I pulled on a fresh pair of clothes, running a hand through my damp hair and rolling my shoulders. Last night, I dreaded having to run on less than five hours of sleep, but having a teenage body juiced up by Avalon did a lot of wonders. I even managed to do my usual morning exercise, and, aside from a pleasant soreness in my muscles, I still felt as fresh as a daisy. Which was great, because today, I had a lot of stuff on the menu.
I had to talk to Saber, talk to Rin, iron out the game plan, do something about Illya…
My mouth drew a thin line as I caught a glimpse of the clock. Maybe I could just skip classes for today—no. School was important. And who would fix all the broken equipment if I didn't show up—
I shook my head, pushing that train of thought aside. School was school, but… Illya. I couldn't help her if I went to school. My older sister needed my help more than a few broken appliances. I couldn't fail her. Not when her life was at stake. I had to save her, no matter what.
My jaw tensed as memories of failed futures surfaced to mind before I quickly shoved them away. No. I could do better. I would do better. I had all the tools I needed. Now I had to make the best out of them to save people.
I held a hand up in front of me, azure, crisscrossing patterns lighting up beneath the skin as I focused on my magic circuits. They felt mostly fine now. As long as I did not strain them today, I should be back to full strength come tomorrow.
I had no idea how I'd ended up with twice what I originally had—probably whichever isekai insanity that made me happen—but I wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. More circuits meant more magic juice, which meant more Sword, which meant helping more people. It was easy to understand when viewed like that.
A smile tugged at my lips as I closed my eyes and focused. A sword emerged from its sheath, and then—
Trace On.
—I reached deep within my mind and pulled.
In a flash of crackling, blue light, an identical copy of myself appeared in front of me. It blinked once, before grinning.
"Unlimited Jump Wo—
Without warning, the copy shattered into blue motes of mana, dispersing like dust in the wind. I stared at the empty spot, lips pursed. Huh…
Focusing again, I traced another one, just to make sure that it hadn't been a mistake on my part. The copy smiled as soon as it manifested, spreading its arms in a T-pose.
"Our name is Legion, for we are—
Not even three seconds later, it also broke apart just like the first one.
I stared at the scattering plume of mana, a frown on my face. I guess Gaia didn't like that…
What a bummer. I had to deploy my Reality Marble to do the Zerg rush.
I let out a sigh. Well, whatever. I could do this even without shadow clones. And they still had potential as decoys, so not all was lost.
Shrugging, I walked up to my closet and pulled it open. Rin would call me crazy if I told her my plan, but I'd make it work anyway. I had to. I couldn't do much right now to help Illya, but this was a good start.
I looked deeper inside the closet, riffling through my stuff. After the better part of a minute, my brows furrowed in annoyance. Come on, was there no white cloth around here?
I could use a spear for the handle—or maybe a sword? But I needed that stupid cloth first…
__________________________________________
Rin covered a yawn, smoothing a crinkle on her shirt before entering the living room. Sleeping on it for a few hours did little to make this whole situation less surreal. Even so, she had to make the best out of it. She had spent the past ten years preparing for this war. She would bring shame to her family if she wavered at this point.
Saber was sitting at the dining table, dressed in the casual outfit she had provided for her, yet those sharp, green eyes pierced Rin with a stern gaze as she approached.
"Good morning, Rin," she greeted curtly, her tone polite but nothing else. Still mad at her about last night, huh?
"Good morning."
Shirou was busy in the kitchen, laying out bell peppers, green onions, ham, and a few eggs on the counter.
Was he making an omelette?
He pulled out a frying pan from a cupboard, before looking up and giving her a smile. "Morning, Tōsaka. Breakfast should be ready in ten minutes."
Her lips twitched in amusement. Tempting, but no. Berserker hadn't surprised them in the dead of the night, so Emiya should be safe for the time being.
"No need, Emiya. I'm leaving soon."
Shirou set aside the pan, giving her a confused look. "Are you sure you don't want to eat first?"
Polite and nice to a fault, wasn't he?
She shook her head with a smile. "Thank you, but no. I have something I need to do."
Archer had been grouchier than usual since last night, and she had a few places to investigate. Maybe she could send him to snoop around for Caster? Lancer's warning could have been a bluff, but she would be a fool to completely ignore it.
