Chapter 3

Love is watching the Petals fall

Magecraft. At its core magecraft is the use of the supernatural. To control and bend certain laws of reality to a user's will. To conjure flames from just a thought to being able to form swords from nothing. Magecraft is essentially what allows humans to make the impossible possible. To manipulate Mystery.

Well, that would be the case were it not for two factors; The human mind and the passing of time.

In the past magic was essentially everywhere, it made up the core of Earth. Gods ruled over the world and beasts roamed alongside humans. Yet with each passing century, mystery subtly started to dwindle.

With the Age of Gods passing and the beginning of the Age of Man, "Magic" has long since died out.

In its place was magecraft.

Comparing the two would be like comparing a pistol to a nuclear bomb. Magecraft is essentially a shell of what it once was. Not only that but humans began to create more of their own. Why spend hours of your time trying to remember what rune means "flame" when you can simply light a torch (and in the modern day just use a flashlight). Why spend hours of your life to perfect one offensive spell when a single bullet would get the job done more efficiently.

Those who kept to the familiar ways of magecraft began to despise the achievements of science. They began to hide themselves away from the rest of the world. Though having their secrets is the main factor, the fact that almost everything they worked for can be so easily outdone by modern technology became a huge blow in their pride.

Whatever pride they had left.

Modern day magecraft consists of hermits hiding in their caves and certain outliers. Those who wish for power. Those who wish for fortune. Those who wish for notoriety.

Mages aren't exactly the pinnacle of humanity, despite what many would claim themselves to be.

Essentially…

The world is fucked and the people are fucked up. Kane summarized in his head.

At the current moment he and Aria were outside. With the sheathed katana still in his hand he sat on the ground with his legs crossed, listening attentively to Aria's exposition.

How are you expecting a seven year old to take any of this information in? Kane wondered, but perhaps that was something he didn't even need to consider. She had asked a simple question, 'how old are you?' Yet her response to his answer glued itself to his mind.

Does she know?

In truth, he has no real reason to hide what he is. A teenager whose soul was ripped from his original body, and forced into a younger one. Nothing really special about him. There was nothing stopping him from saying "I don't belong here."

Yet he held himself back from saying anything. Why? It would only complicate things for the future. But he still felt it to be wrong.

Well… It wouldn't matter right now anyway. Even with this "magecraft" stuff he had no real hope of returning home.

He didn't want to forget his old life, but he didn't really need to bring it up to anyone.

"You– on the other hand– are different."

He was dragged out from his thoughts to see her point directly at his face. He accidentally became too immersed in his own thoughts again, and he didn't hear anything she said for the past few seconds.

I'll have to get rid of that habit.

"U-um…" Fuck this high pitch voice. He cringed at his own tone.

Aria stopped talking with a blank expression.

"Can you maybe repeat what you said? I was– thinking about stuff." He paused. He couldn't bring himself to look her in the eye so he looked everywhere but at her. On the other hand it felt like he could feel her eyes glaring beams into him.

Silence filled the two for a few seconds, but for Kane it felt like a few minutes. Finally, Aria sighed.

"Fine, listen closely then."

"A magus is born with magic circuits, which allow them to harness magical energy." She began. "A person is born with a set amount of these circuits, it's similar to a separate nervous system in a body. These circuits cannot be changed and cannot be added onto or removed. The average magus has 20 circuits, and usually a person is able to tell how many circuits are present, but for you, that isn't exactly true."

She pointed towards his arm this time. "I want you to remember that feeling from before, when I examined your magical energy."

That trip from earlier? Did he have to remember it? He inwardly lamented. He wasn't someone who took drugs in his past life but he assumed that experience was like LSD but multiplied.

Still he did as he was told because he was curious about this whole magecraft thing. He closed his eyes and he exhaled softly. Trying to remember that feeling in the void. That emptiness that surrounded him. Those voices that echoed through him.

Then he felt something enter his body, almost like cold water was dumped all over him. He snapped his eyes wide open.

"That is not how magic circuits should look like." Aria said. To show what she meant she activated her circuits, taking off her glove to show its usual appearance. On her fair hand wires were present, looking identical to computer circuitry. Well what else was he supposed to expect when the name of it is "magic circuits."

