Where modern magecraft was a deception of the world using the formulae, magecraft from the Age of the Gods re-wrote the texture of reality itself by enforcing a mere fraction of the authority held by a Divine Spirit through mere words.
That was to say, Shirou Emiya attempted such a mad miracle even I, who had access to such magecraft, didn't think up. In that, the ginger youth verily outdid me. The thought never even crossed my mind.
Since he wasn't ME however, the inevitable blow back of the world was immense. Not only did the noble phantasms he drew explode right then and there, forcing me to contain the damage with a nifty application of Infinity, he also outright shredded the nerves reserved for magic circuits.
Shirou then promptly fell face-first onto the hardwood floor, arms bleeding and eyes unfocussed. Him being hurt was enough of a shock for all the gears in Sakura's head to come to a grinding halt. She abandoned all notion of panic and confusion in favour of hastily rushing to his side.
It was kind of adorable honestly.
Anyway, that was how I found myself sitting across from a battered King Arthur once more. Her master was lying beside us in the very same futon. Only this time I was joined by a servant of my own, a newly acquired one, but mine nonetheless.
Sakura sat alone on Shirou's side, stealing shy glances at me from time to time. By now, maybe the truth of my behaviour had settled in... not that it really mattered, I didn't care much either way.
I felt really proud of myself for healing her anyway.
That was all that really mattered.
Luvia would definitely be proud too.
With my chin resting atop my palm, I shifted my legs under the futon ever so slightly. Saber stiffened, then gave me a questioning look.
Geh, this lady was so terribly awkward and serious.
Sighing again, I cast a glance at the rain clouds gathering aside. By the wind's howl, I could tell we'd all be sitting in a much colder room if I hadn't been kind enough to fix up the wall Rider threw Saber through.
"So," Instead of addressing the King of Knights, I turned to the blindfolded Rider, "What's your name?"
She paused a moment, like I'd committed some taboo, before her shoulders slumped, "Medusa. Gorgon."
I merely closed my eyes and held up a hand. Her lips quivered.
The Gorgon was unquestionably one of the most well-known myths of ancient Greece, though there were versions... neither of them were all too pretty.
A monstrous woman with snakes for hair, the lower body of a serpent, and a gaze that could turn men to stone. She was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who wielded said head as a weapon, unleashing its devastating effects upon his enemies.
I didn't think there was a person alive who'd read that story and decide that SHE was the monster in it, no matter the version, even if she herself seemed to think otherwise.
To her conflicted reaction, I gave no reassurance for it'd be meaningless pandering.
"Mystic Eyes?"
She reeled faintly, then nodded.
Hmm.
"Mystic Eyes of Petrification." Her voice was calm and subdued.
Humming, I rummaged through my coat pockets and pulled out a small case.
An extra pair of aviators for emergencies. Heartless and Touko had taught me that my greatest weapon could easily be turned against me. Towards that end, I'd goaded my sugar mommy to getting me another one.
"Not sure if these are to your taste, but they're all I have handy. Doubt you can find someone selling these easily."
Confused, she took the case in her pale hands, groping along the velvet for a feel. Huh, so she couldn't see through that, after all. As she fumbled about trying to open it with her long fingers, I caught a brief glimpse of Saber staring at us somberly.
I immediately decided against talking to her. She was boring. At least Medusa was cute with the immense gap in her behaviour and appearance.
"Glasses?" The tall lady tilted her head confusedly.
"Yep," I popped, smiling faintly, "Mystic Eye Killers. I doubt it's fun being blindfolded."
After all, that was an option for restraining my eyes too. A very distasteful one that didn't let me flaunt what I had.
"I-"
"Well, you don't have to wear them if you don't want to."
She quickly shook her head, "I have no issue. You are my Master now."
"Call me Henry."
"Yes..." The 'monster' lowered her gaze, carefully holding the aviators as if they were some incredibly precious item, "Thank you."
I only snorted at that.
"How was anyone supposed to figure out your identity though?" I wondered aloud. T'was the truth. There were no snakes in her hair, nor were there any serpentine features to her form. "I don't-"
"Your actions are admirable, my countryman."
King Arthur cut into our talk, her hands on the kotatsu between us, a bruise on her cheek. I raised a brow, turning to face her.
"Nobody asked for your input, lady." I stuck out my tongue, making her wince, "Or were you feeling awkward? Guess what, I was too... and you ignored me! You horrid woman. Don't interrupt my talk with a beautiful woman."
"What? I didn't-"
"Oh? You were jealous~?"
All emotion drained from her face.
"No."
The answer was immediate and utterly decisive.
Of course, it was nowhere near enough to break through my confidence and shamelessness.