"Alright." Shirou nodded, an awkward pause drawing between them.
"Before I leave though," she said. "I'd like to propose an alliance between us."
A beat of silence passed as Shirou blinked in surprise, his mouth opening wordlessly, then clicking shut. Did he honestly not expect something like this?
"What do you say?" She arched an eyebrow at him, waiting for an answer while Saber regarded her with a curious eye.
If last night hadn't blindsided her like that, she honestly wouldn't have bothered. But Emiya was dangerous. Even if he was a novice and painfully ignorant in many affairs of the moonlit world, his Projection Magecraft and Reality Marble made him a major player in this Grail War.
It was better to keep him on her side. For now.
"I appreciate the offer," he said, flashing her a sheepish smile. "But how about a truce for now? I need to think more about what I'm going to do in this Grail War."
Rin stared flatly as the words fully sank in, her mouth twitching in displeasure before she schooled her expression. He refused?
Arrogance? Or was he that big of an idiot?
"Suit yourself," she said dismissively. "But don't expect this offer to last forever."
Shirou hid a grimace as he nodded. "I understand."
Did he now? If he truly understood, he would have accepted her offer on the spot.
"I'll be expecting an answer the next time we meet."
"Yeah, I'll think it over today."
He'd better think this through very carefully.
__________________________________________
The staccato sound of knife on cutting board filled the room as I prepared the veggies for the omelette. We had to get moving in about half an hour, so I didn't have time to prepare anything fancy.
Too bad that Rin decided to leave so early. Starting her day on an empty stomach was not healthy…
I fought down a grimace at the reminder. I felt a little bad for not giving her a straight answer, but I wasn't sure how to tackle this Grail War yet. Today's visit could change everything, so I shouldn't make any hasty decision before that.
My brows furrowed as I began chopping the green onions, the knife's edge not sliding through the stalks as smoothly as I remembered.
Did Taiga cut something weird with it again?
I should sharpen this kitchen knife later. Or maybe just project a small sword? Those would cut better for sure.
A smile came to my face. Yeah, that was a good idea—
I paused, blinking in realization. Projecting a sword would cost a lot more mana than simply Reinforcing the knife. I shouldn't be wasteful, even if I had more circuits now.
Trace On.
Closing my eyes in concentration, I pushed my mana inside the knife, filling all those tiny imperfections and making it sharper, better. The knife in my hand evolved from a simple kitchen tool to a deadly implement, and when I gently dragged the gleaming edge along the last onion, it cut through the stalk like one of those fancy, professional kitchen knives from cooking commercials.
My smile returned. That should do it for now.
I grabbed the bell pepper, blade poised to reduce the poor vegetable to its constituent atoms—
"Shirou."
I blinked, Saber's curious voice giving me pause.
"Why are you cutting the vegetables with a sword?"
Wha—
I looked down, brows furrowing. The kitchen knife in my hand didn't quite resemble one anymore. It was longer and slimmer, reminding me of a scaled down version of Ichigo's cleaver sword.
When did I even?
"It felt more natural like this, I guess," I said with a sheepish smile, turning the knife-sword around, its sharp edge catching the light with a wicked gleam.
This might be a problem…
Saber let out a thoughtful hum, her green eyes studying me for a moment, before she nodded sagely. "I see," she said, her tone of utmost seriousness. "An unusual method, but when it comes to cooking, the result is what matters most."
A smile came to my lips as I nodded along, resuming the chopping. Though as I diced the bell pepper, a sudden thought had me pause again.
Crap. I forgot to tell Rin about the Grail…
__________________________________________
"Combining the omelette with ketchup brings an interesting flavor."
My fork froze halfway to my mouth as I glanced at Saber, a smile coming to my face. Half of the food on her plate had already vanished into the bottomless abyss, and the tiny red smudge at the corner of her mouth reminded me of a lion who'd just finished hunting their prey.
"I'm glad you like it."
Good thing I made seconds. Having all this knowledge of the future came in handy in surprising ways.
"Starting the day with a hearty meal will help us tackle any obstacle," Artoria said while squeezing a line of ketchup on the rest of her food. "Hunger is the enemy, after all."
