Disclaimer: I do not own Fate/Stay Night or Highschool DxD, or any of its character's, and make no money of this.


I stood alone…

Thinking where it all began…

The first nick…

There were so many of them…

So many that I wasn't sure which the starting one was anymore …

I got up and faced the sunset…

I will need weapons.


Chapter 13:

Forging Hands


''He's late…'' Illya commented with a sigh, her cheek resting uncomfortably on the kitchen table.

''Who is Illya-san?'' Sella asked as she was washing the dishes.

''Onii-chan…'' she muttered as she buried her face in the table, depressed that Shirou was once again running late.

The white haired maid could understand Illya's concern, with how Shirou's luck tends to go into the negative zone she wouldn't be surprised if he got himself in a fight on the way back home. Still with how steady Shirou's magecraft training has been going on lately she doesn't have anything to worry about. While the boy would be a joke as a researcher, as a combatant he is showing promise, something which can be attested by Maiya herself. ''There's no need to worry, I'm sure he is just running late with school work.''

On the other side of the table Miyu sighed as well. ''This has been happening quite often the past month hasn't it?''

''I honestly lost count Miyu.'' Illya nodded with half lidded eyes.

''Depressed?'' Liz asked as she just walked in the kitchen, a popsicle present in her hand.

''N-No…'' The white haired pre-teen denied with a blush on her face.

Noticing this Miyu decided to defend her sister figure with a solid and logical argument. Something she was quite versed with coming up on the spot, as it was a skill she picked up from her adoptive mother. ''I guess it's a matter of change. He used to spend time with us whenever he was free, something which is pretty rare these days.''

Sella could actually empathize with that, truth be told with how Shirou is dividing his time between school, training, magecraft, and other chores, the two of them don't really spend that much time together anymore either. Sure they do have magecraft lessons together, but interaction during lessons was strictly related to thaumaturgy. She couldn't believe that she actually missed the times they would cook together. All that aside, she was still the adult in the room and had to put things in a way that Illya and Miyu could understand. ''Illya-san, Miyu-san, I can understand that your brother doesn't spend that much time with you lately, but you also have to understand that he is getting older and maturing. He will have new responsibilities and other priorities. He is in his second year of high school and there's no telling what he will chose to do with his life after he graduates, so it's better to appreciate even the shorter time you spend together now. ''

Both girls pondered about what Sella said for a little, they didn't exactly like the sound of it but they nodded nonetheless. ''I guess… but I don't really like the idea that he is spending so much time with all those girls.''

''He is rather late though.'' Miyu changed the subject before Sella could catch onto what Illya was unintentionally implying.

The Einzbern maid sighed, while it was heartwarming to see that there was harmony in the family, it was starting to get tiring. ''I'm sure he is fine, he is probably having a good day.''


''I'm having such a bad day.'' I commented as I stared the people approaching.

Battle was at the proverbial doorstep meanwhile I'm incapacitated and forced to watch the others fight without even having the chance to help.

Sella did teach me the basics for healing magecraft but it was still just basics. I was books away from learning how to heal wounds of this caliber, the most I could do at the moment was numb the pain and heal small scrapes. That being said all I could do was rely on the healing magic from Momo and Reya… which even though it's working was far too slow.

I could feel the Momo glare from on my right as she tried to heal my hand in tandem with Reya, obviously also unsatisfied with the current situation. ''Shirou, please stay still, when you move around your ripping apart what just healed and we have to go back to square one.''

I gritted my teeth, I didn't like this situation at all but I didn't have any alternative, I had to endure it. ''Sorry… I just can't calm down knowing that the enemies are right in front of us.''

Momo didn't say anything and just sighed, it was Reya that decided to speak her mind. ''I know, trust me I do, but we have to do what we can. Once we heal you we can go and support them.''

She was right… at least from a practical point she was, but it still didn't quell the turmoil in my heart. There was one thing that I truly detested doing more than anything else, and that was a being burden to those around me. This was the thing I have tried my best to avoid all my life, for the very idea repulsed me.

The fact that I was useless right now made me feel the urge to throw up.

''Please hurry.'' I muttered as I focused on the approaching enemies, perhaps I don't have any way to help them now, but I will be dammed if I stay put without doing anything.


