Act Zero

*crunch* *crunch*

Those were the sound of my feet stepping on the road laid out before me.

*crunch* *crunch*

That sound never stop…because I refused to stay…..

*crunch* *crunch*

Those were the sounds of my feet stepping through the hell laid out before me.

The air was filled with thick black clouds of smoke. Smoke that came from the ashes of the burning buildings…and corpses.

*crunch* *crunch*

When did I begin walking down this road?

I don't think I can remember anything from before…not my friends…not my family…not even my last name.

The buildings keep burning while people died in many gruesome ways all around me…and all I can do was step over their corpses to make sure I don't end up like them.

I'm sorry,

*crunch*

I'm sorry…

*crunch*

I'm sorry…

This was the only action I can do to make up for stepping on them.

Some were alive as they pleaded for help. Even if they're already dead.

*whimper* *whimper*

.Huh?

Over on my left, a bit far off, was a girl crying…asking for her dear mother…clinging to her dear mother.

…Except that girl is clinging to a dead corpse…lifeless with a face that long since burnt off. The body was horribly disfigured and the skin looks as if you tried to peel a dried apple. It was horrible and a swift death would have been more merciful. Everything about the scene in front of me screamed wrong as if this is not how things were meant to happen.

It should have been an ordinary night where my family was taking me out. Even if I can't remember them…I wouldn't be out here if I weren't going out right?

The girl keeps crying while trying to wake up a dead corpse. It was tragic and I didn't have the strength to keep staring. I could have her come with me and try to survive this nightmare.

Yes…that was the right thing to do.

However my lips were chapped and it hurts to breathe. Even so I tried to give this girl a chance to live. With strength gathered up, I yell out at best as I could. Although what should have been loud coming out as nothing more than a whisper.

She heard me, though. She heard my whisper and look up towards where I stood. The girl had black hair that hung just above her eyes and a pink pin on the side... Her clothes were covered with a black smudge that most likely can from the fire itself.

The girl was wearing a yellow sundress with flower designs on the front and back. The hem of her dress was burnt off till it stops just above her knees. Her face showed only sadness and anguish from no longer hearing her mother again. The tears ran down her eyes like a river and I doubt it would stop anytime soon.

Hurry up was all I could think as she stared at me. You'll die if you don't move…

She began motioning herself to move and a little bit of hope swelled up in me at the thought of not having to walk this hell alone. However, hope only brings despair.

Just as she began to run towards me, a building that was position close by us began to fall. Time slowed still for me as I reach out my hands towards her as if thinking I could breach the distance.

I didn't make it and neither could she…

He building fell directly next to us and the force knocked me back while a giant ash cloud covered the air. I awoke to see the aftermath and it was far from pretty. My body moved towards the destructions to see if anything remained. By some, I manage to see a glimpse of the girl I was trying to help.

Only her lower half was under heavy rubble and there was blood oozing out. I approach her anyway to see what I could do. She was breathing which was a good sign but if I didn't move the rubble soon, she would eventually lose her legs. So I slowly push whatever debris I could even though I hardly made a dent in her condition.

*hiss* *hiss*
That was the sound of steam rising and as we both looked up to see what was happening…

Mud.

Never have I felt the need to run from such a thing until this night!

That dirty black mud that sought out life just to kill it. It was like the embodiment of that wrong in the world. It was slowly crept its way here while burning whatever it came into contact with. So I panic and keep pushing whatever rocks I could off of her but nothing I could do would lead to her salvation. Tears were forming in my eyes while I kept muttering how I'll save you.

The girl took my hand in her own with her red, teary eyes and gave me something I didn't think was possible in this nightmare. In her last minutes. She gave me a bright smile and utter these words to me that I was too shock to hear them.

"It's alright. You tried and that's… that's what matters the most. You're my hero."

She gave me her pink pin in hand and told me to run. That's exactly what I did…it's all I manage to do.

*crunch* *crunch* *crunch*

I walked further into this hell with a pink pin in hand and with every step I took, a part of my heart died as well.

Love (hatred)

Hope (despair)

Courage (cowardice)

Happiness (sadness)

Strength (weakness)

Purpose (Nothingness)

All the feelings that I held for myself were pouring out as I lost them until I couldn't walk anymore. My feet were sore and aching and my hands were numb and burnt. The toxic air was already working their ways in my lungs. All I could do was look up and stare at the moon while its light shine brightly throughout the ordeal.

I fell backward while still looking at the white moon in the sky while it looks back me. It was somewhat comforting to view like it was banishing any sort of dark cloud threaten to obscure its vision of this reality.

