第三章 . . . 000
@/mxtsuro | AO3 & Wattpad
Myrddin Emrys © 2025

﹒  ◠  METEMPSYCHOSIS    ⊹    ﹒
— “ reincarnation ” !
The battle outside raging will soon shake your windows and rattle your walls.
★ . Bob Dylan » +

೯⠀⁺ ⠀ 𖥻 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐈𝐈 ⠀ᰋ
── ★ ˙ a vision, vivid and unforgettable, flashed before her eyes, a glimpse of a world torn asunder by chaos.  ̟ !!

Fuyuki City
7th of September 2004, 23:30 PM

        The night hung heavily over Rin’s residence, the cool air carrying a sense of stillness that felt unnatural after the chaotic events of the day. The world outside was bathed in darkness, the only light coming from the distant stars that peeked through a thin veil of clouds. The manor was quiet, save for the occasional creak of the wooden beams settling, and the rustle of leaves in the soft night breeze. Inside, everyone had retreated to their rooms, seeking solace in the hopes of a few hours of undisturbed rest.

           On the open veranda, the Tohsaka heiress stood leaning against the railing, her sharp eyes staring out at the black sky. Her thoughts, however, were far from peaceful. Saber was gone---forcefully taken by Caster, leaving behind an aching void in their ranks. The weight of it all pressed on Rin’s chest, the frustration of not being able to protect her ally gnawing at her. Her mind raced, replaying every detail of their confrontation earlier, looking for the moment they had lost control.

          Behind her, a dark figure loomed in the shadows---Romani. His hooded cloak, as always, obscured most of his face, leaving only the faintest glow of his golden eyes visible. He stood still, almost blending with the night itself, his posture rigid, as though the very air around him was thick with the tension he carried. While Rin’s frustration was worn openly, the traveler's was contained, buried deep within him. And yet, there was a weight in the air, an unspoken heaviness that lingered between them.

           For a long time, neither of them spoke, content to let the silence swallow them. But in the back of Romani’s mind, the events of the night replayed, each detail vivid and clear. His memory of following Caster, the confrontation at the Holy Church, the brutal moment when Saber fell---it all came rushing back in waves, each one more painful than the last.

          He remembered how it had started, with Saber’s insistence that they follow Caster after she had been spotted earlier in the day. It was unlike the King of Knights' to suggest such a reckless pursuit, but Romani had trusted her instincts. She had a way of sensing the flow of battle, of knowing when to strike and when to hold back. And so, despite his usual caution, the traveler had followed her lead.

           They trailed the Caster-class Servant as she flew toward the Holy Church, keeping their distance so as not to be detected. Romani had felt a strange unease as they approached, something about the whole situation did not sit right with him. The Holy Church was supposed to be neutral ground, a place where the overseer Kirei of the Kotomine clan maintained a watchful presence over the Holy Grail War. But Caster’s arrival made it clear that neutrality was no longer an option.

          From their hiding place in the shadows, Romani and Saber had watched as Caster confronted Kirei, her demands clear and direct. She wanted the location of the Lesser Grail, the vessel that would bring about the Holy Grail. The priest, in his usual composed manner, had refused her outright, his expression as unreadable as ever.

          The air had crackled with tension, and Romani could feel the buildup of magical energy. When Caster summoned her golems to attack, Kirei had defended himself fiercely. The battle that followed was intense, each blow and spell sending shockwaves through the church grounds. The traveler could feel the sheer power both of them wielded, the kind of raw energy that could tear through buildings. And it did---the cloak-cladded traveler watched as the church crumbled around them, almost obliterated by the ferocity of their fight.

          Yet, through it all, Kirei had survived. Somehow, against all odds, the suspicious priest had withstood Caster’s assault. Romani could not help but feel a flicker of distrust toward the church's observer. Even now, as he recalled the priest’s uncanny ability to remain unscathed, something about it seemed wrong. He had never trusted the current overseer, not from the moment he laid eyes on him, and the events of the night only deepened that suspicion.

