Studying in school

Slowly killing me with stress

But hey! New Chapter!

Chapter 9: Unforgotten Beckoning Warning

Interlude

Fire.

.Hot.

Why is it hot?

Why?

Why?

Ah.

It's cooler now.

Very cold.

Extremities.

Incomprehensible.

Warm.

Need to get warm.

Quickly!

Ah.

I'm burning again…

Between this burning hell and frozen land…

There lie Paradise…

End Interlude

2/6

Breakfast pass by quietly. Not a single word is spoken and everyone is deep in thought.

Ryuudouji temple was attacked. Time of assault: unknown. Assailant: unknown. Casualties: unknown. Whatever had gone down had been big, and none of them knew anything about it.

"There was nothing?" Sakura asks softly as she sips her tea.

"Aside from large gashes, nothing," Saber answers.

Running along the ground, the walls, the trees, everywhere. Deep grooves etched into the landscape. It was as if a great beast had raked its fingers across and attacked everything indiscriminately.

"Where was everyone?" Shirou mutters.

Shirou seems to be unable to accept that Ryuudouji temple was attacked to that extent. Among the monks there, one is his friend and another is a teacher. No news have been reported whether any of them were missing or hospitalized or anything. It was as if every inhabitant of the temple had just disappeared.

Something this big is definitely going to catch the public's attention.

But it hasn't.

No news, no reports, nothing. The TV didn't so much as mention the temple. It was as if the whole world had turned away from the temple and all those who had lived there.

"Is it really possible to hide something like that?" Rider asks.

"Not really," Sakura answers her. "Something that big must have caught the attention of someone. At the very least, the church should have noticed. The Mage Association will not stand idly by as civilians are caught in the crossfire as well."

"So the question is who would do something this large and open, and still manage to escape notice," Shirou says as he carefully refills Saber's cup.

"No, Shirou, the answer may be simpler," Saber replies. Everyone turns to face her. "Suppose this situation. Normally, a magus takes care to not let others, especially civilians, notice their movements. What happens when someone just doesn't care about it?"

"But Saber, wouldn't the Association step in then?" Shirou asks.

"But what if it was someone who didn't know about the Association?"

If someone didn't know of the Mage Association's rules, if someone is a novice magus, if someone who was entered into the war without knowing anything.

"That sounds a bit like the last war," Sakura mutters. "My grandfather told me that in the previous war, one of the Masters wasn't a proper magus and wreaked havoc on everything. Almost every other Master and Servant worked together to stop them and the church even stepped in to give extra incentive for controlling the damages."

"It's a possibility that can't be dismissed," Saber nods.

"Well, let's go over what we already know," Shirou suggests. "Mana from Shinto is flowing towards Ryuudouji, so we think that Caster had set up her workshop there."

"Yes, but even then it would have been difficult for Caster to break even with the amount of Prana that he would have needed to expend, unless of course, Caster is an exceptional Servant," Rider reminds them.

Shirou nods with Rider's explanation. "So let's suppose that Caster is exceptional and is getting some kind of profit from this. If something is attacking, we can assume that Caster will be able to fight back to some degree."

Saber raises a hand to stop him. "I understand where you are going from this logic," she interrupts him. "If Caster fought back, then we should have seen some kind of mark or residue Prana that indicates as such, correct?"

Shirou nods.

"We did not find such, so we may be able to assume that either Caster is less exceptional than we predicted, or that something managed to slip pass Caster's defense and defeated Caster without a spell being fired."

"You're good Saber," Shirou says in awe.

"Your reasoning is sound, though I feel is incorrect," she bows her head in apology. "I have no evidence to state the contrary, but… I just have a feeling…." She frowns at her vagueness.

"I-I see," Shirou rubs the back of his head sheepishly.

"I do not have the ability to tell if a Servant is defeated in an area, but that place… it cannot be called alive anymore."

"Eh? What do you mean, Saber?"

"I believe we mentioned that there were blackened areas that looks scorched. Had they been from a spell, then there would have been residue Prana present as well. However, I could sense nothing. Rather, there had been no Prana in the air at all."

Her grim demeanor contrasted the shocked expression of Rider and Sakura.

