Chapter 12: Ghost in the Machine Part IV

The first thing that comes to me as I wake up is that it's the day of the Elimination Battle. It's hard to believe that it's been three weeks already since I entered the Holy Grail War. My opponent this time is Alice, a little girl. The actual situation is a bit more complicated than that, but I just can't get the thought out of my mind.

"Praetor, perhaps we should go over the information we have gathered before the Elimination Battle?"

Saber looks at me, concerned but focused. I guess it's a good thing that one of us is in the right mindset.

Right, the first thing that we discovered is about Alice's "friend". That giant monstrosity was nearly invincible if not for the Vorpal Blade that we acquired. We thought that is was a Berserker Servant at first, but after defeating it, both Alices appeared in front of us. We later found out that it was a creature named "Jabberwocky" that Alice's Servant could summon. The next ability that she displayed was the ability to create a reality marble. It blanketed the entire second floor of the Arena and it would've erased me from existence. If I hadn't gotten lucky and learned how to break it, then I'd be a goner. In any case, if we were to assume that Jabberwocky was Alice's Servant, then that would mean there would be two Masters. So, we concluded that one of the Alices was the Servant, and we were right. Touko Aozaki pointed out that a Berserker wouldn't be able to create a reality marble, but a Caster Servant would.

The Black Alice, Caster, seems to be deeply connected to Alice's essence. Caster can't exist without Alice and Alice can't live without her Servant. Alice already told me, that she was dead from the beginning of the Holy Grail War and since long before it. She's forever stuck inside of a dream, only wanting to grant her final wish. Caster is the catalyst through which Alice's dreams can become a reality rather than a legendary hero or a famous figure from history. I'm not sure how knowing this helps us, but it's better than nothing.

Before we go to the Coliseum, we head toward the Chapel to do an Alteration beforehand. Looking at my portable terminal, I can see a new skill added to Saber's arsenal. Invictus Spiritus: Thrice, Though I Welcome the Setting Sun It's a skill that will revive Saber if she falls in battle, up to three times. Hopefully, we won't have to use it. Well, there's no point in delaying the inevitable.

"Saber, let's go."

"Umu. We should depart toward the battlefield, Praetor. There, you will find the answer to your turmoil."

With that, we make our way toward the Coliseum's entrance once again. Father Kotomine gives a small smile before letting us through to the Coliseum. The darkness of the elevator is as unsettling as always, but this time it's even more so with the humming coming from beyond the glass in front of us. The lights turn on and Alice and her Servant and standing hand-in-hand smiling at us before turning to each other.

"Yay! Playtime again!"

"What do you want to play today? Hide and seek? Tag? Or maybe we'll play 'house'?"

I wouldn't mind playing "house", I've already seen what their version of tag and hide and seek looks like.

"Alice wants to play tag! I'm gonna chase the mister!"

"Uh-huh. When somebody runs like a bunny, I wanna chase them down.

"It'd be sad if the mister got away."

"We need to run fast, fast so the mister won't ever get away."

"Alice loves running."

"Alice couldn't run for a long time."

"Alice will run and run…but can we catch the mister?"

"We can! We can! And when we do, off with his head!"

"Aren't you gonna be scared to cut off his head?"

"Sometimes even little girls have to be scary."

"Then we gotta make the mister really scared of us."

"Uh-huh. Let's make the mister so scared of us that he cries a pond."

The two carry on with a conversation that is more than a little bit disturbing. I open my mouth to say something in response, only to be met with hostility from Alice.

"Don't get in the way. I'm not talking to you right now, mister."

"Yup. Alyss is talking to Alice right now."

"That's right! Alice only talks to Alyss. I thought you were the same as us. The exact same as us! I thought Alice wasn't going to be lonely anymore! If you don't like me, then I don't need you, mister!"

"Alyss is the only one Alice needs. She's the only Alyss for Alice."

"You're not my Alyss, mister. I don't' need you anymore, mister."

"You're in the way now."

I pause to think about what I've just heard. The person I've been struggling to come to terms with fighting has clearly stated her intent to kill me. I don't know what to say. Saber scoffs and puts a hand on her hip.

"What big girls, deciding matters on their own! I always enjoy watching their harmonious accord. I cannot help but feel sorry for them. Their brilliance is but the sparkle of dreams escaping a corpse."

