Chapter 13: The intertwining of Chaos and Peace
/***Interlude I***/
A man in priest clergy is knelling in a church.
He is 'praying'.
"How was your venture, King of Heroes?" His mouth suddenly utters.
A blond man wearing white t-shirt walks his way to a long bench.
Golden necklace is noticeable on his neck.
"Amusing…" The golden king replies shortly.
He summons a golden jug and a golden mug from his treasury.
"Hoh… What did you find amusing, O' Gilgamesh?"
The 'priest' stands up right.
The jug pours its content into the golden mug and the mug makes its way to the King.
"The Flame of Atonement..."
Slowly, he sips the ancient brew.
"What is so interesting regarding this 'flame'?" The 'priest' questions him.
A smirk forms on Gilgamesh's face.
"It's none of your concern, Kotomine."
"If that is what you say, then I shall not implore further." He replies.
The golden king closes his eyes, satisfied with Kotomine's answer.
"Now then, will she come after me? Or will I hunt her down? What is your answer, O' executor of Atonement?"
Assuming his presence was not needed, Kotomine Kirei decides to walk away.
"Kotomine" The king calls out for the priest.
The looming clergyman halts and turns to face the ancient king.
"I broke your little 'toy'." Gilgamesh claims.
The priest slowly closes his eyes.
"Is that so? I was planning to 'play' with Rin for a while longer."
The King of Heroes merely swirls his wine, without feeling guilt.
The girl bears the essence of Ishtar.
Thus, the King sentenced her to death.
"Hmm…!?"
[Metallic clank]
The golden man suddenly perceives an anomaly and dropped his wine glass.
"Impossible… I killed her." He says with gritting teeth.
Gilgamesh sensed it.
Ishtar has fully incarnated.
/***Interlude II***/
/~somewhere in Shinto, dark alley~/
Smoking craters are visible.
The culprit for the craters was none other than Ishtar.
The Babylonian goddess, now in the form of a girl, narrows her eyes as a figure emerges from the smoulder.
A brunette man in his early twenties shows up and shrugs the smoke off.
Behind the goddess, a number of frozen figures are visible.
They are in a bounded field known as Fuuzetsu.
This bounded field separates the time and space they occupied from the rest of the world.
"Well, I died. Are you happy now?" The man says nonchalantly.
The goddess rests her hand on her hip.
"I blasted you to smithereens. Yet, here you are… standing cockily before me." She comments on the man.
The blue eyed man merely shrugs.
"I can't die permanently. So… mind telling me what you know?"
Ishtar raises an eyebrow.
"Tell you what?"
"The Crimson Realm… you hinted me that you know something about it." The man claims as he shoves his hands inside his pockets.
A smirk appears on Ishtar's face.
"I have no obligation to tell you anything."
[Sigh]
The man lets out an audible sigh.
"She's right… Oh well, I guess I'll just walk away."
He turns his back against the goddess of war.
"HALT!" The possessed girl demands to the man.
"I have NO OBLIGATION to please your demand." He purposely emphasized those two words to rile her up.
"You insolent—"
Blue light condensed in Ishtar's right palm.
With a smirk the man walks away, taunting the goddess to attack.
[ZING]
[EXPLODE]
The spot where the man used to stand turns into a smouldering crate.
Nevertheless, he wasn't hit.
"I will find you…" The goddess declares.
Ishtar disappears from the site.
The frozen space dispels and the time moves naturally.
The thugs fall to the ground upon seeing the aftermath.
"What the hell happened?"
All of them cover their nose.
"What's that smell!? It smells like—"
[Gasp]
The thugs finally realize what the source of the said odour.
It came from a charred corpse inside one of the craters.
/***break interlude***/
(Emiya Shirou's point of view)
"Well, here I am."
I stand before a western styled mansion.
It's already dark.
I told Fuji-nee that I'll be late.
"Senpai…?"
A familiar nickname voiced by a familiar voice.
I form a smile and turn to greet her.
"Hey Sakura…"
She had a surprised look on her face.
"Senpai, what are you doing here?" She asks.
"I'm just visiting. Shinji didn't come to school today."
The girl nods.
"Oh, he didn't inform the school? That doesn't sound like him." She muses to herself.
Suddenly, she shakes her head.
"Would you like to come in?" She offers.
/~inside Matou's residence~/
"Please excuse me." I utter as I enter the house.
Surprisingly, it looks less gloomy than the outside.
"Hmm…? A visitor…?" An adult male pops out from the interior of Matou's residence.
The man, who looks like in his late forties, turns his attention to Sakura.
"A friend of yours…?" He asks.
The girl simply nods.
"He's also Nii-san's classmate."
