then you probably liked it at least a little. Either that or you really hate this fic and have been hate reading it. If you did, please tell me why you hated this fic. Criticism can help me grow so I don’t make more fanfics you hate in the future. Also, I’m somewhat starved for constructive criticism so please, tell me anything you didn’t like, even nitpicks. They can really help me improve.

Anyway, thank you for reading Fate/Identity Reborn. It means the whole world to me. I never expected my fanfic to get as much attention as it has. It’s not much really, but it’s still more than I ever thought I would get. Knowing anyone felt any amount of happiness thanks to my writing is all the motivation I need to continue. Thank you so much.

This fanfic has been an interesting experience. This is the second fanfic I’ve written that’s of significant length, the previous being Record of Revelations, a Record of Ragnarok fanfic where I had my own lineup of gods and humans fight each other. It's not completely terrible I guess, or maybe it is. I dunno. Unlike that fic, where I wrote the whole thing before uploading a chapter a day, I was actually writing Fate/Identity Reborn as I was releasing chapters. That meant I was able to incorporate criticism as I was writing, something I think was a good thing overall. It allowed me to actually see how people felt about the way the plot of my fic went and adjust accordingly. There’s always the risk that I could become too obsessed with everything my readers say, but I don’t think that happened.

This fanfic was originally known as Fate/Identity Crisis. It’s a separate fanfic that you can find on my AO3 page. It was the prototype version of this fanfiction that I ended up canceling because it was full of too many characters and factions, and because the pace was way too fast. It’s a problem I think I still have. I’m an impatient person and I’m pretty sure I have ADHD, so I struggle when it comes to fleshing out individual moments in a story. I end up getting bored and feel compelled to just rush to the next plot beat. This leads my writing to be very terse and sometimes too fast for important moments to have the time they need to feel impactful. The only real exception is when it comes to fight scenes. They’re really easy for me to write, mainly because they’re the most fun. I need to learn to slow down and expand on individual scenes I write so they have more power to them.

I also have a problem with having too many characters in my stories. I end up having so many that it’s hard to keep track of them all, and it's really difficult trying to make sure they’re all fully developed. Characters like Add, Luvia, Henriikka, Waver, and even Caren end up getting forgotten because it’s hard to have such a large ensemble cast without focusing more on certain characters while leaving others basically forgotten for dozens of chapters. If I wanted so many characters, I should have better planned exactly what I wanted their character arcs and roles in the story to be.

Speaking of characters, I’m going to go through them all and give my thoughts on how they turned out.

To start out, let’s talk about Kirei. He’s the character whose actions were the start of the butterfly effect that this fanfic was founded on. You’d think he’d be a more important character to the overall plot than he ended up being, perhaps even the main character. Perhaps he should have been. I struggled a bit when it came to keeping Kirei relevant because he was basically already at the end of his character arc by the end of the first chapter. He works better as a villain given his characterization. I did manage to give him a bit more development by having him internally muse about his struggle to live a moral life, his worrying for his daughters, and his journey of learning to love in his own way. The issue is that most of that came at the end of the story. I should have had that development slowly occur throughout the fanfic. If I did this fanfic over, I’d have Kirei be faced with direct temptation to feed into his desires and perhaps even have him slightly give in, not completely, but enough for his actions to have consequences that he’d have to make up for. It would have made him more active and more compelling. Then again, there is a bit of an appeal to his mellow character arc I suppose.

Rin and Sakura have a pretty clear arc that has ups and downs, development and regression. I think it came out well and it might be the best executed arc in the story. It had set up, it had consequences for the characters’ actions, it had dramatic confrontations, and a lot of angst. There’s honestly not a lot I can say.

