Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I own nothing outside my ideas and madness.
This chapter was edited with a new grammar/spell checker program, let me know what you think!
And before we start, please read the three most common reviews I responded to after you've read the chapter.
I hope you enjoy!
-Shirou's pov-
-Thalia's tree, late night-
Once we arrived at the camp, I was genuinely surprised. It consisted of buildings made in various materials and styles formed into a U-shape around a great fire: Two similar marble buildings(one more massive than the other); another made out of sea stone, covered with coral and seashells; yet another covered in flowers and plant life followed by one with a crude red paint job and what looked to be barbed wire on the roof.
The next few were just as interesting with the exception of one gray building, followed by two where one was made in silver while the other was in gold. The one capturing my eyes the most was one that looked almost like a factory with gears, brick walls, and smokestacks.
The three that followed all looked quite mundane compared to those previous; one like a dollhouse while another looking as if it was in urgent need for renovations. This left the last one pretty standard with the exception of vines flowing over the walls and ceiling.
Besides these buildings, I could make out: a climbing wall with lava, an amphitheater, a building suspiciously like the Coliseum and, the both strangest and most normal of them all: A big blue farmhouse in the middle of it all.
… I don't know if I'm supposed to find it amusing, a normal if big farmhouse surrounded by all these bizarre buildings…
"This is where we depart, right?" I ask casually, knowing this was going to happen. However, my question only seemed to get her upset for some reason. I prepared myself for a similar assault she had done beforehand, only this time with her words. However, it never came.
She paused momentarily to compose herself, staring my form up and down like a predator stares at its prey, eager to convey a piece of her mind. She hesitated, however, falling short of the crazed farewell she appears to desire. After a few moments, she took a deep breath.
"Look, idiot," She spoke with a fiery tone. "I can't conceive a reason to go farther here, yet I want to do it. I may not be like you with your fancy sword powers, but-." I halted her, getting the message of what she was trying to say to me but had too much pride to say.
"In that case, I need you to stay," I declare to her, knowing from experience that it's better to make it sound like I asked for my sake. It left a bad aftertaste in my mouth.
"Well, suppose it can't be helped then…" she mumbled after a moment, turning to face the camp instead of me, a slightly more relaxed if not wistful expression on her face.
'She definitely wanted to be here, didn't she? I wonder why…' Regardless, we made our way down to the big blue house, directing a final gaze on the beautiful pine tree that was on our right; it's leaves moving in the wind as if to greet us, despite the rotting piece of its trunk…
-Ebony's pov-
-Thalia's tree, late night-
This was a damn joke… no scrap that, this must be a godsdamn nightmare with how my night is going! To begin with, I'm minding my own business when BAM! A kid walks into my clearing and poisons my tree with something, then another kid runs in and starts to assault me! … I might have attacked first but that's beside the point!
On top of that, he wounded me, practically cleaving me in half! The following thing I experience is waking up, completely healed and everything, with him laying on me! The nerve of him, I should have completely eliminated him then but… I don't know, I merely didn't want to that's all… but did he have to smile with that much joy when unconscious?
It didn't get better when he woke up or arrived at camp either, especially as I shouldn't have been capable of leaving in the first place! I-I couldn't enter my tree or even restore it… what the hell had happened to me?!
I must talk to someone, someone who should recognize what's wrong with me… fine, I will stay at camp until I know, the other dryads should know something more than I do… I will merely have to stand his company until I can return to my tree once again. It could even be exciting to meet other dryads after so long!
I noticed that the kid seemed to tense up after we had walked past the tree, perhaps he discovered the state of the tree just now? It is quite unpleasant… They should really take care of it better, it would have been so gorgeous...
Anyways, better get somewhere to sleep as my nap was so rudely interrupted, but maybe I should allow him to get his sleeping bag first. 'Humans did need more sleep than nature spirits I've gathered or was it that they required more sun? I never could tell...'
'Hmm… Something's wrong here', I note, my "sisters" even seem on guard towards us both. I can grasp why they are against the boy but come on, against me as well? 'Ugh, people have become downright rude these last few centuries, haven't they?' It will all be over tomorrow, however, I'm certain of it.
