"Rin, you should probably not go with this without caution." Archer filtered through her ear as she rummaged through her gem collection.
Each one contains years of work and esoteric effects that only she knew, proof of her hard work and hardships over the years in honing her craft. Especially being under tutelage by that fake priest.
How long? How long did that asshole hide the details of her father's death? Of course she would understand him not telling when she was still a child but now she's a teen for God's sake.
And she had to find out about it through Emiya of all people.
The same Emiya who is probably trained and groomed by whatever kind of monster the Magus Killer was. To think that Shirou Emiya, the janitor of Homurahara, is actually a Magus. The son of the most infamous Magus killer in their current era.
How did these two manage to hide from her or Kirei? Did that fake priest actually know?
Did Sakura know?
If there's one thing making her hesitate in killing the redhead and the reason she helped him back then is because Sakura will be devastated when she finds out he's dead. She may be a horrible sister but she tends to check her estranged sister from time to time.
Sakura's only happy in the presence of Shirou Emiya. She hid it well too, those dead sullen eyes, the monotony that creeps into her expression and the sheer transparency of her misery in the Matou house.
Rin still questions her father's choice in giving away Sakura to the Matou to this day.
"Rin, Are you even listening?"
"I know, Archer." She snapped at him. Seriously? For a servant, he's such a mom. If he didn't have any memories of his identity, she would believe him to be a saint with the holy shroud his wearing.
Able to clean, cook, and serve her like some kind of super Butler.
Except he had a personality close to Kirei.
"I know what I'm doing and I'm sure of it." She said as she picked up her choice gems for the night.
"Oh really? So entering an unknown bounded field and investigating what it was is actually a sound plan? The whole thing feels like a trap." Archer snarked at her head.
Currently, the red archer is cooking dinner of all things.
Hunger is the enemy as he said.
"And what? Just sit around and wait as whoever placed the bounded field activates at the most convenient time or worst against the students? Homurahara is my territory, Archer and I won't let some unknown Magus waltz in and make it a death trap." Rin replied back with a snark.
Too many times her position as the Second Owner of Fuyuki City was insulted. Like how did an infamous Magus manage not only hide but cultivate an heir in her own land and now there's a bounded field blatantly placed under her own school.
If that's not an insult to her face, then it better be because she's gonna fucking pay it back ten times over.
Preferably with a Gandr to the face.
"All I'm saying is that your mind's too clouded to think about fighting tonight." Or the next possible night at all.
Archer is worried.
Very very worried.
This version of the Fifth Holy Grail War is turning into something he never encountered in his past summonings. Yes, past summonings.
You see, Archer is a very special servant. Unlike other servants who forget about their past summonings, he always remembers them. Each and every single summoning with great detail.
One time he was summoned, he was mistaken as Satan of all servants.
It was a very long war.
But this version wasn't like any other Fifth wars. This one was much stranger. For one, his Saber wasn't summoned. Shirou actually summoned someone else who deeply resembles Saber but older and mature (in more ways than one).
Said servant then proceeded to force Lancer to retreat in unarmed combat. It was strange of course as why would a knight (she is clearly one) fight unarmed but it was probably because she sensed his presence which indicates high spatial awareness.
Then there's what Kirei revealed.
Archer was just as clueless as Rin in certain events of the Fifth war so imagine his shock at the possibility of Kiritsugu actually killing Tokiomi Tohsaka. As much as he distrusts the fake Priest, the possibility is very much there. When he was still alive, he actually learned Kiritsugu's past and exploits as he went down this particular path.
It would be ironic if it's true. The father orphaned the daughter only for the son to help that said daughter in the future.
A twist indeed.
Except, Rin is taking the possibility very hard. Since the day she learned about Kiritsugu's possible involvement in her father's death, she's been hard pressed in doing her duty or keeping Shirou Emiya alive.
As the daughter and current second owner of Fuyuki, Rin has the duty to take revenge on her father's murder. Except, said subject for murder is the only one keeping her sister smile every day.
The same sister that was estranged by the same father.
Rin's in a very tight spot.
Duty or her sister's stability.
What will she choose?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Senpai, I'm really fine. No need to walk me back home."
"And I'm saying this to you, it's getting dangerous lately. Especially that explosion last night. It's not wrong to be careful."
Sakura Matou and Shirou Emiya walk across the pavement, now returning from school back to their home. As for their destination, the young Emiya had decided to walk the purple haired girl first back to her home. Last night's explosion in the city, albeit in abandoned parts, shook the city. To Emiya, it was a sign.
The Holy Grail is starting.
Worried for Sakura's safety, he opted to go with a direct approach in protecting her.
Something the girl didn't mind. Her heartbeat is going too fast for her liking despite her calm exterior and her mouth twitching, holding back a smile from sheer embarrassment and shyness.
But as they drew closer and closer, Sakura's elation to the current scenario began to ebb away, replaced by fear.
Fear for Shirou.
Her grandfather is a monster in human skin, there's no other way to describe him otherwise. Underneath that facade of a frail old man, hides a magus whose cruelty and ruthlessness knows no bounds. Sakura herself experienced that and was etched into her body since she was a child.
A shudder of disgust and anxiousness wracked through her.
Would Senpai still accept her when he finds out how tainted she is?
