Chapter Text
The holy grail war. To many, it was a getaway to paradise, a shortcut to their dreams.
A miracle.
But to Kishinami Hakuno, it was nothing but a pointless massacre.
In her first week of this war, she killed her friend.
Was he actually her friend?
On her second, she killed a man who wished to see his beloved one again.
And on her third, she killed a child.
She killed people who had lives of their own, wishes, and desires, while she had nothing.
She was a blank slate. Did she even deserve to live?
“I understand that it’s hard for you, Maestro.” Saber attempted to reassure her after Alice’s death. “But I think it was the best match she could’ve had. You gave that child a meaningful parting.”
Those were just fancy words to undermine someone’s death.
Saber meant well, and Hakuno knew that.
But she couldn't just move on. She couldn't find any purpose to make her sins any less unforgivable.
When she made her way out of the classroom, trying to get her mind off it, she saw two familiar figures staring at the board.
Tohsaka Rin and Rani VIII.
Hakuno felt her stomach drop.
The girls stared at the board, then eyed each other.
Without a single word, they walked away.
Hakuno grabbed the ribbon on her neck and loosened it, if only to find back her ability to breathe.
One of the two girls was going to die.
The two girls who have helped her so far.
One of them will be gone soon.
That’s just the way things work here.
She felt sick, like she might throw up any moment now.
She couldn’t get used to this. The building was so much emptier now. It’s only been 3 weeks.
She just wanted this to be over.
“Rin Tohsaka and Rani VIII are equally powerful. I could only gain from one of them defeating the other.” A voice shook her to her core. Julius was right behind her, he was right there, with the smell of death that he wore on his sleeves. “Their fight will be interesting to see.”
He didn’t even look at her. He didn’t care for her presence, but Hakuno froze.
Saber was beside her. It’s okay.
But even with all the faith she had in her servant, her knees continued to shake.
It was only when he decided to walk away, that she managed to breathe again.
Hakuno didn’t want to see the result of that battle, but she didn’t trust Julius. No matter what his intention was, he was definitely planning something.
Her body felt heavy later when she caught a glimpse of Rin walking through that door. The door which only one may return from.
She didn’t want to dwell on it too much. Instead, she decided to track down Julius, which led her to the multimedia room.
She has never been there.
Actually, wasn’t the access to this room denied? She has tried to open it a few times to explore it.
She decided to give it another try, and reached for the door handle.
It was then that Julius suddenly opened it from inside, and a chill ran through her entire body.
Not again.
She would love to have one encounter with him that didn’t involve digging her own grave.
Actually, she would rather not have any encounters at all.
“It’s you.” He simply stated, with a disinterested look. He walked past her, and she sighed in relief.
Normally he would try to kill her, but this time it seemed that he didn’t want to bother. Perhaps he didn’t want to suffer yet another penalty.
Hakuno reached again for the door, and a shock went through her body. She felt an agonizing pain through her body, and her nerves were on fire. But that pain left as soon as it came, and she opened the door.
What was that?
“He must have set up a trap. Are you okay, Mastro?” Saber manifested beside her, and Hakuno gave her a quiet nod.
Well, somehow that didn’t kill her.
They walked into the room, to see a projection.
“That’s…!”
On the projection, they could both see the ongoing battle between Rin and Rani.
“I must admit that is a clever move from that man. Watching the opponents fighting is a great tool to collect information.” Saber smiled in approval. “This would be a great opportunity to learn. We should make use of it before the mooncell detects us here.”
Saber was right. Watching this fight might prove crucial.
She wasn’t too fond of watching her allies fight each other to death, but she had already done things she hated, so she might as well add something else to the list.
The two seemed to be on equal grounds. Their servants exchanged blows, but they were too fast for Hakuno’s eyes to register, and on top of that, there was static on the screen.
“The red one will certainly win.” Saber said with confidence.
Why?
They both stood their ground well.