          But then, amidst the chaos, Saber’s attention had shifted. A young member of the Holy Church---a bystander, clearly innocent---had been caught in the crossfire. Without hesitation, the female Servant had moved to protect him. It was in her nature, after all. She was a knight, a protector of the innocent, and even in the midst of battle, she could not ignore someone in danger.

          Romani had watched as she leaped into action, her blade cutting through the air as she shielded the bystander from the destruction. It was a moment of heroism, one that he had admired, but it was also the moment Caster had been waiting for.

          While Saber was distracted, Caster had seized the opportunity. She moved swiftly, her staff glowing with a malevolent light as she lunged toward the King of Knights, her weapon of choice---the Rule Breaker---aimed straight for her heart. Romani had seen it all unfold, had felt the surge of magical energy as the Caster-class opponent struck. But by the time he could react, it was too late. The blade of Rule Breaker had pierced his alley's flesh, the curse binding her to the other Servant's will in an instant.

          Romani’s gut twisted at the memory. He had been powerless to stop it. He had watched as Caster claimed Saber, teleporting away with their comrade in tow, leaving him behind to face the bitter reality of failure. Now, as he stood on the veranda with Rin, those memories weighed heavily on him. He had not said much since it happened---had not spoken about the guilt that gnawed at him for not being able to stop the Caster-class Servant, for failing to protect the King of Knights when she needed him most. Galateya, of all people, would be devastated to know what had happened. She had always looked up to the Saber-class heroine, had seen her as a role model, someone to aspire to.

          Rin’s voice broke through his thoughts, bringing him back to the present. “It was not your fault,” she said quietly, her tone uncharacteristically soft. She turned to face him, her expression full of empathy. “You did what you could, Romani. We will get her back. We have to.”

           Romani did not respond immediately. Instead, he let the quiet of the night fill the space between them. It was easier than admitting his own sense of helplessness. Eventually, he nodded, though his eyes remained distant, fixed on the darkness beyond the estate. For some reason, the traveler could not shake the feeling that he was to blame. If only he had not spared Caster earlier, perhaps this whole mess would not have spiraled so out of control.  The weight of his decision, a choice made in a moment of weakness, now pressed heavily on his conscience, compounding the already overwhelming complication of the situation. They had lost Saber tonight, but he knew they could not give up. Not yet. Not when there was still a chance to save her.

         "And Galateya?" Rin asked after a pause, her worry now shifting toward the little girl. "Is she doing alright after everything?"

         Romani’s gaze softened slightly as he thought of Galateya, her small, fragile form cradled in his arms earlier. “I have tended to her,” he said, his voice low but gentle. “She is stable, but still unconscious. She just needs time to recover.”

         Rin nodded, a flicker of relief crossing her face. “She is strong,” she said, almost as if reassuring herself. “She will bounce back.”

          Silence fell between them once more, but this time, it was less heavy. There was still a long road ahead of them, but for now, they had each other. The night stretched on, the weight of their shared burden lingering in the air, but both Rin and Romani knew they could not afford to stop now. Not with Saber still in Caster’s clutches. Not when the fight had only just begun.

          The night had grown colder, the air carrying a chill that clung to the skin like an unseen presence. Rin and Romani stood silently on the veranda, the events of their recent battle with Caster still fresh in their minds. The stillness between them felt like the calm before a storm, filled with unspoken thoughts and unresolved emotions. The brunette mage's eyes remained focused on the stars, but her thoughts were elsewhere, her mind already working on a plan to retrieve their ally.

          “I have been thinking,” Rin finally broke the silence, her voice quiet but determined. “About what happened with Caster and Saber.” She paused for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts before continuing. “We need to find a way to get her back. Caster is strong, but she is not invincible. We need to strike when the time is right.”

