Title: Phantasmal Soldier
Author: samwryder
Completion Date: 4/05/19
Story Start
The clocktower was going to be pissed but it didn't really matter, not with the wyvern swooping down bearing their riders toward the innocent. Not with the orcs slaughtering mothers and fathers and daughters. Not with a spartan like calvary endlessly pouring through the gateway as they made their attempt to kill any they may reach. No all that mattered was saving as many as possible. So as Shirou Emiya stood in the chaos of Ginza he spoke only two words to in invading army.
"Trace, on."
In has hands a pair of swords shimmered into existence, one black one white, beyond that and the turtle shell pattern etched into the black one they remained equal. Kanshou and Bakuya, the twin married swords that reached the heavens and marked themselves as legends.
Shirou caught a blade as it sought his neck, its edge skittering down Bakuya as Kanshou was buried into the descending orcs stomach without hesitation. Slinging the pig creature to the ground Shirou lashed out and caught an incoming horse deep in the chest and moved to his next target. An archer, one whom just so happened to loose an arrow towards a group of fleeing civilians. With a roar he hurled the blades, one toward the archer, the other toward a group of incoming wyvern.
"I am the bone of my sword." He chanted and he could feel his circuits begin to warm as he pushed his prana through them. Reinforcing himself he bolted for the fleeing group, a simple circular shield forming on his arm as he went. Shields were a pain but he made sure to have a few of various type in his reality marble for situations such as these. The arrows struck with a 'clang' and burst apart in a shower of splinters.
Dropping he shield he let it and the married blades disappear back into ether as he focused. "Trace on."
Judging the concept of creation.
A weapon of ancient Ireland and the Heroic spirit Lugh. Created to skewer the enemies of the wielder and faithfully return.
Hypothesizing the basic structure.
Created of the finest yew for its shaft and for its blade, iron. It was considered unimpressive in comparison to the spear of Lugh but it carried out its orders faithfully.
Duplicating the composition material and imitating the skill of its making.
Throughout it existence it has been taken up and discarded countless times and in that time fell countless foes.
Reproducing the accumulated years.
As time wore on its truth has been shrouded in mystery. Its owner passing into legend. Its tale passing to myths until its wielder took a place amongst the throne of heroes. The spear itself transcending the boundaries of the world as it became a noble phantasm.
"Gae Assal!" He snapped. Gae Assal wasn't the most impressive Noble Phantasm in his arsenal, heck it probably did even rank in the top hundred but what it did. It did well. Rearing back he flung the spear with a cry of "Ibar!"
Thankfully after the minor infusion of prana Gae Assal required, he could feel an invisible tether attach to his hand and the wyvern he'd aimed at. The rider jerked his mounts bridle and banked away from the incoming weapon to no avail. As the beast moved so to did the spear, altering its course and losing none of its power as the teacher reeled it in.
With a scream of pain the dragon like creature plummeted toward the ground Gae Assal having pierced its thin neck. It struck a building first before striking the ground hard enough to create cracks through the concrete.
"Athibar" Shirou snapped watching a calvary man level his lance and charge. The air whistled and Shirou didn't move beyond extending a hand. Not a moment to soon either as the hand was filled by Gae Assal. Side stepping the lance Shirou swung the spear about and plunged it into the soldiers eye with a grim frown. The spear faded from reality as Shirou noticed the street around him had emptied save for him and the many corpses he had managed to create.
The screaming had all but vanished and Shirou could hear helicopters in the distance. The ratatatatatata of the machine guns filled the air followed by the wyvern dropping from the sky and Shirou let out a sigh of relief as the JSDF turned the corner in a tank. A shiver ran the length of his spine as the machine guns turned to face him and Shirou threw his arms into the air.
"Please head toward the Palace! It has been allocated as a safety zone for civilians." A female voice called as the tanks hatch opened revealing a pretty young woman with short brown hair and eyes of liquid chocolate.
The whinnie of horses interrupted Shirous response as a platoon flooded in from the streets behind him. Gritting his teeth Shirou flung himself toward the building and hopefully out of the line of fire. It was a good choice as the machine guns lit up and gunshots rattled his ears.
Just like that, the battle was over. The remainder of their forces either retreated, were captured or were gunned down. In coming days Shirou found out three things, one, the soldiers came from some kind of gate in the middle of Ginza, two, the amount of civilian casualties left him feeling sick to his stomach, it was like the Fuyuki Fire so many years ago. Finally, three, between the gate and his own contributions, as someone had caught footage of him creating Kanshou and Bakuya, the fact that Magic existed was now an established fact.
So there he stood just a week after the incident, standing beside an odd man by the name of Youji Itami who seemed seriously upset about missing the comics convention that was going on that day. The both of them declared The Heroes of Ginza. Public figures, he was sure if Rin was still speaking to him she'd be telling him he was an idiot.
