This is not my work...yada yada yada, you get my point

Anyway this marks the 4th chapter of my fanfic, and I have gotten quite a lot of good reviews. I have a broad plan on where my story will go after Perseus Arc, but it's not detailed so if you guys have an idea you want to see I'm open, PM me.

Holy Shit! My life is so damn busy. I had AP tests and what nots that kept me from writing. It infuriates me. Please forgive me. I hope this chapter would depreciate your anger.

Agghhhhhh! I have so many ideas in my head that it seems like I will explode! I and probably you can't wait to hear the end result.

Also, worry not. I will severely level up Rin, Sakura, and Illya. They will still be the main girls.

Contrary to God Slaying Blade Works their next destination after Italy will be...England! They will return to Japan mark my words. Nothing more will be said.

Spoiler (you have been warned)

Okay! When I saw Campione the anime and the battle between Godou and Perseus. I immediately thought wow Emiya Shirou and Perseus would get along just fine...like oil and water. I mean come one although Perseus is strong he only cares about himself and battle. That's completely different from Shirou. I admit I got the idea of this battle from God Slaying Blade Works, but unlike him I will develope the battle between those two in a very different way.

One thing I hated about Perseus vs Emiya in God Slaying Blade Works was how the ordinary blade destroyed [Kanshou] and [Bakuya]. I mean alright against other Noble Phantasm [Kanshou] and [Bakuya] held its own even on the likes of [Gae Bolg]. Alright they couldn't fight against Berserker's A+ strength granted but hey A+ man. The most strength that Perseus could have would be equivalent to CuChulain.

Now before I start with my story I must explain why I gave Shirou the authority he got from Angra Mainyu. Shirou is a perfect hero, someone that strived to achieve that dream. However, I think Shirou is missing something very important in the superhero field. That is "forms" or transformations, metamorphasis, whatever you call it. As a result, every authority he usurps from a god will make him usurp a different "form" from them. I got this idea from Verethragna, the war god of ever changing forms. He can use each authority in a minor way such as casting curses through [Cursed Hero] without employing the authority's full capacity as well, this method creates weak results but has no restrictions at all.

Also many people wonder why I have Noble Phantasms in brackets like Authorities right? Well my answer to that is simple. Because Noble Phantasms and Authorities are basically the same thing. An authority is formed from the myth and legends of a god, meanwhile a Noble Phantasm is the crystallization of a legend. Thus, fundamentally they're both the same. In Rome do what Romans do so when Shirou and his harem was blasted to Campione world I started using brackets. Understand.

All in all, I hope I created a warlord Campione of many forms and many blades.

Oh Yeah! I command you Review god damn it. I like to read every one of my reviews for ideas.

Before you continue reading I would like to devote a shout out to PhantasyPen and AEthereal Devastation for being my beta readers.

I present to you

The God Slaying Hero/King

Chapter 4: Hero vs Hero

The famous magic organizations Copper Black Cross and Bronze Black Cross were currently going through the destruction of the city of Napoli. Although these two rival organizations were most of the time at odds against each other, even they could understand the threat level of divine beings and make peace for global disasters like this.

Each member of the organizations was assigned a partner of the opposing organization to search the ruins for any sign of survivors. Amongst these pairs were a pair named Giano Ventelo and Jiavi Spacius.

"To think that the battle between a god and Campione would wreak so much damage," Jiavi, a member of the Copper Black Cross, said as he shaked his head looking at the carnage that the epic battle ensued.

"This is your first time seeing the aftermath of a god and Campione battle huh?" Giano, a member of the Bronze Black Cross said as he shifted through the rubble. "It's actually a relief that the destruction only stopped here."

"Have you seen the aftermath of another Campione and a god battle!?" Jiavi asked, his eyes wide with shock.

"No," Giano answered as he pushed back a huge rubble to get behind it.

"Wait but didn't you say..." Jiavi said before he was interrupted.

"(grunt) I was there (grunt) when they fought (grunt) two Campiones (grunt) Kusanagi Godou-sama and Salvatore Doni-sama." Giano muttered as he pushed harder against the giant rubble.

"And you're alive!" Screamed a shocked Jiavi, his eyes litteraly threatening to pop out of his sockets. It was common for the battle between Campiones and gods to consume everything in its path. There are hardly any wounded, most are deaths and missing. The fact that one was able to witness first hand the battle between Campiones could be called one of the greatest achievements possible for a magician.

"I don't know." Answered Giano as he finally gave up moving the rubble. Instead he just fell down onto the floor with his back behind the rubble he was just pushing. Sweat littered his brow. He reached down into his pocket and grabbed a pack of cigarretes. He took a stick and returned the pack back into his pockets. He slowly brought the stick up into his mouth while his other hand reached into his coat pocket for the lighter that it held. Before he could reach the lighter though, Jiavi reached down muttered a quick fire spell and touched the tip of his cigarrete making is flare up.

Jiavi smiled. "Cheap trick," he said.

Giano returned the smile and shrugged his shoulders. "One of the many things I learned," he commented.

Giano and Jiavi just sat there as they just stared at the rising sun.

Giano took multiple wiffs from his cigarrete before starting again. "A Campione...we can't understand them with our logic. They're supreme beings that mortals like us can't understand. In fact I think they're closer to the gods they hunt, than to humans." He paused a while as he breathed deeply from his cigarrette. "In battles between these divine beings, it's not unusual for several cities to disappear in a night. The fact that this battle only claimed this city, is actually a relief you know."

"Sometimes..." Giano said as he breathed from his cigarrette. "I think I should have died when I was there to witness the two Campiones clash. It was short, very short, because one of the kings wasn't fully prepared, yet in that short time half the city was destroyed...I was just lucky I was in the side that wasn't destroyed."

Jiavi just looked at Giano.

"At the time I harbored stupid thoughts like humans being able to overthrow gods, Campiones and others of the like if we actually unite, and it was my dream to lead them, but that one short moment enlightened me on how stupid I was." Giano said as he took the last snuff from his dying cigarrete. "Humans are nothing compared to Campiones or gods. We just can't do jack shit when they rage." Giano said as he got up. He looked at the rubble again. "However the one thing we can do is to look after our companions and fellow humans after the battle." Giano said as he pushed harder against the rubble.

Jiavi smiled. He got up too and laid his hands next to Giano's.

"Although having one or two of us won't change anything against a Campione or god," Jiavi said as he pushed against the rock adding his strength alongwith Giano. "But it might save one more life, and that's all we need."

0000000000

Paollo Blandelli frowned. Usually Italy's #1 knight, and the head of the order of knights, was a cheerful man who worked hard, but even he frowned as he read the report his subordinates sent him of the destruction of Napolis.

True the damage report was still moderately minimal considering Campione's and god's tendency to end in battle, but to think that one just born not even a week ago would cause so much destruction.

Paollo sighed as he got up and walked to his window. It calmed him to look outside in a stressful period and this was definately a stressful period no doubt. Campiones tend to destroy whatever's in their path in order to taste the thrill of battle. He saw this multiple times through England's Black Prince, Italy's King of Swords, and even Japan's Kusanagi Godou; although contrary to the others the last king tried his best to alleviate the damage to a minimum and live as normally as possible. However the fact that all Campiones are all bombs just waiting to blow up doesn't change. It's partly why he sent his beloved niece to him.

Paello chuckled as he took out a fine bottle of brandy and poured himself a glass. Oh he knew the rather immodest actions her niece was engaging in to the 7th king Kusanagi Godou. He acted as if he wasn't aware, but he raised his niece for years, she knew everything about her. In fact he approved of it, not merely for the sake of the Copper Black Cross but also for the benefit of his niece herself. To think that the Blandelli family will mix their line again with another king.

"Young love tends to burn oh so fiercely" he mused, while he took a sip.

"Sir!" screamed a voice as he ran into the room with a manilla folder. The small smile that Paollo had on his face disappeared and was replaced immediately with the frown. Usually one is not allowed to run into his private chamber like that except in times of emergency. This only means that this man had some documents or news that needed his immediate attention.

"What is it now?" Questioned Paollo with a sigh.

"Sir...you must...see this." The man said as he heavily breathed and handed him the folder.

"What is it?" Paollo asked keeping calm as he opened the folder to see just one small piece of paper.

"It seems...like...there was a...security camera...that was...operational that actually caught...the photo...of the new...8th king!" The man said, his breath coming out in gasps.

Paollo didnt even bother hearing the end of his statement. He ripped open the folder to reach the picture that awaited. This was the only real piece of information that they had on the 8th king. It's worth could be measured in gold.

With bated breaths Paollo drew the photo to light under the sun.

"..." Paollo Blandelli, Italy's best knight, could say nothing. The best knight could only stare in shock, horror, and awe at the mere prescense that the photo has captured. That day the man called one of the best was humbled speechless.

0000000000

(The night before)

Flames raged on as the humble city of Napolis burned. Even though night has fallen the stars and darkness was blotted out as the smoke and crimson flames roared out against the sky. Everything in its path was food as it consumed buildings, trees, and people. None were spared from its jaws of hell as both young and old, ugly and beautiful, and fault and faultless died from under the flames. People screamed as their bodies burned. Cries rang out throughout the night over the crackling laughter of the inferno which gleefully devoured them and their screams.

As the inferno grew though, there remained one ring of area that remained completely unscathed. The flames refused to enter even one centimeter in the area as if it feared something there. Even as the hell grew there remained that one spot at the epicenter that no flames reached. In that area existed 6 beings.

The first 4 were all females huddled together for comfort. The first was a brunette with red sweater and ridiculously short skirt. The second was a small girl with silver hair and deep purple eyes. The third was a dark purple haired teen with wounds everywhere. The last though was a tall woman with hair that reached the ground, she was the most heavily injured as her breath came in rasps, on her eyes was what seemed like a pair of glasses. The first two seemed to shield the two behind their own bodies as if trying to protect them with their bodies. The girls though all shared the same point of interest as they gazed in awe of their savior.

"Emiya-kun," "Senpai," "Oni-chan," "...Emiya Shirou" The girls said.

To the far right of the battle field was a golden man clad in white clothes that had an inner brilliance which seemed to outshine the entire battlefield. He was clearly surprised by his opponent, evidenced by his eyelash rising above a notch as he "measured" his new opponent. His gaze was full of steel as the sword in his hand gleamed in anticipation for the battle. The golden eyes of the man stared straight at the opponent. There was something wrong with the way the challenger stared. Something that shouldn't be there...something familiar.

The opponent did not shy from his gaze. Even though he was but a boy. Instead the boy returned the gaze with steel of his own, the two swords gleaming in his hands as well. This one was not majestic and full of shine like him, instead he felt sharp, angry, and mysterious. A most dangerous combination. No one moved, no one breathed, no one took their eyes off of each other.

Perseus could feel it in his blood, the soft thrumming as if he was drunk but retained his sanity. He knew this feeling, he knew it very well. It was a feeling he lived for. It was the reason he became Steel. It was the eager anticipation of a battle. Sweat ran down his brow as he stared at the one that caused such a reaction within him. He hasn't moved, he hasn't twitched, he hasn't said a word except the one's he said a few minutes ago.

"I am...a hero." Perseus replayed in his head. Usually the god would immediately dismiss any mortal's claim to such a title, yet in this one he felt it truly fit. His blood thrummed in his ear. Yes! He could feel it, this man no this boy is capable of fighting him on even footing and even perhaps slay him. He reveled in the fact.

After what seemed like hours of staring at each other, Perseus finally broke the silence with a question, "What is your name...young hero." His eyes never straying from the boy, nor his swords.

"Emiya Shirou." The identified boy Shirou answered without shifting his gaze.

"~Emiya Shirou," Perseus said tasting the name on his tongue. The name rolled off his tongue. It felt...powerful like a sheathed sword just waiting to be drawn.

Perseus smiled. He pointed his sword towards the self proclaimed hero and saic, "Hero Emiya, I am the hero Perseus, I ask you to move aside, for I must slay the abombination behind..." He never got to finish his sentence as disks of white and black came charging at the god from both left and right.

Perseus quickly parried the flying disks with one smooth blow of his sword. "Very well," Perseus said, "If you side with the monster, I will merely defeat you before I slay the monser."

Perseus ran forward towards the enemy intent of slaying him where he stood, and as quickly as possible. Normally, Perseus would wait until his opponent was armed before he striked, but Perseus today was desperate to end this conflict as fast as possible. It was probably due to the influence of the purple haired maiden.

The unarmed boy did not retreat like many of his kind would do. On the contrary, the boy ran towards the incoming god with surprising speed. Enough speed to match his own.

Fool. What do you think you can do with empty hands! Perseus though to himself, as they finally met. Perseus raised his sword above his head hoping to end the battle as quickly as possible for the boy. He did not even seem 20 it was a shame that a young warrior like him should die. Perseus brought down his sword. The teen crossed his arms with his empty hands and said...

"Trace on"

Steel hit steel as Perseus felt his blade meet resistance.

Perseus's eyes widened as he inspected the familiar twin swords that Emiya had in his hands once again.

Shirou using Perseus's shock as momentum quickly slashed outward, making Perseus lose his balance for just a moment. Using the oppurtunity Shirou quickly stabbed forwards with [Bakuya] hoping to end this battle as quickly as possible.

However the battle did not end. Perseus sensed the incoming attack and spun his body backwards turning 360 degrees adding centrifugal force to his sword as he deflected the oncoming strike of the white blade.

Clang! rang the loud and distinct sound of swords clashing against each other.

Shirou was not done yet! Using the momentum that he received from the strong deflection he spun on the soles of his foot as he jutted out his left hand. [Kanshou] gleamed as he sought the opponent's right side. Perseus quickly lifted his nameless sword as the black blade was deflected by the pommel of the blade.

