Hello, my reviewers and fans. Hirem here. Did you miss me? I missed you but I had to complete this chapter to follow my personal policy. When making this chapter I practice a way to fester certain in this chapter. Whether it be love, lust, hatred, comedic sadism. as much as I want to show all the training and 'fun' Shirou and Illya have, I can't lie to you all. I used my festering technique to make myself cry. Regardless, we must continue onwards and achieve the dream. Fate/ stay night is a production of type moon. This is fanfiction and magic are either made up or derived from other anime. this is a fanfic written for fun.
BEGIN!
Matou manor, late night
It has been a week since contact with Investment Ruby has agreed to our offer of an apprenticeship. And based on the initial tests, the Market's investment has not been wasted.
The young child has displayed many instances of intellect and curiosity over the first few days after a disastrous display of failure with Market Magecraft. It appears that several preconceptions and burdens of her parents' passing are still present. This trauma will be detrimental, so subtle nurturing will be required to polish and fine-tune her. Requesting purchase of tickets to the grand opening of the new Market sponsored theme park.
Moving forward, it has become abundantly clear that Kirei Kotomine is a viable threat. The fake priest, while incompetent in finance, is still an effective manipulator. Worse, he also the investment's 2nd magecraft and martial arts teacher. Personally request confirmation on whether to train investment in 'Market Dum-Dum's Martial Arts' or primarily on magecraft.
Recent investigations have pointed that Kirei Kotomine is keeping several orphans inside the church. I am requesting B.R.T. and R.N.I. teams to initiate the Warbucks protocol.
-Souka Shizuki, MLn: 67890-67451-22321
After reading the report, the figure decided it was time to get this finished.
Matou manor, Worm Pit POV
Zouken Matou was observing his granddaughter Sakura's(age 7) progress. Despite having implanted the Crest worms fused with the Holy Grail Fragments, he could see Sakura adapt to them rather nicely. This would help in his plan for the next war. After all, as much as he enjoyed his incompetent grandchildren's struggle to live and suffer, they are merely stepping stones to him obtaining the Third Magic, reach the Root, and immortality.
Yet, for the past year, he had felt something besides the near-constant pain in his soul. Something felt wrong.
At first, he felt it was nothing. But as the year went by, his eyes and ears in the city were growing dimmer by the day. He noticed a subtle but sudden influx of businesses moving, developing, and/ or collapsing, which wasn't strange since Fuyuki was still recovering from the Holy Grail War until a realization came to him.
'Why did I lie about giving Kariya the crest worm that took Sakura's virginity?'
Granted, the same result would have occurred if he did rape Sakura with his worms. But he didn't. As if he was compelled to do so.
"Hmmm!" Zouken sensed the activation of his Bounded Field.
Someone was at the gates.
Suspicious, Zouken decided to see who the intruder was. Blending into shadows, reforming, he gazes from around the corner and sees who entered his Bounded Field.
It was an elderly woman. About 4 ft. tall, with her white hair tied to a bun. She wore simple gray and light purple robes. On her wrinkled face were thick round glasses that resemble soda bottle bottoms and colored fuchsia. She also was using a metallic walking stick to move around in.
For the past few minutes, Zouken observed this doddering hag staring at his gates. She was shaking in the nightly cold. While on the outside, he couldn't detect any mana from her despite his powerful senses.
The elderly woman was still shivering as she suddenly moved forward a few steps to the gates.
'Kreek!'
!
The gates suddenly opened violently as she walked into the Manor interior. The elderly woman began walking forward until she reached the front door.
"I would think the Head of the Matou family would be polite enough to let a frail old woman in after she made her presence known," The old sighed as she turned to face Zouken, who moved out of his hiding spot. Her voice was a gentle bell of aged steel. Zouken didn't bother hiding his displeasure from the visitor. She sensed the old mage was only letting her live to alleviate his curiosity. "But I guess I was wrong. Truly the Matou bloodline must have fallen so low if mages your caliber are left. Don't you agree?"
"Hmph. I don't have to be polite to someone who can barge into my property with the intent of causing me trouble." Zouken said, frowning at the apparent lax behavior of the old lady even as he released his bloodlust.
"True. But are you going to let me in? I have some important things in my person that do require your immediate attention." the old lady smiled. "Or you could kill me, and my superiors might react poorly. Even the great Zolgen Makiri should learn to hear out his juniors when they are just the messenger."
"Alright, it wouldn't be polite to let a frail old woman stay out in the cold," Zouken said courteously. Both of them knew he was paying lip service and could kill her without a second thought. But he didn't survive 500 years without the ability to sense a trap when he was presented with one.
This old woman came to his mansion at night. This trait showed she was secretive. She barged the gates and taunted him. That meant she was confident in her skill, stupid, or both.
Or maybe her patron was someone he couldn't make an enemy of right now?
Zouken Matou's Study
"I must say even though these eyes of mine are getting bad," THe old woman commented as she scanned the Study of the Matou Head. "I can still see the vast wisdom and power the Matous still hold. Even if they are dying out."
The study was simply with a few bookshelves, but the way she said it made Zouken frown.
It was common knowledge in Fuyuki that the Matou Bloodline was dying. He was able to fool the mage world by saying that their Magecraft was incompatible with the spiritual energy of Fuyuki's land. But even he, with his centuries of wisdom, could only guess what was destroying his bloodline.
But that didn't matter. Zouken had made preparations so that his wish for immortality can come true.
However, he should focus on this woman. No one knew his true identity. The only ones who do are long dead. And it couldn't be Zelrecth-sensei. He made sure to keep his corruption quiet and the master swore a pact not to interfere with the ritual.
He didn't like it.
Something about this woman was forcing him to recall old grudges.
"Well, out with it," Zouken commanded in an authoritative tone. There was no use in acting cordial with someone who was intentionally antagonizing them. "Who are you, and why come barging into my house? Do you wish to die? "
"Oh no. I don't want to die," The guest took out something in response and handed it to him. "But maybe this will start the conversation."
Taking the object closely, Zouken observed the card and its symbol while injecting mana into it.
"Hmph, so you are a representative of the Market," he declared with disdain. Modern Mages earned his scorn for their sentimentality, but the Market he especially found pathetic and beneath him. "And what do I owe the pleasure for this visit?"
"Believe me when I say that this old woman does not want to be here either," She answered as she took out a white gem that shined into a simple chair." But my job has forced me to be here due to the conditions of a particular contract. So let's get this started before the sunrises."
She then sat down, looking at Zouken impassively. "My name is Kaguya Rei. A Market mage sent to discuss both some formal documents as a subject's legal guardian and a proposition."
"Market mage?", Zouken smirked in mild amusement."What would a weak organization like the Market want with an old man like me?" Even when in the presence of an unknown factor like this, Kaguya Zouken was confident he could kill her and take whatever secrets she held.
"Normally, I wouldn't want to be here, but since Tokiomi Tohsaka signed to contingency policy..." Kaguya mumbled to herself before staring at Zouken. "Well, in simple terms, The Market has seen to it request your cooperation in aiding in Sakura Matou's Magecraft training."
"Hmph, ridiculous," Zouken said at his guest with contempt. "My granddaughter is being provided adequate education in the Matou secrets. What use would I have for the help of the Market whose existence is barely a century old and has become subservient to the Clocktower benefit me?"
Kaguya gave Zouken a knowing smile that honestly rose several alarms in his head. "How about alleviating the deterioration and pain caused by your soul? Or maybe you want to know how to remove or suppress that curse on your bloodline."