“The servants are equally matched, but that girl has a lot more creativity. She’ll win.” Saber continued to declare Rin’s victory. “She is able to exploit her enemy’s weakness. The other girl realizes this, but does not have the cleverness to counter, and it’s frustrating her.”
Really? Were they watching the same fight?
“You look like you’re doubting my words.” Saber frowned, and Hakuno immediately shook her head.
Better not anger her.
When she looked at the fight again, she tried to focus. Rin was standing with confidence, occasionally using a code cast to boost her lancer’s attacks. Rani acted more defensive. There was almost a hint of alarm on her otherwise expressionless face.
Suddenly, Rani withdrew her servant and backed away.
She couldn’t clearly see what’s going on, but she could tell the servant was gathering power.
"...I am sorry, Professor. I must return the life you bestowed upon me." Rani held her hands over her heart, and stared blankly at the ground.
Even through the static screen, Hakuno can see the look of dejection on her face.
A light gathered around her, before centering over her chest.
"Continuation of duties deemed impossible. In case of failure, destruct self with Moon."
What?!
"Performing final directive."
"Wait, what? Atlas Homunculi can pull off crazy stuff like that?" Rin watched in confusion, and that confusion slowly turned into shock and worry.
...You fool, this isn't something to self-destruct over!
Hakuno wanted to yell at the screen.
The fight wasn't over yet, why would she throw her life away so easily?!
Rani was holding something in her hands.
Was that... her heart?
"You don't need to throw your life away like this!" Rin tried to reason with her.
At this rate, they will both die.
Rin gritted her teeth, then stood firmly alongside her servant. "We have no choice but to go all out. Her heart's made of etherlite! Before she blows up the Arena, skewer her to the core with your Noble phantasm!"
"All right! It's finally time to end this!" Lancer almost seemed excited by this developpement as he attacked.
This was bad.
Hakuno doubted that even if Lancer managed to make that thrust, that wouldn't stop Rani's heart from exploding.
It was then that Saber looked at her and said in an annoying voice. "What's with that look? You're not seriously thinking of saving them, are you?"
What did she say?
"There's a way to save them?" Hakuno forced her eyes away from the screen.
"Yes. I intended to keep it to myself, yet I find you dragging it from me." Saber continued to sound really annoyed, but Hakuno didn't care. This was crucial information. "You can use a command seal to send me there, but you can only save one. Do you truly intend to save one of those girls? A command seal isn't something to be wasted like that!"
This was exactly the time to waste one!
But she couldn’t just choose one. She wanted to save both. But how?
It’s not like she had spare commands that she could throw away like they were nothing.
Rin or Rani… Who to save?
Perhaps Rin could survive the blow if she distanced herself? But if she chose Rani, how would she survive without a heart?
Hakuno closed her eyes and clenched her fists.
“Saber, with my command seal… take us to where Rin is!”
Rani's going to self-destruct any second. She was going to listen to her heart and save Rin.
Her servant didn't hesitate, and Hakuno felt power surge through her feet. Space was wrapping around her. Then there was a distortion on the screen.
It felt like the world was melting.
Her hand was burning, and the distortion was making her dizzy.
Her vision went black.
When she opened her eyes, she found herself in the Arena.
The air pressure in the area made her throat burn and her lungs hurt.
Without wasting a second, Rani's servant launched towards her, only for her Saber to block his attack.
"Maestro! Quickly! Use another command seal!" She pushed him away then stood in front of her, fierce and protective. "If we can last even a round, we can escape when SE.RA.PH forces us out!"
Hakuno trusted Saber's judgment and used her second command seal.
Her hand was burning, but it wasn't worse than the heat in the air.
Saber used this power boost to fight off the servant, and Hakuno turned towards Rin, who stared at her, baffled.
A wall barrier appeared between them, but it seemed like it was too late.
The heart was about to explode.
No... No!
Hakuno grabbed Rin's hand and started running.