A wave of nostalgia hit me at her words, though my smile dimmed quickly as I took a glance at the clock. I had to break the bad news to her.
Placing the cutlery on my plate, I took a centering breath and exhaled quietly. "Saber. I have something to tell you."
Artoria paused from her eating, giving me her full attention. "Yes, Shirou?"
"This might sound strange, but I have reasons to believe that the Grail is very, very cursed."
Saber didn't react at first, a beat of silence passing, before her eyes narrowed slightly. "Cursed?"
"Yes." I nodded grimly. "I think that it would twist any wish into something horrible. Like a monkey's paw."
"Do you have anything to base this claim on?" she asked, folding her hands atop the table as I watched her in confusion. I expected her to be upset, but she looked mostly skeptical.
"Kiritsugu saw something at the end of the previous war." That hellish image of fire and death surfaced to mind, bringing with it a memory that made my stomach churn. "It was horrible enough to make him destroy the Grail."
Saber went quiet, an indecipherable flash of emotion crossing her face before she hid it under a stern mask.
"Are you certain that he told you the truth?"
A frown came to my face at her question, hands clenching in my lap. "He wouldn't lie about something like that."
"I'd still like to see it with my own eyes. If the Grail is truly beyond hope, I'll make my decision then," she spoke, her tone leaving no room for argument.
I held back a sigh, doing my best to not let the disappointment show on my face. This was probably the best I could hope for right now. Kiritsugu's betrayal had cut her deeply.
"That's fair." I had no idea what she might even be able to see. The true nature of the Grail came to light only towards the end of those 'routes'… "I'm not sure what I could show you, but we have time to figure something."
"That's acceptable." Artoria nodded firmly, and I pursed my lips in thought. I'd have to brainstorm this one with Rin or Illya. Or both. Between the three of us, we should be able to come up with something.
I grabbed my fork, poking idly at the omelette as silence fell around the table. "Still," I said, looking back at Saber. "Even if it's cursed, it might be possible to fix it. I don't know how, but someone like Caster might be able to do something." Unless she proved too unreasonable to work with…
Finishing the last of her food, Saber placed down her cutlery, giving me a thoughtful look. "Is that why you postponed Rin's offer? Are you thinking about joining forces with Caster?"
There was something odd in her tone as she spoke, but I had no idea what this might be about.
"Probably not." I shook my head, fighting back a frown as more memories of the future rose to surface. "It depends on what kind of person she is. But I don't see why we couldn't all have a truce until we solve the Grail issue."
As much as the other me seemed to have a soft spot for that woman, I might never be able to ally with someone like Medea. But that did not mean we couldn't have a truce for the sake of saving everyone.
"That is assuming the other Masters believe your claim," Artoria said, and this time, I couldn't hide the grimace. I had no proof about Angra Mainyu, did I?
Would going to that underground cavern and looking at the Greater Grail even reveal anything?
A sigh escaped me. "There should be something we could use as proof." That's what I hoped, at least… "Maybe we can figure something after talking to other Masters."
__________________________________________
I left my bedroom, plastic bag in hand, and made my way back to the living room, where Saber was waiting patiently.
"Shirou." She rose from the table, looking at me expectantly. "You haven't mentioned where we are going."
Ah.
A flash of heat crept up my ears at her intense stare. "Sorry." I gave her a sheepish smile, shrugging awkwardly. "I've had a lot on my mind this morning. We can talk on the way there. It'll take a while."
"Have you thought of a plan, then?" she said, a curious gleam crossing her eyes.
"Yeah, something like that—
A clicking sound and shuffling of feet coming from the hallway gave me pause. "I'll go see who it is." Taiga, probably.
Saber nodded wordlessly, and I stepped out into the hallway, seeing the newcomer as she slipped out of her shoes, placing them neatly in the tray by the door. Our eyes met as she straightened herself, and her impassive face lit up with a warm smile that sent a brief flutter through my stomach.
"Good morning, senpai," she spoke, voice soft and warm as she tucked a stray lock of lavender hair behind her ear.
"Good morning, Sakura." I smiled back, my eyes wandering down her slender frame, before snapping back to her face as a flash of heat warmed my face. She was beautiful, but I shouldn't be staring like this. It was rude.