Saber glances at me, trying to determine where I stand now after everything that has just happened. I close my eyes and look inside myself before looking to Saber and nodding. I'm going to defeat Alice. If I don't, then she'll kill me without any remorse. Saber looks a little pleased with my decision as Alice speaks up once again.

"…But if you want to play with us, then just this one time, I'll play with you, mister."

"You're so nice, Alice. Then, Alyss will play with the mister, too."

"Let's have lots of fun! Don't run away, okay?"

"I don't want to play with you."

My voice came out colder and more mechanical than I meant for it to be. After hearing their words from before, I can't help but feel a little angry.

"Eh…? Don't be so mean, mister."

Are you angry, mister? Is it because you have a tummy ache?"

"If tummy aches make people angry, what makes people happy?"

"Eating sweets! We should eat lots of sweets and have lots of fun."

"Yay! Alyss will have lots of fun with Alice! Play, play! Fun, fun, fun!"

"You can join us today, mister. Fun, fun, fun! I'm super happy."

The elevator comes to a halt, signaling that we have arrived. The two Alices join hands and race out of the elevator door. Saber summons her sword as I walk past her silently. She opens her mouth to speak, but she shakes her head and follows me outside. The stage for the Coliseum this time if the courtyard in front of the ice castle from before. The courtyard is a wide circular area enclosed by a small fence that is broken in some places. Looking closely, I can see a shimmer in the around along the edge of the courtyard. It doesn't seem like we'll be able to get anywhere else and there doesn't to be any sort of cover or terrain for us to use. The two Alice begin to circle us in opposite directions while smiling and swinging their arms as they walk.

"Alice wants to thank you for playing lots and lots this week. Alice had so much fun!"

"Uh-huh, we haven't had so much fun in a long, long time. Alyss is happy and says thank you too!"

"But, we're all done playing with you now, mister. Alice wants to play with just Alyss now."

"I don't need you anymore, mister. I'm gonna miss you, but it's time to say bye-bye."

"Um…what do we say next?"

"You forgot already? It goes like this: 'Now good Tom Thumb your work is done, The tale is at its end. May dreams of dark embrace your heart Night's curtain does descend. With great mirth I'll cut off your head; Life from your body rend.'."

Saber doesn't look the least bit amused by their show.

"Umu. All tales must end. Praetor, you're a sweet person. I know you've grown attached to these girls somewhat, but…Life rests on the precipice of death. Shall I make that fatal tension more exquisite?"

As Saber says this, the floor beneath us rumbles as three large magic circles surround us. Sensing danger, I drop to the floor, narrowly avoiding the giant red fist aimed at the back of my head. Saber blocks another attack from one of the magic circles in front of us as our attackers come into view. It's the Jabberwocky, three of them to be exact. They were slightly smaller than the one from before, only roughly the same height and build as me, even with their large appendages.

"Slash!"

My brain kicks into survival mode as I quickly pull out the Vorpal Blade and slice the arm of the Jabberwocky that tried to attack me. Its outstretched arm was instantly severed by its natural enemy and was sent flying off to the side. The Jabberwocky held its arm in pain as all three of them flinched at the sight of the emerald blade in my hand. Wasting no time, Saber jumps into action gracefully dancing around me as she slices the head off of the Jabberwocky that is already injured. Its head goes flying as it disappears into a red mist. Thankfully, I only need to touch them once with the sword to get rid of their invulnerability.

Seeing their comrade fall, the other two Jabberwocky charges at us again. I duck behind Saber as she blocks the two monsters' fists with her blade. Taking out Rider's pistol I shoot one in the legs, making it drop to its knees as I cut into it with the Vorpal Blade. Its torso splits open on its side as Saber knocks away the other one before uses her sword to slice through the open wound, bisecting the second Jabberwocky. The third Jabberwocky rushes at us in a blind rage, swinging wildly as Saber picks me up and jumps away.

"Let the curtain fall, Rosa Ichthys!"

A red blade of light flies from the tip of Saber's blade before striking the Jabberwocky and exploding into flames. The Jabberwocky flinches from the attack but presses on with its attack as it barrels toward us.

"Stun! Slash!"

Using a combination of the Exorcist Blade and the Vorpal Blade I manage to connect with the Jabberwocky's flesh, removing its invulnerability before Saber finishes it off.

"Uh-oh. What do we do Alyss? All of our 'friends' are gone now."

