On the Precipice Between Worlds

by Sage of Eyes

Shirou Emiya, in his pursuit of his ideals, has traveled far and wide. However, now, he finds himself at a crossroad. Will he follow his justice and save innocent lives, or betray his own world? And, if he does betray his own world, will he find allies elsewhere?

9. Chapter 9

On the Precipice Between Worlds. Chp. 9:

Interlude Shirou Emiya

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Wordcount: 2500

Commissioned by Marteddu

…

The apartment window had a commanding view over the harbor. Cargo ships flowed in and out, unloading their cargo by cranes, before being stocked by new cargo to take elsewhere.

It looked so similar to the harbors on Earth that it was easy to forget that I was on another world.

And, that I'll never go back to Earth.

"Wow, this is a pretty small apartment." Nanoha entered the apartment carrying our communications equipment in a duffel in her back. Disguised as a traveler, she wore a jacket over a white shirt with loose pants. Her face was obscured with sunglasses, while a hat covered her head. It was a simple, but decent disguise. "It's a good thing that we all go separate rooms."

"Indeed." Fate was dressed in a gray suit. Her disguise was a traveling businesswoman, and she carried a suitcase with Bardiche within it. "I checked my room. It has a fire escape, in case we need to leave unnoticed, but its view isn't as advantageous as Emiya-san's."

"We can use each room to our advantage. One for our equipment, one for rest, and one for surveillance." I called on my experience, and both the TSAB officers listened intently. Their focus made me pause from a moment, even as my hands continued to construct the surveillance equipment. "Testarossa-san's room will be the best for rest, since it has an escape route."

"Then, my room will be for equipment, which is why I asked for the smallest, cheapest room." The room fit her disguise as a traveler low on funds, but served us well by giving us a room to store whatever we needed to store. Interrogation targets included. "Whew, that's great. I thought I was going to have to sleep in there. It's the size of a closet and its bathroom is even smaller!"

Without a word, both approached me, and began assisting me with the technology given to us for our mission. They made quicker work of the system than I did, and soon enough we it pointed toward the dock. A few looked simply like wide angle lenses, but more than a few were sleek devices which swiveled, hummed, and searched the harbor.

The moment the system fully activated we began receiving the information we sought.

"They are here. Multiple Homunculi signatures. At least two dozen." Fate manned the system, while I looked over her shoulder with Nanoha. This technology would be fought over by any Mage in the Association, as it cast a wide net over several blocks. It was both a warning system and a device that located threats. "There are no signs of a beacon, or a Boundary field in the area."

We were looking upon a reconnaissance force, meant to gather information, search for targets, and prepare for the return of their masters. All over TSAB territory, this same practice has occurred time and time again.

Sometimes, I was able to stop it, and keep a world safe permanently from "Charon."

Most of the time, I wasn't able to do so.

Not by myself.

"Then, this is exactly what we want! Now, we can start finding out what these guys do!" Nanoha nodded and crossed her arms. She looked at the harbor with a wide, excited smile. "Shirou-kun, how long does it take before things start to happen, again?"

"Nanoha, this was in the briefing." Fate frowned at her, but relented when I shook my head.

"They work quickly. The process will occur over the course of a month. They begin committing abductions only after they've found all their targets." The process is very meticulous, as one would expect from a Mage. There is no wasted movement, no chance of response from the local force, and nearly perfect in secrecy. It can almost be called elegant. "That happens while they are building their beacon, and they begin to process their captives as soon as they arrive."

"So, we're hitting them the moment they start kidnapping, and making sure that they don't destroy whatever they've built." If TSAB or local forces begin to investigate, the Homunculi have three behaviors. They attempt to hide and resume later. The second behavior is to destabilize the enemy force, which is possible if it is merely a local force. Finally, if both couldn't be done, they destroyed themselves as well as their facility. "It sounds like we're going to need to split up to make sure they don't hurt anyone."

"That is… a very good observation. We should indeed prepare to split up in the future." Fate nodded, and I agreed with her words. If we acted as one, we could lose an innocent child, or the means used by the Homunculi to call their ship. "Emiya-kun, I'm the fastest in our group, so I believe that you and Nanoha would be best suited for the assault, while I intercept the kidnappers."