"Huaggggghhhhhh!" Shirou shouted as he brought both blades above his head and swiped down with all his strength. Perseus in response reinforced his sword by holding by laying the palm of his right hand upon the blade and bringing the sword above his head. [Kanshou and Bakuya] were deflected yet again by the blade.

Perseus quickly got into position as he struck at his opponent from all directions. Shirou retaliated with a flurry of his own blows.

As steel hit steel and sparks marked the path of the blades. The two opponents attacked and defended. Perseus favored a rigid form as where he quickly attacked and returned to with an orderly defense. Shirou's style was completely different. It showed glaring dangerous openings where each blow could mean death, yet each time the Perseus's sword almost claimed his life Shirou counterattacked at the last moment.

"Your style...it's fascinating young hero." Perseus said as he slashed at the seemingly open stomach of the said young hero.

Shirou's only response was a miraculous counterattack that blocked the strike aiming for the stomach as he attacked with the other short sword.

Every move was a work of art as the two warriors exchanged blows. sword met sword in close combat.

"Huaaaaghhhhhh!"

"Haaaaahaaaaaa!"

Swords clashed as the two combatants were locked in a stalemate as they pushed their respective swords against each other, trying to overpower each other, neither giving the other an inch. The black and white swords supported each other in an X formation pushing the other steel sword supported by both hands of the golden man.

It was only due to the sharpened battle instincts that Perseus was experiencing then and there in their state mate that he was able to sense the oncoming danger. If his instincts didn't scream at him to retreat he would have been skewered by the oncoming exact copies of the black and white blade of his foe from the back.

Perseus ducked and retreated at the last second as [Kanshou] and [Bakuya] sailed above his head missing his neck by millimeters.

Taking this oppurtunity Shirou quickly retreated backwards. At the same time he threw the pair of Kanshou and Bakuya in his hands away backwards towards the fire as his now empty hands quickly took hold of the returning twin.

The whole battle had taken 5 minutes.

0000000000

Meanwhile from the sidelines the girls huddled together for comfort. Each of them focused their gaze upon the redhead teen fiercely fighting for their behalf. Each had mixed feelings as they saw their loved one battle against someone that defeated all 4 of them alone.

All 4 of them were in no position nor condition to fight.

Rider was probably the most damaged out of the 4. Her whole left leg was shattered and there were numerous deep sword wounds that covered her whole body. To add to that, there was probably no prana remaining in her body. Usually this would have meant a Servant's death, but this world supposedly treated her well than her previous one. Gaia would have by now snuffed her existence out as an anomaly, but this world was fueling her with prana little by little no where near the amount she needed to fully heal and be ready to fight once more, but enough to keep her from disappearing. Therefore, due to her current lack of prana she had no way of healing herself.

The other purple haired girl, Sakura suffered from extreme bruises and broken bones from the torture that she experienced just moments ago. The injuries she suffered right now would have made any grown man faint with tears in their eyes, but she really didn't care how many wounds nor scars she sported right now all that mattered was the health of the one that was currently fighting for them.

The remaining 2 magi Rin and Illya were probably the best out of the group. However, this didn't change the fact that neither could move right now. The foreign prana that Perseus injected into them was all gone from them filtering out their circuits, but it also left them extremely exhausted with low levels of prana, not nearly enough to participate in battle with.

"Shirou..." said Rin in awe as he took in the battle. "He's...fighting just like Archer..." The tsundere was feeling many different emotions like: awe, concern, but above all nostalgia. The boy that she loved is fighting just like the Servant that she once had. The one that gave his life for them. Rin was seeing Archer in Shirou.

Rider nodded as she continued her observations. It was true that the boy was fighting in a style that emulated that of the Servant of the bow. His movements were too erratic and uncoordinated. Rather than call it a style it might as well be a suicide move, yet it worked. Against experienced and superhuman swordsmen like Perseus it was the perfect retaliation style. Someone like Perseus or Saber would already have been experienced in the way of the sword, but this was something completely different this wasn't the way of the sword but the sword itself, a counter for the strong. Against a master of the sword like Perseus, conventional style would be useless, however Shirou's style was anything but conventional. If left openings everywhere yet using that foresight of where Perseus would strike he was able to block and counterattack. A method of fighting off stronger opponents than yourself which probably was forged in the battles of the 5th Holy Grail War.

"...Shirou's in trouble isn't he?" Illya whispered under her breath.

Rider nodded. The other two girls were unable to understand the exchange.

Rin eyes widened a little as she turned back to the red haired boy as quickly as possible. She narrowed her eyes as little as she whispered, "Structural Grasping" under her breath. As soon as her scan was complete she writhed backwards as if she was stabbed.

Sakura's eyes filled with concern and longing to help, but her current body couldn't help in any way. All she could do is look at her hero and pray to the Root that Shirou will become victorious.

"What's wrong with sempai?" Sakura asked as she looked at the 2 affluent magi and combat expert Servant.

"Shirou...Shirou isn't fully healed," Rider Replied as she closed her jaws with more force than necessary.

0000000000

"Ha...Ha...ha!" Shirou panted as he wiped some of the sweat from chin with his right sleeve. The situation wasn't good at all the red head boy though to himself.

He was fighting like he never did before. His structural grasping already told him that his left arm had already become a true part of him, rather then a replacement limb. This allowed the memories inside the arm to be completely accessible to him allowing his tracing to be flawless.

That wasn't the only positive benefit of the arm. Due the memories of the arm fusing perfectly with his already existing memory, Shirou was able to access the style Archer invented and he Shirou will one day invent. He had to be extremely thankful for these memories, because if they didn't exist he probably would have made an amateurish mistake and got himself killed already by Perseus earlier in their bout.

Another added bonus was the strange strength and sturdiness of his body. Normally just above extra strength and sturdiness of a human body would have been nothing to his superhuman opponent, but combined with reinforcement was a different story. Shirou right now could reinforce his body so much more than he could have before, especially his bones. Even before his reinforcement they were probably as tough as steel, but with reinforcement they probably reached 7-8 in Moh's hardness scale. His muscles too were no joke. He felt strong enough to punch through steel right now. The sheer amount of prana that he used to reinforce his body would have made any magi faint from disbelief, because in all honesty his body should have broken down from the incredible amount of prana currently reinforcing his body.

However even with all these added bonuses, his enemy was still by a small margin better. Perseus was a master of the sword with countless centuries of experience under his belt as told by his sword. His strength although not Hercules level was considerable due to their similar genetics. Finally his sword wasn't cheap steel either. Although it wasn't a noble phantasm due to its lack of legend it was worthy of respect. That sword along with its master has experienced countless victories in battle.

However, what took the cake was probably the pain that his body was going through right now. Although no where near the level that he was in when he took down Angra Mainyu it was extremely painful. It felt like he was fighting with a major headache and exhaustion. All throughout his body there were spots that seemed to burn if he moved it in the slightest.

"Kuso," Shirou cursed as he got into fighting stance again remembering Pandora-san's words just moments before he left the Astral Space.

0000000000

(5 hours ago-Astral Space)

Shirou felt it from the bottom of his soul from his essence from his very identity itself. The push was unstoppable and there was no desire to resist either. This need apparently showed itself on his face.

"What's wrong Shirou?" Pandora-san asked with concern.

Standing up. Shirou just looked at the silent girl with a mix of emotions. He knew what he had to do, and he knew that the girl in front of him would be against his decision. Nevertheless it was something Shirou had to do.

"Pandora-san...I...I have to go." Shirou said as he averted his gaze from the little girl.

Pandora frowned. "Shirou it isn't time for you to leave. You can't leave yet. Your body and soul aren't fully healed." Pandora quickly got up and took hold of Shirou's sleeve as if showing her refusal to let her son leave.

Shirou swallowed. "I know, but I have to." Shirou said as he looked down at the little girl with his golden eyes with a look that seemed like it was apologizing to her.

Pandora's frown deepened. She quickly closed her eyes as she used her Authority of [Omniscience] to look down upon the mortal plane. After what seemed like 10 seconds her eyebrows shot up and quickly she opened her eyes and looked at her new son.

"Perseus?" Pandora whispered, not having to say more to make the one word into a full question.

Shirou nodded in confirmation.

"Shirou your body is in no condition to fight, you're going to die if you fight in your current condition." Pandora shrieked as she held even tighter to Shirou's sleeve preventing her son from leaving.

Shirou smiled and got down onto one knee. "I won't die...mother." Shirou whispered as he wiped the tears that threatened to spill from the ancient goddess's eyes.

"But you have to rest for 5 days it's only been 4 and a half there's no way you can fight in your current condition!"

"I promise...mama...I wont die." Shirou promised with a smile as he firmly but gently pried her gripping fingers off of his sleeve. He quickly cupped the trembling hands of his mother with both of his hands to stop them from shaking.

"But..." she said as tears started finally falling from her eyes.

"I know." Shirou said as she hugged Pandora's thin frame with his bigger one. "It's painful to lose a family member. You must have seen a lot of those in your life." Shirou soflty spoke to the little girl. "I know how it feels." Shirou said again as a picture of his father flashed before his eyes.

"Shirou..."

"I know. Mother you probably think about each of your deceased adopted children every day." Shirou said.

"I don't want to lose another son so early." Pandora said.

Shirou smiled as he broke the hug and looked in her eyes. "Mama. I'm a hero and a hero is always victorious as long as there are people behind him, supporting him, protecting him. Therefore I can't lose." Shirou whispered.

Looking like a little sister about to lose her older brother Pandora muttered, "do you have to go...Shirou?"

"If I don't go I'll probably regret it for the rest of my life." Shirou said calmly.

Pandora nodded as she reluctantly released her hold on her son. Shirou nodded back as he once again stood to his full height.

For a while the two stared at each other.

Shirou smiled. "I never had a mother. I only had my father as family. Thank you...mama for being my mother."

Pandora let the tears freely flow.

"Thank you." Shirou said as his consciousness slowly dissolved away returning to the body he left down on Earth. "And Good bye mother."

"Take care of yourself Shirou," Pandora said as she watched her newest son. She quickly wiped away her tears and faced the fading form of her son with a smile. "Kick that guy's ass Shirou," she commanded giving him a thumbs up.

Shirou was surprised for a only a moment before his face lit up with a slight smile. "Your wish is my command," he said as he gave Pandora the formal bow that Asians give to those who are elder.

Within the normal world the 8th king opened his eyes.

All alone in the Astral Realm Pandora slumped down. As she stared at the spot where her child left her.

"They grow so fast." She said to herself as she picked herself up. Suddenly the look in her face changed from mildly sad to sharp and focused. "Shirou we won't know right now if this was the right decision." the frown in her face deepened, "but from this choice you will definitely lose something very important to yourself."

0000000000

Perseus smiled. His blood was rushing through his ears as adrenaline ran through his veins. It was extremely invigorating to battle his old foe the Monster once again after so many years, but this battle against this...hero was even more invigorating.

He still felt some amount of reluctance and fear that the young maiden instilled, but this was his chance to prove them wrong. Through this battle between their hero and the true hero, Perseus planned to show them that he was a true hero indeed for heroes always win.

Also, this self introduced young hero's talents intrigued him. To think that there existed a modern man that could actually challenge him in this time and age. Humanity seemed to weaken as a whole after technology improved their lives. They were bugs, disgusting bugs to him, yet today he met not one buy four different humans who fought him without fear.

The 3 maidens and the one they serve the young hero.

Perseus now understood where the young maiden drew her strength from. It was a similar situation to Andromeda and himself. Andromeda believed in him and thus was granted strength of the mind and body, thus escaped the fate of turning into stone. These 3 surely believed in their hero which gave them such will such tenacity, such heroism.

The young hero especially warranted his attention. This boy was even a bigger danger to him than the monster was. It made him wonder if he was a king, yet he did not use any Authority yet, only pure swordsmanship, strengthening magic, and his special pair of swords.

The boy reminded him when he was young. Those eyes...yes those eyes have steel in them. He definitely had the qualities of a hero. The strength, the tenacity, and the will.

However, be that as it may be. Perseus too was a hero god of steel, and gods of steel desire battle above all else. As a result, he will test this young hero's worth in battle with his blade. Heroes must battle against each other to prove who is the greatest.

He looked towards the outer ring of fire to see the 4 women. His eyes locked onto the purple haired maiden. His heart felt sorrow as he looked upon the wounds he inflicted. However, this was a chance that he could not miss. The clash between heroes. This was a chance to show that he truly was a hero to that young woman. Turning his gaze back towards his enemy he felt his heart harden to steel as he awaited that battle that made his bloody rejoice.

It is the hero's destiny to defeat his enemy and slay the monster. This boy, this hero, Shirou and the Monster are targets for that purpose.

"You fight well young hero!" Perseus called out from the other side of the battlefield. "However, are you sure you wish to challenge me in that body!" From under Shirou's right arm dripped a red liquid that was unmistakable...blood.

"All is fair in battle." Shirou called back ignoring the aches all over the body.

"How foolish to challenge me, a god, when you are not even in your best condition! However, your bravery is commendable! I wish you luck in our battle, young hero!" Perseus called out as he lifted his sword back to chest level.

Shirou brought up his swords and got into his chosen stance, legs spread apart, swords at hip level, bent down, and of course riddled with openings. Shirou closed his eyes.

Perseus got into a thrusting stance. His right hand was pointed outwards like a shield as he pulled back his left hand like a spear ready to pierce his heart. He bent down on his knees and got into a low crouch.

"Fear me for I am the light that brings forth the rays of justice [Light of the End]!" Persues finished his line and leaped straight towards Shirou. Once his feet left the ground his whole body changed. "I am the bringer of justice! No evil shall stand before me and my sword [Sword of Light]!" It was like his whole body became a streak of light, however the greatest change was his sword arm the left hand. The arm itself changed to become a limb crafted from the fires of the sun. It threatened to burn the world with it's heat. Wherever the sword moved remains of blazing light like flames remained, marking its path. Only because Shirou kept his eyes shut did the blazing light not affect him. To top it all, Perseus could now travel at the speed of light.

