In the middle of a quiet street, Matou Kariya wandered like a ghost. His expression was blank, his pupils dilated, fists tightly clenched. The occasional passerby cast a curious or concerned glance his way, but he paid them no mind.
Even though there was a ceasefire in place during the day, Kariya made no effort to hide his presence. That alone made it clear, he no longer cared about the Holy Grail War's rules, or consequences.
Because for Matou Kariya, nothing mattered anymore.
He had never truly understood what the Holy Grail was. He knew nothing of magecraft, and beyond possessing the worm magical circuits, he was a complete amateur. Everything he did was by rote, blindly following the instructions imposed on him by Matou Zouken.
And then, this morning, one of the last reasons keeping him in this war vanished.
The Matou household had been annihilated, reduced to rubble by unknown attackers. He saw it with his own eyes. Since then, he'd been wandering aimlessly through the city, searching for... something.
Zouken was irrelevant. That writhing worm had never mattered. But Sakura...
Sakura was innocent.
Clinging to that belief, he drifted from street to street, as if trying to convince himself that there was still something worth saving.
Then, just as he was on the verge of giving up, a familiar scent stopped him.
It was the smell of pork cutlets, freshly fried. He hadn't tasted such things in ages. The worm-infested body Zouken gave him had long since stolen the luxury of savoring food. But the scent still drew him, nostalgic and cruel.
He turned toward the shop, and saw her.
A small girl in a purple dress lined with lace, black cotton socks pulled up to her knees. Standing on tiptoe like a delicate porcelain doll.
"Would Lord Roland would like this flavor?" Sakura Matou mused aloud, popping a small piece of cutlet into her mouth. She furrowed her brow, thinking hard. After a moment of consideration, she placed it into a small woven basket, clearly handmade, and turned to leave.
"Alright. That's enough for today."
But as she turned into the alley, an excited voice rang out behind her.
"Sakura!?"
"…Uncle Kariya?"
Recognizing the opportunity, Kariya rushed over, his breath catching in his throat. He reached out toward her, desperation written across his face.
"What are you doing out here? Did that old bug actually let you go free? Never mind that. Come with me. The Matou house is gone you can go back to Aoi—!"
But before he could touch her, something flared between them.
An invisible barrier stopped him in his tracks. Blue lightning crackled across his body, and the outer layer of worms that disguised him hissed and burned, shriveling into charred husks as they peeled away and fell to the ground.
When Sakura came out of her momentary shock, she saw him clutching his hand in pain, his flesh blackened, twitching.
"Uncle Kariya… are you alright? That was the amulet Master gave me. You got too emotional, and it activated its automatic defense."
Her tone held concern, though there was a faint distance to it. She didn't hate him. She didn't even truly blame him. But she couldn't understand his naïve kindness either. As long as he didn't cross a line, she had no reason to react.
"As for returning to the Tohsaka family… that's impossible. You don't need to worry about that anymore. So please… take care of yourself."
Before Kariya could even ask who this "Master" was, Sakura's quiet words made his face go pale.
"Why?" he asked, voice cracking. "You don't have to suffer anymore, Sakura. I'll make sure you never have to go back to that house, never have to see Tokiomi again. I'll protect you, I swear! He won't be able to interfere ever again!"
His voice rose in pitch, his expression contorting with emotion. He could see the future so clearly, but it was only a reflection of his own obsession.
"…But Uncle Kariya, you never once asked me what I wanted."
Her voice had gone cold.
He had never stopped to consider her feelings. His acts of kindness were twisted, an echo of Zouken's own selfish madness. She could see it now, plain as day.
"Maybe it started with Grandfather's orders. But now… I want to stay with that lord. I don't belong to the Tohsakas. I don't belong to the Matous."
She bowed politely, her tone still calm, but firm.
"I belong to him. Please stop chasing after dreams that died long ago."
Then came the final blow:
"Please don't come to see me again. I don't want Master to misunderstand."
Even Kariya, blinded by desperation, could see it. The little girl who had once been scared and fragile… had changed. Her loyalty, her affection, her entire identity revolved around this "lord" she now served.
Kariya's mind screamed in denial.
"No… that's not true! You must've been brainwashed. You're not thinking clearly! I won't let them manipulate you! If I have to use force… then so be it!"
He could feel the charm's power waning. It was just a bounded field, powerful, but finite. If she resisted, she'd need to rely on a Servant. If he acted now, he might be able to get her away…
"I'm sorry, Sakura. I'll save you—"
A low, guttural hum broke the silence.
Insects.
Buzzing, writhing, crawling they poured from his flesh, filling the air with their foul presence. His body swelled with grotesque movement, gaps in his limbs stuffed with squirming familiars. His arms extended slightly, pointed in her direction.
But Sakura only turned and met his madness with cool, emotionless eyes.
She raised her bracelet slightly, the caster-made charm glinting in the light.
Compared to Kariya, a man with one foot in the grave, Sakura had come to wield far greater power. With Medea's help, her magic was focused, sharp, efficient. Anyone who underestimated her would pay for it.
Everything that belonged to Sakura belonged to Roland.
That was the iron rule etched into her soul. No one would take her away. Not Tohsaka Aoi. Not Rin. Not even Kariya.
She was ready to strike, until a warm hand pressed gently on her head.
Her eyes lit up.
"Lord Roland!"
She immediately softened, rubbing her cheek into his hand with a delighted smile. He stepped into view, calm as ever, standing between her and Kariya.
"Someone come," Roland said, voice low.
From every corner of the alley, red eyes flared in the darkness.
Two black shadow-ninjas appeared instantly at Roland's sides, forming a protective barrier around him and Sakura. They didn't even glance at Kariya. Their only concern was their Eternal Lord.
More followed, emerging from walls, shadows, rooftops, encircling the alley like wolves closing in on prey.
Then, without a word, they struck.
Fists, feet, elbows, brutal and direct. The shadows tore into Kariya with mechanical precision. Screams echoed through the narrow alley as insects were crushed underfoot, and black ichor sprayed like mist.
Roland looked down at the writhing figure.
"I think I understand Gilgamesh a little better now. It's hard to stay calm when everyone keeps trying to lay hands on what's yours."
He tilted his head, voice soft.
"…But you look better on the ground anyway, Matou Kariya."
Coughing violently, Kariya doubled over, his flesh peeling, his insects dying by the dozens. In one final act of desperation, he screamed through the blood:
"Berserker—!!"