Chapter 4
In a distant time past, when mankind was few and were not thriving through sheer numbers, the gods themselves made the earth their domain. Because they held powers and abilities that mere mortals could not fathom, they were revered and worshipped all the same.
Little did the mere mortals know, that these gods were all not the same in terms of their place in the pantheon.
Perched at the top the pantheon, were the high gods. These gods were the ones who held absolute power over time, space, and all things pertaining to the universe. These high gods saw it fit to produce after their own kind, and thus gave themselves to every form of debauchery and lust, lying with each other and had no limitations or preferences as to who they chose to lie with. Thus, out of such acts, the lesser gods were born into this world.
Sitting a rung lower in the pantheon, these lesser gods were the offspring of the high gods and held somewhat less power and control compared to their parents. Nevertheless, they still wielded enough power to set themselves apart from mere mortals.
Of course, the high gods and the lesser gods would, once in a while, look upon a mortal and give in to their base and carnal desires, taking these mortals and lying with them, producing a different sort of god through these mortals; demigods.
Our tale begins from the time two lesser gods found each other, springing forth a tale of lust and murderous intents.
Not everybody can boast the misfortune of being wanted dead the moment one was conceived, even for a god.
Perhaps, it was well within reason that this god was wanted dead. After all, not everyone can boast of having a prophecy concerning themselves. Not everyone, but this god. Better still, this god was prophesied to end up killing his mother's father.
To better understand the context of this god's misfortune, a look at the circumstances following the prophecy could shed some light on the matter.
It all began after a certain god faced a prophecy: "You will be killed by a male child born from your daughter."
This god, fearing for his own life, imprisoned his only daughter in a high tower, condemned to spend the rest of her life behind high walls, cared for by twelve handmaidens, and condemned to never know what a man looks like.
The thing about prophecies, however, is that all things must come to pass.
A certain someone named Mac Cinnfhaelaidh had in his possession, a prize which was coveted by many. He resisted many approaches to purchase his prize, and eventually fell to a scheme to cheat him of his prize.
Upon discovering that this god was the one who stole his prize, he sought retribution by breaking into the high tower which housed the god's daughter, seducing her, and impregnating her.
"-ter.."
"Huh?" Bree could only muster a weak reply in between her heavy breathing. She was trying to remain beneath the covers to hide her flushed face.
"Master.. Hey there, lassie. It's not like you to be sleeping in so late."
It was Lancer.
Bree remained under the covers of her bed despite having woken up. "Lancer, could you give me some time by myself to prepare?"
"Sure thing, lassie. Don't be taking too long now."
As soon as Lancer left the room, Bree snuck out of the bed to compose herself. The past two nights were the same; Bree experiencing dreams about the circumstances leading to her Servant's birth, and it somehow always ended with that steamy scene in the high tower between two gods.
"Geez. Is it always like this between gods?"
"We can't be so rash."
Mikhel thumped his fist onto the wall upon seeing the number of Assassins on Caster's canvas monitor, and upon hearing Caster's advice.
"How is this even possible, for there to be so many Assassin class Servants?"
"I don't know. Could this be Assassin's Noble Phantasm?" Caster wondered, stroking her chin. Her azure eyes seemed to reflect Caster's troubled state when Mikhel laid his eyes on them.
"So you think that we should not be trying to go after Emiya Shiro as a result?" Mikhel asked. "We are going to miss this chance to get the job done."
"Casters excel at preparing an ambush, and not for going forward on the offensive, Master."
"You're right," Mikhel replied. "Could we perhaps observe Emiya Shiro further to see where he returns to, then?"
"Of course we can," Caster said, leaning on Mikhel. "That, I shall do right away, Master."
There was a short moment of silence before Caster spoke again.
"So, Master. You had something to discuss with me."
"Ah," Mikhel replied. "About our plans."
"What plan have you devised, Master?"
"Suppose I convince Sir Bram that his Servant is not fit to remain of our alliance, he could possibly sacrifice his Servant and thus pave the way for you to be the last Servant standing," Mikhel said, leaning back on his chair.
Caster said nothing at first, humming as she paced about the workshop. "Perhaps, it could be possible," Caster finally said. "But I wonder if the Master of Rider would come to terms with your proposition."
"I could try to convince him."
"Have you ever been able to convince him?"
Mikhel shook his head slowly. "I've never questioned him throughout my time under his tutelage, but I cannot just let this be and see you disappear from my life like that."
Caster approached Mikhel and embraced him from behind. "I have another proposition should you fail to convince the Master of Rider."
"Please tell me."
"I can get rid of Rider, and pin the blame on the enemy, or if I have to, on Berserker or Lancer. That way, the Master of Rider would have to change his plans and I will offer myself to be the Servant who will obtain the Grail for us."
"E-eh?" Mikhel was slightly perturbed by the suggestion. "Wouldn't it be too risky?"
"You must paint Rider in a bad light to his Master for this plan to work," Caster replied. "But we must gain his trust first."
Their discussion was cut short when Caster's familiar alerted them concerning Shiro's movements.
"It's Archer and the boy," Caster whispered.