"Hey! Wait!" Rin was basically getting dragged by her, but Hakuno had to focus on survival.
"I guess I have no choice! I'm the only one who can do something about this." Lancer grinned and prepared his spear.
"Lancer!" Rin turned to him, with her hand extended towards him.
He gave her a cheeky smile, but anyone would notice the gentle look in his eyes. "I've accepted my own fate, but I can't be at peace with it if you threaten those I want to protect!" He launched himself towards Rani and her servant.
“Lancer!” Rin called out again, and stopped to look at him, to see her servant’s final moment.
But Hakuno couldn’t let that moment be hers as well.
Her body moved faster than her thoughts, and she pulled Rin into her arms, and faced away from the explosion to protect her.
Everything happened at once.
The arena exploded with a shockwave that destroyed everything.
Rani’s servant wrapped himself around her, protecting her as well.
The only thing Hakuno could see was the silhouette of the Lancer standing tall with half of his body cut down.
He smiled.
"My lady Master is going to be livid. It's your job to calm her down in my place, okay?" The wisecracking smile suddenly disappeared into white.
The world around them crumbled, and when Hakuno opened her eyes again, she was back in that room.
She felt hands on her shoulders, struggling to push her away.
“You… Why would you…?” It was all Rin could say before passing out.
The exhaustion of the battle and the sudden distortion caused by the system’s intervention must have taken its toll on her body.
Hakuno didn’t react at first.
She simply held on to the girl she just saved.
Her body was warm.
She was breathing.
She was alive.
This was her first time saving a life, instead of taking it.
Ah. What was she thinking?
Was this what her desperation was all about?
Some selfish desire to redeem herself? To be somehow less of a despicable human being?
She was the worst, wasn’t she?
“Saber.” She looked at her servant, pleading.
Saber didn’t say a thing. She only took Rin from her, carrying her until they reached the infirmary.
"You've proven to be quite the troublesome master."
The priest stopped them a few feet before the infirmary. He glanced at the unconscious Rin, then back at Hakuno.
"Thanks to you, there are two disqualified masters now." Two? "The participant Rani VIII has lost her servant and was ejected from the Arena in a poor state. Without their servants, these two cannot participate anymore." Kirei explained with an amused chuckle. "How interesting. This might be the first time something like this has happened."
"Rani... is alive?" She let out a sigh of relief.
It felt like a weight being lifted off her shoulders.
"For now." Kirei decided to ruin her victory. "Her condition is critical, I just brought her to the infirmary. I'm looking forward to what chaos you might cause next." He chuckled again. Did he find her suffering amusing?
Man.
She really hated this guy and his stupid mullet.
Having had enough of his bullshit, Hakuno walked past him without saying a word.
Her and Saber rushed into the infirmary. Sakura didn’t seem to notice them at first. She was busy casting codes to treat Rani.
“Ah, senpai! Please put her on this bed. I will get to her soon.” Sakura barely glanced at her, which was unusual.
Rani’s condition must be that bad.
With no choice left, she returned to her room.
There was a stinging sensation in her body. It was probably the result of her actions. She broke through the arena’s walls, there had to be side effects of that.
More importantly, Saber was at her usual spot, seething.
“...Saber, are you angry?” She asked, carefully.
“Of course I am!” Saber’s loud voice pierced her ears. “Why have you shown compassion to that woman? You turn my stomach! Be gone from my sight!”
Ow?! That hurt Hakuno’s feelings.
“I thought you liked kind people?”
“I only like it when people are kind to ME!” Saber gave her a threatening glare.
Hakuno sank further into her bed.
Oh so that’s how it is.
Man, everything sucks.
She decided to call it a day and sleep. Maybe then she will feel better.
Although it was hard to do so when her servant was glaring daggers at her back…
.
.
.
.
.
She saw fire.
A fire so devastating that it took over an entire city.
She saw people rushing to their loved ones, and others ignoring the cries of help as they tried to save themselves.
