Chapter 4
Disclaimer: I own nothing outside my ideas and madness.
I tried to update some of the old chapters a bit, will probably try to do this every now and then as I improve,
however, if you guys think that I should avoid that then please let me know.
Happy Valentines Day!
-Shirou's pov-
-Camp border, morning, three days after arrival-
"Don't get in my way, got it Short Stuff?" Came the voice of my current partner on this patrol, a girl called Clarisse, a daughter of Ares. She had been paired up with me for the past few days, which let me learn a few things about both her and this place. To be specific, I had grown familiar with the parameter around the border we were supposed to guard and defend.
She was a fighter, similar to Lancer in some ways, a similar kind of ferocity in them even if they stemmed from separate sources. She also reminded me of Shinji, seeing how she bullied people to get what she desired. However, in a fight, she changed. She became a commander, bellowing out orders while amid her troops, something I bore witness to in the defense against the giants.
It had been a few days since the attack, nobody getting majorly hurt despite the sudden attack. Ebony managed to keep the giants, that I later found out were called Laistrygonian Giants, a race of cannibalistic humanoids who ate innocent people and demigods. After I discovered that, I felt less remorse about turning them into golden dust with the other campers.
"We have done this before La Rue; it won't be any different, but can't you stop calling me 'Short Stuff'?" I could feel my eyebrow twitch in annoyance at her jab. My loss of height had been one of the few things I truly felt annoyed by with my age change...
"Pfff, maybe if you become taller than a girl as if that would ever happen." She teased, clearly enjoying my moment of frustration… I shouldn't allow her to irritate me through something as stupid as height. However, my de-aging seems to have brought back my younger selves' temper.
"Well, why don't we see who's better in a fight? Or are you scared?" I knew before I even said it that it was idiocy, she was the daughter of the war god and I had nothing to prove. However, some part of me disagreed, wanting to prove to her that I'm not some "Short Stuff" despite my physical height.
"Ohhhhh, you're screwed in our next sparring session after this, I'll make certain of it..." We then both fell into silence as I recalled how we ended up here in the first place.
-Flashback-
-Forest, the first day after arrival,
After the battle was over, Chiron took me aside.
"You did well in handling yourself out there Mr. Emiya, despite your lack of training?" It was as much a question as it was praise, asking me for details without prying.
"I grew up with a... Sister of sorts who trained kendo and later I met with a master who taught me for about two weeks." I answered him again, relaxing now when the battle was over.
Something hadn't felt right ever since I had come here and now I realized what it was. Despite my sudden de-aging, my mind was still using the same amount of prana as my teenage body could handle, something that had lead to my body constantly needing to heal whenever I used magecraft. Because of this, I would have to once more train until I could utilize this new amount.
"I see, must have been an interesting childhood and two giving weeks, however, that isn't why I asked you to come here." He said, waiting for me to ask any questions before he continued, clearly shoving his nature as a teacher.
"There is a certain girl here at camp who is among our strongest warriors, but she... has a tendency to not work well with others, however, I think you could perhaps be able to help her with that." The teacher said this as if asking me to participate in a group project with a talented delinquent.
"Why would you ask me?"
"Why? Your archery and from what I've seen from you, you learn a thing or two when you live a few millennia. I trust you with this Emiya, please don't let me have judged you poorly." Then, he trotted away to help the others, leaving me to my thoughts.
-Present-
And that was what happened, shortly after this the attack happened and the defenses tightened, leading me to be paired with the girl walking with me towards the arena.
Chiron was nowhere to be seen, most likely giving the last orders to campers to ensure everything was as it should be. It was only a matter of time before he was replaced with someone else.
"Scared, Small Stuff?" Clarisse taunted, but I managed to keep my mouth under control.
"Yes, can't you hear it in my voice?" My reply was monotone, leaving no need to speculate about what I felt, causing her to growl in annoyance.
"Whatever." It was the Sole thing she said when we entered the arena, it's stone structure towering above us as we walked to opposite sides of the arena.