"And, I'm the best at breaking through defenses, so we should be able to break through the facility easily!" Nanoha chuckled, before staring off at the harbor. Her smile was firm, as she gazed upon the battlefield we were about to enter. Confidence and pride flowed out of her, but it wasn't suffocating. Instead looking at her brought me a sense of calm, and Fate smiled at the sight. "These guys aren't even going to see us coming!"

Fate sighed at Nanoha's actions, but still had a smile on her face as she spoke against her friend.

"Well, as long as you don't get caught, Nanoha. You know, like you nearly did ten minutes ago."

"It's my first time using a fake name, Fate-chan! It takes a bit of time to learn a new skill… and the concierge had this big sneer that really made me want to tell him who I am!"

"So, as long as the Homunculi treat you with courtesy and respect, we have nothing to fear from you revealing us… then, it seems this mission is already critically at risk!"

"Fate… when did you get so mean!?"

Despite myself, and all my failures at stopping this from happening before, I nearly allowed myself to feel relief instead of simple calm.

But I held it back.

After everything, after failing so many times, I couldn't lower my guard.

No more errors can be made.

Too many people have lost their lives, because of the Clocktower dragging its feet, and my own lack of power.

No matter what, this time, I needed to make sure that this operation succeeded.

…

Whenever I closed my eyes, I dreamt of my battle against Archer.

No.

I relived it.

Despite the years since that battle, I recall it perfectly, but now… I can't see Archer's eyes anymore.

Because I'm no longer sure, I don't feel like I have the right to match his gaze.

Are our paths any different now?

On that day, at Eizenbern Castle, with Saber witnessing the battle, he and I fought over who Emiya Shirou should be. After interacting with one another, after our memories meshed, and after the results of all his effort and suffering flowed into me… I declared that I wouldn't become like him, and fulfill Kiritsugu's dream

The dream of becoming a hero of justice.

But here I am, in another world, fighting against another enemy, after discarding my last world for the sake of saving people I do not know.

Haven't I sacrificed my "everything" for others?

What will stop me from walking the same path of bloodshed that Archer did now?

In the darkness of the room, as I looked upon the harbor below, and looked over all the signals of the Homunculi, I tried to find an answer to my question, but none would come.

I nearly missed Fate's entering the room.

"Testarossa." I greeted her, turning away for a moment, to give her a nod. It wasn't time for us to change yet, and her shift just ended, but she is a kind, thoughtful girl. She held a small, plastic bag and a cup of coffee in one hand. "Thank you very much."

"The night shift is difficult, no matter how much practice you have." Fate nodded once in reply, and sat the coffee on the windowsill, while placing the bag's contests on the table before my chair. Convenience store meals and drinks for three. "Nanoha should be along shortly. She is making sure our equipment is secure."

"…I see. Thank you." Fate offered only a small smile and a nod at my words. It was her time to sleep, before a day of investigation tomorrow, and an afternoon watching the district. Between the three of us, we were gathering incredible amounts of information, but we were devoting ourselves fully to the task. "It's been a while since we've eaten with one another, hasn't it?"

"Nanoha missed doing so. She complained about having food that is already prepared, but she relented when I asked her if she'd like for you to cook." Fate shook her head, while setting the coffee table. She moved the spare seats in the room. One for herself and one for Nanoha, and assigned the small tower of meals and drinks. They were already warmed and her meal was very light. "I will sleep after this, so there is no need to worry about my performance."

I was ready to nod, to accept her words, when her gaze sharpened.

"So, I would like you to tell me what is affecting yours, Emiya-san." Her words made me freeze. "You are on the edge, worried, and stressed. Despite all your experience, this past week… you have seemed lost."

"…Was I that obvious?"

Fate nodded once, offered her thanks for the meal, and spoke between bites.

"Nanoha has noticed, but she has noticed you avoid answering her questions about keeping yourself safe." Fate eyed the door. It was likely Nanoha was outside, giving us time to speak, as Fate nodded at me when I looked upon it as well. "I believe that as long as you live, how you fight and the wounds you take don't matter… but whatever is worrying you now is affecting your ability to fulfill your duties, so it must be addressed."