The Sitri peerage slowly walked towards their opposition, stoic and focused looks present on all their faces as they marched on. In contrast the opposing side however was the picture definition of casual, walking without a care in the world, as if they just went for a stroll in the park.

Saji was keeping his guard up; the jewel within his gauntlet was flickering with a dim purple glow, almost showcasing his inner turmoil. One could tell by the look in his eyes that he was feeling nervous, said eyes now focusing on the girl on his left. ''So Tsubaki-senpai, any strategies we should follow?'' he asked.

The black haired queen didn't respond immediately, taking her time to think, her hand tightening around the shaft of her naginata as she spoke. ''None that I can't think of at the moment, we lack proper information about them so I have no idea how to counter them. For the moment we will have to make due with our advantage in numbers.''

The two groups finally met up, stopping in their tracks a few meters distance between them. The tension felt from the Sitri group was so heavy one could cut it with a knife.

Tsubaki narrowed her eyes at the enemies in front of them, checking each from head to toe, looking for any visible indication of what she may expect from them. There were three opponents and five of them, so she had to divide the teams in the most efficient way possible. Two seconds later she assumed a battle position, her naginata raised and ready to strike as she gave out commands.

''Tsubasa, Tomoe, you take the man on the left. Saji, Ruruko, promote and take the woman on the right.'' Her eyes narrowed at the woman in front of her. ''I will face the woman in the middle.''

''Yes!'' The four members of the student council nodded as they split up, positioning themselves in front of their designated opponents.

The Zepar group on the other hand had different reactions from what one might have expected, in fact two of them appeared to be in a rather good mood. The bald man in particular began chuckling like a little kid who just got a new toy. ''Oh, two for the price of one! What a lucky day!''

''Ditto!'' the woman with the strange animal ears responded in similar excitement.

The purple haired woman on the other hand seemed a little down by these set of events, her eyes focused on Saji instead of Tsubaki. ''Ah shoots, and I wanted to fight the pretty boy.''

The animal ears of the bronze haired woman twitched when they heard this complaint from her teammate. ''Tell you what girl, I will beat him up without damaging his face and you can have him when I'm done.''

A large smile crept on the woman's face, revealing an alarming number of sharp teeth, said woman walking over to her animal eared teammate and sharing a high-five with her. ''Deal.''

The bald man cracked his neck as he studied Tomoe and Tsubasa, a small smirk present on his face. ''So should we do presentations or something?''

The two servants of Sona Sitri didn't respond and just glared at him. Their attempt of intimidation only made him chuckle. ''I will take that as a yes, names Sasha.''

Tomoe seemed somewhat surprised as she heard the man's name, said surprise quickly morphing into a powerful laughter. ''Pfff! That's a girl's name!''

Tsubasa only rolled her eyes in regards to her teammate's sense of humor, laughing about one's name? Really? At a time like this? What was she a damn middle school student?

The man now revealed as Sasha on the other hand seemed rather affected by the remark on his name, veins throbbing in his forehead while a noticeable blush was present on his checks. ''No it isn't! It's a perfectly normal name for a man to have.''

''Yeah, sure it is, if you work at a gay bar.'' The purple haired woman remarked quite loudly from her position, making sure that everyone heard her, smugness all too present in her tone of voice.

This made Sasha see red.

''Don't make me break your face Priscilla!'' he snapped at the purple haired woman who kept chuckling to herself, his focus then shifting to the other girl who on the other hand has snickering uncontrollably. ''That goes double for you Ruki!''

Tomoe and Tsubasa could only stare at the man, apparently someone had a bit of complex about his name. Seeing his own teammates dig into him like that they honestly felt a bit sorry for the guy.

''Women…'' He spit to the side as he tried to ignore the antics of his teammates, returning his attention to the high school girls in front of him. His good mood was pretty much gone and only an irritated scowl remained on his features. His eyes drifted to the side at his comrades as he let out a tired sigh. ''Ok let's break some bones before I start punching those bitches in the cun-''

He didn't get to finish his sentence as Tsubasa punched her fist right into his cheek, the flesh getting stretched to the side, deforming his face, yet there was no reaction from the man. All for the exception of a smirk that began creeping across his face, a very disturbing image considering how her punch was still buried in his face. A sense of dread of ran through Tsubasa upon witnessing his reaction, making her back up and regroup.

