Chapter 3: The Three Emiyas
I finally arrived at the village that my servant told me that they were at. They told me they were at the bar, but when I enter the bar I can't seem to find them which is weird. While looking around, people look at me like I'm some crazy stalker but the truth is I'm just trying to find my servants!
I look around some more, and then I finally see them. They were in the corner of the room all this time?! What the hell!
They teleport to me now that they've met me and we walk out of the bar together. Is nobody finding it weird how I came in alone and now I have two people that look ready to fight someone? Literally this whole war is really weird.
It might be the fact that I look like a master, but how do people even know that I look like a master? I'm hiding both of the command seals that are on my hand so that nobody realizes that I'm a master, but the other masters will probably recognize me right away as I have these two servants with me.
"Assassin, Archer, You two are the heroic spirits that I have, correct?"
"That is correct Master." He was polite about it which was a great plus I suppose. I don't have a disrespectful Heroic spirit, if I did I would've probably ripped my throat out by now. It's clear that I really hate disrespectful people, which is very they weren't a thing, then my life wouldn't have been as bad as it is! Other than that though, both of them are pretty polite. Archer is a little bit more.. Open than Assassin I suppose?
Assassin is actually pretty quiet compared to Archer as Archer is open towards me and says what he wants. It's not something that I'm against but I'm just not really used to it I suppose.
"Archer, please explain to me how this holy grail war works." I ask Shirou with a polite voice. It's true that I really don't know how this holy grail war works, but I do have a concept. 7 masters, 1 grail, last one standing wins the grail. The only problem with this war in specific, is we're in a completely different dimension and this supposed 'god' is what made this war happen in the first place.
"I'm actually not sure myself.. The last holy grail war that I took place in was in Fuyuki which you know how that went. This grail war has the same basic concept around it but this war is completely corrupted I suppose? That's the only way that I can put it."
He gave me the best answer that he could. Props to him I suppose? There was something that was throwing me off though, it felt like someone was watching us. I look at Shirou and Assassin and they nod their head and hold onto their blades without making it too obvious that they're doing so. If an enemy servant is truly watching us, then it'd be best to hold our ground and not rush into anything in my opinion.
"Master, the person that was watching us.. It felt like someone just like me. Just like another Shirou." As Archer said that, it honestly confused the hell out of me. That would make three damn Emiyas?!
If there are three Emiyas then that's truly crazy, but I wonder if we'll be able to team up with this Emiya. Though, this Emiya was spying on us for a reason correct? There must be a reason behind spying on us and it can't be anything good.
We stop for a second, as we see someone in front of us with two other people that have swords. I see what Shirou meant by now, the person that was spying on us looked identical to him. The other person looked as if he was meant to be part of the knights of the round table, but I quickly realized I was right by saying that as I saw a necklace on him that had a mini excalibur on it.
"Are you Kiri?" The man asks me, clenching his fist. I nodded my head, as his two servants got ready for combat. I was actually scared for the first time in what seemed like a long time. Is this going to be my first servant battle? What's going to happen?
"Saber, Alter-Ego, Calm down, don't get too hasty. He still looks as if he's a mediocre mage." The man bowed and introduced himself. "My name is Kiritsugu Emiya the second. These are my two servants. It's nice to meet you Kiri. I want to ask you, will you join us and work under our master?"
He's joking right? Why the hell would I work under him? He's clearly just by looking at him and like I said earlier, I hate disrespectful people. I don't even know who his supposed master is, he's not a servant but the two servants right next to him are clearly his servants which would make him a master.
He has two servants just like me, but the two servants that he has look stronger than mine at this moment so it wouldn't be a smart idea to engage in a fight with him.. Correct? A knight of the round table and another Emiya which is an alter-ego? What even is an alter-ego servant?!
"Why would I work under you exactly? You're evil, and I hate people like you." I look over at Shirou, who is shocked to see Kiritsugu in front of him. I can understand why, if the tale that was told in classes is true then Kiritsugu saved Shirou in one of the previous wars and adopted him.
He did say he was Kiritsugu Emiya the second though, which was quite odd. I've never heard of there being a second Kiritsugu Emiya, so I really couldn't tell if he was lying or not. "Would you rather die here then Kiri? Killing you would make this war so much shorter and easier on master and I." The alter-ego servant spoke up. He sounded identical to Archer which threw me off.
There being another Shirou is really stressful as it is, he could say something and I could think it's archer talking! Though, I would think that if Archer had to tell me something he would say it through telepathy and not out loud.
"You don't have to fight now you know.. You're a waste of oxygen anyhow.." An unknown person walks up with no servant, no weapon, he has literally nothing. He's not afraid to show his face either which was surprising.
