Chapter 2
A New Beginning
Regrets are something he had never had in his life , he had no time to dwell on such mundane things after all he had endured so far in his life and service to the counter force.
He had fought and traveled across so countless battlefields and he had slain as many as he had saved in an effort to achieve a long and desperate ideal that he had accepted so long ago from a man who had given everything in an attempt to bring peace to the world and all in the end lost everything.
He had so foolishly accepted such a curse because of its beauty and in turn it would consume him just as it did his predecessor, he would walk in the shadow of a man who was nothing like what he had come to admire... he would end up in a hell far worse than the one he had been born from. He would walk into his very own end no matter what decisions he made because if it meant even coming close to that dream ….if it meant saving even one person.
He had seen all endured far longer than he had expected in his duty to clean up after humanity's messes. How long had it been since he had forged a contract with the world …how long had he gazed at his reward.
"Good grief what would Rin say if she saw me at this moment?" The counter guardian shook his head at the thought as a small smirk formed itself on his face.
"Honestly that tsundere would probably be yelling at him and calling him an idiot for even ending up in this position and all the while he would be silently laughing as she went about her usual tirades…..but honestly just thinking about that brought upon a wave of melancholy.
He missed her truly he missed her in a way that was almost tragic . He always been at her side throughout countless worlds and possibilities that existed through the kaleidoscope and its infinite void.
He was her servant in an almost uncanny sense according to her but nonetheless , it should also be stated that along side being her servant he was a trusted friend, ally and in most cases a lover.
The connection that they shared was far more unusual than most and yet it was far stronger than any bond of friendship, comradery, or marriage. He and his master had long since surpassed such things and now were tied together in a way that would always ensure that they would never be truly apart.
"Rin... I do wonder what would have become of us had If I had simply listened to you back then and stayed instead of following through on this ideal for a world where none may cry?"
Slowly he closed his eyes before tilting his head and let out a bitter laugh in a moment of self-pity.
" Regrets are not something that suit you archer, even after all you have accomplished you would still regret choosing this path?"
_
Emiya's eyes snapped open and found to his surprise that he was in what could only be called a void. He was in a place that lacked any and all forms of life, light and reason. All that surrounded him was a eternal dark and yet he could still feel as if there was some sort of sentience to this void.
" This place lies between reality and dreams; it is where prayers and desperate wishes may come together in the hopes that the voices of the few may be heard and answered."
Emiya tensed up at the words that he had just heard... nothing good ever came from beings or places that granted wishes. He had personal experience regarding making wishes to all manner of powerful beings or objects. There was never such a thing as something as granting wishes without some sort of price being involved.
Whatever had pulled him from his eternal "prison" was powerful enough that it had done so without his knowledge and quite frankly that unnerved him. In order for a counter guardian to be summoned or called into a world it would require the call of humanity and a cataclysm that not even the counter force could push back or for a catalyst to be used in a summoning ritual with enough power to sustain the existence of any heroic spirit.
In this instance these conditions were not met which led to the current question as to how and why this "entity" had seemingly pulled him to this seemingly endless void. The best course of action in this case would be to be polite and listen carefully before declining.
" Heroic Spirit Emiya, what do you desire? We wish to hear what it is that drives you to continue forward in your service in to the will of humanity?"
The counter guardian frowned as he realized that what he had suspected to be a single entity was in fact what he suspected now a collective which now complicated the current situation. There could be a number of ways to address this situation but honestly there was only one way this was ever going to go.
The counter guardian replied with a shake of his head and a light chuckle.
"I wish for nothing; I am simply another heroic spirit of the counter force with no wishes or desires to call my own that is my answer, whatever it is you want to offer me I'm afraid I'll have to decline; you have nothing that you could possibly grant me.
"... If you claim that you have no wish of your own counter guardian then we will be inclined to ask you one more question before you may decide to leave this place."
While this got the attention of Emiya he did not show it, in former instances entities of extraordinary power had taken offence to the way that he has spoken and had cursed him in some way or fashion in order to demonstrate their displeasure.