Sasha tilted his head to the side, rubbing his face gently, revealing that there wasn't as much as a scratch on it… and Tsubasa put all her strength in that punch. ''Nice punch, it actually hurt a little.''

He raised his fist upwards, right over his collar bone. Sparks flew as he blocked the sword swing that came from above, shock instantly morphing on Tomoe's face as her surprise attack had been easily dealt with. ''You on the other hand I don't even feel like giving a free shot, I'm not into cutting myself.''

She used his back as footing and jumped backwards, quickly regrouping with Tsubasa, her eyes staring in confusion to how his fist was able to block her swing. Her eyes narrowing on what was sticking out of the skin of his fist, green bits of scale like pieces could be seen.

''W-What are those?'' Tomoe muttered in confusion as she didn't recognize what it was, however she had to push all those thoughts aside as Sasha rushed in trying to punch her. There was barely any time for her to properly block him with her sword, the moment of impact felt like she just got hit by a raging bull. ''H-Heavy!''

She tried her best to push back, but the man's strength toppled her own, sending her stumbling into a nearby wall.

The man's smile grew feral as he enjoyed what he just did, and this was only the beginning of the party.


Saji narrowed his eyes at the girl before him, while he usually had a 'don't hit women' policy he was ready to shove it somewhere else since these guys were standing in their way to save Sona. He carefully gauged his opponent, while she was a cute looking girl in his book he wasn't going to go easy on her. He would admit he wasn't a genius but even he could tell that this girl will be pain to deal with, the staff that she was holding being pretty much a giveaway that she is a magic user. Just the kind of opponent he didn't want to deal with since in all honestly he sucked at using and understanding magic.

He glanced over towards Ruruko for a couple of seconds gesturing with his eyes, the fellow pawn nodded as she understood what he wanted her to do.

Both pawns focused and raised their guards at Ruki, who looked quite joyous. ''So any of you kids in the mood for some mischief?''

The two pawns ignored her and followed their Queen's instructions; they wouldn't waste any time messing around here. ''Promotion Queen!''

While pawns may be the weakest pieces in chess, the ability to promote to any other evil piece with the exception of the king allowed them to jump up great leaps of power in a matter of seconds. The Queen piece particularly was the most sought after promotion since it raised strength, speed, and magical traits in spite of the heavy burden it places on the user's body.

That burden right now was something insignificant considering what losing here meant.

Both pawns rushed towards Ruki, each from opposite sides, cutting off available routes for her to run or dodge. Saji went in raising his gauntlet clad fist and aimed for the girl's face, while Ruruko pulled her leg back and aimed for her ribs.

Ruki didn't react in response to the incoming attacks, in fact she just smiled gleefully. ''It seems you are!''

Saji smiled as his face made contact with her face, but it slowly changed into an unhinged gasp, for his fist passed through her face, the same happening to Ruruko, her leg passing through her abdomen.

As both pawns made contact with her body, it exploded in a cloud of smoke, a single small tree leaf left behind in its place as the two Pawns smashed into each other violently.

''W-What the?!'' Saji muttered in shock as he tried to untangle himself from Ruruko, only to stare in shock as Ruki was now behind them, shoving the tip of her staff into his cheek like he was some kind of zoo animal.

''You won't believe how funny that scene was!'' She laughed like a little kid, still poking Saji in the face. The blonde pawn was anything but amused; he won't rest until he got to punch her in the face as much as it went against his principles.


Tsubaki was feeling quite livid, this day just kept getting worse by the minute. First Segrif showed up and knocked them out, then they were thrown into a cage like some wild animals, she almost got sexually abused by a pig of a man, and now she has to fight with the peerage of her master's ex-fiancée. In short, she was having a really shit day and was very tempted to let loose some of that frustration on Priscilla. She was trying to keep it together as rushing into a situation without thinking properly can have detrimental effects, exhibit A being a certain red haired teen that got his hands crippled and now couldn't fight.

