Long ago...

Heaven

Third-Person Perspective

An eldritch abomination that had four different faces on each side of its head looked down upon the first humans, possessing the faces of a human, an ox, a lion and lastly, an eagle.

There were three pairs of wings upon its back, as opposed to its brethren's two pairs. Couldn't be anyone but the anointed Cherub, a freakish yet divine mix of a Seraph and... well, a Cherub. God's favorite.

"Michael?" He called out with his otherworldly voice.

"...How can I help you?" The archangel responded, not too far away.

"Why do you think His majesty made them so... weak? So scant, so wee... yet He asked of us to bow before them."

"Do you speak of the humans?"

"Surely."

"You must put respect on their names. Their true beauty lies not in their powers, but in their freedom."

"...I do not think so. I believe the Creator must have made simply a mistake in His judgement."

"Enough of this nonsense. He is devoid of flaws."

Unknown Island

...

Where am I?

The air here is a bit stiff.

I slowly open my eyes, taking a better look at my surroundings. I was placed between two other wounded mages. They were unconscious, but they seem to be still breathing and recovering, hence the stiff air. That's good enough for me. Our temporary residence was structured like a tent. That, along with the cramped feeling of the place, all these features definitely sold it to me.

But who? Who took us here? I doubt there were any active mages who could carry us all to wherever we are right now, especially with Griffith just standing there.

Maybe the two people who were fighting him took us here? Seems unusually kind of such fearsome figures, at least judging off their appearances.

Gh. I need answers. Won't sit around.

As I swiftly stand up, I feel a lingering pain in my left shoulder. It's a bit better, but evidently, that stab wound is going to stick with me for a good while. The precision of his saber didn't help either.

But how? Avalon should have already dealt with the injury.

There's no time to waste. Can't cry over pain right now. Considering that I'm still alive, I reckon Tohsaka and Edelfelt are as well.

In the next moment, I had pushed aside the covers, only to be met with the sight of a good amount of more tents, all surrounding a campfire at which the man with the giant sword from earlier was sitting at. He was staring at the dancing fire. I was already able to form an understanding of the man with this action of his. He must be a simple one.

My surroundings were rather peaceful. The Sun was shining, high and mighty cherry blossom trees all around us, sound of flowing water soothed the mind. I can't help but feel like this is some sort of paradise. Not sure how we got here.

"About time one of you mages woke up." His voice was a reflection of his appearance; it was rather deep. "Gonna stand around? Come sit down already. It's lonely around these parts."

He seems friendly. I'll go with it. At the very least, we're on the same page here judging off how he went for Griffith. Doubt he'd want to attack a potential ally.

I walk towards the campfire in silence, taking a seat on the ground much like him.

I was able to get a better look at him up close. Funny enough, he looked like the complete opposite of Griffith. He had short, spiked black hair, part of it white at the front. Unlike the archangel, there was no hint of femininity in his face. Pure masculinity. Beyond that, he had also closed his right eye. Not quite sure why he's doing that.

His gigantic sword was still on his back. Speaking of which, he had also donned dark armor. Most interestingly; said armor was spiked at the neck region, as if it were some sort of predator ready to chomp down on its prey. Somewhat medieval, isn't it?

"No thanks or anything for saving you back there?"

"...Sorry, I'm a bit drowsy right now. Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

"You are...?"

"Name's Guts."

"Guts? Just that? No last name?"

"No. Now, your name?"

"Shirou. Shirou Emiya."

"Hmph. Alright, Shirou. I'll tell you somethin'," A slight pause. "Just because I saved your ass back there doesn't mean we're friends. At most, we have the same goal for the time being. In your fancy language these days, we're colleagues."

Goodness gracious, talk about a harsh start. This guy isn't joking.

"Alright, alright, fine." Silence filled the area for a bit. "Were you trying to kill Griffith back there?"

"Yeah, why do you ask?"