Going off to find an appropriate clearing to sleep in after the boy was guided to one of the cabins, I soon drifted off. However, I couldn't shake off the feeling as if someone examined me...
-Shirou's pov-
-Hermes cabin, five in the morning-
After we arrived so late at night we were told to sleep until morning, something Ebony happily seemed to agree on as we parted. The night went by mostly without anything noteworthy, nothing except one particular sentence while I dreamt of a gorgeous field expanding endlessly with flowers.
"So… you come to me instead of the old man now, hm?"
And the next thing I know, my eyes stared up into the ceiling, a singular word on my lips: "Saber?" It had been her voice but the tone was completely different, none of her calm and composure in its joyful chime.
Shaking off both my confusion and the last of my sleepiness, I got up from my sleeping bag and stretched, looking around myself… only to find my cabin mates asleep, no signs of rising any time soon. It was however understandable, seeing as it was only 5 in the morning.
'I won't be able to sleep after that, might as well get up and start with my routine.' With that thought, I left the cabin, my spot on the floor marked by my sleeping bag.
"67… 68… 69… 70!" I mumbled to myself, finishing the last push up before getting up to head to the showers. I couldn't push my young body as far as my older one. Despite this, it seemed able to handle the strain better than it should, especially as this was only a warm-up for today's training.
Finishing a quick shower my thoughts drifted back to my dryad companion. I had noticed her trying to talk with a few dryads halfway through my workout, however, they seemed to avoid her for some reason. Maybe I should try and help her? No, if I do, she will only get upset and reject it.
Having lost myself in thought, I didn't notice myself finishing up and getting dressed nor did I notice walking into someone.
"I'm sorry, I was deep in thou-" the words were lost on me, my eyes stared into the lower half of a suit jacket. Gazing up and down from the jacket, I discovered a horse body on its lower end and a man's torso where the head should be.
"Oh no need to be sorry, didn't expect any campers besides the once on guard to be up at this time, what are you doing up so early?" The man answered, a kind smile on his lips.
"I was training, doing my daily morning routine, and what about you Mr?" I answered before asking my own question, recalling the phrase Kuzaki told us to use in these situations.
"No need to be formal with me, I'm Chiron, the teacher of heroes." The way he mentioned it was casual and practiced, something he had mentioned to many other people in similar situations like my own. "However, who are you? I haven't seen you at camp before."
"Shirou, Emiya Shirou," I said in response.
"Mr. Emiya, have you ever handled a bow?"
-A short while later, Archery Range-
Thump! It had been a while since we arrived at the camp. The other's suspicion seemed to be easing up after we had met the activities director, the trainer of heroes himself, Chiron.
Thump! He wasn't like I'd imagined him from the stories I read as a child, seeing as he was a middle-aged man with thinning chestnut hair and beard. Nothing about his appearance was like I imagined it except his lower half, a white stallion that looked exactly how the legends described it.
Thump! Ebony had left to talk to some dryads shortly after, leaving Chiron and me walking around camp, even if they didn't seem to appreciate her company much.
Thump! The unusual buildings, cabins Chiron informed me, all housed demigods with different parents. When I asked about it, he told me it had been decided after a few massive fights had broken out in the big house. I could imagine it if demigods shared the personalities of their mythological relatives.
Crack! This woke me up from my self-imposed trance and thoughts. I must have lost myself in the familiar motions of archery, enough so that I didn't realize where my aim was. The arrow I shot prior, split cleanly through… this is bad… Last time, I had to make a massive dinner before she forgave me.
"Mister Emiya, you said you did archery before, did you ever find it easier than other people did?" Chiron asked, his tone calm and somewhat curious… this wasn't what I expected.
"Um, I suppose you can say that," I said, not quite sure what he meant, but he merely smiled before looking over my shots. 'At least he isn't upset' I thought.
"I see, you don't seem to be employing traditional methods, at least not European once; is it perhaps Japanese archery?" The question might have been odd to most people but not for me, especially seeing as we had been here for some time now and recognized one thing instantly: both of us intimately knowing the way of the bow.