Her smile turned apologetic as she walked closer, a sweet, floral scent filling my nose. "Sorry for showing up unannounced. I had to help around the house with something last night, and I wasn't sure if I'd make it this morning." Something flashed across her face as she said that, too quickly to decipher, leaving me to wonder, brow slightly creased.
Staying late to help around the house?
My eyes widened after a moment, another memory rising to surface. Zōken…
That decrepit excuse of a human being—
An image flashed to mind, a dark, hellish pit full of countless, disgusting worms that slithered up a nude, blank-eyed girl, seeking to invade and violate every inch of her body.
White hot anger surged in my chest like molten steel, and I clenched my fists tightly, the nails digging painfully into my palms.
Sakura…
All these years, she'd suffered in silence and endured that hellish torture—
"Senpai? Are you alright?"
Sakura's voice pulled me back to earth, that horrible view fading from my mind's eye. Sakura stood in front of me, hands clasped at her chest and a tinge of concern in her eyes.
"Yeah," I pushed a reassuring smile to my face, despite the way my stomach churned, the breakfast threatening to rise in my throat. "I was just surprised by how cute you look this morning."
The words hung in the air for a moment before their meaning fully sank. Eyes widening a fraction, Sakura averted her gaze as she clutched her hands tighter at her chest.
"S-senpai!" she said, voice cracking slightly as a tinge of red touched her face. "What are you saying out of a sudden?"
"That you look cute?" I couldn't hold back a smile as I watched her growing blush. So cute…
A strange flash of emotion briefly crossed Sakura's face as she bit her lip, fingers gripping at her uniform. "Please don't tease me like that…" she said, stealing a glance at me, before bashfully averting her gaze.
"Sorry," my smile turned sheepish as I shifted my weight awkwardly to the other foot. "I went a bit too far."
"N-no, it's fine." Sakura shook her head. "You just took me by surprise. I don't min—
"Is everything alright, Shirou?" Artoria's crisp voice cleaved through the atmosphere like a blade as she stepped into the hallway.
Sakura's words caught in her throat as she looked at Saber, eyes widening in surprise while a beat of tense silence passed among us.
"Senpai, who is this?" she spoke after a moment, a tiny frown pulling at her lips, and I swallowed dryly, glancing between the two girls.
Crap. I hadn't thought of a cover story yet.
I wracked my mind for a moment longer, only to come up short. I didn't want to lie to her.
"This is Saber," I said, gesturing at the poker-faced Artoria. "She knew Kiritsugu and came here to visit."
"It is true," Saber spoke as she walked up to my side. "I came here on some personal business."
Sakura went quiet for a short while, studying Artoria intently as a flash of recognition crossed her face. "Her name is Saber?"
"Yeah," I said, smiling despite the awkwardly tense atmosphere around us. There was no point trying to keep secrets when she clearly knew about the Grail War. I'd only end up hurting Sakura if I tried to find excuses and hide this from her. "I'll explain when I get back. I'm in a bit of a hurry right now."
Sakura blinked in surprise, brow creasing slightly. "This early on a Sunday?"
I blinked owlishly. Wait. Sunday?
I took a moment to quickly skim over the events of the previous day, and yeah, today was in fact Sunday…
Guess I wouldn't have to go to school today after all. This made things much easier.
"I really have to take care of something, and it can't wait. We'll talk later. I promise."
She stood there, the confusion on her face making way for something I couldn't place as a tiny frown curled her lips. "That's unlike you, senpai."
I fought back a grimace at her words. I wasn't the same person that she knew, was I? "It'll make sense." I gave her a wan smile. "Trust me, Sakura."
"Okay," she said, averting her gaze as the three of us stood awkwardly in the middle of the hallway.
"Well," I said, gesturing towards the living room and kitchen. "I left your food on the counter. See you later, Sakura."
"Take care, senpai," she said, a flicker of concern entering her gaze as my stomach twisted with a sour feeling. It hurt to see her worrying like this, but what else could I do?
I'd talk to her later, but I still had to take part in this War. I wouldn't be able to save anyone otherwise.