I could tell something was.. Different I suppose is the right word as he had one blue eye, and one red eye. From what I remember in class, if you have eyes like that, it means that you've been altered as a human. Kind of similar to how servants can be altered like how Artoria got altered or Jeanne got altered.
It surprises me to see an actual human altered, but my main question is why he's even here? Is he a master? I don't see any command seals so I can't just assume he is one. He could be hiding his command seals similar to me.
I know that I'm a mediocre mage, but while looking at this man it makes me seem like less than a mediocre mage and a complete joke. Is this what getting altered as a human does to you? It turns your mana pool into a superhuman mana pool?! Like what the hell man!
"Who are you exactly? You don't look normal, you're messing with the wrong people!" Kiritsugu said towards the altered man. If you look at it from my perspective, it seems Kiritsugu is messing with the wrong person. When comparing the two, the altered man has a bigger mana pool than both of his servants and him combined.
"Master, he's an altered human. I don't think you're ready to fight one of them-" Alter-ego begins to talk but gets cut off right away by Kiritsugu. "Shut up Alter ego! I'm the master not you!"
Kiritsugu has a really high ego to be telling Alter-ego to shut up. I'm completely lost for words seeing all of this as I'm a mediocre mage with all of these people. It would seem that the altered mage is on my side though with how I see it. He's only looking at Kiritsugu and targeting Kiritsugu over me. It could be that Kiritsugu is a bigger threat than me.
"Kiritsugu Emiya the second, you're no more than a second-rate mage. You're lucky enough that you're not a third rate mage you know. You may think that god chose you for this position but there's only a select few people that god actually chose. You just got lucky." Kiritsugu got quite pissed off at the altered mage after hearing that statement.
It's surprising that the altered mage actually called him out on this. I just didn't expect him to bring up that he thinks god chose him for this position. If he actually thinks that, isn't he a bit too egotistical?
"So what if I'm second-rate! What is Kiri?!"
"First-rate. He just needs to get his memories back and then he'll be first-rate again." I was dumbfounded by the altered mage saying this. How in the world am I first-rate? There's no way right? Afterall, I can barely cast one simple spell. The altered mage has to be lying when saying that.
"Quit lying! Saber, use your noble phantasm right now on Kiri!" Saber highers his sword and it looks as if energy is getting absorbed into the sword. From what I remember in classes, I got told this type of noble phantasm was either Excalibur or something very close to it.
Now that I think about it, the only knights that can use Excalibur are Richard, Arthur, and Artoria right? There can't be any other knights.. Right? The only person that this person could be in reality is Richard as Artoria and Arthur is almost impossible for second-rate mages to summon from what I heard.
Knowing the rules for this grail war is a little different though, it could be Arthur but I doubt it.
Energy keeps going into the sword, and the altered mage does nothing besides sit there, waiting for something to happen.
"Saber! Yell your true name!"
"Saber! Richard! I use my noble phantasm! Ex-!" Richard gets cut off by the altered mage as he points at Richard, shooting out a shard that is a very dark blue. It stabs into Richard's hand which stops him from being able to use his noble phantasm which was a great relief.
It's almost as if the altered mage was waiting for him to reveal his true name. Now the only thing that's left is for the other Emiya to reveal his name. "Saber! Why can't you use your noble phantasm!"
"The shard that the mage stabbed into me. It cuts off my mana circuits temporarily, not allowing me to use any of my skills or noble phantasm." Richard says calmly while motioning that the best thing that they could do is leave.
Yet, Kiritsugu refused to leave as he was cocky enough to charge towards me himself. Shirou swung his combat knife towards Kiritsugu, making him stop running towards me which was really clutch.
"I can't allow you to harm my master." He said with a deep voice, implying that he was dead serious about not allowing Kiritsugu to touch me. I felt safe for once, and I didn't know how to explain how glad I was that he was here for me.
"Thank you Archer.." I whispered. Kiritsugu luckily stopped as he wasn't dumb enough to attempt to fight a servant all by himself. I wasn't sure if it was more luck or more that Archer was just loyal to me. Either way, I'm glad that he was there or else I probably would've been minced meat.
"You're lucky Kiri! I could've killed you if it wasn't for this altered mage and your servant!" Kiritsugu acts like I shouldn't have my servant around me at all times. Is he dumb or just plain our stupid? I did feel a sudden tight clench on my chest, which really hurt. I could tell Archer noticed it as he wrapped his arm around me, allowing me to balance better.
"Kiritsugu, retreat from Kiri.. Or else you'll regret it.."
"Hmph! Fine Kiri! You'll win this time but the next time we fight, you'll definitely lose!" Kiritsugu teleports away from us which brought a smile to my face, yet it didn't change the fact that the tight clench that was clenching down on my chest severely hurt.