"Yeah, I suppose I resorted to using it out of habit even with a bow like this, even if it's not ideal," I answered. Collecting the arrows that still were usable, I once more tock my stance. Pulling back the bowstring, I became nothingness. Letting the arrow fly, I knew it had already hit before it left the bow. Thump!
-Ebony's pov-
-Around the camp, early morning-
Why… Why do they shy away? Is something wrong? Did something happen here? Is there something behind me or… No, no no no it can't be… can it? Is it me? W-what's going on? Could they... Could they think I'm some kind of enemy? That I'm not a fellow Dryad?
No… don't be silly, they must just be bewildered as to why I'm over here and not in my forest, we're like sisters after all… right? Well... I should merely try to approach one of them and try to talk. That's how people typically do this, right?
"Umm, how are you?" I ask uncertainly, hoping I just imagine that expression on her face, the expression of shocked apprehension... She didn't even have the decency to be subtle as she turned into a tree right before my eyes!
Those damn bastards! Stop rejecting me! And what if I look like a burnt piece of wood, shouldn't that cause you to want to soothe me instead of shunning me? Aren't we supposed to regard each other like family?!
Whatever, I will merely have to smile through it and figure it out myself. It is possible the girl in that tree would understand, with how sick she is; bet she is being helped by them just because she's "unique." I should go see how "special" she in fact is!
Taking a breath to soothe myself, the slowly growing tug on my lips started getting harder to keep down. 'Yeah… for all I know, maybe I should go "greet her" myself if only to get away from everyone.'
Doing a quick spin that caught the eyes of a few Satyrs, I looked around myself to observe the nymphs and dryads stay away... As far away as they could without breaching the "rules of hospitality." This... My blood started to boil before I even left the clearing, flaming rage flowing through me. Trying to calm down while wines and bushes started to sprout out with flowers, the burning sensation formed my thoughts. "Burn. They should all burn. Yes, make them suffer Ebony, let them feel your-'
"NO! Get out!" It wasn't until I said it I realized I had done so out loud... That voice again... I can't listen to it. I can't. Looking around myself a faint smile was forming on my face after seeing one of the Satyrs that followed me fallen over from shock. I might have to go soon but at least that sight would cause me a hearty laugh later.
'Doubt they would mind it, they don't want to stay around "infected" things anyway.' That thought suddenly erased my growing smile. 'Yeah, they definitely cherish me here, don't they? I'm merely allowed here because I assisted a noble to arrive, why the hell did I agree to stay in the first place? I should have gone back, not think about a boy in a fire…'
-Shirou's pov-
-Archery Field, a few hours later-
We fell into a comfortable silence after that as Chiron picked up his own bow and allowed his arrows to sing. Neither of us acknowledging the people that gradually gathered around us. The more arrows I let loose, the more I noticed myself employing a similar technique as Chiron's own. My body subconsciously adapting to a more straightforward style for this borrowed bow.
'Hmm, it doesn't feel unnatural at all… Well, he is the teacher of heroes so perhaps this is a testament to his skill as a teacher?'
When we ultimately allowed our bows and arrows to rest and turned to leave, we were confronted with a silently staring audience. Some people seemingly holding their breaths as to not disturb us. Most of them had a bow that uselessly hung in their grip, one of them frozen in the process of stringing his bow.
"Good morning?" I asked after what felt like an eternity. However, this innocent question/statement caused the gathered crowd to snap out of their silence and explode.
-A few minutes later-
After finally calming the mob of blondes called the Apollo cabin that assaulted me with questions and praise, Chiron took to what looks to be the armory.
"Usually when I take young heroes here, it's to equip them with a weapon. However, seeing as you already possess one in the form of your sword, I believe the only thing that's missing is a sheath for it. I am however intrigued how you came to possess such an excellent blade, especially made from iron." The way he said that last thing made me curious about what he alluded to but allowed it to drop in favor of answering.