"Uh-huh. Mister has the Vorpal Blade, so Jabberwocky can't beat them anymore."

"I'm sorry, Alyss. I told mister about the Vorpal Blade before."

"It's okay, Alice. Wonderland is full of friends for us to play with. So, let's call all of our friends to play with us!"

"Okay, Alyss!"

While Saber and I are regaining our bearings, the two Alices join hands once again and begin to create more magic circles on the ground.

"Praetor, those two seem to be quite the troublesome pair. We must stop them before they overwhelm us with numbers."

I nod before raising my pistol and firing at the two girls. The bullet whizzes in between them, causing them to jump away from each other in surprise.

"Your mean, mister! Dragon Skillet!"

On the ground beneath me, a magic circle appeared. I practically throw myself to the ground as I roll away from the pillar of fire that erupted.

"Uh-oh, mister is really good at running away! Get him, Alyss!"

"Okay, Alice! Frenzied March Hare!"

I dove out of the way again as a blast of wind was targeted at me.

"Praetor?!"

"Saber, I'm fine! Go get them!"

Hearing my command, Saber rushed forward with her blade to slice through the much smaller Caster. In a surprising display of strength and dexterity, Caster caught Saber's sword between her hands and redirected her attack away before punching her away.

"Ugh. Such amazing strength for such a small girl."

"Uh-oh Alyss, I'll help you!"

Another Jabberwocky appeared in front of Caster and the two of them began to attack Saber together. Not wasting any time, I run toward them while taking shots with my pistol. Caster hid behind the Jabberwocky, who was only slightly hindered as the bullets bounced off its flesh. Seeing an opportunity, Saber disengaged before firing another Rosa Ichthys at Alice. Caster teleported to Alice's side to protect her leaving the Jabberwocky without any help as Saber and I made short work of it.

"Saber lay into them before they can get a chance to breathe!"

"Umu! Fountain of the Blazing Saint, Très Fontaine Ardent!"

A giant ball of fire erupted from Saber's blade and threatened to engulf both Alice and her Servant. Caster jumped in front of Alice and put up a strong barrier to block the fireball, not seeing Saber as she dashed forward using the attack as a cover. The moment the flames were dispersed by the barrier, Saber attacked from Caser's blindside, scoring a clean cut across her small body.

"Alyss! Hold on, I'll—Ah!"

Alice, who must've been attempting to heal her Servant, was stopped short by a shot from the pistol in my hand. The whole world seemed to move slowly at that moment. The look of horror and pain as Alice watched Caster get struck down by Saber's final strike was haunting. It was the look of someone who had her dreams shattered in a single moment. Caster's body fell away as the firewall separated us from the two girls.

Alice ran toward Caster in a daze, tripping over herself after the pain from her wound finally caught up to her. Desperately, she crawled closer to the other Alice as they both began to disappear. The two held each other as both Alices gave a look of confusion at the situation.

"Huh…We're disappearing…? Oh… It's over already?"

"…Why?"

"Alice was alone for so long. Nobody noticed me. I had no home and I was sad for a long, long time."

"Then Alice found Alyss to belong to. And we were so happy. We even had a home. That was all we needed. Forever and ever, just like this. That was all we needed. Why does it gotta end? Why did they take our happiness away? Why…?"

"Shh…It's okay. Alice…already knew that everything would go bye-bye. I don't remember very well, but I am probably already dead. My body isn't in that hospital anymore. Alice is like a box with nothing inside of it. There wasn't ever anything there since the beginning. Yep, even back in the hospital, there was no Alice left in Alice. No one noticed Alice. I was alone. It hurt. No one treated Alice like a person. It was the same after Alice came to Wonderland too. Alice was so, so alone. That's why I know that my home here and my Alyss will all go far away soon…But…mister…You cared about Alice, didn't you?"

The girl who is letting all of her heart out addresses me. Her breath is growing softer as she struggles to stay as long as she can. I answer her honestly.

"Of course, I care, Alice. I've thought about you since the beginning. If I should beat you, and how I would live with myself after. I'm still thinking about it, even now."

"Uh-huh. You always paid attention to Alice, mister. It's because you're like Alice, mister. Except you still have a real place to go home to somewhere…Thank you, Alyss. For being my friend. For always, always being with me. And thank you, mister…For seeing Alice. For playing with Alice. I really…wanted to play a little more, but…Bye-bye."

