A Twist of Fate (Fate Zero & Fate Stay/Night:UBW)

Chapter 8: More Than Allies

Diarmuid was currently looking after Avantina. She had pushed her limits far too much in the fight. Looking at her sleeping face, he recalled the scene that unfolded before him.

Diarmuid and Rider had created an entry for Avantina to strike Caster. She charged forward, ready to deal the actual final blow.

"Fool! No man can kill me!" shouted Caster.

Avantina cut down the tentacles that lurched for her and thrust the flaming sword through his head.

If you want to make sure he's dead this time, go for the brain. thought Avantina, pushing her sword out the back of his skull.

The fire permeated from the blade to his body. She pulled out the katana and allowed the flames to do the rest. As his corpse burned to ash she said.

"I am no man."

Her knees buckled and Diarmuid caught her before she fell.

"You did well, master. Rest now, we'll take care of everything else."
"Clean my swords for me, will ya?" she laughed before drifting off to sleep.

Waver spoke with urgency in his voice.
"She's weakening, we must hurry."

Before leaving the lair, Rider hauled Ryuunosuke into his chariot while Waver cast a stronger fire spell, burning the eviscerated corpses and destroying the atrocities Caster had executed there. Upon reaching Waver's residence, Avantina was taken into his room for restoration.

An hour later, her vitals stabilized and Waver had instructed Diarmuid to watch over her while she recuperated. The Lancer class servant was seated on a chair at his master's bedside, pondering the situation they had just encountered.

I have never seen that fire in someone's eyes before. My master is truly something.

Diarmuid smiled to himself, then his brows knotted in anger.

This was my fault, I should never have allowed her to leave on her own.

The servant was furious with his actions. He had placed Avantina's emotional needs over her safety and it cost them dearly. Clenching his fists, he promised never to repeat that mistake. The doorknob twisted and in came Waver along with Rider.

"How is she?" asked the teenage boy.
"Better, she seems to be resting well."
"She's a brave fighter, this one." grinned Rider.

Diarmuid glanced at Avantina, a small smile in his eyes.

I agree.

Then he redirected his attention to Waver.

"That boy you brought along, where is he now?"
"Rider and I just got back from the police station. They found his identification card on him and conducted a search on his apartment, which contained sufficient evidence to prove him liable for most, if not all of the missing children cases reported recently. They're holding him in custody now."
"Custody?" said Diarmuid, quirking an eyebrow.
"Prison."

The three gentlemen heard groaning behind them and saw that Avantina had woken from her sleep.

"My apologies, master. Did we wake you?"
"No, it's alright, Lancer. I owe you all an explanation anyway."

Rider grabbed two additional chairs for Waver and himself.

"First and foremost, thank you, both of you, for arriving in the nick of time and saving us. I'm Avantina Turen." said the girl, extending her hand.
"Waver Velvet, a pleasure. And this is my servant, Rider." replied the boy, giving a firm handshake.
"Now, what would you like to know first?"
"Why wasn't your servant with you when you were out and about?"
"I personally instructed Lancer to stay behind and take care of my home because I needed time to myself. I had just lost someone incredibly dear to me."
"I see. Do you know the reason for your capture?"

Avantina nodded, her mind flashing back to the ordeal she endured in Caster's hideout.

"Why did you experiment with Lady Olivier?!" shouted Avantina, strapped to a chair.
"It was pure coincidence that we stumbled upon her. We were roaming Fuyuki, searching for stronger sources of spiritual energy." answered Caster.

Fuyuki. So she was already back when they took her.

"We captured her and I inserted one of my monsters into her body, you may have noticed a purplish mark spreading somewhere at her stomach, yes?"

Avantina was seething with rage but she held her tongue. Caster grinned at her distress before resuming his explanation.

"Once the monster fully inhibited her body she would then go about Karakura Town, absorbing all and any types of spiritual energy. I'd simply have to extract them from her later. Since Karakura Town is relatively smaller than Fuyuki, my master and I decided we would lay claim to the civilization there before consuming the one here."
"You mean you have no interest in the Holy Grail?"
"We couldn't care less! All we want is to go on an endless spree of killing and experimenting!" chimed Ryuunosuke.
"How did you manage to find me? Surely, coincidence isn't always in your favor."
"The blonde woman had spiritual energy similar to yours. I absorbed and transferred it to my master before inserting the monster. Having done so, I recognized the scent and aura it gave off. I traced it to the manor in Karakura where your Sensei escaped to. When I saw that you were headed for Fuyuki, all I had to do was follow you and wait for the opportune moment."

Hearing all this appalled Avantina. If Diarmuid hadn't taken her away immediately, they would have had more problems to deal with than just a burning mansion. Yet she had been so harsh and ungrateful towards him. 

"Such a pity. She was almost completely evolved. But never mind, I have you. Master, could you kindly move the specimen to the stone surface?"
"Of course, big guy!"

Avantina relayed that entire incident to Waver, Rider and Diarmuid.

"When Lancer came for me, it was the moment before Caster inserted the monster into my body. We really did cut it close."
"When you were in peril, before being captured, why didn't you call out to your servant using the telepathic connection?" asked Waver.
"I'm afraid I can only do that sporadically or if I sit still and close my eyes. Throughout that entire horrific experience, I had no such luxury."
"Hmm, I see. Then we'll have to work on your concentration skills. Wouldn't want you incapable of contacting your servant in times of need, would we?" smiled Waver.
"Thank you. But why are you doing this? You yourself are a participant in this war, shouldn't you be plotting against the enemy instead of helping us?"
"I'll win this war without resorting to despicable measures. It's something my servant has taught me." Waver said, glancing up at the enormous man beside him. Rider spoke with his throaty voice.

"To win, but not destroy. To subjugate, but not humiliate. That, is true conquest."

Avantina smiled. She had found worthy friends and opponents in this war.