He blinked his eyes open.
Shirou couldn't get used to the white ceiling above him no matter how hard he tried. It's not that he disliked it, but spending ten years of your life waking up to a wooden ceiling and sleeping on a futon instead of a bed is an odd development.
He let out a sigh. If someone told him they could travel between worlds, he would immediately dismiss them as insane. Even with his little knowledge of the magical world, he couldn't fathom the concept of traveling between worlds.
Still, after he was accidentally drawn into a magus war between a wish-granting artifact and familiars drawn from legends from different time and space. The concept of multiple worlds seems to become clearer.
And now that he is living in another world, he is unable to refute it. Shirou recalls vividly how he was transported to this world.
"Doesn't it realize that a fellow servant cannot be used to its core?! "
After the fateful battle between Gilgamesh and Shirou inside his reality marble, Unlimited Blade Works. The hole left by the holy grail suddenly opens up, engulfing Gilgamesh's body. Before the grail had properly engorged his body. Shirou is hit by one of Gilgamesh's chains.
"You're bringing me along," Shirou spat.
"Fool!" exclaimed Gilgamesh. "I have no intention of dying!" Despite the fact that almost his entire body is hidden from view, Gilgamesh doesn't want to accept his fate. He clenches his teeth and his red eyes become far more fierce than before. He had to survive. "Stay there, ruffian," Gilgamesh said, "at least until I climb back where you are."
Every time he pulled back on the chains, they tightened their grip in his hands.
"As if," he roared, "I'll rip my arm off to get rid of you."
His body was battered, blood covered his body from his feet, and the fatigue of fighting the king of heroes was slowly catching up with him. Shirou could also feel the pull of the holy grail growing stronger.
The air between them cools. The hole left by the grail expands in an instant. Due to the fact that he and Gilgamesh are fighting for their lives in a tug of war. They were completely unaware of their surroundings. Even the light of dawn seemed to vanish inside the hole as the remnants of Ryuudou Temple were sucked in.
Shirou tightened his grip, confident that he could make it. He had no choice but to survive this.
His world begins to slow down in a split second.
No, he was certain that he had not lost his grip, nor had Gilgamesh managed to pull him. So why is he being dragged closer to the hole? When he turns his head downward, the ground beneath him has vanished. The simple movement of the earth beneath his feet caused him to lose leg strength. Then, all of a sudden, everything turns white.
The next moment he knew, he was already sleeping in this room.
Shirou sighed again, "There is no point in thinking these anymore." No, he is not giving up hope. Even if he wanted to return, he didn't know how or have the means to do so. He is, at best, a third-rate magus who knows no more than three magecraft spells.
When it came to magecraft, he was grateful that he could still practice it in this new world. Emiya Shirou's bread and butter are those three crappy spells. In his case, his Reinforcement, Structural Analysis, and Projection, or Tracing. Other magi may regard those spells as useless, at best serving as reinforcement as the most functional, but when combined with his Unlimited Blade Works, they can be lethal. No magus, as far as he knows, can conjure a noble phantasm, the very crystallization of legends, with a single aria.
The only issue is that his body is still unable to handle the dense mana in the atmosphere. Unlike in his world, mana in this world can only be compared to the ocean and a lake. It was like processing a precious material with an old machine that could still work but wasn't very efficient. However, the only silver lining is that he believes he will be able to project noble phantasm in two to three weeks at most. If he can train his body to use reinforcement and projection.
Shirou left his room after a light exercise and small practice to adapt his body to mage craft. Even one week after being transported, he is still surprised by many things. One of those surprises is this.
"AHHHH!"
Upon opening the door to the bathroom. What welcomes him is a figure of a woman just getting out of the bath. Although, the steam covers much of her body only revealing her silhouette. Shirou managed to catch the scene before him. The tiny droplets of water slowly dripped over her shoulder down to her body, her silver hair that spread out in her elegant back, and her normally pale complexion that now is between reddish pink.
His face starts to feel hot. Shirou never felt this hot back in his former world. Maybe this is a side effect from traveling between worlds. 'That's right' he reasoned to himself. Trying to evade the obvious fact in front of him on why he is so flustered.
