realization/5-Realization of conflict.

AN: honestly fuck me I wanted to get this out like a week after my last chapter came out but of fucking course life got in the way. I totally jinxed myself. I tried to make it super long in return for the long wait but the longer it took the more I realized I needed more momentum to keep writing, so for now this is what you get. Sorry.

Ayaka and Misaya were supposed to be a big focus in this chapter but I decided to just shoot out what I had because of how long it's been since the last update and I wanted to get the plot rolling.

Hope everyone likes these Interlude chapters because they'll keep coming. They'll be focused Mostly from the characters not native to Zero. Simply because most of zeros cast have absolutely nothing to do with Shirou. Saber has nothing to do with miyuverse Shirou while I'm looking forward to showing what I have in store for Kiritsugu and Irisviel. Also, the Interlude chapter with Elsa starts at two because 1 is her first meeting and I didn't want to write it, yet.

Anyways, usually I don't want to answer reviews that people will find out later but given how long it took to make this I want to say it, but Bryn isn't entering the harem. Sure she'll get haremish scenes but Shirou won't fully waifu her due to who and what she is. I don't think I need to explain the why and how.

I also think it's hilarious people compare my writing to light novels sometimes. But it's true since I've been reading a lot of those lately.

And yes a few have mentioned being annoyed at the double language but it's better to just deal with it. I only use it when there's a message or meaning that gets translated better in Japanese. For example-The polite versions behind first time greetings in Japanese don't translate as well in English, and plenty of words don't have an equal translation in English. Like Watashi or Ore which are traits to help compare/contrast Shirou/EMIYA/KuroYumi.

Also spoiler for the chapter. But there isn't a right place to write it in. But Rin and her family only know Shirou through Miyu, who kept Sakatsuki, so that's why they don't call him Emiya. It's only in the school system where he's written down as Emiya Shirou, while if somebody would look at the residents in the city they would see Sakatsuki Shirou.

Chapter Start

Shirou entered his new classroom. The school was the same as his old one, though the uniform was different. He had long dark blue sleeves over a white collared shirt and had an orange tie. It didn't look like his old uniform, but he supposed that it could change in the next decade or so.

The class was full of new faces which, go figure, made a lot of sense. There was more students in a classroom then he was used to, but it was a welcome change.

"So- everyone, meet Emiya Shirou-kun. He's moved in from out of town, Emiya-kun, please make a brief introduction and sit in the empty seat at the back.

Realizing he didn't have a smile, Shirou quickly remedied that as he began lifting his hand up in greeting. He had gotten lost in his thinking about the last person who had called him Emiya. "It's nice to meet you all. My family owns a small restaurant not too far from school, so feel free to visit while I work. I have one little sister in Elementary and both the scars and the hair are natural. I'll be in your care."

The class seemed satisfied at his introduction, and more than a few seemed to note to themselves to ask where he worked. Not the least of which was because a new restaurant in a somewhat rural city was rare.

Of course none seemed to catch his half lie. Sure Miyu was his family, but ultimately they were two non adults and could not own a shop. Plus he needed something to do while Miyu was in her own school. He still looked like a teenager so in the end it was either this or dominate the criminal underworld.

He hasn't ruled out the latter option just yet.

Anyways, only two reactions seemed to stand out as he walked to his seat.

Two students, girls, looked at him with a cautious eye. One more fearful than the other.

Which was odd, seeing as he hadn't done anything to warrant that type of attention. Sure, he was still a bit scarred, and his hair was still dyed in white, but everyone else had curiosity, while these two looked like they were ready for him to attack them. As if that wasn't enough, what really got his attention was how they hid their caution behind a mask. If his experiences with Sakura and Julian taught him anything, it was that no lie was absolute. Looking back on their interactions, his two best friends had let slip their true feelings out plenty of times, only he never thought to dig under them. There was just no reason to.

Everyone had their secrets. There was no reason for him to pry simply for curiosity's sake.

So to put it simple. His first day of school and he already had some potential enemies.

Great.

Just.

Great.

He sat down next to the window, looking at his neighbor. Who incidentally happened to be one of the girls wary of him, though her gaze was hidden behind a mask of shyness. Somewhat reminding him of Sakura. Also somewhat reminding him of Sakura, was that she had that aloof, shy beauty one might expect from a quiet wife. It was a beauty one might gloss over due to the woman fading into the background. But one could still find themselves lost in staring. If they knew what to look for.

