Chapter Two

Emiya Kiritsugu was not a good man. He never thought himself as one. He had killed many people throughout his life more than anyone he could think about. But he never killed for fun, only for greater good as he called it. He wanted a perfect world where no one would suffer a world where there would eternal harmony. To create this world he had participated in the 4th holy grail war. He had used many underhanded tactics to pave a path for his victory, many lives were sacrificed to do that. But this all changed after the appearance of Angra Mainyu also known as 'All the world's evil'. The dark God had taken the form of his wife to confront him and grant him his wishes . But Kiritsugu rejected his proposal which he realized would take the lives of many innocents. So as to prevent him from releasing his wrath on this world, he had used a command spell to force his servant to destroy the holy grail. But before being destroyed the grail had cured him to never be free of regret until his painful death. Later Kiritsugu realized that during his talk with the grail, some mud had slipped through and spilled on the streets creating a fire that destroyed a large part of Shinto.

"Thank you….thank you for being alive."

Kiritsugu cried while holding the hand of a boy. The boy in question was a kid about seven years of age. He had jet black hair and was stark naked. His body was burnt at various places as Kiritsugu had found.

"Don't close your eyes please don't close them."

The boy had no idea what the man was talking about. He was just tired and was feeling sleepy. He couldn't control his eyelids as they slowly fell down.

Kiritsugu was startled. He assumed the worst when saw the boy closing his eyes. The only person he had saved in his entire life died infront of him. So in that moment he did something which he would regret throughout his remaining life.

"The boy has no records. It's like the boy just popped out from nowhere."

"I see. Thank You"

Kiritsugu thanked the nurse and walked towards the boy.

"Do you remember your name?"

"Zeref"

"That's a odd name."

Kiritsugu commented on the name.

"Do you remember who your parents are?"

The boy shook his head.

"I see. I will be direct and ask you which one you would prefer : being sent to an orphanage or being taken in by a man that you just met."

The boy made a thinking pose and then pointed his fingers towards the man.

"Haah"

Kirutsugu breathed out in relief as he was happy with the boy's choice.

"I'm glad. Let's get you dressed right away. I've brought some clothes you would like, after that we will eat some food in the nearby cafeteria before taking you to your new home."

It had been six months since Kiritsugu had adopted the boy. The boy as he had found out was a prodigy in studies. He had absorbed whatever he was taught like a sponge. He was also gifted in the arts of magecraft. He copied the reinforcement spell just after he saw it for the first time. What was more that the boy didn't even have a crest or magic circuits in his body. He did it just like that.

"Zeref come here."

"Yes father."

The boy in question answered. The boy as it turns out pondered about a lot of things. He tended to curious about almost everything. Kiritsugu always tried his best to answer his questions.

"Lets start your kendo training."

"Hmmm."

"What's with that face of yours."

"I've a question."

"Shoot it."

"Why do people die?"

"It's a part of life."

"Why?"

"Life leads to death. It's a natural cycle that everyone has to face."

"Will you die?"

"Yes."

"Will I die too?"

"Yes."

"When will we die?"

"I don't know. It could happen at any moment. It may be now, tomorrow, or after 10 years or after 50 years."

"What happens when you die? How do you feel?"

"I don't know as I'm still alive."

Kiritsugu chuckled at that.

"Ok."

"Here catch it."

The two practiced Kendo as the night went on.

"Why did you save me that day?"

"I saved you because you needed to be saved."

"Why didn't you save the others?"

"I couldn't."

"Why?"

"One day you will realize that you can't save everyone. You've to choose over someone to save another."

"Is that so."

"Yes."

"What am I to you?"

"My son."

"Hmm….."

"You know when I was of your age I wanted to be a hero of justice."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Did you become one?"

"No I couldn't."

"I will become one in your stead."

"Perhaps you can."

"You think so?"

"Yeah you're a nice kid with lots of brain."

"Is that a requirement."

"No it isn't but having it will definitely make you more efficient."

"Why do you travel so much?"

"Work."

The man answered simply.

"Where do you go most of the time?"

"Europe."

"Can I come with you?"

"No."

"Ok."

"I thought you would ask again or request me to take you with me more."

"Why?"

"Most of the children request again and again until the parents heed to their request."

"Am I like most children?"

"No, definitely not."

"It's clear that you don't want me to come with you so I shouldn't insist."

Kiritsugu ruffled his son's hair.

"You're a smart kid Zeref."

"I try my best."

"When?"

"According to the doctor within a year."

"What is your opinion?"

"Within a week at most."

"Hmm"

Zeref frowned at the answer.

"You know you never told me about your own family."

"You're my family."

"Other than that."

"There's not much to tell."

"Are you sure."

"Yeah."

"Ok"

"I had a wife."

"Hnn"

Zeref turned towards the man as the words piqued his interest.

"What was she like."

"Kind and beautiful. She would have been a good mother for you Zeref."

"Is that so."

"Yeah."

"What was her name?"

"Irisviel."

"Good name."

"I know."

"She was an European, wasn't she?"

"What makes you say that?"

"The name made it obvious."

"Hah"

Kirutsugu chukled.

"How did she die?"

"In that fire."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"Don't be."

Suddenly Kiritsugu coughed out blood. Zeref ran to his father's side with a tissue and some water along with his medicine.

"Are you all right."

"Yes."

"You shouldn't ignore your medicines you know."

The boy chastised his father as he handed him the medicines.

"They don't make any difference you know."

"Even then you shouldn't ignore them."

The man laughed at the boy's words.

"Have I been a good father to you Zeref?"

"Yeah. Better than anything I could ask for."

"I'm glad."

The father and son duo sat on the verandah under the moonlit sky.

"How did it happen to you?"

"I was cursed."

"Who cursed you?"

The boy asked while clenching his fists.

"There is no point in asking that now as there is nothing you can do."

"WHY ARE YOU GIVING UP? THERE OUGHT TO BE A CURE OUT THERE SOMEWHERE. WE CAN FIND IT TOGETHER."

The boy shouted out for the first time.

"I deserve this."

Silence fell upon them.

"The night is beautiful today."

Zeref spoke as he turned towards his father who lay there still.

"Kiritsugu are you all right."

The boy spoke out in concern for his father who didn't answer. Kiritsugu lay there still not breathing with a peaceful smile over his face.

"Dad please answer me."

"Dad"

The boy wept silently as the realization dawned upon him.

Kirutsugu Emiya was no more.