He looked at his own hands and saw his entire arms were enveloped in a bright purple glow. There were no circuits present nor were there anything else. It looked as though someone attempted to dump his arms in a neon purple substance.

"I have 26 circuits, but you on the other hand I cannot count."

He became absorbed in the feeling, in his glowing purple hands. It felt so calm, it felt so serene, almost as if he had done this since his birth. Yet this is the first time that he had done something like this.

"I suppose that is enough explaining for now. Now I believe it's time for something more hands-on."

"What about the katana?" He decided to ask. In response she raised her eyebrow, and looked towards the sheathed sword on the ground.

"I'll teach you about that some other time, for now let's get the basics over with." She answered.

"Okay." He said softly as he got up. His full height only reached up to the middle of her stomach, and she wasn't exactly a tall person to begin with.

Perhaps tall for a woman but he's seen taller girls. (Blame the internet.)

She took off her other glove and allowed her circuits to be shown. In her palms a pale blue flame began to appear.

"Try to imagine a flame." She said, the blue flame began to become more and more visible. "Let the feeling spread and then release the image as soon as you have it." The flames in her hand began to take shape, from a single sphere to multiple, then it began to change into different shapes.

"This is our magecraft, this flame is a weapon created from our very soul, one that we can harness and sharpen, one that we can use to defend and offend, this is what our magecraft has shaped into. Now then, try and harness yours."

He held out his hands and closed his eyes. The bright blue flame from that dark pit came to his mind again. The voices that echoed from the flame.

From his arms, long and thin white wires began to appear, almost as if they were leaking from his skin. In his hands the air began to swirl. The very air began to distort but there was nothing physically there.

He opened his eyes and looked towards his palms expecting a flame similar to Aria's. Instead he could barely see his own palms. Something was definitely there but it was transparent. He could see through it, but everything beyond it was distorted.

"What… is this?" He whispered. He clenched his fist, but that weird distortion effect was still there.

It was then that he noticed the long and thin wires that surrounded his arms. The wires were long enough to reach the ground and when it did it dug itself into it. The thin wires definitely did come from his arm but at the moment it looked as though they were appearing from the ground.

Aria hummed to herself. With a hand on her chin she observed everything that occurred, and everything that Kane had done. This outcome was definitely not one she was expecting but it was something she could work with.

Yes, she can definitely work with this.

"Now then, try and use that on the offensive."

Whatever awe he was trapped in was broken by her command. He looked up with a confused expression, taking a few seconds before those words actually reached his brain, but once they did he looked even more confused.

She saw his confused expression and answered the question that he was going to ask. "Find that strong feeling and release it, almost as if you're attempting to throw something."

The blue flame in her hand formed back into a single sphere, and she held her hand towards the forest in the distance. Not a single word left her mouth as the sphere shot away from her towards the treeline. He heard a loud crunch, and in that direction he saw a hole in one of the trees.

So he tried to attempt what she did. He held out his two hands and began to form a sphere. A "sphere" appeared right in front of his palms, it looked nothing like a solid sphere though. The air distorted around that small area to form a spherical shape. If it had to be described, it's similar to looking through a clear marble. It's transparent but there's enough solid matter to say that something is actually there.

And throw it. That last part stuck in his mind as he aimed forward. He attempted to push every piece of magical energy he had into it, but that didn't work. Instead of shooting the "sphere" forward he was blasted backwards. It was like an explosion of pure wind. A strong gale pushed away everything from that one spot.

Fuck, that didn't work out.

Having observed everything he did, Aria exhaled. One would think that she was disappointed but the small smile on her face said the complete opposite.

"Again." She ordered.

He just finished getting up and wiping the dirt off his shorts when he heard her.

"Are we–" He tried to ask something, but she quickly cut him off, as if she was expecting that question.

"We'll be here until you can pierce a hole through one of those trees."

Training arc already?! But I barely know why I'm here in the first place! With light humor he attempted to keep his whining away.

That person is no more, so for now he'll try to actually accomplish something.

Starting with this simple task.

In the back of his mind, he idly wondered what training Adam was up to.