"What?" Zouken scowled at the question before seeing Kaguya raised three fingers.
"3..."
What was she up to now? Was she going to attack him? In his own house? No, he was confident he could kill this upstart with a thought. And from what he heard about Market Mages, they never use excessive force unless necessary and are openly fair to their client so long as they behave and they follow the rules and are fairly compensated.
"...2..."
Zouken was feeling that something was missing from the situation.
She knows something. But what? Wait.
"...1..."
NOW!
Zouken signaled his crest worms that hid around to strike. The walls, ceiling, floor, and furniture were worm emerged from their hiding spot and mercilessly attacked their prey.
Or that was the expected outcome.
"Zero."
As soon as the first worm was 8 in. close to her, it burst into goo away from her area. In the space where subsequent worms similarly died from bursting expanded to a radius of 5ft around Kaguya until they were all dead.
"What…?!" Zoken's eyes widened in shock as he felt his very soul get assaulted by the combined blend of pain from electric piercing and torn paper.
"I'm afraid, Mr. Makiri, that you are running out of time," Kaguya said as if the attack didn't happen and observing the Matou Head's pain. She took out a small statue and held it up as it glow lavender and his pain subsided a bit. "Because in accepting Young Sakura Tohsaka, you inadvertently fulfilled the condition of article 6 subsection 2 of the Banking Protection Plan. The Home tutor Assassin clause."
"Home tutor Assassin Clause?" Zouken repeated after stabilizing his existence for a bit. For 500 years, he had seen many heretical magecraft, but this was different. He didn't see the old bat make a move. Nor did he sense any mana other than that Statue.
Wait.
That statue! It looked like A baby hold a dirty jar!
It can't be!
"Correct. What I have in my hand is the Kodoku Jizo," Kaguya answered as if reading his thoughts. "A Mystic Code designed to amplify, nurture, and detect and activate curses depending on the wielder's intent. Using the jar of poison it carries as a conceptual weapon, I crafted the item to activate in the event of my harm in any way directly or indirectly, upon an attack, or in the presence of hostility. By my guess, you should be experiencing 3, no 6 times the effect of this item, and yet you maintain your human form. The Matuos really are impressive surviving such a curse."
"Curse? What curse?" Zouken asked in a pained voice. It wasn't that he was confused at the fact that someone cursed him. But rather, his worms haven't devoured and neutralized it. "When did you have a chance to curse me?"
"I'm afraid you are mistaken, Zouken Matuo," Kaguya said as she held the small jizo statue in front of him. "I didn't curse you?" She then rotated the jar to show what the statue was hiding. "It's accurate to say someone already cursed you before I came here. About maybe 200 years ago, give or take a decade."
200 years. That symbol. A white moon. Black star. Camela.
"Kagura!" Zouken roared in a rage before immediately calming down. His study had many anti-spy enchantments, but he was in the presence of a dangerous foe."How in the hell does an infantile organization like The Market have a connection with someone whose entire lineage should be dead!?"
"You seem to be mistaken about three things," Kaguya said as she put the statue away. Zouken was sure he couldn't touch her with that thing in her person, so negotiations would favor her. "First, even if Kagura Sakatsuki and her bloodline are dead, her curse, no matter how much you tried, would be impossible to dispel. It's been 200 years, and the Matou lineage is still suffering the effects."
She took out a crystalline fountain pen and a rolled parchment.``The second is assuming that our youth equals a lack of skill. We, The Market, possess members who couldn't make it in the Mages Association, don't care for it, despise it, or posse uses the Association underestimates. As I am sure, you still remember, correct."
The decrepit mage couldn't help but agree with the hag's reasoning. Despite lasting for 500 years, Zouken still had some of his memory. When he was Zelretch's student, his feelings for his five friends though transformed into competitive hatred, still lingered in his mind. And the Market painfully made him recall them.
Nagato Tohsaka- A bipolar, mediocre, cold buffoon with an annoying sense of righteousness.
Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern- Someone he loved and respected despite her cold demeanor sought a vision of immortality and utopia with him.
These were his precious friends that he wouldn't mind defeating and gaining the grail from for eternity. However, the last three were friends he could never stand or comprehend.
Kuroma Sajyou- A witch with an irritating and calculating wit on philosophical nonsense.
Darius Ainsworth- A brutal and moody man obsessed with crafting his line into a legend to save the world.
And Kagura Sakatsuki- A stoic woman who, despite wielding weak power, continues to aid the others and lecture on what mages shouldn't do besides the immoral. The same woman who tried to curse him after he, Zouken, killed her husband and tried to purge her family. NO not tried, succeeded.
"Well, out with it," Zouken barked impatiently. Usually, he would be in control, sadistically mocking his foe. But he knew the Market's reputation to be sadists in that regard, so he held his tongue. For now. "What is the last mistake that Zouken Matou made?"
"I'll tell you if you agree to accept our offer," Kaguya stated bluntly before pressing the parchment closer to him.
"What offer?"
Kaguya smiled, and Zouken knew whether he refused or the Market had won. "In exchange for aiding in tutoring Sakura Matou, you get a seat at the Board and a chance to remove the curse Kagura Sakatsuki placed on you."
"Oh, not this is generous," Zouken remarked with curious scorn. "Why would I let you train my precious granddaughter for a seat at your little table?"
"That little table has enough resources and wealth to expedite your granddaughter's training rate without killing her," Kaguya stated a matter of factly. "Besides, as I said, you are already bound by the Marketcraft Geass when you took her in."
"She will be trained in the way I see fit. Without outside interference." Zouken argued crossly. The amateur was an unknown, and his experience told him she was winning every argument.
"Your teaching method, though repugnant, is also pathetically inefficient," Kaguya remarked. Metaphorically slappy the Matou head in the face. "Honestly, only a third-rate hack with a fetish for hermaphroditic tentacle pron could do better. Besides, I suggest you just sign and take the deal."
"Or what?" Zouken taunted arrogantly. "The Market will come and eliminate me?"
"No," Kaguya answer. "You'll just bun out every worm containing your consciousness. Even the one that's hidden in the heart."
Emiya Manor-Reflect Refrain-
"You know, normally I'm not a tea person, but this peaceful afternoon calls for it. Right, Kerry?" Genmu asked while sipping his Saffron tea. He looked at his partner through his sunglasses with an amused smile.
"I'd agree with you if you weren't drinking that tea with milk and peppermints," Kiritsugu muttered as he took a sip of his drink and looked around him. They were seemingly outside in a vast garden filled with the warmth and light of spring all around them. While on the outside, they enjoyed tea on a metal wire chair and a table; what they were doing was far from it. "Why do I have to drink this? I'm pretty certain that the Market banned this due to poor reviews," he complained as he struggled to stop the shaking. The effects of his 'treatment' were showing.
"Relax, Kerry, Just because it's like TAntrum doesn't mean it is Tantrum," Genmu reassured. "It just a blend Tantrum with, Hippie's Wintersbreath and other edible preservatives."
"Making fat into a cure and harvest the curse like this. The Market did screw over the Mages Association." Kiritsugu commented on the Market ingenuity as his hand stopped shaking.
Due to the favor he owed Genmu, he was forced to keep this monster around and teach his children proper and improper magecraft. But he couldn't do that effectively if he was dying. No, he needed time, resources, and a method of keeping his strength up and extending his lifespan.
And once again, Genmu Fuujin provides the suggested solution.
