The night air was crisp, cold enough that Illya's breath came out in faint white puffs. She didn't mind the chill. It was almost comforting. Familiar.
She walked at a steady pace, each step deliberate as she made her way toward the Emiya residence. It was quiet. Peaceful, even. The kind of tranquility that masked the bloodshed lurking just beneath the surface.
And tonight, she would stain that peaceful world red.
Berserker remained in his astral form, a silent shadow watching over her. He didn't speak—he never did unless provoked—but his presence was heavy, a constant reassurance that if things went wrong, she had the ultimate monster at her beck and call.
Not that she planned on needing him.
Not against her.
Her "Big Sister."
Illya's lips curled into something that was neither a smile nor a sneer. More like the bitter amusement of someone who had long since discarded the warmth of such words.
"Big Sister."
It sounded so laughable now.
How easy it had been for that girl to take what should have been her life. To live in a home that should have been hers. To be loved by a father who—
Illya's fingers twitched.
She had no father.
Not anymore.
Tonight, she would put an end to whatever foolish fantasy Shirō Emiya had deluded herself into believing.
She would rip away that false sense of family, that lie of a peaceful life.
And she would kill her.
One way or another.
[—(/-\)—]
The moonlight bathed the streets of Miyama in a cold, silver glow, making the night feel more alive than it should have. Illya's soft footsteps barely made a sound as she approached the Emiya residence, her crimson eyes gleaming with a quiet, merciless intent.
This was the night she would erase that fake sister from existence.
But as she stepped forward, an unwelcome presence blocked her path.
Rin Tohsaka.
The magus stood in the middle of the road, arms crossed, her usual smug expression replaced by something far more serious. The streetlights cast long shadows behind her, stretching toward Illya like reaching hands, but the younger girl remained unfazed.
"You're here for Emiya-kun, aren't you, Einzbern?" Rin's voice was firm, unwavering.
Illya didn't so much as blink. "Quite perceptive, Tohsaka. Now, if you'd please, I have an elder sister to kill."
Rin sighed, as if already tired of this conversation. "This is my territory. If you fight here, civilians will get in the way, and I cannot allow that."
The words were met with an amused chuckle. "And why should I care?" Illya tilted her head, her pale hair shimmering under the moonlight. "I don't mind spilling a little extra blood if it means finishing my job."
Rin's eyes hardened, but she didn't falter. "Meet me at Ryūdō Temple."
The sudden request made Illya pause. "Why, Tohsaka?"
"I'll bring Emiya-kun there," Rin said. Her tone was resolute, unwavering, as if this was already decided.
"And if you don't?" Illya asked, raising a delicate brow.
"I will." There was no hesitation in Rin's voice. "Otherwise, you can kill me."
For the first time, Illya looked mildly intrigued. A slow smile curled on her lips. "Ho… you seem to be quite fond of my dear sister." She let the words hang in the air, watching for Rin's reaction, but the magus remained stoic.
Interesting.
"Very well," Illya said after a moment. "Meet me at the temple in one hour. Otherwise…" Her crimson eyes flickered toward the dimly lit houses around them. "There is no scarcity of 'innocents' here."
And with that, she vanished into the night.
A long, heavy silence settled over the street. The only sound was the distant rustling of leaves as a cold wind passed through.
From the shadows, Archer finally stepped forward, arms casually folded over his chest. "You sure about this, Master?"
Rin let out a slow breath, her gaze still fixed on the empty space where Illya had been.
"I am."
Archer studied her for a moment before scoffing. "You better be."