A/N: Two chapters in a row, what just happened? XD
Well, here's a treat for the long wait. Let me remind you again that I may or may not be able to update these chapters, especially now that I am now building up the climactic approach. This is Urobuchi Gen's story, and I would like to do this story justice in the way that I can portray.
I also noticed that Tamamo – no – Mae shares the same Seiyuu as Akemi Homura: Chiwa Saito. O.O
Does it mean that she is the Akemi Homura of Fate/Zero?
Just joking. :D
Disclaimers: I don't own anything, not even atomic bombs, characters, locations and the like. Credits go to Gen Urobuchi and the TYPE MOON Franchise for Fate/Zero and Hiroshi Shiibashi for Nurarihyon no Mago.
Chapter 19: Fate or Circumstance
Some may say that it is Fate that enabled these events to happen. Others may dismiss it as a remarkable coincidence. Some may even go out their way to prove that those events are all part of a greater plan being set up by someone. But what has really happened?
Let us look back at the events that happened forty – eight years ago. To the readers of this literature, we will leave it to your hands to decide if those events are turned by the gears of Fate or if those events happened by sheer coincidence.
The following events took place in 1946, almost one year after the devastation of World War II to Japan. They are slowly recovering from the ashes of the tragedy that is the dropping of one of the most dangerous weapons known to man.
February, 1946
Tochigi prefecture, Japan
It is a usual peaceful day along the plains of Nasu. Nothing much has changed, except that the once murky path is replaced by the dusty road. Nothing much in their country has happened except for that one event that shook Japan, and consequently, the world. One scientist dared to object to the potential apocalypse that his equation may bring, but the people who saw the potential power recognition that it may bring defied his request to never unleash it.
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It is to be forever remembered in the annals of Japan as the most horrific and the most tragic of events that happened in their country. Even though they may have not experienced it, they are lamenting for their fellow countrymen that have perished in those areas. Not only are they mourning for the soldiers fighting valiantly for their country, but also they are mourning for the lives of those innocent men, women and children that reside there. It is a tragedy meant to imprint upon the Americans on the potential destructive power of the device that they call the atomic bomb.
Even so, their beliefs on their gods and goddesses did not waver just because of that event. In fact, that event has strengthened their beliefs even more on that one thing that stood firm in its place even after the bombings have took place.
It is what the Japanese call the torii. Those red arches are what made the people still believe in their gods and goddesses. But sadly, the firmly rooted beliefs of the people for that religion are also the foreign merchants' strategy to lure people into buying their artifacts that they claim to be created by the gods and goddesses themselves. They will take every possible chance and opportunity to earn money.
"Come now, onmyouji and people from different parts of this country! Come one, come all to the stalls! Get your shikigami and talismans at very affordable prices!"
The hustle and bustle coming from merchants shook the peaceful atmosphere of the Tochigi prefecture. For the villagers whose numbers do not even reach one hundred in population, it is really a rare sight for them to see merchants coming from everywhere. They also sell shikigami, talismans and artifacts at what merchants can call "affordable prices".
One of those artifacts is what they call the Sesshouseki. They claim that those chipped stones have come from the goddess herself, preserved by a youkai before it turns into a spirit in order to get a personal familiar, at the cost of his life. An onmyouji preserved its powerful essence at the cost of his life too. Most of the stones, under the eyes of an onmyouji, can dismiss it as fakes. But one chipped stone stood out from the other stones that claim to be the legendary killing stone.
That chipped piece is soon passed on from generation to generation, sealed in an ornate black box laden with intricate shapes inlaid with gold until it has found its way to a certain foreign merchant that dug it from the very soil of Tochigi prefecture itself, after he went for a treasure hunt for the most coveted artifacts of the Japanese, silver and gold alike. He saw the box along with a letter splattered in centuries old blood. The letter stated that no one shall open the box, lest he shall unleash the wrath. He thought that it is only a ruse. But after witnessing how powerful the poison is from the moment that he opened the lid, he is now afraid of what will happen to him.
He then closed the lid and shivered in absolute fear for a few weeks, confused about whether to sell the murderous relic or not. The unknown merchant braced himself for his death, and marching on towards the central trading place of Tochigi prefecture, he now prepared himself for what will happen to him.