"Let's go, Saber," I shared a brief glance with Artoria, before flashing Sakura a warm smile that brought another light, red dusting to her cheeks.
Walking past her, I slipped on my shoes and stepped out of the house with Saber, the bright morning sun making me squint. I paused in front of the gate, looking over my shoulder at the house.
Sakura…
I gripped my jacket as another pang stabbed at my chest.
I had to help her, too. Somehow. I wasn't sure where to even begin, but I'd find a way no matter what. I'd cut apart her torment and carve a path to happiness for her.
__________________________________________
Illya sat down with a huff, closing her eyes and focusing. Something had triggered the bounded field, and Berserker might just get a new toy to play with. After last night's disappointment, this might be the best they'd get before she had to take another nap.
Half a day wasted on sleeping, just so she could keep an optimal function…
She let out a sigh, her vision shifting to a bird's eye view of the land, roaming across the forest, and quickly zooming on the intruders. They hadn't even bothered trying to conceal themselves. Whether from foolishness or arrogance, it didn't matter. It was time to play.
A smile twitched on her face, only to immediately freeze as she saw the two intruders from up close. A teenage boy with short, auburn hair and a blonde girl wearing armor that brought an old, painful memory to the surface.
A sharp pang twisted in her chest, hands clenching in her lap. What was he doing here? Could it be that—
No.
He'd abandoned her. This didn't mean anything.
She shoved that thought away, eyes lingering on the large, white banner fluttering in the wind, the text giving her pause.
[Onii-chan is here.]
What? Was this a joke—
Her sight returned to the room as the door suddenly opened with a click, revealing Sella and Leysritt.
"Lady Illyasviel, we have intruders," Sella spoke with a frown as she walked inside, followed by Liz.
"I know." Illya nodded, a tiny smile pulling at her lips. "It's Shirou Emiya."
She'd missed her chance last night, but she could play with him today.
"Shall we engage?"
"No." Illya shook her head, hopping off the chair. "I'm going with Berserker."
This was going to be fun.
Skipping all the way to the exit, she paused with a hand on the doorknob as Liz's flat monotone reached her ears.
"I saw a white flag. That means something."
"I know what it means," Illya said with a huff. "I'll make sure to hear him out before I give them to Berserker as a chew toy."
__________________________________________
Illya smiled as she approached Shirou and Saber. The clearing around them was wide enough that Berserker would easily get them before they had a chance to run back inside the forest for cover.
"Hello, onii-chan," she broke the tense silence, doing a curtsy. "My name is Illyasviel von Einzbern." She tugged at the bond with her Servant, Berserker materializing next to her in a flash of light. "And this is Berserker."
Saber's posture shifted, the woman looking ready to spring into action at the slightest hint of hostility, even if that would do little against someone like Berserker.
"Nice to meet you," Shirou said with a small smile, stabbing that silly-looking banner in the ground right next to him. Who even used swords for handles? "I'm Shirou, but you probably already know that."
That gave her pause, voice lilting in curiosity. "Oh? Is that why you brought that silly looking flag?" She gestured airily at the banner as the boy nodded, his smile turning sheepish.
"Yeah. Kiritsugu spoke about you."
Her mouth twitched with a frown as she listened, gaze narrowing ever so slightly. Did he now?
"He went abroad many times but never said why. And he kept trying until he couldn't leave anymore." Shirou's voice turned sharper, a steely gleam flashing in his gaze. "Before he died, he told me about his only regret."
The playful smile slipped off her face, an unpleasant feeling twisting in her chest.
"That's why I came here," he said, taking a step forward. "I made him a promise, and I'm going to see it through, no matter what. I want to help you, Illya."
A beat of silence passed as she stood there, his words ringing in her ears and piercing her like a dull knife. Her hands balled into fists.
Lies.
"Berserker!"
Lies. Lies. Lies!
"Get them!"
Berserker let out a savage roar, muscles bulging as his skin turned an angry red. An instant later, the ground beneath his feet cratered as he charged forward like a raging bull.
Sadly, Saber reacted just as fast, shooting off in a burst of speed, stopping Berserker's attempt at flattening Shirou. A shockwave rippled across the place as their weapons clashed in a shower of sparks, the sheer force sending the woman skidding backward.