My eyes were wet and I felt like this was it for me…so I took one last glimpse at the pin the girl gave me. The pin had a name on it and it said "Miyu" which must have been the girl's identity. I held it tightly in my hand to ensure that the pin existed and wasn't an illusion conjured by my mind.

With what little strength I had left in my right hand, I raised it upwards towards the moon like I was holding a floating ball. The rock stood isolated but strong as if telling itself that it wouldn't look away from this. That it will see this hell and push pass it and move on to continue its cycle.

It was beautiful. My arm fell and I knew this was it for me.

"Thank goodness!"

Huh? Who's there?

"Please be alive!"

Next thing that happens was his arm was caught by rough hands of someone else. The young boy couldn't help but look up at his savior. The person who appeared to him was an adult male wearing a suit with a black coat around it. That man was panting while looking like he ran a 10-hour marathon around Fuyuki city.

The child then felt raindrops continually hit his face…but there was no rain in sight. He then notices the man was crying while holding the small hand in front of the face. Those cries were out of joy after finally rescuing someone from death. His tears kept pouring and he smiled just the same as her and the only thought that ran through the boys mind at the time was this…

"If I can save someone… can I smile like you?"

~0~o~0~

As my body felt itself gaining back its senses I thought it is best to pry my eyes open and see what's going on. The moment was regrettable at best because as soon as the light hit my sockets I felt to urge to pull the covers over my head.

"Urgh." I mouthed because the brightness was killing my sight as poorly as it was at the moment. When I thought the close was cleared, the covers used to shield my head were remove and the first thing I notice were the multi beds in the room. Judging by the kids in bed and women and men in white clothing, this must be the hospital. My eyes moved around to scan the chamber and quickly diverted right as a man who look like a doctor came along.

"Ah, you must have just woken up...right?"

"Yes" was my only reply to that question seeing as how I literally just did 1 minute ago?

"Hey Doctor, just how long have I been knock out?" I said while my body was still getting itself active. The Doctor looked with a smile and told that we were at Fuyuki city hospital.

So the fire didn't make it this far…Mentally comment as I rubbed the crust away from my eyes. Although now what do I do? I have no home or a family to claim me… I thought but what surprise myself was the sudden emptiness.

"Oh, I forgot to mention that they're this gentleman here that would like to speak with you."

"Huh… where is he?" I asked because I was curious as to who would know I'm here. Maybe a relative or someone close I told myself but when the emptiness that was there earlier came back again. It felt weird not feeling anything towards yourself. While my mind was wrapping around the thought, the doctor motion someone to come in. It hit me like a bullet to the head. That man was the figure that rescued me from the fire and brought me here.

My body froze in nervousness and I admit I was a bit anxious to see what he wanted. He then told the man in white to leave as he took a seat next to me. The silence was all that was even with the patients and nurse moving back in forth. I attempted to say something until the man broke the ice and ask me a question.

"Even though I'm a complete stranger to you…how would you like it if I adopt you?"

The man who saved me wants to take me and I wasn't sure how to reply. My family is gone and I have nowhere to go so I did what any child would do. Nodding my head up and down at a fast pace the man took my answer as a yes. With that, he then got up from his seat and set out to do some paperwork to make it official. Although he paused halfway and made his way back here and told me something outrageous.

"Also my name is Emiya Kiritsugu and I'm a magus."

The male then went forth to sign some paperwork, thus leaving me in thought. He said his name was Emiya Kiritsugu and that he was a ma-

"Wait… huh?"

~0~o~0~

The home that we'll be living at was really huge and very spacious. It was a Japanese style manor that was big enough to house two families and it even had a dojo. As I helped Kiritsugu and the guys at the van move the boxes around, a sharp breath of wind hit me and it felt comfortable.

Kiritsugu soon called it a day and took a small seat on the porch just outside the mini lake in the open space. Sitting next to him, he mentions that the stars look spectacular and the moon shines beautifully tonight. When viewing the moon, one could try and watch the world from its perspective and wonder how it feels.

It's like an observer that takes in what it sees happening on the planet whether it'd be right or wrong and tries to make sense of it. As both dwellers of the manor stared at the stars neither could think of what to say at that point. The man that rescued the boy and the boy was that was saved.

"Hey, old man…when can you start teaching me magic?" I said with a bit of a nervous tone, only because we just moved in and haven't gotten any time to adjust to one another. Kiritsugu, on the other hand, continues staring until he tilted his head in my direction and said "Sorry Shirou but I can't teach you 'magic.'"