The shy, wary girl wore glasses that covered her dim blue eyes. Her straight brown hair reached her shoulders and had frontal bangs that covered her forehead except for a small slim portion in the middle.

She looked familiar, but he couldn't remember why.

Lessons passed by without issue, the girl next to him remained tense while he did his best to appear non threatening.

His classmates surrounded him as the teacher left. Some of the other students followed, leaving him with a quarter of the class.

They bombarded him with questions. Unfortunately for his neighbor, she was caught in the circle of interrogation. He noticed she seemed especially distraught at being surrounded. It wasn't an act. If anything, she was trying to hide her distress.

"Maa maa. Come on everyone. I can answer your questions without being surrounded."

They took the joke in good nature by chuckling and sitting on the desks and chairs.

As they were moving Shirou moved his gaze to his neighbor who looked at him in surprise. He didn't expect her to notice the motive behind his words, but it looked like she did. He gave her a smile and bowed his head a little. "I'll be in your care."

She flushed, clearly not used to people talking to her. "Um...I'm Sayjou Ayaka. I'll do my best."

Shirou was actually amused by her awkwardness, but didn't comment on it. No doubt the girl knew about her own lack of comfort in socializing.

"Ne- Emiya-kun. I sure am jealous that you have a little sister. My own parents have been wanting to give me one for awhile, but they want to save up some money first. Ah, I'm Moriyama Nanami. It's nice to meet you."

The pinkish haired girl gave a friendly smile. This began to kick off a series of introductions and he struggled to keep up, but he did his best to listen.

"Now now everyone, don't overwhelm him." A new voice popped in. "Our transfer student sure is one of a kind with looks like that. I don't think any of us ever expected someone like this."

That was when he saw his second object of interest. The other girl who looked at him warily, but was currently giving a show of prideful kindness. She was beautiful. No doubt about that. Her beauty was different from Sakura's or Ayaka's. She was captivating. Her confidence showed and none could deny it. Certainly, her very presence attracted eyes towards her. She had long black hair that reached her back with bangs reaching her red eyes, eyes that showed that she knew what she looked like. Her every feature was like paint on a white wall. In other words. Obvious.

Why did he feel like he was describing somebody else? No, two somebodies else's.

No matter. He needed to get along with all his classmates if he wanted to be a role model for Miyu. He wanted to make sure that girl became friendly and cheerful.

This girl had a mask similar to his own, true friendliness, but with a wall meant to ensure a certain amount of distance. She didn't feel like a threat. In fact she actually reminded him of one of Miyu's new friends, only older, so maybe that was one of the people he was reminded of earlier.

"Reirouken Misaya. It's a pleasure. I hope you can get along with all of us without any trouble."

Shirou understood the subtle message in that. "Get along with all of us" being that she hoped that he was legitimately going to be friends with them in some capacity, and "without any trouble" in that he also hopefully wasn't going to hurt or use the classmates. There was also the unsaid threat lurking behind her eyes, a threat she didn't realize she was showing, that she would take him down if he tried anything.

Maybe this girl wasn't so bad.

"Ne Emiya! Have you passed by this beautiful blonde girl our age in school yet? She looks like a foreigner, but she's just a hāfu. But get this, she's the sister of Ayaka here!They're sisters, but they couldn't look any more different."

The description did remind Shirou of something, and now that he thought about it, Ayaka had been in the background when that strange girl had confessed to him. If they were magi, they would have felt him using magecraft, which would explain her hesitancy towards him. Even if he did use it to help another.

"I'm so jealous of Ayaka having such a great and gorgeous sister." One of the guys began to pitch in. "My one sister is a complete hag to me."

"The closest thing I have to a sibling are my cousins and they're tolerable at best."

Shirou just took a moment to appreciate how earnest they all were. He had been incredibly close to Julian and Sakura despite all appearances, but the three of them were never really honest about their own backgrounds. Hell, he had only learned about Sakura's family near the end of their relationship...

No. It wouldn't do to dwell. "Y'know." He started off. "My own sister can be a bit of a handful sometimes, I always do her hair for her and set her pajamas. She just loves getting spoiled." He laughed a bit at the end, the others seemed impressed at how close he was to his sister, and how good of a brother he was.

The day passed by without anything notable. Other than him getting along with his classmates.

Except for the physical education class.

