towerofanimus | i will storm the gates of hell

Entry tags:

i will storm the gates of hell

Characters: karna & you. yeah, you.
Setting: room 1-12, then wherever you wanna run into him, idc.
Format: again, i write in action spam because i'm lazy, but feel free to respond in either.
Summary: this is probably gonna be terrible.
Warnings: none yet, unless you count the traumatized hindu deity.

[ he can't believe what he's reading. his world is gone? his entire world? it's not possible. not yet, not now, and certainly not like this. karna understands what he is, of course, but why does that make him worthy of saving? he served in life, he served in death-- if anyone should have been protected, should have been spared, it should have been his master.

he can't.. think about this right now. he can't focus on how empty he feels. ten years he'd been connected to his master, knowing one another body and mind and soul. ten years their bond had existed, and now-- and now--

he wants to scream. it's like a limb is missing, ripped away and bleeding, and it's all he can do to breathe, to move. he's not ready. he'd known he'd lose him eventually, but he'd thought-- he'd thought he'd have years, not like this. they were supposed to have a lifetime together.

he doesn't have the presence of mind to banish his armor for something less conspicuous. all he can think of is how desperately he needs to get away. he leaves the letters on his bed, stumbling away, all but fleeing the room as the void inside him shrieks its loss. he has no idea where he's going, only that he has to keep walking. he needs to walk until he finds the end of-- of whatever this is.

this is fate, surely, but it's a fate that he was woefully unprepared for. ]

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[She stops in mid-pitch.]

...Wait, what?

[Whatever response she had been expecting, it hadn't been that one. In some ways, his continued lack of reaction frustrates her. She isn't sure what to think.]

[After a brief hesitation, Kariya accepts the offered help, taking Karna's arm. He probably should be more wary, but if the man was going to try to hurt him, he could have done so already.]

No, I don't. I'm sorry. Should I? We all come here from different worlds. Universes. You must have been in the War. You weren't--in my War. But it's nice to meet you--Karna.

[He's unsure of why Karna is being so gentle with him if he's an enemy Servant, but he seems to be sincere. It's not as odd to Kariya as it woud have been before he met Diarmuid, who has always been so kind to him. Meeting his friends here had helped him to trust people more--though he doesn't stop to think how odd it is that his life here is better than it was at home.]

You don't have to. I can get back.

[Slowly and painfully, but he's a stubborn man. He could ask Lancelot to help, but sometimes he likes to do things for himself. Something Karna said strikes him, however, and he hesitates.]

You stayed, after the War?

[ not in his war..? other worlds? then-- second magic? what a strange notion. perhaps this is a version of the matou master who survived the war. he'd suffered so much, though, and it's clear that he is still suffering. it's painful for someone like karna to watch, to be able to do so little to help. the matou magic is a terrible thing.

supporting him as gently as he can (and grateful for the distraction he provides karna from his own grief), he dips his head again politely. ] The pleasure is mine, then. And I know that you are very capable-- I have seen first-hand your great endurance. But I would be remiss in my duties if I did not offer support when I am capable of giving it.

[ the question earns a small nod. ] My Master wished me to live, and so I have. We have been together since. [ until now. ] I.. woke here alone, though.

You have? [He smiles at this recognition of his capability and endurance. Most people are so quick to discount him that he's honestly a little surprised.] Thank you.

I wouldn't want you to be remiss. [He keeps his hand on Karna's arm.]

Oh. I see. That's--good. I couldn't wish for that. [He doesn't explain this remark, but really, he couldn't wish for Lancelot to live. It's what happens to Sakura that's the most important, more important than anything.

Of course, if this Servant and his Master won in their world, that meant that Kariya didn't. Despite the fact that it wasn't his world, it displeases him once he thinks of it. He frowns. Any world in which Sakura isn't saved upsets him. All the worlds... If all the worlds are gone... He blinks; he tries not to think of that, because whenever he does, he remembers that they're all dead. He pauses, freezing, as if he's suddenly stopped functioning.] Alone...

[He repeats what Karna said almost as though he doesn't understand it.]

