PROLOGUE
-Shiki, are you sure that it's really necessary?
This question was asked by Tohsaka Rin who looked with concern at her friend. She knew that it was stupid question to ask but she had to try to convince Shiki out from such dangerous course of actions. The young Magi looked at fragile young man in front of her. She wanted to tell something else but couldn't. Shiki was right in some kind of insane logic. Going to the past was only reliable method to stop Arcuied from succumbing to her bloodlust. At least it looked so in theory. She sighed.
-It's OK, Tohsaka-san. But, please, support Akiha as much as you can. I afraid she won't take it well.
Shiki's reply was quite obvious to Rin even so they knew each other for a brief of time. He helped Shirou, Saber and Rin to solve problem with Dead Appostle that terrorized Fuyuki. Unlike Shirou who was kind of disillusioned by his own dreams Shiki had more realistic look at life. Maybe it's all because of his Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. White Princess of True Ancestors and a human boy. Who could thought that it was even possible pairing. But it was for real. Additional irony in Shiki's life was the fact that he was a demon hunter whose sister was a demon hybrid. Memory of overprotective reaction of Tohno Akiha made Rin shiver a little but she knew that stoic head of Tohno clan would be devastated by news that her brother jumped into past to save Acrueid.
-Well, I try to keep her spirits up. But you owe me since dealing with your sister is kind of pain.
Shiki smirked at the last comment. His sister could be really harsh with her words. Most of the time it was him who got scolded and slightly verbaly abused by Akiha. Sometimes she could rely on violence. Such a refined lady.
-Sorry to interrupt your conversation with Shiki, Rin...
Rin turned around to see that Saber and Shirou came from secluded area where preparation for time travel "ceremony" took place. They both had serious faces, at least Saber had one while Shirou's was a mixture of sadness and anger. Before Rin had a chance to ask what's happened Saber answered unasked question: "Lady Aozaki told Shirou that his dreams were foolish and childish. Additionally she said that his father was hypocrite and cold blooded Magi with some quite good examples from his life."
It was on his face that infamous Aozaki Aoko did what Saber, Rin and Archer failed to do: she explained him what consequences to his and those he kept dear such dreams could create. Rin looked with some pity to her apprentice but decided to leave him alone for awhile. She turned her attention to Saber.
-So, what did you want to discuss, Saber?
Heroic Spirit of King Arthur took a glance to where she came from and than looked at Shiki. After brief amount of time she just nodded to herself like she made some decision to herself.
-I think I must lend Excalibur to Shiki. After all I owe him that you and Shirou are alive when I failed to protect you from that Dead Appostle. It will protect him from evil and give him stength. The era where you and miss Aoko want to send him is very dangerous.
Rin and Shirou couldn't believe what they heard. Excalibur was the strongest holy sword and possibly one of the most powerful Noble Phantasms in existence. It was the weapon that made Saber, well, the Saber. Contrary to his friends Shiki smiled to Saber before answering her.
-Thanks, Saber. I appreciate you concern but I think it will be more of useless equipment to me like Sion Black Barrel Replica MK II since I know nothing about swords except they are bigger version of my knife.
The joke wasn't really that funny but made all presented to smile. It was undeniable thruth that while Shiki was expert handling his family folding knife it was quite impossible for him to use the same techinques with Excalibur. And learning how to handle a sword would take a great ammount of time. At least much more compared to firearm training.
-If it's about protection equipment than I can make a close copy of Avalon.
This time Shirou decided to make a suggestion to his friends. He was a little more skilled with Projection magic and practiced a lot to make copies of some Boble Phantasm. Saber looked questionly at Rin who in returnt looked at Shirou like he was complete idiot.
-Shirou, did you forget that your copies won't last long? And possibly they could be destroyed during "spell" activation. I explained you this a lot of times already. Your inability to learn such basic principles make me look like bad Magi who can't teach her apprentice.