Saber Rin was inspired by two fanfics I heard about, Endless Dream by Pata Hikari and Cooled Ambition by COMegamenexe. Both are fanfics about Rin being summoned as a Caster by Sakura in the fifth war. Both ended up as dead fics which saddened me because I thought the idea of Servant Rin was really cool. I decided to have Saber Rin be a thing as a sort of spiritual successor to those old fics. Saber Rin’s backstory was inspired by those fics and the fact they never ended. I imagined ‘what if Rin failed in those fanfics’ timelines and she just kept trying?’ The idea of Saber Rin pulling a Heaven’s Feel Archer and giving Rin her body parts was something I came up with early in conceptualizing this fanfic, but I was worried it would be too absurd and that people would think it was jumping the shark. I’m glad it apparently didn’t bother anybody too much.

Caren was meant to have more of a presence in the story when I initially planned things, but I sorta forgot about her if I’m honest. It was also hard to think of a way to get her involved that felt natural. I considered having Assassin Alter possess her with one of their masks and that would be how she got sucked into things, but I couldn’t find a good time for that to happen. I also thought about having Assassin Alter possess Kizuki, but it felt like it would have been unnecessary fanservice. Back to Caren, she’s another character whose development should have been better paced out. It all just happened right at the end.

Artoria and Irisviel’s arcs were alright, though I think there was too much of Artoria just feeling bad and helpless. Other than that, they came out well I think. I can’t actually think of much to say about these two. I can say that I kept flip-flopping on the whole ‘Iri would become the Black Grail and be a threat that everyone would unite against’ plot point. Even up to right before Iri got fully possessed, I still wasn’t sure if I should go through with it. I felt like it was a big event that could be interesting and could help Iri’s character develop. At the same time, by having the cast be split into two sides, it would be easier to accidentally let certain characters on each side fall by the wayside. When everyone was split into multiple factions, the smaller number of characters in each faction required that those characters get more focus to make said factions feel individually fleshed out. My fears did come true, but I’m not really sure where I could have taken the story without such a unifying event. Most of the characters were rather reasonable individuals who I don’t think were obsessed with the Grail enough to really risk it all to get it. I needed more truly antagonistic factions to keep the conflict going. The only ones were the Taiga and Assassin team, and the Atrum and Rider team. There was also Chloe’s team initially, but we’ll talk about them in a little bit.

Gray was a character whose arc I was really excited to write, but it was like Artoria’s arc in that there was a lot of Gray just feeling bad. There was also the problem of Gray losing her identity to the Lion King which meant she basically just left the story only to have a bunch of development right at the end. The Lion King herself had development of her own, though it was very little. I actually considered having the Lion King be a villain. She’d recreate Camelot and summon Alter Ego High-Servants that have the names of the original Knights of the Round Table in a way similar to the Fairy Knights. I think I should have had more of Gray and the Lion King swapping control leading up to Gray finally taking full control of herself again.

Illya didn’t really have a clear character arc. I didn’t plan anything and the only thing I came up with was that she wanted to become strong and save Chloe. Even her personality was somewhat vaguely defined. She had some cool fights though.

Mordred wasn’t originally planned to appear at all in this fanfic. Originally Gray was only going to get possessed by the Lion King from the summoning ritual and that would count as her Servant. In the chapter before the chapter where Gray was going to get possessed, someone in the comments guessed that Mordred was going to be summoned. That stuck with me because I thought it was a really good idea, one that I was surprised I didn’t think of myself considering it seemed so obvious. Thus, I had Mordred be summoned too. His character arc was completely improvised. I didn’t even plan to have Mordred come back after dying against Assassin. Considering how unplanned Mordred’s whole existence in the story was, I’m surprised he was received so well. I’m glad I included him.

Add was definitely there sometimes. I definitely didn’t keep forgetting he existed. Definitely. If the Lion King villain thing happened, Add was going to manifest as Kay and help the heroes stop her.