Time appears to stand still. Amber and Crimson eyes exchange glances. The lady in the bathroom became aware of his presence. He took a backward step. Shirou wishes to flee, to avoid what is about to happen. Nonetheless, he's like a deer caught in the headlights. There are two possibilities here. The lady will either calm down and ask why Shirou is there, or she will act on impulse and punish him. Shirou really hopes that the first choice will be chosen but knowing his E-rank luck he ought not to be hopeful anymore.
A kick hit his temple with a perfect arc, planting his face in concrete. The sheer force will put the berserker to shame. Trully, women are very dangerous.
"PERVERT!!!"
'Damn, E-rank luck!'
He rubs his head. Shirou is surprised that he was still alive but comparing it to being gutted by a servant, a berserker nonetheless he should not be surprised anymore.
But right now, even if he was not in the bathroom anymore. The lady is still scowling at him while giving him food.
Her name is Sella. One of the twin maids employed by the Emiya family. She had a strict personality and would always scold him for not being a better role model for Illya. Meanwhile, her twin, Leysritt, or Leys as she is known, is carefree and wears a more casual outfit than Sella, who always wears an apron.
The twin maids bear an uncanny resemblance to the household matriarch and his alleged sister. He wouldn't be surprised if they revealed that they are distant relatives. But, now that I think about it, do they really need to reveal it?
Speaking of which, Shirou was unable to prepare breakfast due to a sudden kick to the temple. His avalon is the kitchen, and not being able to cook felt like something had been taken away from him. He let out a sigh. With all of this stress, he really wants to cook and vent out. He let Sella cook even though he didn't want to as an apology for peeking at her. It was an accident.
"Is it another bathroom accident, onii-chan?" The girl beside her asks.
"Yes, Illya. It's another bathroom accident"
The girl next to him is Illyasviel von Einzbern, or Illya, as she prefers to be addressed. She was the master of Berserker in his previous world, and she ordered him to be killed on sight. Shirou didn't know her at the time, but she said her father's name is Kiritsugu and that he stole him from her. At that time, he had no idea what she was saying. He even wants to ask her when Tohsaka and him were supposed to form a temporary alliance between the three of them.
But
They arrived too late. Gilgamesh was the first to reach her. Berserker attempted to fight, but even with God's hand, he was defeated. It couldn't compete with Gilgamesh's vault of noble phantasm. Before leaving the mansion, he cut her eyes and gouged Illya's heart.
Shirou tried to help, but Tohsaka stopped him. She pinned him down, her hands on his mouth, trying to stop any sound he could make. She is well aware of Gilgamesh's danger and power. Even from a distance, she can sense the oppressive aura he exudes. There is no way that a human can fight a servant.
Shirou look at ilya. If what she said is true back then she is certainly the child of Kiritsugu.
"What is it, Onii-chan?" she asked, her head slightly tilted to the side.
"I hope that Sella would not be mad anymore" He replied, trying to change the subject.
Shirou may not change the past anymore, but he will make sure that he can protect Illya this time. How can he try to be a hero of justice if he can protect a single life?
Shirou could still remember it, that night where both him and his father were sitting in the veranda below the night sky watching the stars. The night where his father told him about his dreams and ideals. And how he realized it's too late and how it's futile to achieve it. But without hesitation the child Shirou said that he will become the Hero of Justice for him. At that moment, his father smiled at him and thanked him from the very bottom of his heart before dying.
However, in this new world that same man is absentmindedly sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper. He was right there, the same man who saved him in the hellish fire that took a part of the Fuyuki, the man who made Shirou wish to have the same smile. Kiritsugu Emiya.
He was not the same hollowed person that would only smile whenever his gaze turned on Shirou. He was happy here. If Shirou would say what made his father happy, he would instantly answer that it was because of his family. He had a wife named Irisviel von Einzbern, a woman with silver hair and red eyes similar to the twin maids and her daughter. A woman who seemingly came out of a fairytale. The nearest words that can describe her is a snow fairy, with her doll-like complexion and silky hair no one can say that she is not beautiful. Ever since he was transported here Shirou still doesn't know how his father managed to have a beautiful wife like her. Just another mystery that Shirou will solve in the future.
"I will go to school now" he said, after taking a last bite from his food.
"Wait for me onii-chan" Ilya said, swiftly gulping the remaining piece of her food.
"Why are you in such a hurry, Illya-sama?" Sella inquired. "Shirou-sama being early is normal, but for you to go early, is there something wrong?" Her tone is worried, but it cannot be said when she says his name. It was venomous, as if 'Shirou' were a curse. It didn't take a genius to make it appear that she was still upset with him. He could only smile wryly at the scene before him.