The class in their gym clothes were gathered at the track with all sorts of equipment out. The first thing he had his eye on in particular was a large mat and a bar set rather low.

The second thing he had his eye on was his female classmates. Miyu may be his first priority, but he didn't want to let another girl just slip past his fingers like Sakura.

Mostly because he felt really, really bad for rejecting Sakura's feelings due to the situation, and partially because he was felt the effects of having teenage male hormones.

He also blamed the sexual memories of a certain red Archer, memories that he realized he had after sleeping one night. How could he look not be affected when he had the image of a certain "onee-san" red headed queen's naked body or of a super Celtic bitch?

On the bright side he was pretty sure he didn't have virgin insecurity, which was more than what he could say for his classmates, so it wasn't difficult to not stare hard, which was more than what the other guys could say.

He wasn't the greatest of company for the whole class, as he was focused on jumping the high bar without any reinforcement, and also with increasing the height each time he succeeded.

He tried and tried until the bar was even higher than his head.

There was no chance of success.

But he tried anyways.

He wouldn't succeed. Not without reinforcement.

But he learned the beauty behind impossibilities. As long as you try hard enough, it becomes possible.

And his class learned that through watching him with awed eyes. Seeing an earnest effort to improve succeed, they couldn't help but feel something genuine toward what they were witnessing.

"This is seriously absurd!"

"It really is exciting isn't it!"

"No! No it is not!"

"Um. Masters. Now isn't the time to argue."

Half an hour had passed since the initial resurrection of the False Heracles. In that time, they killed the beast four times, and four times he had resurrected, becoming stronger, and larger.

The chains which once clenched the body of the shadow now hung freely, swinging around at every move. They now burned a blood red, and the beast's mane which was once black dyed with red became more and more crimson with each death.

It seemed clear to both Brynhldr and Shirou that whoever this Heracles looking man was, he didn't hold any of the skill the true heroic spirit had, merely his stats.

Of course the fact that it's stats kept growing after each death was their biggest problem. They killed the beast once with Durindana, once with Brynhldr's noble phantasm, once when Manaka poured lava over the False Heracles, and once when Manaka used Flash Air to summon Caladbolg inside its head.

Shirou figured he could kill the shadow at least two more times, but he had a feeling taking anymore lives wasn't going to be any easier. They were lucky that it's endurance had started out rather easily penetrable. If he had to compare it, it was a weird hybrid of the strength level of a heroic spirit within an Class Card and the strength of a normal servant(if normal even existed for servants).

Shirou already stopped using the Lancer Install, and was ready to use the Berserker install at any moment.

His clothes were ruined from the battle, but luckily he was able to avoid any direct hits from the shadow itself as it still hit hard.

Manaka being able to do nearly all magecraft in existence was a serious asset, but there was no end in sight with this thing.

He could risk using Unlimited BladeWorks, but if the thing didn't stay dead after being killed for The Who knows how many-th time then they'll be forced to retreat since he wouldn't be in any condition to fight. Which would be-

Wait.

Why were they even fighting still?

They weren't burdened by any civilians and Manaka could just Flash them away.

"Change of plans! Manaka, Lancer! We're leaving!"

"Hmm. Well, if that's what you want." Manaka was disappointed they wouldn't continue fighting the unknown, but figured living was still a high priority. Even she would rather not take the risk, not if the battle hardened Shirou was against it.

Meanwhile Brynhldr was still in combat with the enemy. She was no longer able to clash head on with the shadow. She was frantically dodging the blows and carving all sorts of runes on the ground and on the shadow in an attempt to obstruct it's movements.

The beast was frozen, electrocuted, set on fire, and wrapped in shadows, yet it still wouldn't die, or rather, stay dead.

Shirou needed to give Manaka an opening to get them out of their and make sure the beast didn't follow.

"Trigger, set."

He summoned a large golden axe. It cost more than a stone sword, but it was necessary in order to get through the denser skin of this Heracles rip off. Had he tried this technique earlier, the stone sword would have been enough.

"{Nine Lives BladeWorks}!"

In the span of a second, Shirou's arm ripped open and blood spurred out at the sudden movements, it was necessary to move at such great speeds that bypassed his reinforcement to add greater force to his strikes. In eight different places Shirou sliced at its limbs, and for the final strike, he slammed the axe into its chest.

"It's time to-!?" Shirou paused his words. When his axe disappeared from the chest it was shoved into, he saw a pure black card in place of a heart.