"Kiri, are you alright?" The altered mage asked me as he showed his face more. I still didn't recognize him, but something about him seemed.. Familiar I suppose is the best way to put it.
"Yes.. Who are you exactly..?"
"I'll tell you when you wake up. As of right now, I think it would be best that you rest so that tightness on your chest relaxes." I slowly fade out, which is the last thing I wanted. Archer was there to protect me though, which really made me feel more relaxed.
I woke up. I was in a completely different room, in which the altered mage was watching me while I was sleeping. I was creeped out by it, but it's not like I had much of a choice right?
Anyways, I try to sit up and talk but the altered mage stops me right away and motions for me to lay down again. Seriously? What's up with him wanting me to lay down?
I did listen to him and layed back down, and he laid his hand on my stomach, almost like he was investigating something on my stomach. "I was correct. That thing is inside of you." That thing? What is this altered mage even talking about?! What's inside of me? Is it something to be scared of or something?!
"What-?" He cut me off by putting his index finger against my lips. I'm really tired of getting silenced at this point. Seriously though, what is inside of me? Is it dangerous? If that thing is inside of me then just kill me! I don't want to be possessed by something that's dangerous to the world even if it's on my side!
"I live to serve the thing that's inside of you. Since you're the current vessel of it then I suppose I'm meant to serve you. I used to be a master in one of the Fuyuki wars, I was the master of Gilgamesh. I can still summon Gilgamesh but it's a weaker version of Gilgamesh which doesn't help in combat really. I am also a master in this war, but I can't seem to find my servant which is odd."
The man removes his index finger from my lips which brings me relief. I could actually talk for once! "What is inside of me exactly?"
"Something that's on par with God himself." The altered mage says as he then points up in the sky. It seems as if he's gotten an idea. "Ah, I found my servant." He says as he gets up from the chair.
"Come with me master. Let's go find my servant." He walked out of the room that we were in which also led to outside. I walked out with him, and it was bright outside. It really wasn't what I was expecting as before I fell asleep, it was dark out.
This world was pretty beautiful when it was daytime, but something about night time made it even more beautiful. Being able to see the literal stars and other planets was the first thing I saw which was something that I thought I never would've seen in a million years.
The altered mage was silent as we were walking through the forest that we were in. It was quite awkward but even I couldn't seem to say anything with how creepy it was in the forest. I do wonder though, how in the world did we even end up in the forest?
Last thing I knew before I fell unconscious was that we were in a town and there was literally no forest near us. How long was I unconscious anyhow? Hours, days, months, years? No it can't be months or years as nothing changed throughout the time I was unconscious.
The last time I was unconscious, which was in the real world, I grew a whole beard and mustache that made it look like I was Black Beard himself! Jokes aside, I wonder where we're even going in the first place. Are we going to a city, a town, another forest, like where are we going?
It took quite a long time, but we eventually got out of the forest. I wasn't expecting it, but as soon as we got out of the forest there was a castle directly in front of us. The castle was huge, way taller than the sky and way wider than I could see. I couldn't see the end of either the height or the width which was really throwing me off.
"My servant is supposedly here.. Be at guard at all times though as this is the enemies castle.." Really? This is an enemy castle?! Who's the enemy though is my question. Why does the enemy even have access to his servant?
We walked into the castle, and the amount of servants that I saw was really unbelievable. I couldn't even count how many servants there were, but my biggest concern was.. Why in the world did he have this many servants?
"This is going to be one tough battle alright.." The altered mage whispered to himself. Why was this going to be a tough battle? There can't be some strong servant like Karna or Gilgamesh right..?
… I spoke too soon as I saw someone in a full suit of golden armor walk down the stairs that was right in front of us. From what I recall, the one in golden armor is Gilgamesh himself. He seemed different though, I thought he would be all proud and mighty but he seems a little depressed.
"It would seem that little mongrel didn't finish you off properly. I just knew that he wasn't the right person for the job!" Portals opened behind him. I know exactly what this is. It's the gate of Babylon which is his noble phantasm. Just wonderful.
How in the world were we going to live through this? I'm pretty certain I can't live even one of the weapons shot out from the gate. On the other hand, the altered mage could probably live through many of the weapons as he's an alter.
"Shield." A magical force appeared in front of us as soon as one of the weapons was about to hit us. It kept pushing the weapons coming out of the gate back towards Gilgamesh but the force wasn't strong enough to fully hit it back into him.
"Impressive.. Can you live this though?"
"Wait.. Gilgamesh.." An unknown entity told Gilgamesh to wait and he obeyed. Seriously, what is up with Gilgamesh actually following orders from someone? He wouldn't even follow orders from his master in the Fuyuki war!