"That is because she wants to spend more 'alone time' with her onii-chan" the otherwise normally stoic Leysritt suddenly says, surprising Shirou.
"Th- that was not true" Illya argued but her face was as red as tomato. Her mouth can't stop opening and closing. She tried to talk but no words seemed to come out of his mouth. The only sound that can be heard are her whimpers. Shirou wryly looks at her, She must be embarrassed. Cannot endure the embarrassment anymore, Illya runs through the door.
"Let's go to school now Onii-chan!"
"Goodbye, Dad, Iri" Kiritsugu nodded at him, while Iri vibrantly waved her hands.
Shirou stood up. Sella approaches him with his bag in her hands. Still there was a scowl on her eyes.
Just how much she was angry at me.
The bathroom incident, as they dubbed it, is a fairly common occurrence between the two of them, but this is the first time Sella has become enraged at him. He sweatdropped; back in his world, Taiga was the only woman he had much interaction with (he refuses to call her woman). When she was angry at him, all he had to do was feed her and her anger would go away. But Sella is not like her, and Shirou has no idea how he can persuade her to forgive him. Maybe a compliment will help?
"Thank you, Sella"
"Please be an upstanding member of the society and not pervert, Shirou-sama" Yep, the venom is still there.
Just before his figure completely vanished out of sight he stopped in the middle of the doorway. Shirou looks back at Sella.
"I think you look beautiful today, Sella"
'I think that was a nice compliment. Now it's time to go to School'. He nodded to himself. Completely content with what he did.
Unbeknownst to him, he just dropped major bomb in the remaining people in the room.
"Bea- beautiful" he called me beautiful.
Her heartbeat quickens. Her cheeks are dyed crimson, her mouth closed and open, unsure of what to do. The unexpected compliment caused her to short-circuit, rendering her unable to act. Leysritt, the stoic, was no better, her mouth is wide open. Normally, she would just ignore these things, but she senses something is off about her sister's reaction. Irisviel is the worst of it. Her eyes are full of stars, and she has a mischievous smile on her face.
"Shirou, marry Sella. I want four, no five grandchildren" Shirou was not there anymore but still she shouted. Even if he can't hear it, she is sure that her message will go through the other party, especially Sella.
"La- lady Irisviel '' Instead of answering Irisviel just put an all-knowing smirk at her.
Meanwhile, Kiritsugu took another sip of his coffee. His face has the smallest smile.
It was a typical day at Kuoh Academy, a formerly all-girls school that had recently become co-ed. Students are walking down the hallways, some of whom are attempting to avoid sleeping in their last class and being reprimanded, or else they will have to spend another hour at school. For the students who are part of clubs, they use this time to for a after-class practice.
"Kyahh!!! Pervert" multiple shrieks of woman echoed through the hallways.
Said clubs are also having issues, particularly the Kendo club. The infamous 'Perverted Trio' is to blame for this problem. A group of three students made up of the Kouh academy's three most perverted students.
In the eyes of the girls, they became a public enemy. Because, Shirou spends some of his time fixing things around the school, and after hearing the rumors by accident, it won't be long before he learns who the perpetrators are.
Issei Hyuudo, the first student who composed the perverted trio. Second, Motohana or what they dubbed him 'Three-sizes counter' from Shirou heard he can calculate the female body measurement just by looking at them. Shirou shivered at that, it's like how he structurally grasped the sword but for perverted reasons. He is also the most calm and composed of the said trio. Finally, Matsuda nicknamed 'perverted baldy' and 'Sexual Harassment Papparazzi'. A troublesome student who had no shame in bringing out pornographic material in the open.
"Get them!!!"
"Don't let them escape!!!"
Shirou peeks down from the window of Student council room and watch how the girls of Kendo club mercilessly beat down the trio. Slash after slash, they're face was riddled with wounds and bruised, but even so they seemed to be happy?. Of course, Shirou wants to help people but he can't help people when they themselves have the problem. He took a sigh. They're lucky, if Taiga is here they'll wish they'd never been born
"I'm meaning to ask why they don't get expelled" He looked at the person in the center of the room.
