Can't catch a break

[vermicompost]

This isn't fair. You said we could go somewhere nice, somewhere things could be better. Like one of those places where I could have a family...

[He trails off for a moment, temporarily lost in thought. Now, that sounds more like something he'd enjoy.]

I know it wouldn't be the same as a real family. But it has to be better than that tower! It sounds awful. I won't even have Berserker there. What am I supposed to do?

I only--I want to finish what I started, that's all.

Comments

[angramaintsu]

So you're coming to this rotten place too.

[ A frown. ] Why? You died, so I shouldn't have to see you again.

[ It's possible to be this mean and be tsundere all at the same time. ]

[vermicompost]

I don't want to go there. It's not my choice--

[Wait. The fullness of what she said takes a moment to sink in.]

See me again? I died?

[Of course, he knows he's going to die, but he hasn't yet. She's so familiar, yet so strange... It can't be.]

[angramaintsu]

Yes, you died.

[ Her bitterness comes not with his failure, but with her own. Why did he have to get involved even after she left? ]

Can't you tell?

[vermicompost]

Yes, I'm going to die. [He can't deny it.] But the war isn't over. I have to win, first.

[He can still believe that he can win. Believing it is all he has.]

Who are you?

[He's afraid of the answer he's fairly sure he already knows. But could it be a trick? A delusion?]

[angramaintsu]

[ If it was anyone else she would shoot down his hopes with a line of logic or two, Rin having little faith in miracles. This was her uncle and the only family she could have if she sought it out. ]

With Second Magic at hand, you just might. I have been told stories--[ Some she wishes she could have never been told. ]--about parallel versions of the Holy Grail War. Maybe you do come out a victor in yours.

You failed in mine however.

[vermicompost]

Alternate versions.

[It takes him another few moments. His thoughts aren't the clearest. So she's from an alternate time? He does know something about such things.]

Rin? It's you?

[Even though she's older, he can't deny the familiarity any longer. What happened to her? There's hope, and also worry in his voice.]

No! I won't fail. I'm going to win. [He can't allow any other possibility, not when the consequences are so grave. If he stops believing, then he really won't win.] I won't let you down.

[theconqueringworm]

Humph. Even as a ghost, it seems all you can do is whine, Karyia.

[vermicompost]

[Ugh, why?]

I'm not a ghost! I'm still alive.

[This is just adding insult to injury.]

I just don't think it's a good idea to go there, that's all. I have more important things to do.

[eighteen_winters]

I'm going to that wretched place as well, though I imagine I'm luckier then you in that my Onii-chan will be there to.

[vermicompost]

You, too? [And she looks so young. Surely that's no place for children. Kariya hates the thought.]

I'm sorry you have to go, but at least you won't be alone. That's nice. I'm sure your Onii-chan will look out for you.

Rin will be there, I know her, but she's different...

[eighteen_winters]

Oh, Rin Tohsaka? What's different about her?

[vermicompost]

Yes. I'm her Uncle Kariya.

I'm not sure. But she looks different. She said that something happened to her that wasn't like what I remember.

[scorchedchivalry]

I suggest, should you find your way into the Tower and you cross paths with me, that you beg for your life. I may take pity upon you.

[vermicompost]

[The Tower just gets better and better, doesn't it?

Saber looks--different.] You?

I don't want to fight you. [Not that he could, on his own.] We aren't fighting the war there, are we?

[scorchedchivalry]

The War within the Tower has yet to begin.

[Because Saber is convinced one will. Since she's there and she only exists if the Grail is there, not actually being part of the Throne of Heroes and all.]

And I have yet to forgive you.

[vermicompost]

I see. I didn't realize. But I don't want to fight you unless I have to.

[That's not good. He's not so optimistic about his chances in a war without a Servant... But he'd try, as usual.]

Forgive me for what?

[scorchedchivalry]

Irisviel.

Poor Kariya. Your life is pain.

[enuma_elish]

Hmph. I thought I smelled something foul. And just what hole did you crawl out of, worm?

Yes, yes it is.

[vermicompost]

You.

[It's too bad Berserker isn't here...]

I'm not a worm, and I'm going to win the war.

[neverspring]

Hmm...?~ Berserker, you say.

[ Just forgive Sakura, Ojisan. Her mind collapsed into Angra Mainyu. ]

[vermicompost]

Yes, Berserker, my Servant--

[He breaks off.]

Sakura? Is that you? What happened?

1/2

[neverspring]

...

[Sakura... Sakura... Is that her name.]

[neverspring]

Ah... yes, that's my name.

[A drawl.]

All Servants will be destroyed by Saber. I'll make a sole exception for Rider. She's mine too after all.

[vermicompost]

Sakura? What's wrong? This isn't like you.

[She looks like Sakura, even though she's older, and she says she's Sakura.]

You're not in the War... It's me, your Uncle Kariya.

[neverspring]

[Who? Is this the person who she was waiting for... She forgot the name and the face in the red light.]

I'm about to be complete. What is a war without a Grail?