"Erm, I'll ask you not to, please. If you kill him, then we'll all lose our only chance at world peace. I mean humanity."

"Tch. Killing him, sparing him, I don't get to make those decisions. That's up to my boss."

"And your boss is...?"

"I think you call it the 'Counter Force.'"

This guy is a Counter Force agent?!

I couldn't help but panic when I heard that, immediately standing up from my position. Archer has never left my mind. Although I was capable of coming to terms with him and myself, dealing with another Counter Force agent would be hard.

That does explain his medieval armor though.

"C- Counter Force?!"

"Yeah, Counter Force. You can calm down, though, you mages aren't strong enough to be detected by the Counter Force, otherwise I'd have already cut you down. That spot is currently reserved for Griffith only. He's been hiding for a while, we only found out his position when you exposed him."

"...I see... okay, okay." I take in a deep breath. "Fine. I can't guarantee the other mages will be as calm as I am."

"They'll come around."

Taking a seat again, I observe his sword.

"Can you really swing that thing around?"

"Get straight to the point already, kid."

Damn it. He saw straight through me. "Fine. Tell me more about Griffith."

"What do you even need to know about him? All that you need to know about him is that he doesn't care for you. It's always about himself."

"Anything else you have to say? I could make that out myself."

"Nah. I'd rather not talk. If you want to know more about Griffith that much, then go look around. I know he's still sticking to these parts, as if he could ever lose another guy with a vendetta against those demons."

Uh oh.

Does he think I'm against the God Hand?

...I guess I might as well be. They never reached back to me, surely on purpose. I couldn't have confronted them.

"He? Who are you talking about?"

"I'm sure you were awake for a few moments. I'm talking about the skeleton guy. Go look around. He'll give you what you're looking for."

So I wasn't hallucinating when I saw a horseman of the apocalypse? Gee.

"...Alright. I see. Thanks."

"I'll be right here."

"By the way, where are we exactly?"

"This place is called Elfhelm, or, well, was." He lamented. "I thought you'd know this stuff as a mage."

"Sorry, I'm just... not that good of a mage, I guess." Gotta get him off my back.

"Help is help. I'll take it."

I stand back up. He looks like an interesting person, but I doubt he wants to open up. Fine by me, I'll just get what I want through the skeleton guy.

I then turn around and look at the vast land.

This is going to take a while.

"Relax, there's food everywhere in this place. You'll find your way."

Great.

Without another word, I head into the wilderness.

Forests of Elfhelm

Even when I hadn't ventured too far into the wild, the entire place still felt like a cruel, never-ending labyrinth when looking at all the trees, but it's fine. Just as 'Guts' back there said, there were apples on some of the trees.

Speaking of which...

Something heavy hits my head from above.

Ouch.

I look down and see yet another shining apple. How convenient one happens to fall on my head when I'm right below it... or perhaps, it wasn't convenience at all.

"Hey, up here, kid." A feminine voice called to me. I then turn my attention to the source of said voice.

There was a mature woman on one of the branches of the tree next to me, resting on its body; her hands behind her head. Not much about her. She had long black hair, but what was more interesting, was that she had the clothes of a witch on; as in, a stereotypical witch outfit. A purple-ish dress that extended to her feet and a ridiculous hat.

"Are you one of the mages that those two brought here?"

"Yeah. Who are you again?"

"Mages these days... really took a hard hit after technology started becoming too advanced." She closed her eyes, scoffing to herself. "Heh. Doesn't matter. Get a move on."

...Rude.

I don't know what's with her, but whatever, I don't have time for this.

I take off once more into the eternal maze.

I go on...

And on...

And on...

And on...

Later...

Until I finally stop in my tracks, having seen my goal.

An armored skeleton on horseback, looking into the distance. Upon sensing my presence, he pulled back the reins of his horse, prompting it to turn around.

"...Are you... real?"

It was a strange question to ask, but I was truly wondering if this was just an illusion, a hallucination, or something else along those lines.

