19 Before the Final Battle (2/2)

”Wait, you still haven't explained the other way to destroy the Grail. Do you want to run away from this mess you created, Rafi-san?” Saber was staring at him sharply as she pointed toward a still fighting Tohsaka and Illyasviel.

”Cough..cough..cough..I need to rest first, bye.” Rafi was coughing fiercely seeing Saber gazed at him sharply. He left the room accompanied by Berserker.

”It is fine, Saber-san. Rafi will not harm us.” Sakura hurriedly saying, seeing Rafi was escaping awkwardly.

”It is not that thing I am worried, Sakura. It is just his manners is like someone I both respect and dislike before.” Saber shook her head lightly.

”Rather than that, when are you so close with him, Sakura?”, Tohsaka said, switched the topic after Rafi left the room. She was worried Sakura might be lied to by Rafi seeing their closeness together.

”That...that..me and Rafi is...”, Sakura couldn't explained as she blushed hard. After awhile, Sakura told them about her relationship with Rafi while smiling joyfully.

Emiya was surprised hearing it, but he was happy seeing his junior that was always needing his help now could find a reliable companion. Although Rafi appeared mysteriously, he was strong enough to defeat Lancer even if with tricks. Besides, he never really harmed them even if his manners were always vague to them.

While Tohsaka was appearing furious, she was secretly happy for her little sister. Saber was one the most shocked, as she couldn't imagine someone like him could got a kind and gentle girl like Sakura. Saber was lamenting at unfairness of fate. In her opinion, a Merlin's similar should just be single all the times, pairing Sakura at him might be like a flower stuck into a pile of cow dung. Unknown to her that fate might toyed with her in a near future.

... ...

Some times later in the night, Rafi woke up from his rest. He decided to take a look at the night stars, strolling around outside Emiya household. Unknowingly, He arrived at the dojo, and found Saber was still meditating to calm her mind while bathed in the moonlight seeping through windows.

”You're here, Artoria.” As he said that, a tick mark appeared on her calm and collected face, breaking the serenity of the scene.

”Why are you here, pervert?”

”Just to look at you, Artoria.”

”Now you have seen me, please leave.”

”Nah, I wonder why I am never bored seeing your face. Mm, maybe I've fallen for you.” Rafi said teasing her.

”...” The tick marks appeared looking like a crown around her smooth forehead.

”Are you still wondering about your wish? As this Holy Grail couldn't grant your wish like how you want it, Artoria.”

”What is wrong with my wish?! When I thought I am only a step away from success, I am forced to destroy it. When I am given this second chance, I find out the Grail turn out a fake one, only an abomination.” She was agitated at first, but then her voice toned down softly as her brilliant eyes dimmed a bit. Some reluctance could be seen flickering in her eyes.

”Correcting our past mistake is what everyone would do if given a chance. Your wish...isn't wrong, Artoria.” He said softly.

”Then why? Why can't I reach it?”

”But it isn't right either. Fate won't allow it, Artoria. As your role has ended at that time, in the battle of Camlann.” Rafi said firmly as his eyes started changing to Rinnegan.

”How can? Eh, your mystic eyes is different? You are still hiding so much of yourself from us aren't you, Rafi.”

”I will tell you all about me, if you agree to be my queen, Artoria.” He looked gently at her.

”Just stop playing around. I don't believe you show me your secret only to impress me.” Saber was sighing lightly looking at his gentle face. Even if she knew Rafi might have a real feelings for her, she didn't know how to properly answer him. As she still didn't know how to deal with a feeling between man and woman.

”You think lightly of yourself as a girl, Artoria. Before you are a King, you were once only a village girl, free of a knight's burdens. Such life, isn't that your true wish in the deepest of your heart.”

”My only wish is only to redo the King's selection as I don't want the Battle of Camlann to happen.”

”Then, if your wish is granted. What will happen to Britain? Do you think it will be better led by another King?”

”At least that tragedy won't happen again. Britain will still be unified.”

”Heh, do you think it is that easy? If another King was chosen, he/she might not even able to repel the invaders before the Battle of Camlann ever happened.

Besides, is there anyone better than you in leading Britain to repel the invaders? If there is, why is a need to wait for you becoming a King before Britain could repelled the invaders. If there is, then you need not went through all that responsibilities, Artoria.” Rafi was sighing softly as he remembered the scene of her death after the Battle of Camlann.

”Wha...”

”Do you know, my eyes is called Rinnegan also known as Samsāra Eyes. Only the one that has seen through the Samsāra, cycle of Karma, and comprehended life and death could awaken it.”

”Impossible. I haven't heard a mystic eyes like that.” Saber was shocked as she won't easily believe such mystical thing.

”Of course, only a special bloodline like mine could have a chance awakening it.” Rafi said calmly as he added in his mind, 'Such sin, I've never said so much bullshit in my life before this. I got this eyes from the System after all. I hope she believed the lie he he.'

”...”

”Just like you, do you think you can succeed just only with yourself?”

”What do you mean?”

”You were once shined with the splendor providence's light of fate, as you led Britain successfully repelling the invaders even when the odds were against you. But when it was time for an end, such glorious times would also met its demise. Your rise was unstoppable, Artoria, likewise your downfall was inevitable. It was a work of fate. Your wish may affect the working of fate, altering the established history, such wish is highly likely won't be granted by the world. What you really need isn't that wish actually, it is a salvation for what fate has put you through, like what Merlin predicted for you before, Artoria.” He explained gently to her.

”That is a lie. I don't need salvation, only that wish of mine. There is no use persuading me anymore as my wish will not waver.”

”You are still so stubborn, Artoria. However that is also part of your charms. Then, be prepared for a surprise tomorrow, he he, because I will not leave you alone in this world.” Rafi shook his head lightly seeing a stubborn Artoria. Then he walked away, leaving a confused Artoria in the dojo. Thus the night passed calmly as it approached the time for a final battle.