Let it be known that Daybit Sem Void is not emotionless. His gaze is dead, and his eyes seemed like they pierced through everything in his sight, but he is not "dead inside" as the modern kids put it.

An older Daybit in a certain timeline would be a lot more confident and a lot more "Larger-than-life".

Younger Daybit seems quieter if anything.

When alone or with random people he puts up his best front– this mysterious person with a strong gaze. Normally that's enough to keep people away from him, and that's not really something that he minds. Only during his lonesome can he truly think. Only when it's quiet can he truly show his talent.

He's not some emotionless person who's stuck in their own goals, he only truly shows his emotions to people that he considers close, and currently only one person in the world can call themselves "close" to him, and he's tasked with teaching magecraft to one of her sons.

Let it be known that someone like him would not make a particularly good teacher.

It also doesn't help that Adam would not be considered the easiest student.

The two silent types stared at each other across the table, the book that Aria handed him earlier lay directly on the table.

One was silent because they are most comfortable with it.

The other was silent because they are physically incapable of speaking.

Adam stared in awe at the circuitry flowing through his arms. The bright red glow spread throughout the room.

Daybit decided to finally say something. "First off, perhaps we should…"

His words died out as Adam moved his hands towards the table. In his palms a bright red flame appeared. He held out his hands and began to move the flames. It took a few seconds but he finally managed to accomplish what he was trying to do.

The flames did not burn anything, instead they were twisted and thinned out.

"Is Brother Ok?"

Those three words plastered on the wooden tabletop, and Daybit stared with slightly widened eyes. Only a few minutes have passed since Aria took her first child out to train, and Daybit hasn't even said anything.

Aria has always called him extraordinary when it comes to magecraft.

Perhaps the boy in front of him could be even better.

"He should be fine." Daybit said. Adam's face visibly brightened with a smile. Were Daybit any more of an angsty teenager he would have attempted to shield his eyes. That smile was just too bright.

Daybit's face returned to his usual gaze, but in his eyes, Adam could see a small glint. He leaned forward with his hands folded in front of him.

"Alright, let's try something a little different."

The hours passed while the two children trained. While Adam and Daybit were making progress, Kane's progress was moderately slower.

At this point everything around him looked like it just survived an explosion, and to an extent it did. He wasn't able to keep the sphere going at a distance, as before it even touched the tree the "sphere" would explode.

The sun began to set and Aria contemplated her decision. Kane laid back on the ground, trying to settle his breathing.

"Alright. We'll continue this tomorrow." She finally said, she grabbed onto Kane's shoulders and lifted him up. When he finally noticed his surroundings he saw that she was carrying him in a princess hold. With one arm holding him and with her other hand holding the katana.

"Um… can you put me down?" He asked, this time purposely using his high pitched voice to his advantage.

"Nope." She said simply.

He felt that any more requests would just meet the same answer so he didn't push it further. He was embarrassed, but he really didn't need to be.

Out of nowhere she began to explain, although perhaps she just wanted to break the silence.

"The flames of our family aren't exactly well known, in fact to many magi they would be practically useless." She began to explain. "My grandfather said these flames had similar properties to the ones that surrounded Edmond Dantes. Although he never showed any proof of either that statement or of Edmond Dantes being anything but a fictional character."

"A flame that burns only when we will it to. It probably sounds like something worthwhile to a common person but to a magus it seems more like an aesthetic."

She finished talking right when they reached the door. She pushed it open, and saw Daybit and Adam both sitting on the couch. She finally set Kane down. The other two turned their heads once they heard the door open, Adam specifically had a mischievous look when he saw Kane.

Kane flinched back as something solid appeared in front of his face. It looked like a transparent square, and it had text on it.

"Hi brother!" It said.

"Huh? Ah–!"

Before he can even question it, the little pop-up disappeared and in its place was Adam, who jumped right into Kane.

"Woah! What the hell was that?"

Adam giggled, before another square appeared.

"I can do this now! Isn't this cool?!"

What. That one was from Kane's thoughts.

Aria was wondering the same thing as well, as she sent a curious glance to Daybit. He shrugged, but if anyone were to look closer they would see him trying to tug away a smile from forming. He got up and moved to the three.

