Chapter 2: Why?
Barren. That was the word that best described this place if someone saw this for the first time. A barren wasteland devoid of all life, but unlike other wastelands that had nothing. This one was filled with blades of all shapes and sizes.
There were so many blades here, that one might think that a battle had occurred here. But that was not the only thing that one could see in this wasteland. Where the blue sky was supposed to be, there were only dark clouds and gears of epic proportions filled the sky.
Not only that, this place gave out the feeling of hatred, and despair no matter where you look. It was a place that someone would have defined as purgatory.
Overall this was a place where no one would even dare to be. Alas, there was one soul that lived in this damning place. For we see in the center of this place, a tall man with tan skin, white hair, silver eyes, black armor, and a red shroud simply sitting there with a look filled with melancholy.
This man stared out into this wasteland filled with blades, as he then let out a breath, he then spoke to himself.
"When will this end?"
If anyone would have heard him, they would immediately realize his tired voice and the look in his eyes that were filled with self-loathing. They would also see a man, who was tired of everything around him and just wanted to end it all. However, he can not do that due to the contract that he forged during his lifetime with the world.
Now you all may ask. Who is this broken man? Well, let me introduce you all to him.
This man is Emiya Shirou or as he likes to call himself EMIYA, the former Hero of Justice, and now a simple Counter Guardian who "saves" humanity's future no matter what timeline it is. And right now he is looking at his Reality Marble or in simpler terms his soul while waiting for his next mission.
And as he was waiting, he thought of every single decision that he made that led him to this point. This made him come up with one conclusion, a conclusion that his past probably would have denied in a heartbeat.
"I truly was an idiot." He said in self-mockery while letting out a dry laugh, which tells how much he hates himself.
While he was thinking in self-hatred he noticed that Alaya had not given him another mission for a while now. This confused the Counter Guardian since usually she would immediately send to "save" humanity like always. But this time, she is taking a bit too long on doing this, which confused him even more.
"What's going on?"
He said with narrowed eyes since he knows that something might be happening and that it acquires her attention. This means that it will be another tough job for him, even though he hates it. So he waited for Alaya to finally come and tell him who he needs to kill this time.
However, much to his shock an hour had passed and Alaya had not yet come. This confused him even more since she usually doesn't stay that long doing something. And yet an hour has passed and still no sign of her.
"It must be serious then." He mused with a cynical smile, as then at that moment he felt as if someone foreign had entered his Reality Marble.
This made him stand up in shock since no one except for Alaya could enter this place, but now someone was here. But, he remained calm as he analyzed the situation.
"No one should be able to enter here, only Alaya can do that. So the person must powerful enough to enter and must have Alaya's approval. Which means that the only person who can is..." As he finally realized who entered his soul, the same person who he was thinking of spoke up behind him.
"Hello EMIYA, it has been a long time."
EMIYA could only let out a tired breath, as he recognized that voice anywhere since the man would occasionally ask him to deal with something that did not involve killing. Which he appreciated, but still usually it was through Alaya that allowed the two of them to speak, but never face to face.
So knowing that he is now inside his Reality Marble surprised him, however, he did not show it as he still had a calm look. As he addressed the man who was behind him.
"Fancy seeing you here Zelretch."
With that, he turned around, and right then and there was the Grand Wizard Marshall Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg. One of the founders of the Clock Tower and the magician of the Second Magic Kaleidoscope, which means the Operation of Parallel Words. And possibly one of the strongest beings in the multiverse despite his weakened state.
Overall this was a man extremely powerful, who no one would want to be enemies with. Even though he acts more like a grandfather than anything else, no one should ever underestimate the Old Man of Jewels. So seeing him here confused the Red Guardian, and possibly sensing his confusion the Kaleidoscope spoke.
"It seems that you have questions, correct?"
The Red Guardian did not seem surprised by what he said as he nodded, which made Zelretch simply smile at him.
"Well you see my old friend, I am here to inform you. That you are now free."