Shirou could confidently say that he sucked at most magecraft. Hell even an apprentice of some minor magus would be better at him than most fields, even though he has an unbelievable amount of prana and od within him. No matter how great the amount of energy there is no way that it would change his element and origin. However, "most fields" were the key term. In the fields he specialized in, Shirou is the best. Out of those field one of them would be prana sensitivity. Almost all magi are able to sense prana through one of the 5 senses. It was similar to synesthasia, the mixing of the senses. Most magi sense the flow of prana through sight or touch, however Shirou feels prana through the peculiar sense of smell.

Thus, as soon as Perseus finished his chant, Shirou could 'smell' the almost pungent smell erupting from him. It was neither unpleasant nor sweet, but strong, almost like the unleashing of prana. It sort of smelled in a...'light' way. Anyway, Shirou knew that in order to counter this "noble phantasm" he needed to unleash a formidable technique of his own.

By denying his sight by closing his eyes Shirou was able to heighten his 'smell.' He slowly brought up the two swords behind his back and opened his mouth

"Spirit and technique, flawless and firm," he whispered. As soon as Shirou finished this line he threw the swords in his hands towards Perseus.

Perseus vs Shirou-Round two has begun!

00000000000

Perseus took the thrown black and white disks as the start of the battle, and like a mad man charged straight towards the flying disks of death. From the left came a blur of white and black from the right came another beam of light running with god speed. When Perseus was close enough he deflected the two swords with one blow and continued to charge towards Shirou.

Shirou in response quickly traced himself another pair of the married swords, however he didn't open his eyes. Instead he kept completely still entering a form of zen meditation as he delved deeper and deeper into his own consciousness. In all honesty, even with reinforcement Shirou wouldn't be able to track the approaching form of the god with his eyes, but he could still see him as plain as day. True Mind's Eye, he thought to himself. Because of his first hand experience in the grail war as well as the inherited memories of the battles that Archer imparted to him through his arm, Shirou was able to evolve this ability that normally took the greatest martial artists decades to achieve.

To add to the mind's eye Shirou also had the reinforced sense of smell to guide him as the god approached him. The odor that Perseus gave right now was unmistakable. It was probably one of the first battle which the sense of smell was used in replacement for the sense of sight.

Somewhere in the Throne of Heroes, Lancer better yet known as Cu Chulain the hound of Ireland just sneezed.

"Our strength rips the mountains," Shirou continued. Once the last syllable left Shirou's mouth, Shirou half opened his eyes and voila just as he expected he saw the swords aimed as a thrust towards his heart. With minimal movement Shirou quickly sidestepped and watched as the god sailed passed him in a blur. "Our swords split the water." The sheer wind pressure of the god made Emiya's hair flutter and clothes flutter to left. Emiya's long trail of red cloth blazed to the left, his eyes half opened making him look sad and bored.

Perseus couldn't control his continued acceleration and sped a few more meters before he stopped in a kneeling position. He smirked as he rose and turned towards his enemy in a smooth position.

"So you have already opened your Mind's eye. A marvelous feat for someone so young!" Perseus praised. "However that is not nearly enough to defeat me!" Perseus than ran forwards in all his godly light form once again.

"Don't worry I would never be able to mistake your odor." Shirou replied as he got into stance again. Perseus just tilted his head, but accepted the answer as he rushed towards Shirou again in god speed.

"Huaaaaaaaaa!"

"Haaaaaaaaaa!"

This time Shirou didn't dodge instead he met the light face to face...blade to blade.

CHANG!

The two swords collided as the sound of steel on steel resonated throughout the entire battlefield.

"Taste defeat young hero!" Perseus shouted. He concentrated his authority of god speed on his sword arm giving him a halo of light.

"HUAAAAAAA!" Shouted Shirou as he deflected the shots the best he can with the twin swords. However due to the sheer acceleration of that arm the force of the blow was multiplied. [Kanshou] and [Bakuya] were noble phantasms born from legends, but Shirou instinctively knew that even they would break under the constant force of the blows wrought by the [Sword of Light]. Thus, instead of holding the swords as tightly as he can he held it loosely.

Clang! Shirou watched as the swords that were in his hands were wrenched away and each flew in a different direction. However, due to the tilt and direction of the counter that Shirou applied the direction of Perseus's sword was altered as well which changed the trajectory of the blade. The blade narrowly missed its mark and the ground under the blow of Perseus's sword literally exploded.

Immediately another copy of [Kanshou] and [Bakuya] filled Shirou's empty hands as he jumped back, creating distance. Even under such conditions Shirou incanted, "Our names reach the imperial villa."

He quickly threw the pair of [Kanshou] and [Bakuya] at Perseus through the giant explosion that he caused.

Ch-Chang! Came a sound as Perseus in one smooth move deflected the two swords again as he emerged from the explosion unscathed.

"I am already familiar with your tricks young hero they will not work on me!" he shouted as he charged forwards again with god speed.

"Shit." I said as I sensed Perseus approaching fast. I knew that even if I had 2 swords it wouldn't be able to defeat the sheer speed of his sword arm of light.

So how about 4 swords?

"Trace on" I said as I tossed the existing pair of swords in my hand up as they were immediately filled with new cold steel once more.

As soon as another pair of [Kanshou] and [Bakuya] appeared Perseus and Shirou engaged in close combat. Perseus relied on his sheer acceleration of his sword and sword arm. Shirou relied on...'yonto-ryu (4 sword style).'

As soon as contact between the sword of light and the yin yang blades was made Shirou and the short swords were deflected the thrown counterpart replace the deflected blades like magic...because it was magic. Like this Shirou and his 4 swords were able to hold his own against a sword striking at the speed of light.

parry-dodge-replace-parry-strike-dodge-replace-spi n-...

Every time the sword of light came down a black or white sword was there to parry the blow. It was like they knew where they had to be to halt the light blade. However, every time they made contact the blade of light knocked it's opponent away.

It was breath taking to see this amazingly display of swordsmanship. Sparks flew as black and white met gold.

Even though his body structure became sturdier and much stronger as well as reinforcing himself to the maximum, Shirou was still a mortal man. Thus, he doesn't have unlimited stamina. Shirou was tiring at an increasing rate. He knew that he wouldn't be able to keep this up and longer. Shirou had to change the tables and he had to change them now.

Quickly he grabbed the new pair of swords that fell into his hands, this time instead of blocking or deflecting he again claimed the offense and threw them towards Perseus which gave him a moment...a moment was all he needed.

Taking the chance Shirou quickly, once again grabbed the final handles of the pair of twin swords as he chanted, "The two of us cannot hold the heavens together." Shirou jumped upwards as he started reinforcing and supercharging the works of art he has in his hands with more and more and more prana until it started breaking. Cracks ran all the way down the beautiful blades of black and white as the cracks multiplied until the blades were nearly 3x the length of the original that resembled the wings of an angel/fallen angel descending upon a sinner.

Perseus instinctively sensed the danger of this attack and quickly moved to retreat with god speed before he finally noticed...he was trapped. From all angles and planes blades of black and white came spinning towards him promising his death. Even with incredible speed there was no way to retreat as 6 pair of blades (including the pair in Emiya's hands) from a spherical point of view came rushing inwards towards the center...towards Perseus.

Perseus was impressed better yet he was damn astonished that this young warrior this self proclaimed hero was able to manipulate the flow of battle to such an extent. To capture him Perseus a god of Steel! He would have spoken words of praise to this young warrior, but now was not the time. Now was the time to battle.

Quickly he got into a stance. He outstretched his right arm and brought back his left hand as if to pierce something in its path. He spread his legs and bent his knee to get into a low form. His eyes focused on his enemy and his blades as his other senses tracked the incoming of the other 4 pair of blades. A grin lit upon his face

""I who hath slayed the dragon with my strong sword arm...my left hand will never allow any snake nor dragon to escape. I am one who forever pursues battle. I am the one who masters the earth with sword and shield in my hand. I am Perseus the serpent slaying warrior! All snakes are powerless before me!" Slowly the gold light of Perseus's left arm started displaying a metallic almost silver hue as well. It was akin to the sun and steel mixing together.

"Two great men, sharing a life!" Shirou finally reached the crest of his flight with his black and white wings boring behind his back like the wings of an angel descending upon a doomed sinner,

"[Gauntlet of the Hero]!" As soon as Perseus finished his introduction he brought forth his left arm. Mid swing the arm holding the blade finally settled itself by changing into a gauntlet of steel that went from his fingertips to the base of his arm. However from within the armor gold light could be seen spilling out of the chinks in the metal as it gave off an inner brilliance.

"[Crane Wing Six Realm]!" Shirou swung down his wing blades of white and black as they and the surrounding incoming blades exploded in needle like fragments each sliver a sword on its own. The explosion was akin to a shrapnel bomb exploding from 360 degrees from all direction, only the explosion was a lot stronger and the metal fragments were much more numerous in number.

"Huaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..."

"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh"

The storm of steel vs the sword of the steel sun. Each fragment of the noble phantasms threatened to rip the flesh of the god. The god though released the full authority of his god speed.

Light travels at 3*10^8 meters/hr...and in that moment so did Perseus's arm as the blade deflected each and every shard. Faster than the human eye can perceive Perseus was deflecting each and every fragment of the exploding swords. The gauntlet on his arm protected him from any attack that managed to pierce through the ridiculous parrying while granting Perseus strength and endurance.

To a 3rd point of view it would look like a shining bright light was deflecting a hailstorm of needles from all possible directions.

The storm continued for a good 5 minutes. In that 5 minutes the battle between steel and light raged on. Amazingly, Perseus was able to deflect each and every metal sliver with only a few wound here and there. However, even a god would be tired from the mental and physical labor of such fast and precise dodging. By the end of the 5 minutes Perseus could no longer simultaneously sustain both authorities as he panted from the overuse of god-speed.

"pant pant. To think that such a technique was possible!" Perseus muttered to himself as he reviewed [Crane Wing Six Realm]. An omni directional, and unavoidable attack from 6 fronts by 12 different swords. To make matters worse the swords promptly exploded on contact causing steel fragments to annihlate the target by overflowing the swords with magic power. Perseus smiled as he panted. "You truly are talented young hero."

"The battle though is not settled," Perseus concluded as he got up from his rest position and waited for the opponent from the cloud of dust.

Although [Crane Realm Six Realm] was countered its after effect still remained. The deflected were shards deflected but their kinetic energy remained as they hit the ground. This in turn promptly raised a dust storm. As millions of sharp blades with the force of an explosion behind it fell on the hard road, the concrete itself exploded into sedimentary particles that remained in the air. The millions of fragments easily destroyed the road and the dust storm shrouded even the light of [Light of the End] from view. No eyes whether it be mortal or immortal could penetrable through the dust.

Perseus being the warrior that encountered plenty of battles was already familiar with such a situation. The raised dust seals the sight of the contenders. This in turn makes it the ideal situation to launch a surprise strike upon the target and perhaps even a fatal strike. Emiya after using [Crane Wing Six Realm] would already have located Perseus yet Perseus did not know where Emiya was. This gave Emiya a huge advantageous and perhaps an chance to claim victory.

Tired but far from broken, Perseus stood in the middle of the dust. His muscles ached from the physical labor of deflecting millions of shards, small wounds littered his whole body, he even had to forego [Light of the End] as well as [Sword of Light] from continued overuse. His left arm and body returned to its notrmal flesh look. However the sword did not move from his firm grip.

Perseus closed his eyes for a moment as he focused his senses on locating Emiya through the dust. Slowly his sword turned to his left as his True Eye of the Mind warned him that, that location was by far the most dangerous. Perseus could feel that Emiya was there but eve with the Eye of the Mind he could figure out how far he was and from where would he attack. Usually a master swordsman would aim for the chest, the middle of the body, yet Emiya did not follow traditional swordsmanship and thus that could be written off as a possibility.

Perseus strained his senses as he gripped the sword in his hand harder. Sweat poured down his face from exertion, exhaustion, and anticipation. One drop traveled down his beautiful face, but Perseus promptly licked it away as his tongue wet his lips as his smile widened further.

Oh the battle! How he missed this sensation. His sword trembled not with fear but from pure eagerness as if the sword itself was urging him to swing it. The steel inside him was raging for battle as it resonated with his blood lust. He couldn't thank the young hero enough for making him feel so...alive. Swiftly in his mind a picture of the resolute maiden of this hero flashed in his mind. Yes, that maiden too made him feel an emotion from the bottom of his heart as well. To think the pair would install so much emotion, so much fear and joy into him...a god!

"Where will you strike?" Perseus whispered under his breath. his eyes narrowing to slits as he focused his entire attention on that one spot, waiting for even the slightest of movement. That short amount of time to Perseus was equivalent to infinity.

Perseus swallowed the saliva that accumulated in his mouth as he wet his throat. Although the opponent is skilled, as long as Perseus could sense the first strike then he could easily counter the blow. Thus, Perseus's life was on the balance of whether or not he could accurately predict and counter the first blow.

"Where will you strike?" Perseus repeated in an even lower tone.

Perseus could feel it in the air. The battle would start at any moment. Suddenly his senses caught the activation of magic before he heard the words.

"Trace set: [Nine Lives Blade Works]," Perseus heard from within the cloud, before the world promptly exploded in a flash.

0000000000

Perseus expected a quick attack, maybe two from the anonymous direction, but this...sudden stone attack from nine directions! Even he a god in all his battles did he experience such a massive strike.