It was a sight so horrifying, that she could not tear her eyes away.
This was hell on earth.
Why?
Why did this happen?
Why would anyone do this?
What’s the point of living, if it all comes down to this cruel ending?
.
.
.
.
Hakuno woke up in a cold sweat.
She was shivering.
How strange. Even though her body wasn’t the real one, she still felt so strongly.
But what was that?
A dream? A nightmare? A memory?
It felt like a memory?
Perhaps she was getting her memories back?
At least that was one hopeful thought to hold onto.
Whatever that was, it still made her feel sick.
She pushed herself up, deciding to check on Rin and Rani first. Saber seemed to be slightly less annoyed now.
Hakuno pushed the door to the infirmary open, and right as she stepped in-
“You! What were you thinking?!”
Ah. Rin was unfortunately awake.
"You're a participant in the holy grail war, too! Why would you do something stupid like saving me!" Rin was yelling at her. Well, if she was feeling SO well, might as well get up and punch her in the face. "And don't give me nonsense about me dying. My victory was right around the corner!"
Sure it was.
"Don't you regret using your command seals, seeing how you're handicapped for your future fights now?" Rin almost sounded smug at that last part, as if expecting to say what she wanted.
"I don't regret it." Hakuno admitted.
Yeah, Rin was being annoying, and her servant did warn her about how prideful she was, but that didn't mean she deserved to die.
Rin's eyes widened, then she sighed.
"You're hopeless. Don't you get it? This war is unforgiving." She sat up, shaking her head. "Well, whatever. It still doesn't sit well with me, but you have my gratitude. Thanks."
“Could you two lower down your voices?”
The two turned in surprise to see Rani trying to push herself up. Hakuno reached out to help her, but Rani hissed in return, glaring at her.
Hakuno flinched.
Rani’s angry expression turned into a depressed one.
“You… Why did you intervene?” Her tone was low and reserved.
Hakuno struggled to find the answer.
“...Because you were about to die. I couldn’t watch that happen-”
“How arrogant of you.” Rani’s words cut through her like a knife. “Now, I can no longer carry my professor’s wishes. I no longer have a purpose.”
"You took away my one reason to be here. The mission bestowed upon me by my professor."
Hakuno clenched her fists.
Did she take away Rani's reason for fighting, just so she could find hers?
Did she make the wrong choice?
But... Whether she intervened or not, one of them was going to die!
At least the outcome ended up with them both alive!
Right?
"Do you enjoy staring at a broken tool?"
"...A tool?"
"I live only to retrieve the holy grail for my professor."
"Do you have no wish of your own?"
"I'm only a tool to grant my professor's wishes."
"Then... If your professor told you to go jump off a bridge, then you'll just do that?!" Hakuno's temper was rising.
"My professor's words are absolute." Rani scolded her, temporarily regaining fire in her eyes. "Please leave, and never come back."
Hakuno opened her mouth, then closed it.
What was she supposed to say to that?
"Maestro. You should concern yourself with your enemy." Nero intervened. "We still need to check the board."
Nero was right.
But Hakuno couldn't help but feel dejected when Rani covered herself and refused to talk to her.
"Your servant is right." Rin crossed her arms. "You're an eyesore right now. No matter your intentions, you stripped us both of our purposes. It's no wonder she's taking it so hard."
"While I don't agree with my Master's decision to save either of you, I can't tolerate your rudeness, Rin." Nero stood protectively before her master. "Don't let her kindness be wasted."
"Well, I can't deny this outcome is satisfying. It's upsetting for sure, but at least I can still find a way to fight Leo." Rin shrugged. "Your irrational behavior might have been a stroke of genius."
That was almost a compliment.
"Still, I can't accept being saved by someone with no purpose like you. So at least try to find an answer that would satisfy me."
Satisfy Rin? She was asking for the impossible.