"They seem to be leaving the hospital. I wonder what were they doing there."
"It seems Archer is carrying the boy. Is he incapacitated?"
"More importantly, where are they headed to?" Mikhel wondered.
Some time earlier.
"Hurry, Archer! We're out of time!"
"Sheesh, kid! I'm going as fast as I can! It doesn't help that you're deadweight now!"
Archer sped on toward the hospital. Just before he arrived, Shiro, who had then recovered part of his energy, implored Archer to let him go on ahead. "Keep watch over here while I go rescue Sakura and Shinji!"
"All right then, kid."
Shiro leapt through the open window to Sakura's ward, and found it empty.
"Eh."
Shiro glanced around quickly. His heartbeat was racing and he was on the verge of panicking.
"Damn it. Just where did that old man take her to?"
Shiro's thoughts were interrupted by the sudden entry of a nurse who let out a gasp, sending her tray of medications clattering on the floor.
"W-who are you!? Where have you t-taken the patient!?" The nurse demanded.
"What? She was taken?" Shiro asked, striding towards the nurse. "Who took her!?"
The nurse was trembling in fear as Shiro strode toward her, whimpering when Shiro stood in front of her, placing his hands on her shoulders. The nurse finally gathered enough courage to speak after a few attempts by Shiro to obtain the information from her. "She was here just five minutes ago! If it wasn't you, who took her?"
"Damn it!" Shiro cursed under his breath. "I'm going to look for whoever took her!"
Shiro quickly left the room via the window, leaping toward the next building where Archer was stationed.
"Kid! Get over here now!" Archer shouted. Shiro noticed that Archer had his bow drawn and was aiming at someone.
Shiro's eyes narrowed, and his blood boiled at the sight.
There in front of him, were two Assassins, each holding on to Sakura and Shinji respectively. The two Matous were still unconscious in their arms, and a third Assassin stood before the two.
"Release them now, and the lot of you will be spared by us!" Shiro demanded.
"Not unless you forfeit your life here and now," Assassin sneered. "You killed so many of our brethren, and you should pay the price for that!"
Shiro's bow materialised and he took aim at Assassin. "I will count to three!"
"Try us, then!"
"Kid, don't do this," Archer whispered. "I sense something is afoul here."
"What choice do I have?" Shiro hissed in reply. "We need to rescue them!"
"Let's leave. We can renew our search again later," Archer replied. "I doubt that old man would be willing to go so far as to kill his own grandchildren."
"He did threaten us earlier at the mansion," Shiro said.
"Forgive me for delaying to tell you, but I sensed hesitance when that old man threatened to kill that boy there."
"I doubt it," Shiro replied. "Assassin! You have three seconds!"
"Like we said, try us!"
"Three!"
"Kid, no!" Archer said.
"Two!"
"Hey, kid!"
"One! Time's up, Assassin!" Shiro shouted, loosing his arrow toward the Assassin standing at the front.
"Don't do this, kid!"
The split second that it took for the arrow to hit its mark felt like an eternity for Archer. From the time Assassin challenged Shiro to fire, he somehow sensed danger, and his hunch was right.
The Assassin in front was quickly switching places with the Assassin who was holding Shinji hostage. Shiro's arrow was already in mid-flight and he had no way of stopping his arrow. Archer leapt forward in an attempt to try and deflect the arrow, but he was prevented from doing so by Assassin, who leapt forward to block Archer's advancement.
The sickening sound of an arrow piercing human flesh stunned both Shiro and Archer as they beheld the impossible sight before them. Shinji was struck by Shiro's arrow meant for Assassin. As Shinji was already unconscious since the time he stood up to Zouken, he was spared the agony of pain when the arrow struck him. However, when one is struck in such a manner, there was no saving him.
"A-ah.. Ah.. No!" Shiro stammered as he tried to comprehend his decision to fire and the ramifications of this chain of events.
It was here that Assassin attempted to take advantage of the situation. The Assassin who had Sakura quickly disappeared, and the remaining two Assassins moved in to kill Shiro.
"Oi! Kid! Get yourself together!" Archer shouted, his own bow at the ready. Seeing that Shiro was not in the right state of mind to lift a finger in self-defense, Archer took it upon himself to engage Assassin. Releasing a steady stream of arrows, Archer kept Assassin away from Shiro and quickly moved in to occupy the space between them.
Archer's bow elongated and glowed brightly in his hands. Archer nocked his bow and drew it, the arrows glowing and releasing copious amounts of prana in a golden hue.
The two Assassins were quick to realise that Archer was about to use his Noble Phantasm and they charged forward in an attempt to strike Archer before he could use it.
"Too slow," Archer whispered. "Fly, and may Apollo rain gold."
The two Assassins were several feet close to striking him when Archer loosed his arrow.
"Toxo Teukros!"
Archer's Noble Phantasm could mow down an entire army if he so desired. In this case, however, firing at an enemy at such a close range meant that they would bear the full brunt of the attack and they would have no chance of evading or blocking it. It was in this manner that Assassin learned of the futility of trying to engage Archer when he is using his Noble Phantasm. Every single arrow that emerged from Archer's shot found its mark in the two Assassins, and they were completely and utterly ripped into shreds by the sheer number of arrows that struck them.