"Trace set: [Nine Lives Blade Works]," the last Emiya whispered as he hefted the giant stone axe above his head. Usually using such a heavy weapon would be severely taxing for Shirou with his mortal body, but after having this new and tougher body of a Campione along with boosted reinforcement Shirou could confidently use the unnamed Noble Phantasm of the heroic spirit Herakles. Although Shirou was not aware of such a technique boasting on the level of Noble Phantasms during the war, he due to Archer's arm could now fully analyze the anonymous weapon of Berserker.

In legends Herakles defeated the nine headed phantasmal beast Hydra utilizing this great attack [One Hundred Arrow Strikes] only usable by him and his great strength. It was his greatest Noble phantasm that he was able to use on any weapon of his choice. Therefore, that technique was imparted into his weapon, which was carved out of the column of his temple honoring Herakles for defeating the monster. However, because Shirou was fully able to analyze the weapon he in turn was able to use a variant of the Noble Phantasm strike [Nine Lives Blade Works]. The strike consists of 9 different slashes towards the upper arm, collarbone, windpipe, temple, diaphragm, rib, testicles, thighs, and finally the heart simultaneously at a speed faster than the speed of sound. It is similar to Cu Chulain's [Gae Bolg] and Sasaki Kojirou's [Tsubame Gaeshi].

...and Perseus was the target this time.

As soon as Perseus saw the supersonic attack aiming at him from 9 different locations, he knew that parrying it was impossible. It would have been futile to halt the attack even with [Sword of Light] due to the sheer force behind each of those slashes and even if reinforced with [Gauntlet of the Hero] Emiya's attack would merely break Perseus's sword.

Parrying was useless.

Dodging was useless.

Perseus had only one way to defend himself.

Quickly thrusting his right hand out he called on his greatest defense as he poured magic power out as quickly and as much as possible.

"[Aegis]!" The god shouted. In front of his outstretched right hand appeared what seemed to be a huge glass shield that was a big as Perseus's body itself. A glass shield in the way of nine different strikes.

The upper arm portion of the mirror shield shattered.

The collarbone portion of the mirror shield shattered.

The windpipe portion of the mirror shield shattered.

The temple portion of the mirror shield shattered.

The diaphragm portion of the mirror shield shattered.

The rib portion of the mirror shield shattered.

The testicles portion of the mirror shield shattered.

The thighs portion of the mirror shield shattered.

The heart portion of the mirror shield shattered.

The whole mirror shield shattered.

[Nine Lives Blade Works] was countered, and the nameless traced noble phantasm broke under the pressure of the great strength that was used to propel it forward. Due to the sword axe being traced it was a level down on endurance which made the blade unable to withstand the full force of [Nine Lives Blade Works], and the ninth strike completely shattered the blade all the way up to the hilt.

Although [Aegis] provided excellent defense it also required that the user stay still and thus Perseus did not like to use this Authority, unless he needed it at all cost. Using the Authority was a risk because, although it provided excellent defense the condition of not moving leaves Perseus open to attack that are able to pierce through the defensive armament or the strikes that are able to bypass it. This time though [Aegis] did not fail him, but only barely, as the mirror strike finally broke after the ninth slash. If even one of those slashes made through than Perseus was sure that he would have been defeated.

Shirou sailed past Perseus as the momentum of [Nine Lives Blade Works] took him past Perseus's immovable form. And thus the 2nd part of their battle ended with Perseus standing tall and upright with his outstretched right hand looking towards the north and Shirou crouched down on the ground facing the south with a broken stone axe his left hand supporting himself with the broken hilt of the great blade and his head down turned. A red scarf/sleeve blew to the north and a white cape billowed to the south. Silence followed.

0000000000

In the midst of a great fire two heroes fought. One fought to defeat and kill the other fought to protect and save. One is known throughout all the lands as a great hero, the other remains unknown. One battles for glory, the other battles for an ideal.

In the ring of flames the two clash swords trying their best to outmatch each other. To prove their heroism over that of the other.

White vs Red

Gold vs Black/White

Steel vs Sword

Shirou got up from his crouch supporting himself with the broken hilt of the stone blade.

Perseus too stabbed the earth with his sword as he leaned heavily upon it to support himself.

Together they turned towards each other. One had the face of glee and exhaustion, the other had but stone cold determination and pain.

One fought for battle, one fought for the people.

Only one hero will remain victorious. The other shall fall.

A hero. A hero is someone that had done the impossible and benefited the humanity around them. Or is it?

In the battle of Napoli, amongst the raging flames that devoured the earth there were two who battled for that name.

Perseus, the one hailed as hero in myths and legends.

Emiya Shirou, the one who wishes from the bottom of his heart to be a hero, and one will be hailed as a hero in times to come.

Perseus one that fights for himself.

Emiya Shirou one that fights for others.

These two fought each other to determine who is the true hero. Who is it that deserves the name "hero." Only the winner can answer.

The 3rd round will start again.

0000000000

The being could hear the ringing of steel in the distance. Yes these steel members once engrossed in battle will never pay attention to anything else but their opponents. Thus it was a perfect chance for him to strike both.

His great eye looked towards the setting sun as he focused his senses on the battle thousands of kilometers away.

It didn't matter what type of gods they were nor what pantheon they come from. He needed power and he needed it now.

Whether they be Steel or Earth.

The two shall fight, but neither shall emerge as the victor.

Flames trailed his path as he hurried on to the battlefield.

0000000000

Perseus in all his myth never had to exert himself as much as this. Never had someone bested him in combat, especially sword play, and weapons before, yet this young boy did all that.

"Kuh," Perseus groaned as the overuse of Authorities got to him. Although, gods like he had a ridiculous amount of magic power even he would feel tired after consecutively fighting the Monster and this warrior. However the battle was far from over.

Perseus smiled as he hoisted himself up despite the screaming of his muscles.

Both his arms felt like jelly. His left from wielding the [Sword of Light] so much and the right for having to support [Aegis]. On top of that, Perseus suffered many wounds from fighting two consecutive battles that littered his body. His white clothes though somehow remained white even in the midst of fighting.

"Well done young one! Thousands of words of praise to your deeds! Even in myths I have never been cornered like this!" Perseus exclaimed with a smile. Even Perseus a god of Steel who belonged in the battlefield was injured from the last exchange of blows. Blood dripped from a slash that marred the pure white clothes on his chest. His breaths came out in rasps.

"Ha*Ha*Ha* let us continue till only one hero remains." Perseus said with a sweep of his arms. Ignoring his wounds, Perseus brought forth the sword in his hands ready to do battle once more.

Shirou could honestly say he was on his last leg. It was painful to breathe let alone fight. Sure he still had plenty of Od within his body yet channeling it through his circuits to generate prana was excruciatingly painful. Luckily there were no swords that spouted from within him this time since Archer's arm was completely assimilated, but it didn't change the feeling of cold steel within him. The rest of his body was in tatters as well. Just redirecting one blow from that [Sword of Light] was equivalent to redirecting Berserker's blows due to sheer acceleration. He was littered with wounds all throughout his body, blood would have died his shirt red if it wasn't for the already red sweater. However, above all was the screeching headache ringing away in his head. It felt like his brain was threatening to explode as he forced himself to stand while everyone in the world was screaming at him. It was a wonder how he didn't collapse. Oh how wonderful the ground looked right now. It looked even more enticing than a bed for god's sake. On the other hand, his heart was beating, blood was flowing in his veins, breath still passed into him, there was life inside him; and as long as Shirou had even the most miniscule amount of life he would continue. He would fight. He will win!

"Shut the fuck up!" Shirou whispered as he got up with visible effort.

Shirou could confidently say he was a level headed guy and a pacifist at heart who hardly ever hates people even his enemies. However, this one in front of him deserved to die. He has caused too much pain to others. The only others Shirou ever felt so much hatred for were Gilgamesh and that fucking fake Priest...and maybe Shinji, he deserved to die too.

Once Shirou managed to stand he faced the white opponent with open hatred in his face.

"You are no hero."

(small flashback)

The man had a peaceful look in his face as he calmly sat on the veranda of his Japanese home with his son. He was a man that has committed unspeakable horrors and could be considered a monster, yet in that very moment he looked only like one very tired man.

"You see," he said with nostalgia in his voice. "When I was young I wanted to be a hero." The bitterness and emotions in his voice was present for everyone to hear. It was the voice of a man who lost everything.

"What do you mean, you wanted to be, did you give up old man." The boy next to him said.

With another sigh the man answered with a small and tired smile. "Unfortunately being a hero has a time limit. Once you become an adult you have to" *sigh* "let it go."

The boy had a confused face on but he smiled. "really?"

The man answered "really."

The boy sighed, "that's a shame."

The man sighed, "It is a shame."

"That's why I'll do it for you...your dream."

The man stared at the boy.

"I'll fulfill it."

A slight smile cracked on the man's face as years of fatigue left him that one moment. His whole life from meeting Sherry to saying good-bye to Irisviel flashed through his head amongst all these memories, but the last memory he had was the realization of his dream the day he saved the boy sitting next to him. This boy was the realization of his dreams.

"I see. I feel relieved." The man closed his eyes as he looked at a far across world that only he knew. His face was completely at rest as he finally felt at peace with both his past present and maybe the future.

"I really am relieved."

(end of flashback)

Flames raged in the back ground as the two continued their clash of swords. Sparks flew out as steel clashed against steel.

Amidst the sound of steel hitting steel, one could hear the voice of the two combatants arguing about something. To those unfortunate/unfortunate enough to hear this battle they would have heard something that did not make sense to the normal person.

Sakura, Rider, Illya, and Rin were in close proximity and they heard what was said. If one were in their position they would have heard...

"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"/"I am a hero"/"You are not a hero"...

The girls knew that helping their male companion would be right about now, however the sheer intensity in which they were fighting halted them.

"Senpai." Sakura whispered as he saw the determined face of her love interest. Normally her crush had a peaceful face that made it seem like everything would be alright. However right now in this moment, her love, her beloved sempai had a face of hard determination as he fought for his ideals, his name, and most of all them.

"A hero exists to save others!"

"A hero exists to defeat the monster!"

"A hero exists to protect."

"A hero exists to slay."

"Don't you dare lay claim to that title!"

Shirou remembered the face of his father when he first saved him and the day he told him he wanted to be a hero.

"You don't have the right to claim that title!"

Perseus suffered under the heavy blow of the short swords that the young hero used. However he himself was far from done.

"A hero is someone that stands above others!" Perseus slashed down hard on Emiya's defense causing a small crack in his white sword.

Shirou was in trouble. He still had plenty of prana left, but his magic circuits refused to channel anymore then they were now causing his projections to weaken. However, even so he will never lose this battle.

"A hero is someone who supports others from below." The white sword broke from the pressure of hitting another steel

"A hero is someone who fulfills what others couldn't do." the short black sword cracked under pressure.

"A hero exists to lend a hand to those in need!" Shirou used the last of his strength and prana to bring down the black sword in his hands.

"A hero chooses himself!" A sword of steel raced forward.

"A hero is chosen by others!" A sword of darkness raced forward.

*CLASH* *BREAK*

The sound of breaking could be heard as both the steel sword of the god and the black sword of the hero as the clash resulted in mutual destruction.

"Kuh" Shirou growled as the framents of steel from the swords assaulted his skin. It was only due to his reinforcement that he didn't lose an ear of suffer heavy injuries.

Perseus though was different. Like Shirou due to this natural trait as [Steel] he was relatively unharmed by the steel fragments but unlike the young teen he crouched down on one foot and tackled the distracted Shirou. Contrary to Shirou who is a pure sword user Perseus was not only a swordsman but a natural martial artist. Although, he prefers steel it has been noted in the myths that Perseus was a master at wrestling and he most certainly was not afraid to get down and dirty.

Perseus's white form blurred forward as his shoulder collided into the the teen's sternum. The breath was ripped from Shirou's lungs as Shirou collapsed onto his back.

*hah*hah*hah* They both panted as they reached the limits of their strenth. Perseus was standing but he had to put both his hands on his knees to support himself. Meanwhile, due to the last tackle Shirou was sprawled on the ground struggling to get up.

"Guh," our young hero gritted from his teeth as he slowly rose from the ground. Shirou hurt so much, his entire body ached. The last blow alone crushed 5 of his ribs. His arms resembled spaghetti. His legs suffered from too much reinforcement. The brain felt like it was going to explode. Even his organs were slightly damaged from over use. Even so Shirou stood, slowly coughing blood and spit the young boy, not even 20 stood.

"Do you understand now young one. To defeat the monster. To defeat the evil, one must sacrifice."

Shirou did not understand, nor did he want to understand. "Shut up...There is no need of a sacrifice."

"I told you to kill the monster..." Perseus said before he was cut off.

"RIDER IS NOT A MONSTER!" Shirou shouted at the top of his lungs as he slowly stood up with visible effort.

The aforementioned monster/not-monster's infamous eyes widened.

"She's..." Shirou said as he stood up as if protecting Rider with his own body, coming against Perseus, "just a girl."

Perseus could only gape in shock at what this hero is saying. The idea could only be called blasphemous in Perseus's mind. How could a human much less a hero ever call that monster, Medusa, a monster of legends a girl.

"You...how could you see that thing."

"She's just a girl!" Shirou said as he peaked backward by turning his head 90 degrees. The eyes that were filled with determination also filled with mutltitude of different emotions: kindness, care, protectiveness, and above all pity.

"She's just a little girl that needs help." Shirou continued as he stood up. "As a hero, as a protector of justice I will" Shirou closed his eyes as memories of his father's smile raced across his closed eyes. Shirou opened them again as he looked upon Perseus again with steel determination, "Save her!"

Rider and Perseus could did not have an answer to this statement. They both thought that Rider was a monster, but this hero said differently.

"I won't accept any sacrifices. Why does one have to sacrifice when saving another...and that includes Rider as well. I won't give up. A hero doesn't give up!"