As if proving his instinctive thoughts that it was a weakness yet something to watch out for, shadows poured out from the card and lunged at him.

"Shit!"

A steel broadsword, nondescript and without ability, was launched at the shadows to give him space. Immediately, it was eaten away and he watched as each inch disappeared. Not wanting the weakness to be block off, he summoned a stronger weapon, Caladbolg-this time in its true form, and sent the large sword drill straight into the beasts chest.

Suddenly he was picked up bridal style and was carried away from the shadows. He discarded his male pride and thought about the darkness that tried to swallow him. It wouldn't be safe to let it touch him or Manaka, it did something...odd-with his sword before eating it, taking it in for some reason.

"Manaka, you saw that too didn't you?" He asked as Brynhldr dropped him off. He didn't thank her since he was pretty sure that counted as being nice.

"Yes. I believe we found a precious chink in our opponent's armor. If things don't go terribly wrong, I suppose we no longer have reason to retreat. You seem to be prepared for more battle."

"But still, I can't figure this thing out, so we need to be careful. Without that black mist we can see it's stats, but it's Noble Phantasm and even class name are just...blank, ripped away rather. I don't think this thing is what we think it is."

"Certainly, you are the one with more experience when it comes to these kinds of things. I'll take your word for it, but either way we need to immobilize it once more in order to hit that Black Card."

Shirou let out a deep breath while Brynhldr left to engage the enemy. His body was sore from the constant Projecting, and he was easily nearing the amount of prana spent during his battle with Angelica alone. While he wasn't in any danger of overheating, even he was hard pressed to ignore the feeling his circuits were giving off.

Manaka grabbed him and Flashed the two to the previous rocky environment she had last time. The blackened monster was too fast for his eyes to keep up with now. Brynhldr herself was barely managing to weave herself around the monster's blows, and luckily the few hits that did land were not as devastating as it would be from the real Heracles.

Now, the safest thing he could do was fight with his Bow. With the support of Manaka's magecraft that was near the level of that of the Age of Gods, surely they could hit one measly weakness like they've done the last few times, especially with it so largely exposed?

Yeah right. If only things were that easy.

Elsa would not particularly call herself cheerful.

She could drink alcohol more than most men, and do so with a smile on her face, but that did not mean she was cheerful, it was just that the activity itself was fun.

She didn't drink because she was burdened, she drank because it was enjoyable.

But that didn't mean she wasn't burdened at all.

For example. Right now she was very burdened by the fact that she was sitting right next to a Master in the Holy Grail War. An Einzbern at that.

It was a war she thought she didn't qualify for. Right up until last week when her hand felt like it was stabbed and a bruise immediately appeared.

It was beyond her expectations, but she was gladdened for it. A part of her had been worried that she and her son would end up as casualties. Her family may be magi, but that certainly wasn't going to stop other magi from doing anything cruel, especially if they have servants to back up their practices. Even that Tokiomi gave his daughter away due to his principles, and no matter how honest and good his intentions were, the fact remained he abandoned one child for another. Not to mention rumor had it that the Magus Killer was fighting in the war as well. She wouldn't put it past the bastard to kill her and steal away her son and turn him into a puppet like he did that woman who was constantly wagging her tail for him. He already manipulated this airhead of an Einzbern, her general compliments of a man who's description fitted the Magus Killer gave it all away.

Elsa's original plan since she wasn't picked as a master was to take Luca as well as Shirou and his cute little sister Miyu out of the city. She couldn't help anyone else, but those two orphans she could help at least. Now she had to dump that plan for another. She had come to Shirou's little restaurant to hypnotize him into staying in his house where it's safe, but now she inadvertently put him and his little sister in danger, having brought her servant straight to another. Or perhaps fate intervened to have her save them. Naturally she hoped for the latter.

She hoped that the Magus Killer was nowhere near here, the Einzbern and her servant at least looked civil enough. The Heartless Magus Killer wouldn't have thought for a second before killing everyone in this shop just to kill her, even if they were all innocents.

It wouldn't be the first time he killed bystanders for a single target. Hell, it wouldn't be the first time he killed an innocent, or even a child, and while she was generally not one to maliciously think ill of or to others, she was going to keep a gun glued on the bastard's head.

She might keep another glued on this woman while she was at it. The obvious naivety about how the world worked was grinding on her nerves. Each conversation started by the Einzbern was filled with questions even children knew the answers to.