Illya smiled, unable to hold back a giggle at the betrayed look on her brother's face, though she only got to enjoy it for a moment. Shirou quickly snapped into action, jumping and rolling out of the way as Berserker reshaped the landscape with every swing.
"Illya!" The boy shouted, picking himself up and looking at her warily. "I didn't come here to fight! Stop this, and let's talk. Please."
"That's too bad, onii-chan." She shook her head, smile growing a little wider. "But we don't all get our wishes."
Reaching for her hair, she plucked out a few strands, channeling mana through them as she savored the conflicted look on her brother's face. With a bright shimmer, the strands shaped into a stork, its frame like a glowing filigree made of light. It fired in the blink of an eye, yet Shirou managed to roll out of the way, the projectile gouging a piece of earth.
"Saber!" he yelled while dodging a second blast. "Keep him busy! As long as you can!"
Keep him busy?
Illya stalked forward with a giggle, her familiar hovering idly around her. Well, it was Saber, so perhaps she would, but… for how long?
"Illya! Please."
Her smile turned sour at his pleading look, that unpleasant feeling returning to her chest. She paused mid-step, just as another shockwave rippled through the clearing. Shirou took a brief glance at the ongoing fight, and her familiar dashed in, sweeping past as it shot another bolt of light. He saw it coming too late, wincing as the beam clipped his arm.
"Where are you looking, onii-chan? I don't think you can afford worrying about other people right now."
Shirou went quiet, stilling for a moment, before slipping into something resembling a fighting stance as something flickered across his face.
Oh? Was he going to show her something interesting?
The stork returned to her side, and Illya watched curiously as azure light flashed in Shirou's hand, forming into a plain looking sword. She blinked, her mouth curling in disappointment.
Projection? He planned to fight her with that parlor trick? How silly—
Her eyes widened slightly as a crisscrossing, actinic pattern lit up from Shirou's grip, crawling along the length of the sword. He gripped the weapon with both hands, face hardening.
Reinforcement, huh? The corner of her lips twitched with a faint smirk.
Maybe this wouldn't end too quickly, after all.
"I see you're quick to change your mind," she said, voice lilting with a giggle. "Are you planning to fight me with that?"
With a flex of will, she turned her familiar in the shape of an épée, sharp tip aiming at Shirou. She could humor him if he wanted to play with swords.
"No. The only thing I'll be cutting here is your stubbornness."
A flash of anger flared in her chest as she glared at her brother. In the blink of an eye, the Degen shot forward like an arrow. A sound like shattering glass reached her ears as Shirou parried the attack, the sword in his hands breaking in a shower of blue sparks.
"Are you sure about that, onii-chan?" Illya giggled, her familiar dislodging itself from the ground behind the boy and returning to the skies where it hovered threateningly.
Her eyes narrowed with a flicker of annoyance as Shirou remained quiet, that intense look still etched deeply into his face. Did he really think that he could win?
Holding back a scoff, she watched as the épée dove in for another strike, yet the same azure light was already taking shape in Shirou's hands, forming a new sword. He held it up just in time to parry, a flash of surprise crossing her face as, this time, it was her familiar that shattered like glass.
Expecting him to rush in and attack, she quickly reached for her hair, though instead of pressing his brief advantage, her brother simply stood there, watching her silently.
An angry heat rose up in her chest. He was mocking her.
"Kiritsugu died regretting that he couldn't rescue you. He never abandoned you."
Her jaw clenched. More lies?
She pulled out a handful of strands from her hair, forming them into a pair of storks, both turning into Degen. They shot at Shirou like bullets, his body twisting to the side as he parried one while trying to dodge the other, but he wasn't fast enough, the second one slicing him across the left arm.
Ignoring his injury, he spun around as her familiars went for another strike, his blade shattering like glass as he parried the first one. The second Degen struck him from behind, opening a painful looking gash along his left flank and finally breaking that annoying look on his face.
Wincing, Shirou pressed a hand on his wound, only to quickly pull it away, gripping a newly projected sword as her familiars dove in yet again. The first shattered along with his weapon, but the other one carved a bloody path across his right arm.