"But that's impossible!" Sakura nearly shouts.

"I am not specialized in detecting Prana in the atmosphere, but even I could tell that there was next to none, if not any, Prana remaining. Well, that and a sense of lifelessness of the temple."

Sakura's frown deepens. "Rider, we will be visiting Ryuudouji today. I want to see this for myself."

Rider nods resolutely.

"Senpai, next time, please tell me as well. While I am sure that Saber can defend you, I believe that much more can be accomplished if Rider and I are present as well."

"Alright, I apologize, Sakura."

"Well, we should be heading out now. Let's go Rider."

"Yes." Rider fades into her spirit form.

"I'll get the groceries then," Shirou offers. "You'll be heading in a different direction, so this will save you the trouble."

"I don't mind, Senpai. Can you pick up some scallops? I want to make seafood stew today."

"Sure."

Interlude

Shirou walks through the familiar street as he looks at the produce. While a majority of ingredients can found in stores, there are still a few street vendors. Once in a while, they have a nice find that is more than worth the time and effort to look at them.

Saber is at home, resting. Without a proper link to her, he cannot supply her with the Prana necessary to survive, so she is keeping her movements at a minimum so as to not use up all of her remaining Prana. That said, she made him promise that the moment something appears amiss that he would summon her immediately.

A simple trip to buy groceries should bar no trouble though.

"Ohayo! Onii-chan!"

Of course, trouble likes to raise the bar by itself.

"O-ohayo, Illya."

She frowns.

"S-sorry I blurted it out like that Illyasviel."

"Hmmm… I guess that I can accept Onii-chan saying it."

"Huh?"

"Illya. I'm allowing you to call me that, so be grateful, okay?"

"Uh- sure?"

"Are you out shopping again today? Let's play then!"

"Err, I can't, Illya. Saber would get really angry if I do."

The air freezes. A distortion wind. Anger. Pressure. Static engrains the domestic view. Ruby eyes stares blankly. Vertigo drops when the trigger pin is pulled. Tantrum. Pandemonium. Tandem.

"Mou-! If a lady asks you to spend some time with her, shouldn't you do so as a guy?"

"Wha-?"

"Hmph, you're so slow! I'm leaving."

With that, the little girl in silver and violet left.

Shirou could only look at her furthering back as she walks away without looking back. He has kept his promise with his Servant, but why does it feel as if something precious is also left behind?

He shakes his head as he turns away and walks back to his home. What's done is done, and there is no regretting it now. Besides, they are enemies in the first place. It wouldn't end with just this. This is merely the beginning.

End Interlude

Her eyes flutter as she gently rouses from her sleep. A dream of fire and swords. Nothing too unnatural. She has seen similar dreams before. A dream of rushing across an open field. A dream of fighting armored warriors. A dream of herself lay dying.

It was a bit different this time. A lone swordsman on a field of corpses. Is he one of among many? His eyes are dull. She didn't think that he could even see out of them anymore. They held anger. They held sadness. But most of all, they held regret. She can sympathize with him. She can understand that feeling well.

She doesn't know who he is. A knight she once fought against? Perhaps. There have been too many that she does not know them all.

Ding dong.

She shakes her head one last time to clear her head and head towards the kitchen. Shirou is already back, she can tell that much. So this must be Sakura. Shirou did say that Sakura had a habit of ringing the doorbell despite the fact that she practically lives here.

"And who's this woman, Onii-chan?"

Hurtling towards the kitchen, she sees the familiar Master of Berserker. Sitting calmly at the table as if she belonged there.

"Illyasviel!"

"Illya?"

"Eh-?"

While her armor is already donned, Shirou and Sakura are quite slow on the uptake.

"Ah-. Onii-chan was so cute. He didn't even realized that I followed him all the way back to his house."

Sakura and Saber slowly looked up at Shirou in incredulousness.

"She followed you back?" Saber asks slowly.

"Err-"

"And you didn't noticed it all this time?"

"He didn't even notice that I was hiding under the table all this time either!" the little girl quips happily.

Not knowing how to respond, Shirou looks around the room helplessly. If not for nothing, then so that he wouldn't have to look at the accusatory glances.