Enlightenment appears on his face.
"Ah… This must be Shirou-kun."
He nods approvingly.
?
Who is this man?
Why I have never met him before?
"The name is Matou Kariya. I am Sakura's guardian."He introduces himself.
"Oh… Please to meet you."
I bow at him.
"It's a bit late for a visit, don't you think?" The man suddenly says.
"Yeah… I just want to make sure Shinji's okay."
The adult male nods.
"He is resting in his room right now."
"Is he sick?"
Kariya begins scratching his head.
"You could say that. But he will be alright by tomorrow."
…
"Since it's late, would you like to have dinner with us? Sakura's cooking has been improving." The man pats the quiet girl's head as he speaks.
A tint of red appears on her face.
…
Fuji-nee and Shana are waiting at ho—
Oh crap!
I completely forgot!
"I would love to stay… but someone is expecting me at home." I turn down his offer.
"Oh…" Sakura seems dejected for some reason.
"Is that so? Well, you are welcome to come here any time you want. The Matou residence is open to you, Shirou-kun." Kariya says with a smile.
I bow at them.
"Thank you for having me— oh, one second."
I reach out for the taiyaki package that I bought earlier.
?
Wait… I don't have it?
…
Don't tell me…
Zelretch stole the package!?
Are you kidding me!?
"Shirou-kun, is there something wrong?" Kariya snaps me to the reality.
"Uh… I'm sorry I didn't bring any gift for Shinji." I tell him, feeling a bit apologetic.
"Hahaha… Don't sweat the small stuff, Shirou-kun." The man chuckles at my statement.
"Shinji has a friend that care for his well being. That's one of the best gifts you can ever get." He adds.
I scratch my cheek, feeling sheepish.
"It's the least I can do."
/***Interlude***/
(Sakura's point of view)
I watch Senpai's back as he walks away.
"What a nice boy." Uncle Kariya comments with a soft smile.
I nod at his remark.
"No wonder you have a crush on him."
!
"H-how did you—"
"It's palpable from the way you reacted to him." My guardian snickers as he utters.
…
I was that obvious…?
"I'm so glad I'm home today." He suddenly says.
?
"I haven't seen much expression from you ever since your mother's death. But today, I feel like I've been missing a lot." Uncle Kariya mutters with a solemn tone.
…
Once again, he pats my head.
"I'm sorry I couldn't save your mother and father…" He utters.
…
"Being a witness to your own parent's death wasn't the nicest experience." Shinji's voice suddenly interjects.
The two of us turn to face him.
The wavy haired boy is resting his back against the wall.
However, that wasn't Shinji.
He's—
"You seem alright, Perseus." Uncle Kariya greets the heroic spirit.
The boy possessed by the heroic spirit closes his eyes.
"My wounds are healed considerably. I see the boy survived his encounter with that creature."
"Thank you, Perseus… for granting my selfish request." I thank the Greek hero.
A small smirk appears on his face.
"Being selfish is being human." He quotes.
…
I slowly raise my left hand and observe the marking on the back of my hand.
I still remember the day I was brought to the Matou residence…
I was almost thrown into a hell pit.
If wasn't for these markings, I would have died…
"Living in this era isn't that bad." Perseus comments and removes his back from the wall.
?
"Where are you going, Perseus?" Uncle Kariya asks him.
"I'm going back to rest." He replies shortly and disappears into the corridors.
/***break interlude***/
/~somewhere in Miyama~/
(Shirou's point of view)
"We meet again, Emiya Shirou." Zelretch greets me.
The aged man is sitting on the bench from earlier.
He did tell me that we will be meeting again in the future.
But I didn't expect this soon…
The old man nonchalantly munches on a taiyaki.
…
"You stole those…"
"Hmm…? Oh these? I got them from an alternate Emiya Shirou." He playfully shakes the package.
"Or was it from this Emiya Shirou…?" He adds with an amused expression.
…
I walk pass the old man.
"Are you going somewhere, Emiya Shirou?"
?
Abruptly, I found myself standing at my previous spot.
…
"Zelretch-san, I'm in a hurry here."
"Oh…? But we got plenty of time to kill. The time here is frozen." He says mischievously.
…
"What do you want from me?"
At my remark, Zelretch raises his eyebrow.
"Nothing actually… I'm just messing with you."
…
[Sigh]
I let out a sigh.
"Yes, Zelretch-san… We do have infinite time in here. But I really want to go home."
"Home…?"
The old man chuckles after saying that.
He raises his right hand and—
[Finger snap]
!
All of a sudden, the scenery morphs.
…
Now, we're in front of the Emiya Residence.