If he will be cursed, then he will indeed be cursed. For witnessing such an event, he deemed himself not worthy of even holding the accursed stone. As he still shivered ever slightly, an old man happened to grace upon his stall. He is holding what can be considered as an elegant staff adorned with a large jewel on top. His eyes have a glint of what they can call a malevolent being. He now opened up his mouth to speak, and he is surprised that the man knows Nihon – go too well, even though his gait and his appearance suggests that he is a foreigner to this land. The well – dressed man's Nihon – go can put his own Nihon – go to shame a thousand times over.
"May I know what items do you have here in your precious stall?" The old man asked, his small smile almost baring his well – hidden fangs. The merchant now answered in a stuttering manner.
"W – we have here… shi…shikigami for the onmyouji, talismans…to bring good fortune to the people who holds these, and…uh…these." He showed the old man the precious relics one by one, including the spoils that they have hoarded from the countries that they captured, namely Hong Kong and the Philippine Islands. Some of the items are what a relics expert can call "fakes".
"Hmm…" the old man is deep in his thoughts before pointing at the ornate black box adorned in gold. "I will take that one then."
As soon as saw what the old man is talking about, the merchant froze in his place for a few good minutes. The old man is now puzzled at what the merchant is thinking.
"Well?" The old man reiterated, to which the merchant is now shivering in his place. The man is now even more puzzled at the reaction of his seller. The merchant shook his head in embarrassment at what they saw in him just now, and he now handed him the black box. He then gave a warning to the old man.
"J – just take it away from me. You may keep the money." The merchant shivered. "B – but I am warning you. This relic is too dangerous. D – do not ever open it for too long unless it is necessary!"
"You have my word, lad." The old man winked without a sense of worry, to which it has infuriated the merchant to no end.
"D – do you not realize that what y – you are holding right now is a cursed relic?" The merchant exasperated, to which the old man replied in a manner that left the merchant puzzled.
"It is also perfect for summoning a hero." He replied vaguely as he walked away, leaving him with a small bag filled with jewels.
February, 1946
Kyoto, Japan
Footsteps are heard in the midst of the pitch – black night. The Nura – gumi is getting about to their business as usual, striking fear in the hearts of the people. Those who will witness the Night of the Parade of a Hundred Demons will inevitably face death in their immense fear.
Nurarihyon then passed through the dusty road and observed the places that they went to. He can't help it but compare Kyoto as of forty years ago and Kyoto as of this day. Karasu – Tengu did not fail to see Nurarihyon's nostalgic expression.
"Soudaisho, is there something wrong?" Karasu – Tengu asked as he walked together with Nurarihyon. The man now sighed as he replied.
"It's just that fewer people believe in us anymore." Nurarihyon replied as he drank his sake from a small saucer. "Ah, the works of modern life really have caught up to us. Maybe this is also the effect of the curse of Hagoromo Gitsune."
"Forgive me for the word, Soudaisho. That curse is utter nonsense." Karasu – Tengu exasperated. "If that curse is true, you would have died already. But look at you now. You're still up and as annoyi – I mean energetic as ever."
"That may be true, Karasu – Tengu. That may be true." Nurarihyon snickered as the slip of Karasu – Tengu's tongue has not slipped through his notice. "Good thing my son Nura Rihan learned the ropes of the trade fairly quickly. Must have got it from his mother."
"Soudaisho…" Karasu – Tengu replied somberly as the parade behind his back still marched on towards their house. Even though the beliefs of the people on youkai are now smashed by the advent of modernity, they are still thankful that there are some people who still fear them, for their fear helped them to strengthen their beliefs in the onmyouji, and consequently, to the gods and goddesses that they do not see.
As they are about to arrive in their house, an old man in ragged clothes stood in their way. The clan is about to attack him when Nurarihyon stopped them with a motion of his hand. The clan now relented.
"Old man, you are pretty brave to block our clan's path. Do you wish for death to come upon you right now?" He then unsheathed Nenekirimaru from the folds. He is about to fully unsheathe it when the old man spoke.
"Please care to listen to the final wish of this old man first." The old man wheezed as he spoke. He then produced a black box adorned in gold. Nurarihyon then placed the sword back in its sheath as he got closer to the old man. The old man now gave the box to Nurarihyon, who then opened the box slightly. As Nurarihyon examined it closely, he now froze in his place. Karasu - Tengu is now puzzled at the Soudaisho's expression. Finally, Nurarihyon's mouth now opened after he closed the lid once again.