He wouldn't disagree with her either. A day after that they announced they would be sending a force of soldiers into the special region to seek reparations and justice for all the lives lost in what they called the Ginza incident. Two weeks after that, Shirou found himself siting in a fairly standard conference room opposite a General Hazama and one Suguwara.
"So just to make sure I understand, you want me to join the JSDF as a civilian contractor for the duration of the venture into the special region. Specifically as a consultant for any magic we may come across." Shirou ran a hand through his hair.
Suguwara nodded and bowed, "that is indeed the case Emiya-San, as despite our call for any sorcerers like yourself only two others have stepped forward. It would be remiss of us not to request your aid in this matter. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause you."
It was a carefully worded statement and though it seemed as clear as possible, Shirou could remember this interactions with several of the council members from Fuyuki. It always left him with the feeling he should count his fingers after shaking their hands. Politicians always had a motive, after all.
General Hazama must have seen his apprehension because he spoke before Shirou could utter a single word. "Let me get to the nitty gritty of the issue Emiya-San. While we didn't encounter any magic users in the companies we encountered during the battle and I have no doubt that a number of bullets will put them down we have no guarantee that that would be the truth."
Slowly, Shirou nodded. If there were truly magus in the special region and the wyverns existence suggested the age of magic had still not begun to decline than any magus third rate or not would be a boon. Their presence would save lives. Sure going meant being under the thumb of the JSDF and that he would face combat. But Shirou had long accepted that to reach his goal, to save as many as he could and reunite with her on the hill of swords he'd do anything. Even if that meant walking with politics as well as death.
Standing he bowed. "I'll do everything I can to help."
"Excellent, we appreciate your swift and patriotic decision Emiya-san." Suguwara said as he stood and bowed.
The General followed the motions but his hardly lasted a moment before he straightened. "I suggest you say any goodbyes and set to rights any issue that you may have. You ship out in two weeks. Welcome, Emiya, to the JSDF."
Shirou nodded. It felt odd leaving it at that but saying thank you seemed wrong. Considering they came to him even if they didn't really have to twist his arm to get him to go, no his thanks were not needed. No, there was to many other things that would require his attention. Taiga being the largest issue. Than of course was the clock tower, he hadn't heard a peep from them, not even Rin for that matter. As it was he wasn't sure what they could do, it would take a sorcery to put the genie back in its bottle and he doubted even "the blue" herself would be willing to blow up the vast majority of the world. Still he didn't want to be around when they did make a decision.
"If you'll excuse me there is a lot I have to get done." With one final bow Shirou slipped from the room. He had no doubts he made the right choice. After all it was never wrong to want to save someone was it.
So, there Shirou stood two weeks later. Surrounded by soldiers wearing the newest fatigues in the latest greens, the bars of a lieutenant pinned to his arm and hat.
"This is exciting isn't it?" The words were accompanied by an elbow digging into Shirou's side. He was a slim man, his pale skin me even paler by his black hair. "I mean, my wife doesn't want me to go and I get it but it's not like I could say no, ya know."
Shirou managed a small smile, "I take it you've been part of the JSDF for awhile than?"
He nodded, "yeah, I'm Master Sergeant Nishina but you can call me Tetsuya." He shot Shirou a grin. "No need to introduce yourself. Emiya Shirou, the magic consultant."
Staring hard at the man, Shirou ran through the people he had recently met, the man before him wasn't among them. Slipping a hand into his pocket Shirou clutched at the small I.D. Card he'd been issued. After a round of alteration it was no longer a flimsy lamented photo I.D. No, now it was a blade of the sharpest design. The likes of which could barely be matched by the greatest of blacksmiths greatest work. It would tear through skin as easily like a spoon through pudding.
The man knew his name, and approached him when he wouldn't be able to use his weapons, he was good. Tetsuya seemed to pick up on his unease and raised his hands in front of him. "Hey it's no big deal, I know all four of the civilian consultants. I filled out the paperwork for your gear."
Turning Tetsuya's words over in his head, Shirou nodded. It would make sense, and it was backed up by Occam's razor. "It's a pleasure to meet you Tetsuya-San, I apologize if I seemed rude, it's just most magus aren't used to magic being discussed openly. Such discussions usually lead to a 'difficult' end." His words were strained.
Their conversation was cut off as General Hazama took his place in front of the dome astride one of the tanks. "As you go through this gate into the special region I expect you all to be aware. We are walking through a bottleneck and I have little doubt the enemy is waiting on the other side. Keep your head on a swivel and fire as needed but no mistakes! This is no time for friendly fire."
"Sir, yes, Sir!" The company chanted.
The general stared for a few moments longer before sweeping his arm toward the opening doors. "Move out."
The tanks started rumbling and Shirou found himself marching a short ways behind the first one. As he passed between the first of the marble columns in front of the gate something changed. Wth a deep breath Shirou let the scent of the magic in the air settle against his nose and he couldn't hold back a shiver as he began to hack and cough. The smell was the same as the one that belonged to the master of the kaleidoscope, Zelretch. He couldn't forget that smell, a mix of sweet flowers, smog fouler than a landfill and the salt brine of the ocean and so much more.