"Okay… Now you're home. Care to invite me in?" The magician gestures his hand at the door.
…
So this is 'magic'…
The ability to perform miracles beyond the modern technology…
[Bell ringing]
A familiar scent of jasmine permeates my nostrils.
In a split second, a blur of red passes by.
"Wait, Shana—"
[Swoosh]
"Oh my…!" A surprised tone comes out from Zelretch's mouth.
The aged man nimbly evades the assault.
[Swoosh, swoosh]
Flaming blade starts swinging wildly at the magician.
[CLANG]
The man blocks Shana's attack using his cane.
"Well hello there, little girl. Care for a little dance?"
The crimson haired girl scoffs and pushes the magician away.
Zelretch takes that chance to perform a high leap.
The fiery girl shows sign of following suit.
"Shana, stop!"
I grab her left arm, cancelling her intent of pursuit.
However, she retains her glare toward her opponent.
The aged man is currently standing on top of an electric pole.
"So this is the Alastor Haze. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." He bows while on top of the said pole.
"Who are you?" The girl responds with the coldest tone.
She points Nietono no Shana at him.
"Who I am does not matter. Now if you excuse me—"
[Finger snaps]
Abruptly, Zelretch vanishes from our sight.
Shana maintains her glare at the same spot.
"Shana…?" I call out to her.
[Sigh]
The girl lets out a sigh and turns to face me.
"When are you going to let go of my arm?"
?
!
"Oh…!"
I forgot I was holding her arm.
I let go immediately.
Casually, she stores her nodachi into the cloak.
Then, she tosses the piece of clothing away and it disappears into thin air.
[Bell ringing]
The air becomes lighter and Shana's hair return to its normal black colour.
?
Wait a sec…
The clothes she's wearing…
The girl is now wearing a pink blouse and checker patterned skirt.
…
[Heart thumping]
"Cute…"
"What…?" The girl suddenly says.
!
"Oh, it's nothing…!"
[Sigh]
She turns around while stroking her long silky hair.
"You better have a good explanation." She says to me.
?
"What do you mean?"
The girl turns around to face me.
"Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Just come inside."
?
/~inside the house~/
Shana crosses her arms as soon we're inside.
"Where have you been?" She questions me with narrowed eyes.
?
"I thought I told you before; I was going to school."
"You really are an idiot, aren't you?"
[Sigh]
The black haired girl lets out a sigh after saying that.
"'Friagne is chasing after your Hougu.' What part of this statement that you don't understand?"
…
"He didn't find me…" I reply with a lame excuse.
"You got lucky, idiot."
The girl unfolds her arms after that remark.
"He would have devoured everyone in your vicinity if he found you. Are you willing to risk that?"
…
She's right…
What was I thinking?
Friagne is not your typical magus who will be hunted by the Association for divulging the secret of the Moonlit world.
He is an unknown being with indefinite power.
"Oi..."
?
Unexpectedly, I see a worried face.
And it's from Shana, no less…
"Why are you making that face?" She inquires.
…
I shake my head.
"It's nothing, Shana."
The girl tilts her head slightly before shrugging it off.
"Whatever… My next question is; who was that man?"
?
"That man…? Oh, you mean Zelretch-san?"
"Zelretch-san…?" The girl says in questioning tone.
I nod.
"That is the old man from earlier. His name is Zelretch."
Shana puts on her thinking pose; her right hand touches her chin while her left hand supports the elbow of her right arm.
"What is he?" She comes out with a question.
…
I asked him the same question…
He replied that he was human.
But there's no way he's human…
He's—
"A Magician…" I utter.
"What is that?"
"A Magician is the title to those who have achieved one of the Five True Magic. Michael Kishur Zelretch is one of them."
Shana nods, acknowledging it.
"I see… But why is he with you? Is he planning to take the Hougu inside you?" She inquires.
…
"I-I don't know…"
He said he was merely observing.
But why is he interested with me?
Zelretch did mention something about crossing path in possible futures…
…
[Sigh]
"That answer was unsatisfactory. But I could sense sincerity from it. I'll let it pass."
Shana remarks on my answer.
The girl ends her thinking pose and strokes her hair again.
…
Is she doing it on purpose?
She never did it before…
"My hair feels dusty..." The girl mutters.
?
…
Speaking of which—
"Shana, if you don't mind me asking; where did you get those clothes?"
I was referring to her new blouse.
The girl resumes stroking her long hair.
"That Taiga gave it to me."
…
…
…
?
"What?" I croak.
The girl stops stroking her hair and displays her annoyed face at me.
"I said; Taiga gave it to me."
…
"Where did Fuji-nee even get those clothes?"
?
I think I forgot something…
I wonder what it is.