"You tsundere, you." I squirmed.
Suddenly, she was gripping at the air for something invisible. Yet, everyone in that room knew then that she'd never harm me for words. The admirable King of Knights could never harm someone over mere words.
"Insults to a King are high treason."
Ah, right, she was a medieval King.
"You're welcome to try." I grinned, eyes shimmering. "But I'll spank you if I win."
For the briefest moment, it seemed as though she'd respond to my challenge. But then, she simply relaxed her shoulders and simmered down, no longer interested in entertaining me.
With a short cackle, I turned my attention to Sakura.
She was... still conflicted. How utterly indecisive. No wonder Shirou was so into her. No, that was wrong. Shirou was stubborn when it mattered. This girl was just withdrawn and... surrendered. She had the eyes of a person who had given up on the world, maybe decided that any bad thing that happened was their own fault.
The sort of person that really invoked a man's protective instincts.
"You're an ungrateful brat, aren't you?" I poked her idly.
She trembled, then whispered, "W...What?"
"I healed you. I dealt with Zouken. I destroyed that pit." I counted out on my fingers, "Admittedly, none of this was for you. But, you could at least say a little thank you. Actually, don't even thank me. At least thank Rider. She gave herself to me to save you."
Rider raised her head at that, "I do not need gratitude for a decision of my own."
That was true. That was also why I expected nothing at all in return. Yet, if she were incapable of even empty words. What kind of life of her own was Sakura Matou going to live from here on out?
The purple-haired girl stared at me with trembling lips and clenched fists. Tears streaked her lilac eyes. She desperately wanted to say something but just couldn't bring herself to yet.
"Mister Hero over yonder even put his life on the line just to protect your wishes." I gestured to the unconscious Shirou with a hand, "You can't-"
"I didn't ask you." She relented.
"I know."
"He knows now. He knows I'm tainted, that I can't-"
"Don't bloody sit there and tell me that you're the one at fault for a horrendous old geezer making you a tool, or your father selling you off. That's right, I know."
It had sounded strange from the moment Rin had told me. There was no way on Earth that the overseers of the land had no idea what kind of research people living within their territory were up to, most certainly not when the Matou lived in the same damned district.
Her father knew. He simply didn't care.
That was the most magus-like thing I'd ever heard and simultaneously, something I hated more than anything.
"Hate them. Crash out. Cry. Tell Shirou to beat them up. Did you even ask Shirou if he'd ever hold it against you?"
My words were unfair. There was no way for her to speak out. The fear was too much. I couldn't put myself in her shoes, but I could at least imagine.
"H-How was I supposed to-"
Unfairly, I cut off the pained girl once more.
"You suffered. That's the truth of it. But, Sakura, no one can possibly hold that against you but yourself. I killed Shinji. I will kill Zouken for it."
"But why... why would you do that?" She stammered out, clutching her hands near her heart. "You don't have any reason... I don't..."
"Because it's what I want. I don't care what you think about it."
There was no justification needed, certainly none to be given. I would not explain myself to anyone. I would not heel to anyone. I most certainly would not second-guess myself.
In that, I forced my ideals upon her. That was natural. My greatest ambition was to force them upon the very world.
"You don't care about..." She murmured.
"You're a happy consequence of my crusade against Zouken. Maybe grab this chance since I healed you? Be with Shirou. Well, do whatever you bloody want. It's your life."
With Sakura, a delicate approach would never have worked. That was fine. I was much better at brute-forcing everything anyway.
By the way her eyes seemed to shimmer, it appeared she had gleaned at least something from my little tirade. Beside her, Saber wore the same expressionless face... yet, her fingers shifted, faintly, but they shifted.
"Be cruel. Be selfish. Be nice. Be hateful. Be your own person. There's nothing to hold you down anymore."
With a loud groan, I rose to my feet and pointed a finger at her. She shivered.
"Most importantly, don't drag me down with your mood ever again."
"..."
"Now hand over those command seals."
-
I left the Emiya Residence with a fresh pair of command seals burnt onto the back of my palm. Rain poured down from grey skies, when my actions clearly deserved a bright sunrise or a rainbow at least.
Eh, well, I liked rain more anyway.
"Where's Rin, anyway?"
Knowing her luck, she probably got jumped again-
...
...
"Rider, can you take me to the Tohsaka Residence?"
Before I realised the folly of my words, the tall servant had whisked me off my feet in a... princess carry.
"Goddammit."
-
Hope you enjoyed.
Please do comment so I can if I did well. Of course, if I didn't, point that shi out with no hesitation, I'll love you more for it.
You can find 7 chapters ahead at patre0n.com/Bleap