This was irregular and thus it would be wise to tread lightly even if the odds favored him at the moment.
"Then ask and I'll answer in a way that I hope will sate your curiosity if that is what you desire." the counter guardian replied in a quiet tone not letting any emotion seep into his response.
" You claim to have no wish or desire to call you own …... then what of those you left behind so easily... what would they wish for you?"
A few seconds of silence passed before a bitter laugh began to escape from the currently floating counter guardian.
"They have probably long since forgotten about me by now, if they are even alive."
The counter guardian answered quietly.
" Is that what you think? Then we regret to inform you that you are wrong…. hear their Prayers, their Hopes, their desperate Wishes for you that they direct for you foolish guardian of the scales"
"Please I pray that you find happiness and peace someday for here in the hearts of my people you will always be remembered as a hero"
"You dumbass!!!! Leaving without even saying goodbye... I hope that one day you are saved just as you saved us...Shirou."
"You were everything that we needed and yet for all we hoped and fought for...in the end we couldn't even save you...it's NOT FAIR EVEN AFTER SAVING EVERYONE WHY CAN'T YOU HAVE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!!!"
"Not bad kid, we may have had our differences but still you fought even for an old man like me... wherever you are... I hope you find your peace someday."
"You were everything to me... you were my teacher...my friend...my first love... you were my hero... I promise that one day I'll find you and save you just like you saved us all... even if I have to search forever."
"helping others is never wrong... even if you and I could never possibly coexist... you were once me... I hate you... I hate that you gave up everything we once stood for... but after seeing that hell, I hope that you may be free archer."
"That foolish man even after everything we went through, he dared to still save us who were beyond redemption. You bastard don't think this is over, far from it I'll free you one day and when I do, I'll show you what a woman filled with scorn can do."
"Shirou... I wish you could see the world you left behind... everything that we have achieved is thanks to you... my crimson knight."
"Emiya-Sensei I promise I'll take up your dream and one day save everyone! No matter how impossible it seems... I'll become a hero in your stead until I can be strong enough to save even YOU !!!"
These are the prayers that resounded before the two... there was no denying the voices of those he had once saved. They were from worlds he had given his temporary life for in order to bring forth a possibility of a brighter future.
" These are the words of those whom you once knew, they wish for your happiness, your salvation... they wish for your very freedom. This is what they cry out for in all earnest even in the face of impossibility. They call out for YOU."
Suddenly a shift could be felt in the void as the Emiya could feel himself begin to slowly descend in this void until he found himself standing watching on as the void began to move and coalesce slowly forming into the shape of a human.
"We have watched on for so long in the hopes that maybe one day you would truly receive a hero's ending. We watched as you struggled and bled for the sake of others. Never truly being able to understand the worries and sorrow of those you left behind even as you smiled and carried on alone"
Once the void had fully been gathered Emiya found himself looking at what appeared to be a teenage male. Its hair was dark brown bordering on black and with eyes clear as glass. He wore a simple set of black jeans with a white shirt.
" You were brought here because the wishes of the many have reached us...they have cried out for so long and in doing so in the hopes that one day they may save the one who had saved them... Emiya Shirou …...if you wish we can free you."
" Lies... I have tried any and all means available to me, gods, demons, true magic, the holy grail... they all failed and yet you lot claim to be able to able to free me... what makes you think this time it will be any different?" Emiya spoke as a scowl fixed itself on his face upon hearing what he assumed to be a bad joke.
" ...If you do not believe us then look for yourself Emiya" The entity spoke before gesturing behind Emiya.
What he saw next caused his breath to hitch...because before him was a scene of Emiya Alter and Illya …...reunited in Fuyuki along with a number of servants around them also having reunions of their own.
"This can't be real ….it can't after all that I've endured…"
The entity simply looked at him in what could only be described as pity before looking away looking at the scene waiting for his response.
The silence that emanated from Emiya was telling, he looked on at the scene before him now with a blank expression as he clenched his fists in an effort to maintain some semblance of control. This image that was before him was akin to a slap in the face... how long had he endured in his service, how long had it truly been since he had forged that contract?