[ROAR]
The background suddenly transforms into a tiger's face.
Now I remember!
I forgot about dinner!
"SHIIIIIIIIIIROOOOOOOU…!"
/~after that~/
She ate me alive…
That Tiger woman ate me alive!
…
Obviously, I was exaggerating.
But she beat the crap out of me!
"I'm surprised you can live with that woman for a long time." Shana comments on my condition while helping herself to melon bread.
The girl sits beside me by the balcony.
[Sigh]
"Fuji-nee has always been like that." I complain.
…
Wait a sec…
"Shana."
"What?" The girl replies instantly.
"She didn't mind you're being here?"
"I told her that I was visiting." She responds with a lame excuse.
The girl proceeds to munch on the bread.
…
Fuji-nee really didn't mind Shana spending the night here?
Wait, I sense something incoming.
"Shana-chan…!"
The Tiger woman shows up from behind.
"What do you want?" The black haired girl replies shortly.
[Shove, Swoosh]
"Hey!"
Fujimura Taiga shoves me away and sits in between us.
"Since it's late, we should have a sleepover." She suggests.
?
"A sleepover…? Here?"
"Shut up, Shirou. This is between us, girls." Taiga gives me one of her 'sinister' glares.
…
OBJECTION!
You are not a girl!
You are a woman!
I feel like saying that.
[Sigh]
Alas, I could only sigh.
"What is a 'sleepover'?" Shana inquires innocently.
…
"Well, a sleepover is— umph…!?"
Taiga interrupted me by shoving my face away.
"A sleepover is a sleepover! We will sleep together next to each other." The woman declares.
…
That's a very 'detailed' explanation, Fujimura-san.
The longhaired girl tilts her head, showing confusion.
"Don't worry, Shana-chan. Shirou is not invited!"
"Umph…!?"
And she shoved my face away again…
/***scene break***/
(Shana's point of view)
…
Just now, that woman gave me a strange set of attire...
I fiddle with the clothing and notice how bizarre the design was…
I don't know how to describe it.
Why does it have a tail?
Is there any function to it?
What's with the ears on top of the hood?
"Shana-chan, why won't you put it on?" The woman suddenly shows up.
…
I stare at the piece of clothing and then, I stare at the woman.
"Don't tell me… You-you didn't like it?" A nervous look is apparent on her face.
…
I stare at the strange attire again.
"What is this thing?"
"That's a pajama with a tiger motive." Taiga claims proudly.
…
I noticed the tiger part…
What I don't understand is the design…
What is the function of the ears and tail?
"Just put it on, Shana-chan! I'm sure you'd look cute with it!"
…
I keep staring at it.
…
"Um Shana-chan… it's going to burn if you keep staring it like that…" The woman says with a hint of hilarity.
…
"Why are you making me wear this?"
"Because you would look cute…!"
…
You are repeating yourself…
[Sigh]
"Fine… I'll put it on."
The last attire she gave me was dusty.
I'm sure this one is as dusty as the previous one.
I walk away from the woman.
"Hmm…? Where are you going, Shana-chan?" She asks.
…
"That's none of your business."
"Oh…! You're going to change your clothes! I can't wait to see you in it!" The woman says in excited tone.
…
/~the detached building, inside the room~/
[Bell ringing]
I take that chance to clean myself.
…
The first attire was rather comfortable… if not for the dust.
I like the mobility it provided.
However this second attire…
How can I define this?
"Having trouble?"
"Alastor, can you speculate the function of the ears or the tail?"
I fiddle with them as I ask.
"Unfortunately, I am clueless."
…
"Should I try asking Shirou? Maybe he knows something."
/~outside the room~/
As I thought… this clothing is ridiculous.
What's with the paws for the hands?
Alastor looks out of place with this attire.
"Shana, where are you? Fuji-nee is getting restless." I overheard Shirou calling out.
"I'm over here."
The Mystes heard me and makes his way to me.
"Oh, there you—"
He becomes speechless upon seeing me.
"I know. It looks ridiculous." I try moving in the uncomfortable suit.
"Cute…"
?
"Huh? What did you just say?"
"Oh, it's nothing!"
…
"I'm going to change again."
"Wait Shana… I think Fuji-nee wants to see you in that." He suddenly interjects.
…
"This attire is limiting my mobility. Considering our current state, we have no time for shenanigans. Friagne could show up at any time and you're expecting me to fight him wearing this?"
"Pfft…" He covers his mouth.
?
"Seeing you fight in a tiger costume would look silly." He comments.
…
"Shana-chan, what took you so long?" The obnoxious woman decides to show up.
[Gasp]
?