"What's the big idea old man. You can't expect some to believe you're a magus and then tell them you can't teach them." And the fact of the matter was it was true. Trying to bring someone hopes up and crash it down is cruel enough as it is. Kiritsugu said nothing and only kept facing forward till he got tired and went to bed. I borrowed my eyebrows while thinking that he might be lying or something. If that's the case, I'll just keep asking him till he submits. With that in mind, I set a serious face that said "Don't give up" and went straight to my futon.

~0~o~0~

"Are you ready to teach me, old man?" The growing frustration as I continued to pester Kiritsugu was burning fire in my chest. The man was adamant on not teaching me anything about magic. The worst part was that the need to give up was looming closer than ever as he drunk his tea while reading the papers.

"No," said Kiritsugu. Some would have been driven to insanity at this point but both figures held their ground and would not back away so easily due to both being very stubborn beings.

"Come on old man, you have to teach me something at least." I declare as if it were an obligation Kiritsugu needed to commit towards. Before any repetition, Kiritsugu decided that enough was enough.

"Alright Shirou, after I come back we'll begin the basics of mage craft…okay?" Kiritsugu said with uncertainty in his voice due to whether or not it was a good idea.

"About time old man… for a second, I thought you were going to go insane with my constant begging." And yet as he left through the door I can't help but feel curious as to where the Magus goes on his trips. The manor is empty so I guess I can do what I want for now. My feet were moving towards the dojo with a couple of shinai in the racks.

Usually, when Kiritsugu is gone, I practice as though I'm swinging a sword with every stroke of the bamboo blade. My arms are in the fix position I see actors do on Television with the handle of the shinai firmly in my hand. With a bit of strength, I bring the blade down and allow gravity to do the rest. Occasionally Fuji-nee, a neighbor and my babysitter at times, come along and chat with me if not beg for me to feed her. I swear that a girl her age should be able to cook for herself at times but I don't mind it honestly.

"Shirou you there?" a voice speaks out loud while it echoes through the hallways of the empty home. Shirou knows who voice that is but quickly dismiss it since chances of her finding him here is always 100%. The blade rose again and brought down again over and over as it was a daily routine for the amber haired child. His body began the motion again until a screen door slides to reveal a chestnut-hair women wearing a uniform only those who practice kendo would wear. Her name is Fujimura Taiga.

At that moment, she scanned what was in my hand and held an amuse face that said 'caught you' as she began commanding her body to move towards me. I took a step back and she took a step forward until she sprinted at me while grabbing a shinai out of nowhere and attempting to hit me with it. Now I'm by no means an expert or master at kendo, unlike Fuji-nee. However, my body reacted before I knew it and dodge to the left.

She gave me no time to think about anything as she swung the shinai horizontally at my waist and in response I jump back. I went about 6 steps backward while she stood in place with a feral grin and it was a bit terrifying to look at. I wasn't sure what her game was but I just couldn't turn back now. This time, I switched from defense to offense in a heartbeat and ran towards her. I held the wooden sword loosely in my hand because the moment she went to block it I would feint and change the direction of the attack.

I went through with the plan as I went to aim for her head and as she brought her sword up to stop it, I quickly change trajectory. Time slowed down for me as I won the battle…or so I thought but she quickly turns both her hands holding the shinai in the opposite direction resulting the end of the wooden sword to collide with my own. After the rebound, I lost my footing and fell backward and with my head raised up, she brought her shinai down upon me. I close my eyes, waiting for the inevitable. However, it didn't come because when my eyes open the end of the bamboo blade laid an inch away from my face.

"Not bad Shirou but your still too green to try and best me," she said with a confident smirk on her face. I couldn't refute what she say because it's true. It was guaranteed that I'd lose her from the beginning since I lack experience while she didn't. Her hand was brought down to me and I grabbed it with my own. I ask her to teach me kendo during the 2 years Kiritsugu kept denying me the teachings of mage craft. It helped pass the time and even trained my muscles for a while.

~0~o~0~

On a particular night during Kiritsugu and me stargazing, that I now notice the empty look on his face. It was dull with a lack of life behind them and to make it worse, it feels as though whenever I look at him I couldn't help but flinch just a little bit whenever we see each other. That frustration built every time I saw those eyes made me feel as though he's the only one in despair without showing it. So it was only fair to let him know that he wasn't alone in his suffering.

"Hey, old man."
"Yes, Shirou?"

"Do you think it was okay for me to be saved?" The look on his face was priceless and maybe would warrant a few giggles or laughter had the moment not been so severe.

"Shirou just what exactly do you mean if it's okay for you to be saved? Are you suggesting that I should have left you to die in that fire?"

