Tohsaka Mansion: A Post-Battle Rendezvous

Caster rushed Berserker inside the mansion and slumped against the door closed behind him, exhausted. He hadn't even the time to drink a healing draught until now, which he swallowed gratefully. The present was no time to feel so numb, and he tried to shake the feeling away as quickly as possible.

Yui sat in the kitchen sipping on tea while she watched Berserker relax in the back yard. She was thankful that they sat on top a leyline; the mana necessary to retain Berserker would have been quite a strain otherwise.

[[Mana regen after two hours, and assuming healing for minor wounds]]

Berserker
HP: 400/400
MP: 200/200

Caster
HP: 100/100
MP: 500/500

Yui offered her own fake smile. "Yeah. That was..." she paused, having difficulty finding the words. "Well, it was noble. Too bad there's just no room for that in the War. I guess it turned out alright for us in the end."

It was difficult to get out the words. The more she talked, the tighter the knot in her stomach became.

"I'm fine--" she started to say.  Halfway through the second word, bile rose suddenly in her throat.  She bent over, slapping one hand over her mouth.  Her face became pale, and sweat beaded on her brow.  Why was this happening?

In truth, she knew why.  She couldn't stop seeing Fuyumi's face as she plunged down into the chasm.  An expression of pure horror and panic.  She probably didn't even have the time to realize she was going to die.  A naive and innocent soul snuffed out of existence in a split second.

No, she couldn't be feeling like this now.  She was a Master.  Her father had prepared her for this moment.  She knew the costs of the War, the risks she was prepared to take.  There was no room for compassion or mercy.  Only one hand could touch the Grail.

She hunched over in her chair and avoided Lazarus' gaze, but her shame showed plainly on her face.  "I'm sorry.  I regret that you are seeing me like this."  She paused.  "I've... never seen a person die before."

Caster's hands moved automatically, guided by thought and memory. The seltzer bubbled in the glass, muddled ginger and mint swirling around the bottom. He placed the glass along with a damp cloth in front of Yui.

He turned to watch Berserker through the window, then passed through the door to join her outside.

Berserker was playing with Lazarus' returned familiar, playing fetch with a tennis ball. When Caster entered she greeted him with a warm smile.

"Thank you," Yui replied, drinking the seltzer. Already she was feeling better, at least having said something. "I know this is unbecoming of a Master. But I won't let it keep me from my goal. I would like to help people. But it will all be for nothing if I get myself killed."

She took another gulp of the seltzer. "I am curious, now that you mention it. And, of course, I will understand if you'd rather not answer. What is your wish for the Grail?"

Caster smiled back, easier than he would've thought. He sat next to Berserker on the grass and watched the dogs run and mingle around her, as happy with her as she was with them.

"You did well today. You showed your strengths, and I have full confidence in them. I'm proud of you."

Yui couldn't help but chuckle. "I didn't expect a wish for immortality to sound so... selfless. That's a very noble purpose, though. As for my own wish, I'm afraid it's going to sound boring compared to yours. The Tohsaka family has always been on a quest for knowledge. The Grail can offer probably the closest thing to true enlightenment that exists in this world. That's what can happen if I reach the Grail--gaining a universe worth of human knowledge. With that, our family may even be able to reach beyond the capabilities of modern magi."

Berserker smiled bashfully. "Mmh!" she grunted, the closest she could manage to giving thanks.

Caster sighed quietly with relief; Berserker seemed to be all right. Fortunate, at least one of them was. There was so much he wanted to say, but would be best saved for another time.

Now, he needed to face Lazarus and Yui's... concerns. He went inside and bowed as always, one arm in front of him, one behind. "I apologize for the sudden departure. I was concerned about how the battle may have effected Berserker, but she seems to be recovering very well. She fought bravely and I commend her actions."

"Thanks, I would like that."  Her smile this time was genuine.  Lazarus seemed like a good person.  She hoped that whatever came to pass in the War, they could somehow still be friends.

Then Caster came in.  "Thank you.  I was worried for a moment, but it looks like she can certainly hold her own in battle.  She is a Berserker, after all."

She had more to say about her Servant, but hesitated.  She knew there was unresolved tension between Lazarus and Caster, and sat awkwardly silent, waiting for Lazarus to say something.