"But before that, what are you?" Rin asks a hard question. "I've never heard of a magus who could pull off something like that."
Hakuno gave her back a confused look, and Rin buried her face in her palms.
"Hey, stop looking at me like that. Just say you don't know. You look like a kicked puppy." She groaned then pulled something out, and handed it to her. It was a jeweled pendant. "Take this and go to where the anomalies in the arena are detected. This should help you figure out what you are."
Oh.
Well, that was helpful.
"What are anomalies?" She asked. The look Rin gave her was of absolute disgust. "Well, I'm not a hacker, how would I know?!"
"They're flaws in the firewall. They leak important data, so you might learn something." She ended up answering. "But...The pendant I gave you absorbs residual magic power, so accessing those distortions might put a murderous amount of stress on your brain."
"Murderous...amount of stress?"
"Meaning that the feedback generated will be enough to kill you if a magic circuit isn't present. So make your choice. You can take the risk to find out your true nature, or die. Or you can remain blissfully ignorant." Rin explained. "That's all the help I can offer you."
A chill went down Hakuno’s spine.
It might kill her?
Would what she finds out be worth the risk?
“Th…Thank you.” She managed to say, before heading towards the exit.
“Be careful.”
Hakuno turned for a moment, before leaving.
Huh. Was Rin worried about her?
…Probably not.
“What will you do?” Saber stared at the jewel. “Are you going to give up?”
“...I think I’ll use it.” Hakuno gulped. This might be her only chance to find out about her missing memories, so she might as well accept the risk.
She’ll be fine…
“Very well!” Saber nodded, looking pleased with her answer. “I would have been disappointed if you gave up now. Umu! I will not accept a coward as a master.”
Haha… Well she might have a dead master soon, so…
“Do not worry, Maestro. You will not die with me by your side. We have faced harder battles.”
Well if anything, Saber’s words made her feel better.
After all, her servant has been protecting her from the start and guiding her.
That’s why, Hakuno will always put her full faith in her.
“Thank you, Saber.”
Well, it was about time they started moving.
They walked into the arena, and Hakuno clutched the jewel close to her chest. She had no reason to be nervous. Everything will turn out okay.
Saber cleared out any enemies that came their way. They were becoming easier to deal with.
Perhaps she and Saber have grown stronger together.
With that reassuring thought, she moved forward.
There was a small glowing object on the ground. Maybe that was a distortion? Rin didn’t specify what they might look like, but the jewel was starting to glow.
Here goes nothing…
Hakuno approached the light, and extended the pendant towards it.
The Jewel reacted strongly, absorbing the distortion, and Hakuno felt all of her nerves reacting as well, as if they might all burst out. It was as if her body was being electrified, and then…
…The pain left, with only a headache lingering.
“Maestro! Are you okay?” Saber’s arms caught her, helping her steady herself.
“I… I’m okay.” She felt nauseous, but at least she wasn’t dead. “We should report back to Rin-”
Hakuno barely managed to finish her sentence, before she fell back, losing consciousness.
.
.
.
.
.
That fire again.
For how long?
For how long must humans kill each other for petty reasons?
What satisfaction did they feel, from bringing hell into earth?
Beeping sounds interrupted the scene.
There were things attached to her arms.
The room was way too bright. It was way too white.
Why was she here anyway?
No one came to visit today either.
She just continued to lay there.
Perhaps someone will visit tomorrow.
It was lonely here.
.
.
.
.
Hakuno’s eyes flickered open.
“Rani, she’s waking up.”
Hakuno blinked a few times, until her vision came back. She was in the infirmary, with Rin sitting by her bed.
“Maestro!” Saber appeared by her side, taking her hand.
What happened?
“You should stay away from my master. She’s in this state because of you.” Saber glared daggers towards Rin.
“That’s fair, but I’m taking responsibility for her current state.” Rin crossed her arms. “And she’s fine isn’t she? Sakura made sure.”
