Fate: Beyond Reach –Prologue-
Location: unknown
Looking as far as I could, the sun can be seen in its orange hue dipping slowly. The night coming close is felt by the coldness of the air and the sky darkening. Releasing a single breath, our hope of finding land before day turn to night is almost impossible by now, seeing that there is no sign of human presence or activity around here. The parted sea made by our means of transportation splashes wildly, as if he was trying to split the sea in half. Having nothing better to do, I turn my attention and begin to evaluate the beast I've been riding this past few hours to the fishing boat I've seen back home. Thinking for a while, the monstrous turtle is more or less the size of your standard Nagisa maru fishing boat. Tarasque, a monster so menacing due to its surreal feature, a beast with head of a lion and the body of a turtle is bizarre and out of place even in the strangest part of the world.
A turtle's anatomy allows its mobility above the surface of water in a speed that's not worth to discuss, and yet the rate of speed Tarasque swimming is as fast as car on land. The impossibility of its speed due to its wide body and thick legs is somehow made possible either by magic…..or having a three pair of legs.
Feeling the wind whipping my face, I better make sure I'm safe from falling face first to the sea, cold water is not something you want to experience when the temperature is already unbearably freezing on its own. Now just slowly back up to the centre carapace without giving any attention…..
"oi master, make sure you don't creep someone out just because you didn't learn the meaning of personal space. As much as I like us to get along, I'm sure getting close physically is not a smart move in establishing proper bond with your servant", a mocking voice can be heard behind me. "Seriously, being summoned by a master that acts like a kid is something I rather not experience from my day one being summoned by you, master".
"sh-shut up archer! Like I care about bonding with a jerk like you. And besides, I'm not scared of falling or anything!", somehow I couldn't help but retort back to the servant of the bow I summoned hours ago, while suppressing the blush from reaching my ear. "hoooo. You mean the guy who's been slowly moving closer secretly all this time isn't scared at all. Understood master, I'll make sure not to judge your bravery in tip toeing 2 metre for 5 minutes next time", archer replied back with a smug as I pretend the cold cause my face to swollen red from ear to ear. Even if it was our first conversation since the past few hours I can definitely say this servant will be the hardest to deal with, even though he was the first one to answer my call during my first summoning. Contemplating my next word, a scolding voice can be heard behind me. "Archer, you shouldn't make fun of our master like that. It will be hard for him to be a proper master if we, his servant fail to develop a proper manner during a conversation", said the servant of the chariot. Hearing her words of support, my heart lighten a bit. "You should know that a boy his age can be afraid of something childish and us, as his servant would help him overcome those fear as long as our contract still hold.", and with that my confidence was beaten by this saint with good intention.
"th-thank you rider, I'll do my best starting now.", thanking my second servant, I turn my head to face the other side, else that jerk smiling beside me will cause my irritation to grow. Archer then face rider to continue the conversation. "I can't help it rider, a naïve master to tease is a chance I can't just pass up lest I won't be able to enjoy this second chance of living to the fullest", "Oh, I can understand you archer. Seeing Shirou making a pout is so endearing that it's hard not tease him", rider giggle while covering her mouth as they continue to destroy my spirit to grow as an adult. Seeing them happily talking about their master without holding back, I hide my face behind my knee so the embarrassment can be lessen if only a little bit.
As they continue their fun time teasing their master, the two servant sitting at the back side of tarasque shell under the class assassin watched silently to a real life example of Japanese mother sharing their son's embarrassing moments with a close relative. "I have sworn to help master by ridding his burden with everything I have Danzo-san, and yet I do not know how to deal with master first burden right in front of me. My training as a ninja is not complete as I believed danzo-san", said the red-headed Japanese servant to his companion during his life. The long haired kunoichi respond to her companion, "It seems even this is above me koutaro-san, all we can do right now is to sit silently and hope for our master growth in the near future". Her fellow Japanese servant silently agree as they continued to watch archer and rider sharing their thought about me.
'Maybe I'm not cut out for this stuff, uncle zeltretch', the night finally came as I contemplate my decision to help in fixing this universe problem. I quickly dismiss any negative thought while reminding myself that I, Fujimaru Shirou will never back down from what he believed is the right choice. To be someone that can stand beside uncle zeltretch someday, my dream is not wrong. "Look archer, didn't I tell you Shirou can be good looking when he show his confident face more! You shouldn't belittle a boy showing his good side you know", and with that I continue to push my head deeper between my leg. 'I just hope Ritsuka is doing alright, wherever she is right now'.