          Romani shifted slightly, his golden eyes watching the brunette mage from the shadow of his cloak. He did not say anything at first, but Rin could feel the intensity of his gaze. She knew that despite his calm exterior, the traveler was as troubled by the loss of Saber as she was.

           “We will find a way,” Romani finally said, his voice low and steady. “But we need to be careful. Caster is not just powerful---she is unpredictable. And she has Saber under her control now.”

           Rin nodded, acknowledging his point. “I know. We cannot afford to rush in without a plan. But we also cannot wait too long. Saber, she won’t stay herself for long under Caster’s influence.”

          There was a brief pause, and then Rin’s expression shifted slightly, as if she was about to bring up something else. She turned to face Romani fully, her brow furrowed in thought. “But there is something else that has been bothering me. Something about Galateya.”

          Romani’s gaze sharpened at the mention of Galateya, though he remained silent, waiting for Rin to continue. “I have been doing some research,” the chestnut-haired teen said, her voice lowering slightly. “About the strange nightmares and visions she has been having. They are not normal. I know that much. But they are also not random. There is something off about them.”

          Romani’s brow furrowed, though he did not immediately respond. Rin had no idea he had already tried to use his Clairvoyance on Galateya, attempting to peer into her past or future. Every time, he had been met with resistance---a force that blocked his vision, preventing him from seeing anything of value. The strange, vengeful whispers that accompanied the blocks had been unnerving, a warning not to delve deeper into whatever secrets the little girl's mind held. He had kept these attempts to himself, unsure of what they truly meant, but now, hearing the brunette mage's concerns, he could not help but feel the connection.

          Rin’s eyes remained fixed on Romani, her gaze sharp as she searched for answers. “Have you noticed anything strange about her? Anything that could explain these visions?”

          Romani’s response was measured, careful. “I have sensed something unusual,” he said slowly. “But I cannot pinpoint what it is. There is a force---something external---interfering with her mind. It is almost as if something is deliberately masking the truth.”

           Rin’s eyes narrowed slightly. She had expected Romani to have some insight, but his words confirmed her suspicions. Galateya’s condition was not just the result of trauma or stress---there was something far more sinister at play. Something that neither of them fully understood.

          After a moment, Rin asked, “Do you know what a plastic memory is? Both in the mundane and in the world of Magecraft, I mean?”

          Romani’s eyes flickered with recognition. “In the mundane world, the term refers to the ‘memory’ of plastic materials---the way they can return to their original shape after being bent or molded. It is a property of certain types of plastic that allows them to ‘remember’ their form.”

          Rin nodded, but she was more interested in his next answer. Romani continued. “Metaphorically speaking, in Magecraft, the term takes on a more complex meaning. A ‘plastic memory’ is a memory that is easily manipulated, reshaped, or distorted---like plastic that can be molded into any form. It is a memory that can be altered by external influences, making it unreliable and suggestible. The details of the memory can be twisted, reshaped to fit a different narrative, or even erased entirely. It is fragile, malleable, easily broken.”

           Rin absorbed his explanation, her mind working quickly. “That is what I thought,” she said softly, her expression growing more serious. “I think that may be what is happening to Galateya. Her memories---her visions---they are not her own. They are being reshaped, altered by something or someone else. It is as if these 'plastic memories' are being implanted into her mind, influencing her thoughts and emotions. But the question is who or what is doing this? And why?”

          Romani considered her words carefully. The idea of someone tampering with Galateya’s memories in such a way was unsettling, to say the least. It was one thing for a mage to manipulate memories, but this felt different---more invasive, more sinister. Whoever---or whatever---was behind this had an agenda, one that involved the little girl in ways neither of them could fully comprehend yet.

           Before the traveler could respond, their conversation was interrupted by the sound of soft sobbing. Both Rin and Romani turned toward the source of the noise, their senses heightened. It was coming from the guest room.