"Indeed, I am. Shirou Emiya, a survivor of the Fifth Holy Grail War..." His voice had a bit of an echo to it. "I am glad you have decided to join the everlasting war against the Guardian Angels of Desire."

"Quick to drag my feet into it, aren't you?"

I wouldn't say no to saving lives, but I did find the knight's behavior fascinating.

"Your actions are irreversible, and they were of your own. The Falcon of Darkness will surely take a more active role from now. Our target is set. He takes priority as the only one who is capable of manifesting in the physical world."

"I'll only work with you if you agree to not kill him. I'll explain if you need me to."

"Nay, no need. I am well aware of his nature as the Idea of Benevolence. I cannot guarantee that I will leave him alive."

"Then you won't be getting any help from me."

"Young one, in order to defeat even a single one of the angels of The Root, you will need all the assistance that you can get. Death, life, those trivial concepts are matters you should think of later."

...

From what I'm aware, those demons are made from fragments of The Root. I hate to admit it, but...

I see where he's coming from.

"Fine."

"Very well. I commend your decision, but know that humanity's fate rests on your shoulder from this point on. The methods the Falcon of Darkness is willing to use in order to get to his goal will bring about the end of the world, an end that not even the likes of the Counter Force are capable of preventing."

"What is it that can be so dangerous?" I let out in awe.

"Firstly, if you think yourself a man of God, then it is time to let go of those beliefs. The God you know is long gone. That is not your lord, that is the fallen angel who has won his long war against his former master at last, that is the once beloved angel who has now ascended to the throne. As for what shall this great disaster be, then it is simple. He has not yet fully ascended and only possesses the abilities of the Son, however, should He fully realize His abilities, then The Sun will die out, The Moon will be turned into blood, and the great Rapture shall come forth prematurely. Some shall be left on the Earth, others shall be taken to God's glorious kingdom... or perhaps Hell instead."

Ascended to the throne. I see.

That explains why Avalon is incapable of healing these wounds.

...It was commonly thought that kings were rulers appointed by God Himself. I doubt Artoria was an exception if so.

If God giveth, then He can taketh.

As for the Rapture...

Uh oh. That's not good.

"That is all the reason you need to stop Him; however, beware, the Falcon of Darkness is no simple man. There is a burning flame within His heart, for as long as He lives, He will follow that burning flame's voice, His inner desire."

"What does He want, though?"

"...I am uncertain of His true goal currently. That is all the knowledge I can offer to you for now."

That feels like a lie, but okay then. It will do for now. I can't let Griffith get to what He wants. Worry about that first, then the God Hand later. Having a goal is enough for the time being.

I turn my back on the skeleton, going to head back to the tents... when I remembered something. Without turning around, I speak once more. "...He said that when I'd die, I would be born anew. What do you know about that?"

"Nothing of it. I have already given you all the relevant knowledge you need. Move along, now."

Alright then. Guess he can keep his secrets to himself. I'll get to it later.

I pick up the pace.

Camp

I plop back down.

"So? What'd you get out of him?"

"Next to nothing; but I guess he gave me a clear target."

"Don't be surprised, that's just how he is. Cryptic, never gives you a clear answer, just barely enough to hang onto until he comes back in and spews some more crap at you."

"You've put up with that for how long?"

He scoffed. "Heh, I dunno. A few years."

"You're a tough one."

"Yeah, suppose you could say that."

"What next?"

"That's up to him, not me. He brought us here, he's gonna get us out. Last I came here on my own, I was on a boat for God knows how long."

"He better think fast, then."

"He will. You just sit back and think about your injuries first." A light smirk appeared on his face. "You weren't all that bad back there. I'm talking about your sword skills. You got potential."

If he can really fight with that thing on his back, then that means a lot.

"Thanks."

I'll take that compliment...

And maybe later, I'll try projecting that hunk of metal, just to see if I've still got the moves or not.