Shirou rose his hands in front of him: "I understand, Rin. I understand. No need to be so pushy."
"Whatever you say." - was all response from Rin to Shirou who sighed in relief. Saber shook her head in disbelief how childish her Master could act when Shirou was a part of equation. But even so this little fight was settled without casaulties the main problem was left unsolved.
-How about my Azoth dagger. It's a little bigger compared to Shiki's knife but it's very light.
This suggestion created a little fuss because Shiki denied to take Rin's magic dagger since it was memento from her childhood. In the end Rin made a little scene about "men's pride and all" to force him accept it. After this Rin checked Sion's additions to Shiki's body. They were made by Atlasian alchemist after battle with one of failed experiments of Atlas that broke loose - Shiki was terribly hurt. Those additions were etherlite to replace his damaged nerves and undamaged main ones, prototype of Philosopher Stone that enhenced Shiki's health by little degree and could transform Mana to Od if needed. It wasn't really necessary to check them since they never malfunction for two years already but Sion instructed Rin to do so, just to be safe rather sorry.
-So, it looks like you're OK. It's something that Sion girl asked to give you. She said it will show when your condition would get worse.
With this words Rin gave Shiki silver watch with Eltnam symbol on them. They looked like ordinary cheap watches (if you do not count that it was made of silver) that you could by in any store. After more examination without result Shiki just put it on on his wrist. At the same moment glass that protected mechanism became black and miniature version of Shiki colored in green was shown for few seconds.
-Don't worry about it, Shiki. I reinforced it with my Magic so even you Mystic Eyes won't be able to destroy them. Like almost all of your items.
Aozaki Aoko came closer to the group with slightly tired expression on her face. Actually she wasn't really pleased with idea of Shiki to try time travel but knowing his nature she decided to help him. She even went so far to find out that annoying old man and ask him for help. It was surpising for her that Zeltrech actually was willing to help her. She got from him some magical items and coordinates of Sorcerer of the Forth Magic. It took her some time to get everything ready and gather ingridients to cast this complicated spell.
-It is ready Shiki. Are you prepared?
Shiki nodded in response. It made Aoko smile back at him. He became capable and dependable young man. Dangers and life-death situations made him strong and determined person. He was much different to that child she met on that grass field long time ago. But before she start ceremony she had to give him something. She went to her case and rummaged through it contents until she find it, the item she promised to Zeltrech to give Shiki. It was dagger with crude blade made of some kind of crystal substance. Rin recognized it in a moment while others couldn't understand why she looked so amazed and shocked at the same time.
-Hey, Shiki. Take this with you. He said that it's less he could do to you for helping his little princess. I don't think you can use it at all but he asured me that you at least capable to use it once. If situation will be dare. Or he said that your little familiar could use it. I don't quite remember actually.
The said familiar in her black cat form jumped on Shiki's shoulder and looked at the crystal dagger. She bite her master's ear before climbing on his head and looked again at the dagger. After five or seven seconds she lost interest and curled on Shiki's head. Shiki sighed at Len's actions and packed dagger in his small backpack.
He checked contents of his backpack: some rations, spare clothes, magic lighter, small axe and energy pills from Sion. Shiki closed it and headed to mirror that somebody brought to this secluded place for reasons unknown to him. He looked like squire, at least he thought he looked like one: plain cotton shirt and pants with leather to increase durability of some parts, leather jacket, boots, gloves and cloak. His folding knife was hidden in belt while Azoth was placed on his leg. Black Barrel Replica MK II was in its holster on the right leg while purse with gold, silver and copper coins was tied to his left leg. Shiki got his backpack and headed to ceremonial place while others followed him.
Author notes:
I finally got my hand healed and workload lessen. I read all reviews and was quite pleased with some critics about my writing style. So I rewritten Prologue chapter and will do the same for other three chapter. But I still need beta-reader who could help me with grammar and spelling since English is not my native.