I wasn't sure how to respond to that question. If he's waiting for a response, the best I could give him was a memory I couldn't possibly forget. "Old man…during the fire I saw a girl clinging to her dead mom. I thought I could save her but then a building collapse right next to us as she ran towards me. Her lower half was crush and that was so much blood everywhere. I wanted to help…to save her from this nightmare so I began removing the rubble. I was scared that she would die and try to move faster but it didn't make a difference."

As I finish my tale, Kiritsugu only gave me a look that said he understood what I went through.

"Shirou, starting from tomorrow and I'll teach you the basics of mage craft. If you are slacking or incapable of keeping up, I will force you to stop. Do I make myself clear?"

Suddenly hearing that made me turn my head to face Kiritsugu and acknowledge what he said. He was going to teach me mage craft after all the times I've begged him. Even though I had to recall a painful memory that's as good as a nightmare will get, I couldn't help the small grin that crept its way into my face. A Little thought that was both childish yet somewhat filling appeared in my mind.

Could I save someone like you did Kiritsugu?

~0~o~0~

"Now Shirou before we begin, do you remember what I taught you so far?" Kiritsugu question as he was now starting to explain the magus world to his young pupil/adopted son.

"Um… oh yeah! You taught the lesson about something called magical energy…right?" Shirou replied with since it's been awhile since Kiritsugu went full in-depth with anything involving mage craft. His mind was ready and his hands were adjusted to take down quick notes in his notebook should he forget anything. Kiritsugu could only sigh as it seems he need to re-educate his 'student' on what magical energy really is.

"First of all its magical energy and its divided into two segments. One is called mana that comes from the earth itself and the other is called od that comes from living organisms such as you and me." Kiritsugu carefully went through it in his head again to make sure he didn't forget any relevant material on the subject thus far.

"So it's like the fuel cars use when people turn on the engines?" asked Shirou. Kiritsugu could only smile as his young pupil gave an example such as that.

"Yes Shirou it's exactly like that only both mana and od replenishes over time. Mana is considered the life force of the planet known as Gaia and it exist in the air around us. Od, on the other hand, lays with our bodies and once depleted our magic circuits refills it. Od will continue to produce as long as one is alive but the difference is the abundance which varies person to person. Do you understand it now?"

Shirou nodded his head while jotting down more notes concerning the difference between mana and od and what-ifs that can occur in between. Kiritsugu suddenly switches topics from the types of energy magi uses to the facilities that house the studies of mage craft. He told Shirou the many fractions that hold forms of studies of mage craft and supernatural such as the two big hitters. London's Mage Association and The holy church.

The Mage Association is an international, self-preservative, and self-defense organization formed by those that practice mage craft whose purpose is to control conceal, and develop it further. It was founded in the middle-age time period due to the decline in mage craft so only a minimum amount of people was aware of its existence.

The Holy Church is an international religious organization that's styled after the real Roman Catholic Church. It coexists alongside the mage association even though there are times of disputes. The church also has a strong animosity towards vampires because they come from 'human' and the risk of infection is far too high.

"Wow, old man…you sure know a lot about this stuff" Shirou points out as he hears more of Kiritsugu explanation on the fractions that lies around the world. Kiritsugu smiles at Shirou for being attentive and hyper as a child should be.

"Shirou during my time as a magus I've done jobs here and there for both fractions and develop quite a name for myself over the years," said Kiritsugu as he was now ready to move on to the next subject at hand.

Shirou, on the other hand, caught wind of the old man said and ask "what name did they call you?"

Kiritsugu could only pause as though he was contemplating something but he decided it wasn't worth the hassle and said "Something not worth mentioning."

After going through other materials such as magic circuits and the origin/element within individuals, Shirou wanted to dive right into the type of spells magi could use in the field. Kiritsugu felt it was only right to teach him that so he first started with basics such as reinforcement and projection. Although there was one problem that was troublesome and that problem was young Emiya Shirou did not know how to activate his circuits. Hours was spent trying to see what would work but nothing happens and by night reach both was at their wits end. As Shirou bid his father goodnight, he notices that the moon is out tonight and couldn't help but sit on the porch and gaze at it.

"Just what will it take for them to open? I've already known the basics but I can't think of anything else that might work. "

At that moment, Shirou thoughts were back at the night sky above and made him wonder if he's even capable of even performing mage craft like the old man did. It made him feel helpless and most of all it reminded him of what he wasn't able to do anything about. Just like that time during the time when such tainted flames took the lives of everyone around him and there wasn't anything he could do about it. He remembers the black smoke that came from buildings and corpse alike as he laid back awaiting death to come.