The other person who was clearly far more levelheaded was somewhat a godsend, being the one to diffuse the excitement in her master.

The only thing keeping her calm was the two servants who who kept civil and the fact that Luca and Miyu were there.

Speaking of Miyu, the girl seemed more pouty than usual.

Must be due to Shirou's absence, she thought of reluctantly.

That boy was so much trouble and she didn't even take care of him. Even if he had new help, he shouldn't be pawning off his sister to them.

Speaking of the new help, she had to admit they were rather odd in their own way.

Looking at Tomoe, she wondered who he really was. From her talks with Shirou, she had assumed they were alone with no other family, but that didn't seem to be the case right now.

She would just have to confront Shirou about the truth. She knew the boy would crack under the pressure and tell her the truth. Now was hardly the time to keep secrets.

As long as he wasn't getting himself into any trouble, she wouldn't give him a hard time.

Unfortunately fighting from a distance was not a option. This time, the Heracles(?) followed them, leaving them no other option then to fight up close.

Manaka, who was unused to the battlefield, was becoming dead weight. Her body, which had never struggled, was far past its limits. The feeling from casting Magecraft had become unbearable, and her nerves were burning. There was only one other time where she felt this way, and it was a time where she failed to save another. She wouldn't fail. Not this time. She didn't know if that would be true, but she wanted to do her best to make sure it was.

Shirou, who could see her red face, knew she was becoming a target as well.

'I'll have to give them a chance to take it down. If nothing else, that much I can do!'

Burning. Burning. Burningburningburningburning.

It was cold, why was it so hot?

The roaring gained her attention.

She needed to think carefully. If it were chains, it would be broken. If it was an element, it would simply be blown away.

She didn't know what to do, her mind once more gave no answer of what to do.

She needed to think for herself, search for an answer for herself{realize the answer and fulfill her potential}.

And so she looked to the one she loved, the one who against all odds she loved.

His soul was devastating{beautiful} it gave hints of what kind of life{Pain} he lived.

And so she looked, and looked, until she found what they needed, hidden in the depths of his soul where he hadn't realized existed alongside others.

"I am the bone of my sword..." for anyone else, the taking of such a task would not be possible. If perchance they did have a possibility of succeeding their bodies would break and their minds melt, but her, her soul was different{Empty}. She was once part of everything, and so her soul was like everything{Nothing} as well.

And so the process, while difficult was still within her reach.

Judging the concept of creation. (Her eye forced to close in pain)

Hypothesizing the basic structure. (Her knees shaking threatening to collapse)

Duplicating the composition material. (Her mind melting as it changed it's process)

Imitating the skill of its making. (Knowledge of something she's never seen pounding at her)

Sympathizing with the experience of its growth. (Her breaths coming quicker and faster)

Reproducing the accumulated years. (Her fists quivering as she stomped out the imperfections)

Excelling every manufacturing process. (Even if she could, it didn't mean she should, but she would, because for her, it was worth it)

Ornate chains sprung from her hands into the falsely divine body. Piercing it's innards and wrapping around it's limbs and body before chaining it to the ground, hindering its movements.

She fell forward, knowing{Hoping} that all would be well when she woke up.

She, for once, had a future{love} awaiting.

Maybe Shirou should have been surprised at seeing Manaka use his tracing.

But rather than surprise, he felt worry, even for her tracing a Noble Phantasm of this level couldn't have been easy. In the back of his mind he wondered where she found those chains, but now having seen them they were at the forefront of his mind.

Manaka may be capable of a lot things, but she clearly pushed herself past her limits, the chains were at their original quality, no degradation. But it came at its own cost, her left eye, slightly burnt, not too much like himself, but he could see it, and he was sure that if he looked closer at her some of her hair would have been drained of color.

The chained body struggled, while not fully divine, it's body still held a tiny portion of what it had, the chains would not hold it forever, not as black mud moved its body for it.

It needed to die now, it attacked them in the city, who was to say it would not do so again? They were lucky this time, but next time they might not be.

"Lancer! Use your Noble Phantasm now!" He said slashing the heel of the dark skinned monster.

"M-master. If I were to use it now-"

"Don't question me! I know what your Noble Phantasm is! Do it now or we all die! Target me and chuck your spear with all your strength."