"Whe…where did you get this?" Nurarihyon is as puzzled as Karasu – Tengu as of now.
"I see that you know of its value. Please keep it or give it away as you wish. " The old man vaguely replied. "But let me tell you, in the wrong hands, it will wreak havoc upon this land."
Nurarihyon stared sternly at the old man who just gave him that item. "I am a youkai. You must be mistaken to give it to me. How will you know that I will not use it for nefarious purposes?"
"You protect humans." The old man confidently replied as he wheezed once again. "Is that not enough proof?"
"I protect them because they are interesting to watch." Nurarihyon scathingly replied as he saw that the old man is now getting on his nerves, as if the old man knows something that he doesn't know about. The impulsiveness of his youth is clearly getting to him by the second. "Unless you speak to me clearly, I might as well banish you from my presence to let them know that insolence will get them nowhere."
"No need to be quick in drawing your blade, young man." The old man replied. "Tell you what, I will let you buy that as a consolation for your conscience. I will give you this along with the box. In time, you will understand why."
After much thought, Nurarihyon sighed. Karasu – Tengu is about to draw his blade when Nurarihyon said this:
"Name your price, old man." Nurarihyon spoke, to the shock of some and to the disbelief of others. They are now flabbergasted as an old man made their Soudaisho furious in one moment and lenient at the next moment.
"That will be ten thousand yen." The old man grinned with the brightness of a thousand suns. The youkai now shouted at their disbelief at the price that the old man dictated.
"It's too expensive for such a small item!" They now protested. "It is not even worthy of…"
"I'll take it." Nurarihyon blurted out to their surprise.
"Soudaisho!" They now shouted in surprise. "But…"
"There are no buts." Nurarihyon replied with steel in his voice. The other youkai have no choice but to respect the Soudaisho's words. The commander now handed him the exact amount that the old man demanded. "I will explain it to all of you later."
A lady adorned in a white kimono now stood beside Nurarihyon as he took the box and the parchment. She now stared at the box warily.
"This better be worth it, Soudaisho." The woman spoke in doubt at the box that Nurarihyon is now holding. "How can such a box like that determine the fate of humans? It does not even look the part."
"You will see, Setsura." Nurarihyon replied with his almost feral grin. "Just wait until we get to our home."
The woman now named Setsura almost blushed at the mention of her name. But what deepened her blush even further is at the word "our". However, Nurarihyon and Setsura have different meanings to the word "our". For Nurarihyon, he refers to his whole clan and to those who live in his household, namely Yohime and Nura Rihan. For Setsura, she thinks that he refers it to him and her.
"W – we better hurry now, as the breaking of dawn will now commence." Setsura almost stuttered. It is a good thing that she never said to hurry home with her.
If they only looked back at the old man one last time, they will see that he is now disappearing like a mist. He left the ragged clothes behind at his disappearance.
"Ah, puppets are not really my thing." An old man mused as he held his staff warily. "I should study more on that subject if I want to keep pretending."
"Well, no matter. Off to the parallel world I go." He said out loud as his gem lighted like a prism in the sunlight.
At the cool winds that accompany the warm sunlight, as they now held their meeting, Nurarihyon placed the box as the centrepiece in the table. Numerous youkai now stared at the box warily. Some may want to ask questions, but others held their mouth shut.
The first one to raise an opposing reaction is a man with one big eye named Hitotsume Nyudo.
"Soudaisho, would you please care to explain what is going on?" He grumbled. "How can that thing wreak havoc on the earth? And why will someone go to you even though he knows that you are a youkai?"
Nurarihyon closed his eyes and sighed. He then replied as he lit up his pipe.
"He knows that the item is more dangerous than me. I bought it because I became interested in it." He replied as he gave out a puff. "What you are seeing right now is a chipped stone of Sesshouseki."
As soon as they hear the word Sesshouseki, they now widened their eyes in horror and some of the weaker youkai attempted to get out by smashing the doors. But the doors are now tightly sealed, further fueling their fear of the box. But other youkai like Gyuuki maintained their composure even after seeing it. Sure, he is a human, but his years of slaying youkai have made himself a youkai too.
Hitotsume is now enraged at the Soudaisho's actions.
"No amount of money can compensate for buying this item!" Hitotsume glaringly accused as he pointed to the box. "Even though it may cost a billion yen, or a horde of gold, the real cost of buying this is our lives! You have doomed us all, Soudaisho!"