The Cursed Fatty Program.
In a nutshell, he was forced to eat an astronomical amount of junk food every day since Genmu moved in. Enough that by his calculations to create a village of 800 morbidly obese people with Type 3 through 7 diabetes and other health diseases. At first, he felt sick with all the junk food in his system. But a month after the program showed him positive results.
As Kiritsugu gets fat and raises his blood sugar and hypertension, the Market uses all that fat, plaque, and other harmful health build-ups as a sponge for siphoning and processing, not to mention suppressing Angra Mainyuu's curse. He was still dying, but it wouldn't be too apparent if he wasn't on it.
Between crippling atrophy or getting fattened up like a Christmas ham, he'd picked becoming bacon.
Still, it was only delaying the inevitable.
"How long," Kiritsugu asked with apparent resignation.
"Not long," Genmu said somberly. When someone as demented and happy as Genmu Fuujin stated that you would die, you will die. "We were making great progress, but the curse will take you in 4-5 years."
"We all die someday," Kiritsugu said tiredly. The news of his eventual death didn't frighten him. But even as he was drinking a high dosage of sugar, he couldn't feel anything besides exhaustion. "It's whether we die with regrets and accomplish with our time that matters."
The former Magus Killer took another drink of his Tantrum-infused poison before continuing. "Shirou and Illya will be taken care of, I hope?"
"Once the two of them are done, Let's meet at your Realm to get things in order," Genmu said as he conjured video screens in front of them. "It's been two years, but it astounds me how powerful your children are."
"I know," Kiritsugu said with some subtle pride but also with trepidation. "I just hope they grow decent and happy and not have to face danger because of their power." He takes a sip looking at the screens showing his son and daughter training.
Or, more accurately, running for their lives in comedic fear.
"When I die, they won't have anyone to protect them from You," he said, disgusted as he saw what they were running from. "Are you training them or trying to kill them?"
"I won't kill them, Kerry," Genmu reassured his partner before pressing a hard light button on a tablet. The screen shows an increase in difficulty.
"At least Taigra will be around to keep you in check in my place," Kiritsugu said before continuing. "Seriously, what the fuck is wrong you?!"
"Many things, but hey, it worked. Besides, if they survive, they get a present. If they pass with flying colors, then we all get to go to the Grand opening."
"I'm going to have to suppress their memories of this later with the grand prize, aren't I?"
"Yep," Genmu answered as he sipped his now cold tea."I pulled some strings, so you are going to be present for the ribbon-cutting, Kerry."
All Kiritsugu could do was sigh and pray for his children to be strong and then pressed five more buttons on Genmu's tablet.
Just Because he was going to give them an out doesn't mean he would make it easy for them.
Refrain Realm-Colosseum-ver. Mountain jungle
"How the hell are they still so fast?!" Illya yelled as she flew at Mach 20 in her magical girl outfit. She and Shirou were given the task of retrieving a relic from the jungle temple and returning to the transport circle East of their location. "We keep flying faster, and they still are hot on us!"
"It must be Uncle Gen's doing. Why else would their numbers increase along with a swarm of those weirdly shaped insects?!" Shirou retorted as he maintained his platform, skipping speed in tandem with Illya's flight. He couldn't fly like her, but he decided to do the next best thing.
Using a combined application of Reinforcement, Bounded fields, and some brainstorming, Shirou developed his way to fly. This, coupled with his powerful leg muscles, and high calculation, meant he could 'run' simultaneously as Illya. Or in this run for his Life!
"I think you're right!" Illya agreed, increasing her pace before turning and aiming her Kaleidostick. "Dampfstoß!" In a split second, an alchemical array formed, compressed, and fired at their pursuers. "Damnit, Genmu made them tough. We got to hurry to that transport array before they catch up. Any idea where that portal is? "
"We're almost there," Shirou yelled his looked at the projected mana compass. "We should arrive in about 15 minutes. But..."
"Genmu made them faster."
"Right. I don't know what he did. But somehow, their performance and regeneration rate have tripled. So they should be burning themselves up by now?"
"He probably set it up so that when you grabbed that relic, they would keep chasing us."
"Again, I'm sorry," Shirou apologized. "How was I supposed to know that pedestal was booby-trapped and full those things?"
"Did you forget that Genmu based these death traps on pop culture and whatever twisted thing he can think of?!" Ilya retorted, increasing their speed with link spell and acceleration.
13 minutes.
"MMMMPHHHHHH!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤"
"Oh, Crap! We gotta hurry!" Shirou screamed as those things increase their speed again. "Trace ON!"
He grabbed Illya's hand, and both siblings cast the respective spell to speed faster. But the hunters were getting closer.
"Wait, aren't they burning up?"Ilya asked as she turned around to glance while Shirou took them closer. Just a little further.
"Yeah, you're right," Shirou agreed as he glanced back and switched control. "Whatever made them faster must be overheating them and putting a massive strain on their bodies. But if we time it right-"
"Got it!" Ilya nodded in agreement. Three Magic circles in decreasing size appeared on her back."Volles Nitro, 40% Kompression"
Crap. Illya's inner speed demon is getting active.
Shaking the few dregs of hesitation, Shirou activated High-Speed Incantation, Parallel Calculation, and Quantum Spell link. Then, he Projected several items before initiating the incantation.
"namaH sarvatathaagatbhyaH sarvamukhebhyaH, savathaa traT caNDamaha."
"Mein Wille beurteilt die Welt, und die Welt enthält Alles. Wenn alles eins ist, wird der Zyklus nach eigenem Willen fortgesetzt."
"I will kill. I will let it live. I will harm and heal. None will escape me. None will escape my sight.
Be crushed.
I welcome those who have grown old and those who have lost.
Devote yourself to me, learn from me, and obey me.
Rest. Do not forget the song, do not forget prayer, and do not forget me.
I am light and relieve you of all your burdens.
Under the Oath of thy Heavenly Father, I relieve thy burden. Repent. And Welcome thy soul to the Kingdom.
Relief is in my hands. I will add oil to your sins and leave a mark.
Eternal life is given through death.
— Ask for forgiveness here. I, the incarnation, will swear.
— Kyrie Eleison."
Acala Flame Mantra. Wild River Alchemy- Market edition. Rite of Baptism blended with Rite of Reconciliation.
Turning around after casting his spell, Shirou flung his Projections, Silver tube crosses, at the abominations. Like precision-guided missiles, the crosses broke and duplicated themselves and flew at greats speed towards their target. When they hit, all three spells activated, and the monster burst into holy flame.
"Ilya, Now!"
"Yes!" Ilya yelled in confirmation. She grabbed onto Shirou's back before activating her spell. Shirou shuddered at the maddening expression of glee on her face. "
Atmosphärisches Nitro, Freisetzung."
The last both Emiya siblings recall was seeing the portal before Everything went black.
Genmu's Realm Lecture room
"Well, isn't this a fuck up?" Genmu complained in an uncharacteristically pissed mood. They were all in Genmu's realm, in the college lecture hall. The blackboard chalk, enchanted to write notes on the board. "I was so looking forward to having my precious specimens play with you a bit longer. But now that plan is just torched."
"You willingly let children get chased by undead-?!"Shirou was questioning in anger at Genmu's disregard for safety when his mouth was covered by a hand.