Saber shakes her head once. "Regardless, I will take your head here, Illyasviel!"

She prepares to charge, but the girl in question merely glances at her.

"I don't think you really mean that, since you know I can just summon Berserker whenever I want. I think that he can kill your Master far quicker then you can kill me. Or rather, even if you kill me, he will just continue to slaughter you regardless."

Illyasviel is only a few feet in front of her. She can cross that in less time then it takes to blink and can cut her down even faster than that. But the Command Crests that Illyasviel can use to counter are just as fast if not faster. Berserker could materialize there in the time it would take her to close the distance. Also, depending on the command, Berserker may still be capable of fighting even after his Master is dead.

"There's a pretty good bounded field set up, but it's easy enough to bypass if you know how," Illya giggles. "All I have to do is keep my killing intent suppressed and Shirou would never notice."

Though Saber does not lower her guard, Illyasviel does have a point. The bounded field around the Emiya residence is one of the best at detecting ill intent towards the inhabitants. Though it has no other offensive or defensive capabilities, its detection is second to none. For Illyasviel to enter without the alarms sounding means that she is not here for a fight. Yet.

"So what are you here for, Illyasviel-san?" Sakura asks. While Rider has not appeared yet, everyone knew that the moment something appears to threaten Sakura then Rider will materialize.

"Well, I was coming to propose an alliance with Onii-chan, but seeing you now makes me want to summon Berserker," she answers easily with a smirk.

"I am already allied with Senpai, Illyasviel-san," Sakura glares at the shorter girl.

"But if you're killed then the alliance is void and Onii-chan can come with me, right?"

"Umm… can we not fight in the dining room?" Shirou asks weakly.

Everyone ignores him.

"If you wish to fight here, Illyasviel, even you will not escape unscathed," Saber warns.

"Hmph," Illyasviel pouts. "Your Noble Phantasm is quite troublesome Saber. It might even bring down Berserker to his last legs."

She sighs.

"Well, I'm serious about the alliance though, Onii-chan. How about it?" She tucks a lock of hair behind her ear while looking away as if uninterested.

"What about Sakura? If you ally yourself with me, then you will have to do likewise with her," Shirou lays down his conditions.

"I am against this, Shirou," Saber argues. "We do not know if she can be trusted. She can kill us all the moment that our backs are turned."

"If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't need to stab you in the back. Berserker would be enough. Or didn't you learn that on the first night, Saber?"

"What is your answer, Illya?" Shirou asks.

"Fine, I suppose that I can keep from killing her. But this war is going to have to resolve eventually. All we're really doing is delaying the inevitable."

"We are aware of that," Sakura answers. "If you feel that we can keep from killing each other until that time though, I suppose that this will beneficial to all of us."

"You think you have some way to trump, Berserker?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Sakura answers cryptically. "At the very least though, I could save the worry for Berserker later."

"A bigger worry than Berserker right now?" Illyasviel asks coolly.

"You might not agree, Illyasviel, but I believe that Tohsaka Rin and her Servant are far more dangerous."

"Hmm," Saber cups her chin and thinks. "I agree with you there, Sakura. Rin and Archer can be dangerous in their own ways."

"That weird Archer that tried to kill you on the first night? Oh yeah, I did say I was interested in him."

"Do you know who he is?"

"Nope. There's nothing that's connecting him to any legend or story. None that I know at least."

"Impossible," Saber frowns. "The Einzberns train their Master to be able to recognize every hero."

"Even so, there are still flaws. Yourself for instance."

"What does she mean, Saber?" Shirou asks.

"Legends and stories tend to get twisted as they age."

"That's right. Also, this depends on my ability to actually recognize something that would attribute a legend to a hero. Like a famous weapon or ability."

"-Fake Spiral Sword," Shirou mutters.

"What's that Senpai?"

"Hm? Ah nothing. I was just thinking about the sword that Archer shot."

"Sword? Not arrow?" Saber looks at him quizzically.

"No, it definitely looked like a sword. It was coiled alabaster white with gold and azure."

"Alabaster?" Saber raises an eyebrow.

"Err- well, it looked really delicate," Shirou rubs the back of his head. "Despite the fact that it blasted the entire area."