"Because, as you can see the girls they peeked brought the 'justice' by their hands. And also Rias sees something on Hyoudou Issei until she finds it. She will let him move around"
Sona Shitori, the student council president of Kuoh academy. She has violet eyes and eyeglasses while her hair was cut into bob-cut. According to the rumors she is the third most beautiful girl in the academy. From what Shirou got in interacting with her. She is someone who is a strict and intelligent person.
Shirou could only chuckle to himself. He was once again in a student council room and talking to a student president. It was as if nothing happened. But he knows himself that this place is not his world. There were no Homuhura, no Rin, Sakura, nor Taiga. He was all alone in this new world.
"Speaking of, thank you for fixing the heater again"
"It's ok, but what I did is just remedy the wire. You really need to buy a new one or else the Student Council room will be left without any heater"
She took a defeated sigh "I know, but all the budget had been already allocated to all clubs and the Student Council could only have much," She lined up the stack of paper before her, and put them under the drawer of her table. "So, what kind of compensation do you want?" she asked.
"I don't need anything, besides I help because I want to there was no need to give anything"
"You are too kind for your own good. People will take advantage of you. Learn to say no when you really don't want to help."
There is something very wrong with Shirou. After Sona accidentally scolds him for dying his hair red and subsequently gets embarrassed after learning that it was natural. Boy, she was sure that he let out a smirk on her embarrassment. Sona took it herself to observe him, to satisfy her curiosity and of course not to learn about his weakness and use it against him.
From what she observed he's always been helpful but from this past week Shirou has been adamant of helping others. It's not like weird but something seemed to happened to Shirou. Due to his reputation of helping others, he got the moniker of 'Fake Janitor'. What kind of students would put a title like that on their fellow Schoolmates? She wants to stop them from calling him like that, but the title has already grown beyond comparison and besides Shirou seems not to care about it.
From the outside perspective, helping others without a need is a very respectable trait that everyone can admire but Sona is very sure that is not the end of it. There must be something that motivates him to do that.
The very next time that she managed to see him is when Shirou just unceremoniously appears one day in the Student Council Room and asks if there is anything he can help with. lly the girl's squeal, delight much to her chagrin.
Shirou then unexpectedly appears in the Student Council Room one day and asks if there is anything he can assist with. Yes, Shirou has a quiet reputation for assisting clubs and anyone in need. But the fact that he had arrived and asked that question perplexed her. She could only raise an eyebrow at that point. Meanwhile, much to her chagrin, the other members of the council, particularly the girls, squeal in delight.
She won't admit it that day, but they had a large number of reports that needed to be completed, and she doesn't want Shirou to be roped into doing it for them. Though she does not want to accept his assistance because he is not a member of the student council, Sona reluctantly accepts it due to his tenacity. Not only does he assist in student council duties that he is not supposed to. Shirou also fixes and maintains them on a regular basis. She deduced that it had to be the real reason Shirou had arrived that day.
Since that day Shirou's presence became common in the Student Council room. Even if they don't want to admit it, Shirou's constant assistance has lightened their load significantly. Sona was also able to solve some of Shirou's character mysteries as a result of this. Shirou, in her words, is someone who helps others as if it were his entire existence. Sona wished it was all in her head, but based on what she saw in Shirou, she was inclined to believe her theory. As a friend(she hopes that Shirou considers her as a friend) and Student Council president, she is responsible for guiding her classmates, which includes Shirou. If he truly dedicates his life to helping others. He will eventually self-destruct.
"I've been told so, but it's never wrong to help others." he said "by the way here is the book you lended to me." Shirou took a book out of his pocket and slid it down at the table.
Apart from of course cooking Shirou could say that reading is something that he can enjoy so it was truly a surprise when Sona suddenly recommend him a book. Unbeknownst to him, it was one of the Sona's plans to make sure that Shirou won't spend his time just taking requests from other people and fixing appliances. She couldn't stop him from helping but it does not mean that she cannot make Shirou pre-occupied at other activities. It really does not help too that he is not in any club even though it's mandatory.
She took the book at the table and smirked at him. It was the perfect moment to have very small revenge on him. A simple revenge that won't affect his being but that does not mean that he will not suffer from it.
"You know the character you really like will-"
Just before she finished Shirou interrupted her "Shitori-san, please no spoiler" he said "I will be going then, see you tomorrow."
Because she didn't manage to spoil him on what he is reading does that not mean she wont stop.