"NO!" Ilya yelled at him and stared with the trademark Emiya Eyes of Death. "Nothing happened. Simulated golems chased us. Nobody did anything wrong. Got it? "
"Y-Yeah." Shirou quickly agreed. Normally he would fight any injustice, but after some effective persuasion from Kiritsugu, Ilya, Genmu, Sella, And LIZ, he learned to pick his battles and be wary of an angry woman.
As if done being angry, Genmu sported a shit-eating grin, and Shirou could see a sadistic twinkle in his eyes by those crimson shades. "Well, torching the GIMPs aside, I see both of your magecraft has developed splendidly."
Kiritsugu, who was eating an enormous ice cream-sherbet sundae, agreed with Genmu's Assessment. After evaluating what Elements, Origins, and Sorcery traits the two had, both Market Adults were thorough in their education. Or, As Genmu dubbed it, 'Plan Badass Edgelord.'
For the past year, Shirou and Ilya were subjected to wonderful and magnificent experiences that were outright comedically traumatic.
Like now, Genmu had just sent them on an errand to retrieve this relic that was meant as a paperweight, fully aware that they would activate the alarm and send those… things at them. Then while they were running for their lives and sanity, Kiritsugu decided to increase the difficulty and make their pursues more potent but more physically unstable, hence why Shirou and Ilya could escape.
"You've improved your High-speed incantation without breaking the chant. In addition, your use of Parallel calculation and Quantum spell link have improved in its efficiency." Kiritsugu praised before giving his brutal critique as Shirou expected him to."However, the amount of mana used to activate it is too wasteful. Plus, you were hesitating using your other abilities, Shirou. Even if that last attack was overkill."
"But it seemed like overkill to use that when it was more efficient and appropriate-" Shirou tried to explain. But Kiritsugu cut him off.
"I am not saying your choice of spells was wrong, but I am trying to hammer into the two of you the necessity of gauging when to practice restraint and when to go all out on a situation."
"He's right, Stardust," Genmu commented, sounding uncharacteristically grim. "Kerry and I have lost so many good friends over the years dying from hesitation, from overdoing it, from being too honorable, or being a dishonest bastard. So here are some more of my infinite wisdom. Extremism isn't an ideology. It's a path to ruin."
Kiritsugu nodded his hand before looking at Ilya. "Ilya, sweetie, your problem was that you went too far and focused on your alchemy. You also ran away too quickly, unlike Shirou, who initially tried to fight them before you grabbed the relic and fled. Not to mention you were extremely wasteful in your energy output and neglected the circulation."
Ilya lowered her head in embarrassment. She didn't say anything because everything Daddy said was true. "So, we had better improve your combat ability and give Shirou more supplementary lessons, shouldn't we?"
"What kind, Daddy?" Illya asked nervously. She didn't like violence and pain and, combined with the Einzbern memories, really disliked it, which was why she developed a strategy to be able to run away.
"We'll have you practice with Liz along with Shirou in practice your close combat skills," Kiritsugu answered clinically. "Then we'll figure out other countermeasures for if an opponent gets too close."
"Okay." Illya nodded her head obediently.
"For now, kids, we have a lesson to get finished," Kiritsugu changed the subject. "Then later, Illya, you and Shirou will get your tune-ups."
"Aww! I don't wanna!" Illya complained in resignation. "Why do we have to keep doing these tune-ups. They hurt. Take too long, And I think Genmu is recording us."
"Hey! I'll have you know I have no interest in children!. " Genmu denied as if insulted. "I only record you two for research proposes. Not Porn."
Yet. All three Emiyas thought with suspicion. Simultaneously, they thought Genmu Fuujin preferred screwing them.
"Besides, don't you both feel better?" Neither sibling was willing to deny nor acknowledge that statement.
"Now, as I was saying, when conducting a Golden Dawn ritual of establishing a temple, the first thing you need to do is... " Genmu began his lecture, and Shirou decided just to shut up and pay attention.
Two weeks later.
Shirou began following the procedure Genmu taught him of developing a temple. With Wisdom of the wish Gods, he can effectively use whatever he learned to the maximum effect. Any flaws and improvements he would acquire would be nurtured and corrected by Genmu and this sorcery trait.
According to Genmu, it would take even a talented prodigy ten years and 100 hundred tries to develop a Golden Dawn-styled temple. But thanks to this Sorcery Trait, the processing time is dramatically lowered, and quality and efficiency increased proportionally. Plus, Market Magecraft or Marketcraft have a specialty concerning efficiency, fusion, cost, and results. So any D grade temple would, with some luck, become a B grade.
Shirou then finalized the last touches to the final piece, and his temple would be complete. "There. So, What do you guys think?"
He looked at both Ilya and Kiritsugu for their opinion.
"Boo, your design is so plain!" Illya commented with a pout at how Shirou designed it.
"Illya, considering that it is merely a blank temple, it should be as normal as possible," Kiritsugu commented while eating a jumbo burger. "Because Shirou is only trying to create an empty temple, he can avoid accidentally summoning some Demon or God by accident."
Kiritsugu looked around before taking a bite. "But yeah. This design lacks imagination and any other characteristics. Perfect for a template for crafting temples."
Shirou nodded, understanding his father's meaning. What they were doing wasn't just developing his ability to use Golden Dawn, but the required skills to.
For instance, by developing his Temple construction, he can expedite the amount of experience he gains in reading leyline mana, sensing traps and hidden passaes, and crafting Bounded Fields, and creating his Workshop. If he wanted to be like his father, he needed to obtain the required abilities to becoming a fine mage.
"Now thankfully, the rubes who developed Golden Dawn were able to develop a way of collecting a large amount of magic power..."
Five Weeks later, Tune-up room #17 Genmu realm.
"It always amazes me the combined regenerative power of BSW(Branch of Sinning Witches), BWG(Blessings of the Wish Gods), PM(Pandora Miracle), and FI( Fruit of Inheritance)," Genmu commented as he cleaned his surgical equipment and acquired what he was collecting. "Stil, even with these Traits, without my superb skills and Market resources, you wouldn't have survived this procedure five times in a row, Shirou."
Genmu stared at his patient slowly coming to in their hospital gown.
"Erh!" Shirou groaned as he tried to get from the operating table. His body had always ached from having these operations, but he continued having them. Not only to increase his magical potential and stabilize his body. BUt also provide the Market with research data to pay of the Emiya family's debt. "Why do you have to remove and regrow my bones every time?"
Yes. One of the many surgeries Shirou was subjected to was having his bones removed from his body, regrowing them every time with a combination of Market bone regrowth formula, healing magecraft, and Extremely high conceptual psychic rehabilitation.
"Short answer: You owe me, and your body shall contribute to the sciences," Genmu retorted as he replaced Shirou IV bag with a newer, more effective formula. "Long answer: I am collecting materials to further the Market's research supplies more and pay your debt via providing the Department of Medicine data on how some hack mages deal with the strain, the regenerative efficiency of various drugs, and finally a quality Deadpool betting table."
"Why do I always get the feeling that some of your coworkers in the Market hate me?" Shirou asked skeptically, not sure if he wanted to know.
"Oh, because they do," Gemini answered while cleaning his medical tools and putting them away. "Don't take it personally. Those shlubs from Divination always hate everybody. Being forced to calculate the future can turn anyone cynical."
"I thought seeing the future would be amazing," Shirou asked curiously. He honestly did. After all, know what was coming next would help people prepare better and aid in saving them.
"Yeah, at first. But there are several nasty downsides to having such an ability," Genmu retorted before hitting Shirou with a weird medical syringe gun.
