Chapter 101: Alliance

Chapter 101: Alliance

~Third POV~

[Fuyuki City, Ryuudou Temple]

*Shiii*

Reappearing inside the Ryuudou Temple's secluded rooms with Medea activating her [Bounded Field] she spoke getting Kariya's attention, "Where back home inside one of the secluded rooms of the Ryuudou Temple. You have no worries about those Crest Worms listening or causing pain. Your Berserker was also transferred here so best behave yourselves."

Kariya looked genuinely surprised as he had control over his body. Touching his skin flinching expecting the pain only to widen his eyes slowly feeling that his Crest Worms weren't reacting genuinely surprised, "I feel… better?"

Upon entering inside the Ryuudou Temple where Caster placed her Workshop Kariya felt lighter and healthier within. It was as if the year of 'training' he had gone through was undone as the Crest Worms inside his body had stopped devouring his magical energy breathing clearly with no pain.

A moment of relief washed over his body as Mash asked returning his attention as Medea cast an extra [Bounded Field] to keep the conversation private reassuring Kariya, "So, what can I do for you on this fine night?"

Kariya having a moment of relief returned to the situation genuinely surprised to see how young Mash was before asking in a calm tone, "… Do you know of the name of Zouken Matou?"

Mash curtly nodded his head understanding the situation with a saddened expression towards Kariya as he said, "Zouken? Ah, the Matou family head or rather the undead vampire, or is it Dead Apostle?"

Kariya looked surprised at Mash's knowledge. Mash leaned back as he began to pitch his offer assisting Kariya, "I am someone hoping to ally with you to help the little girl under your father's tender mercies. I know who you are saving. Sakura Tohsaka the second daughter of the deceased Tokiomi giving her away to a monster like Zouken."

Mash scowled at the man's idea after gaining his memories of Magecraft bitterly responding in a cold tone, "That man had it coming to him. My only regret is I didn't do it myself."

Kariya looked a bit surprised by Mash's response before he regained his emotion. Kariya explained the reasoning for joining the war as Medea listened intently, "Sakura's the reason I wanted the Grail. I would win it for Zouken, and he would set her free."

However, Medea responded curtly in a neutral tone, "You're being lied to."

Kariya looked flabbergasted as he said, "What?"

Mash eyed Medea as she explained having her arms crossed eyeing Kariya's Crest Worms with a frown forming on her face, "Judging by your condition and your general opinion of him, I suspect Zouken might just be being cruel to you for sport. I trust your Magic Circuits were awakened by those… Crest Worms, right?"

Kariya slowly nodded his head as Medea scowled viewing the Crest Worms in clear disdain for the Dead Apostle's handy work, "How disgusting. There are multiple ways to improve the Magic Circuit, but this? This is simply an act of cruelty. Just as cruel as having the thought of goading someone like you to fight for him with Berserker of all Servants, making you suffer from the consumption, before culminating in your ultimate loss and death, which I suppose is not far away, by your condition."

Kariya remained silent as Mash flinched as he apologized on Medea's behalf rubbing the back of his head, "I'm sorry about what Medea said."

Kariya merely shook his head answering with a light smile on his face not wanting the apology speaking his mind, "… No, it's fine. Thanks for telling me but I don't care what happens as long as Sakura gets to be happy. I know I don't have much to offer, but I'm begging you, please help me save Sakura!"

Bowing his head showing how desperate he was Mash placed his hand over his shoulder nodding in understanding, "No need to bow. I may not be a hero, but my heart isn't made of stone. But if you want a realistic answer, I benefit from your father dying."

Kariya had his head standing up with a defeated smile on his face shaking his head the likelihood of defeating his father, "Ha, as much as I hate that old vampire, he is not someone that can be killed that easily."

Medea merely smirked seeing that as a challenge to killing a Dead Apostle Vampire laughing at the idea, "Fufufu... that sounds like a challenge to me. I'm more than enough not only to end that vampire and heal the girl at least physically. However, you know the issues of this correct Master?"

Mash nodded his head crossing his arms and leaning to the back of his chair frowning at the idea wasn't as simple as it looked in a dissatisfied tone, "Yeah. The headache comes after she can't return to the Tohsaka family. With Tokiomi gone it would be easy, but I don't know about the mother. She accepted the life of the Magus. She had to be somewhat aware, and I wouldn't know if she would accept Sakura back honoring her husband's last view being a good thing."