"Sakura?" All of the sudden, all thoughts of wrongness about herself melted away as warmth enveloped her hand.
Shirou had noticed the girl slow down, lost in thought and the sudden downtrodden expression appearing on her. He didn't know what to do or say, so he instead took her hand and just simply was there.
He doesn't know what the girl is experiencing but he had a hunch since with Shinji's attitude to her at school.
Family drama.
Together, they simply walk together.
Basking in each other's presence, not knowing it would be the last time they would meet.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"So, your Shirou Emiya? Hmm?" Shirou didn't try to stare at the old man in front of him.
Unfortunately, his developing habit of Structural Analysis on his day to day activity led to a very jarring discovery.
Sakura's grandfather is a monster in human skin.
Underneath the wrinkly old skin and ragged bones, he can see that there's something wriggling and crawling just beneath the surface. Their movement faint and barely visible but they are there.
And they are far too many to count.
"I am. It's nice to meet you, Matou-san." Despite his disgust, he still has to mind his manners. As he bowed, he didn't see the malevolent smile of amusement on the old man's lips. Something that Sakura noticed but is too afraid to take action.
"No need to bow, boy. You're already like family for me. Taking care of my children on my behalf, that I'm thankful for." The Matou patriarch smiled, "Sakura, get inside. The nights are getting dangerous and the boy needs to be home himself before sundown."
"Yes, grandfather." Sakura obediently followed, leaving the two alone.
"Bye, Sakura. See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow, Senpai."
Zouken Matou watched the bid each other goodbye before the girl disappeared in the house. For a moment there, a lost memory resurfaced.
Of a girl in white.
"So you're the Magus Killer's boy?"
Shirou froze.
"No need to be afraid. I'm not an enemy master and nor is Sakura if that's what you're afraid of." Zouken chuckled at his reaction.
"No, no, that's not it." Shirou stuttered.
This is a development. He didn't know Sakura came from a Magus family. The Matou's actually Magi?
"Then speak up, boy. Don't disappoint the image that my grandson is always praising and cursing equally now." Zouken of course is playing around with him.
Like a cat playing with a mouse. Contemplating if he would just keep on playing with the prey or eat it at the end.
Ignoring that little tidbit at the end, Shirou decided to inquire about the ancient magus.
"You know about my father?" He asks.
"Who wouldn't in the moonlit world." Zouken scoffs, "The Magus killer has built up a reputation in both the mundane and moonlit world, it's impossible not to know someone who could someday come at my doorstep to deliver swift death."
"That bad?" Shirou winced.
"That's an understatement, boy." Zouken chuckled.
"I didn't know."
"Hmm?" Zouken raised a curious eyebrow, signaling him to elaborate.
"I really didn't know Kiritsugu's past." He replied with dejection.
"Hooo? Truly? Did the Magus Killer not train you, boy?" Zouken curiously asked.
"He didn't. I was self-taught since he died and all he taught me are the basic rules of secrecy and basic spells." Shirou deprecatingly smiled.
"And here I think the Magus Killer produced a prodigy. Turns out, you're just a monster yourself." Zouken laughed at the small joke that Shirou blinked but took the compliment modestly.
"I'm not that talented. As a Magus, I'm probably a third-rate compared to her or to your granddaughter." Shirou replied with a smile.
"Mmm, how modest." Zouken chuckled, "As much as you suspect of the Matou being a Magi family, you are right but Sakura isn't Magus. Well, not in the usual sense." Zouken creepily smiled.
Shirou felt unsettled at the vague answer but it's probably the best he can get.
"So if you're worried if Sakura's participating in the war, don't be. You have nothing to be afraid of. As a matter of fact, if you found yourself losing and missing a servant, you're welcome to take refuge under the Matou house. No sensible Magi would dare to attack you while under our Asylum. You would even placate that girl's worries if you lose early and seek refuge in us." Shirou blinked at the generous offer.
He thought most Magi wouldn't be so amicable like Tohsaka but it looks like Zouken Matou is not like what he seems beneath his monstrous nature.
"Thank you and I would gladly take on that offer when the time comes." Shirou bowed.
"You better be. It would be a shame if Sakura has to attend to an empty casket at the end of this war." That's a morbid thought for Shirou.
"I will try. I'm sorry but I think it's time for me to leave." Shirou said as he looked at the growing darkness as evening came on the horizon.
"Indeed." Zouken agreed as he stared at the creeping night.
"The night is still early, but I sense that this night will be a restless one. Better take refuge tonight or-"
"Go hunting." Zouken smiled with teeth.
"Indeed. It's meeting you, Matou-san. Goodbye."
"So long, Emiya. Good hunting."
As Shirou turned to leave, a thought came to him. Turning around, he saw the old man's back as he slowly moved to his home.
"Matou-san, one last question." He called for the old man's attention.
"Ooh, what is it?" Zouken turned his head in curiosity.
But the next question floored the ancient Magus.
"What you did to yourself, was it worth it to the end?"
Zouken's reply was silence. Frozen in shock at the sudden question.
Not because of the question but his answer.
He doesn't know.
For once, the ancient Magus thought of his goal and the consequences of his actions, one that has brought him to this very moment.
And his answer?
He doesn't know until his goal is achieved.
He can't answer the young Emiya right now.
But maybe soon, he will.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~