The chance that the gate opened up where it did, how much of that was The wizard marshals doing? His shoulders tensed and Shirou was halfway through Kanshou's history before he was halted.
"What's going on Emiya-san?" Tetsuya placed a steadying hand on Shirou's shoulder.
"It's hard to explain." Glancing about he ran a hand through his hair and sighed, "I had my suspicions but I wasn't sure until now. The gate isn't one through time, but dimensions."
"I thought we knew that already. What with the wyverns and all." A woman on the shorter side butted in her voice filled with scorn.
Shirou shot her a glare, "Wyverns existed as did many other creatures phantasmal. There was no guarantee that some fool attempted the third magic."
A warm breeze flitted across his face and the scent changed. Gone was the smell of the Britney depths replaced by fresh air and something Shirou could only describe as a dust cloud.
"So Emiya-San, tell me what do you think?" Tetsuya asked as the two stepped into the light in the special region.
Shirou cocked his head as a small camera found its way in front of his face. "Everything is different here. We stepped from the world of science and skyscrapers into a world of magic and nature. I can only hope we don't destroy this world before we leave."
What he didn't know was that Tetsuya had officially recorded his words for posterity.
The hill they stood upon was barren save for a random growth of trees. Like their own world the sky was a beautiful blue and if he hadn't just walked through the gate he'd be certain he was still in Japan. Of course, the position of the sun helped, Shirou estimated the time was a few hours behind that of his homeland.
"Sir!" Shirou heard the shout and he felt himself tense. "Scouts confirm an army en-route -."
He couldn't hear the last of the report, nor the response of the Major, so Shirou stifled a sigh. There just wasn't enough information, their morale, position, distance. No the only thing he knew for sure was, battle was coming to them, even as he moved out of the way to allow the next units to pass through.
The next few hours were a blur of activity. Setting of fences, barbed wire, tents latrines, the mess hall. Taking a turn on watch however was the most stressful, not because of the incoming army, he couldn't even see them yet. No, it came from the Major trying to force a gun into his hands despite Shirou telling him he already carried the weapons he needed. The whole thing happened to be a waste of time.
"Tell me something Emiya-San,." Shirou groaned, he'd been paired with the short woman he'd come through the gate beside. Her name was Kurabayashi and tomboy was to lax a descriptor as far as Shirou was concerned. Despite her obvious 'assets' her brawn hair was kept short and she seemed to be in the military due to her love of combat situations. Or so the rumors said at least.
"What do you need." Shirou replied and adjusted the scope he was using to peer across the distance.
"Your a civilian consultant right" She continued before Shirou could respond. "If your a civilian whats with the lieutenant bars and fatigues."
Shirou rolled his eyes, all the girl had to do was think it over and he was sure the answer would have been obvious. Course he couldn't say that, he'd never hear the end of it. "My command is as good as a lieutenant's and so the hostiles can't see a difference between our gear."
"Well that's obvious" She growled after a moment before falling silent. A silence Shirou hoped would take some time to break.
To bad the world rarely gave him a spare thought, let alone what he wanted.
"Emiya-San!" A voice nearly as annoying as the one that had been pestering him the last little while called up to him. This time he didn't bother stopping himself from groaning. The two of them together would be to much of a pain to deal with.
Sticking his head over the side of the small tower they'd constructed earlier in the day he stared down at Itami. "Itami. Should you really be yelling?"
"The enemy forces are a days march from here, and I'm here to relieve you." At Itami's welcomed words Shirou rolled off the tower reinforcing himself as he fell and landed with his legs barely bent.
"Thanks, and have fun with her" he uttered jerking his head toward the top of the tower before wandering into the small sea of tents.
His bed called for him and even though he'd fought the call so many times before, he didn't fight its siren song that night. A good thing for he didn't know of the trouble that was coming.
End.
Authors notes:
First let me apologize again for the delay, not much I could do about getting sick though.
Second, I chose these two because they pair rather well and leave so many routes I can the characters travel. I dare any of you to guess what will happen next. I bet you won't get it right! If you do there's a reward (semi specific details required. Generalizing won't cut it here.)... Anywho as you all may have noticed I did not remove Itami nor will I be replacing Itami with Shirou. I like both characters to much to do that.
Oh, I'm still looking for a beta, and am currently accepting ideas for noble phantasms. Not to mention fan-art.
Three, I won't deny I like this set up much more than C.C. The next chapter of which will be popping up in a few days. In other news, I have the first chapter of my serial novel getting ready to go out to the editor and the cover's being done as you read. If your interested find me on
Twitter: Sam_w_Ryder or on Facebook: Samuel W. Ryder.
Now in the immortal words of Atlas, please Read and Review. Even negative reviews, they fuel my fire!