"Ready?"
"Always Short Stuff"
Then, we clashed.
-Ebony's pov-
-Thalia's tree, three days after arrival-
After the incident, things changed. The older dryads still avoided me, but the younger once didn't… even if it wasn't what I fully wished for, I could take it.
Looking back at it, with a calmer mind, I realized how much I had overreacted: How would I react if a person suddenly came up while looking like nothing I've ever seen before? It didn't mean it hurt less; I could just understand them better.
After I helped on the hill, I finally meet Chiron, and Mr. D. Chiron didn't seem to be bothered much by my appearance while Mr. D… he almost seemed to be more annoyed than anything, whether it was from me or something else I couldn't tell. In any case, they let me stay close to the pine tree. They said it was clear I was able to both defend and alarm against attacks at the same time, something a part of me felt grateful to.
Nothing had happened since, leaving me to calm down and slowly grow used to the camp, not that I'm complaining. It seemed, at least for now, that this more relaxed approach helped. I had experienced fewer of my sudden "mood swings", as humans called it.
However, I did notice the reoccurring "dreams" I've been having whenever I closed my eyes: either a fire or a hoard of monsters running towards me, more of the latter than the former as of late…
-Shirou's pov-
-Arena, midday-
Our weapons clashed while our shield moved to defend against the other's blows. We then disengaged, moving around the other, searching for an opening in the opponent's defense.
She was good, having trained for years, in terms of pure experience she had me beat from the start. However, thanks to Saber's training I could more than react to her blows, more than thankful that my muscle memory didn't seem to disappear from the change and had adjusted to my new height better than before.
Clarisse, seemingly frustrated by our standstill, lunged at me with her sword as if it was a spear, forcing me to jump aside if I didn't want to be either run through or pummeled by her shield.
… This wasn't good…
If this kept going I would inevitably get hit, especially with how Clarisse sword could bend and strike from impossible angles, most likely a power granted to her from being the daughter of the war god. That wasn't to say she owed all her skill to her father, I can't quite tell but I knew from the look of her blade that she had fought for her position as head counselor of her cabin.
Taking a deep breath I discarded my shield, it would only slow me down for what I was planning. Clarisse, in an act I knew, would happen even if I didn't quite know how: rage and confusion.
"Why are you dropping your shield, too afraid to keep fighting? Going to just admit I'm better than you?" The way she said it made me suspect that she knew, that she understood that I had no such plans.
"I won't need it," I said, making her grit her teeth, probably having seen it as a jab against her skill and pride in a fight.
"Tch, don't act like you could beat me in the first place," she said, throwing her shield away while gripping her sword in both hands, disregarding the advantages she's losing in favor of keeping her pride.
Then, as if we had heard an unspoken order to engage, we charged at each other. The speed I've experienced Ebony seemed to return, making me go faster and faster, closing the distance almost instantly while striking down towards Clarisse's exposed shoulder. The borrowed blade I'm using was blunted long ago to serve as a training weapon.
However, the daughter of Ares wouldn't go down that easily. Jumping back, she managed to let my attack only hit her across her armored chest and send her backward, but not before delivering a thrust of her own against my chest.
… Neither of us had delivered a finishing blow, only temporarily stunning the other…
"Ugh…" I groaned, once more feeling my body protest against my previous actions, trying to force me to stay put. I didn't listen and pushed through the pain.
Before we could engage once more, however, shouts about the signal breaking us out of our fight as we crossed the distance to the exit. Clarisse ended up grabbing my shield and a spear after throwing her blade to me. We could settle this later. We needed to protect the camp.
A smile spread across my lips, the sight of campers fighting against monsters once more bringing me great amusement.
'Ohhh how exciting, seemed like one of them got caught and will be stabbed, wonder what will happen next? They do have poor technique however; those foolish monsters barely knew how to properly kill!