He killed so many in the name of " Justice" until he had ceased to care...he had long since given up any hope of ever being freed from his service, and now in this moment he was being told that if he decided, he could simply walk away... he knew better than to believe such fantasy.
"Everything has a price...and breaking a contract with the world must come with a steep consequence, so what is it you required in order to free me...?" Emiya asked solemnly in acceptance of what he suspected might come next.
" We take it that you accept then?"
"... yes"
The entity gave a small smile before speaking once but in more eloquent manner.
" Nine souls must be unbound by strings of renown, two forged by the crystallization of the brave, two whom fate had left abandoned in darkness for all their light, two whom strength shattered and left bitter wrath, one who see light and fell to greed for a broken future, One who sought out to understand and lost purpose along the way, and one who would heal the mighty and yet would always be wounded and abandoned."
" Always the with the riddles good grief, I would assume that you won't tell me who they are directly even if I ask?"
" Certain events must come to pass and as such we cannot allow you to gain knowledge of those you are to save except for one, we believe that you can accomplish this simple task nonetheless, there is also the addition of two who will be left under your charge."
" Tsk... there is always a catch to these things, tell me who will I be caring for then?" said counter guardian asked in annoyance as his mood soured.
A Hint of a smile seemed to momentarily appear on the entity's face.
" The first we assume you are familiar with seeing as you have cared for it in the past or at least a copy of yourself during the singularities, as for your second companion... well you will meet them after you leave this place, for now we will allow your first charge to show themselves..."
A moment of silence passed between the entity and the counter guardian before a small ripple began to form between them that was no larger than the conventional rice cooker. The air around them suddenly began to grow heavy with malice and an abundance of mana seemed to escape this little disturbance in an instant.
" Reach into it, then pull your hand out quickly this gate cannot remain open." The Entity urged as it reached out its hand to steady the small anomaly between them.
Emiya hesitated for a moment due to all the malice that the anomaly was releasing, but he quickly steeled himself and reached into the portal not feeling any discomfort to his surprise. He quickly pulled hind hand out and the anomaly closed a second later.
He looked at his right hand expecting to find some kind of cursed item or mystic code that would be sentient in some sort of manner but was slightly wary to find himself holding a small orb of light.
Suddenly a small crack appeared on the orb before it quickly spread before it exploded and released a flash of light that left the counter guardian blind for a moment at the unexpected action. While he was temporarily blinded but that could not be said for the counter guardian's other senses.
What he held felt very soft if not very fluffy in his hand and what could be gathered was that it was a small creature by the heat emitting from the source and what seemed to be four limbs that currently on his hand.
"White..." was the first color saw as he turned his now recovering eyesight on the small creature that he currently held in hopes of determining its identity, but it before he could do that a single sound escaped the small creature revealing its identity.
"Fou!" the small creature exclaimed causing Emiya to freeze momentarily before he relaxed as he regained control of his basic instinct to run. After all most people would run at the sight of this little creature in its other form.
" We believe you are acquainted with this little one, we found him all alone seemingly searching for a very specific scent in one of your so-called Singularities, naturally upon discovering its 'true' nature and his relation to you counter guardian we decided that this little one would join you."
While the entity spoke Emiya recovered and looked down at the one of the most dangerous creatures that he had faced in his service to humanity... more commonly known as Fou-san. Most who were lucky enough to look upon this adorable creature in its current form would most likely never see its alternate iteration as the fourth beast of humanity... Primate Murder.
Slowly and almost mechanically the counter guardian reached out with his left hand and gently scratched the chin of his new companion who leaned into his hand and slowly let out a soft and light " Fou" as it rubbed its soft white fur against the counter guardian.
"It's nice to see you once again old friend... hopefully this time around we can relax." The counter guardian softly said before slowly moving Fou-san to his right shoulder. He slowly turned and once again glass met silver.