Illyasviel closes her eyes as she thinks. "It sounds like Caladbolg."

"The Spire of Distorted Light?"

"You know of it, Saber?"

"It is said that when swung it will complete the arc of the rainbow and that when thrust will twist and distort space to pierce its target."

"It has passed through many hands, including that of Cu Chulainn's. However, it is most associated with the Ulster hero Fergus mac Leda," Illya finishes Saber's explanation.

"But that doesn't make any sense. I don't ever recall Fergus being an archer, and if Archer is Fergus then there shouldn't be any fighting at all when Senpai witnessed his fight with Lancer."

"Why's that, Sakura?"

"We know that Lancer is Cu Chulainn. If we assume that Archer is Fergus, or even if he is just Ulster-born, and he has Caladbolg, then Lancer should have lost due to his geas."

"That's true," Saber contemplates. "But only if Archer also knew that Lancer is Cu Chulainn at that time."

"Well, during that time he wasn't fighting with Caladbolg."

"What?"

"He was fighting with these distinct black and white swords. They looked a bit like Chinese daos."

"Wait, wait, Caladbolg is a European legend and sword, why would he have both Eastern and Western weapons?"

"More than that, remember what happened to Caladbolg?"

The question needs no answer.

Broken Phantasm.

Saber sighs. "I keep thinking that with every discovery Archer just keeps getting further and further away from the concept of a hero."

"What I want to know is why Archer would sacrifice his Noble Phantasm so early on in the war," Sakura murmurs. "What benefit does he gain from this?"

"Concealing his identity?" Shirou offers.

"No, we don't know enough to gain any insight to him, and even if we did he acts too unpredictably."

"He must have a good reason. A very very good reason."

"Well, he was up against Berserker."

"So was I and I certainly did not feel the need to use a Broken Phantasm."

Their conversation continues.

And thus, with Illyasviel added as an ally, plans and strategies are made under the roof of the Emiya household.

Interlude

"So what are you going to do now, Rin?" Archer asks as he sweeps his eyes over the city below.

"Find out what has happened. You said that Ryuudouji was attacked, but I haven't heard anything about it."

"Indeed. Whoever did it made sure to conceal their tracks. Well, it'll only work for a little while, but a whole temple full of monks disappearing is going to stir attention."

"Exactly, but by that time connections to the culprit may fade so we have to work fast. Do you have any ideas?"

"Not particularly," Archer states carelessly. He doesn't bother to look at her and continues watching the city flow below. Though there are less people, he can still make out the individuals who still walk the night.

"Hmm…. Another topic then, since I obviously don't have your attention."

"Oh? I don't really see the need to worry about Ryuudouji. If an enemy is defeated, then all the better for us. Even if it was by someone stronger, all we have to do is crush them utterly."

Rin sighs. "Damn you are similar."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing, I was just thinking that you and Emiya are really similar."

Archer freezes and looks at her in disdain. "What are you talking about?" The very thought seems abhorrent to him.

"In a word," Rin pauses as she thinks. "Simple… I guess?"

"Poor taste in jokes, Rin," Archer sighs.

"Oh?" Rin smirks. "Did I touch a nerve? Well, I was half-joking."

"So you were half serious then."

"That is such a cliché reply."

Archer shrugs as if to admit defeat. "So before this tangent, you were saying?"

"What do you think of Rider?"

"Violet," comes the quick reply.

"Just that?"

"Well, that's the first thing that comes to my mind. Violet and black."

"I meant about her identity."

"You have a clue?"

"Two. The bounded field was called Blood Fort Andromeda, and though she never finished the name for the second attack, I think she was calling out Bellerophon."

"So you think…?"

"That she is Perseus," Rin finishes.

"-What?"

"It wouldn't be the first time that legends and myths have gotten distorted. According to mythology, Andromeda was the wife of Perseus; and while Bellerophon was the one who tamed the Pegasus, even in classical mythology the role was often shifted to Perseus. It wouldn't be too far of a stretch to think that Rider may be Perseus."

"Putting aside the matter of her gender of course," Archer points out.

"Who knows, maybe Andromeda was actually a guy. Or Perseus just swung that way," Rin smirks.

