19 Before the Final Battle (1/2)

Sakura and Illyasviel were not surprised seeing Rafi's group appeared suddenly, as they were used seeing Rafi's teleportation.

Upon seeing at Rafi's wrecked appearance Sakura became greatly worried, especially looking at his bloodied chest, her thought wandered to a worst scenario. Sakura hurriedly arrived beside him, checked his wounds. She heaved a relieved sigh upon finding nothing serious on him, though he looked very pale.

After they were back at Emiya household, Tohsaka and Saber were questioning Rafi fiercely, asking why they should went home.

”Why are going back? That is an excellent chance to defeat Gilgamesh, Rafi-san. With Shirou, me, Saber, you and your Berserker, we might have a chance defeating him.” Tohsaka asked Rafi fiercely.

”What Rin says is true, Rafi-san. If we try, we might have a chance...” while Saber added to Rin, she was interrupted by Rafi.

”Stop..stop there, Saber. Your saying might be correct, but it also might be wrong. First, we haven't made a plan for defeating him when we were going to Einzbern castle. His appearance was sudden. Second, I believe Emiya-san hasn't been ready to use his ability for countering Gilgamesh's countless Noble Phantasms. Third, Berserker will not be to fight on her maximum potential as she also must protect an exhausted me. Fourth, this is the most important reason. I am very tired fighting Lancer, though I have defeated him with a trick. Just fighting him took a toll on me, thus I decided to retreat while bringing you all along, as I can't leave you guys to confront Gilgamesh this early.” Rafi explained weakly as he was supported by both Sakura and Minamoto no Yorimitsu.

”But,..” Tohsaka was still reluctant.

”My Instinct tells me you're not telling us the real reason, Rafi-san. I usually get this feeling when Merlin was always speaking in riddles to me before. What are you hiding from us, Rafi-san?”, Saber said while looking at Rafi sharply. It was because she had been led around by Merlin for a long time before, and she really disliked that vague feelings.

”Rather than that, Saber, you should understand the true face of the Grail now. Kiritsugu had already understood it before, so he forced you to destroy it at all cost.” Rafi switched topic upon sensing Saber's suspicion.

”It is hard to believe, but we must destroy it, that distorted wish-granting machine.” Saber released a light sigh as she still wanted her wish to be true.

”It is not like that before, pity that human's evil has poluted it.”

”””What do you mean?”””

”Illya-chan, do you know the details of Third Holy Grail war?”

”Ehh, no, grandfather forbade me to know. He just told me to win the Grail. We even summoned Heracles two month before this war started to gain an upperhand. Though it is futile now.”

”Two months before, that's cheating you little witch.”

”Ara ara, Tohsaka-san. It is not good to have an uncouth mouth. Looks like I need to remind you the difference in our abilities.”

”Cough, Illyasviel, Tohsaka, please stop it. We are still discussing now. You can ask Emiya-san to be your judge later, to decide it once for all. Okay?”, Rafi threw the ball to Emiya mischievously.

”Yeah, it is a good idea right, Shirou?”

”Hmm, onii-san will choose me right?”

”Eh, me? How can I judge...them..”, Emiya was speaking rather weakly until he couldn't speak at all sensing both girls intimidating gaze.

”That's enough, Rin, Illyasviel. If you have something to say, tell us sooner, Rafi-san. No need to play around with children like them.” Saber said sagely, interrupting both girls staring contest. Both girls then sent a rather weird gazes at her, as they knew Saber was a bit childish sometimes.

”Okay, in the Third war, a Servant named Angra Mainyu, a Zoroastrianism Evil God dubbed as All the World's Evil was summoned by a Master. His class was special, an Avenger. The Master thought he was better than a Berserker class, and he could win the Grail with just brute force. Contrary to his title, he was an extremely weak Servant, because he was not the real Evil God. He died in only four days after the war began. But it was also the start of disasters. Due to his nature of Heroic Spirit as Avenger, his soul that was enforced with countless curses of All the World's Evil came in contact with a wish-granting machine Greater Grail as he died and was absorbed to it. Thus that many curses polluted the Grail, and caused many chaos in the previous Fourth war. He took Irisviel's form to influence Kiritsugu, even in this Fifth war, he was also speaking to Illyasviel using Irisviel's form. Emiya-san, that great fire that happened ten years ago was a result of many curses flowed from the Grail. That tragedy might be repeated again in this Fifth war if Gilgamesh succeeded.”

”Do you have a plan, Rafi-san?” Tohsaka asked Rafi seriously.

”My plan is rather simple. Destroy the vessel of the Grail first before Greater Grail appeared. But if it can't happen, I still have a way to 'destroy' the Greater Grail before Gilgamesh succeeded.”

”That's really simple. Like you don't put any thought on it, Rafi-san.” Saber chided him.

”Nah, I believe Illya-chan know why Gilgamesh forcefully take your heart right.”

”He he, he doesn't want me to be the vessel. So, considering that other Masters is here, his Master become his only option to be a vessel of the Grail.”

”That's right. As for the place of summoning, it can be deduced to be in Ryuudou Temple. I have sent my familiars to three possible places for summoning the Grail, but only the one sent to the temple was destroyed. I assume Gilgamesh already made preparation there.” Tohsaka added.

”Isn't there is still Assasin in Ryuudou Temple? Besides, if the Grail summoning ritual was conducted there, how about Issei and other monks?” Emiya was concerned about his friend and other innocent bystanders.

”Look at this, Shirou. Ryuudou Temple was emptied already. All the unrelated people was removed. So nobody there beside Assassin, Gilgamesh and Shinji if he is still alive.” Tohsaka explained the recent newspaper to him.

”How about me and Emiya-san and holding Gilgamesh back, while you, Saber and Berserker try to destroy the Grail's vessel, Tohsaka-san? I will bring Emiya-san with me as I will need his ability.”

”Hmm, is it fine for you? Looking at your pale complexion, I don't know how you can still be talking now.”

”Just a nice rest will do. Besides, you and Saber might be hindered by Assassin. So you will need more manpower.”

”Then that is okay.”

”Of course, the current Emiya-san is insufficient to properly show Archer's might as he is still lacking Magic circuit. It is better for him and us if we can increase it, Tohsaka-san. Do you have any idea?” Rafi was hinting at Tohsaka to do 'it' with Emiya.

”Wha..what do you mean?”

”Do you really need me to explain to him? I think it is better if you explain it personally though, Tohsaka-san.”

”He he, Illya can help onii-san in that regard. Just leave that old witch of Tohsaka family, onii-san.” Illyasviel was smiling mischievously at Tohsaka.

”You little witch, no one is allowed to seduce my..my Shirou.” Tohsaka roared worriedly at Illyasviel seeing her trying to seduce Shirou with her childlike innocent face.

”Well, just decide it between you three. I will take a rest first. Good night, Sakura, Saber, Berserker.” Rafi said as he was leaving the two bickering girls.