Blood Bound Fate
AN: To those who are wondering why I decided to name the place Shirou lives as Miyama its quite simple. This is an old 16th - 17th gothic Lovecraft setting therefore a city such as Fuyuki did not exist. Well not completely anyway, Miyama is the district of Fuyuki where most of the characters and settings are held in, while Shinto (the place where the Fuyuki Fire happened) the more recent district is on the other-side of the Mion river. In the old days like these, there is no technology able to support creating such a large structure such as the Fuyuki Bridge yet. Therefore Fuyuki is split into two towns instead and both are a bit smaller. The rest of the changes I've made would be considered spoilers and so you'll have to wait.
Enjoy.
Shirou was confronted by the smell of blood as well as the warmth of the early morning sun as he exited the caravan. He paid the driver and then took a moment to look around and admire the magnificent yet eerie city. The horizon was blocked with the labyrinth like city as it curved and twisted in a fashion that felt sickly, everything felt so tall as if he could never reach it. The wealth of the city was clearly shown through the huge mansions and spires laden with western architecture to which gave a daunting grandeur to the city of Yharnam.
Realising that he did not know where to go, he turned back to the caravan just to see it leave the gates that opened Yharnam to the rest of the world. Shirou sighed as he contemplated his natural `idiocy, he had come with a goal but didn't have a plan to achieve it. Like most things he'd run head on if he believe it to be for the best without thinking, He sighed, just like last time…
!
Just then a boy his age touched his shoulder to get his attention. Unlike like most people in the area who were bustling around and trying to avoid him with a look akin to disgust, and all were of western ethnicity and judging by their clothes, they were the locals. But this boy had the same clothes as the locals did but was of eastern descent much like himself.
"Hello, are you knew here? You look quite lost." The boy asked Shirou in Japanese. His eyes gazed curiously at Shirou who just then the boy had glasses and intelligent blue eyes behind them.
"Yes I'm afraid I don't know the way to the healing church and I couldn't get any directions or ask for a map." Shirou smile a bit awkwardly, making the new boy laugh.
"Ha ha, been there man, probably anyone who hasn't been local their entire life has as well so you're not the only one." The boy grinned which in turn made Shirou chuckle.
"Ah sorry for saying it sooner but my name's Emiya Shirou." He said
"No problem, the name's Tohno Shiki." Shiki then replied before saying
"By the Shirou, do you speak English?" he asked
"Uh yes but not very well." Shirou responded in English.
"Whew that's good, even if it is just a little bit English it is enough for you to hopefully get by. You should also remember to swap around your names here to lessen the confusion and for you to be more accepted by the locals." He told Shirou.
"Anyway, you wanted to find the healing church?" Shiki asked to which Shirou nodded.
"Well it's easy to find and get to once you know you're way around the place and it's on the way to my place so I'll take you close enough so you can go the rest of the way yourself. Sound good?" Shiki said.
"Lead the way." Shirou replied.
As the two walked they slowly became friends as they talked together. They spoke about many things, their interests, their lives, simple jokes and funny moments they had. Of course they most certainly had their differences but that in itself was something they both respected. As they continued to talk, Shiki told Shirou many landmarks and areas as well as locations and how to be street smart in Yharnam.
"…So remember Shirou, never go down to the cisterns unless absolutely necessary. Got it?" Shiki reminded Shirou as talked about the dos and don'ts of Yharnam's streets.
"Got it. But I have to ask… why not?" Shirou asked and in response Shiki just shrugged in a mild manner.
"For the same reason not to stay out at night. The Beasts." He responded, and Shirou stiffened.
"Ah…right. But if you don't mind me asking, why don't they do something about the beasts down there." Shirou asked stiffly.
"They try to keep the numbers down with the hunts and usually it's only they occasional beast down there. But hunts only happen a few times and the last hasn't been in a while so you can bet their numbers are up again. Sides there's only so much you can do when everyone can transform into a beast at any given time." Shiki explained. At that, Shirou simply nodded. They continued to walk until they reached a three way crossroad.
"Well we're here. I'm heading off to in this direction to where I'm staying." Shiki said pointing to the left route. "Go straight and you'll soon get to the great bridge, trust me when I say you won't miss it." Shiki grinned.
"Wait before you Shiki there are two things I wanted ask you." Shirou said, Shiki nodded slowly for him to continue. "Well first, why are you here in Yharnam and second… why did you help me back there?" Shirou asked.
Shiki sighed then began to explain "Well the first is relatively easy to explain, I got this invite to the mansion I grew up in from my adopted family, turns out the old head died and the new head took charge and asked me if I wanted to return and I thought why not. For the second one though… well I guess I just felt for you as I was in your position when I came and spent hours trying to find my around the city before finally getting help. Sides I'm not worried about talking to strangers, you're probably the nicest and safest person I've talked to in months!" they both chuckled at that. Satisfied, Shirou nodded and they then parted ways in their own directions.
As Shirou finally reached the great bridge walked past many people all going in there different directions. Once he got to the Cathedral Ward he was stopped by the guards.
"No foreigners beyond this point." One of them said
"But I-"Shirou was abruptly cut off by the other.
"Today the Cathedral ward ain't takin' no new devotees. Try again tomorrow." He said ending the argument.