Just before he reached the knob of the door, he felt a sudden chill on his spine. He knows that if he turns his head, he will be trapped. But he can't seem to stop himself. Shirou slowly returned his gaze. Of course, Sona was present, but dark clouds obscure her face while she smiles sinisterly. He shivered at that, because it was the same smile Rin has when she's pissed, and no one wants to piss Rin.
"Emiya, Want to play chess?" she asked with a smile.
He can see it, Sona would not take no for an answer. Even without taking his reply Sona is already setting up the board. Just seeing her action, refusing her would be very hard. If he refuses her invitation Shirou doesn't know what her reaction will be. With her power as student council president she can almost practically do anything but he doubts that she will abuse her power however it's better to just follow her.
"Choose your side, white or black"
"I'll take white"
Being Japanese Shirou only knows the basics of the basics of chess and that's only thanks to Issei. This is due to the fact that he occasionally invites him to play inside the student council room when he is not fixing anything but even so Issei pretty much prefers playing checkers. He gulped, Sona was very intelligent there was denying it and if she can translate it to chess his future against this battle is very grim.
"checkmate" Even without a minute Sona managed to defeat him.
Utter destruction and loss. Shirou didn't have the chance to counterattack her moves. For every step that he takes Sona will be three steps ahead of him. Without mercy she obliterated all of his pieces before taking the King. If Shirou didn't know it he would think that Sona is playing him for revenge. It's not like she would do that right?
"I guess I lose"
"Another"
"Hmmm, what," did I heard that wrong
"Another round"
"But you've already won"
"Kaichou's order, play another round with me"
"I'm not even part of the student council," he argued.
Sona raised her eyebrows. Once again she won't even budge a single inch. Whatever Shirou said it will just register as chatter to her unless he accepts another round.
"Fine, another round."
After having nine rounds of chess against Sona he finally ended up victorious. It was just a margin but he finally succeeded. He will not do this again; those ten rounds will be one of the exhausting things that will happen to him. Shirou would instead choose to fight a berserker with just Kanshou and Bakuya than to have a battle of chess against Sona.
"That was surprising," he said in shock.
"You really got lucky this time, Emiya. If I didn't take your bishop I would instead won"
"Yeah, I know," he rubbed the back of his head, clearly embarrassed by the critique.
"But that's only the plan that would work at the time"
"I guess it really is" She looked at the board once again, trying to understand the moves Shirou used.
From the horizon, the sun was slowly setting down, in process tainting the once blue sky into a hue of glazed red and orange. Stars are also more visible together with the moon while the clouds are getting thinner. The students who stayed for their clubs are already going home. Similar from the outside, the inside of the student council room was tainted by the color of the setting sun. For those two who remain, the change of scenery reminded them of the time.
"It's already going late, I'm going home"
"Yes, sorry taking your time, Emiya-san. I got too engrossed in our game."
"It's okay even if I'm on the losing side, I got to enjoy it. See you tomorrow, Shitori-san"
"See you tomorrow, Emiya-san."
It's already night, when he managed to get out of school. The streetlights acting as the only guide in the cold night. In the lonely street, only his footsteps can be heard. Though, it's not really not that late at night only a handful of people pass through the road. Shirou purposely chose this side of the road in order to think. His body is still not used to the world, new people that are very different from his school, and the glaring fact that he doesn't know if there is a chance that he can go back.
The only reason he is able to keep up the charade of sudden change of his life with the other people around him is because the memories of 'Emiya Shirou' of this world managed to merge with him. There was no distinction between personality or mannerism; they became part of him as if it was natural. He was thankful that there was no major difference between the two of them unlike some cynical archer bastard.
His thoughts suddenly halted, when he smelled something wrong.
One of his abilities is to smell magic. The first time Rin learned that he can do that, she had a face of someone who just heard something very unbelievable. It was normal for magus to detect the magic around them using senses but to 'smell' magic, it was a very ridiculous idea. The first time that he used this ability was when they needed to source a bounded field around their school.
And right now, Shirou is smelling something sinister.
Shirou jumped over the railings and walked towards the forest next to it. Unlike the streets that he was used to walking to, the only guiding light he has is the light of the moon coming from the above. From what he learned in the grail war, an attack can happen when you never expect it. He moves his body down, his feet slowly trailing the ground trying to hide his presence. Even though Shirou wanted to trace his swords, he was not sure if his body would be able to endure the toll. Especially in this time where the enemy could come out of anywhere.