She plucked more hair, smiling as she replaced her destroyed familiar, both hovering in the air behind her like twin guillotines.
"How long can you keep this up, onii-chan?" she said, watching as her brother stood there, new sword in hand and blood soaking into his shirt. "Those wounds look quite painful."
"Doesn't matter," he said with a shake of his head. "This pain is nothing if it means I get to help you."
The smile vanished from her face. She clenched her fists, ignoring the way his words stabbed at her chest like a knife. Her storks went to attack again, the same song and dance repeating once more.
"Your body is getting all messed up. You're going to die at this rate." She waited for a moment, expecting to see the slow terror of realization on his face, but Shirou merely smiled.
"Don't worry about me, Illya." The azure pattern of magic circuits flashed across his skin. "My body… is made of swords." The glow vanished, and he stood a little straighter despite his injuries.
Illya watched him closely, brow furrowing. What was that supposed to—
An odd grinding sound of metal on metal reached her ears, her eyes widening as she caught glimmers of metal between the gaps in Shirou's shirt. The bleeding had also stopped, that wound on his left flank covered by tiny, interlocking shards of steel like misshapen scales.
That didn't look anything like Projection or Reinforcement…
"Are you done patching yourself up, onii-chan?" She took a glance at the vicious, landscape-altering fight in the distance, before flashing Shirou a smirk. "It looks like your Servant isn't doing much better. I wonder which one of you will lose first."
He didn't take the bait, that same, annoying look returning to his face. "I believe in her, just like I believe in you, Illya," he said. "Let's stop this fight and talk. We have a lot of missed time to catch up on."
His words brought another dull pang to her chest, her heart clenching with a seed of doubt before she quickly banished the treacherous thoughts away. No. That was just another lie.
"There's nothing to talk about. Save your breath and stop with the lies," she said, the épées shooting like twin bullets towards her brother. He parried the first one, sparks flying as the other sailed past him, those metal shards knitted in his flesh protecting him like armor.
The dance of sparks and steel continued, but no matter how many times they struck, he just stood there, fending off her familiars, never once trying to attack her as more and more wounds were carved into his body. A moment later, his sword shattered again as he destroyed another Degen, and she balled her fists.
"Why aren't you fighting back!" Her voice rose as she glared at her brother, a flash of anger sending the other familiar off mark.
There was a wet, squelching noise, and they both paused, her eyes widening as she saw the glowing blade sticking out of Shirou's belly. Her stomach twisted unpleasantly as she stood there, unable to tear her gaze away from the large bloodstain growing on her brother's shirt.
She didn't mean to—
Shirou gripped the Degen firmly, and, with a deep breath, yanked it out of his gut, face twisting in pain as more tiny shards of steel began to knit together in his wound.
She opened her mouth, but no words came out, her familiars hovering idly in the air. This time, Shirou didn't project another sword, and she stood there, rooted in place, as he calmly approached her, eyes like molten steel, sharp and resolute.
"Because you're my sister," he said, stopping in front of her, despite the two familiars hovering above him, ready to skewer him at her command.
She searched his face for a moment, brow furrowing as she didn't find the lie that she was looking for. "I tried to kill you, idiot. I almost did," she said, voice turning smaller. "You should hate me or get angry at least." It would make this easier if he did…
"Why?" he asked simply, and she went quiet, staring at him in disbelief. The sound of grinding metal in his belly easy to hear from so close. It must've hurt a lot, but the look on his face never changed.
What was wrong with him?
"I don't understand you…" she said quietly, fists balling as conflicting thoughts made her mind awhirl. "Why would you go this far for someone you just met?"
"It doesn't matter if we're strangers." His face softened with a warm smile. "Family is family. Even if you don't understand, just know that I'm here to help you."
The words rang loudly in her mind as she looked at Shirou, unsure of what to do. A moment later, he reached out with a hand, and she tensed, barely stopping her storks in time when she felt the warm weight that rested on her head. Her eyes widened as she looked up at his bloodied and battered, steel-woven frame and that smiling face.
Her mouth quivered for a moment, a pressure quickly building behind her eyes until they stung. She let out a quiet sniffle, her vision blurring as she tried to blink away the tears to no avail.
Why… why was life so unfair…
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