          Without a word, Romani moved swiftly toward the room, his cloak swirling behind him as he walked with a sense of urgency. Rin followed closely behind, her heart racing as she recognized the cry. It was Galateya. When they reached the room, they found the little girl sitting up in bed, her small frame trembling with tears streaming down her face. She clutched the sheets tightly, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. Her usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by a look of pure terror.

           “Galateya,” Rin said softly, kneeling beside the bed. She reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from the girl’s tear-streaked face. “It is okay. You are safe.”

           But Galateya did not seem to hear her. Her eyes were distant, unfocused, as though she was trapped in a world of her own. She mumbled incoherently, her words barely audible, but Rin could make out fragments---fragments of a nightmare, of something dark and terrible.

          “Romani,” Rin whispered, her voice filled with concern as she glanced up at him.

          Romani stepped closer, his expression grim as he observed Galateya. The sight of the young girl in such distress only solidified his resolve. Whatever was happening to her, they needed to find out---and fast.

          Rin placed a reassuring hand on Galateya’s shoulder, trying to ground her in the present. “You are safe now,” she whispered, her voice soothing. “We are here. We will protect you.”

          But in the back of her mind, Rin could not shake the feeling that something far more dangerous was at play---something that threatened not just Galateya, but all of them.

          The soft sobs of the child continued to fill the guest room, mixing with the quiet whispers of the night outside. The moonlight filtering through the curtains cast long shadows across the walls, highlighting the tension that gripped the room. Rin remained by Galateya's side, gently stroking the girl's hair in an attempt to comfort her, while Romani stood silently, his mind racing with possibilities. Something far darker than simple nightmares was plaguing the young girl.

           Before Rin or Romani could speak again, the door creaked open. Shirou stepped in, his expression filled with concern as he scanned the room. His eyes immediately went to Galateya, who was still trembling, her small body wracked with sobs."I heard the commotion," the redheaded teen said, his voice hushed but laced with worry. "Is everything alright?"

          Rin glanced over, shaking her head. "Not exactly. Galateya had another nightmare, but this one was worse than the others." She kept her voice low, but her eyes betrayed her anxiety.

           Shirou’s brow furrowed as he moved closer, his gaze softening when he saw how distraught Galateya was. He knelt beside the bed, placing a gentle hand on her back, hoping his presence might bring her some comfort. "Galateya," he whispered, his voice as calm as he could manage. "You are safe now. We are here."

          But his words seemed to have little effect. Suddenly, Galateya’s body stiffened, and before anyone could react, she scrambled off the bed, her small feet hitting the wooden floor with a dull thud. Her movements were frantic, her sobs turning into incoherent muttering as she backed up against the wall, trembling. Her blue eyes, glassy with tears, darted around the room in confusion, as if she were searching for something---or someone---that was not there.

          “No, no. She is going to die. The man, the man with the golden hair is going to kill her. He is going to rip her heart out, and then everything will end.” Galateya’s voice quivered, her sobs blending into desperate words, her eyes wide with a fear she could not yet fully explain.

         Rin shot Romani a glance, her heart pounding. Something about Galateya’s tone, her terror---it was beyond the scope of a mere dream. The traveler stepped forward cautiously, his voice soft but steady. "Galateya," he began, "can you tell us what you saw? Describe it for us."

          Galateya blinked, still trembling as she wiped her tear-streaked face. The images from her dream flashed vividly before her mind’s eye, as real now as they had been when she was lost in the vision. She could see it all: a vast, empty hallway, grand and intimidating in its size, the cold stone walls towering above her like a fortress. And in that space stood a girl---young, fragile, with white hair that framed her delicate face and eyes the color of blood. She was standing just behind a massive figure, a hulking presence that loomed like a living wall of muscle and rage, his eyes burning with Berserker fury.

           In the distance, Galateya saw the golden man. His eyes were sharp, and his presence overwhelming---more than just human, almost godlike. His ruby eyes gleamed under the dim light, his golden hair like a crown upon his head, and with him, there was a sense of inevitability, as if his victory was already assured. The Berserker fought valiantly, throwing everything he had to defend the girl, but it was not enough.