"Pfah! Surely this is not the last of that annoying Assassin." Archer muttered to himself. He then turned his attention to Shiro, who was in heap, kneeling next to Shinji's body. Tears were streaming down Shiro's face as he sat in silence.
Archer, who originally felt no connection with the blue haired person was suddenly hit with the realisation that he has seen this scene somewhere before in his lifetime.
He remembered it clearly. His brother, lying dead on the sands of Troy's beaches, and Archer kneeling over his brother's body, weeping inconsolably.
Archer fought back the strong emotions that welled up inside him, and grabbed Shiro, attempting to take him back. Shiro resisted briefly before succumbing to his grief and lost the will to resist, allowing Archer to carry him back to the mansion.
Present time.
"Hey, Shiro. What happened out there?" Rin implored, wrapping her arms around Shiro, who was still slumped on the floor. "You have to tell us about it. At least you can let out whatever that bothers you."
Shiro continued to stare dumbly at the floor. To everyone else in the room, it seemed as if all of Shiro's resolve was sapped out of him. More disturbingly, Archer seemed to cut the same demoralised figure, slumped in the corner.
Eventually, it was Archer who spoke up first. "Forgive me. I had to deal with reminders of my past life, after seeing everything that unfolded earlier."
"What happened out there, Archer? What did Shiro mean by 'Shinji is dead'?" Saber asked.
"The kid was tricked into shooting Assassin, but Assassin was holding the two siblings hostage."
Saber's eyes narrowed. "Assassin, that bastard."
"I was aiming at Assassin," Shiro said quietly, his voice quivering. "By the time I realised that Assassin put Shinji in the arrow's path, it was too late."
"Assassin waited until the last possible moment to place the boy into the path of the arrow," Archer elaborated. "I saw it happen, but the arrow was too close for us to intercept it in time.
"What!?" Saber exclaimed. Her face darkened and her eyes were grim at the thought of Assassin doing such a thing.
"I was goaded into shooting," Shiro continued, his voice as quiet as the earlier time. "I-it's my fault.. I should have listened to Archer.."
"Hey Shiro.." Rin pleaded.
"Emiya, it is unfortunate, but it is not you who should be blamed for this," Lord El-Melloi II finally said.
"Sh-shut up! You don't know what I'm going through, am I not wrong?" Shiro snapped.
"I don't claim to know all things, despite my demeanour," Lord El-Melloi II replied. "I have seen some of my students struggle with the same mistakes you made, so I do have something to say about this."
"Lord El-Melloi II, now isn't the time.." Rin whimpered.
"You wield powers that a normal human being cannot have, yet all that which is called a miracle cannot prevent you from experiencing the same things a normal human goes through," Lord El-Melloi II said, kneeling down and grabbing Shiro by the collar. "Therefore you, who wield such powers, will you fall into despair like a normal person would, powerless to change anything? Or will you rise again and strive to make better of your situation?"
"All that power, but I can't bring him back from the dead!" Shiro grunted, pushing Lord El-Melloi II's hand away. "What use is Emiya Shiro if he cannot save the life of even one person?"
"Shiro.." Rin said quietly. "Remember what you told Archer?"
Rin pulled out her pendant hidden under Shiro's black jumpsuit.
"You remember your answer?" Rin asked again.
Shiro still wore a troubled look on his face, but from the way he was staring at the floor, he was deep in thought.
"How comes it to this?" Matou Zouken asked, his voice betraying his emotion fraught with despair and anger. "I know this grandchild of mine is useless and inept, but he is still carries the Matou blood in him nonetheless!"
"My apologies, Master." Assassin replied, his head bowed. It was that kid you tried to convince. He was the one who put an arrow in his head."
"While you stood by there, not doing anything to take him out from a simple attack like that?"
Assassin couldn't answer. He remained staring dumbly at the floor.
"Your silence makes me think that you had something to do with the death of my grandson, you know?" Zouken snarled.
"I-I wasn't aware, Master. It was difficult to fight that kid and Archer at once."
"You still had the advantage of numbers despite losing 58 of yourselves today!"
"Master, with all due respect, we excel at ambushes and guerilla tactics, not a frontal assault," Assassin replied. "Please accept our apologies for our incompetence."
Zouken glared at Assassin for a moment. "Pfah. I still have a use for you, so it can't be helped if I were to spare you today. Leave me be to grieve for my grandchild."
"Understood, Master. Our apologies once more," Assassin said, leaving Zouken alone in the room.
"I may have shown contempt for you due to your ineptness, Shinji-kun, but know this," Zouken said, looking longingly at the body of his grandson. "I do bear a fondness for you, due to how I looked at your father with fondness."
Crest Worms began to crawl out from Zouken's body. As they made his way towards Shinji's corpse, Zouken spoke again.
"It pains me to revive you like this, but it has to be done. You may not have the soul of my dead grandson anymore, but to see you moving again, is enough to take my grief away. Perhaps, when the Holy Grail is mine, I can wish for your return and for the restoration of the Matou household."