Chloe’s one of the characters who suffered the most from the rushed pacing. The idea of Chloe’s character was obviously inspired by Chloe from Prisma Illya, but they’re barely alike. She was introduced very suddenly and she went through her character arc from foe to friend way too fast. For someone with a grudge formed over ten years of torture, it sure didn’t take much for her to come around to Illya and Iri. I needed her to be a bit more antagonistic and slowly to open up, but I was impatient and afraid people would find her annoying if she kept hating Iri and Illya. A lot of the ‘over reasonableness’ of my characters stems from me being afraid that readers will find them annoying if they aren’t always being optimally logical and empathetic.

Heracles, Sella, and Leysritt are also underdeveloped. I struggled to think of what to do with them. I decided to have Heracles be an Archer because that’s supposed to be his strongest class, it would mix things up from the canon, and what little we saw of Archer Heracles in Strange Fake made him seem cool.

Bazett and Scáthach were the characters I had the most fun writing, but they were also the characters I was the least confident in when it came to how people would receive them. The idea of shipping Bazett and Scáthach is based on nothing, it was just a random idea I had that I decided to roll with. The only reason I even had Bazett summon Scáthach was because I like both Bazett and Scáthach as characters and they have a mutual connection to Cú. I was worried people would think shipping them was stupid or out of character for them. In general I was worried people would find Bazett and Scáthach out of character, especially Scáthach. It seems people liked their relationship though which is nice. Unlike the other couples, their relationship was one we got to actually see develop from the beginning, so it was easier to create intrigue in how their relationship would turn out. I do like that the other couples like Iri and Artoria were already established and thus we could explore an existing couple rather than how said couple formed. It adds variety.

Luvia, Henrikka, Medusa, and the Gorgon Sisters were all intended to be more important characters, with there being a planned arc of Luvia and Henriikka having issues with their relationship they had to reconcile. I decided not to go through with that because it felt rather unimportant and that it wouldn’t be that interesting. I really liked coming up with Henriikka, so it’s disappointing that she just fell into the background. The same with the Gorgon Sisters. In the end, this whole team just ended up being filler more than anything. The fight between Rin and Luvia was cool at least, it’s actually my favorite fight I wrote for this fanfic. Clown was also there as a reference to the El-Melloi Case Files. I completely made up his magecraft to be something that would allow for a creative fight and that would be useful. His fight against Sakura was also one of my favorites.

Waver didn’t do much, he just existed to be another adult in the room. He only really came into focus during his fight against Caster Iskandar Alter. He was yet another casualty of the bloated cast. Reines also lacked focus, though she contributed to Caren’s arc and that’s all she really needed to do. I really like Reines as a character so I do wish she was more important. I think I should have made her a Master rather than Waver. Berserker Iskandar was an old school insane Berserker so he really wasn’t a character. He mainly existed so that Waver would not be able to get his wish of seeing Iskandar again so easily since Berserker Iskandar is nothing like the man Waver loved. In an early draft of this story, Waver would have actually summoned Rider Iskandar. Well, technically Waver wasn’t a Master, he was an advisor to Luvia and Henriikka who would have summoned two versions of Iskandar, one the regular Iskandar, one an Alter Iskandar that’s like Caster Iskandar Alter. Trimmau’s as much of a character as she is in canon, that being not at all.

Taiga was a character idea I really liked and I think I actually managed to explore it decently. She could have done with a more gradual character arc, but otherwise she came out alright. She was obviously inspired by Jaguar Warrior’s final ascension art. She actually has a back tattoo, but I never got a chance to reveal it in the story. It's of a tiger ripping the head off a dragon, blood gushing everywhere. I might reuse that tattoo design in a future story. I wasn’t sure what her ultimate fate should be as I was writing. I didn’t want her to just die, but she needed some kind of punishment or method of atonement for her crimes. Then the Luvia butler idea hit me.

Assassin EMIYA was the only Servant that felt appropriate for Taiga to summon. He works very well as an antagonist given he can be ruthless and, though he lacks a lot of raw power compared to other Servants, he makes up for it with versatility. His arc was a mix of improvised ideas and ideas I already had in mind from the beginning. Despite him being a rather important character, I don’t actually have much to say about him.

