Tohsaka Rin didn't mind Morpheus bringing Medea back to Emiya Shirou's house. The two clearly knew each other and likely needed to discuss matters like the Holy Grail's fate.
Her curiosity about Morpheus and Medea's relationship consumed her, though. On the way back, she kept her ears perked, trying to catch any hints from their conversation.
Morpheus had already shared his plan with Medea, who responded, "So, you want to analyze the Grail's nature and minimize its destructive impact?"
"Pretty much. Illya's a homunculus-human hybrid, but she has her own soul. I don't want the Grail War's mechanics to harm her body," Morpheus said, sighing.
"But I know I can't guarantee a perfect solution. If it comes to it, sacrificing her body temporarily and using the Grail's knowledge to craft her a new one is an option."
Medea smiled. "Can't stand seeing others suffer, huh? That's so you."
She thought for a moment. "From what I know, the Grail's core... beyond Illya... is actually centered at Ryuudou Temple. I've confirmed it but haven't gone there yet."
"What's holding you back?" Morpheus asked.
"This city has several magus families, like Miss Tohsaka here, who manage the land. Then there's the Matou family, and maybe others I don't know about.
"Unlike magus who come from outside for the Grail War, these families have deep roots here. They've likely been preparing for decades, even centuries, giving them a home-field advantage.
"They surely know Ryuudou Temple is the core. They might've set traps there for anyone who approaches."
Medea smiled faintly. "I'm decently strong, but I'm not careless. Getting ambushed would be too embarrassing, don't you think?"
"Is that all?" Morpheus pressed.
"No. I also don't trust the Holy Church."
Rin, who'd been listening, froze. She wasn't fond of Kirei Kotomine, but distrusting the Holy Church hadn't crossed her mind.
Medea's words piqued her curiosity. Why would she say that?
Morpheus grinned. "As expected, you'd suspect the Holy Church."
Medea laughed. "You think they're shady too?"
"Oh, definitely. Big problems," Morpheus nodded, his lips curling. "I don't know the Holy Church's inner workings, but the person stationed here is trouble.
"Back in the Fourth Holy Grail War, they used spare Command Spells to rig the game."
Rin knew he was talking about her father and his disciple, the current church priest, Kirei Kotomine.
She had to admit they were right... the Holy Church couldn't be trusted.
Still, Rin had a different take. "This time, it won't be an issue. I'm not working with him, so he has no reason to join this Grail War."
Morpheus and Medea shut her down in unison.
"Rin, you're thinking too small."
"Too naive, lady."
Rin puffed out her cheeks, muttering, "Why am I too naive?"
Morpheus explained, "Simple. You don't know Kirei Kotomine or his goals. He might have a wish for the Grail... a wish-granting device.
"Plus, that night he was aggressively goading Shirou, trying to make him see the Grail War as a kill-or-be-killed game. His mental state is concerning."
Rin didn't know how to respond. Morpheus was right... Kirei's mind was off. By normal medical standards, he'd have a mental disorder.
People like that were dangerous, especially with his combat skills and a role that let him stay above suspicion!
Rin sucked in a breath. "Wait, I've always kept him at a distance, never considering he might cause trouble. If I hadn't summoned Morpheus but that quiet Saber instead…
"No, no, it's not like I'd lose outright. I'm too trusting sometimes, which could get me backstabbed.
"But with my brains, I'd figure him out eventually and still win... just with more effort."
Rin reassured herself with her intelligence and talent.
Morpheus didn't bother revealing all of Kirei's secrets... she'd figure them out eventually. He had other questions for Medea.
"So, back in ancient Greece, what happened after I left?"
"You got sucked into a spacetime rift and vanished. Everyone looked for you, but the gods gave an oracle saying you couldn't be found, so they continued their journey.
"I left the ship early with Artemis to head home. She came along to ensure nothing went wrong," Medea said. "You know my father's temper."
"Yeah, his temper's practically mythic," Morpheus quipped.
Medea continued, "I spent ages convincing my father, explaining the hidden issues, until he finally gave up guarding the Golden Fleece.