Shirou brought out a second class card to boost his physical ability. The Berserker Class card, while holding the Heroic Spirit of Heracles, also had the ability to be Installed with other class cards, boosting their abilities. But in return, Mad Enhancement took over much faster.

But Shirou was aiming on finishing this battle. So this was no danger.

"Install!" The blue outfit that originally ordained his skin was replaced with a black coat with red fur that showed his stomach. His legs covered in black spandex and a large reptilian tail had grown from him. Skinny pieces of armor wrapped around his arms and legs as if they were manacles.

He traced a second Gae Bulg to build synergy between both the weapons and the Berserker-Lancer Install.

"Break! {Curruid Coinchenn: Beast of Crunching Deathtusk}!" The skeleton of the sea monster Curruid, whose ribs were used to craft Gáe Bolg, armored his whole body in red.

"Break! {Gáe Bolg: Gouging Piercing Spear of Carnage}!"

Shirou's body ripped apart and blood spurted from his arms from inside the armor from the force he was beginning to exert. They tensed up more in an attempt to keep feeling.

He roared forward, the ground cracking at his leaps. He slipped in between the legs, lacerating the Achilles heels. Jumping on the large back he gouged out the muscles and was torn away from a hand picking up his body only for its fingers to get sliced off.

"Steel...is my body!" Red colored weaponry pierced outwards from his armor and successfully into the target.

With steel at his fingertips he broke apart the weapons from his body and clawed and ripped away at the berserker's chest, red and black blood spurting out.

With black blood on his helmet Shirou gouged out its limbs and stabbed at its dark heart, missing the strange card by inches each time as tendrils slid into range instead.

Shirou's red eyes flashed over to Brynhldr. "Now!"

Brynhlrdr eyes were locked onto Shirou, the hearts' inside them shining brightly. She readied her lance above her head in preparation to throw it.

"It's troubling. My power is...Love. Hate. Love. Hate. Love. Love. Love, Love, Love..."her mind no longer aware of her enemy, she had one target. "Brynhildr Romantia{Until Death Divide the Two Apart}!"

By this point her lance was already over a 1000 kilograms. She had no knowledge of Shirou's plan, no knowledge there was a plan.

She only knew she wanted to kill him. For he was too similar to who she loved.

And with all her might she sent it toward Shirou.

It sliced the air and Shirou had to force his body past its limits once more. He angled his body down and pushed down with his legs as fast and as hard as he could.

The lance, larger than Brynhldr and her two masters' bodies combined, reached Shirou...

And scratched his helm, showing his red hair.

He turned his body immediately and saw lance pierce chest and land on the ground yards away, a black card impaled and cracked. It was smaller, likely an attempt to keep from getting hit, but it thankfully hadn't worked.

The body melted away into shadows, and his mind could tell that it was over. The shadows turned to sludge and melted into nothingness, the card dissolving into black dust.

He fell backwards, the armor gone. His body was bloody and purple. Brynhldr forcibly dispelled herself into her spirit form less she take advantage of Shirou's weakened state unconsciously. She wouldn't be any help either way.

'Oi. Caster, I'm gonna need you to pick up some friends and I...'

He crawled toward Manaka and sighed in relief. Things seriously spiraled out of control.

Medea, or Shiki, as that was her alius, had to question the sanity behind her master.

She realized he was no ordinary young man, as he was rather used to the feats of heroic spirits in one fashion or another.

But this!?

Fighting some copy of Heracles(and while she wasn't particularly close to that muscle head she didn't particularly like that he was defiled in some fashion) with another master and servant?

She would give him a piece of her mind if she didn't know that Ruler, or Tomoe would do it for her. (Later she would be surprised that he was rather accepting and suspicious, because seriously who's just 'a little suspicious' when some false servant appears?)

Really, the only reason he survived seemed to be due to his link with Miyu-chan, allowing him to be reckless with his prana provided he can withstand the pain, but given what she knows of her master's magecraft and attitude expecting him to stop just from pain was rather silly.

She would prefer if the reason behind her new, somewhat better life didn't die against some weird abomination.

"How're the kids?" Tomoe asked as she returned to the kitchen.

"Just fine. By night they'll be back to normal."

"Can you say anything about the shade they fought against?"

She shook her head. "There wasn't much to see. It's spirit origin was messy, as if stitched together. I can assume that whoever made it has knowledge of some level on Summoning Servants. Even the Class Cards have a closer connection to the throne than whatever summoned it, which is likely why it was both weak but also strong at the same time."