For some reason, she gasps when she sees me.
"SHE'S SO CUTE!"
!
Out of instinct, I jump backward.
[Swoosh]
I manage to escape the woman's sudden embrace.
"Eh? EH!? Where did she go…!?" She starts panicking.
I'm just a meter away, idiot…
"Um Fuji-nee… I think Shana don't like getting hugs." Shirou mumbles.
…
"Shana-chan…" Taiga starts crying.
…
"Why won't you let me hug you?" She says while hiding her face behind her arm, sobbing.
…
I could see a smirk below that arm.
How predictable…
She's closing in with every word.
"I—"
The moment she opens her mouth, I slide beside her.
[Swoosh]
"—GOT YOU…!"
[THUD]
…
Once again, Taiga's attempt to catch me failed.
This time, she falls to the ground.
"Hahaha…" Shirou scratches his cheek while chuckling at her futile effort.
/~later~/
"Okay…! Let's sleep!" Taiga declares.
The two of us lie on the floor in a rather large room.
…
Remind me why do I need to sleep next to her?
Why are we sleeping in futons?
Why am I still wearing this stupid outfit?
"Shana-chan, you look grumpy."
…
"Why are you so snappy? Put a smile on that cute face."
The obnoxious woman pokes my cheek.
…
I have to applaud Shirou.
His patience is commendable for tolerating with this woman.
"What is your relationship with Shirou?" I inquire.
Why Shirou even bother to live with her?
She's nothing but trouble.
"Oh…? Are you jealous?" A cat smirk appears on her face.
…
"You don't need to worry, Shana-chan. I'm not in romantic relationship with Shirou." The woman giggles as she says that.
…
What is she talking about?
"If anything, I consider him as my little brother."
?
"Yeah, Shirou and I are family." Taiga claims.
…
For the first time since I met her, the woman smiles peacefully.
"Family…?"
"Family…"
The woman pokes my cheek.
…
"What is a 'family'?" I inquire.
Taiga smiles softly at me.
…
Oddly, her smile reminds me of Wilhelmina.
"Family cares for each other… no matter who they are, or what they are. We don't leave anyone behind." She explains to me in a strangely calm manner.
…
"Why?" I utter.
I don't comprehend it.
What did she mean by 'care for each other'?
"Why you asked?" Taiga giggles at my question.
…
"It's because of the bond between family members."
…
It still doesn't make sense…
What is this 'bond'?
How is this 'bond' related to 'family'?
…
Family…
Is Alastor my family?
Is Wilhelmina my family?
I—
…
Why am I bothering to consider these things?
These are human terms.
I am not human.
~no matter who they are, or what they are~
Taiga's words keep echoing in my head…
"Okay, that's enough philosophical rambling! It's time for bed!" Taiga suddenly says.
The woman immediately changes her position to face the ceiling and closes her eyes.
…
I stare at the ceiling.
Why am I here?
My role is to protect the world's balance.
Why am I mingling with humans?
Family…
Do Flame Hazes have families?
…
My head hurts…
I—
"Close your eyes, Shana." Alastor suddenly speaks.
…
"I… understand."
[SWOOSH]
"WHOA…!? What was that!? Who was that!?"
Taiga stands up and prepares a silly fighting stance.
…
I should rest…
I still need to hunt Friagne and find out who was that golden man.
"Eh…? I swear I heard someone… Oh well, I guess I was delusional."
Taiga slides back into her futon.
"Good night, Shana-chan." She whispers to me.
…
I slowly close my eyes.
"Good night, Taiga."
/***Interlude***/
A brunette man is standing alone on the Miyama Bridge.
He rests his arms on the railings, letting the wind blows his slightly long bang.
"The sight is amazing." He muses.
His eyes are observing the two parts of Fuyuki city; Miyama and Shinto being separated by Mion River.
The night is illuminated by artificial light.
"They progressed so much… This is only one part of the human world. I wonder how much the world has changed." He mutters to himself.
He removes himself from the railings.
"And this city… is being separated from the rest of the world. It's all because of me…"
His vision wanders to the ring on right index finger.
"I should make things right."
After that, he glances toward the night sky.
The stars were not visible.
Abruptly, he senses something approaching him.
"She found me? I guess I better keep moving. I can't survive another 'death' today. Maybe I could get the crazy girl to deal with Ishtar."
The man vanishes from the bridge.
#Chapter End#
[Author's note]
So here it is; my interpretation of a troll.
I'm not very clear with Zelretch's personality.
All I know that Zelretch is said to be a troll.
Honestly, I'm just wrote that to lengthen the chapter.
But... I just wanna make him appear for my own amusement.
Anyways, thanks for reading!