Opening my eyes and taking in my surroundings, I could only sigh. How I wished brother could see me now, his expression at seeing these corpses would be quite amusing…
-Shirou's pov-
-Half-blood hill, a few minutes after-
Stepping aside from a wide sweeping stroke, my blades cleaving the space the monster had occupied, leaving nothing but dust. Gazing around me, I could see that most if not all other monsters were disposed of. I let out a breath before moving to help untangle a few of the campers that were wrapped in weighted nets.
Cutting them lose I let myself relax a bit more, knowing that they were all safe. I used the blade sparingly when a particularly tight net was unable to easily be taken off any other way.
Halfway through the battle, I'd realized how the second sword didn't seem to flow as smoothly, leading me to utilize it in a more defensive manner rather than an offensive one. Regardless, it felt a bit unnatural not to utilize only one of the blades on its own.
Shaking away that thought, I helped the last caught camper to his feet, getting a grateful smile in return.
"Man, I thought I was done for, thanks for that," he said, an apologetic smile on his face as he scratched the back of his head. He was dressed in the same armor, and orange camp shirt most of us had together with black jeans. His hair was as brilliant as the sun, something that let me know he was a son of Apollo. I'd seen him with the other Apollo kids from my morning at the archery range.
"There's no need to thank me; we need to protect the camp," I said, my lips almost forming into a ghost to a smile at the thought of what I've been doing at camp. Here, my dream as a "Hero of Justice" was both closer and further than ever before. I could train and talk with people who shared similar ambitions as my own, however, it would be even harder.
How could a "Hero of Justice" be able to fulfill its role when so many more heroes were around? How could I be a "superhero" who protected everyone if other heroes put themselves in danger? To save one was to fail in saving another, but how would that apply to another hero? No… I can't think about things like that. I will merely have to be strong enough, strong enough to save everyone; even other heroes.
The son of Apollo's smile and joy only strengthening my resolve, for how could such a beautiful dream that brought joy to others ever be wrong?
-Clarisse's pov-
-Arena, midday-
I couldn't believe him. I had been training for years, he had just arrived here. I was his superior in skill and yet, he could defend against my assaults, even responding with his own. I should've been pissed at seeing a pipsqueak like him keep up with me, but I could, not fully at least. It was frustrating while I couldn't keep my lips from curling up.
I had defeated my siblings and most other half-bloods my age, only losing to Jackson because of his water powers, he wasn't anything compared to me without them!
Regardless, this Asian kid could somehow keep up with me, with a style of swordsmanship I've never seen before! It was, for lack of better word; exciting, even fun to an extent. I'd always loved a good battle. Feeling my body be pushed to the limits by someone else. A fight was to ultimately see who was the superior warrior.
I hadn't been able to experience that thrill against another camper for a long time, however. It was getting more and more frustrating each time people failed to push me. I expected him to be just the same… he surprised me. His style might not be perfect, but he had been taught by someone far beyond him in both skill and power, forcing him to adapt.
I guess it shouldn't have been a surprise then that I felt insulted when he threw away his shield, claiming he didn't need it. Ohhh my blood was starting to boil a little at that, my pride not letting me keep my shield as I followed his example.
… he was planning something. I need to avoid it…
That was what my instincts told me, but I still ignored them in favor of my pride.
My instincts were confirmed when he shot at me like a bullet, going faster and faster for each step. My instincts saved me, causing my body to jump away before the blow could connect; thrusting out a stab with my blade against his stomach.
His blow only managed to impact the breastplate but it still held enough force to make me fly backward, sliding on my feet to stop myself when I landed. My blow on him seemed to have stopped him in his track, his legs shaking slightly.
'That… wasn't right, he might have moved fast but that was no reason to be tired already, what's going on?'
My thoughts on this were however cut short orders were barked out in loud voices, another attack had started.
The last of the monsters had been eliminated rather quickly, the combined forces of all the cabins working together combined with my leadership making short work of them.