The air surrounding them has now dropped to freezing levels as one youkai decided that she cannot take the chaos anymore. The youkai are now silenced to see Setsura still maintaining her calm composure with her eyes closed, but the air that surrounds them suggest otherwise.
"Don't you care that he took the burden of carrying this for life?" Setsura sternly spoke as other youkai felt embarrassed at the realization that their commander not only cared for the humans, but he cared for the welfare of the whole youkai clan.
"He and his descendants are already carrying the curse invoked by Hagoromo – Gitsune as a result of caring for a human." She sternly spoke, as tears threaten to fall from her eyes. "He now took upon himself the task of keeping this accursed artifact, fearing that it may really fall in the wrong hands!"
She is now crying as Nurarihyon now patted her head. Setsura then looked up to her Soudaisho.
"Not to worry, it will not be in our place for too long." Nurarihyon grinned to the ire of Hitotsume. He is about to speak when Nurarihyon spoke first.
"I read the parchment earlier, and it says on the back of the parchment: 'Fulfill your wish, for the Fourth Holy Grail War is near'." Nurarihyon spoke. "It seems to me that this is an invitation for battle. There is even some sort of a ritual to be conducted. But as it is a proper battle, I can deduce that there must be rules here."
It is now Setsura's turn to widen her eyes in surprise. "But, Soudaisho, why would the old man invite us to a war in the first place? You know that our wars put the fate of the humans' lives on the line, and this war will be no better. Also, I never heard of the words 'Holy Grail War', much less the 'Holy Grail'. What is that, Soudaisho?"
"Ah, so that explains the diminishing fear of the people from us." Nurarihyon mused as Setsura is puzzled even more. To be cleared of the confusion, Karasu – Tengu took it upon himself to ask this question to Nurarihyon.
"Would you care to explain to us what you mean, Soudaisho?" Karasu – Tengu asked. "It seems that you know of the so – called 'Holy Grail War'."
Nurarihyon chuckled at the prospect of explaining things himself. He is after all not as idle as anyone sees he is.
"Truth to be told, Karasu – Tengu, I never realized that those wars really took place in our country up until now, since we are so absorbed in our own wars. Before I explain this to you, do you see the churches that they build now?" Nurarihyon replied as he saw some of his youkai's puzzled faces, while others look like they know what those are.
"Now that you have mentioned it, Soudaisho…" a little youkai with its head shaped like a natto observed. "I saw some people attending those houses on Sunday, listening to the priest's sermons. But why have you mentioned the church, Soudaisho?"
"Well, that explains our weakening energies. People choose to believe in one thing or not believe at all. Some believed in us, while others believed in their religion." Nurarihyon deduced. "Going back to my explanation, one thing caught my attention as I graced the book stalls."
The youkai then listened intently to the commander as he told the story of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail.
Now that the tale is finished, all that is left for Nurarihyon is to discover its connection with the Holy Grail War. As he dismissed the clan of the meeting, he is now left to his own thoughts. His deduction leads him, to his surprise, to the onmyouji. He never saw Hidemoto in years after the defeat of Hagoromo Gitsune. It is high time that he decided to visit Hidemoto's roots.
He now knocked gently on the door. A stern onmyouji now appeared in front of him.
"Please state your name and your business." The onmyouji instructed Nurarihyon warily.
"I am a friend of Hidemoto." Nurarihyon replied. "Is he still here?"
"Wait a minute, who are you talking about?" The onmyouji asked suspiciously
"Keikain Hidemoto." Nurarihyon replied. "The 13th Heir of the Keikain clan."
"Ah, a friend of Hidemoto – san." The onmyouji now softened his expressions. "I regret to tell you that he passed away a long time ago."
"Ah, I see." He replied almost depressingly. "I'm really sorry for your family's loss. If there's anything I can do, please do not hesitate to call upon me."
"We accept your offer." The onmyouji spoke. "What is your name by the way?"
"It's Nura." He replied with a genuine smile on his face as he bowed. "I will take my leave then, and once again, I give my condolences on your family's loss."
He is about to leave when he heard rushing footsteps.
"Did someone say Nura?" A man in his late teens rushed towards the gate. He then saw the man in all his full detail. The teen's eyes gleamed with excitement at the prospect of seeing one of the most powerful youkai to have ever existed.