"Perhaps there is a more direct relationship between them?" Archer offers.

"Hmm… I can't really think of another hero who would name their Noble Phantasms after other heroes."

"…" Archer stays silent. What else could he say?

End Interlude

"Are you sure you should be patrolling tonight, Shirou?"

"Don't worry about me Saber. I'll be fine. I just want to see if there are any other clues lying around."

"About Ryuudouji?"

"Not just Ryuudouji. About anything. Sakura knows a lot about Magecraft and Illya knows a lot about the war. You and Rider also contributed a lot to the discussions. I feel like I'm just dragging you guys down, so I want to at least try to help."

"As admirable as your conviction is, I believe that you're going at it the wrong way."

"Sorry. This is really the only way that I can think of helping."

"Not at all, Shirou. You help out plenty, such as cooking. Also, I feel that you act as our de facto leader."

"Thanks, Saber. But can we continue for a bit more?"

"Of course," Saber states with a smile. "By the way, you seem to have gotten close to Illyasviel. You even started calling her 'Illya.'"

"What about you? You and Sakura are becoming close friends quickly."

"She is a good girl who puts others before her, no matter what she may say. You're lucky to have her as a friend."

"What are you talking about? You're her friend too."

"Friend…" Saber frowns. "I wonder if we will still be after the war."

"Of course you'll be friends even after the war. We'll figure something out. It's not just us. Sakura's with us and Rider is too. So are Illya and Berserker."

"How naïve," Saber frowns. "But I suppose that optimism is what will hold us together."

"How mean," Shirou complains but laughs. "Once we find a lead, we'll bring it up with Sakura and Rider."

"Very well," Saber returns with a smile. "Let us do what we can then."

Interlude

"Do you understand, Lancer?"

"Not at all," comes the casual reply.

"Good, a dog needs only to obey, not question."

"Why you-!"

"If you have that much energy, then I have another mission for you."

"Oi, oi, how about you actually do something for once instead of just sending me on errands all the time?"

"And leave the Church unattended? What if someone were to come?"

"Yeah, yeah, you can leave out the sarcasm."

"Oh? I was being quite sincere."

"… Whatever. So what did you want me to do?"

"I would like you to make contact with one of the Masters."

"Please don't tell me that you took the tea party idea seriously."

"What you do is up to your discretion. However, I desire results this time, so I will have you follow my orders. With a Command Crest if necessary, which I believe will be."

"…"

"Surely you have heard about what happened at Ryuudouji Temple. It is something that I cannot overlook as the overseer of this Grail War."

"What's with the fake priest act all of a sudden?"

"I'm always sincere in my occupation."

"I don't see how this connects to me having to chat with a Master, unless you're talking about Caster's Master whom I'm pretty sure is dead by now."

"Of course not. Caster's Master is most certainly dead after whatever had occurred at Ryuudouji that night. No, I want you to meet up with a certain Master who will be dealing with this. And assist in anyway you can."

An immense amount of pressure constricts Lancer's mind and body. Like a geas, the command is set and he turns to fulfill his duties.

'One more,' he counts.

End Interlude

"Konbanwa, Onii-chan."

"Illya?"

"What are you doing here, Illyasviel?"

"Hmm…"

"?"

"Since I've let Onii-chan call me Illya, I'll let you call me Illya as well, Saber," the girl smiles.

"I refuse," Saber states bluntly. "We are still not quite allies just yet."

"Saber!"

"Indiscriminately removing someone as a potential enemy will only bring you trouble later, Shirou."

"Regardless, can we not act respectfully to each other?"

"… I suppose you have a point," Saber concedes. "My apologies Illyasviel, however I do not feel we are close enough to share such names."

"Oh well," Illyasviel smirks. "I didn't really expect Saber to agree anyways. She's always such a stickler."

"Well, I can't argue with you there," Shirou chuckles good-naturedly.

"Really now?" Saber asks coolly as she glances at him.

"Er….. ahem. You sound like you've known Saber from before," Shirou dodges Saber's glance.

"Eh?" Illyasviel looks shocked. "She hasn't told you who she is?"