Atrum and Rider Siegfried existed to take up the Rider slot, to help introduce Waver and Berserker Iskandar Alter, and to kickstart Iri’s corruption by having her absorb Siegfried. Other than that, there’s nothing to really say.

Gilgamesh was Gilgamesh.

Gilles was Gilles.

The Alters the Black Grail summoned mainly existed just to be obstacles to individually test different characters. Their characters were tailored to push the buttons of the main characters in different ways. Lancelot Alter existed to confront Artoria’s insecurities, Caster Iskandar Alter existed to force Waver to move on from the past, etc. Hassan Alter existed to act as a group of jobbers for the heroes to fight.

Some other scrapped ideas(many of which having briefly appeared in Fate/Identity Crisis before I canned it) were having a Yggdmillennia faction in the war, an Ainsworth faction in the war, the latter introducing Class Cards into things. Yggdimellennia would summon Avenger Nobunaga and would have Artificial Heroic Spirit Soldiers. The Ainsworths would summon Hassan of the Intoxicating Smoke. An alternate version of Akiha would appear who was a full blooded oni who was a member of the Wandering Sea. She would summon Nero Alter who would represent the Whore of Babylon(I’d like to mention I came up with this Nero Alter just before Beast Nero showed up in FGO Arcade). Akiha would have Hisui and Kohaku as her maids, but they’d be karakuri puppets like Katou Danzou. Monji Gatou would summon Saber Astolfo and Monji would consider Astolfo his god. Monji and Astolfo were conceptualized as comic relief based on their shared lack of common sense. Little Red Riding Hood, the murdered little girl from the Hollow Ataraxia story who shows up in Strange Fake, would be a Master as a ghost and would summon Nursery Rhyme as Berserker. Nursery Rhyme would embody Grimm’s Fairy Tales instead of Alice in Wonderland, taking the form of a giant big bad wolf.

We’ve talked a good bit about the past, but now let’s talk about the future.

What am I going to write next? Currently I’m working on both my first original web serial/web novel, but it isn’t ready yet, and my first horror novel, which also isn’t ready yet. I wanted to start my web serial after I finished Fate/Identity Reborn, but it just isn’t done cooking yet. As such, I need something else to write in the meantime. Plus I need to refine my writing ability more. I have multiple different fanfic ideas, but I don’t know which to go with. Thus, I’d like to present to you all a list of my current ideas and request that you tell me which of my ideas you like and why.

Being completely transparent, I want to go with a fanfic idea that will attract a lot of readers. I don’t care about popularity, it’s just that I want more readers so I get more constructive criticism, that way I can improve. As such, I’d also ask you all to tell me which story ideas you think are the most likely to attract readers, as well as give any advice on how to make my fanfictions more popular and attention grabbing so I get more constructive criticism.

I know I’m asking a lot of you all and I apologize. I just want to improve in my craft. Obviously, if you don’t want to answer my questions, then feel more than free not to.

Also, if anyone likes my ideas and wants to try writing them themselves, then feel free to. Just credit me at some point in the fic as an inspiration.

Onto my ideas. Most of them are fate fanfics.

Starting off, a fanfic focused on a completely original Holy Grail War with completely original Masters and Servants. This story is mostly an excuse to make use of a bunch of crazy ideas I have for Servants. One Servant is a living computer program, another is a really big clam with a Reality Marble in it, and another can conjure fake Noble Phantasms. This fic is one that would be among the most fun, but I doubt it would attract much attention since it would be all OCs which is a turn off to a lot of people.

My second idea is a story that would basically be a counterpart to Fate/Identity Reborn. Many people have said that Identity Reborn feels like a happier timeline than the canon ones. As such, this new fic would be the opposite, a timeline that is even darker than the canon. It would also be the result of a character making a different decision during the Fourth Holy Grail War. I have some good ideas for this one and I think it could potentially catch some attention, but it would also risk delving into edgelord territory if I’m not careful.