"The great onmyouji has told us of all of your feats!" The teen exhilarated without ever catching his breath. "You are really amazing back there, defeating the ominous Hagoromo Gitsune! I am really glad to have met someone like you, Soudaisho!"
"Boy, you can call me Nurarihyon." He replied as he is afraid that the boy might really pass out if he never catches his breath. "What is your name, by the way? And make sure to catch your own breath. The onmyouji still need you."
The teen breathed in deep before he answered. "My name is Keikain Hidemoto, the 27th Heir of the Keikain clan."
"Ah, I see. Well, I am glad to have met someone like you with Hidemoto's name to boot." Nurarihyon genuinely smiled. But then a thought went to his head. Maybe the Keikain know of the Grail Wars happening in Japan, or worse, they actually know what Grail Wars are. An Heir to the Onmyoujutsu clan will suffice his knowledge of the things that the youkai did not know that are happening in Japan.
"Oh, before I forget, let me ask you something first before I leave, boy." Nurarihyon spoke as he took advantage of the excitement of the boy seeing him.
"Anything, Nurarihyon – sama!" The boy replied in his excitement, but after saying it, becomes embarrassed at what he said.
"Do you know anything about the so – called Holy Grail War?" Nurarihyon asked. As the boy is about to speak, the onmyouji that interrogated Nurarihyon earlier came to his aide.
"Let me take care of this, since this topic is not really your specialty." The onmyouji insisted, to which the young man frowned at the prospect of a failed chance to speak with the Supreme Commander. But the boy smiled as he is about to leave.
"I have a feeling that we will meet again. I will take my leave now." The boy bowed down before he ran to the shrine. The onmyouji now spoke to Nurarihyon.
"The boy does not know how to keep secrets yet." The onmyouji replied awkwardly. "Pardon me, but we are being sworn to secrecy by someone who knows this place like the back of his hand." He then placed floating talismans everywhere, creating a grand thaumaturgical circle. Nurarihyon prepared himself to be killed by the onmyouji's hand, but to his surprise, he has built a layered barrier around the area. He then clapped once to activate the said barrier, keeping birds that fly and animals that scurry towards their place.
"Familiars?" Nurarihyon is amazed that the onmyouji knows about them. The onmyouji then spoke cautiously in a low volume of his voice.
"But we will tell you one thing. We are not allowed to interrupt with the ritual happening here in our country, even though it will cost lives. We tried to stop them, but anyone who dares to stop them dies by the hands of that priest."
"Ah, so even the church have secrets after all." Nurarihyon replied. "I think I understand the gist of it. I humbly thank you for telling me this."
"Anything for a friend of Hidemoto – san." The onmyouji replied as he clapped his hands once again to deactivate the barrier, destroying the talismans and killing the familiars along with it from the sheer blast that the deactivation of the barrier caused.
"I will take my leave now." He bowed down before he walked away. The onmyouji now sighed as he thought this.
We will now leave this issue to your hands, Nurarihyon, lord of Pandemonium. We sincerely hope that the trust that our ancestor gave you will not be laid to waste.
As he took his last breath, he now felt that his body is being distorted. His arms and shoulders dislocate at impossible places. He can only scream as loud as he can, but then his screams cannot be heard. It is as if he is enclosed in a different dimension.
Wh – what…is this? Have I…been heard?
Before he can even cry out for help, his neck now snapped. The crimson liquid is now staining the dusty path. The magus is about to enter the shrine, when the shrine decided to repel him by letting his blood make a sudden backflow to his heart, overloading the blood pumping to his brain. He now deduced that the Thaumaturgy placed on this shrine is too strong for him, therefore he needs someone with Mystic Eyes of Death Perception to do the job.
He then left that place and dissipated in a black hole that defied the fabric of reality.
A/N: Well, I think that's the end of my own version of flashback. For the readers of this fic, I have left another TYPE MOON character here. More specifically two characters.
It's up to you to guess who they are. Clue: Fate/Stay Night and Kara no Kyoukai XD
Also, if you noticed, I have placed the exact month there. I got the clue from the Prologue episode of Fate/Stay Night by ufotable. I guess this is what Nasu meant by new content. I can explain it to you in a private message if you wish to know when the Fourth and Fifth Grail War actually took place, and consequently, almost all of the undated events in the Nasuverse. :D
Another Nasuverse cookie for whoever gets the easter eggs in this fanfic!
Reviews are appreciated. No flames please. XD