"Since I don't have any defenses against mental intrusions, we decided that it would be best if she kept her identity to herself," Shirou quickly explains.

"Hmm…" Illyasviel puts a finger to her mouth as she thinks. "Ne, ne, ne. Onii-chan, look this way for a bit."

"Eh?"

Shirou's eyes meet Illyasviel's and he froze.

"What are you doing Illyasviel?"

"Oh hush it, Saber. Wow! Your mind really is blank. Anyone can just break you to pieces, Onii-chan!" She blinks and looks away from him.

"Shirou! Are you okay?" Saber asks as she shakes him slightly.

"W-what was that?" Shirou shouts once Illyasviel looks away from him.

"I wanted to see how weak your mental defenses were, Onii-chan," Illyasviel states with a smile. "They were so weak, anyone could just walk right in and plant false thoughts."

"Are you okay, Shirou?" Saber asks again, quickly assessing him for damage while glaring at Illyasviel.

"I'm fine, Saber. I saw this forest… and I felt like I became a tree or something."

"That's because I just took your mind and placed it inside a tree. And some walls. And a chair."

"You did what?" Saber shouts indignantly.

"Transference of consciousness. There are nerves connecting your eyes to your brain, right? I just connected them to different objects instead."

"S-so I 'saw' what the trees saw and mistook that as me becoming a tree?" Shirou asks shakily.

"You're pretty bright despite looking so dull most of the time," Illya smiles. "That's right. Think of it as changing the inputs while still leaving the human known as Emiya Shirou alone. It's a pretty big deal to change a person into a tree, but it's still within the realms of Magecraft. Possession works on the same principles as well, so you'd be open to that sort of attacks, Onii-chan."

"W-wow… I couldn't do anything at all. Could you have used that to nullify an opponent."

"Theoretically," Illyasviel answers. "Our specialties are in the flow and transfer of power. Tohsaka as well should be able to do something like this since they have such a high affinity with jewels. They're able to transfer their Prana into jewels without diluting the purity so they should be able to do the same to someone's consciousness using the same technique.

"But the chances of success of transferring someone into a jewel or doll is so low that no sane magus would utilize it as an attack."

She twirls and smiles brightly. "Since you were so trusting and didn't resist at all and the forest belonged to me, the transfer was a success. Normally it's a lot harder than this."

"Err…" Shirou rubs the back of his head, not knowing how to respond.

Before she could chide Illyasviel for playing with Shirou's mind, the young girl quickly turns around and runs.

"Phew-!" Illyasviel yawns audibly. "I'm going back to bed. Good night, Onii-chan!"

In the lonely night, lit only by streetlamps, the silvery fairy of Einzbern walks gracefully back to her bed.

"Honestly," Saber sighs. "Just what is that girl thinking? This meeting was so contrived it isn't even funny."

"Hmm," Shirou glances up at the sky as he thinks. "Maybe she felt bad and wanted to pay me back."

Saber only looks at him quizzically.

Shirou scratches his cheek as he explains, "I think she felt bad that she followed me home without me knowing so she came here to show me the way to her place."

"If so, then this is quite a roundabout way to show her apology," Saber frowns with her hands on her hips.

"I guess that's just how she is," Shirou grins.

Interlude

"Tch-"

Writhe. WRiThE. wRIThe.

"Damn the stench is horrible here."

sQUirm. SquIRM. SqUirm.

"Even in death, the boundary is still up? ….No. Caster's work should be of a much higher grade than this."

"Hmph."

A sneer.

"How crude indeed."

A golden hair man walks through the temple grounds.

Ryuudouji is no more. Only the corpse of the temple is left and now it is decaying. The wondrous and sweet scent of the rotting carcass wafts in the still air.

Dressed in casual clothes, the golden hair man moves through the grounds without fear, without hesitation, without veneration. He only holds contempt for the scene before him.

His steps echo loudly as if to notify all of his presence.

"Disgusting vermin," he clicks his tongue.

Leeches, spiders, and other creatures are gnawing on the corpse. The place is clearly evil. It is clearly poisonous. But at the same time, it is wasteful. To leave such a meal behind is almost sinful.

Worms wriggle and writhe as they hurry to move away from his presence.

"Disgusting."