Priscilla on the other hand appeared to be in a rather peachy mood, flipping her hair backwards as she examined her opponent. ''So I take it you're Sona Sitri's Queen?''

Tsubaki didn't really want to talk to her, but at this point she really didn't care that much and just humored her. ''… Yes.''

''Charmed.'' Priscilla replied with a wink.

''At least one of us is.'' Tsubaki muttered under her breath weighing her options before deciding to take initiative as she dashed forward thrusting her naginata towards the purple haired woman.

Priscilla smiled as she simply leaned backwards, her back reaching near the breaking points of a normal spine, the blade of Tsubaki's weapon cutting only the air above her. ''Oh my, going for battle immediately, not one for chit chat are we?''

The black haired Queen stabbed the blade of her weapon into the ground, using it to pivot around, the momentum increasing the strength and power of the kick she aimed at the woman's right arm sending her stumbling a few meters. ''This coming from the group that abducted us.''

The woman got up and dusted herself without a care, the attack clearly failed to do any remarkable damage. ''We are just following orders.'' A smile crept on her face, the pupils of her eyes turning to thin slits. ''Another one of our orders was to take care of you kids without killing you, however that doesn't mean we can't have a little fun with you while we do that.''

She looked curiously to her side, her right arm, noticing the way her muscles were twisted around, the kick the Sitri queen delivered had more force in it than she expected. However that didn't bother her even a bit, raising her arm in the air the muscles all twisted themselves back to their original position. As she flexed her arm, she took notice of Tsubaki's bewildered expression. ''What kind of body is that?''

''A flexible one?'' She teased dashing forward, her arms up and ready to attack.

Tsubaki thrust her weapon forward, preparing to swing it the moment she saw the woman try and avoid the attack. Yet that didn't happen, she went straight ahead, her body twisting itself around the weapon like a snake just moments before the impact.

She was so confused by what was happening that she didn't even register when the woman punched her in the liver, jolts of pain were sent all over her insides. It was so painful that she couldn't manage to keep herself up, letting go of her weapon, and dropping to her knees. She began squirming and gasping from the pain while she tried to pull herself together.

From the brute strength she just felt first hand she ruled out the possibility of her being a pawn, a knight, and most certainly not a bishop. This was definitely the kind of strength you find in either a rook or queen.

''Did that hurt?'' Priscilla said as she slithered her way towards her, body long and coiling around itself, as if the woman didn't have any bones left in her body. Her body rose up and straightened itself, slowly filling itself back up, and returning to her previous appearance. ''Maybe I used too much force, I tend to forget that most reincarnated devils are former humans.''

The black haired queen felt bile rise in her throat, this being the first time she ever took such a blow to her liver. It was one thing knowing that liver blows can stun and weaken a person if done right, but it was another experience entirely to feel it with her own body. In any other circumstances she would have been impressed, but in this case she was quite bitter towards the woman in front of her. However a spark ignited, from her previous statement something stood out. ''Y-You talk like you weren't humans yourselves.''

The woman simply stared at Tsubaki for a few moments, the corners of her mouth spreading all the way to her ears, a sinister smile etched on her face, and twisted laughter bursting out from her as if she just heard the best joke ever made.

''You are wrong on so many levels.'' She said as her laughing died out, neck tilting sideways in a perfect 'L' shape as purple demonic energy began violently erupting forth from her body. ''Hey you S.O.B.'s, I don't know about you but I feel like cutting loose here!''

This single action caused her comrades to smile in a similarly disturbing manner.

''Oh my, when you let out power like that I can't help but respond.'' Ruki commented as she stabbed her staff in the ground, bronze demonic energy started gushing from Ruki who was excited to let loose.

''Lets kick this in high gear.'' Sasha roared as he smashed his fists together, a large burst of green demonic energy appearing just like his comrades as he followed suit in response to their actions.

The demonic energies emanating from the three of them were amazing. While the overall intensity from each of them wasn't on the same level as Kurosaiga, they weren't that much behind him; no doubt the opponents they were facing were at least mid-class level.