After he said that no one spoke, there was a creeping silence that a normal human would immediately realize that something was wrong. And that was exactly right since EMIYA was now glaring at Zelretch with so much hatred that could truly kill anyone who wasn't human.
"What did you just say?" EMIYA said in rising anger, but the old man did not seem fazed by his tone as he replied.
"You my friend are now free from Alaya's clutches forever."
Once again the silence rained as no one spoke, as they simply looked at each other. One with filled anger, and the other with a joyous expression. The silence remained for a few moments until EMIYA spoke once again.
"Leave."
One simple word, but one filled with so much hatred that would shock anyone who knew him before. And yet, despite seeing firsthand that hatred, the old man did not seem fazed at all for he simply smiled. It was a grandfatherly smile that told anyone that no matter what you may say I still care for you.
"Now EMIYA, I know that you are angry b-" Before he could continue the guardian yelled out.
"You don't know anything!"
This caused Zelretch to remain quiet, as the Counter Guardian continued to yell out.
"Do you honestly think that I believe that after all this time I'm finally free?! That after a millennium of suffering, you intervened so that I am free from my torment?! Don't make me laugh Zelretch! I AM DAMNED FOR ETERNITY! I can never be at peace, I will forever stay here and be a killing machine! For that is my damn fate after the stupidity that I did! So leave Zelretch and do not create any false hope, as I did before!" Finished the Counter Guardian while breathing heavily.
The Counter Guardian just wanted to be left alone, and not have any false hope anymore of salvation. As he once again looked at Zelretch but he was surprised by what he saw. For he the Kaleidoscope, did not have an angered look by his emotional outburst, no he was simply looking at him with a saddened look. But it wasn't one filled with pity, no, it was one filled with true sadness as he then spoke.
"EMIYA I know that you do not want to hear me. And I can respect that, but please you need to listen." He then gave the guardian a serious look as he spoke the words that will be engraved into EMIYA's memory forever.
"I have talked with The Consciousness of The World, and it has decided to release you of your duty forever, and to allow you to regain your past vitality, making you human once again. Thus Counter Guardian EMIYA is no more, there is only Shirou Emiya now."
EMIYA could only stand there in shock since he could believe what he was hearing. That he was finally free? It was something that he could not comprehend, and if he was now free. Then why hadn't he felt anything? And as he was diving into his thoughts he heard Zelretch saying.
"You might be wondering why you don't feel anything correct?"
This made him look at the old Magician in surprise for a moment, but then he realized that he knew what he was thinking possibly because of his shocked expression. This blunder made caused him to scold himself.
Seeing his silence Zelretch decided to continue speaking.
"Tell me EMIYA, after all this time do you honestly believe that you would realize if you are alive again?"
At this EMIYA did not have words, after all, he forgot what it means to even be alive again. So now knowing that he truly is alive again, he does not know what to feel. However, he still had one thought in mind.
"Why now?"
He asked with a serious gaze, even though he felt somewhat grateful for the old magus. He still was a magus, which meant that he wanted something in return for this.
So after hearing him, Zelretch could only smile which raised many alarm bells in EMIYA's head. However, before he could do anything Zelretch spoke.
"That is something you must find out on your own."
After he heard him, EMIYA suddenly saw a kaleidoscope of colors engulfing him and before he could even react he was suddenly gone from his Reality Marble.
Seeing that his old friend was no longer there with him, Zelretch smiled a bit. But that was only for a moment as an emotionless voice spoke all around.
"Was this a wise decision, Wizard Marshall?"
This made the old man have a serious look as he replied to the voice.
"I needed to do this or else the entire Multiverse will be destroyed. Which includes many versions of the humans you want to protect Alaya."
Then Zelretch had a blown-out smile as he continued.
"And the only one who can save us is a Hero of Justice."
After saying that he opened a portal and left the place, while Alaya continued to remain quiet until she also spoke to itself before it also left.
"Pray that you are correct Wizard Marshall."
Hello, there everyone, like mentioned in my other story it took me a while but I have the correct mindset for this story. So with that said I hope that you all enjoy this!