His tone was quiet, yet sincere. "I was thinking there was a dangerously unprepared young woman in a precarious place with her colleague. If they could get away, there would be fewer possible casualties at once, and Rider would not have been provoked into attack."

"A fight that divides our attention becomes a fight of unity between however many parties we are up against, and we cannot afford for that to happen. I regret what transpired, but not my intentions."

"I... I understand." Caster sat and bowed his head, pensive. "I see. I will not compromise our position again."

"Oh! Of course," Yui replied, offering him the pot.

At that moment, Berserker entered the kitchen as well, peering over curiously.

"Would you like some as well?" her Master offered. Berserker came over and sniffed curiously, before smiling and taking a seat. Yui poured her a cup as well.

Lazarus drank the tea gratefully. It was immensely relaxing, but as his muscles relaxed, he realized how tired and somewhat sore they were. Casting spells that opened the earth didn't only leech one's mana. He stood with his cup. "I think I must bid you goodnight, Miss Yui." he said softly. "My energy for the day has finally run out." He nodded at Yui and Berserker before ascending to his room on one of the upper floors. He didn't spend long there before heading for the bathroom, tea still in hand. He was going to have a nice long soak and read while sipping his tea.

"Good night, Lazarus," Yui bid him. She noticed how tired she was as well.

After he left, she made her way to a separate bathroom. She needed a nice long shower before bed. While she stood under the showerhead, Berserker waited outside, leaning pensively against the door.

Yui was swathed in darkness. Her heart pounded. What was happening? She was running. Yes, she was running. She was chasing someone. But who was it?

She'd been chasing him for what felt like years. He had left her in pieces, but still she had still lived. She was able to put herself back together. Now she had almost found him. She felt a burning hatred for him, even as she felt an intense admiration for him. He was her father. Her father who denied her.

Surrounded by mountains, capped with snow. Switzerland, that's where she was. That's where she finally found him. She backed him into a corner, demanded that he listen to her plea. The look on his face was one of utter contempt and disgust, but he had no choice but to listen.

"I never wanted to trouble you..." she started, her voice weak. "But when you created me, you made me as only me. I am all alone, and it's painful... it's agonizing... it hurts." She felt tears rolling down her cheeks. "So, please, just one more. Please, create one more of me. If anyone can, it is you. Please... give me a mate."

She didn't think his look of hatred could become any stronger. Even as he was afraid of her strength, he looked ready to strike her down.

"Create another?" he sneered. "I have already given birth to a monster! A disgusting, hideous creature! And you want me to create another of you?! Unthinkable!"

She fell to her knees, begging him, pleading with him. She begged for an end to her infinite loneliness. But still he denied her.

"Go away, you retched pile of filth!" he screamed in her face. "I will not pervert this world with another monster! Go away! Go away, and die!"

And so she did. The last thing Yui could see was flames rising around her. They consumed her, body and soul. As the warmth gave way to unimaginable pain, she heard one last voice. The voice of her father.

"So long as it exists, she will never perish."

-----------------------------

Yui sat bolt upright as she awoke. For a moment, she didn't know where she was. This wasn't Switzerland, or Italy. Where was she? What happened to--?

Her panicked breathing slowed as she remembered who she was. Yui Tohsaka. Daughter of the Tohsaka family of magi. Born and raised in Fuyuki, Japan. She was a Master in the Holy Grail War. Master of Berserker.

Berserker... Her Servant lay in the bed next to her, snoozing quietly, her hammer still firmly in hand. She looked so peaceful now. Her dreams must be much better than Yui's.

She could still feel fresh tears on her face. Her pillow and bedsheet were damp from crying. She could still feel the sadness deep down inside her. The crushing loneliness.

She rose from her bed slowly and made her way out into the hall. It was dark and quiet, only the gentle tock of the grandfather clock in the corner echoing down the hall. She flicked on the bathroom light and filled a glass of water from the tap. After swallowing three large gulps, she stared into the mirror. She had dark circles under her eyes.

Yui had made a guess at Berserker's identity during the battle that day, and the dream had erased whatever doubt she had had. Her story was so sad. But reading the book was nothing like actually living it.

She leaned over the sink and heaved a sigh. Berserker's life reminded her much of her own. The Grail had chosen well.