Another major difference that the Sitri household noticed was that their energy was different from a regular reincarnated devil, theirs felt much more feral, closer to an animal than a humans. However, the most important thing that concerned the fighters at the moment was that their opponents were changing. Their very skin began peeling away, their bodies changing in form and sizes, and their new appearance ripped apart the cloaks that they were wearing.

With a single flash of multicolored lights, their energies vanished, revealing their new forms to the Sitri team, and their eyes widening along with their mouths unhinging as they saw what they were facing.

''Perhaps some proper introductions are in order.'' Priscilla began, her body was barely the same it was before, while most of her upper body remained unchanged she was now covered in purple fish like scales, gills present on her upper abdomen, and her hair merged together into what appears to be smaller tentacles with two larger ones draping over the sides of her face. Her lower half on the other hand was completely changed, starting from her hips her legs were now replaced by eight octopus like tentacles.

''My name is Priscilla, a former Scylla.'' She raised her hands and pointed to her two comrades, both sporting new appearances as well.

Sasha for one grew larger and thicker in size, skin now replaced by dark green lizard scales, a tail wiggling from his back, mouth replaced by a long snout, and both arms and legs baring sharp talons that looked like they were freshly polished.

Ruki on the other hand seemed more asymmetric than before, her hair grew longer and was now accentuated with black highlights. Right behind her first set of ears a new pair grew, similar to those of a hound, behind her back three tails were now playing with each other. The one in the middle which was brown in color was similar to one of a raccoon dog, while the other two were black and were similar to those of a hound. Her lower arms and legs were now covered by thick fur, a mix of brown and black, her nose grew longer and from it three pairs of whiskers were growing.

''The man over there is Sasha, a former lizardman and the girl over there is Ruki, a former tanuki.'' She began laughing once again, a long tongue hanging out of her mouth all the way to her collar bone. ''So the fact that you called us former humans was just so hilarious, because it clearly showed that you have no idea who you're dealing with.''

Tsubaki picked back up her naginata and instinctively increased her grip on her weapon.

This wouldn't be an easy fight, of that she was certain.


Meanwhile Tomoe and Tsubasa were feeling quite nervous, Sasha was already a large and imposing man even before the whole transformation, but now he was making them feel quite intimidated with his new appearance.

Sasha on the other hand didn't focus on them, but instead he looked towards his own body, eyes narrowing over his form and sighing quite tiredly. ''Man I really need to get some of these scales clipped.''

His easy going attitude was getting on the girls nerves, especially for Tsubasa, the bluennete for one had enough of this charade.

She raised her guard and tightened her fists, immediately dashing towards him in a zigzag, and with her aim focused directly on his open chest. ''Just because you grew a tail and some scales, won't be enough to stop me from pummeling you!''

Sasha simply took a step back up and avoided her strike, causing the Sitri rook to grind her teeth in frustration, however she pushed on, and launching punch after punch as she went on and attacked the lizardman, but none connected.

While this dance between them went on, Tomoe circled around them preparing to strike, her eyes focused and searching for the right moment to make her move. When he avoided a surprised kick from Tsubasa she noticed his guard was lowered.

That was the moment she was waiting for.

Using her speed as a knight she rushed towards the lizardman and aimed for the opening, however that didn't go unnoticed, for Sasha spotted her with the corner of his eyes. A serious look forming on his face as he caught the next punch that Tsubasa threw, his scales glowing orange as Tomoe entered his range. A single word getting muttered as the black blade was drawing near. ''Burn.''

It happened in an instant, steam rose from his body and was followed by the pain filled scream of the blue haired rook. He let go of her hand, revealing the now red and blistered skin on it, as steam was rising from it.

As Tsubasa was busy squirming in her pain, Sasha took the opportunity to take care of his other approaching opponent. He grabbed Tsubasa with his tail and threw her like a ragdoll at her fellow teammate, causing her stop in her tracks, she put her sword aside in a desperate attempt to prevent Tsubasa from getting hurt by it. Yet she didn't have time to stop her from crashing into her.

Both girls were sent stumbling into a nearby wall, Tomoe suffering the most damage as she was forced to soften the impact for Tsubasa by using her own body. They fell down on the floor and weakly tried to get up, Tomoe coughing out a mouthful of blood while Tsubasa was trying desperately to clench her burnt hand.