           Galateya watched in horror as the golden man ripped through him effortlessly, leaving the giant crumpled on the floor. And then, just as easily, he tore the heart out of the white-haired girl. The sight of it was unbearable---her body collapsing, her life snuffed out in an instant.

          But that was not the end. As the girl's heart was taken, something far worse unfolded. Galateya did not fully understand it, but it was as if all the world’s suffering, all the curses of humanity itself, were suddenly unleashed. Darkness, hatred, and despair poured out like a flood, consuming everything in their path. It was a vision of the end---a calamity she could hardly comprehend, but felt deep within her bones.

          She swallowed hard, her breaths shaky as she struggled to find her voice, to explain the nightmare. “There was a girl,” Galateya whispered, her voice uneven. “She looked like the one with the Berserker, the one we saw a few days ago. White hair. Red eyes. She was standing in this huge hallway with her Berserker, but he could not save her. There was a man with golden hair and crimson eyes. He killed her. He ripped out her heart." Her voice cracked as she continued, tears spilling over. "And then everything was destroyed. All the curses of humanity, they were unleashed.”

         Shirou's face paled at the mention of the golden-haired man. Rin's eyes darkened, her mind already piecing together the puzzle. The descriptions were unmistakable: Illyasviel von Einzbern and her Berserker, faced with none other than Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes. It was a vision of something catastrophic---something they could not afford to ignore.

          “And who told you this, little one?” Romani asked gently, though there was an urgency behind his words.

           Galateya blinked again, as if surfacing from a fog. “They told me,” she said softly. “The blonde person in my dream. They showed me everything, warned me about what would happen.”

          “Blonde person?” Rin asked, her voice growing sharper with realization. “Did they tell you their name?”

          Galateya shook her head slowly. “No, but they warned me. They showed me what was going to happen. They told me the golden man would destroy everything if the girl died.”

           Rin's mind raced as she exchanged a glance with Shirou, whose expression was clouded with worry. It was all too familiar. The image of Illyasviel, the heart being ripped out, the golden man---it painted a grim picture of a future that might soon come to pass if they did not act.

          Shirou’s fists clenched, his knuckles turning white. “Illya.” he whispered under his breath, barely able to contain the dread gnawing at his insides.

           The traveler's face grew more serious, his thoughts darkened by the implications. If Galateya’s vision was accurate, then something far worse than what they had expected was coming, and it was all tied to the corrupted Holy Grail that his eyes had witnessed beforehand. “We need to act quickly,” Romani said, his voice firm. “This cannot be ignored. If Illyasviel is in danger---and if Gilgamesh is involved---it could spell disaster.”

          Rin nodded, her resolve hardening. “We need to find Illya. She might know more about what is happening, or at the very least, we can protect her. We have to go to her villa.”

          Galateya, still shaken but a little calmer, looked up at them with wide, questioning eyes. “Where is Saber?” she asked in a small voice.

          Rin took a deep breath and knelt beside her. “We are going to find her too, Galateya. Saber is just away for now, but we will bring her back. I promise.”

           Shirou knelt down too, placing a reassuring hand on Galateya’s shoulder. “Do not worry. We won’t let anything happen to Saber---or to Illya.”

          Romani, deep in thought, could not shake the sense of impending doom that Galateya’s vision had triggered. The traveler remembered his own visions of the Holy Grail, twisted and corrupted, leaking the curses of mankind. It aligned too perfectly with what the little girl had seen.

           “We should leave for Illyasviel’s villa as soon as possible,” Romani said, his voice steady but urgent. “There is something dark brewing, and we cannot afford to wait any longer.”

          And as the night deepened around them, the air grew heavier with the weight of the coming storm---one that none of them would be able to escape. Romani's sharp instincts told him that they were running out of time.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ 𓈈 metempsychosis