Sighing Shirou backed off now wondering what to do. He began to think about where he should stay the night, he thought of Shiki but then waved off the idea. Shiki had told him that they were relatively reclusive and just on the edges of the city, not only that but they were aristocrats of some kind, so while they may offer him the night there he would still have to find a more permanent residence for himself if he were to survive both figuratively and literally. Shirou and continued his walk down the great bridge. As he did so he began to think about where to stay and how. Maybe he could if he showed his skills in cooking? So maybe a restaurant or café? Or maybe-
BUMP
This was where he crashed into a small girl who had run directly into him from a staircase leading to the bridge, she was small in stature as you would expect from a girl her age and was visibly frightened by something.
"Are you alright miss." Began Shirou as the girl kept looking around as if something was going to get her, then she calmed down enough to speak. "Y-yes I-I'm j-just w-was a bit lost is all." She stuttered out. "Oh" said Shirou not quiet believing what she had said, but Yharnam was an easy place to get lost in so it sounded reasonable. However he wasn't taking any chances "do you want help getting back home little one." He asked kindly in the least broken English he could afford.
The little girl giggled and said "well you don't smell like the others and sound very funny so sure! Let's find my home." And with that she set off with him in tow down the bridge to find her house.
It didn't take long to find the girl's home as it was close to the bridge. With a tap at the door from the little girl (who he had learnt was called Violet) the door open to reveal a large man with bandages around his eyes for some odd reason, he was dress lightly and in black but for Shirou he felt that something was missing, a quick look to the coat holder told him that the round hat and black priest-like coat hanging from it told him what he wanted to know.
The large man studied Shirou before speaking "Who might you be, Boy?" he asked in low, accented voice that differed from the usual. Before Shirou could speak, Violet ran from behind him and jumped onto the man. Wrapping her arms around his neck, catching the man off guard before he himself started to chuckle.
"I got you daddy!" giggled the little girl.
"I supposed you did my little flower." The man now known to be the father of Violet said warmly.
"And who is this you brought with you?" he said nodding towards Shirou.
"That's Shirou! He helped me get back home!" Violet said, introducing her father to him.
"A pleasure to meet you sir." He said in English. The man raised an eyebrow and looked at him more closely. "Foreigner huh? We don't get a lot of those these days. Here for the blood." he asked warily.
"Well not really in the usual way, more to find something that has to do with the blood." Shirou said, the man sighed before saying "That's good. Now I'm not supposed to say this but you helped out Violet here, so let me give you some advice… no matter what, don't take the blood unless absolutely necessary. Got that boy?" Shirou nodded. With that the man said his thanks and closed the door, leaving Shirou out on his own again. Turning Shirou sighed "Well. Time to find a place to sleep." He said before venturing off to a place to stay for the night.
Needless to say that didn't go well.
Every place he asked was already full or just wouldn't take him in for all types of colourful reasons. That is why we see Shirou wandering aimlessly along the streets at twilight.
"Jeez, not a single one offered a place to stay. Even when I said I could work for them…" Shirou sighed knowing he'd probably need to sleep on the streets tonight. But for some reason he knew it wasn't going to be the greatest experience.
As he pondered his predicament, he failed to notice a small white haired girl with crimson eyes walking towards him. When they crossed each other's pass the girl just said
"Hello, onii-chan." Said the girl cutely, Shirou turned to face the girl. However no one was there to greet him but the now empty streets of Yharnam. "Weird." said Shirou slowly turning back around, then after some more walking he decided that the nearest bench would be best to sleep on for then night. After laying down and trying to find the most comfortable position for a few minutes, he finally began to drift off into sleep.
Shirou suddenly awoke to a growl. Trying his best not to make any sudden movements, he inched his body around to a wolf-like beast which was sniffing the air as if to find something. Memories flooded Shirou as he remembered that day… yes. Thought Shirou, he had seen these beast before.
Taking a deep breath Shirou began to channel his magic into his body to perform one of the only magecraft skills his father had taught to him, reinforcement. Strengthening his body and sharpening his senses from where he lay, he calmly waited for the beast to get closer. The beast continued its sniffing, slowly getting closer and closer to Shirou. Before suddenly it suddenly stopped and looked towards Shirou.
Now! Thought Shirou as he lunged from his position and grabbing a hold onto its neck, strangling it. The beast began to choke and move around the place trying to loosen Shirou death grip. Shirou never once faltered.
"RAAAGGHHH." It roared desperately, before suddenly going limp and collapsing onto the floor.
Slowly, Shirou got off from the beast and began walking away.
"RaAAGHH!" Suddenly the beast was up again and about to strike Shirou. Only to cut short as the sound of a pistols and the wiz of knives cut through air hitting the beast, a large blur raced past Shirou to cut off the head of the beast with a huge axe.
The head spun in the air, blood spraying from it as it landed onto the floor. The man then faced Shirou.
Shirou's eyes widened in recognition and so did his. It was Violet's father.
"You're-"began Shirou however he was cut off as someone spoke from behind him.
"So you got the beast Gascoigne?" the smaller man said nodding, "Good." He said before turning to Shirou. "And who might you be?" the man then inquired.
Seems Violet's father had hunting buddies. Thought Shirou.