"Ouch!" Shirou yelped as he rubbed his arm and followed his "doctor." Then, he put on some hospital slippers and continued following Genmu.
"Flaw one, you may see the future, but there might be a limit to how far," Genmu lectured as he walked down the hall. "Such abilities have an interval of either one second to years at a time. So, there are gaps per interval. Flaw two, the Observer Effect, observing the future could potentially change it. What's the point in seeing the future when it changes on you."
"I guess," Shirou answered, now unsure about the use in seeing the future.
"Don't get me wrong. Seeing the future is an awesome ability," Genmu said as they both walked to an elevator down and pressed down to the third floor. "It's just the downsides that are a pain. With the third and most crucial flaw to seeing the future."
"And what's that?" Shirou asked in anticipation of what Genmu said. Kiritsugu had warned him not to get dragged into Genmu tune, but the man knew how to draw you in to listen.
"Flaw Three," Genmu said look straight into space with a brief wistful expression of sorrow. He continued as he turned to stare down at Shirou through his mirrored shades. Shirou felt as if his soul was being studied. "You become a slave to the visions and all the horrors that come with it."
"What?" Shirou was confused at the statement, but he couldn't ask because the door open, and Genmu walked swiftly out to the next destination.
"Here," Genmu gave Shirou a white operation coat and face mask and cap. "We'll talk later. You can ask Kerry for more details, but right now, we have work to do."
Shirou reluctantly let the matter drop before taking the items and putting them on. "Got it."
Both student and pervert got adequately dressed and ready before entering their destination through the door. The inside was dark except for a concentration of LED lights shining down, surrounded by long, thin, mechanical arms pointing down towards an operating table.
And in that operating table with their patient was Kiritsugu Emiya in the same outfit as them. The Einzbern maids Liz and Sella were at his left and right side, respectively.
The three males said nothing as they went to work.
Six hours later, Emiya manor garden hall.
Kiritsugu and Genmu were in the manor playing chess after a longs operation conducted on Illya. Both men were focused on their game that if one were to observe them, they would be in ae at their focus. Unfortunately, both Shirou and Illya were sleeping in the living room. The picture of adorable siblings sleeping.
"It was touch and go for a moment, " Kiritsugu stated before he moved his pawn forward. "But we manage to repair the damage done to Illya but lengthen her lifespan to about the age of 50."
"Plus, we manage to get some medical experience for Stardust and acquire some useful data for Medica to study." Genmu greed before moving a bishop in the opposite direction. "At this point, those two will be ready for the future and finally achieve their freedom. All we can do is raise them right, spank them when they act stupid, and just give them the childhood they both deserve."
"Right," Kiritsugu said quietly as he put more effort into moving his Rook to take Genmu's Queen. "I don't have much longer, Gen. Even with your treatment, I am still slowly losing motor function. My sight and hearing are also fading, and every night my worst memories are all I see."
"You can't give up hope yet, Kerry," Genmu pleaded with surprising concern. "Your fat is already absorbing much of the curse. Accounting has given us a steady supply of royalties thanks to the fat we harvest from you. That money has made great progress in developing poisons and cures from Magecraaft. I'm positive one of those cures will help you."
Genmu then moved his knight to threaten Kiritsugu's bishop. Kiritsugu retaliated by moving a pawn forward. "Shirou and Illya are Nine and ten years old. Tell me the truth, Gen."
Genmu frowned and looked away. "Three years. To stave off your death, you would have to be twice as fat as Jon Brower Minnoch. And that's if you could survive the side effects."
"So, are they ready for the next phase of E's plan?"
"We've taught them both everything we knew. From your Mage killing and combat skills to my Marketcraft and everything else." Genmu answered before moving his Knight to take Kiritsugu's Queen. "They'll need to have some experience in Market affairs to deal with the coming storms."
"We can't bring them to the ClockTower. I don't want them exposed to the Mages Association's bullshit." Kiritsugu said as he used a rook to take another bishop from Genmu.
"And we can't take them to the Market," Genmu added as he moved a pawn and turn it into a Queen. "Our offices are still recovering from the beatdown the Mages Association put us through. Plus, there are even worse fucks in the Wizard's Bazaar than even the Clocktower."
"What about America? I recall you complaining about the irritating mouse grabbing you and ten others by the balls."
"Nah, we can't take them there. The Market can't risk losing that investment." Genmu complain as he moved his Rook to check. "Although..."
"You have an idea," Kiritsugu said as he protected his King with a pawn. "We can't take them to Florida, New York, Texas, Seattle, or California."
"No, but we can take them… there" Genmu moved another pawn.
"Ah, well, at least this way, they might learn to value money," Kiritsugu muttered. He then moved his Knight. "Checkmate."
"Fuck! That's ten in a row!" Genmu was vigorously scratching his head in frustration. "Are you really not cheating?"
Kiritsugu chuckled as he received Genmu's briefcase of 100 million yen. "I haven't been cheating since my kids came home. Now hand over the second case. We have a trip to plan."
That Summer in a particular country …
"Now, I hope we all learned our lesson," Kiritsugu stated in the shotgun as Berk drove the five of them to the airport. "Did each of us learn anything valuable?"
"Yes..." Both Shiro and Illya answered with shame. Both siblings glared at the third passenger next to them.
"Yeedd..." Genmu answered weakly. The difference compared to the two children was that their 'uncle' was full of swollen bruises from multiple painful and deserved beatings.
"I can't believe I had to experienced that..." Kiritsugu shook his head in exasperation. "I can't believe you exposed my children to such things..."
"Itb… buildb… character..." Genmu let out from his swollen face.
"Illya." Kiritsugu signaled.
BUZZ!
"HMMMMgrh!?" Genmu shiver as he felt massive amps of electricity flow through him. He turned to the one responsible with an expression of penance.
Only to receive nothing but a look of cold indifference and scorn. A look that was enhanced by the ten-year-old albino holding a shock collar button. His gaze turned to Shirou for help. Instead of the merciful brownie boy he knew and adored, he saw a paling and frightened boy trying his best to ignore the violence injustice happening in front of his eyes!
"Uncle Gen, give up. You are mostly at fault here." Shirou muttered as he looked outside the window seeing the Airport getting closer. 'Even if some of the fault is ours, it was mostly from you. Yes, mostly you.'
"I heard that, you self-righteous brat!" Genmu yelled in reaction. His wound seemingly mostly healed before he received another electric shock. "NO, mommy... That's Satoshi's hentai..."
"Regardless, at least we didn't expose the Mystics, endanger innocent lives, hinder any Market operations, or caused an international incident," Kiritsugu said before staring at Genmu. "You did pay the hotel bill?"
"What do you take me for a fool?" Genmu answered with a huff. "I split the bill and sent it to the Department of Accounting's Loans and Debts division to take care of it."
At the same time …
At the Matou house, Kaguya Rei was witnessing something historic (and also recording). She was seeing her charge Zouken Matou bulging in anger and killing intent so potent that the neighbors felt an ominous chill. The elder worm was lying on the floor frotting with rage at the mouth while clutching a rather large bill.
"This is your Fault…. I just know it..." Zouken growled, barely controlling himself, lest he loses control and have his very worms overreact and destroy his current body from the surprise curse he received from the bill.
"Come now, Makiri. Don't blame me every time someone uses you as a scapegoat." Kaguya chastised before continuing. "It's your fault for violating your contract in properly training Sakura. Your very soul's been cursed with this 'debt.'"
