Fate: Holy Grail

[3rd POV]

Kirei Kotomine had a dream where he found himself in a pitch-black void.

The space was empty, utterly silent… even his senses seemed to cease to exist.

He felt scared for the first time ever in his life. He peculiarly felt his rapid heartbeat, but it maintained a normal rhythm when he touched his chest.

He had never experienced it before, and since waking up, he had constantly remembered it...

Kirei sat at the end of the bed, staring blankly at his own hands. That numbness surged through his heart once more.

He wanted to fall asleep again and feel this feeling of nothingness, but night had already fallen, and the Holy Grail War continued. 

"This feeling isn't desire—it's emptiness, isn't it?" 

He wasn't sure, "However, why do I enjoy this feeling? If this emptiness can bring me pleasure, wouldn't that also be a form of desire?"

However, Kirei is a priest who has devoted his body and mind to the Lord and decided to suppress this feeling.

"Lord, forgive me." 

He made the sign of the cross over his chest, seeking forgiveness for the sinful thoughts that had just crossed his mind.

After kissing the cross, Kirei rose from the bed and adjusted his demeanor. Suddenly, he heard the faint sound of wood creaking as he straightened the sheets. 

The sound was subtle, but his sharp instincts as an Executor immediately confirmed it, and he pulled out three Black Keys from within his coat.

After seeing the visitor, he immediately lowered his weapons, "You..."

"Master, I'm hungry."

The visitor was a young girl, and her pure and innocent face made it clear that she wasn't the resolute Artoria. Instead, this was the Assassin who had taken on her appearance.

"Hungry?" 

Kirei was genuinely surprised. He had never imagined that a spiritual entity could feel hunger.

Strangely, Assassin hadn't reverted to his original appearance after turning into Sabre. 

He found this somewhat puzzling but stopped asking too many questions, instead took it as his interest.

In fact, Assassin simply enjoyed the sensation of having a physical body. 

He could not stand being in spiritual form, and it was like he was engulfed in a thick liquid and under heavy pressure all around him.

"Could it be a lack of magical energy?"

Kirei had studied spirit-summoning techniques, but he was far from being a master in the field.

Heroic Spirits also require a supply of magical energy, just like evil spirits need to sustain their presence in the world. 

The Holy Grail provides for most of this, but the Master must bear a portion of it.

Even though Assassin didn't have a lot of magical energy, Kirei was a Master who was far above average. 

He could easily provide for a Servant with energy to spare.

Kirei's gaze drifted out the window, looked out the window and saw the setting sun.

The sky was already covered in a heavy curtain, but the sun had not yet completely disappeared below the horizon.

"We still have a little time. Let's go have a meal." 

He said and knew well that Servants could replenish their magical energy through food.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome, I'm your Master, and it's my responsibility."

He led Assassin to a restaurant, and his movements looked very skilled.

They found a seat in a corner by the wall, and Kirei promptly began to place their order.

"It's you again, Father. I haven't seen much of you lately." 

The restaurant owner said with a hint of surprise.

"I've been a bit busy with work lately." 

Kirei replied, "On top of that, I'm hosting a distant niece. I managed to cut out some time to indulge myself a little today. I'm sorry for your trouble."

"No trouble at all..."

"But is she really your niece? She looks more like a European." 

The owner asked, his curiosity evident.

"Yes, she's only staying in Japan for a few days and will return home soon." 

Kirei replied, "Please prepare an order of Udon for her as well."

"Of course, of course."

Kirei was evidently well-acquainted with the restaurant.

"This meal is to ensure combat effectiveness, so please enjoy it to your heart's content." 

He said to Assassin, but there was a sense that the words were meant just as much for himself.

"Thank you Lord for your blessings, and may the Lord have mercy." 

He prayed quietly before eating.

 It was no wonder he didn't suppress his desires while eating.

Assassin instinctively swallowed, his eyes locked on Udon.

What was even more terrifying was... that Kirei took a large spoonful and shoved it straight into his mouth. 

Assassin couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat as he watched him!

He saw him in pain from hot and could feel sweat drops on his forehead, but he didn't seem to want to stop! 

He kept shoveling a spoon into his mouth.

"Aren't you gonna eat, Assassin?"

He paused and asked, looking at him with a hint of confusion.

Their eyes met. 

Assassin hesitated for only a moment before tremblingly reaching for the spoon.

'I asked for this meal. I'll finish it, even if I have to cry!'

The moment the first bite entered his mouth, the Udon exploded in his mouth.

He tried very hard to swallow, but he felt a very strong, spicy feeling that went from his mouth to his throat and into his stomach. 

After the intense heat faded, the body quickly recovered.

"How is it, Assassin?"

Kirei asked.

"The taste... really... is quite good?" 

He replied and scooped another spoonful of Udon into his mouth without hesitation, sweat pouring down his brow.

He had become addicted to the sensation.

"This is great!" 

Assassin exclaimed with excitement.

That day might have been the best-selling day for Udon in the history of the restaurant.

The bowls and plates on the table had stacked up into a tall, white tower, but at that moment, Kirei suddenly stopped eating.

"Hmm..." 

Kirei paused, then turned to him. 

"My friend just received some information. There was a large explosion at the library, possibly caused by a battle between Servants. I need you to go and investigate the other Servants' plan."

"Fine..." 

He reluctantly agreed and finally added, "I'll do my best not to expose myself."

As Assassin left the restaurant and parted ways with Kirei, the priest immediately contacted Tokiomi.

"How did it go, Kirei? Did Assassin fight with any other Servants yesterday?" 

Tokiomi asked.

"Yes, he fought Saber head-on."

"Oh, Saber? Head-on?" 

He seemed slightly surprised, "What was the outcome? How long did Assassin last, and what about Saber's information?"

"Assassin won."

He asked a lot of questions, but Kirei's calm answer sent a shockwave through Tokiomi's heart!

"What?!" 

Tokiomi exclaimed aloud.

"In close combat, Assassin defeated Saber. However, Saber didn't seem to use her Noble Phantasm, and it's still unclear who is truly stronger." 

Kirei explained. 

"Assassin claims to be a merciless assassin, and yet he also says he is a noble knight."

"A clever change in tactics? It seems Assassin has great potential." 

Tokiomi said thoughtfully.

"Assassin's Noble Phantasm is more useful than we anticipated. It can perfectly replicate the appearance of a Servant, and only the Master can tell the difference." 

Kirei added as a final point.

To be continued...