Saber puffed her chest. “Well, since you are bravely taking responsibility, I shall forgive you.”
“We’re quite the sorry sight. The three of us, laying here in the infirmary, all because of this idiot over here.” Rin chuckled. Was she just bored, or did she enjoy tormenting her?
“Rin, if you’re feeling well enough to verbally abuse people, why don’t you go back to your roof?” Hakuno complained. She had the worst headache ever, she didn’t need to be in the same room as the red devil.
“I agree.” Rani complained from the other side. “Miss Tohsaka, you’re too loud and I can’t rest with you around. Why don’t you leave?”
“I agree. You demand too much attention. The only person getting attention should be me.” Saber sat on Sakura’s desk to feel superior.
“Uhm, can’t you all three leave?” The nurse whispered.
“Now, now. I know I almost got you killed but it’s behind us now. I did warn you about the pendant.” Rin flicked Hakuno’s forehead, completely unbothered by everyone wanting her gone.
“That.. that hurt-” Rin flicked it again. “THAT HURTS.”
“Hm, if you can respond so well, then we don’t have to worry about you anymore.” Rin casually slapped her palm on her forehead.
“I’m going to push you off.”
“Relax.” Rin’s hand then gently brushed her bangs away, and Hakuno felt a cool and soothing sensation on her forehead. “I’m going to apply some code casts to lessen the pain. Sakura is only programmed to give the necessary treatment."
Oh.
"Thank you." Hakuno smiled.
Rin was actually a nice person.
"So, how do you feel?"
"It's just a bad headache, but everything else is fine."
"Just a headache?"
Rani turned to them. While she had no intentions of talking to Hakuno after insulting her professor, this conversation was intriguing.
"I expected it to be much worse, but... This could mean..." Rin sighed. "Well, I might as well tell you this now, but it shouldn't have been possible for you to survive, at least not with just a headache. Your body should at least be in agonizing pain for a while." She avoided her gaze. "The only logical conclusion is that you don't have a body."
...What?
"What do you mean-" Hakuno got up so suddenly that a wave of dizziness washed over her. Rin gently pushed her down, keeping a firm grip on her.
"Miss Tohsaka, I don't think it's right to jump to that conclusion yet." Rani intervened. "It's possible that she has a body, but was disconnected from it."
"That's possible." Rin contemplated the possibility. “In that case, I’ll help you find your real body. I can do some digging.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?” Hakuno abruptly sat up again, making her dizziness even worse.
“Just lay down!” Rin scolded her. “I’ll help you, as long as you keep winning. I’m out of commission, so someone has to take down Leo for me.”
Take down Leo?
Oh, nevermind, that was impossible.
“It’s your responsibility towards me, alright?!” Rin put her finger on her head, grinding it in… Hard. “You took away my chance to fight, so now you have to carry my purpose with you, so you can’t die.”
Rani sighed from the other bed.
“I agree with Miss Tohsaka. While I am not happy with you insulting my professor, I’d like to see what you’ll achieve. That’s why I will lend you a hand.” Rani sat up, and placed a hand over her chest. “And… It appears we might have more in common than I thought.”
“Rani…” Hakuno was going to tear up. It was good to have allies. “I’m sorry about your professor. I was simply worried, but if you speak so highly of him, then he must be a kind person.”
Rani smiled briefly.
“My professor raised me as a human. Because I lack the ability to fully understand what it means to be one, I’ve decided that I will carry on my professor’s will.” Rani stared at them. “It is not that much different from you carrying mine and miss Tohsaka’s will into your future battle.”
Oh… That made sense.
To carry someone’s dream is to carry on their legacy when they’re unable to do it themselves.
It is ultimately a form of love.
“I understand.” Hakuno sighed in relief. With Saber, Rin, and Rani all by her side, she might be able to handle anything. “I’ll do my best.”
“Good.” Rin slapped her forehead again.
“Would you stop that?!”
“Could you girls now leave…?” Sakura’s protests died on deaf ears.