Idea three is actually a sequel to Fate/Identity Reborn that would focus on a Moon Holy Grail War. I would write it to be able to be read standalone. It’s an idea that might be some fun to work on, but I’m more interested in most of my other ideas.

The next one is an idea I really think I’d have fun with, but I doubt anyone would bother reading. It would be focused on the Third Holy Grail War and would actually show it. It would be a timeline where the Einzberns wouldn’t summon an Avenger nor a Ruler. They would summon a Berserker and they’d cheat in some other way. It would be really fun to explore this concept and the war taking place in the 1930s would lend the war a unique setting. The issue is that it would be nearly all OCs which would probably turn off a lot of people.

Next fic is an alternate Fate/Apocrypha where both the Masters of Red sent by the Mage’s Association and the Masters of Black(and their mage families that joined Yggdmillennia) are different. For example, Kiritsugu being a Master of Red who’s secretly planning to acquire the Grail to make his wish come true, and Bazett being a Master of Black who joined Yggdmillennia after the Clock Tower rejected her. There would also, naturally, be a lot of different Servants summoned. I think the idea is neat, but it doesn’t inspire me as much as the other ones.

My next idea is ‘What if the Fifth Holy Grail War didn’t happen fifty years early?’ This obviously leads to a very different Fifth Holy Grail War. Shirou is an old grizzled veteran and Rin’s the Magician of the Second Magic. It’s an idea that might be fun, but, again, is an idea I doubt anyone would be that interested in.

How about a Prisma Illya fanfic? What if, instead of underage girls, Illya, Miyu, Chloe and other characters were all adult women? Also, what if Illya and Miyu actually got into a relationship instead of Miyu just pining for a semi-oblivious Illya? I think this idea would be really fun, but I’m not sure about how much I could really do with this concept that wouldn’t be the same as Prisma Illya’s canon plot besides the characters being older and the Class Cards being different Heroic Spirits.

This next one’s a really weird idea that definitely nobody would be interested in. Fate/Type-Redline is a serious remake of Fate/Koha-Ace imperial capital holy grail strange story. At the end of the imperial capital holy grail strange story, it jokingly teases a sequel called Europe Death Front which would be about a Fourth Holy Grail War taking place in London in 1945, like literally right after the end of the plot of Fate/Koha-Ace. It wasn’t a real sequel tease, but it got me thinking. What if I wrote a fanfic that was Europe Death Front, but a Redline style serious version of it. It would basically be a fan-sequel to Redline. The issues are, one, it would be mostly OCs which would turn a lot of people away, and two, Redline isn’t finished, though it is following Koha-Ace’s plot for the most part so it’s not too hard to estimate how it will go. Still, I’d have to either make a lot of assumptions about how Redline will go in order to make a sequel for it, or make Europe Death Front completely disconnected from Redline and instead be a sequel to an unseen Holy Grail War that is very similar to Redline’s.

Last one is a more comedy focused idea. The stone that Tamamo no Mae was supposedly sealed in broke recently in real life. This fic would be about Tamamo now being freed from the stone and getting involved in a Grail War in an attempt to wish for the perfect spouse she can be the wife of. It would mostly be a comedy. Then again, my attempts at comedy stories usually devolve into serious narratives rather quickly, so I’m hesitant to try this story out. The biggest advantage to it would be that it would definitely be short.

Now for non-fate fanfics.

I have ideas for sequels to both YuYu Hakusho and Soul Eater(the manga version). They’d both be standard next generation type stories about the children of the main characters of the original series. The plot concept is trite, but I have quite a few ideas I think have potential. I really don’t know how much interest these fics could pull in, but they’d be very fun to write. They would also be long fics which would force me to delay beginning my original web serial even longer, which is my main hangup with these ideas.