Kaguya's face revealed a wrinkled smile. "Although there are ways to mitigate and eventually erase this debt, as I am sure you are aware."
"Damn youarrgh!" Zouken curse before feeling another backlash. He had no choice but to agree with his 'employee.' Marketcraft was surprisingly vicious. He could keep the debt and suffer while maybe passing it to Shinji and Sakura, but that would violate his contract, making his suffering worse. Or he could ask for Kaguya's help and get rid of this curse, but the mere thought of owing the low-rate mage sickened him.
Zouken continued plotting his own loophole to get away from this curse, unaware of Kaguya glinting in triumph.
…. At the Kotomine Church …
"I'm sorry, what?" Kirei KOtomine was a pious man of God. An unrepentant, sadistic, empty sociopath, but a man o God. He reinforced this attribute of himself because he couldn't help feel as if he was witnessing a problematic trial right now.
"Sorry, Father Kotomine, I don't make the rules; I just follow them," A bank representative said as he showed Kirei several documents detailing that somehow his church was up for forclosure.
How the hell did his church get a risk for a foreclosure?
"Be that as it may, I assure you this must be some mistake," KIrei replied in a bored but understanding tone. As a man of the cloth, he had no concerns with the material issues. Except for the risk of losing his church and exposing its secrets. "However, I'm sure with the Lord's help that we can solve this issue."
"Not unless you have a way of securing 700 billion yen to pay this debt," the Bank rep said before looking around nervously. "Once that's done, we can arrange a plan to ensure the church has enough finances to stay in the black and possibly green in a few years."
At that, Kirei smiled. It was fortunate he had a partner with a vast treasury. "Oh, I believe we have this problem fixed."
… at the Clocktower ...
"Again. Why must you Market mages give me another bill, again?!" Waver Velvet agonized as lift his covered face from his hands as he glared at Fujitora. "Why are you here?"
"What? Your apartment had an opening, and you needed a neighbor to help fill some of the vacancies and pay the bills." Fujitora replied while he ate some tea and creampuffs. "Also, it was to keep an eye on you while the Clocktower processes my credentials as one of your teaching assistants or faculty. Whatever means I help you as a teacher."
"You, a teacher?" Waver scoffed at the idea before sensing the mana in the shift. "Hey! Don't you daremph!"
"You, Waver, are still arrogant as ever," Fujitora smirked while still looking at the bill. He ignored his neighbor's struggle for speech with creampuffs in his mouth. "Luckily, this partnership can help tackle this bill and become a way for you to deal with any future debts."
Waver swallowed the last of his chewed creampuff before staring at the man. He didn't like the situation he was in, but he knew that Fujitora and the Market, by extension, have plans for him and shouldn't agitate them too much.
Fujitora said he was about to gain a chance at freedom soon in a year, so he should what and take it.
Back to the Emiyas
"Alright then," KIritsugu said before he turned his head forward and waiting for their private plane to arrive. "Despite it all, did you both have fun?"
"Yeah, daddy, it was incredible!" Illya said with a smile. "The lights. The shows. The money!"
Both father and son shivered at recalling the Eldest child's involvement. Kiritsug looked at Shirou. "Shirou, did you have fun?"
"I did. It was fun being with everybody." Shirou said with a smile. He didn't see the point at first of why people waste their time gambling on pointless games. But he felt that if they made the adults happy, then he was delighted.
"I see," Kiritsugu said knowingly. "Someday, when you both are older, you'll come back there once the heat has died down."
"Really?" Shirou said excitedly. He didn't know why but seeing Illya smile there made his heart beat faster and feel warm.
"Yeah," Genmu answered him. "Once you two are much older, you'll be allowed to see much more fun thing than you did before."
"Provided you both worked diligently in your studies," Kiritsugu said as if it were final.
"Fine," Illya said with a yawn. She was tired after everything that happened. After a few seconds, all three males could hear her soft, deep breathing of slumber. It didn't take long before Shirou followed his sister to dreamland, leaving Kiritsugu and Genmu awake while Berk was driving the car.
"Why must insist on using that to put them to sleep?" Kiritsugu asked skeptically, knowing full well what Genmu did.
"Hey, it's their own fault for not noticing that back seats were already laced with sleeping powder." Genmu retorted with a smile. "Overall, despite the hiccups, their exhaustion is sign that they've learned, grown, and had fun. However, I am disappointed that Stardust hasn't developed any normal boy's interests. Which means that we can implement Plan C."
Genmu face held a smile, and Kiritsugu knew not to fight it. A deal was a deal.
"Alright, we'll prepare the ritual. Just don't change him too much."
"Relax Kerry. Stardust won't be changed in any way," Genmu reassured before continuing with a stern frown. "He will merely be bound not to do anything stupid."
Both adults kept quiet all the way home.
Three years later, Shirou 12, Illya 13
At the Emiya Manor, it was sunset mid-January. However, the air was temperate and peaceful in the house of the Mage Killer, the tension was in the air. Liz and Sella took Illya along with Berk to shop on Kiritsugu's order so that the three males can discuss the issue privately.
Shirou Emiya sat in his spot on the living room table, shivering nervously with fear and shame. Although a few hours ago he felt he was in the right, the feel evaporated when he looked at the two most terrifying things across from him.
His father, Kiritsugu Emiya held an expressionless face, like a cold-calculating machine.
And his surrogate uncle, Genmu Fuujin, wearing an expression of furious hatred, behind those caramel mirrored sunglasses.
Between the two of them was a report from school and several photos that were taken a few hours ago.
"Shirou, do you know what you did wrong?" Kiritsugu asked in a mechanical steel tone.
Shirou felt ashamed at disappointing them, but he still held an obstinate look. "No, I have no idea, Old Man. But What choice did I have? Four bullies were harassing that girl. And Genmu said bullies must be crushed."
"I said you had to crush them intelligently. Not jump headfirst into danger like a complete moron!" Genmu corrected Shirou angrily. He then held up a photo of a black-haired, brown-eyed Shirou fighting and getting his ass beaten. "At least you learned to disguise yourself before jumping at the neanderthals."
"That's not the only mistake you made," Kiritsugu said harshly. "I don't criticize you jumping to help defend another from harm. I'm proud." Kiritsug stated with a brief smile before returning to his death machine face. "My issue is that you reckless confronted them without asking for help, without a backup plan, without knowing your limits. You were reckless and didn't strategize well."
"But she was going to get hurt. I didn't have time-"
"That's an excuse." Kiritsugu cut Shirou sharply. "We both knew that you were hidden well and could have stopped using hypnotism, voice mimicry or lying. But according to Genmu, you gave yourself away. Charge at the first enemy Like an idiot. Violently lashed out and was about to get beaten badly had Taiga not intervened and we wiped the memories of those in involved."
"We can handle the school's complaints fine," Genmu said, holding up the note from school. "You're lucky this didn't become a suspension note or one of expulsion. But involving outsiders was an enormous risk."
"What risk? I didn't do anything wrong- argh!" Shirou tried to argue, only for an azure spectral Iron Claw almost crushing his skull.
"Have you been paying attention, you dumbass brat!?" Genmu furiously roared with hatred. The claw's grip was tightening as he continued. "Kerry is saying that in your impulsiveness, reckless, and self-righteous delusion, you've broken your promises to us! You got yourself for a stupid reason! You acted stupidly! You stubbornly ignore our warnings! And worse …. YOU WERE ABOUT TO EXPOSE MAGECRAFT TO THE PUBLIC!"