He winced. The smell is getting stronger.
He could practically smell it, the source of the putrid smell. Just three meters away from him the creature is slowly approaching his fainted prey. He moved his body to the side and hid from one of the trees. He peeks at his side from what Shirou can see, she is a woman around in her thirties. The creature has long nails with some hints of red around it. From this distance, Shirou is confident that he will be able to incapacitate the creature.
'Trace-on' he whispered to himself.
His mental image began to form. A hammer hit the gun. Five out of his twenty-seven magic circuits flared to life. At this level there is no need to project a noble phantasm. There was slight discomfort but his body will be able to handle the pain. Blue motes light began to form in his hands. Then, a bow is projected. The same black bow Archer used. Due to them having a glaring difference in personality the bow has quite a difference. It was taller than him, but unlike Archer's who imitate the English bow, his bow is slightly less curved due to him favoring Japanese archery.
He projected another object, an arrow to be exact. It has no mystery nor power on its name, a simple arrow that you can see in everyday archery range. Of course, Shirou knows that a mundane arrow would not work with his unknown enemy. So, he reinforced making it able to pierce even a metal.
He steady his breathing, and then drew the string. His target is in front of him, there is no need to panic. One shot and he will be able to end it fast. An imaginary line between him and his enemy is formed. All of his shots were based on this and when you see it then you will not miss. He releases the arrow. The projectile soared through the air, passed through the trees then to his enemy.
He hit the enemy, however the creature managed to evade his shot at the last minute.
"Tell me, how did you manage to evade my detection," The unknown creature looks at him, his red eyes boring holes at Shirou's figure "and your arrow how did it manage to pierce me" He moves his hand out his shoulder, opening and closing it. Clearly, astonished from the blood.
Shirou remained silent. His enemy is that middle aged man who has blonde hair. Though his presence is not that strong as servants but still the one in front of him is still as dangerous. Right now, he is at a disadvantage. His presence is already out in the open and he cannot project any words without any consequences.
"Not trying to strike a conversation, huh?" his enemy let out manic grin, his bloody nails grow longer "Then, let our fight do the talking"
Lancer would surely love this guy.
His enemy dashed forward. Five seconds, and he was suddenly in front of him. His long nails are directly aimed towards his neck. Before his nail managed to pierce him Shirou projected one of his married blades, Kanshou. Something had broken inside of him. Even with the familiarity of the weapon, the kick back was still strong.
"Tell me do you have a sacred gear? "
Sacred gear? Is that form of magecraft in this world?
"From what expression you're having I think you don't have any idea on what I'm saying about right?"
"..."
"For real? You are not going to talk to me" he took a sigh "If you're not going to talk to me then it's better for you to die."
The enemy wasted no time, he dashed towards him and slashed his abdomen. Shirou projected Bakuya and parried the strike. Even if the enemy didn't manage to harm him. The very process of projecting another sword made a part of his body break.
After that slash after slash was made. Legs, forearms, head, back, there was no part in him that the enemy did not leave unscratched. The worst of it, he can only parry the strikes and if even managed to counter-attack his slashed could only be shallow. His body was not so use to the mana of the atmosphere that an act of a magecraft together with fighting made him like a cripple.
If this keeps up then Shirou doesn't know if he will be able to keep up.
His enemy appeared in front of him and made an x-slash, with him defending the incoming attack and with no way out the enemy finally managed to destroy his weapons.
"I thought that you are not an easy prey but," he looked at him from bottom to top "You are so weak."
He is weak, he knows it but he wont stop. There is someone there that needs help. A woman behind his enemy, if he was defeated here then who will help her. No one. If he can't help someone in front of him then how can he be a hero? Shirou gripped the hilt of his sword hard. Prana surged unto his body, his mouth open and began to chant.
'Spirit and Technique' He projected Kanshou and Bakuya.
"If you think that measly can do anything, then you are greatly wrong!"
'Flawless and Firm' He throws the pair towards his enemy.
"Throwing swords at your enemy, what are you, child. I already told you, your swords are nothing"
"Our strength rips the mountain" he prepares another pair "Our swords split the water" Shirou runs forward, without getting distracted he slashes his enemy with his swords.
He took a step back "Oh, so you are fighting back now," he grinned at him "But you should know that I'm much powerful than you"
Yes, right now he is more powerful than him. It was obvious his body can do his usual magecraft, he was riddled with wounds, but because of that he was able to use it.