Edited 2013-09-15 05:23 (UTC)

[ he dips his head in another small nod at the thanks, carefully guiding kariya toward what has proven to be an elevator.

at the mention of the wish, he lifts his gaze slightly, flicking toward the other man's face curiously. he never has known precisely why this man entered the war. what could possibly have been worth the torment he went through? ] It was not something that I expected. I wished only to serve my Master to the best of my abilities.

[ when kariya stops, he stops with him, his other arm moving up in case the master has lost his balance. but-- no, he seems.. distressed, almost. by karna's comment? then again, perhaps he has reason to be. for many, his relationship with waver is unheard of, even disturbing. ] Yes. [ an even glance back up, expression as serene as he can manage, given the circumstances. ] I have not left his side in ten years.

That's good. You're lucky.

[He only half-hears what Karna is saying, though he wouldn't disapprove of their relationshp. He speaks almost absently, still distracted and distressed. He wouldn't be able to keep Lancelot with him, but even if he could, it wouldn't matter. If they heal the worlds and return home, like (almost) everyone wants to, he's going to die. He lets out a long sigh. He'll go, if that happens, in spite of what that means for him.]

She must--have suffered so much.

[For ten years in this man's world, and it was all his fault. It's always his fault. Inwardly, he's much more agitated than he appears outwardly, and blood starts to leak from his nose in response to the worms starting to move.]

[That... that's a familiar presence. A presence Ruler actually knows. Not knows well, of course, because she kept to herself in her world's mess of a Holy Grail War when she wasn't needed, but she had made it her goal to recognize the presence of all the fourteen Servants under her watch.

But of course, just because this is a Servant she recognizes doesn't mean she's going to put her guard down, so she approaches cautiously.]

Lancer?

No, I've been here for a few months now. You're going to want to eat that before you try to eat anything else, by the way.

[Vomiting is a nasty experience for everyone.]

Do you need much of a tour?

[ugh why is this place so big...

she's looking for her room, but she hadn't paid attention to the number... it's on this floor, it has to be, but she's frustrated at her own carelessness.

it's then that she's bumped into by the stranger, and she jumps back in surprise]

Oh, I'm so sorry, I wasn't--

[then she catches sight of his face and registers the pace he had been walking. she frowns.]

...Are you alright?

You could not 'screw up'. [ have you ever wondered what the face of complete, unwavering, absolute faith looks like? you're looking at it, waver velvet. your double had a decade of this kind of devotion.

he rises from his bow, finally banishing his armor for a simple suit, gloved fists clenching at his sides. ]

We.. have fought too hard for too long for our life together to end this way. [ he can't.. look at him. it's too hard, looking at a man so much like his lover. ] You have my most sincere thanks. [ and his service. this may not be his waver, but it's waver velvet nonetheless, and he'll do what he can to serve him until they can find a way to restore their worlds and loved ones. ]

The city was called Fuyuki, in Japan. My Master was a boy by the name of Waver Velvet, though he is of course a man now.

[ he finally thinks to banish his armor for the suit he tends to wear in the tower, gloved hands brushing his jacket down absently. ]

Someone with less patience may care very much indeed.

[ he exchanges his armor for the suit he wears in the tower, lacing gloved fingers together lightly as he glances down at her again. ]

If this floor displeases you so greatly, why do you remain?

[Remarkably, he did know what it looked like. But to see it from someone else caught Waver off guard, and the calm confidence he wore faltered for a fraction of a second.]

I--don't worry. I'll do everything I can to make sure you get him back. That much, I can promise. But would you...I can accept a hell of a lot of surprises, but I can't imagine a world where I could possibly have won. Would you be against telling me what happened for the two of you?

[ he wants to run. he needs space to mourn, to rage, to deal with this loss-- this emptiness. ten years they've been bound together. how is he to adjust to this loss within hours?

he clutches the other servant's arm, eyes wide and unseeing where they're fixed on the floor. ] We knew this would happen. [ it's faint, dazed. ] The Grail's curse would surely see to it. But not this soon. Not this soon.

[ he closes his eyes, draws a breath through his nose. he can't-- fall apart. not here, not like this, not in front of this servant. ] How? [ he finally lifts his head again, pale eyes sliding open. ] How can the worlds be repaired?

[ a short nod, watching her carefully. ]

Is it true?