Genmu squeezed tighter before lifting his hand and releasing Shirou with a painful drop. "ARGHH! Damn it, Kerry! I'm pissed! You deal with the moronic brat!" Genmu then got up before glaring at the 12-year-old with scorn. "THat's strike one, Shirou Emiya."
He felt both father and son tho deal with the issue. Shirou tried to get up and use some healing magecraft but found he could not properly channel any mana. In shock, he stared at Kiritsugu for an answer.
"Shirou, do you remember the most basic rule of the world of Magecraft?" Kiritsugu asked. Now that Genmu was gone, his expression was that of a tired father already close to death.
Shirou thought for a moment before he felt a realization and sense of shame that came when you were wrong and stupid. "Concealment of the Mystics."
"That's right. You almost broke our world's most important law. NOt only you broke several promises with Genmu and me. To a Market mage, our, or to be exact, their word is their bond. Contracts and promises are highly valued. And you shameless trampled on them. Genmu, and my disappointment are because you seemed not to learn why you are in the wrong."
"I'm sorry," Shirou said when he looked away in shame. Hearing his father's explanation reminded him why he was mistaken. He vowed inside never to make the same mistakes again. "Uncle must hate me now."
Kiritsug chuckled, which confused Shirou. "No, he doesn't hate you entirely. He just hates that stubborn, narrow-mindedness you often show him. If he really hated you, he wouldn't have warned about the ten pledge ritual he cursed you with."
"Yeah," Shirou agreed in the resignation of the coming hell in the next few weeks. "So what now?"
"Have you learn your lesson?" Kiritsug asked his son, well aware that Shirou was a crappy liar and learned whenever he was told he was wrong. Seeing his son nod his head honestly and the sincerity in his Golden-brown eyes, he smiled. "Well, I guess all that's left is your punishments."
Shirou widened his eyes at the tense of more punishments but relented. Kiritsugu then took a scroll and read from the list.
"1. Your memories of the the incident will be sealed. 2. Genmu becomes the sole mediator of the cursed beast seal on Shirou Emiya. 3. Should Shirou Emiya violate and endanger himself at exposing the mystics, he shall be subject to the Ten Pledge seal. 4. Shirou shall endure the otaku conditioning hell. 5. Shirou Emiya shall suffer the Riajuu grooming Heaven. 5. Genmu Fuujin shall imbue whatever Geas via the Ten Pledge Seal as he sees fit. 6. Shirou Emiya will have remedial pragmatist lessons to quote won't die like a pussy ass, self-righteous moronic, bitch end quote. 7. Shirou Emiya shall engage in the Ancient ritual of unity."
Kiritsugu stopped reding to look at his now horrified son with a smile. "Any questions?"
"Please," Shirou was begging now. "Please, is that all?"
"Nope," KIritsugu answered casually with unintended cruelty. "8. Shirou Emiya will aid Genmu Fuujin in several billion yen moneymaker jobs."
At this point, Shirou finally learned his lesson as he faints with foam in his mouth.
Kiritsugu shook his head with a smile before carrying Shirou to bed. When he returned to the living room, he spoke out to the returned guest. "Have you finally calmed down?"
"I calmed down when I left," Genmu said with a huff. "Kid accepted his punishment?"
"He fainted at the thought of dealing with you." Kiritsugu stared at Genmu with his failing vision. "Everything went according to plan?"
Genmu smiled confidently. "Like clockwork. The sword prince saves the princess of shadows and cherry blossoms."
A few weeks later
Kiritsugu, Genmu, Illya, and Shirou were gazing at the moon. It had become Kiritsugu's sole hobby besides teaching Shirou and Illya Magecraft and his trade of Mage killing. He didn't tell them everything, but he and Genmu did their best to teach both his children how to survive as magi and have the opportunity to live their lives.
If one looked at the scene, they would a young boy sitting next to his father on the porch gazing at the Moon. To the boy's right was his older sister laying her head on his lap in a cerulean bubble kimono. To the father's left was an older man drinking a glass of Match-hai in anime ecchi kimono. Both father and son wore dark blue and pale blue, respectively.
Illya stretched and got from Shirou's lap. "Good night Daddy, I love you."
Illya then went inside to sleep. Kiritsugu urn his head to see her. "Daddy loves you too, sweetie."
He turned back to gaze at the Moon some more, feeling his life project in his poor vision as he felt his time slowly fade.
Genmu burped loudly, bring Kiritsugu back to reality. "Well, I'm gonna call it a night. Make sure you get some peace enjoying the Moon, Kiritsugu Emiya."
Kiritsugu just smiled. "I will, Genmu Fuujin."
Now all that was left was father and son. Two broken men were connected by fate and tragedy while still becoming a wholesome, sociopathic, loving family.
Kieitsugu yawned. He felt the exhaustion grow stronger. A sign that his time was growing brief. He had stopped his treatment a week ago so he still had some time and energy to spend. Just one more lesson.
"Hey, Dad."
"Hm?" Shirou's voice interrupted Kiritsugu's concentration. He glanced at his son, indicating his full attention.
"If you're so tired that you're gonna fall asleep, go to bed," Shirou said with youthful vigor and some concern. He had grown more humble since have his very being sealed up. But it was comforting to see that obstinate spirit underneath.
"Right," Kiritsugu smiled. He felt his time coming and saw that it was time. "I'm fine, son."
Shirou's eyes widened for a fraction of a second and glowed silver, steel, and golden before returning to normal. He knew somehow that the following words from his father's mouth would be carved into his soul. And he was afraid.
Kiritsugu was silent for a moment, recalling the entirety of his life. "When I was little and still a teenager, I used to want to be a hero of justice with all my heart."
"What?" Shirou asked with a hint of displeasure. "What are you talking about? Used to? Did you just give up?"
In Shirou's eyes, Kiritsugu was a true Hero of Justice. Someone who could save a lot of people. Kiritsugu's statement just didn't make sense.
"Yeah. Apparently, such dreams have an expiration date." Kiritsugu chuckled in self-depreciation. "When you grow up, it gets harder to call yourself one. It's a contradiction. You gain power and wisdom to save people, but in exchange, they reveal how truly powerless and unjust you are."
Contradiction. The word subconsciously resonated strongly with Shirou, making his focus even more.
"I wished I learn that truth sooner." Maybe then, Irisviel would have been alive. Maya here to protect his children. When Genmu made that paint and requested Kiritsugu seal a part of himself in it, he didn't hesitate and did out of gratitude for the reminder.
The reminder of his failure and his salvation five year ago.
"I see," Shirou nodded his head in understanding. "It couldn't be helped."
He had learned philosophically from Kiritsugu and Genmu the facets of being a hero and villain. Genmu even read him The thousand faced hero, just to hammer in the pattern and point. Heroes, after their adventures, must age and either become the mentor or the next Big Bad.
"Yeah, I guess not," KIritsugu said with finality. Even if he couldn't become a hero, he and Genmu at least could do some good. Genmu helped him set up several hidden bumps to the leylines that would alter the mana flow. Not enough to be disastrous or ruin the Tohsakas, but enough to dismantle the Holy Grail in three different ways.
Create new vital points along with the Tohsaka, Matou, Ryuudou, CHurch, and New city center ones for the mana to flow.
Collapse the caves in Mount Enzo with the explosives, sealing the primary source.
And finally, embedding purification dampeners hidden all over the city to heal, cleanse and neutralize the curse.
