On getting Avalon back

[knight_king]

Hm. You are misunderstanding me, I do not object that the sheath was returned to me, because I am its rightful owner. [Why not Excalibur or the Grail? Of all things requested by her mundane.] I am bothered by being forced into a bargain against my consent and how easily you rushed into things. That was rash of you.

[A pause, just to continue scolding.]

I certainly hope something will come out of this and you are not just satisfied with the [discomfort that she still experiences and the repercussions for the future] that payment week. When will you cease to make me do trivial things and learn be more cautious in the outcomes you plan?

Comments

[knight_king]

[It's painful to face things she wants to avoid. It's painful to know he's right, but she can't argue with her Master's sound reasoning, however she knows her path has been right, because she protected her ideals.

If she accepted she's something else aside of that, won't that take away the peace she has gained?]

I did not enjoy meals until I tried your cooking, Shirou. Understand that this topic is futile. There is nothing you can do anymore.

1/2

[onlypath]

[he didn't want to see her in pain- even if she found peace with herself, being forced to face this other side of herself... didn't it provoke further thought? even if it meant questioning her ideals and her ways as King, wasn't it similar to how Shirou was forced to face reasoning to his own ideals? the two of them pursued it despite those conflicting feelings to the end because the end result was so beautiful to look forward to. he understood that, and while they all carried on, losing Saber still wasn't easy for him. it wasn't easy for Rin either.

hearing her say it so simply was enough to have his breath catch in his throat. it was futile. there was nothing that could be done. that was the whole point as to why she wanted this conversation to stop, wasn't it? even here, outside of amatomnes where they were free to converse more without the restraints of that world... this was their path, it was already decided for them until they were drawn into another game]

...that's right. It's all over now. I couldn't save you, but...you were still okay, weren't you? [it wasn't a question that needed answering, nor was it any recollection of his guilt either]

2/2

[onlypath]

[it was futile, but...]

Why don't you take the time do enjoy some of the things you want more? [alone that question would have proven fruitless, but it wasn't until Shirou reluctantly added the more somber yet equally truthful note to the end that he could feel the weight of it in kind] While you still can.

1/2

[knight_king]

[She feels ashamed those words might hurt her Master, but she has spoken them to seal the topic and leave it behind, so it will no longer haunt her with regrets. She does not need more regrets when she has felt her soul liberated from those chains a little. They weight too much and she knows there is nothing she should wish to change what she has chosen. She has already left him and Rin behind. She cannot take back her choice.

She will not regret it. The path they will walk together surely will be bright.

She shakes her head.]

No, that is wrong, Master. [She protests firmly against his mistake.] Archer and you already saved me. He probably knew it since the beginning. That's why-

[That's why he said what he said and why he asked her to stay and witness their fight. He knew the outcome in a way, he needed her to witness it too. Their wish had been very similar.]

[knight_king]

Because I am the King.

[She denies it again. It's easier to reaffirm this here than in the island where she's collared and human.]

Because to choose to live as king it meant you cease to be a person. Shirou, you saw that too, in his memories of his past. [Archer's. To be an ally of justice as he became, it certainly meant to leave his humanity behind too and become machine like.] That is the path of those who choose to defend their ideals. Make no mistake, Master, I do not regret my choice.

[onlypath]

Sa...ber...

[it was a strange combination. though his resolve didn't waver, he had faced the hypocrisy in his ideals and pursued them anyways. her way as a King, though he still believed it was the wrong way...wasn't wrong in her eyes. and she saw it through to the end. if she was truly happy, without regrets...]

...

[the way he said her name wasn't even out of anger of such a ridiculous statement either. it made him look inside himself and see what was to come. Shirou vowed that he would become a superhero who saved everyone. he wouldn't become like him, but like the dream that they shared. it was their choice, and it was filled without any regrets. but...]

I'm sorry, Saber. I don't like what you're saying. Even if I can't accept it...

[this was the big one here. and probably something that Saber had been waiting for Shirou to say for a while]

You're not wrong. [or rather, she didn't believe she was wrong. just as he didn't believe he was wrong either]

[knight_king]

[She can speak of this with him because she knows that he's the only one who can understand her. She has not been sincere with him in the war, she concealed her identity and her wish. She shakes her head and looks at him firmly.]

I know. Archer knew I had to see that battle, he knew...

[She pauses but she continues to be unyielding when she finds her words to admit this. How wrong and lost she has been, and how she has wished for the ruin of her kingship, thinking that will bring salvation.] My wish and how similar it was to his. That is why, Shirou, this is enough for Archer and for me.

You and Rin must continue the path you have decided to walk on. We have made peace with ours.