Fate / Sacred Fire

Chapter Twenty Eight

An unconscious Nia slowly wakes up on a bed inside a small room. She was about to move but realize that she couldn't. She inspects her body and was surprise to see that her entire body was wrapped tightly in chains. Both of her feet had shackles on them, immobilizing her even further. She sits up and looks around while she starts to panic.

Nia: W-Where am I...? Brother...? Where are you?! Brother....Help! Help me!

After a few minutes of struggling, Nia tires herself out from all the shouting. But this actually made her calm down.

Nia: I have no idea what happened. All I can remember was being in my room when something attacked me. This isn't the time for me to act scared. I...I need to get out of here. I can't rely on my brother for everything...(thinks to self)

Nia concentrates mana on her right hand. A blue glowing knife slowly materialize but just when it was about to be completed, it breaks into pieces.

Nia: W-What...? It didn't work? But how...? (murmurs)

The door to the room opens and startles Nia a little. Valerie and Victor enters the room with the Servant chuckling from Nia's failed attempt.

Victor: Don't bother, little one. You'll only be wasting your energy. Those chains are sealing your magic right now.
Nia: Y-You...! So you're the one who kidnapped me!
Victor: Are you sure you're a Master? Even your Servant wasn't able to stop me.
Nia: You're wrong! Kuro can--!
Victor: Save it! You'll be dead before your worthless Servant can even save you!
Nia: He's not worthless!

Valerie glares at Victor, which greatly intimidates him. As always, Valerie had an emotionless expression on her face.

Valerie: Victor, stop fooling around.
Victor: U-Understood....
Nia: What do you want from me? Why don't you just go ahead and kill me!

Valerie walks closer to Nia. The mere presence of Valerie was more than enough to send chills down Nia's spine. She couldn't help but tremble a little.

Nia: What's with this woman? She's giving off such a terrifying aura. Brother told me that she was dangerous but...I wasn't expecting her to be this dangerous. (thinks to self)

Valerie: We need you for out experiment. More specifically, we need your mana.
Nia: My...mana?
Valerie: I know all about the Everstones. Your magic specialize in manipulating mana itself and bend it to your will. You're entire body is composed mostly of it, which is something rare in the world of magic.
Nia: W-What are you planning to do?
Valerie: I'm going to extract every mana from you and force the Holy Grail to summon itself.

This came to quite a shock for Nia and was speechless for a moment.

Nia: But that's...that's impossible!
Valerie: There are always loopholes to everything, including the Holy Grail.
Nia: You can't just do something like that! It's against the rules! The Grail will only appear once there are only two Servants left!
Victor: Rules are meant to be broken, little girl.
Nia: My brother will stop you! And I'm sure that Jun and Zerra will help him!

Victor couldn't help but burst out laughing, which confuses Nia.

Nia: What's so funny?! (looks at Victor)
Victor: Your "brother" won't be stopping us. He won't be saving you either.

Hearing that, Nia had a bad feeling but tries not to let it get to her.

Nia: If you're trying to trick me, it's not going to--!
Valerie: Neo Everstone...is dead.

Valerie's words echo in Nia's head. A single tear from her eye was more than enough to finally break her.

Nia: Y-You're lying! He's not dead! My brother is NOT dead! He can't be dead!
Valerie: But he is. We planned on using him as well but things ended up differently.