With her last words, Alice fades away and she's gone. The Servant who had taken Alice's appearance and shared her existence was alone on the other side of the firewall.

"…I am a reflection. This time I was Alice in the looking glass. Even if I am summoned in the next War, I won't be the Alice I am now. I am always someone's fanciful creation. The real Alyss is a mystery. But, being Alice's Servant made me happy…"

As she fades away, I can see the tears falling from her face.

"Why…am I crying…? When I know…that even if I cry…I'll never be the real thing.."

The firewall disappears as it confirms Alice and Caster's deletion. I feel sick. All of the bluster I had before has disappeared and in its place is a newfound sense of disgust and sadness. The elevator door opens to return us to campus. A shape catches my attention as Saber and I walk toward the elevator. It's a small length of black cloth. It's the ribbon from Caster's dress; it must've fallen off in the battle. I slowly walk over and gently pick up the ribbon before joining Saber in the elevator. Thankfully, Saber chooses not to comment as head back to campus, choosing to make herself unseen for the time being.

When the doors of the elevator open and I step outside, I am met with the appearance of Leo. He speaks to me in his usual manner, though there is a sense of care in it.

"You are lamenting over the death of your opponent. The loss of life is a sad affair. Especially if it's a consequence of the ruthlessness of war."

"Don't you mean 'pointlessness'?"

'Point taken. However, you fight because you have no other choice. You either kill or die. There is no mercy to be found in war. And the sadness of causing death is still there. But humanity dreams of the Holy Grail's power. They entrust their hopes to a higher power. They do this because they know they aren't capable of doing what is best for all…More so than death, this fact is what saddens me the most."

"I see. People who can't save themselves and us who are already damned, huh? And I suppose that you are supposed to be some sort of savior?"

"Wait before you pass judgment. I was born and raised to be king of the world. I'll remember your grief and her pain so that one day none will have to die for nothing. I have joined this battle to end the world's cycle of suffering and deprivation. Once control is restored, I can put an end to the conflicts brought on by scarcity and want. Isn't that what you desire? For your grief and her death to have meaning? In a perfect society, all people must be equal. To save the world. There must be equilibrium."

His ideas are poisonous too, but he doesn't seem to realize that for himself. He speaks about equality but states that he is a king. Still, a small part of me can't ignore what he says. I can't say whether he's right or wrong, but I feel better after hearing him talk so confidently about his goals. A new voice cuts into our conversation; it's Rin. The hatred in her voice is as subtle as the animosity on her face.

"What a way to comfort someone. This person's totally clueless; being bombastic helps nothing. I overheard your little spiel. It's what I expect from the plutocratic Harwey family."

"I care about all. I wish nothing more than to see a world where everyone has their place."

"And of course, that place is under your rule, with you deciding who lives and who dies, correct? Your world is a place where you alone decide whether a child is to be fed or left to starve. Where a person's entire life is dictated by the whims of the Harwey family's desires. However, you are not a god. If you want to live as you do now forever, go ahead. I don't care. But for me, I cannot and will not accept things as they currently are now. If you wish to build a country dominated by 'saints', fine. Just leave humanity out of it."

"So, my information about you being a potential insurgent was correct after all, Miss Tohsaka. You assume I don't understand your position and in that, you're wrong. However, you need to realize the efficient distribution of resources depends on proper management. I can assure you that my family has no plans to stockpile goods for financial gain. Once you see how we rule, you will understand our grand design for the well-being of humanity."

"I'm aware of the Harwey plan for prosperity. Everyone in their place, with no place for dissent. A paradise based on stasis and class immobility. Stability at the expense of hope and joy. A world where people don't live, only merely exist. I mock anyone who would choose that path. Living as merely one of the flock doesn't appeal to me."

"Miss Tohsaka, that is because you have an inherent strength that the masses lack. Perhaps it is good to feel that you're in a fight to preserve your very existence. However, would you wish for all of mankind to suddenly be given the same strength?"

"Um…I mean…that is to say…"

"Of course, you wouldn't. You are all too aware of your selfishness and pride. Because of that, you could not share your pain with those without the strength to bear it."

"I could, and would! I'm not as softhearted as you make me out to be."

"Is that so? You will always help those in need. Your compassion will lead to your defeat."

"What did you say…?"