Perseus was shocked, angry, and impressed no he started to even admire this young boy who claimed the name of hero. He was battered till he didn't even resemble a human anymore yet he was still fighting. It was praiseworthy no doubt. In fact Perseus admired, the god admired, parts of the boy. That tenacity it was just like him when he was young, however as an opponent as a hero Perseus couldn't show any mercy.

Perseus smiled. "So that is the source of your strength young hero." The smile faded, "but our time has ended...I am the victor." Perseus said as he looked to the east with a frown.

Shirou finally stood up. Tired, battered and injured...but the hero stood up. With tired but determined eyes our hero looked upon the form of the obstacle before him that he must surpass.

"It isn't *hah* over," Shirou gasped as he pulled himself to his feet.

Perseus gazed admirably at Shirou before nodding and agreeing with him. "Yes...you are right...it's...only begun"

From the east, everyone could see the tip of the sun rising and showing itself. The rays of the morning light seemed to bathe through the atmosphere as the light of fire and the fire itself seemed to die down as if acknowledging the superiority of this new light.

And of course the light seemed to converged, no meld towards Perseus. Soon Perseus's body was too bright for the eye to look upon as he became luminous itself. It was like the man was absorbing the essense of the rays to make himself another sun. It went on for 10 seconds until the light finally dispersed to show a perfectly healed Perseus, with hardly a scratch on him.

"[Rebirth of the Sun]," Perseus whispered as he summoned his sword to his hands once more.

Shirou could only gnash his teeth in frustration how could he heal himself like this. It's like versing Berserker and his [God Hand] all over again, except not insane.

Amidst the glowing morning light, a figure in white stood proudly with not a scratch on him, but facing him was a red headed teen standing on what seemed like his last leg.

"How?" Shirou gasped as he struggled to stay conscious.

Perseus answered with shame in his voice, "I do not like to use this authority for it is unfair in combat but for victory there was no other choice. I Perseus am Mitra and thus I have the authority over the sun. Thus, I gain new life when it rises as well."

*hah* *hah* "That's cheap you bastard." Shirou smiled. As he finally stood up, his back straight and arms outstretched as if holding an imaginary weapon.

"Trace On." Instantly a pair of black and white swords appeared in the young boys' hands.

"Useless." The god said as he ran forward swept across the weapons of the boy with his own sword.

"Guh," Shirou gasped as the swords in his hands easily broke under the pressure of the mundane steel blade. Although, the sword wielded by Perseus was in no way a Noble Phantasm worthy of legends it still was a weapon infused with divinity and aura of a god thus making it match weapons of legends as equals including the married blades. However, due to the extreme headache the young hero was currently experiencing it became impossible difficult to trace the complete swords causing flaws in its infrastructure, thus making it easily break when the previous set matched the sword of the god evenly in the previous bout.

"Shit." Shirou cursed as he got up again. Shirou was kneeling on the ground holding empty handles. *Cough* blood flew out along with the air and saliva. Shirou felt like his innards are being torn to shreds. *ha* *ha* the teen breathed as he struggled for every breath.

Perseus watched this struggle with a sad and forlorn face. He slowly walked towards the fallen Emiya. *Step* *Step* each foot fall reverberating throughout the whole area until they finally stopped right in front of Shirou. Perseus laid the end of his sword on the exposed neck of our hero.

"Yield. Yield young hero. Give up. You are no match for me." Perseus said with pain in his voice. "Your ideals, your dreams, your hero has lost. Do not lose your life so young."

Shirou did not lose hope even in this hopeless situation the fire for battle still raged on within him. It called for war it called for battle...it called for retribution? Even Shirou was surprised of this feeling. The feeling seemed to explode within him as he understood it he hated this man. He hated everything he stood for. It was completely contradictory to what Kiritsugu and later on he Emiya Shirou stood for. This man was not a hero, this man doesn't deserve to be called a hero.

Slowly Shirou lifted his face until he looked straight into Perseus's eyes. Gold eyes met gold eyes. One held shame one held determination. One looked to the past one looked to the future. Shirou opened his mouth.

"A hero never gives up." He said with fiery determination.

Perseus was awed from the sheer determination from this young boy. The will to die is nothing unusual for the god/hero. The will to die for another against impossible odds...against a god.

"Forgive me," Perseus said as he lifted the sword above his head. He glanced one more time on the young hero on his knees.

"Rest in peace young hero." Perseus dropped his sword. The god's sword swings could be called instantaneous yet the instant the sword fell felt like eternity to the god. All the time the golden eyes of his opponent stared at him. They stared straight at him as if he was the one about to die.

*shink"

*Clash*

Sparks were seen as a steel projectile was thrown towards the sword the god swung. The projectile changed the trajectory of the sword missing the young Emiya's neck by millimeters.

Suddenly a purple flash could be seen as the it extended a beautiful leg at the god. The god quickly dodged backwards to avoid the blow to the face.

"Rider what do you think you're doing." Shirou asked as he got up.

"Saving you." Rider just curtly said her attention on Perseus.

"Rider you're no match for him go back." Shirou said as he struggled to his feet once more.

"Shirou thank you." Rider whispered. The small whisper that came out was not her usual voice. Her voice seemed to be shaking. "Please escape Shirou. I'll hold him off as long as I can. So please. Escape."

Rider jumped forward with renewed vigor trying to buy time for the red head and the other girls to escape.

"Monster!" Perseus said as he deflected each and every strike that Rider executed. Although, Rider signifigantly healed she was far from her best condition while Perseus was at his best.

"Perseus! Let's end this! This is between you and me, no one else!" Rider jumped forward. Her glasses fell off. As she dashed at her opponent with her eyes exposed.

"Monster!" Perseus screamed as he summoned his shield and looked at the mirror like surface to match Rider in combat.

Perseus swung.

Rider dodged. The sword bit through her side cutting a clean but nonfatal wound in her waist.

"Guh" Rider let out as the pain made her nearly lose consciousness as she crashed to the ground breathing hard.

*ha* *ha* *ha* Rider just breathed on the ground immobilized with pain. Perseus descended towards the fallen Medusa with sword ready.

Medusa only smiled as she saw her death. Well it was given that she be defeated. Someone like her with so much sin and blood on her hands deserved to die after all. As long as she could save Sakura, Shirou and the others she was satisfied.

Perseus raised his sword.

Medusa smiled. She whispered, "I have no regrets."

Time seemed to stop as the sword descended. Rider lay silently on the ground without even trying to shield nor protect herself, just waiting for the inevitable. In a daze she could hear voices screaming "Rider!" as if trying to rouse her forward. Well as long as those voices remained safe, then her death was meaningful.

A tear escaped her eyes. In her youth when she shared the same appearance as her sisters, her dream was to be saved by a dashing hero who would save her from her own identity and fate and carry her off to live happily ever after.

The sword raced down.

Rider closed her eyes. The tear traveled down her cheek. Knowing death was unavoidable her last thoughts were, Well I at least got to meet my hero. The sword came down hard.

*Clank*

No one moved. No one breathed. No one said a word. It felt like the whole world was silent as it dared not do anything.

Am I finally dead? Rider asked. Well at least her death was swift. There was no pain involved, that at least was something she was thankful to Perseus for.

She opened her eyes, expecting again to see the nothingness of the Throne of Heroes.

"My body is made of blades." a voice whispered from above her.

Her eyes and mind finally adjusted to the world as she finally comprehended what she was seeing.

"Shirou." Rider whispered.

"Th-This is impossible..." Perseus said his eyes wide with shock.

Rider who lost all hope and only awaited death was saved yet again. The hero who saved her was protecting her. His back faced her as if trying to shield her from the horrors of the world with his own body. A red cloth fluttered in the wind and finally lay on Rider's shoulders as if trying to comfort her.

Perseus couldn't believe it. When this boy identified himself as a hero, he didn't believe it, but as they fought he understood that he was truly a young hero, but...this he did could not understand. For a living breathing human to attain this level. Even gods and divinity attained such a level only after their myths were formed. But if this was true. If his eyes did not betray him then all the things that the maiden and this young hero made sense. Then this boy in front of him was a true hero!

"How are you...[Steel]!" Perseus shouted with shock.

"I'm not [Steel]." Shirou said. The winds shaded his eyes from view but all those who were present besides Rider could see the change on the young boy.

The hero gripped the sword tighter, blood and sparks flew as he poured magic and more magic into the sword of his opponent until it's very structure became unstable.

All throughout the boy's shoulders, chest, arms, hands, and even the face was what appeared to be.

"I am...[Sword]." He finished as the Perseus's sword finally broke in Shirou's grip, shards and blood flew everywhere. As soon as the sword broke Shirou lifted his face until Perseus was able to see directly into the determined eyes of his opponent.

Perseus, one of Greece's heroes saw something inside those eyes that instilled fear inside those eyes. For a second he saw himself reflected inside those eyes, in what seemed to be a world. A world of blades. There were sword everywhere.

Swords of all kind, Swords of all cultures, Swords of all times, Swords of Justice, Swords of Evil, Swords of Heroes, Swords of Villains, Swords of Great Warriors, Swords of Ordinary Soldiers, Swords of Power, Swords of Weakness, Swords of Magic, Swords of Gods, Swords of Demons, Swords of Legends, Swords of Myths, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords, Swords...

And finally in the midst of all those swords he saw him, a lone teen growing into a hero amongst all these swords amongst [Unlimited Blade Works].

Perseus retreated backwards holding a broken hilt, breathing deeply and knelt on one knee. He looked back at the young hero and whispered, "You...are...[Sword]?"

Shirou did not bother answering.

"Sh-Shirou." Rider said as she slowly got up.

"Rider!" Shirou shouted as he her name with a loud voice.

"Y-Yes!" Rider answered with a startle.

"I need you! I need you to stay by me. I need you to live. DO NOT DIE RIDER!"

"Y-Yes." Rider answered back.

"Answer me Rider! Would you stay by my side?! Even if all hope is lost. Even if the world seems like its going to end. Would you stand next to me?! Answer me Rider!"

"...I will."

Shirou turned around, and looked at Rider. Due to Shirou's body being made of swords at this moment the [Mystic Eyes of Petrification] were countered.

"Shirou..." Rider said as she saw the swords piercing his skins from underneath.

"Then I swear to protect you. I swear to become your hero. I swear to never abandon you...I swear to save you Rider."

"Shirou..."

Shirou reached down and held Rider's hand in his bleeding one. He smiled as his determined eyes once again filled with care and protectiveness. He said in a soft voice...

"I hereby propose/ Thou shalt come under my command/ and thy sword shalt control my fate/ Abiding by the summons of the Holy Grail/ If thou accedest to this will and reason, answer me/ I hereby swear/ I am all that is good in the eternal world/ I am the disposer of all that is evil in the entire world/ Thee, seven days clad in the Divine Trinity/ Come forth from the circle of constraint/ Guardian of the Heavens/ Accedest to me, and my fate shalt become thy sword!

Each syllable of the words of contract rang true and clear for all to hear. This was Rider's moment, the moment she the Gorgon Queen Medusa will gain a new life. One not stained by the blood of those she killed, but as a servant of the Hero.

With a smile and tears flowing down her face Rider answered her master. Someone was actually looking at her eyes with not the emotion of fear and anger but the gentleness and pity, something she thought was impossible in more ways than one. With not a voice of a heroic spirit nor the voice of an ancient monster but the voice of a girl that finally found where she belonged she answered her summons. "I Servant Rider, Servant of the mount, who bears the name Medusa swear that you are my Master Shirou."

As soon as the last words left her mouth, the two contractors could feel the contract between each other. Prana flowed to Rider in large amounts from Shirou's huge reserves which lessened the strain of his too full magic circuits. To add to that, Rider's recuperative prana leaked into Shirou which healed Shirou quite a bit as well.

However what was surprising most of all was the visible effects of the contract. Perseus, Illya, Rin, Sakura, and of course the two contractors witnessed a glowing red light originating from Shirou's right arm or more accurately the 27 command seals grafted on the arm. The light seemed to affect Rider in a way that wasn't normal in any way as she started moaning in pain/pleasure as the light brightened.

"Aagh~" Rider moaned as the light seemed almost to caress her body. It felt as if Shirou's very essense and power was being poured into her very being exposing her greatest secrets to him. The light kept on increasing and Rider reacted to it accordingly until the light and Rider reached a crest. Rider screamed with pleasure/pain as she finally fell into Shirou's worried arms. All the power/prana in her body seemed to converge towards the chest area over her heart as it actually took a corporeal form...a crest.

The crest consisted of 8 similar swords arranged in a circle pattern with all their blades pointed towards the center. There were elaborate patters inscribed as well and in the perimeter of the swords was a circle holding the swords in. This moment marks in history the moment when the goddess Medusa became a Divine Ancestor not for a god or due to defeat but from forming a contract with a godslayer/hero. A Servant/Divine Ancestor the mistress/servant of a hero of not [Steel] but a never before heard of [Sword].

Rider was semi-conscious by the end of the ritual as she layed her head in Shirou's chest as she snuggled deeper into him with closed eyes. "Shirou-sama..." she whispered.

"Yes Rider?" He asked concerned for Rider.

Rider asked with a blush. "You are now my...'master'."

Shirou being the dumb idiot he is answered back without knowing what she meant, "Yeah Rider."

Suddenly Shirou's eyes again hardened to that of steel and keeness of a sword. "Rider I swear I will not lose. I swear I will come back. I swear by my ideals. So can you trust me? Can you protect the others?"

Rider nodded.

Shirou smiled. "Thank you. I'm relieved."

Even though Shirou was covered in swords all throughout his body he gave Rider a warm smile as his eyes showered her with the promise of safety and home.

"Rider. I will save you." Shirou said as he once again stood up on his feet.