The unknown person walked out from the shadows, and for some reason I recognized this person. It was almost as if I met this person a long time ago, even though I don't know the person's name. The altered mage seemed to know him as well.
"Fujimaru.. Ritsuka..?" The altered mage said out loud. I've actually never heard that name. Fujimaru Ritsuka? My classes never taught us that name either, so what gives?
Wait.. Now I remember.. Fujimaru Ritsuka, the person that has the world record of servants summoned. He's nearly summoned every servant ever! What in the world is he doing here then? He's practically a god tier mage!
"It's been a while.. I never expected to run into you of course. I assume we have the contract fulfilled now?"
"Hold your end and I'll hold mine." What contract are they talking about exactly? This better not be a contract that hands me over to Fujimaru Ritsuka. If that's the case, then I'd rather just die right here and now.
Fujimaru lifted his left hand, and in the middle of the room a pentagram lit up, where in the middle is an obvious sigil. This is the correct summoning ritual right?
"Hear my commands, servant of the underworld. Obey me. I am your sword. You are my shield." Fujimaru said quietly, but I could still hear him properly. It really does throw me off though. This isn't the proper way to summon a servant! Is he summoning some devil?!
Out from the middle, a black haired, black eyes, with black lips and nails man came out. He was pretty tall and skinny and his aura was insane. He didn't have any weapons on him, nor did he have a crazy aura meaning that he really didn't have much mana. What's up with this servant? He looks insanely weak!
"Now. You do have it right?" Fujimaru asked the altered mage. The altered mage grabbed something out of his pocket. It was a small badge with a lion printed onto it with a marker. What's so special about this? He threw it at Fujimaru, and the command seals appeared on the altered mage's hand.
As soon as the command seal appeared on his hand, the servant's aura went crazy. Overflowing the whole room, even outdoing Gilgamesh's aura. I was wrong, this servant is crazy!
"Avenger.. Bam.. I am a guardian of the underworld.. I ask of you.. Are you my master?" The servant asks me. I look over at the altered mage and he nods his head, telling me to say that I am the master. "Yes. I am the master." I look at my arm, and to my surprise I have command seals on my arm now.
I'm the master of three servants?! What the hell! How strong am I going to be exactly if I'm a first-rate mage?
We walked out of the castle, and in front of us was Kiritsugu the second with his two servants. He looked beat-up which surprised me. Who did he fight after the encounter with us?
He looked both confused, and angry seeing us. It really isn't a surprise as we DID just stop his servant from using their noble phantasm on me! Now, he pushes us aside which again really isn't a surprise. He's angry at us, like he should be.
"Master, I don't like being around here, will you allow us to leave?"
"We were just about to leave as well.." We start to walk away.
Sakura was trying to make a new noble phantasm, which I was surprised about. I didn't know that servants could make their own noble phantasms even during war, but I do suppose this is the land where heroic spirits take place.
Sakura was getting stronger, which was the best thing ever as the stronger she is, the better.
Liliph has been gone for quite some time, which worries me but something about Liliph really is suspicious. It's almost as if Liliph isn't his true name, as I've heard reports from Sakura about him talking to someone, saying something about Fujimaru Ritsuka.
There'd be no reason for him to talk about Fujimaru unless he's a participant in this war, which I know for a fact that he isn't one. Fujimaru is practically the god of mages, even stronger than me so there'd be no real reason for him to be put into this holy grail war. He already has so many grails as well that it's not even funny.
"Senpai. I have a report." Sakura told me while I was zoning out. I look over at her, and it seems as if she's extremely sad about something.
"There's two servants in this war that makes me extremely sad.. Emiya Shirou, and there's another mysterious Emiya.. It really.. Brings down my mood, will you force me to fight them?"
"As much as you hate it, I'm going to have to force you to fight them. I'm very sorry." The truth is, I'm not sorry whatsoever. I may care for her, and I may be a family person but I have to win this war to bring all of it back.
"I see.." She seems more depressed than earlier. She walks out of the room, she's obviously going to try to work on that new noble phantasm. It brings me joy that she's trying to master it so much that she won't even let me see what it is
Anyways, it does concern me about the Emiya's that she did tell me about. A mysterious Emiya? How is there even such a thing? I suppose that there's some servants that I don't know about in this war. I should be more cautious I suppose.
I take a sip of my wine, and sit down at my chair. The more I think about all of this, it'll probably take a toll on my mental health. That's never a good thing I suppose. In the real world, I was always stressing about things. It didn't change for this world which is very irritating.
I do wonder, if I win this war what will be my wish? I never really thought about a wish until now, but I guess it would be nice to wish for peace or something along those lines. Or, I could just wish to be the ruler of the real world while god is the ruler of this world. That seems a little more reasonable than world peace entirely.