"I made it myself from my teacher's design," I answered truthfully if excluding some details. "I don't know if I'll need a sheath, however, seeing as I could just make one on my own." To prove my point, I let Caliburn, and Avalon fade away into nothingness. I could call up a copy quickly enough if I had to.
"So you can already manipulate the mist that well? Or are you practicing magic?" Even if Chiron was surprised by my ability, he didn't seem overly so, perhaps other people also have the ability in this mythological world.
"I suppose you could call it that but I don't think I'm using this "mist", I solely use my own energy." As we continued to talk, I caught myself looking over all the beautifully crafted weapons, each detail painstakingly crafted to the limits of its maker's ability… Pulling myself back into reality, I saw Chiron carefully scrape his hoof while looking cautiously behind me.
"I see… I would say it's an extremely practical and rare power, to produce weapons with such power, perhaps… Regardless, I think you can handle yourself from now on if I'm not mistaken? I need to go and resolve whatever that thing might be…"
Without any time to respond, he galloped out of the building and towards whatever problem it might be. I turned to whatever caused him to be this abrupt in his departure, a worrying amount of vines start to form around the pine tree we saw earlier…
-Ebony's pov-
-Thalia's tree, a little while later-
When I finally arrived at the tree, a sigh escaped my lips, now what? Even if I was a bit annoyed still, it wasn't the trees fault, it had gone through just as much as I had I'd imagine…
Figuring I had nothing better to do, I let my gaze wander the pine… it was a beautiful tree, or at least it was supposed to be beautiful if it wasn't for its sickly appearance. It was almost a pity...
Shaking off that thought, I sat down beside the trunk to merely think abo-
… The monsters are coming, they have no way to escape, I have to protect them…
I shot up from the brief but intense thought that went through me. That hadn't been my own thought, I was certain of it… "What… the hell?" Turning to look at the tree, I suddenly distinguish something I hadn't done until now: three tattooed giants lumbering towards me! I won't let them hurt my frien-, the camp!
"Ugh, why do I have to resolve this?" I mutter to myself, roots growing up from the ground around me, none of them were from the tree but it would have to do. At least it would serve to alert the campers…
'I shouldn't even be thinking of fighting them, so why do I run at them? Why do I try putting them down? Why can't I just leave it to the nobles? It's their job, isn't it? So why… I had no more time to ponder like that. They had already noticed me and taken up boulders to throw. Making my vines lash out and catch the rock, I experienced a surge of confidence. 'Heh, I guess I have to demonstrate to them how this is done, right?'
Authors note:
To the three things that I saw the most
1: The Shirou I am using is from the Fate route, not the HF or UBW.
2: Because he is from the Fate route, he can/only know that he can use Caliburn and Avalon, however, he does have all the weapons he saw in the route(VN). It's sorta like having a multi-tool and only knowing about the knife and maybe one other but not getting it has other functions.
3: The name was mostly from my friend and she just played around with wood types, will make it just Ebony from now on
The two things from earlier still apply:
How can I improve/anything you want to critique the story for so far?
Who do you feel Shirou should end up with in the future?
With that, I will leave you all until next time, onto reviews!
nofirekiller123: Hope this clarified it to you, he is a demigod in this one
ENDDRAGON369: Yes he is, kinda liked that aspect of him honestly
Dragonmaster150: Thank you, could you point some out so I can fix them?
king carlos and Yolokai: I did try to write longer this time, did I succeed?
Bubbahfearsome: It is in the Sea of Monsters, hopefully, the chapter showed it that he didn't have that problem.
Im a guest: The relationships won't happen for a long time and this Fate version never was romantic with Artoria so yeah
Robynhood13: Well will be trying to keep the battles reasonable but remember it's the fate route plus he is de-aged
PanzerJ: He fell unconscious because he used Avalon to heal a big injury on another person, it takes a lot more to heal someone else with it than if you heal yourself. If he didn't do that he would be mostly fine really.
Pairing votes so far:
Artemis: 2(-2) Zoë: 4(-2)
Hestia: 2 Thalia: 1(-1)
Clarise: 1 Calypso: 1
Words: 3280
Finished and posted: 2020-02-08
Edited: 2020-02-23