Shirou then turned towards Perseus with rage displayed for all to see. This one who burned an innocent town to the ground. This one who harmed Sakura, Rin, and Illya. This one who dared claim the title of hero. This one who deprived Rider of her humanity and labelled her a monster.

Something sparked inside Shirou, as something...something foreign and not of his body answered his call for vengeance.

It asked him

"Are you enraged?"

Shirou answered, "Yes."

"Do you desire power?"

Shirou answered, "Yes."

"Do you want to take vengeance?"

Shirou answered, "Yes."

"Than accept my strength."

Shirou answered, "Yes."

Something flipped inside Shirou's mind as a gun in his mind clicked. A bullet that Shirou did not know he even had was loaded into the cartridge. The safety automatically turned off as if eager to bring itself into the world.

Word filled Shirou's mind as they jumped out of his mouth. The rage inside him fueled guided him as the words of power over took him.

"I am the one who will bear the burden of the world. I am the one who will suffer for the sins of the many. I am the one who shall hold all the curses in my hands. May my rage never die, may my rage devour my enemies. May my enemies suffer. MAY THEY BE CURSED FOR ALL ETERNITY!"

Shirou lifted his left hand as if he was tracing a weapon. But this time it was not a weapon showing itself it was something else.

The gun in Shirou's mind fired.

"Trace On - [The Cursed Hero]!"

0000000000

Paollo Blandelli sighed as he fidgetted around his room. Although there was a large amount of work left to be done. He couldn't focus on the task on hand.

Again for the ump-teenth time he took out the photo of the supposed 8th Campione fighting against the white god. For another whole hour Paollo stared at the picture trying to see more inside it.

He knew that Perseus, the god that was finally identified, and the 8th Campione must have had a combat of swords of epic proportions as shown by the multiple scars and cuts all over both of them. To add to that, there was a broken steel sword in Perseus's side.

However amazing the sword combat must have been, Paollo was focused on the form of the 8th Campione himself. His appearance was...out of this world. It's appearance was more of that of an angry demon god, but that expression on his face! That expression told differenently. It told of pain, it told of suffering...it told of nobility. Paollo Blandelli knew what loyalty, chivalry, and nobility was since he was the definition of it in Italy yet looking at this one picture made him feel inadequate.

Italy's best knight returned the precious photo back to its case as whispered to no one in particular, "Who are you?"

0000000000

Rin, Illya, Sakura, and the rejoined Rider watched in shock as their hero...transformed for better lack of words. The normal looking boy albeit handsome and with a physique that would make professionals weep bloody tears became something extraordinary.

"Shirou." They all whispered with shock evident on their faces and eyes wide with fear, awe, and concern.

As soon as Shirou finished his chant. It for a moment Shirou's whole body was covered in darkness. The first to change was Shirou's hair. It innocently waved in the wind but in mere seconds it extended all the way to his waist length. The winds blew it back though giving him a mane or scarlet trailing behind him accompanying the red sleeve. Furthermore, black flecks like ash started popping out of his scarlet hair as like black embers in a raging flame. To add to that, black transparent patterns, letters, and words of different words started appearing all around his body and writhed around like a living being with its own conscious. Finally a large crimson 'X' appeared on his forehead; each diagonal line passed through his eyes and continued down with till they crossed the cheeks and reached the jaw.

It was the form of a devil. It was horrible.

It was the form of a god. It was divine.

It was the form of a cursed one. It was powerful.

It was the form of a hero. It was beautiful.

Perseus quickly retreated backwards. The boy was now more of a threat than before. The power exuding off of that new form was tremendous. The aura coming off of this one was pure evil yet warm at the same time. However, he knew that form, rather all the gods from the Zoroastrianism knew who he was.

"Angra Mainyu." Perseus whispered in shock as he quickly retreated in caution. "Our enemy... and our greatest mistake." Contrary to the myths where Angra Mainyu was portrayed as the lord of evil against the lord of good Ahura Mazda. In legends Ahura Mazda created Ahura Mazda to become the evil of the world. However, being a god himself and being present in the situation Perseus knew the truth...that the actions that they committed to Angra Mainyu that day was unforgivable.

In fear of being corrupted and to lead more believers to them, Ahura Mazda and the other gods agreed to pour the [All the Sins of the World] into one boy. That boy was stripped of his name, rights, joy, and humanity. Under the orders of the gods the people quickly lashed out againt this boy as they branded him with all the possible sins of mankind on his body. The young boy was abused, hurt, scarred, and denied. He was never able to speak nor experience joy in his life every again because of the whims of the gods. However, the boy was kept alive. He was beaten half to death but never killed in order to continue harboring all the sins of man. The boy quickly grew into a man. The man never knew a kind touch. The man was regarded with hatred and shoved away. He was even denied to means to end his own life. Finally the man died through natural causes as he cursed the gods, the world and above all the people. The boy who became a man who later in myths became a god was given the name Angra Mainyu, the destructive spirit.

"To think that another hero would cause your downfall evil one." Perseus whispered.

"So you were a King after all young hero." Perseus chuckled with a bitter sweet tone, as he already guessed the Shirou's identity. Quickly, Perseus stopped as he started summoning his bow. "I answer your call to battle young hero."

To take advantage of the distance and end this as fast as possible Perseus chose to deal with Shirou through projectiles. Perseus was confident in his combination of archery and Authorities, although he had no problem summoning another sword and continue their battle from before in close combat steel in hand. He decided it was more advantageous to end the battle with ranged weaponry.

"I am Perseus, The slayer of Medusa. Give me the bow of steel to strike my enemies!"

In Perseus hand sprung a golden bow of steel. Perseus drew his back the bow string as he summoned 5 arrows simultaneously. He knocked the arrows onto his bow and imbued them with divinity of the sun and steel.

"Fire [Arrows of the Sun]" he shouted as he fired the powerful arrows at him.

Each arrow was powerful enough to sheer through a concrete. If a man was hit with them, there would probably be nothing left of him. To augment their strength the five seperate arrows combined mid flight to create a single [Spear of Light] to take down Shirou.

Shirou just stood with the wind blowing his long red hair. The long hair obstructed his eyes but Perseus knew he was aware of the oncoming projectile. For a while, Shirou neither dodged nor defend. Finally, he moved. The winds continued to wave his hair around like a living flame with as black ashes fell like ember from the long locks. Shirou...lifted his open hands at Perseus and said...

"Trace on." A black bow of infernal darkness made itself known in Shirou's hands.

"You mean to match my archery with your archery? Impossible!" Perseus shouted.

"You're not the only Archer," Shirou retorted back.

Getting into the familiar kyuudo form Shirou drew the bow string capable of firing Noble Phantasms as he traced his favorite projectile. As he drew the string back a long corkscrew like sword appeared nocked on the string and brimming with power.

A sword! Perseus thought with alarm.

Shirou lifted his head as he stared straight at his target, the oncoming arrow and the one who fired it. His eyes were visible as their golden iris looked straight at Perseus like a scope.

"My core is twisted in madness." Shirou recounted the aria of the sword as he altered the sword with reinforcement till it was aerodynamic for flight.

However it didn't end there .Something extremely unexpected happened.

"Curse on." Shirou mouthed. From within Shirou beating heart of glass came something sinister and dark. A power that he shouldn't have. A force of evil that his own heart produced to curse another.

The evil power was transcribed into cuneiform blacker than ink and written into words of evil and curses moving around Shirou's own body. Following instincts the words traveled down Shirou's right arm through his circuits and finally into the Cadabolg itself. Cadabolg became even more heavily cursed with the aspect of destruction as an ancient language moved around its blade as if alive.

Cadabolg the sword of Fergus mac Roiche the hero of Ireland and even the mentor/father of Cu Chulainne. It was a demonic sword of the hero capable of destroying mountains with one blow. However, that sword was a sword of demonic origin, thus it was very compatible with the curses of [Cursed Hero] as the sword absorbed the curses and prana until it broke becoming a Cursed Broken Phantasm.

"Perish Hero!" Perseus shouted.

"[Cadabolg II]!" Shirou shouted as he let go of the bow string. The laws of physiques took over and the altered sword was propelled forward with a sonic boom as it accelerated to speeds faster than that of sound. The spiral around the sword propelled the sword even faster as the sword acted like a drill. Each passing second made the sword faster and stronger until it met the [Arrows of the Sun].

BOOM

The two projectiles met in the air with a resounding explosion worthy of a battle between gods and kings as they fought for dominance.

The rays of the sun coalesced into a solid form between five arrows met a spiral of darkness. The 5 simultaneous arrows of Perseus acted together by reinforcing each other as they concentrated all that power into one form. [Arrows of the Sun] acted as a converging point as more and more photons converged towards the one point where all 5 arrows met each other. Basically, they were acting as a beacon, a point where all the photons of the sun were converged in one point to make a laser point hot enough to melt through steel like hot butter...but Cadabolg was no ordinary steel.

In combat against all that pure energy Cadabolg acted against as a foci of growing power in accelerating amounts. The sword spiralled in a clockwise manner as it tried to drill through the beam of pure energy. As the sword seemed to spin more and more fierce dark purple tendrils seemed to fly out of in a spiral manner like a tornado of power. The dark tendril were like the gales of a hurricane except not only wind but destruction was left wherever the tendril touched.

A beam of light converged upon arrows of steel vs a cursed steel drill of hurricane and destruction.

Thsese two forces fought for dominance, neither side letting up, neither giving up.

"Guh."

"Gah."

The sheer force exuberating from the clash of arrows was so great that even the owners who fired them were pressured. Perseus used his large bow on his left hand as a shield of sorts to block off the gale winds. Shirou meanwhile bent his knees and curved his spine to make himself smaller and thus a smaller target of the wind. He had both arms of steel up in an X position to lessen the force of the gale. A white cape blew to the North. A red mane and scarf blew to the South.

To the untrained eyes the two powers of darkness and light would be at a standstill but that was not the case for the trained eyes. Shirou and Perseus were able to see the 5 arrows of light slowly pushing back Cadabolg minimally but surely.

"Pierce!" Perseus shouted.

Like I said the untrained eyes would be unable to see this but to those present on the battle field were able to see it. A large crack appeared upon the curved sword of Cadabolg. The crack widened more and more until the whole sword was riddled with cracks.

"Break" Shirou said shielding his eyes from the inevitable.

Cl-ang!

The sound of something breaking could be heard. Cadabolg the demonic sword of Fergus Mac Roich exploded in a dazzling supernova as it overpowered the 5 arrows.

The large mass of kinetic energy and curses of the destroyed projectile continued on its path though aiming straight for Perseus.

"Kuh." Perseus said as he quickly tried to retreat as he tried to shield himself from the oncoming blow with his golden bow and arms.

It was too late. The giant mass of curses and power hit swallowed the god before he could retreat.

Boom!

The sound of all that energy hitting the ground was equivalent to a meteor falling upon the earth. The form of the white god couldn't be seen because of the rising dust. However, Emiya's aim was perfect the center of the explosion was definately at Perseus. Even a god could not leave unscathed at the center of all that power.

The dust refused to fall as again in the battle continued.

I can't believe it! To have surpassed me in Archery?! Perseus thought with alarm. The dust rose in a cloud like manner that made Perseus shield his face with his arm.

"Trace on..."

Perseus swiveled to the left not a moment too soon as black and white disks cut through the dust aimed straight at him. The blades were only able to lightly cut him with their element of surprise.

"Kuh," he grumbled. Quickly summoning his godly powers and divinity he blew away the dust in the area with a flap of his cape.

The morning sun glinted upon the created blades with a shine.

In the desolate city those standing on the black ashes of its ruin these two disks flew like a flag. The winds blew as these blades hummed in the air with a beautiful tune.

In air the black disk seemed to drink the sunlight and the white disk seemed to reflect the rays like a sun. All eyes on the battle field followed these beautiful creations as they swerved and turned.

The blades cut the air as the married swords changed positions and directions.

In the battlefield these blades looked like works of art as they swiveled and turned. They were hope. They were strength. They promised salvation to the damned.

They were heroic to the innocent. They were nightmares to the sinners.

Chak! Chak! the sound came as they returned to their owner's hands. Red hands, red hair, and red sleeves blew in the air wind his eyes closed. He looked like...like a hero.

Slowly Shirou turned to Perseus. The winds blew his suddenly long hair back as it moved randomly. He opened his eyes and stared at his enemy.

Perseus could only describe that gaze in one phrase Golden Steel, The determined gaze of those eyes felt like the gaze alone would cut the god apart. Combined with his red X and A mane like a tail it was a fearsome sight. He looked...like a demon.

One second. Perseus swore he was looking at him but in the second that he took to blink the golden steel was in front of him with a wave of red. White and black glinted in his hands.

"Kuh." Perseus grunted as he dodged to the left sporting an angry red diagonal line from the left shoulder. A red liquid trailing from the black blade in the red

"How did...?" Perseus never got to finish the question as a white blade suddenly came and drew another diagonal line from the right shoulder forming another X. More red liquid flew in the air.

"...I see." Perseus said as he held the wounds with his hands. "It wasn't that you got faster. It's that I became slower. That was the reason for the surprise strike a moment ago." Perseus glanced at the small cut on his arm. "To implant this curse."

Shirou made no move to confirm nor unconfirm what Perseus said. Instead he held up his swords again ready to fight.

The blades in the young one's hands glinted as they anticipated; no lusted, would be a better word, for more blood. For his blood

Perseus knew that as he was now there was no hope for him to win. He must tap into his greatest authority to fight on equal terms as this one. He must don the form of not one but all three of his incarnations to even hope to succeed. Something he never had to resort to before. Something he honestly hoped he would never have to resort to.

Perseus stood again.

His left hand was tightly gripped.

His right hand was tightly gripped.

His jaws were clenched before he opened them to chant the final words.