At that moment, he recalls staring at the moon, as though despite all the black surrounding it, despite the destruction and mayhem that occur, it stilled shine brightly throughout the incident while banishing any darkness that encroaches it. It was a lone figure whose stars were its ally gaze upon the destruction but did nothing to look away. It held its gaze and continue on towards another night without flinching or disgusted by the horror in front of it. It did what it keep doing because it was strong not to run from the hell before it and moved on.

After all was said and done Shirou felt that he needed the sleep more than he ever did and went to his futon. It was then that he notice particular green circuit pattern over the course of his skin around both his arms. A child learning the arts the magic would be thrilled and soon jump, run, and scream for joy but young Emiya did what came natural and turns his head towards the window.

~0~o~0~

"Shirou now we are going to begin with another form of mage craft called reinforcement."

"And that would be what again?"

Luckily Kiritsugu figured this would happen so he mentally prepared himself for the tiresome explanation. And just like before, Shirou felt the need to write down notes in his book only, this time, it's without the glasses.

"Listen well Shirou, reinforcement is the form of mage craft that enhances the existence of an object by pouring your magical energy into it. By reinforcing the purpose of an object you can make food taste better, knives sharper, and in the case of a living organism, its durability and strength."

"So in other words, it's like a power up for everything right?"

"Well, it's more of the battery being supercharged rather than a power up."

As Kiritsugu went further in the explanation of reinforcement, Shirou couldn't help but think what he could do with the mage craft. In his mind ran thoughts such as the wonders if he could reinforce his legs to move faster, his hands to hit harder, or his eyesight to see further. There were possibilities and he would be the one to exploit them when giving the chance. It wasn't until Kiritsugu called him for his attention that Shirou looked away from his notebook.
"Shirou please do remember that mage craft is to remain an absolute secret. No one must know about it. Otherwise, you'll have to face consequences that you're better off not facing at all."

"Relax old man I didn't forget that one."

With that said Kiritsugu gave a tiny smile and continue the lecture as plan. "Now that I told you about reinforcement, I want you to test it out with these glass cups."

As he said those words, Kiritsugu pulled out 5 cups from behind him. Each cup was of a different color and a different shape. Shirou then grasps the first one he saw which was a large green bowl and began to activate his circuits. His mental trigger was none other than the viewpoint of the moon as it gazes down back at the earth. He felt his circuits flaring up and then tried to pour his magical energy into the object. The object broke in pieces seconds not long after attempting the try.

"What!?"

"It seems as though you pour too much into it and thus, it couldn't handle the amount. Shirou remembers that just as how the cup broke, human beings are no different and we too have a limit. Now try again and keep doing so till I come back with more cups to use."

For the rest of the day, Shirou spent hours after hours trying to reinforce cups. If someone were to see this, they'd be shocked at the sheer dedication he puts himself through to accomplish such a task, but then again he is a very stubborn child. Another question to look back on is just how many cups can Kiritsugu replace?

~0~o~0~

2 months of training and the most Emiya Shirou could reinforce was 3 cups at without breaking them. Truly this child was stubborn as a mule but he kept the faith and persisted even more. While practicing, he even decided to use structural analysis to gain insight on the cup layers within to help better the reinforcement. All that needed to be taught left was projection, although that was when he hit a brick wall.

The projection was the final step of the basics and more complicated than reinforcement. The concept of projection or known as 'Gradation Air' is that the caster uses magical energy to materialize objects by the imagination of the user. The item is then seen as a phantasm by Gaia, who in response, crushes it because it does not belong to the natural world. Most magi considered this art useless and incomplete but Emiya Shirou does not care the slightest. To him, this is the final test he must pass to make all his efforts mean something.

The young Emiya stared out at the invisible space in front of his eyes. His hands grasping for something that isn't there and the picture of an object yet to be brought forth. Taking in a sharp breath of air, Shirou focuses on a mantra he created similar to one he used in archery club.

Judging the concept of creation

Hypothesizing the basic structure

Recording the composition material

Imitating the skills towards its End

Transferring the growth of experience

Recalling the flow of years

Installing every manufacturing process

Trace over!


AN: Hello fellow fate fans. This is a reboot of a story I did called Fate/ steel edge and as for the reason of the reboot is because I wasn't satisfied with the direction the story was headed. It felt rush and honestly I'm hoping to take my time and deliver a good story worthy for the fate franchise. Leave a review if you think I made a mistake or too simply state your opinion on the story itself. I'll probably update once a month because I'll be focusing more on the quality of the story than the quantity. Later!