It was always a mystery to him how on the doorstep of death, everything suddenly made sense. Just clicked into place. He'd experienced it before. He didn't like dwelling on it, but even back then, he was at peace. He'd made his peace a long time ago.
Gray knew that he'd been living on borrowed time ever since that day. He knew it'd run out one day. He'd tried to make the best use of his time, too. Tried really hard. But to die twice in the same day was a bit much for anybody.
"Checkmate."
It was a mystery to him how on the doorstep of death, everything suddenly made sense. Except this time. As he lay bleeding out of a stab wound in his stomach, Gray hadn't the foggiest idea what the fuck was happening. The man, his pursuer and assailant, was still speaking, but he couldn't really hear what he was saying. He caught snatches over the sound of his shuddering breath, of his heart thumping against his ribs. What little he got just confused him further.
"Magecraft... Seventh... end."
End. E-N-D. The finish. El fin. Story's over. One word. Three letters. End. Finish.
Gray knew that he'd been living on borrowed time ever since that day. He knew that it'd run out one day, so he'd tried to do the best he could with his time. He'd made his peace a long time ago.
However, right then and there, he just didn't feel like dying.
So, he squeezed the leaking wound shut and sat up straight. He wanted to get a good look at the man, but his vision was blurry. He could make out the moon in the background. He saw something shiny. Steel, probably. Then something red. He didn't know what it was exactly.
But he knew where the man was. Looked right at him. Smirked to the best of his ability.
"Fuck you, asshole," he said. "Not today."
And it felt good.
Then he breathed out and closed his eyes. Heard the wind rushing. Heard a soft explosion. Heard muffled clanking and ruffling of cloth. Then, a sharp steel on steel screech.
Gray opened his eyes. Blinked.
There was light. Too much light for just the moon.
The metallic shine was still there, though it seemed different. Softer. The red thing was there too, but it didn't shine anymore.
"I ask of you."
A new voice. Deep. Resolute. Feminine.
Gray looked up.
A woman. A beautiful face. Long red hair. Light brown eyes standing out against the pale moonlight silhouetting her frame. He couldn't tell how she felt from her expression.
The wind died down. The light dimmed. Her mouth opened.
"Are you my Master?"
Gray blinked.
Then he remembered no more.
A/N: I made this for my friend Tari Silmarwen, who has a whole set of headcanons for this crossover AU.