"You have a genius as a son, Teacher." He said quietly before leaving the house with a wave. Though it was getting late, the two subconsciously made a promise to discuss their findings some other time.

Adam enthusiastically waved back. When Daybit was out of sight he latched back onto his older brother. The door closed a second after.

Kane looked towards the clock, the number 8 in full view.

"I think I'll go to bed now." Kane said, although it seemed more like he was talking to himself.

"Are you sure?" Aria asked. "You haven't had dinner."

He shook his head with a yawn. "Not really hungry."

She shook her head and crossed her arms. "Alright, you at least deserve a rest."

She watched as Kane walked towards and up the stairs, Adam still latched onto him.

"G'night ma." In his own tired mind he let that goodbye slip through.

Neither of the two saw it, but Aria stiffened as his words. The words that she wanted to say back were caught dead at her lips. The words that she wanted to give did not leave her mouth.

So instead she simply said. "Good Night." Son.

One step at a time.

All it takes is one step at a time.

A legend cannot be born in a day.

So she'll wait for however long it takes.

Somewhere in Europe…

"I've told you, I have not made contact with Aria for three years, even then if I knew where she was I would not tell you."

Marisbury Animusphere sat behind his desk, rubbing his eyes. For the past week someone very familiar would constantly stop by and ask about the whereabouts of a certain woman.

One that he has not spoken to for three years.

The younger man asking for her whereabouts had short crimson hair and dark hazel eyes. He stood tall, being taller than Marisbury despite being five years younger.

"Maris, you don't understand. She needs to be found before anyone else in the clock tower goes looking for her."

That same excuse given to him for the past week. Every time Marisbury asked for clarification, the younger magus would just say something along the lines of "Because she's in danger," but he would still never clarify.

"And I've already told you." His voice was quiet. Marisbury was not one to get annoyed, but when he did get agitated, every word that would come out of his mouth would be filled with venom.

"I truly have not made contact with her for three years; I don't know where she is or what she is doing. Do you truly think I haven't been searching for her? And adding onto that, you have not told me why you are so interested in meeting her again, Arkham."

Arkham sat in silence contemplating his choice. He didn't want to spread his findings, but he knew he wouldn't be able to convince Marisbury any other way.

"Her sword." He started very slowly. "We need to find that sword before the Clock Tower does."

Marisbury raised an eyebrow. "And why is that?"

"That sword alone is worthy of granting her a Sealing Designation."

As soon as those words left the younger man's mouth, all agitation left Marisbury.

In fact he couldn't really accurately describe how he felt at that moment. It felt like the world stopped, and then began to piece itself back together.

"What do you know of the Counter Force?" He still remembers that question, that conversation the two had half a decade ago. Yet now, answers he had before began to spread doubt in his mind, opening up even more questions.

"Arkham." Marisbury said slowly. His gaze sharpening.

"Tell me what you know."

Pieces began to fall into place and Arkham couldn't help but smile.

Sooner or later that sword will be his.

A/N

I hope I'm not throwing too much at you guys, I promise that everything will be explained in due time, just gotta build up a story y'know? (no matter how bad it is). Anyways, Reviews!

To Illya Emiya, many thanks for catching those errors from the last chapter! They should be all fixed now.

To Runelt99, yeah, it's a double-edged sword. Daybit is a character that I find interesting, but since LB7 isn't out yet (and I'm only going by what little interactions he's had in fgo) there isn't really much known about his past. Even when LB7 does come out it would probably fuck with my own interpretation of his past a little. My saving grace would be this is technically an AU so there can be a little leeway when it comes to certain characters (but I'm still going to write them as close to their canon personalities as I can). (I also used Daybit because I don't want to put too many OC's)

I'm not one to spoil things but I will say this certain timeline is basically "If Marisbury still had hope even with a corrupted grail." He may not seem like a major player now but he's definitely going make decisions that will drastically affect the story in the future. I have four (maybe five) main arcs planned for the story and we're only just beginning the first one.

I hope you all enjoy the ride! Criticism and reviews are greatly appreciated!

Much love

-An idiot on the internet.