Type-Moon Earth
Fuyuki City, Japan
A pitch-black night blanketed the land, and the thick clouds obscured the moonlight.
In a gloomy European-style mansion, dim light shone through the windows, casting mottled shadows.
A short, terrifying-looking old man leaned on a cane and shuffled along ahead.
Close behind him followed a pale-faced girl, her eyes full of fear.
"G-Grandfather, where are you taking me?" The girl's voice trembled uncontrollably, and she could barely get the words out.
"Oh, it's just where you'll train from now on. Look, we're here." The old man smiled and pointed his cane toward a warehouse ahead.
"Is this the place? There's nothing here."
The girl looked where the old man was pointing. The warehouse looked gloomy and terrifying, but she felt a little relieved. At least it wasn't as frightening as she had imagined.
The old man nodded. "Go inside."
She followed his instructions and slowly made her way down to the middle of the warehouse. Her heart pounded like a drum, her palms grew sweaty, and the darkness all around her seemed ready to swallow her whole.
"Now, here you are." The old man's voice echoed through the warehouse, carrying a bone-chilling coldness.
Suddenly, countless insects crawled out from the corners of the warehouse, swarming toward the girl.
"AAAAAAAH!!!!"
The girl let out a bloodcurdling scream that echoed through the warehouse, sounding all the more shrill.
"Don't get worked up. We have plenty of time. After all, we need to change your affinity to water, the element the Matou House specializes in."
The old man spoke coldly, watching the scene unfold without a trace of compassion.
The girl stumbled backward in despair. Her legs had stopped obeying her, and fear left her unable to make another sound.
What is this? Why is this happening to me?
Dad, Mom, save me! Sister, help me!!
Anyone, please, I'm begging you, save me!!
The insects crept closer, and the girl's heart sank deeper into despair.
Helpless, she wondered why she had been sent to the Matou House, why she had to go through these nightmarish things.
She prayed in her heart for someone to come save her, but all that answered her were endless darkness and fear.
Just as she was about to succumb to despair, a red Command Seal suddenly appeared on her hand. It glowed faintly and activated the ritual to summon a Servant.
As a flash of light passed, a boy appeared in front of the girl.
"Servant Berserker, answering your summons. Are you my Master?"
In the pitch-black warehouse, the boy glowed as he held out his hand to her.
Black hair, a red coat, a handsome face, and a Forehead Protector on his head. His eyes glowed crimson, yet somehow made her feel safe.
That moment was branded deep in her heart, something she would never forget.
"Yes, please save me." The girl shouted the words with all her strength. Tears glimmered in her eyes as she tightly grasped the boy's hand.
"I'll fight for you, my lady." Uchiha Iori picked up the girl, and a skeletal arm appeared beside him.
The arm swung in a sweeping arc, crushing the insects around them in an instant.
"So it's a Servant? I never expected you to become a Master, Sakura. Then come back, Sakura, and obtain the Holy Grail for the Matou House," the old man said unhurriedly.
"No! I don't want to stay here." Matou Sakura's voice was fierce. She had only been adopted into the Matou House that morning.
After everything that had happened, all she wanted was to return to her family.
"Heh. Then I'll come for you after the war is over," the old man said with a cold laugh, preparing to split into a swarm of insects and escape.
"No. It's already over, Matou Zouken." Iori spoke calmly. At some point, his eyes had taken on the shape of six-pointed stars.
"What!" Matou Zouken came to his senses and realized he was still standing in place. Nothing had happened.
"How do you know my name? Have we met before? No, that wasn't my name in the past."
"Wait, what was my name before?" Matou Zouken's emotions began to spiral out of control as the power of the Sharingan dug relentlessly into his innermost thoughts.
"Makiri Zolgen. Die with your ideals, now twisted beyond recognition." Iori watched him calmly, the six-pointed stars spinning wildly as he pushed the Mangekyō Sharingan's ocular power to its limits.
"Remember your ideals from the past, then die."
"I see. So that's how it is." Under the Sharingan's interrogation, Matou Zouken remembered everything from his past.
A complex expression surfaced on his face. He seemed to be struggling, yet at the same time, finding release.
To realize his noble ideal of eradicating all evil in the world, he had pursued immortality, hoping that an infinite amount of time would allow him to fulfill his great ambition.
But time was a merciless blade, eroding his memories and reason. He gradually forgot his original ideal, leaving behind only the obsession to cling to life.
"Time really is frightening. So many heroes and great men eventually reveal their ugliness under its ravages. The Hero of Justice, the virtuous minister, the valiant general, the wise emperor—all the same."
Iori spoke with some emotion as he looked upon Matou Zouken's past: the noble aspirations he once held and his ugly state now.
Iori reminded himself not to forget his original purpose, and not to become so ugly himself.
He turned to Sakura, his gaze softening and his voice gentle. "Master, what would you like to do now?"
"I want to go home. I want to go back to Mom." Sakura spoke timidly, clutching Iori's clothes. Tears shimmered on her cheeks but did not fall.
Iori gently brushed away her tears. "Where does your mother live? I'll take you to her."
Though he knew what awaited them, Iori didn't want to be the one to shatter a child's hopes. That, too, was a kindness of his.
Holding Sakura close, Iori followed the address she gave him and searched for the place.
They left Fuyuki City and arrived at the Zenjo Residence in another town.
Iori set Sakura down and crouched to speak to her. "Go on, Master. I'll protect you from outside."
Sakura didn't move. Instead, she tugged at his sleeve and asked through her tears, "Can't you come with me?"
Iori answered gently, "It's better if I don't show up. Just say that the Matou House was attacked by an unknown mage, the head of the family was killed, and their magecraft was wiped out—and that he didn't hurt you."
He gave her a slight nudge. Sakura walked forward, turning back to look at him with every step. Iori simply stood there, watching her with a smile.
After she could no longer see Iori, Matou Sakura gathered her courage and knocked on the door of the Zenjo Residence.
"Mom, I'm home!" Matou Sakura shouted.
"Sakura? What are you doing here?" Tohsaka Aoi was startled. She hurried over and opened the door.
"Sakura!" Tohsaka Rin rushed over and hugged Sakura. Though the sisters had only just parted, she had thought she would never see Sakura again.
"Sister." Matou Sakura clung to Tohsaka Rin and burst into tears. What she had been through these past few days was simply too terrifying for a child.
"Sakura, why did you come here?" Tohsaka Aoi asked softly. According to their agreement, they weren't supposed to have any further contact.
Matou Sakura repeated what Iori had told her. Tohsaka Aoi showed no sign of suspicion and simply told her to sleep in the guest room for now.
Then she immediately contacted Tohsaka Tokiomi and told him everything.
"I see. I'll look into it. Let Sakura stay with you for now," Tohsaka Tokiomi replied.
After ending the call, Tohsaka Tokiomi rubbed his forehead. "At a time like this, Elder Matou has been killed. Was it a Heroic Spirit?"
"Tokiomi, what's happened? Tell me. I happen to be interested." The speaker was a man in golden armor. He sat on the sofa, swirling his red wine and taking slow sips.