" They believe in you Emiya... they still believe in you even as you continue to deny who you are at your core. You may have convinced yourself that you are nothing but a cleaner... but there are those who would say otherwise. You don't realize it yet but what awaits will open your eyes….and hopefully bring about a brighter future ." The entity spoke declared with a hint of what could be called hope in its voice.
A sudden ripple could be felt around them and a few moments later a black rectangle hovered showing scenes from various other worlds ….. worlds that Emiya had saved along with those he had shown a new future. The people he had guided, healed and ultimately redeemed were all shown to him now along with their memorials and resting places dedicated to him. He looked upon them as they smiled, laughed, cried, and remembered him.
" They are living proof of your deeds and actions, they are the very answer you have long since sought Emiya since that fire…… you sought for a reason to live after all that you had survived. The Types, Apostles, True Ancestors, Gods, Demons, Monster, Heroes. The list could go on but still you persevered in order to save as many as you could when given the chance. You still believe in it…..your dream, you know it's not a mistake."
The entity did not wait for Emiya to respond but rather it extended it's hand and turned its gaze upon the rectangular display. The scene shifted once more showing a lone woman standing injured in what appeared to be a last stand. In front of her obscured by shadows and floating debris a mans stood with what seemed a maniacal grin seemingly pointing his right hand towards her in a manner that depicted a possible incoming attack.
"One of the nine stands before you Emiya…. she will be the beginning of your journey and hopefully last struggle between that which you have long since denied. We stand here now before a new possibility and a final question, Heroic Spirit Emiya will you once again accept the mantle of being a hero?" The Entity turned and found that within he held a regret….. the wish that he himself had long since put to the back of his mind.
Moments before Emiya had seethed with rage due to being almost lectured about something that he had lived and experienced, the ideal and dream that he had still achieved at the cost of peace and rest. The Entity before him seemingly mocked him in a way that left no room for any patience and yet…. he knew that is was right…. even after all this time…even after all the hell he had endured... he knew that he still believed in that dream.
Emiya's face suddenly showed a hint of a smile.
"I don't have much of a choice now do I?" Emiya whispered briefly showing a hint of the man that once was.
He looked down at his right fist before slowly clenching it as he turned to look at the image. Nothing could be said of the counter guardian as his expression now betrayed nothing and simply remained neutral.
The counter guardian had long since gained an extreme level of control over his emotions when it didn't involve certain subjects. In his mind there was what could only be described as chaos. He thought back on everything that had been said and although he didn't believe in this strange beings' intentions... so long as there was a chance to escape the hell that he had come to know so well, he would willingly try anything.
" You still doubt the validity of our offer to free you...it is understandable. We in turn shall offer a sign of trust."
" FOU!!!"
Emiya didn't have any time to respond before he found himself on his knees clutching his chest in an effort to hold back a scream at the sudden pain that he felt in the next moments. It felt like someone had reached into him and began to pull all of his muscles out of body all the while his lungs felt like they were being compressed in an uncomfortable manner leaving barely any room to breathe.
Slowly the pain began to lessen and eventually became bearable enough for the counter guardian to look up and freeze at the sight before him.
In the hands of the being before him he saw a weave of luminescent threads that connected to him being slowly pulled out. The being held the very contract chains that bound him or... had bound him once to the will of humanity.
"What did you...do to me?' Emiya questioned roughly knowing the answer but needing the verify in order to confirm his condition
" We believe you already know Emiya, after all as you can see, we now hold something very familiar to you, and , we only intended to use your freedom as a way to persuade you in accepting our offer. We are here to fulfill the wishes of those that you saved and those that you have inspired. It makes no difference to us when you are freed whether now or later, we fully intended to lift your burden for the sake of the saved." The being declared dismissively as it suddenly gathered the last of the threads and promptly closed its Fist destroying the last remnants of the contract to the will of humanity.
"What now then, if I'm free how will you guarantee that I will fulfill your request?" Emiya questioned as he rose slowly holding unto his new companion making sure no harm had come to him. He then turned and looked directly at the entity as it had turned it's back to him.
All around it scenes of different worlds displayed themselves….. but the worlds that it was watching were worlds that still remembered him. There were statues and temples, festivals and what seemed to be holidays all in tribute to …….him.
