A/N: Wow, our first Author's Notes. I know I haven't been the most interactive, but, I'm here now. I'm sorry guys. Thank you so much for enjoying this story, it means a lot to me that you all enjoy it so much.
This interlude was meant to be part of the next chapter, but a month turned into almost two, and I feel bad that you all haven't had anything, so, for now, have this. As for what's taking me so long with this chapter...
Holy crap guys, I don't know why, but Shirou Emiya is super hard for me to write. I really wanted Ritsuka and Shirou to sit down and talk, but it's just coming so slowly. I'm sorry guys. Production has picked up recently though, so hopefully the chapter will release soon. Now, without further ado, this interlude. Enjoy.
His body was burning.
Despite how much he gasped for air, no matter how much Shinji's body tried, it couldn't get enough oxygen to his lungs. He wasn't sure if it was because his airways were blocked or if he didn't have the strength to breathe. The boy could feel the cold stone on his back, and yet somehow it did nothing to cool down his skin.
His vision was getting blurry, although if it was because his eyes were failing or if he was crying, he had no clue. Beyond his muffled cries of pain, he couldn't hear anything, it was deathly silent in the room. The room wasn't empty however, he knew that. The cold and slimy feeling starting to crawl all over his body easily dispelled any notion of that.
He wasn't so sure, but he thought he could feel teeth burying themselves into his skin. He could barely register it though, as the pain inside grew more and more intense. He thought he heard someone… it sounded like someone was yelling his name, it sounded as if… someone was calling for him. Who would do that? Who in the world really noticed Shinji Matou…?
He felt a wind suddenly blow past his body as whatever was biting him was torn off by the wind. He could hear people yelling more, but he couldn't focus on that. Something far more sinister had crossed his mind, a fact he knew he couldn't fight.
He was dying, and there was only one way to save himself.
He knew the words. He knew what he had to do, how to save himself. However, his lips refused to move on their own, his strength sapped away so much even something as simple as speaking felt like running a marathon with weights on. During his feeble attempts to struggle, his vision finally went black, and at the moment, his world crumbled.
He felt it, a fierce fire building within. A raging inferno that blazed hotter than the sun, slowly devouring his insides, and consuming his vision. All he could see was fire. The flames allowed nothing to live, it caused his blood to boil and evaporate. He felt himself burning, melting… he had to move forward, to escape the flames, but he couldn't lift a leg, he couldn't even move a finger.
What was he doing?
Why was he suffering so much for this? Fuck his family, fuck being a magus! He should live for himself. Why live for a family that tossed him aside for some bitch that wouldn't even look at him, that spat on all the goodwill he extended to her?
"You've been what?!" Shinji heard his voice suddenly echo in his mind. What… why was he…? Suddenly, he saw it, an unbelievable image.
Through the fire, through the flames, walked Emiya Shirou. Further and further away he walked, his broad back shrinking into the distance. He took no notice of the flames, for they had no effect on him. He took no notice of Shinji and his suffering, for they didn't matter to him, instead walking to his goal, to the future.
Leaving the Matou behind.
Strength for once returned to Shinji's body, enough strength to clench his jaw, and for the first time, take a step forward. The single step rocked the world, pushed the flames back, and caused Emiya Shirou to pause for a single second.
"I won't…," Shinji growled as he took a second step. "I won't be outdone by you, Emiya!" With that, he took a dash forward to catch up with the man. "Heed… my words!" his voice sounded foreign to his own ears. "My will creates… your body, and your sword… creates my destiny!"
He remembers the revulsion he felt as he stared at the bitch summoning her Servant. The words she spoke echoed in his ears.
"If you heed the Grail's... call and obey my will and reason… Then answer me!"
He remembers the words he read in his family's notes, one of the many things he learned as he studied their history, all for the purpose of becoming a mage.
"Do so and I entrust my destiny to your sword!" He defiantly forced his arm into the air, making a fist. The pain was slowly subsiding, Shinji feeling the cold stone of the floor on his back again. His vision slowly returned to his eyes as he felt a hand wrap around his fist.
"On my honor as a Rider, as I have accepted you as my friend, now I accept you as my Master!" A familiar voice rang out. At that moment, Shinji felt the inferno flowing out of his stomach, instead rushing up and gathering into his back, before settling down into a comforting warmth.
Without the pain in his body, Shinji felt himself drifting off, sleep awaiting him. The last thing he saw before he left for the land of dreams was a grey mask peering down at him…