'Our names reach the villa'
"Arghhhh! How did you manage to get him from behind!"
Kanshou and Bakuya are not just ordinary Chinese swords, they're true nature lies within their ability to attract each other. Just like their creators they won't part with each other. As much as they are place on the lower ranking within the array of noble phantasm with Shirou's ability they will become very-reliable
"I see, you're sword came back"
When his enemy finally realized how Shirou was able to hit him it was already too late.
'The two of us cannot hold the heavens together'
Kanshou and Bakuya suddenly turn into long swords. Their once majestic slick design was replaced with jagged spikes, having some sort of crude cracks around it.
"Trace Overedge"
The sudden change of weight, made his grip slightly falter. His organs began to fail, his arms clearly broken from the consecutive projection. No, there was no need to worry. He will reinforce it later. He needs to end this as soon as possible, one more second and his body would fall. Prana surged on his body and on his swords, reinforcing it to a higher degree. He let out an air, the skills and techniques pass through his mind and to his muscles.
He slashed forward, then the enemy was no more.
"Faster, we need to find him quick"
He heard someone talk, he gripped his swords once again. He was clearly exhausted, he cannot project anymore. On his hands are the last swords he can create, if they break then there will be no next time. As of now, his circuits are overheated so that even a single use could result in his demise. Not counting the fact that there was a burst nerve around his body.
He turned his head towards the source of sound. Ready to attack anyone that could provide any danger. However, what came out of the bushes was someone he didn't expect.
"Emiya-san, what are you doing here?" The same bespectacled beauty he was just speaking earlier inside the student council room was here.
He could not react at that moment, even if he wanted to answer her there were no words that could come in his mouth. He was so exhausted.
He looks at her before everything turns dark. At that moment Emiya Shirou died.
His body seemed to float, he could move his hand but the very sensation of moving it seemed so lost on him. He moved his right hand to where his chest was supposed to be. Nothing was there. His mind knows that his body is still intact, yet he can't grasp it.
For the second time, he had died. Unlike the first time when a lancer pierced his heart he remembered not being here, in fact one moment he was dead and the next moment he was alive. There was no between in those moments, even with the time pass between him dying and his revival using Rin's pendant. He never experienced being in this void. But now, he was here.
Something called him.
There was something calling inside of him. He placed his hand on his chest. Shirou could feel it, the warmth of his chest was spreading. The thing that called him was bringing him back. Pulling where he came from.
He gripped his chest.
If there was a chance to go back, to be alive then he would take it. He focuses on energy. He cleared all the thoughts he had thinking only about going back. There, the energy was going strong but it was enough. Moreover, he needs to focus on it. As it goes on, the energy becomes familiar. It has saved him before, he knew it this same energy had been inside of him all along. It was calling for him to go back.
However, something seems to be different from this all familiar energy as if something was added to it. No, he can digress right now.
Focus, there is no need to be distracted.
It was right there, just a little more then... Shirou grabbed it. The soothing warmth burst through his hands and engulfed his body. His senses came back, everything was destroyed then reform. His body felt brand-new, there was no fatigue or over-lightness, everything was perfect. Just after his body was submerged with the energy he was kicked out of the limbo.
His breath hitched. One, and two he tried to restabilize his breathing but to his avail his sudden revival seems not to keen to let his body work properly. After taking a few moments of trying to stop his body from trembling and from the fact that he can't properly breath. He looks forward to it.
'So, what I saw earlier is not a hallucination'
In Front of him is the student council president, Sona Shitori and her student council. Why is Shitori-san here and the student council? The vice-president was looking at his body trying to find any wounds, while the other members was looking at him with worry and relief. For Sona, her eyes was looking at him seriously trying to not break any eye-contact, her lips are pursed clearly frustrated at something.
"I know that you have a lot of question," I raised by brow at her "but you are now a devil"
Of all things that he can be, he became a devil. Shirou expected that Alaya is the one that pulled him out of the void and made him a counter-guardian without his consent. But for Sona to be in front of him and the one who revived him is surely a surprise too but what about she said, him becoming a devil. As far as he knows nothing seems to have changed at him no horns, no wings, nor spiky teeth in fact he looks more human than a devil.
He looks at her, however if what she said is really true then it explains some things.
"Let's talk about it tomorrow"
I need sleep, a lot of sleep.