"But there had to be trials. Handing it over outright would defy the gods' will.
"I helped Jason overcome my father's challenges, which were tough. As his daughter, my 'betrayal' caught him off guard."
"Gotta play the part fully. Makes sense. But after that, your father hunted you down?" Morpheus asked.
"No way!" Medea shook her head. "He 'generously' forgave me because I'm his daughter. I gave up the throne and stayed to guard the kingdom as a witch."
Morpheus suspected the gods had scripted this, but history hadn't changed much. The Greek gods faded, Christianity rose, Europe's wars raged, and the familiar history unfolded unchanged.
"Oh, who did Jason marry?"
"Him? He was set to marry Hypsipyle, but first, he went to reclaim his throne from his uncle. It didn't work, and he fled alone. I think he died in despair…
"Hypsipyle wanted to give him the throne, but he refused. Kind of a shame…"
"Still a tragedy, huh…" Morpheus sighed. Jason's fate was still grim, but better than in myth. He lived longer, with Hypsipyle's love. "At least his love life was fulfilling. A gift from me, I suppose."
Morpheus smiled, not blaming himself... he hadn't planned to help Jason.
"What about Atalanta?"
"Never married. Became a priestess of Artemis. Even Artemis couldn't sway her," Medea said, glancing at Morpheus. "And that's your fault!"
Morpheus cried foul. "I didn't do anything!"
His voice dripped with mock grievance, like snow falling in June.
Medea smirked coldly. "Atalanta wasn't that into men. She finally found one she liked, but he left too deep a mark. She couldn't move on."
She shot Morpheus a look. "Guess who that guy was?"
Morpheus feigned confusion. "Yeah, who? Someone who could catch Atalanta's eye and make her swear off marriage? Must be a total heartthrob!"
Medea itched to conjure a mana whip and lash this shameless guy.
So full of himself!
Though, he was handsome!
And young!
Her cheeks flushed.
Rin, listening to this, was floored.
What was this Greek mythology rewrite?
Jason and Hypsipyle together? Medea as some national advisor?
Atalanta, not tricked by Aphrodite, became Artemis' priestess and stayed single... because of Morpheus? She liked him?!
Then Rin thought of her sister, Sakura, and her close bond with Morpheus. And Illya, always clinging to him. She glared at Morpheus.
She had to admit, his charm was dangerously captivating!
In a dim room, the Matou family's master, Matou Zouken, sat in a chair, gazing out the window.
Sunlight slipped through the curtain's gaps, casting faint warmth into the cold room, but it couldn't dispel the damp, sinister aura around the old man.
The ancient monster, obsessed with immortality, was filled with doubt. The Holy Grail War had started days ago, yet not a single death... human, magus, or Servant... had occurred.
If not for news of unexplained street damage, he'd wonder if the war had even begun.
"What's going on?" The centuries-old creature mused, recalling recent events. "Sakura's been taking Medusa to school, but no fights have happened, like there are no Servants there. As for the Emiya boy…
"Sakura's been visiting the Emiya house often. I hear Shirou's a Master, but he hasn't acted... not even letting Saber fight…
"Sakura can't strike covertly yet. Staying hidden is wise. With Shirou drawing attention, he might flush out other Masters and Servants.
"But it's too slow. Days have passed, and no one's made a move. What about the Tohsaka girl? She wouldn't skip the Grail War. Did something happen?"
Zouken's doubts deepened.
He sighed, looking into the distance.
"And the Church's boy... he's hiding deep too. Isn't he going to test the waters?"
No answers came. Zouken stood slowly, heading toward the darkness within the house.
"No, I need to prepare. If it comes to it, I'll act myself, transferring my consciousness into Sakura's body.
"She has part of the Grail's power, but not the full thing. With my strength, I can easily erase her soul.
"For now, I'll wait and watch. Maybe the Church boy will lose patience.
"The Clock Tower didn't send anyone? Or they're here, just hiding. Cowards, all of them!
"If it comes to it, I'll storm the Emiya residence myself and deal with that troublesome Saber first!"
The old man pushed open the basement door, revealing the writhing nest of worms below.
***
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