I’ve had quite a few ideas for a RWBY fanfic. It would be a reimagining and fixfic at the same time. The main gimmick would be that the members of team RWBY as well as some other characters would have opposite personalities due to being raised differently than they were in canon. A Ruby who’s a rebellious punk who fights with her fists, a Weiss who’s a friendly and muscular resident of Vacuo, a haughty and spoiled Blake, and a timid and reclusive Yang. I’ve got a lot of ideas for this one, but it would be a rather long fic which has the same problem as the fics mentioned directly above, and the RWBY fandom has become so toxic that I’m hesitant to post anything related to it.

I’ve got an idea for a Medaka Box fanfic that would be really fun to work on given it’s my favorite manga, but nobody cares about Medaka Box besides me so nobody would read it. It would be about a timeline where Medaka never met Zenkichi and ended up deciding to reject her talents, deciding to live as a normal girl while actively avoiding anything that could make her stand out.

Until I decide on my next major fanfic, I’ll write some shorter ones, perhaps some one-shots, so watch out for those. Once I decide on my next fanfic, I’ll upload one more chapter to this fic to let everybody know so remember to follow this fic to stay updated.

If you want to check out any of my other fics, there’s Record of Revelations as mentioned at the beginning of this reflection. It was my first fanfiction so it holds a special place in my heart despite its problems. It’s a decently fun little romp if you can excuse the amateurishness of it and the lightspeed pace. There’s also Isekai'd Into My Old Shitty Evangelion Fanfiction, a parody of self-insert fanfictions, specifically ones that many people often write when they are young. The main character is a man desperate to avoid falling into all the cringey tropes of bad fanfiction/anime as he tries to figure out how he got isekai’d into a fictional story based on a fictional story.

Finally, the last thing I want to say is that I hope you can share your opinions on this fic in the comments. What did you like? What did you dislike, or even hate? Is there anything in the story that appealed to you specifically? Is there anything about this fanfic that made it stand out amongst other fanfics, or even amongst other stories in general? How do you feel about this fanfic overall? Will this story stick with you, or will it merely be a passing fancy? Please be as honest with me as possible, I genuinely want to know what about my writing works and what doesn’t work currently.

Once again I’d like to thank every single person who has read even a single one of my chapters. It moves my heart in a way that nothing else can. My love has always been writing. As long as I can remember, I’ve been imagining stories. When I would watch TV shows as a six year old, I would always get the most enjoyment from them by imagining my own versions of the shows. How would I write it? What would I change? I do this even now. My primary method of finding enjoyment from things is by contemplating how I could incorporate said things into my own narratives or take inspiration from them. I’m never not putting together a story in my head. I genuinely don’t know how else to perceive the world and few things bring me joy if I don’t look at them through the lens of using them to hunt for story material. My mentality has left the realm of interest or even obsession, becoming a genuine lifestyle centered around stories. I know this sounds pretentious and like an exaggeration, but I am being honest and open right now. I’m saying all this to make it clear how much I care about stories and the act of creating them, which is why it means so much to me that anyone cares about my writing. No matter how down I feel or what real life struggles I face, I always find solace in the fact that there’s a small number of people out there that have been made just a little bit happier thanks to my stories.

Thank you to every single one of you for the last time, at least for this fanfic. I hope you come read my next story, and if not, then good luck in your future endeavors and I hope you find stories that resonate with you.

See ya, have a good one.

[nick_of_fire]

Hello, everyone! It's been a bit!

I just wanted to let you all know that I've begun my next series. It isn't any of the ideas I mentioned in my reflection.

I'm writing a Naruto fanfic called Surimi: Naruto Next Generations. It's an alternate sequel to Naruto where, instead of Naruto getting together with Hinata and Sasuke getting together with Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke got together.

Check it out if you're interested! I'm posting it on both AO3 and Fanfiction.net. I've already posted two chapters, though it's more like two parts of a single chapter.

Anyway, one last time, I thank you all for reading this series and I hope you enjoy my future work. If not, then I hope you encounter stories that do move your heart.