“As an emperor, any place I set foot in, belongs to me.” Saber indulged her.
“Can you all leave, except for Senpai?” Sakura was so close to breaking out of her programming. “Rani can stay too, she's a delight- Tohsaka senpai, can you not put your boots over the bed?!”
“She’s putting it over my bed unfortunately.” Hakuno hated it here.
“I think she likes you.” Rin whispered to Hakuno.
“Who?”
“Sakura.”
“...Nah. She’s just being nice.”
“Good point, I don’t see why anyone would be into you.”
“...I’m leaving.”
Everyone is so mean to me.
Hakuno managed to stand on her feet without falling, and Saber stood by her side.
When Hakuno sat her foot outside the infirmary, a feeling of dread overcame her.
Someone was watching them, ready to strike.
“Master.”
“I know.” Hakuno weighed her options. She could go back to the infirmary, but that meant putting her friends in danger.
Come to think of it, Hakuno never checked who her next opponent was.
They must be making their first move.
“Saber, let’s go to the arena.” She had to face them sooner or later.
It would be great if her body didn’t feel like it was falling apart.
The feeling of dread continued to grow with every step she took towards the arena.
And right as they stepped inside, a spear came straight for Hakuno’s heart, and would have pierced it, if not for Saber blocking it and pushing their attacker away.
The man landed on his feet, laughing like a maniac.
“How pitiful! Our enemy is nothing but a child.” The lancer's laugh was unsettling. It was a mix of anguish and amusement. “Just let me end your suffering!”
No, this guy wasn’t the most unsettling thing.
It was the woman standing behind him.
She wore a clown outfit, and stared gleefully at them.
“YoU LoOK so YuMMY.” She giggled. “I CAn’T WaIt to EAT You.”
Oh… OH FOR THE LOVE OF-
“Oh, as you wish, my wife! Let me strike fear into their hearts until they taste to your liking!”
Hakuno must have been a horrible person before this holy grail war because there was no way her luck was this bad.
They were corned, so they had no choice but to fight back.
Saber dashed towards the lancer, keeping him back with each of her blows. His lance was at a disadvantage against her sword, but he kept laughing, as if her efforts amused her.
Saber continued to strike fast, and he swung his weapon at her feet, making her jump and with an elegant twirl, she struck him down.
The lancer pushed her way, and grinned.
He grabbed his lance with both hands, and struck it through his chest.
Hakuno and Saber froze, until they felt a surge of power fill the arena.
He didn’t kill himself.
He was activating a skill .
It was then that Saber suddenly fell to one knee. It was as if…the pain he inflicted on himself, affected Saber as well.
“Saber!” Hakuno quickly used a code cast to heal her, but in that moment of distraction, her enemy threw his spear at her.
She saw Saber reaching towards her, and then, the arena was filled with red light, before everything beneath her feet crumbled.
That wasn’t the usual Mooncell interruption.
Hakuno was the only one removed from the arena. Her entire body was glitching. She could see lines all over her body, as if it was literally breaking like glass.
And then, she blacked out.
For the longest time, it felt like she was falling. There was no more pain, only a cold feeling lingered.
Then, her eyes opened.
She was in an unfamiliar room.
She pushed herself up, her body feeling heavy.
“Who are you? Where is Shirou?”
Hakuno turned to the source of the voice, and felt the sharp tip of a sword against her throat.
…There was no sword in sight.
Her eyes widened as she looked up to see a familiar face staring down at her, holding something invisible. There was a wave of cold air.
…Saber?
No, that wasn’t her Saber.
This woman was dressed in blue,and covered herself in armor. Her eyes were cold, holding none of the red Saber’s passion.
This was a different person.
And then, Hakuno’s left hand ached, and the woman stared down at it.
Saber’s body temporarily glowed in response to the command seals, and she lowered her sword, if only a little.
“You… Could it be that you’re my master?”