He hummed. "How troublesome...a new player has entered the game it seems...one with the ability to create false servants. I can assume that by having such a weak connection to the Throne it allows for a Summoning of more than one Servant as a familiar, but even so the mana required for such a thing has to be noticeable, so how could we have missed it? I'll have to be more vigilant in my night patrols."

She waited for him to cart out more food before continuing the conversation.

It was odd how she could speak so freely to another servant without care. The fact she didn't really care for the grail war as she could have a new life without it was relieving.

From what she could gather, any attempt to summon another servant would end in failure, even if the reason was hidden. In a battle she would lose straight out, and she wasn't sure if her reinforcement magic would be that much of a help to her master. Not when monstrous heroic spirits like Achilles or Heracles existed.

On the topic of monsters, she couldn't help but see her two male companions as such.

Sure, physical wise they were on the lower spectrum, an unfortunate side effect of their era, but their ability was top notch. Noble phantasms were trump cards. The more you had, the better your chances, and given that the two could use them at far range simply had the war in their favor.

If they actually fought the war anyways. While the thought of a Grail War starting on accident was a headache, she had a greater one from knowing that apparently Miyu-chan could still refuse giving the winner of the war the wish(which is where Ruler comes in, as he could help protect her from the winner if need be, not just this other Grail threat).

She rather owed the Emiyas, as directly or otherwise, wanted and helped her live peacefully, (even if the young girl wouldn't stop trying to hook her up with Ruler), so she would do whatever she could to help them. After all, the three had suffered enough. And they all deserved a break as far as she was concerned.

In a dark cave below the city, mud and shadows pool together into a black cup.

"It seems our |servant| was unable to kill a master."

"As expected. Alone, these creations can kill a master easily but not bypass the servant."

Two males with deep voices overlooked the cup and it's overflowing shadows.

"We will be unable to obtain a command seal from the six masters if we cannot perfect the process."

"Foolish whelp. There is no we. It is I who is doing the work. You have done nothing but oversee the process."

The hunter of heretics bowed his head to the elder.

The elder said no more, not trusting the younger man at all.

He did find it odd how the false Servants were still so weak. The Servant he summoned should have still had a semblance of personality. Instead it was more like a puppet that moved instinctively to devour masters.

A mistake in the process occurred somehow, yet he could not see where.

He watched the shadows converge on the black card inside the cup.

He must watch carefully to ensure the mistake did not happen twice.

Elsa Chapter 2 - Realizing that there's a better tomorrow.

I took a long swig of the beer mug in my hand, finally finishing it off.

"Should you really be drinking that much?" A young voice cut in.

"Shirou-kun." I acknowledged his presence, but not his question.

"You know, you really are lucky we have enough room for you and your kid to sleep over. With how much you drink I'm surprised your livers aren't poisoned."

That's what I hear a lot.

But really, "It's not safe to let strangers sleep over y'know."

The boy who looked so much like my child rolled his eyes. "You're hardly a stranger by this point. Besides, I'm a good judge of character. Besides, with your kid here you wouldn't try anything unless you were a bad sort of parent, and with a kid like that you wouldn't be. When you discount Drinking habits anyways."

I could only huff. He words it as if I drink enough to impair my ability to get home when the only reason I drink enough to get to that point is because he offered my child and I room every weekend. What a rude child, always teasing others.

My shock at seeing him never fades, and I can't help but hope Luca grows up like Shirou, yet in the same vein, I really hope he doesn't. Shirou has too many girls chasing after him and can be so snarky.

But he's a caring young man, even if he was not a big brother, I believed that much.

I was a good judge of character, after all, I did travel the world quite a bit.

But those times have passed. I'm just a simple mother trying to raise her child alone.

It wasn't very difficult either. I had so much money stored up from my travels to live simply. I still had my job as a photographer on the side, though I considered dropping it to work here with Shirou. Their place was even large enough that Luca and I could stay if we needed to.

Shirou was indeed kind to offer such a thing for us. And he was so strong willed. I just wish that he hadn't gained that will through suffering, as I can see the same look he has in my own reflection.

He was so strong, and in so much pain, yet he forced himself to live for his sister, as I do for my Luca.