I will remember for later.

[ if he ever finds an appetite again, anyway. right now, it doesn't look so good.

at the question, he shakes his head, still watching the other figure. ]

You are-- [ a pause, trailing off, before he dips his head politely. ] I am called Karna.

[He sputters.]

No way! Waver? Short kid with black hair cut like this?

[He runs his hands down the side of his face.]

That Waver?

My name's Zett. Nice to meet you.

[He rarely ever uses 'Beelzebub' or similar names. Only to show off.

Zett sticks his hand out for a shake.]

[ 'she'? who is 'she'? perhaps the reason this man joined the war in the first place? he glances back up again to ask, troubled, when he notices the blood.

alarmed, he immediately moves to ease the human man back down again, producing his kerchief to carefully wipe the blood away. ]

Matou-san. [ it's been ten years, of course, and the japanese language isn't what he'd grown up with, but he remembers it and its honorifics. it seems only polite to refer to the man in his native tongue. ] Please calm yourself, you are bleeding. [ he kneels at his side, searching his good eye for some clue. ] Who is this 'she' you refer to?

[ the voice and presence are unfamiliar, and it's been a long time since anyone referred to him as 'lancer', but the greeting it unmistakably for him. he lifts his head to find the speaker, fixing on the other servant in polite, distant curiousity.

other servants here? it shouldn't be possible, of course-- but then, a great deal about this situation should be impossible. ]

You know me, Madam?

[ no, he is very, very far from all right. even so, he can't trouble a stranger with such things, especially when he'd bumped so carelessly into her. instead, he dips into an apologetic bow. ]

Forgive me, I was not paying attention. You are uninjured--?

[ he stiffens at the request, but-- he can't deny him, either. if anyone deserves to know, it's his lover's double. ]

It came down to the Servant known as Gilgamesh and I. He was a most worthy opponent. It might have easily gone the other way, but-- I defeated him in the end. My Master.. [ his fingers curl together, tight enough to hurt. ] My Master wished for my incarnation. We learned later how corrupt the Grail truly was-- His wish came at the cost of years of his life, and sacrificed my right to die.

[ a breath, eyes closing briefly to calm himself. ]

.. He has worked since then to destroy it.

[ he nods, expression a little uncertain at the reaction. ]

Yes. Though he's quite tall now, and he's grown his hair out.

...

[well, that certainly sounded like him. If they had gotten that far, Waver certainly couldn't say he wouldn't wish for the same. And it certainly didn't surprise him one bit that it had gone wrong--not with the utter mess Fuyuki had turned into when it had all ended. And if ever he'd questioned his conclusion that the Grail was corrupt, there was no doubt in Waver's mind now, Second Magic be damned.]

...I see. [Even so, there was a faint sense of underlying emotion Waver guessed to be 'jealousy'. The lecturer forced himself not to imagine a world where he hadn't spent ten years on his own; it wouldn't accomplish anything to dwell on the hypothetical.]

We...didn't get quite that far. But regarding myself, it seems our conclusion on the matter is the same. I decided years ago to work on dismantling the Grail.

[The other Lancer's words make a hundred questions pop into Diarmuid's mind, but he knows this isn't the time to ask them. It's not right to make him recount the hows and whys of his existence when he is obviously in so much pain. Diarmuid might not even know this man's name, but he already considers him a brother and for more reason than just the fact that they share the same class. It is because they both share a love for the same man.]

I wish I could tell you we have a detailed plan as to how, but we don't.

[Diarmuid has a genuine look of regret in his eyes.]

We have been told by someone who we have no reason to distrust that there is a way. Unfortunately, we have been left to find that way. Every so often we find parts of this man's research and that helps us, but we have only just begun our work and so things are still somewhat chaotic.

Waver and I are working on part of that research. Once you are more settled, we would be honored to have you help us if you wish.

[Without really thinking about it, Diarmuid speaks of Waver's thoughts as if he knows what they will be. That is because he knows is friend well enough that he has no doubt Waver would want this man to help them once he knows what is going on. Of course, those who don't know how close the two are might wonder just how he can be so certain.]

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i will storm the gates of hell

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[Dorm Hallways]

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floor 1

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