"I am the one who bears the Sun-Steel-Gold."

Shirou felt a massive amount of magic spilling from him Perseus like a wave.

"For I bear the symbol of the greedy king who wished for wealth. The one who hast damned those he loved for his greed of wealth and riches. [The Golden Hand of the King]."

Perseus's right hand changed from flesh to pure gold. With just a glance Shirou could tell that the hand was dangerous, and must be avoided at all costs.

"For I bear the symbol of the heroic warrior, the one who slayed the monster and brought peace to the people. The steel of battle and war rages within me. [Gauntlet of the Hero]"

Again the steel armor developed on the left hand of the god.

"For I bear the rays of the sun. May it shine for my victory. I bear the light of the world in my hand. Shine for my victory [Light of the End]!"

All the light in the area seemed to converge to Perseus like iron dust to a magnet. However his hair was what changed most, like a sun it shined illuminating the battle field. It's appearance...like a hero...like a god.

"Steel in my core, Gold is my strength, Sun is my origin. [Final Hero]!"

It was an awe inspiring sight indeed. A left arm of steel. A right hand of gold, and a body of sunlight.

Perseus extended his right hand and a shield of gold was formed.

Perseus extended his left hand and a sword of pure divine steel appeared.

"Kyah," Sakura said from the sheer pressure exuding off from the transformation. It was like being blasted by a gust of wind, no a hurricane to the face. The amount of Od exuding from Perseus right here and now was equivalent to Blue blood magus's Prana utilizing all of their prized circuits. God damn it. "Sempai," she called out clearly worried for her beloved crush.

"Are you shitting me?! That guy could get more powerful! What the hell!" Rin shouted

"Oni-chan!" Illya shouted for her brother.

"Master!" Rider called out.

In the face of the hurricane Shirou did not flinch. He did not move. He did not fear. He only stared on at his target like a sword. His eyes filled were neither broken nor doubting it was just plain steel that would never bend to the wind.

"Evil spirit, ... whose religion is evil and who ever ridiculed and mocked the wicked in hell." Shirou instinctly chanted as he boosted the amount of prana he exuded to the maximum.

An evil shadow was cast over our red headed hero as a malevolent wind blew across everyone's face. The curses and darkness further converged towards him like a focal point of a magnifiying glass as he became the center...the center of all the evil in the world.

"Let's end this Perseus," Shirou said as he poured more and more curses and prana into the swords in his hands breaking them. Red hair blew in the black wind like blood and fire.

"I accept your challenge. This will be our final bout." Perseus responded as he brought forth this gold shield and steel sword. A white cape blew amongst the gold light of the sun.

They took a step.

"HUAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH"

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

Yelling out their war cries the white/gold god hero and the black/red demon hero ran forward with their weapons flashing above their head.

A black force and a gold force collided against each other like two typhoons fighting for dominance.

BOOOOOM!

The resulting clash was even louder than the clash of the two arrows as the sheer indirect force changed the whole landscape

The twin black and white blades fueled by curses and the steel blade and gold shield reinforced by light clashed against each other.

"I am a Hero!" Perseus shouted as he redoubled his efforts. A crack appeared in the structure of the cursed [Kanshou].

"Kuh," Shirou grunted with visible effort as his muscles, even though they were reinforced to the maximum struggled under the force of weight.

"I can not lose!" shouted Perseus again as a new crack was made on [Bakuya] this time.

"SHUT UP YOU BASTARD!" Shirou screamed out as he pushed harder against the gold and steel weapons of his enemy. "YOU ARE NOT A HERO!"

Perseus was slowly but surely overpowering Shirou is the terms of strength as he was being pushed more and more. The steel sword in his left hand coming closer and closer to the neck of the red boy. Yet the eyes of the boy did not waver. It still held the unbendable steel. Then he started chanting those words as if talking to another. Perhaps it was Perseus's identity as a hero that allowed him to understand Shirou at that moment. Or perhaps it was the instinctive feeling of defeat he felt in his heart. No one but Perseus himself would have given the correct answer.

"Can't you hear it? The cries of all those you made suffer through a simple whim." Shirou closed his eyes even as he pushed his consciousness out. With the ability granted to him by [Cursed Hero] Shirou followed the scent of misery. His consciousness traveled across the battlefield. Across the barren wasteland filled with those that died due to the whims of a god desiring battle. In his mind's eye he saw children crying because they were seperated from their parents. He saw mothers and father crying as they questioned destiny. They all asked the same question "Why?"

"I can't answer that question, nor can I reverse time and prevent this panic from happening. However, I swear to do all I can to stop this from repeating. I swear to get your revenge! So I beg of you take hope! Lift your head! Stand! STAND AND FIGHT!" Shirou shouted in the midst of battle.

(hundreds of miles away)

It was an odd case indeed for the rescue team. All the victims of the fire that claimed their homes and lives looked to the west as if something important was happening. They say someone that day touched their hearts and urged them to continue.

As one body and one mind all the victims raised their arms to the west and prayed. They prayed for victory for the soft voice of the one that touched them, urged them. fought with them.

(back)

Shirou knew he was losing but he knew he will not lose. He knew that someone like Perseus would never be able to defeat the steel crack the steel inside him. He knew that no matter how hot the sun burned the steel inside all those he hurt will never bend.

One by one something entered his heart.

One by one that something lended him strength. Strength to continue on. Strength to fight. Strength to win.

"We will never lose to you Perseus." Shirou said as he pushed harder and harder against the steel sword until once again they were in an equal stalemate against each other. The steel sword cracked.

"I will never lose to you Perseus," a crack appeared on the gold shield.

"Illya will not lose to you Perseus," a crack appeared on his steel gauntlet.

"Rin will not lose to you Perseus," another crack appeared on the gold shield.

"Sakura will not lose to you Perseus," the steel gauntlet was destroyed.

"Rider will not lose to you Perseus," the gold shield clattered on the ground as it was destroyed completely.

Finally all that remained was a mass of [Kanshou] and [Bakuya] against the final steel sword of Perseus. It was anyone's battle now. Victory depended on which blade broke first.

"Huuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa."

"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa."

More and more power came to Shirou as he put all that new power into defeating Perseus.

Perseus in return focused all his divine strength as well as borrowing the power of the sun to defeat Shirou.

Even with the extra reinforcement begotten from the darkness of humanity against the full force of the sun Shirou was again being slowly pushed back little by little.

However Shirou would not lose. No Shirou could not lose. Shirou had to win.

Shirou again closed his eyes as he clenched his teeth harder. I Will Win!

A soft hand seemed to touch Shirou shoulder.

Amongst the scent of blood, steel, and fire a new scent over rode Shirou's sense of smell. It was the scent of a place that seemed all so familiar.

Shirou felt as if that scent stole his mind. For a brief second Shirou's mind left the battle and was transported elsewhere.

It was hard to describe and the vision was hazy at best but for a moment Shirou felt like he was transported to a large clearing where the winds gently shuffled the grass under his feet. The sky was blue trees lined the clearing. It was a place of peace where no conflict existed. A Utopia.

In the middle of the clearing stood a girl with light blonde untied hair as it blew with the wind. She was short and wore a white dress. For some reason Shirou could not see her face.

The girl in this vision turned to him and she gave him the most wonderful smile he's seen. Her smile triggered something in his heart and it started beating rapidly.

"Go Shirou," her mouth seemed to tell him. For some reason his ears could not catch her voice. Nevertheless Shirou was able to read the movement of her lips.

Shirou felt it. His heart went out to this girl. He knew this person. Yet he did not know her. He needed to know her.

The vision was started fading as the perimeter of the clearing started vanishing one by one

With a force of will Shirou shouted at her as he outstretched his right hand forward. "WHO?" was all he could say as his eyes started tearing for some reason.

The girl seemed mildly surprised for a moment. However it only lasted for a second. She lifted her face. Shirou could not see her face yet he could see it. She could see her smile at him. That was all Shirou could see before the vision finally stopped, and with a start Shirou discovered he was back to his battle with his foe.

Perseus felt something change within his opponent in that moment. The young hero he was facing had some sort of epiphany in the middle of the battle. Perseus responded by pushing even harder with the steel sword. However, Emiya Shirou didn't budge. No matter how hard Perseus pushed the young hero would not budge.

Shirou lifted his head.

Perseus saw his expression that moment, and couldn't stop the surprise from showing in his face.

The young hero's face was smiling. It was smiling as if the best thing happened in his life as one of his eyes was crying. The tears crawled down his cheek and the smile further broadened.

"Let's end this Perseus," he said.

Shirou was tired but there is no way he will allow himself to lose this battle. Even if his body was destroyed, even if his mind fragmented, even if his heart exploded. Shirou had to win.

"Trace on."

Shirou quickly poured all the prana he could into the two swords. With power Shirou did not know he had he pushed Perseus backwards. The mangled blades of [Kanshou] and [Bakuya] broke even further as they started fragmenting again into a pair of wings. One white as the moon. One dark as the night. However that wasn't all. Amongst the cracks that littered the blades curses spewed out like black flames. These curses acted like an adhesive as they kept the structure of the broken phantasms together.

"Iron is my Body"

Reinforcing his legs to the maximum Shirou jumped forward as he pushed as much power he can into his two legs. Lifting the broken phantasms above his head Shirou reached Perseus.

Perseus quickly raised his divine aura and power to the maximum as he poured all the energy he can into the steel blade. Perseus answered the challenge with his own as he raced forward sword in hand.

"Taste Defeat!" Perseus swung his sword forward.

Shirou sped forward as the two swords in his hands glinted. His mind left the battle field as he travelled to that smile of the unknown person. Shirou again remembered what she said. 'Go Shirou.'

"and Glass is my Heart." Shirou swung his hands down against the steel sword of his foe, against the corrupted steel of the one who dared name himself a hero.

Steel met Steel. Light met against curses.

Steel broke Steel. Steel broke Steel

The whole area exploded

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""""SHIROU!"""" The 4 girls shouted out in concern as the explosion rocked the battlefield. The rising dust again rose and blanketed their red headed hero and the golden adversary.

"Sempai!" Shouted a frantic Sakura, as she tried to rush towards the dust.

"Sakura," Rider shouted as she caught the frantic girl in her arms.

"Let go! Let go Rider!" Sakura shouted as she struggled against the hold of the heroic spirit. Rider did not release her hold, instead she held onto her more tightly ignoring the blows that Sakura gave with her already weakened body.

"Pleas Rider," Sakura cried, "Let me go. Let me go to Sempai."

Rider bit her lower lip as she held onto the crying girl. "Sakura trust Master. Shirou will win. He promised."

Sakura looked up to Rider to find that she was crying too.

Seeing that she wasn't the only one crying for her sempai Sakura burst out into sobs. Sobs of relief, sobs of pain, sobs of betrayal, and finally sobs of happiness.

Rin and Illya approached the two crying purple haired girls and comforted them. Arms entwined arms as they cried and prayed for the red head's victory.

These girl perhaps instinctively knew that only one will exit that dust alive. The other shall fall, even if one of them jumped into the dust they knew that the result would not change.

None of them, even the owner of the mark, did not notice the seal on Rider's chest glowing mildly.

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To those outside the cloud of dust nothing would have been seen, however to those inside everything was clear. The force or explosion pushed the dust out and up and so like an eye of the storm the inside where the two fighter stood was clear and without a single speck of dust.

Shirou wanted to drop, but now was not the time. The explosion just now immobilized his right arm and the burn severely damaged his whole body. There was no place on his body that was not lacerated with wounds. However, now was not the time.

Shirou took a step forward.

Perseus could confidently say that he never had a battle like this. He was elated and depressed at the same time. This fight made him compare himself with this young whelp, who by the looks of it has not even seen autumn change to winter 20 times yet. However, he continued onwards unafraid of death. Even now his eyes showed steel as he continued forward. Even though his wounds were probably worse than those of Perseus.

Perseus took a step backwards.

Shirou took another step forward.

...and another.

...and another.

...

"W...WHO ARE YOU!" Perseus shouted with desperation.

Shirou did not stop.

Shirou couldn't stop.

He had to go on. He had to persevere. He had to defeat this one to prove his identity. He had to become a hero.

Shirou threw the empty handles of [Kanshou] and [Bakuya] back. The two empty blades, one that held the broken ethereal darkness and the other that held luminous brightness dispersed into prana fragments behind him.

Shirou ran forward. The young hero hunched his upper body down to run faster.

Shirou brought his left arm behind him and opened the hand.

He needed a weapon a weapon to end this battle once and for all. A weapon to kill the one ahead of him

Shirou closed his eyes.

Inside his mind. Inside the very workings of his soul he stood once again. Quickly with speed that surpassed the speed of light Shirou searched through his proof of being a hero. He needed a weapon.

Imagine it...

He saw Perseus before his minds eye.

A weapon to defeat him!

[Unlimited Blade Works] answered him.

Scarcely knowing what he was doing, he took the blueprints of the weapon before him as he started tracing. Going more by instincts than conscious thought Shirou called forth the weapon. A weapon made to defeat his enemy.

As if answering his calls the sun behind him let forth a ray of sun light that shielded Shirou's projection from view. Ironically the sun betrayed the God of Suns as it momentarily forced him to shield his eyes with his hands.

"Guh." Perseus said as he shaded his eyes. Perseus knew that this waste of movement would be critical in the battle field, yet he did it. This perhaps was the critical moment, because due to this sudden ray of light the identity of the sword was hidden from Perseus's sight

The sun shining behind him. An anonymous sword not yet completely actualized in his hands. A mane of red hair falling behind him like the tail of a shooting star. A red sleeve like blood trailed behind him.

However, what caught Perseus's eyes was the face. A shadow was cast upon face but the look of the face was unmistakable. Those eyes, those eyes filled with steel and shining gold even after bearing all the curses of the world on his back. Those eyes that never lost its steel. Those eyes shining with inner brilliance and sharp like a pair of swords. It was unmistakable these features, these characteristics that he once put on himself. They were...