Looking out over the battlefield in search of any wounded, I was relieved that most if not all the tro- campers were alright; if still a bit beaten up. Shir- Short Stuff was cutting free a few other campers, his expression strangely determined.
"Wonder what he's thinking of…" I muttered, moving to help with the most badly hurt Half-bloods, there might not be a lot of them but they still needed to be looked over quickly.
-Ebony's pov-
-Thalia's tree, a week after arrival-
Attacks kept occurring, more Half-bloods having to be patched up, the tension constantly increasing. These past few weeks had gotten worse, fewer and fewer Half-bloods arriving at camp, it was almost painful to see so many satires return empty-handed.
However, it wasn't all misery: More and more of the campers started to talk and work together, despite how they traditionally didn't. It was refreshing to hear of a son of Ares confessing his crush to a daughter of Athena when he thought nobody was around. We dryads were amazing at gossiping, especially together if it involved romance!
"Hehe, guess some pleasant things came from this…" I said to myself, gazing up at the starlit sky. It was gorgeous, flawless and untarnished, a bitter laugh escaping my lips: Since when did I become so damn melodramatic?
Taking a deep breath my back pushed harder back into the pine tree. It's condition weakening no matter what I attempted, and even Satyr magic or Chiron couldn't achieve anything beyond slowing down the effects. I can't imagine what the spirit within the tree is experiencing...
Maybe… no, I shouldn't think like that. Whatever happened to me shouldn't be forced onto her; even if it might at least release her. I refuse to allow another dryad to discover the voice I had, it's not worth it… furthermore, even if it worked, it wouldn't save the barrier. It might even weaken it.
Regardless, I should try and fall asleep now that the dreams of that fire aren't bothering me anymore...
Reviews:
ultima-owner: Well hope the chapter explains it, otherwise please tell me what you meant and I will try to explain.
Dragonmaster150: I honestly forgot about that, hope this chapter managed to somewhat make up for it, next time I will be more careful with the scenes. I hope I managed to make Ebony less stiff in this chapter, will have to work on it more tho. I will make a final poll when I have decided don't worry, thank you for all your wonderful ideas!
Drago - X6627: I have only seen some of OuS and have only seen momya comics so I can't really say sadly, will have to look into it later.
Framework: I'm sorry for making it so confusing, tried to experiment with pov's and went overboard, hope this is better.
Kayen1024: Wow, this was a wonderful analysis and argument for this pairing, I can see how all your points really do apply especially with the parts about his family and him taking care of himself in order to make her happy, thank you for this wonderful argument. It was quite convincing honestly.
Tsukishiro Sayuki: I wasn't aware, then he has more growing to do then I thought.
RedBurningDragon: Yes he will be, he might pick up a few tricks from archer but this versions fighting ability will be a bit different as he has different circomstances.
AmethystPone: Yeah I know, dw he will keep to it for a while.
Deaths Remnant: I do remember that scene and trust me I won't forget his ability to do that.
PanzerJ: Well in the past the mana was handled by Saber if I'm not incorrect, so this time Shirou had to use his own mana; healing himself doesn't take that much while healing another takes much more.
Guest cha 4: It was? Well can try and implement it a bit more, thought it was a little shaky and just less clean than this one- could be wrong tho, of course.
Guest cha 1: Well some people bath and swim with trunks or swim shorts so that was why I clarified, especially as at least the people I know use swim and bath almost as the same words.
Guest cha 3: Tried to show the result of her being in a strange place where something she doesn't know or can control happened and then the people she wants to get help from becomes afraid of her cause they don't understand what she is kinda as this has never happened before. Might have gone overboard.
Pairing votes so far:
(Might be completely off with some as it's hard to count them all)
Artemis: 14(-2) Zoë: 11(-2)
Hestia: 10*(-1) Thalia: 4(-1)
Clarise: 3(-1) Calypso: 3
Athena: 1
Words: 3013
Finished: 2020-02-13
Posted: 2020-02-14