He looked on at the people as they laughed and smiled in the warmth of the sun or the embrace of the moon. He looked on as they put flowers at memorials and statues of himself. Children could be seen wearing a red mantle along with holding a set of toy swords imitating him. Flowers pedals flowed with the win and whispers of a hero who saved all could be heard.
Emiya started on simply looking on at his legacy and all that it represented silently while absently petting Fou-San as he looked on silently with a almost melancholy expression.
"They should have forgotten me, I'm no hero…….. I was just a simple man who happened to be at the right place and time." Emiya simply stated before looking away into the horizon.
"These worlds stand out now in a way that has changed them forever, whether you believe in yourself or not no longer matters, because they believe in you Emiya….and they will continue to do so no matter how much time passes. You may not know it yet but you did much more than save a simple world….. you saved so much more than the hearts and bodies of those before you."
Emiya kept slowly looking absently at the before being drawn out of his trance by a certain little beast of humanity nudging his cheek to which he looked to his right and saw him…..that boy…..the one who would risk his life for the sake of two. A boy who smiled even in the face of his end.
He stood smiling with a broken left arm , his blonde hair was matted with blood and dirt. utterly exhausted but yet he still held his right arm back preparing to push forward. He held an expression of unshakable confidence for those that were behind him.
He stood straight refusing to show any sign of weakness to those he was protecting.
This boy…….just who was he ……and why was he all alone?!
" He is the future and the past of the world you are to save, a symbol for the brave and a hope for the masses, he alone held strong and pushed beyond, yet he stood all alone…..with as smile holding unto the belief of others and with it their desires for a world without fear, without pain. In his world….. he was just like You!" Emiya vaguely heard from behind him but yet his heart and mind were drawn back to memory long forgotten…..a memory of a fire and his beginning.
All he could recall was the smoke and utter disgusting stench of burning bodies…..this was his beginning …..the very fire and embers of a conflict that had just ended would seed the individual who would one day be known as Emiya Shirou.
He was born there …..by giving up everything he had in order to keep going through that hell. He had given up all that he had in that inferno, his emotions, his memories, his sense of self…..until all that remained was but a single child devoid of everything…..until he saw him.
He remembered the face of the man who saved him ….no rather it was he who had saved the man whom he would know as his father, Emiya Kiritsugu…..the man who would leave his dream to him.
He remembered the look of joy as he found him laying on rubble awaiting for his death. He looked so happy and held an expression that he would grow to seek. In that moment Emiya Shirou was born…. He was born from the flames of tragedy and with the salvation of a man who had lost everything.
The memory shifted and he found himself staring at his surrogate father and his younger self. They sat in silence watching the stars from the what would be known as the Emiya Residence. They simply looked on before a very tired kiritsugu spoke to his son.
"When I was little, I wanted to be a hero." He simply stated as he looked at the night sky.
"What? You wanted to be? Did you give up?" The younger Emiya asked in confusion.
"Yeah. Unfortunately, being a hero is a limited-time thing When you grow up, it's hard to call yourself one. I should have realized that earlier."
A brief moment of silence passed between the two before the younger Emiya spoke once more.
"I see. Then I guess you couldn't help it."
"No. No I couldn't. ...It really is a nice moon."
In the next moment a promise was made and a burden was accepted, the weight of which would not become clear until much later…
"Yeah. Since you couldn't do it, then I'll do it. You're an adult now, so you can't do it. But I can. Leave it to me... Your dream." The younger Emiya declared all the while smiling.
"I had almost forgotten this" ……this memory …how long had it been since that fateful night?" Emiya thought.
He looked at the scenery before a wave of pressure crashed into him snapping him out of his thoughts.
Large cracks had begun to spread over the horizon leading to what seemed to be an influx of energy that currently was destabilizing the space that the entity had created.
" It seems that our time is short, how annoying……..it seems a little shard of divinity seeks to undermine the Will of others."