"I AM A..."

...that of a...

"HERO!" - Hero!

The sword in Shirou's hands fully formed just at the right second as it pierced through the armor of a god, the skin of a god, the heart of a god, the very life force of a god.

The sword emerged and showed itself behind Perseus's back as a fountain of blood sprayed behind him. As the blood of a god colored the black ash of the earth red only the sword itself was spared from the path of the red liquid baring itself to the world to marvel, to praise to...To recognize.

"I see...I really did become a monster." Perseus whispered

Closing his eyes Shirou tightened the grip on his weapon he whispered through his clenched teeth.

"Curse on." With those two words Shirou summoned the strongest curse he could muster. The curse produced in his own heart travelled down his circuits into his arm. The ancient black cuneiform like ashes and smoke traveled down the sword, through the blade, towards the heart.

"Fitting I die by this blade..."

The curse lodged itself into the heart of a god like a bomb. ticking waiting for the final moment to explode.

"[Harpe]."

As if the name of that sword was a trigger, an explosion, a wave of power like the detonation of a bomb could be felt across the battle field.

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The wave caused from another explosion blew away the dust that shielded their loved one for Sakura, Rin, Illya, and Rider to see.

Their hearts were lodged in their throats as they saw something both equally beautiful and deadly.

Wisps of red dispersed in the air as [Cursed Hero] was unable to continue manifesting itself upon the world. The long hair of red slowly disappeared as if the hair was cut. Red wisps flew in the air and a scarf of red finally lay quietly in the air as if lay on the ground.

*Ha*Ha*Ha* Shirou panted with visible effort as he somehow stood upright with his legs. His hand still clenched hard on the sword [Harpe] which he clutched in his hand.

Harpe the scythe/sword that Perseus himself received from the gods to defeat Medusa. A Noble Phantasm that has the ability to seal immortality and slay beings that should be normally impossible to slay. Once cut by the blade of this scythe no matter what thaumaturgy was used the wound shall not heal, this is same for immortals, thus a perfect weapon to slay divinity, and a weapon the hero wields to slay...monsters.

Perseus as Mithra normally could heal himself indefinately using sunlight during the day. He should by all rights be invincible during the day and immortal in the prescence of sunlight. There exists only 2 methods of defeating him, to use an attack that would annihlate Perseus with one shot or find an ability to seal his immortality.

*Cough*Cough* Blood left the god's mouth as he started his life force left him. Even an immortal god would die from an immortality sealing sword.

In the midst of dying Perseus smiled. Oh the irony. To think that he who thought himself a hero of the people die by his own blade, the blade he was given to slay a monster by his own father nonetheless. It was like a bad play. He who was a hero, who believed himself a hero die a monster by the hero's blade once more.

"How far have I fallen...hero?" Perseus asked to his past self. In his mind he saw the naive young boy he once used to be. A boy that stood up against one of most powerful monsters for his mother and a sea monster for a young maiden. A naive young boy who grew up to be drunk on his power

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It was over. Perseus was defeated, there was no doubt that the god will soon momentarily die however Shirou's heart could not be resolved. It felt as if there still remained an opponent to defeat.

"Interesting," someone said, "but in the end I win."

Before Shirou could turn around something hot and sharp object pierced his left shoulder.

"Guaaaahhh!" Shirou cried out as the burning projectile at away at his flesh.

*ha*ha*ha* Shirou panted as he sneaked a look at his shoulder. [Unlimited Blade Works] immediately analyzed and recorded the lance he was pierced with. Instead of steel it was made of pure blue flames that seared and cut through flesh rather than pierce through. It was even able to ignore his body of swords purely because the heat melted the mesh of swords in his body. It was a weapon made to maximize the pain of the other. A weapon of...

Clenching his teeth Shirou grabbed ahold of the spear in his shoulder and pulled it out. No blood left he wound because the heat completely burned the flesh.

The spear dissapated back to harmless flames once he took it off from the shoulder.

Shirou looked up to the own who threw the spear and cursed.

Flying in the sky was what seemed like a man covered in flames shaped like a bird.

"Shit," Shirou said quietly. The Emiya knew himself that he had no way of fighting against another adversary immediately after his battle with Perseus. It would definately spell his doom if he fought this one in his present condition after all. Even so Shirou did not fall.

Shirou looked towards the flying god.

The god raised his hands and from his wings of flames countless number of embers became more spears until they numbered thousands.

"Shit," Shirou cursed again. This was like Gilgamesh all over again. Normally he would have countered with his own number of flying swords but as of right now there was no way he could afford so much prana after fighting Perseus.

"Fall." With that one word the numerous number of flame spears rained down upon the unfortunate hero.

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The thousands of spears fell upon the red headed Emiya as the victim could do nothing but stare. The shout of Sakura, Illya, Rin, and Rider seemed so far away as the falling spears seemed to decelerate in front of Shirou.

As the spears that spelled his doom fell, Shirou could do nothing but stare. All his limbs were unable to move and his prana was all but gone. It was a miracle that he could project [Harpe] and trace a curse on it at all. His reserves were completely gone and his Od was all but spent.

Even in such a condition Shirou's eyes never lost its steel. Like a pair of swords the glowing orbs of gold stared at the flying enemy as if they were piercing him.

The spears were now so close in less than a second they would riddle him with holes and Shirou would die. Even so those eyes never lost their brilliance.

Shirou then felt something pull at his shirt and the next thing he found out he was on the ground looking up as someone else took all the spears meant for him.

"Kuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggghhhhhhhhh!" He screamed with pain as a thousand spears of brilliant blue flame pierced him. Even so he did not fall. Instead he exposed his open back to the onslaught as rain of fire spears continued.

"P-Perseus~" Shirou whispered as he looked up at the white hero covered in his own blood.

Perseus was dying but he wasn't dead yet. In the last moments of his life he pulled the unsuspecting Shirou back onto the ground and exposed his back to onslaught in Shirou's stead. Taking the blow for him.

"W-Why?" Shirou asked.

Perseus had trouble talking but his blood stained mouth moved as the corners of his lips turned up, "B-Because...you...must live...young hero."

Using the last of his divine power Perseus used summoned a transportation circle beneath Shirou and another under the four girls.

Perseus grinned, "take my Authorities...take my strength...take my will young hero!"

Perseus's body slowly started disappearing into gold dust, but the gold dust gathered towards Emiya. Entering his body, his mind, his soul, his reality marble.

"Next time...let us fight...as Heroes!" With that Perseus finally disappeared from the mortal plane and returned to the myth happy that he found a worthy opponent.

As soon as Perseus disappeared the transportation circles beneath Shirou and the girls flared to life as it converted the mass of those in the circle into pure light and shot to whereabouts unknown.

However let it be known that the 8th Campione was still alive.

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Authorities recap

1) [Cursed Hero]-god-Angra Mainyu

Shirou's first Authority. This authority is very similar to Godou's 10 different incarnations and Smith's [Metamorphasis] however unlike Godou and Smith's this Authority only grants only one form. This Authority was the result of Angra Mainyu and Shirou's ideals, the ideals of a hero and the evil of a cursed one. In this form Shirou becomes the bearer of all the evil in the world as he takes the burden of the world like a hero and thus gets mastery over all curses and all evil. Angra Mainyu was forced to bear the evil of the world. Likewise Shirou too becomes the bearer of all the evil of the world. Because this form allows Shirou mastery over all curses, theoretically Shirou now could fire off [Gandr] if he wants but of course that's Rin's spell.

Shirou mainly uses the authority to curse his projections to a higher degree. The process all starts from the mind. The curse is manufactured in Shirou's heart of glass and uses his blood and veins as transportation until it flows into sword itself in the form of black cuneiform. A direct for even one of these A+ ranked curses can even harm and even kill god if the curse strikes the organs. Like Godou there is a restriction for this Authority. In order for Shirou to manufacture curses he must have a sufficient amount of hatred and rage against a living being. That hatred and rage becomes the resource needed to produce the curse. However in order for the curse to harm the target direct contact/medium is needed. This is no problem for Shirou who uses swords and archery in battle. Also this form is completely incompatible with a holy weapon of any kind, however that doesn't mean Shirou can't use holy weapons in this form.

Contrary to God Slaying Blade Works this Shirou is fully capable of wielding holy weapons even in this form purely because of...his left arm. Although Archer's left arm was completely assimilated into Shirou's body it still isn't completely him and as a result curses crossing into his left arm is comparatively weaker than his right. To add to that, the red sleeve of Archer on his arm is that of a holy nature that filters any impurities flowing out...in or out. I read in the Wiki that Archer got his red coat from Ciel. Apparently is was a saint's holy garbs. So I said hmmm what if...? It never specified which saint that cloth belonged to. So I decided to make the red cloth of Archer and the Shroud of Martin one and the same. Anyway, as a result using this arm and the shroud Shirou is fully capable of using holy weapons as long as he limits it to his left hand.

Furthermore, Shirou is able to absorb the hatred and curses of others into his own heart and convert that energy into power for him to use. However the recipients of the Authority must be willing or it will not work.

Finally there is one last perk for [Cursed Hero] Shirou wields. Although it takes full hatred and rage to fully activate [Cursed Hero] Shirou is capable of using a minor form of the Authority. When using the minor form his appearance does not change and he does not bear all the curses of the world. However, even in this form he is able to utilize curses to a high degree that normal mages and even Great Knights will piss their pants over. When using this minor cursed form Shirou can curses from a distance by staring or pointing, though it gets stronger with physical contact.

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Damn it took so damn long to write all this. Fans I know I was late in updating but you gotta understand. AP tests and overseas college applications as well as scholarships and a bunch of stuff litteraly sucked the life out of me. I feel like a dead man. I mean I couldn't even write the story. It's killing me.

Anyway I focused more on the serious type in my story. I'm the kind of guy that loves to give meaningful stories with morals and a twist in plot. Trust me I have everything all planned out. Jesus I was thinking about this story for practically 1-2 years before writing it after all. I really think I did well on this chapter too. If you got complaints just shut up take me out of your favorite list and don't read my work. I'm the kind of guy that won't take shit for shit.

Anyway for all my loyal minions (cough) i mean fans I hope you enjoyed my newest chapter. I know I did when I was writing it. Now right here right now I want you to remember the title of this chapter. Answer me was Perseus a hero or was he a monster. It's your choice. A lot of this came from watching Fate Zero over and over and over again.

Also people might wonder how and why Saber appeared briefly in front of Shirou. The reason is simple. Because Saber is not in the Throne of Heroes, the Arturia that we all know and love is the only heroic spirit that was able to have her soul from being trapped within the Throne of Heroes because her soul rests in Avalon. Finally, Avalon remains in Shirou. As a result, Saber is briefly able to show herself to Shirou.

Now you all are wondering what was that between Shirou and Saber. That too is simple. That was his price for leaving. Shirou was regaining his memories from least important to most important in the astral realm as a result, he lost the memories that were most important to him. He lost the memories of his time with Saber. Oh he still has them sure but it's sealed within him somewhere in his brain that he can't access as of yet because of his impatience. He will regain them but not right now.

Because he lost his memories of Saber, he won't feel guilty when he amasses a harem. Muhahahaha. Sure he'll feel something is wrong but by then it will be too late.

My favorite anime character of all time is definately Emiya Shirou. Not because of his looks or things but because of his dreams and strength. Unlimited Blade Works and its link with his dream to be a hero fascinated me. From the very start probably when I watched Unlimited Blade Works the movie the ideals and strength of this one boy destined to be a damned hero lodged into my mind. Of course the root only went deeper once I saw Fate Zero. Ahh Kiritsugu you truly were a beautiful yet ugly man.

In this story I will further explore all about Shirou, and his very mind set and ideals. I will question all of what it means to be a king and all it means of what it means to be a hero. Although Shirou will be called KING make no mistake Shirou is not a King he is a HERO.

Damn I should have started writing this idea a long time ago.

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Spoiler

Also one last thing. Although Unlimited Blade Works is my favorite anime power of all time my favorite sword of all time in anime is definately EA, the sword of rupture. Make no mistake men. EA is the greatest weapon out there, its only rival being Avalon, something capable of even perfectly defending against True Magics. There is no other Noble Phantasm that rivals it. In all of Fate Stay Night he only unleashed...10% of its power...and Excalibur had trouble dealing with just that 10% of EA's full output. If Gilgamesh went all out and used all 100% of its output probably the Earth as well as Gaia and Alaya would have been destroyed. I mean Gilgamesh with a fully charged Enuma Elish is on par with the ultimate one of the moon the Type Crimson Moon Brunestud himself. It gets me pissed to see people undervalueing Heroic Spirits in so many fanfics.

In this story (although way later in the end) I will introduce something on par with even EA and Avalon. Just you wait and see. MUHAHAHAHa

Finally like said Shirou is going to England...and picking up a chick. hmmm a blondie would be good.

Next chapter I'll focus on Godou and the mysterious god that striked Shirou in the end.

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Finally! Alright I'll say it again. Review god damn it. I like reading those reviews. They give me inspiration to continue writing. I need your input to fuel my writing spirit. Hit that box type a fraction of all the shit I just wrote and click review. Jesus. Now I finally understand why all those other fanfic writers all wrote to review. I check my story through manage stories on my account and it only shows reviews. Thus, I measure how well I've done through the number of reviews I get.

Alright! Praise! Praise Nasuverse! Another Fate series. This time Fate Kaleid Prismer Illya! will come next season. I'm so excited! Illya here is so moe. She's so amazing. Although I like Shirou better, but Illya has always been one of my favorites. If any of you didn't see the trailer go see it right now this instant! This I order to you with a command seal.