Fate spoke calmly and logically, while eating. Many would see her actions as aloof or even cold. However, my experience with many Mages told me otherwise.

This is how she expressed worry and offered help.

I hesitated for a second, wondering if she would understand, until I realized she was here, sitting across from me, and on the frontline to protect others.

If my own ally, who backed me, and who would fight with couldn't understand, then who would?

"…I don't want to lose again. I feel that I've failed in containing this, and I don't want to make a mistake now." I confessed and a weight on my shoulders lightened with it.

How long has it been, since I shared my worries with another person?

Ever since Rin and I went our separate ways, we contacted one another frequently, but ever since I left to stop this organization… nearly a year ago…

Yes.

It's been too long.

I met Fate's gaze, as she watched me with her full attention, with kind, understanding eyes.

And, I continued to speak.

"This has gone on too long. I don't want it to continue. Nothing can go wrong. That is what I feel." I uttered my thoughts in a single breath. Then, I welcomed the relief that came with uttering them, instead of pushing them away. A tenseness in my body lightened once I did. "My apologies for letting it affect my work. I should have known better."

I expected words like Rin's.

Lecturing, but filled with good intentions.

Instead Fate reached over and grasped my shoulder.

"We are here to stand beside you. This isn't only yours to shoulder alone, Emiya-san."

The words were simple, yet it was almost difficult to believe.

…

"It looks like it's starting."

Nanoha was correct. After a week of surveillance, the Homunculi were now moving, and the three of us were prepared to fight. They rested completely for the day ahead, while I took one less shift to prepare.

Thus, we were as prepared as we all could be for the upcoming battle.

Nanoha and Fate were both clad in the Barrier Jackets, with Nanoha's resembling a combination of a jacket and dress, in white and blue. Fate's was similar to her officer uniform, but black in color. She wore it beneath a white jacket.

The garments didn't look special, but in truth they were layers and layers of protective magics instead of cloth. The sheer amount of firepower involved in fighting in TSAB space make it necessary for fighters to be clad in protections equivalent to hundreds of layers of armor plate.

Layers which recharge, can be directed in a singular direction, and do not impede movement, as well as resistant to magic.

Barrier Jackets alone would be a definitive advantage against the Clocktower, but they are also capable of flight, and have Intelligent Devices at their disposal.

Then, they are also both trained soldiers and investigators.

Nanoha and Fate would be feared opponents by most Magi, thus Magi would do their best to avoid them completely, and stay within the shadows in order to never be found.

Or… to attack from.

"I'll go into the facility first and disrupt what I can find. Fate you pursue the abductors and follow them. If they put the child at risk, contact me, and we'll speed up." Could Charon know of my new alliance with the TSAB? They have hidden sponsors in the Clocktower, those interested in Linker Cores for the sake of research and power are many, and it's likely that they do. The better question would be: are they prepared for both myself and the TSAB attacking at once? "Nanoha, stay out of sight and above the facility. When I call you, break through the roof, and come to my position. Destroy everything in your path, and stun all you come across."

"Understood, Emiya-san."

"Got it, Shirou-kun!"

I was about to nod, and share my concerns, when a new signal appeared on the surveillance equipment's screen.

Then, another.

And, another.

And, another.

Until a group of five were assembled, a gathering of Enforcers focused on extermination.

The Clocktower's response was faster than I anticipated, especially with Zelretch's disdain at the thought of providing his services to others.

However, if he believed that the Clocktower truly intended to start dealing with its mess…

The Homunculi signals began to move quickly, and in the harbor, brief flashes of light began to light up the sky.

They were going to be killed, but not before they destroy the facility, and whatever they use to contact their master.

Both Nanoha and Fate looked to me to decide our next step, as I watched the signal heading out to kidnap a child.

I let out a breath as it turned around, abandoning its mission, to assist its fellows.

"We need to take the facility now!"

The decision was simple this time, but what about the next?

What path am I walking now?

How willing am I to sacrifice one life to save more?