It simply held its hand outward and from it tendrils of crystal and dark found themselves entering the body of the former counter guardian who had no time to react and found himself once again on his knees.
This time however it was not from pain but rather a overload of energy and sudden shifts to his attributes.
What once was spirit and soul now Shall be bound my flesh and bone.
Strength to the brave,
Speed of the fearless,
Reflexes of the patient,
Insight of the hopeful,
What was once broken shall be renewed,
A sword for all to bear witness,
A healing light of salvation
"True Magic!?" Emiya questioned warily his shoulders tensing at the sudden shift in behavior displayed by the entity.
Rather than answer the entity merely looked away and extended its hand towards the cracks in the horizon causing them to slowly shrink until they had disappeared. It then snapped it's fingers causing two black rectangles to appear I'm front of Emiya.
" Former Counter Guardian Emiya….no rather Shirou, The Light of Salvation is a right that belongs to all….even you. If you wish for redemption then know that the salvation of one is all that you need."
In the next moment the entity proceeded to simply walk away and slowly disappeared shimmering out of existence.
Emiya stood alone for a moment before a image manifested before him ….a image that he had sought to make reality….. a wish that he had spoken in his heart all this time.
There playing in the snow was his little sister Illyasviel. She was playing in the snow laughing happily. No traces of pain or discomfort….she was healed and happy. Behind her stood her parents …… his parents simply smiling as she chased after the falling snow. She truly looked like a fairy playing and dancing in what seemed her home.
Kiritsugu and Irisviel stood a few feet away smiling as they held each other and watched on as Illya played and laughed so joyfully. They looked younger …. Happier, the eyes of his father no longer held an empty look in his eyes rather….in them they held a soft and welcoming glow to them that matched the small smile that adorned his face.
Irisviel looked on at her daughter in the arms of her husband all the while radiating a warmth that only a mother could at the sight of their child's happiness. She looked content without a care in the world as she looked on at the product of love between Kiritsugu and herself.
It looked as if nothing had ever gone wrong, almost as if the tragedy of the Emiya family had simply never existed. The pain , sorrow and sacrifices that had led to the end of a family seemed to be nothing but a bad dream.
A family that had long since been apart were once again reunited…..but yet there seemed to be something missing….someone was missing and one little soul seemed to notice.
Illyasviel paused for a moment before turning to look at her parents and ran up to them seemingly in a hurry with a small trace of worry on her face. She hurriedly began to speak to her parents which caused both of them to kneel and embrace the young Emiya until it became visible that she had calmed down.
Slowly the embrace lessen revealing the now calm Illya deep in thought before she looked at her parents asking a single question.
" Papa when will Onii-chan come home?" Illya looked up at Kiritsugu with the remnants of tears more visible on her face.
In that moment a fire was lit ablaze and gears began to turn in a forgotten world that now began to shift in answer to the question of one. It once held nothing but eternal twilight and rust, but …..slowly it shifted a bit…. On the ground that held nothing but weapons something new began to manifest…it was small and in patches.
He held his hand on his chest as the pain of a familial ties now made itself known….it created a longing and unbearable sense of desperation to reach out and comfort one who was waiting for him.
The image faded and its place now showed the face of the boy who had stood alone….yet now it showed desperation as he reached out before him. The subtle glint of tears could be seen as he desperately cried out.
"Master!!!...Master!, Master!!! MASTER!!!"
The tears and the sorrow at lost of who he had come to love and respect lay bare before him.
He looked on hopelessly as he was carried away and in a moment of ultimate desperation…..a wish was made.
"PLEASE…..ANYONE ….PLEASE SAVE HER ….SAVE MY MASTER …..SAVE HER ….I DON'T CARE WHO ANSWERS OR WHAT PRICE MUST BE PAID IF ANYONE IS LISTENING …..PLEASE SAVE HER……..SAVE MY MOTHER !!!!!!!"
Time seemed slow as he heard this wish….. he found himself moving before he could even think... and in a blink of an eye the world around him shattered and broke as he responded to the calling of another who was once very much like himself.
A boy who simply wanted to save all.