"Joy is ephemeral. To save humanity, you must first be willing to let them die. The world needs a strong leader, Miss Tohsaka. And once I gain the power of the Holy Grail, I will be the one true king and my virtue will illuminate the darkness that engulfs the world. The European plutocrats control 30% of the world and none have voiced their discontent Opposition to our rule comes from outside the farm, to expand on your analogy a little. In short, either join the flock or be slaughtered. Our current view is that the populations of the Asian region are…expendable. Of course, we have plans to integrate the region should they choose to support our aims."

"To think that we agree on something. Okay, I perfectly understand now."

"What exactly do you understand?"

"That I was right in entering the Holy Grail War this time around! So, Leonard Bistario Harwey, heir apparent to the head of the plutocratic Harwey family…I swear to you that I will crush your delusions of genocide and despotic rule."

"To be clear: You intend to kill me?"

"Since I seriously doubt that anything short of taking your life would stop you, yes."

"…I see. I have faith that someone of your intellect will understand one day. Or maybe you already do?"

"…Talk about stubborn. I can't fault your dedication to your megalomaniacal delusions, though."

Having said their pieces, the two of them walk away, leaving me alone. Leo's plans and Rin's determination are both heavy. Both have decided on what they must do to benefit humanity. I will find a reason to keep going. II need to have a reason for why I am doing al this. Even a bad one is alright, as long as I don't end up having regrets about fighting for.

It's still morning outside. Maybe I should take a walk and clear my head for a bit. The hallways are disturbingly empty. Elimination Battles occur once a week so, it's not unlikely that they are taking place right now at the same time. Who knows how many people will be left after this round? I'm sure that Julius is still out there lurking in the shadows, eliminating Masters to pave Leo's path to victory. Walking upstairs to the second floor I come across a tense scene. Rin and Rani glance at one another before walking past each other. Looking at the bulletin board I can see the list with the matchups for the third round. I wasn't even aware that the two of them were facing each other in the third round until now. That means that one of those girls will die. A voice cuts through the silence of the hallway. It's Julius. Thankfully, he seems to be ignoring my presence as he walks up to the bulletin board and mutters to himself.

"…Rin Tohsaka and Rani Atlasia VIII are equally powerful. I can only gain from one taking the other out. Neither side will hold back in the battle. If I could watch the fight I could learn quite a bit."

As he walks away, leaving me to myself, I can't help but think about the match between Rin and Rani. Both of them have helped me in some way so I could get here, and now they are both fighting each other until only one is left standing. I wonder who will win?

A/N:

Hello, everyone! Chapter 12 is done! I'm not dead, I've just been very lazy. Anyway, on to the chapter. I feel like this chapter is pretty short even though it's roughly the same number of words as the other chapters. Maybe it's the content. A huge chunk of it is a philosophical debate. Also, never realized how crazy Leo was until I re-watched this scene knowing what I know now. He really didn't deserve to be king, so I guess it's a good thing that he loses to Hakuno.

The fight with Alice and Caster (Alyss). Not much to say about this one. I tried hard to make the fight both longer than the game and shorter than what I had originally planned to do. The Caster fight in the game is only one round long if you know what you are doing and I'm also over-leveled. The original plan involved Hakuno and Saber chasing Alice and Caster through the castle while fighting through hordes of summoned enemies, but that felt too long and it would've been kind of repetitive. So, I settled for a one v. one in a confined space. Eh, I don't know. Caster and Assassin are reportedly the worst Class to summon into in the Holy Grail War (unless you get like a demigod or someone from the age of Myth).

I'll probably post a follow-up chapter after deciding who I like better. Rin or Rani? I'll admit I've never done the Rani route and for this story, the fourth-round opponent is someone else entirely, so it won't matter who I pick. It's not even about the relationship either since this story is supposed to be a Nero-centric route anyway. Maybe I should…I don't know. I'll figure it out. Also, I guess there's an extra day or something in the game because there are two transitions two nights before getting to the event where you have to choose which one to save. It's kind of weird because it puts the whole week by week timeline out of whack so it's still the same day (Round 3/Day 7) for Hakuno in this story.

Speaking of which: how should I translate Caster's phrase? I know that "Goshujin-sama" is the same meaning as "Master" in English. Should I just leave that? Or should I do what Fate/Extella did and translate it to "My Husband"? Or maybe "My Lord"? Please let me know if you prefer one over the other.