Based on both his and Genmu's calculations, their work would be complete in about 40 years maximum. And the dampeners would quickly and stealthfully cleanse and revitalize the land. Genmu said it would take a Divine spirit ranked master mage much difficulty finding them, so no mage from even the Age of Gods would notice.
"The moon is beautiful tonight."
It was an obvious observation, but the Moon tonight was a special memory to be shared with his son. He wanted to share with Illya, but somehow he felt content at the moment. Even if he was colorblind and going blind, this moment was etched in his eyes.
"Alright, fine," Shirou nodded with a smiled before turning to face his father. "If you can't be one anymore, let be a hero in your place."
Kiritsugu turned to his in confusion. "Hm?"
Unknown to Shirou, his father suddenly recalled Genmu's psychological profile Shirou and felt fear. Thank the Root that the curse also weakened his facial muscles.
"You're an adult now, so you can't do it anymore. But I still can. So, entrust your dream to me."
Kiritsugu gazed at his self-assured son after hearing that statement and did something out of character and ruined the moment.
"Hahahahaaha!"
He laughed.
It was a brief three-minute laugh, but it left Shirou stunned and growing a little irritated at his father's supposed scorn.
"Hey, what's so funny?!" Shirou cried indignantly. "I'm serious! I'll be a Hero of Justice like you in you place!"
Kiritsugu stopped laughing and glared at Shirou for a moment. That moment silenced Shirou and reminded him of all the tales Genmu said about Kiritsugu's job and hero type.
KIritssugu relaxed his glare and looked at so in apologetic amusement. "Sorry, Shirou. It's just you said the same words Genmu predicted you would, and I just lost a bet."
"Ugh! Why do both of you always gamble?" Shirou questioned. He was unsurprised that Genmu and Kiritsugu made a bet. Both adults gambled not as an addiction but as a training hobby.
"It was whether or not I should tell you the price of being a hero," KIritsugu stated bluntly. "Are you sure you want to know?"
Shirou was nervous, however his determined look was Kiritsugu's answer. Kiritsugu then took out something from his robes and placed it in Shirou's hand.
"A memory crystal," Shirou asked in confusion as he stare at the grey crystal. He had seen and studied the development and uses of this mystic code for integration in technology but he felt this one was special.
"This crystal contains not only my goals and dreams but also my regrets and failures," Kiritsugu explained. "For personal reason, all the details are sealed away, but the emotions and feeling until now remain. You won't get to see how your sister was made, unfortunately."
Shirou blushed at the implication. "But I also won't know the Identities or events of your life. Just what you'll show me."
Kiritsugu nodded. "Take this crystal and see my memories and feelings. When you're older and more mature, Gen can help unlock the rest. For now, if you want to be a hero, I'm afraid you'll have to look, son. I understand if-"
Shirou interrupted Kiritsugu's talk by activating the crystal, and for a moment, he saw and experienced. A painful hell.
His Father's struggle with his first love.
The death of his Grandfather Norikata Emiya.
The hellish training under Natalia.
Her Death.
More memories were altered. but the feelings were intact. Hate, Rage, Bitterness, Disgust, Druelty, Despair. Love. Sorrow. Betrayal. Regret. Pain. So much pain.
But also hope, joy, contentment, spirituality, little happiness, and peace.
The moment was gone. Shirou back in the real world. However, his eyes now lost some of their shine.
"Thirty seconds," Kiritsugu stated emotionlessly. "It took you 30 seconds to absorb the memories copied in the crystal."
KIritsugu presented Shirou with the crumbled remains of the once whole jewel. "It took Illya five minutes. and she saw everything."
"Illya-nee did?" Shirou widened in shock. He often forgot because of her laziness, but his sister was the smarter of the two of them. He still felt insecure about inheriting the Emiya Family Crest instead of her still.
"Yes, she did. The reason is that how are you going to be a Hero of Justice when you can't protect your friends, family, and lovers?" Kiritsugu asked cryptically. "Shirou, your understanding of the concept is shallow and lacking. You say you want to take my place, but you lack a clear definition for yourself."
"I do?"
"Yes, son. You do. But that' probably my fault." Kiritsugu said in self-depreciation. Shirou hated seeing his father sad, but he couldn't counter him. "I don't mind you being a hero, but such a goal requires promises. Are you sure you can follow through?"
"I said before, Let me be a hero for you," Shirou said firmly, the spark that was lost returned even brighter.
Kiritsugu couldn't but smile. "Alright. I let you take you my dream and burden if you can keep these promises."
"Take care of Illya. We bound her to you as a companion to continue the Emiya line and as protection." Kiritsugu began reciting the Promise, a simple Market Geass that required a primary keeper; luckly the Keeper was already prepared.
"Find love and protect love." Kiritsugu continued. "Genmu said the hero should get the girls and love and care for them. Never abandon them for anything, not even your ideals."
"But doesn't that go against the concept," Shirou asked concerned.
"Hardly, the girl is what saves your soul." Kirisugu retorted. "Live Shirou."
"What."
"You heard me," KIritsugu clarified. "Live. NO matter what, even when you are fighting for others live. Genmu will explain in more detail."
Kiritsugu then held Shirou's shoulders and look straight at him. "Finally, don't be a hero like me. Be better. Be a hero like you. BE the thing I couldn't be."
Shirou nodded his head in a firm understanding. These Promises were etched in his soul, so he answered with as much respect. "Understood… Father."
Kiritsugu let go and smile as he closed his eyes. "Alright, I feel at peace now. Gen and Taiga will be there for you. So, I'll leave everything in your hands, my children."
"Got it," Shirou said firmly.
The last thoughts on Kiritsugu's mind were of a bygone dream where a young love had died painfully.
Tell me, Kerry. What kind of man do you want to become?
Beautiful time, a beautiful girl. He wished in his heart the moment forever. He could never forget that feeling.
I want to be a Hero of Justice!-
And so, Kiritsugu Emiya. Age 34. The Magus Killer. Left this world with a smile.
Behind both father and son, hidden from view, were a lonely daughter crying for her father's passing.
And a failure of a friend who couldn't save a good man.
Chapter END
Well that was long. I wanted to try adding some of my spin to Shirou. It was a juggling with my version vs canon. So I took inspiration from Third Fang's From Fake Dream. Kiritsugu allows Shirou to be a hero but gives Shirou more foundation on what a hero should be. Canon Shirou was in MArket terms a shit mage. This fanfic is just me trying to make him less of a shit mage. One of my issues making chapter deciding not to put in Shirou's 'wedding' because I was afraid of break Fanfic rules. Fate stay has a large amount of mature depiction. child abuse, rape, as much as I wanted to depict it. I restrained myself for the character to mature or at least follow third Fang's example and merely hint at depravity. Should I have included the wedding, or a lemon or restrained myself. Now I'm on the fence about whether to continue from Shirou POV or go to Rin and Sakura's. PM me your thought. Review with creative honest criticism. Also yes I suck so much at coming up with magic that I look at some anime for reference and make my spin. Unlimted blade works dub really was good in foster a hatred for Shirou and the bridges help in adding lampshade. Still it's summer and so long as life and beaurocracy don't in the way expect some chapters to be faster. Also ho long are chapters because this one is about 30. Also all my chapter were never betad, so unless I get a volunteer expect some grammar errors. I really want to write an intensive Shirou harem lemon but fear breaking the rule due to explicit, or child marriage, or gore and violence. I am annoyed at pol correct censorship. I'm okay with reasonable censorship but have no idea what not to put. PM your thoughts.