Seeing the concern in his voice made Kariya's eyes widen open considering the idea frowning clenching his fist and muttering, "… No. Aoi must. That bastard has been implanting those things on her from a year ago ever since she was 5 years old. Every day, those things, they… they violate her! A-And she's so broken that she just goes along with it! He claims he's educating her, but that's just torture!"

Dead silence filled the room. Kariya looks up and is shocked to see the very darkness in the room spouted eyes all anger and malice in them representing Mash's emotions perfectly clear.

Inhaling some air the darkness calmed down but the eyes in Mash remained one of pure rage and malice answered in a calm tone, "… is that right? Count me in."

Kariya was surprised to see a stranger much less an enemy assisting him as Medea remained neutral, "R-Really?!"

Mash nodded as he leaned back to the wall voicing his agreement to assisting saving Sakura, "Yeah you got our support. I'm assuming that Zouken has a tight hold on Sakura, so it's best to extract her safely before dealing with him. A distraction."

Kariya soon opened his mouth with both eyes raised at him speaking, "Wait… I can take care of that. But Zouken… he won't die so easily."

Medea soon smirks as she gestures towards both with a proud tone lowering one of her arms as she does a light bow, "Perhaps, but he no match against a Magus from the Age of Gods. Nor my Master a Divine Spirit garbed in the flesh of a mortal with 9 Authorities at his command."

Kariya's eyes widen at their claims recalling the fight with Archer before that their conversation feeling more secure now then asks, "Why do you want the Grail?"

At this Mash laughed re-explaining his intention for the Holy Grail with a grin on his face hearing the question as a joke, "Hahaha! Sorry, but I have no intention of using it since it's corrupted. I'm practically cleaning it up since I won't have any use for it till the next War which is probably 10 years if not used."

Kariya sighed at Mash's carefree attitude despite the prior intent he briefly smiled lightly gaining an ally, "Sigh… young people should really be more concerned for their future in life than be tangled up in this messed up war. Even if you had not approached me, I would've dealt with Tokiomi regardless, I will accept your help for Sakura's sake."

Both nodded as Mash spoke of their next course of actions in a serious tone clasping his hands together, "Very well then. Will attack Zouken tomorrow night as I need to make sure Medea preparations are in place to ensure he dies. No matter what."

Kariya soon spoke earning Mash and Medea's attention exhaling on what if the plans failed in a serious tone, "Do you promise to protect Sakura in case things do not work out for some reason?"

At this, Mash raised an eyebrow before turning his back to leave preparing their plan as he responded leaving through the door, "No. But that's why you must live if she has nowhere to go. Take this time to fully rest up I'll begin setting up the Homunculi Program so that you are connected having them give you Mana to keep Berserker form up."

*Thud*

Closing the door Kariya sighed as fate was staked against him slowly but surely changing into a more favorable future ahead. Turning his attention to Medea he asked in a curious tone about Mash's intentions, "I know I won't get much but… is the young man even a Magus? He seems too… human to be one. I don't know why he has chosen me to assist him as an ally."

Medea flashed a light smile responding to him as she left using spatial magecraft to teleport away beginning her objective, "It's rather a simple reason for him. He knows a lot of things having his problem yet has enough time to help others. He assisted you because he has a little sister and family to look for. Knowing your history and your pleads was enough for him to act even if you have failed someone would've done your job for you."

*Shiii*

Vanishing away in purple light teleporting away Kariya sighed flopping down and speaking to Berserker in their mental link in a curious tone, 'Berserker… I know I'm dragging you into my own business but… please lend me your strength to save Sakura…'

Kariya was half expecting Berserker to growl but to his surprise, he replied, 'What's the plan…'

Seeing Berserker being cooperative was a surprise, but this made Kariya smile explaining his plan and finally having a good night's rest after 1 year of constant pain of the worms earning the time to regain his strength.

He looked at himself as he thought how things would've gone if he had battled through every Servant in his state, 'I go through a single battle… and look at the state of me. If the fight had drawn on any longer it would've been the end of me. But I cannot die yet… not till I save Sakura.'

Soon the thoughts of what Mash said about Aoi not claiming her daughter filled doubts in his mind recalling 1 year ago before the war talking to Aoi gritting his teeth and muttering to himself in disappointment, "I'm pathetic… if only I said something 8 years ago Aoi she wouldn't have to suffer from this fate. Even if Aoi doesn't accept Sakura back… her uncle will be on her side always. Dying isn't an option."

Kariya closed his eyes after making his promise to form an alliance finally taking the time to fully rest up conserving all the energy he could to prepare for tomorrow night with one final thought before going to sleep, 'By the end of tomorrow night Sakura you will be free no matter what the cause.'