They fear him.

cLAMbEr. SLitHEr.

For he is greater than they.

He stands in front of a large lake.

The water is no longer pristine. It is polluted. Black as tar and just as thick, a beckoning death for all. A mud that corrupts and a toxin that shares a fate far worse than death. And yet, its purity is incomparable to its surroundings.

Yes. If ichor is the purity that runs through the classical gods, then this taint must be just as pure.

"Shouldn't have happened this soon though. What went wrong?"

A goblet with too much wine.

"Did the container consume too much? I doubt that witch could have gotten that much on her own…"

The golden hair man quickly skims his eyes across the black watery surface. It is still. No living being could possibly exist in, on, or anywhere near the pool of death. The stagnant air keeps the waters still as well. Despite the darkness, the shimmering stars could be clearly seen on its unbroken surface. It may be the most beautiful mirror of the sky this night.

"-!"

But only for that instance.

The golden hair man jumps backwards as the water erupts and numerous black tendrils reach for him.

"Oh? Were you the one to kill the witch here?"

It cries without a voice.

The tendrils attack again. They are relentless in their pursuit. Multiple attacks from multiple directions at a blinding speed. Even the swiftest of Servants would be hard pressed to evade them.

But there was never a need to evade them.

In an instant the attack is conducted. In an instant the attack is stopped.

A shower of lights and swords.

Throwing up the black water as the rain indiscriminately skewers everything in front of the golden hair man.

The tendrils are pinned and its body is wrecked. Red is black on this night and its blood is indistinguishable from the water.

"-"

"-"

"-"

It whimpers. It must be in so much pain.

Crying without a voice.

It tries to reach out without an arm.

"Still alive? You are clinging too miserably to your life."

His arm is raised.

An executioner's ax.

His arm falls.

Descends.

The merciless mercy of death.

"How unsightly."

He turns and walks away from the carnage.

A whisper.

In his ear.

"These streets are getting dangerous these days. You might want to be more cautious."

His eyes barely widen before -

The sound of ripped flesh.

Red is black on this night and blood is indistinguishable from the water.

End Interlude

Tiger Dojo

Tiger stylized screen doors open to a dojo.

Taiga: Welcome to the sixth day!

Taiga: This is the place where heroes meet their end!

Illya: I thought that was supposed to be the Throne of Heroes?

Taiga: Regardless. First Student!

Illya: Here!

Taiga: What did you think of this chapter? Answer in seven words or less!

Illya: It sucked worse than a black hole!

Taiga: Seven words exactly. Not bad.

Illya: What about you?

Taiga: Why haven't I shown up yet?

Illya: That's only six words, Sensei!

Taiga: Chestoooooooo!

Illya: Gahck!- I stand corrected...

Illya: Seriously though, Sensei. You've already shown up!

Taiga: For about two scenes! Then I had to make a hasty exit.

Illya: Sad isn't Taiga?

Taiga: Well, crying won't get me anywhere. So what else do you want to talk about now that we've established that this chapter sucked because I'm not in it.

Illya: Well, I thought it was bad because of the sub-par explanation of the concepts.

Taiga: What?

Illya: What we were discussing about the transference of consciousness.

Taiga: I thought that it was pretty solid.

Illya: That was because you didn't understand anything about it.

Taiga: Nothing at all!

Illya: Geez. I can't believe that pitiful excuse of an explanation actually made it into the draft.

Taiga: We could have gone on for an entire dissertation but that would have just taken up needless space.

Illya: Anything if it meant that I got a little bit more screen time!

Taiga: So it came back to that in the end...

Illya: Well, I guess we'll end it here today.

Taiga: Bye-bye!

Tiger stylized screen doors close.

Taiga: Jaa... I feel that this dojo is getting less and less important with every chapter.

Illya: Don't worry. I don't think we were that important in the first place.

Even with school work, I had a bit of this already written out so I decided to upload it before I procrastinate... again. I apologize for the quality since stress and fatigue is taking a bit of a toll. There have been a few reviews that have made me sit back and reassess what I've already written, what I am writing, and what I plan to write. I thank you for them. It's at times like these that I retreat back to the domain of fanfictions to escape reality.