I had to resist the urge to to ask once again as Shirou tiredly rubbed one of his scars while closing up the place. The offer was rejected plenty of times by now. Shirou said he would ask himself when both he and Miyu were ready to let others in. Without any parents or guardians, I looked after the two whenever possible, although Shirou was somehow able to make things for them.

I felt nothing but hatred to whoever would hurt these two dear children. There were demons in this world cruel to those who deserved none of it.

I had seen it.

I had seen it too many times.

That is to say, a Hell to those who were without choice.

Even worst to that, a Hell to those who choose to enter themselves, and would pull others into it.

Even my sweetest child, was so nearly dragged into such a Hell from the man who should have never considered such a thing. The bastard...

A hand gently touched my shaking hand.

Shirou, who's eyes were too kind and too sympathetic yet worst of all too understanding.

"I think you've had enough for tonight. There won't be a better tomorrow if you don't look at it. And if you're hungover, you definitely won't want to see it."

What a kind child.

If only, all children could not be hurt as he was.

If shooting stars could truly create miracles.

Then a world like that is worth wishing for.

"It's okay to take a break every now and again Shirou-kun. There would be nothing wrong if you focus on your own life and let others help you."

But if it can't, perhaps enjoying the peaceful tomorrow is enough.

My sweet, kind child is shining as brightly as ever, untouched by Hell. And as long as that was the case, I would ask for nothing else in the world.

Ayaka Chapter 1 - Realizing that I am weak.

In my own self-assessment, my character is the worst.

An indisputable fact. As much as the sky is blue.

As a woman, I'm certainly what one would call a Wallflower or Yamato Nadeshiko. And as a Magus, I can barely even be considered third rate, as my circuits were average in quality and quantity.

To be a Magus is to be cruel, and uncaring of one's own death.

I could do neither, for I had not the heart for it.

My sister, once the beaming pillar, now the enormous wall that could not be surpassed, certainly seemed to think so.

Simply walking with her is a task in itself. Her looks, more foreign in comparison to my own, made her stand out, leaving me to be in the background as she walked in front of me, leaving me behind.

Once, as children, my beloved sister was not so standoffish, she was spontaneous and loving, and I once did her best to be like that.

Once, there was a child kind and courageous, wanting to help others subtly through magecraft.

But then her father died, and suddenly the world and its inhabitants became far scarier. Before I knew it, all I wanted was to be with her sister, who as the years passed, became far less loving and far more critical of her actions.

It was not as if I didn't want to be more than I was, but I had no idea how to be.

Walking with my sister was a commodity rarely indulged nowadays, so I did my best to enjoy it and ignore the false[empty] smile of Onee-san.

And then I saw a group converged together accompanied with the feeling of magecraft being emitted.

It had not taken long for me to see what had occurred. The man on the ground was being saved by magecraft.

But what Magus would save another's life?

He was young, around our age, and I felt anxious that there was a possibility he would come to my school.

I could only comfort myself knowing he was unlikely to cause trouble. Surely my sister would stop him, and the Second Owner disliked it when a Magus came to cause trouble, especially ever since that night...

No, I mustn't freeze now of all times. Now with a Magus here in front of me.

The man was saved and sent to the hospital, relieving me a burden I hadn't realized I felt.

I could only tense up once more as he walked over to Onee-san and I. I had to remind myself that there was no way he knew we were magi.

However, just as he was about to pass us, my sister said something I haven't heard in so long, with emotions long since forgotten.

"I love you."

Words that surprised the speaker and the listeners, yet my sister lost that surprise and gained a hint of determination, something I haven't seen since we were children.

This confusion is natural. How did my sister, who held no interest in anyone feel such an affection for a stranger?

I look to see if she's joking- she isn't. That does nothing but confuse me more, why does she seem so focused on him?

Surprisingly, the red haired Magus; who I hesitantly admired, was quite handsome, but did not blush nor accept Onee-san. He spoke of a restaurant he helped at and mentioned it would be open again soon.

I was surprised that he took a look at me, who was in the shadow of my sister. I did not think there was anybody alive or dead who could see past my sister. He looked between us and came to the conclusion we were siblings, and with a smile he invited me as well.

I could only blush and force my heart not to be so excited due to his looks. My stammering response went unheard over the louder response to the invitations.

My sister, once pushy and joyful, stole his attention and followed him, and I could only follow, not truly knowing why I did so.

My sister is wonderful. But once, she was a wonderful sister.

And I, the younger sister, was nothing but a shadow. Incapable of doing anything but following her.