D' Ultimate Lich King

Flames erupted, illuminating the underground bar.

The armless Caster stared blankly at Flandre, who held aloft the burning Calamity Staff. He muttered something unintelligible.

He seemed to have given up resisting, allowing Flandre to unleash the world-ending flames upon him.

"Such… beautiful flames, God… is this your punishment? To die in such beautiful flames, like Jeanne?"

The flames engulfed the Caster and Ryuunosuke; the bar burned fiercely, consuming the blood and filth.

Arthas watched impassively; Rin turned, weeping as she watched the flames.

"Ayaka…"

Like a lost animal, Rin sobbed for her dead friend.

If… if she'd been faster, stronger, Ayaka wouldn't have died.

"Don't cry… it's not your fault,"

Unaware of the details, Arthas assumed she wept for the dead children. He gently stroked her head.

Rin didn't reply; she wiped her tears; she was the Tohsaka heir; elegance and composure were ingrained.

Crying was pointless; Ayaka's revenge was taken.

"Thank you…"

Rin whispered to Arthas.

"Why thank me? I did what I had to; this is the Grail War; defeating my enemies is necessary."

"Thank you. Sakura… is she okay?"

Rin asked hesitantly, showing vulnerability; she missed Sakura deeply but hadn't mentioned her in a year.

She didn't want to upset her parents; as the Tohsaka heir, she had to be strong.

"She's fine; she's at Einzbern; my daughter gets along well with her; they're not lonely."

"Really? That's good," Rin nodded, relieved.

"Did Sakura mention me?"

"Yes, she misses you; but it's dangerous in Fuyuki during the Grail War; I couldn't bring her."

Arthas said regretfully; Rin nodded understandingly.

After the war, I'll bring Sakura to see you.

"No… that's not necessary. Sakura has her own life now; she's not a Tohsaka anymore; she's Einzbern."

Surprisingly, Rin, barely ten, firmly stated this.

She'd moved on so quickly from her grief?

Was this what Tohsaka Tokiomi wanted? To suppress his children's emotions, burdening them?

Perhaps Tokiomi had accepted this? The Grail War wasn't a game; even before participating, he'd accepted the possibility of death.

No one could guarantee victory, not even Arthas.

"Let's go; I'll take you home," Arthas said softly, interrupting his thoughts.

One hour later, Aoi Tohsaka discovered Rin was missing.

Fearing her mother's scolding, Rin left a note saying she was searching for Ayaka.

Aoi was filled with regret. Rin had mentioned Ayaka at dinner, asking about Fuyuki's situation.

Aoi, in her housecoat, rushed out, driving along the highway.

Not knowing where Rin was, she could only guess her location.

Starting at home, if Rin took the train, she'd go to Fuyuki Station in the New Town; then, a thirty-minute walk…

Aoi first thought of the riverside park.

She looked at their usual bench; it was a hunch.

Rin wasn't there.

Aoi sat down, weeping.

Footsteps approached; Aoi looked up; a familiar yet unfamiliar voice spoke.

"She fell asleep… I didn't know where to take her, but I guess I came to the right place, Ms. Tohsaka."

A man in a long coat stood before her; his face was impassive, bearing signs of hardship.

But what mattered was the person in his arms.

"Rin!"

Aoi cried, rushing forward; Arthas raised a finger.

"Quiet; she's asleep."

"Thank… thank you, Mr. Arthas."

Overwhelmed with joy, Aoi calmed down; she took Rin from Arthas.

"No need; children are innocent; war doesn't involve children."

Arthas said; Aoi stiffened; he was Einzbern's representative in the Grail War; her husband's enemy.

"Mr. Arthas… do you also desire the Grail?"

"Yes, I have reasons to obtain it," Arthas nodded; Aoi's expression was complex; she didn't know what to say.

She'd felt uneasy, expecting something to happen.

To beg him to spare Tokiomi… to protect Tokiomi? Impossible; this was the Grail War; only one could win.

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