''Ahhhhh!'' The blue haired rook screamed both from pain and frustration, her eyes glaring daggers at the lizardman. ''What the hell was that?!''

''The results of the boss's research.'' Sasha snickered as he opened his fist, steam rising violently from it as a soft orange glow flickered in his eyes. ''Chimerafication.''

''Chimerafication? The hell is that?'' Tsubasa muttered as she had never heard of such a word.

The servant of Segrif Zepar spit to the side, visibly annoyed by the Tsubasa's question. ''Trust me you don't want me to go into detail about it, I don't have all day to just talk, but I'll keep it short. My boss cut me and those other three you saw open and experimented on us turning us into chimera hybrids.''

Both girls gasped as this little bit of information went through their heads. Segrif Zepar actually turned his own peerage members into some kind of chimera hybrids?

It was absurd, making an abstraction by the whole chimera part that man actually went out of his way and did who knows what kind of sick procedures in order to make them like this. They were well aware that in the case of Sona, they were lucky that she was a kind and understanding master. One who would never mean them harm, and they also knew that there were many kings that abused their pieces, forcing them do things that shouldn't be spoken of or go through experiences that would forever leave them scarred.

So seeing the result of one such king who made his peerage go through such an action was making them sick to their stomach.

Sasha for one seemed to take delight in the horrified expression of the girls, his tail wiggling all too excitedly behind his back. ''I for one was just a simple lizardman without any remarkable abilities or talent, but with the genes of a salamander and some other reptilian creature that the boss integrated in me, I now have a steel like hide and can raise my internal temperature to cremating degrees.''

A vicious smirk formed on his face as he watched the blisters form on Tsubasa's hands. ''So if you were planning to fight me like that, your hands will burn to ash long before they can even damage me.''

He crouched down on all four members and instantly pounced towards them, the two girls having barely any time to prepare themselves against his assault. His first target was Tsubasa, stepping in close he delivered a devastating punch to her gut. Blood and bile began escaping her mouth, her eyes dilating as she felt a burning pain besides the one from the punch, Sasha having used his residual heat to also cause her intense burns, and things were only getting worse and worse with every second his fist remained in contact with her body.

Tomoe saw this and tried to interfere, raising her sword to her shoulder level and performed a thrusting strike at the lizardman.

Seeing the strike aimed at him the lizardman pulled back his sizzling fist and turned his body slightly to the side. The fist that burned her friend was now open with its fingers curled, as if waiting to grab something. When Tomoe's blade entered his range he did something that she honestly didn't expect, he punched it with his other fist. To further increase her shock no blood was shed, just sparks resulted from the clash of her weapon's edge and the steel like scales of the Zepar house member.

Her strike now disrupted, her arms just hanged in the air without any force behind them, Sasha grabbed her sword with his open hand, and a sinister chuckle escaped from his serpentine mouth. ''That's a good sword you got there, but your attacks are too shallow, you will never cut through my scales with this level of power.''

Tomoe gritted her teeth in frustration; the normally bubbly member of the team was having a hard time keeping it together. The man in front of them was the worst kind of opponent for her and Tsubasa, not only were his defensive capabilities ridiculous, but that internal heat trick of his was basically steam cooking anyone who dare to get too close to him.

They couldn't win… that was the realization that hit her at the very same moment that the lizardmans rock hard tail slapped her down to the ground.


''So what do you think of my new look?'' Ruki asked the two pawns in front of her as she did a small spin on her heels, fondling her new wolf tails. ''Merging a tanuki with the genes of a wolf along with other canine races makes quite the cute thing don't you think?''

Saji and Ruruko were slowly raising their guards up, the anxiousness from the battle beginning to form within them as they scanned the girl's new appearance. Ruruko was breathing in and out, trying to calm herself and put her mind into order. Saji on the other hand while going through the same state of shock as his fellow pawn, decided to clear his mind in a different way.

''You were prettier before if you ask me, also you should shave those legs and arms.'' He remarked as a small smirk formed on his lips.

His way of calming down consisted of running his mouth without thinking twice about what he was saying.

While it did help him ease up a little, it had the complete opposite effect on his opponent, a vein was throbbing violently on Ruki's forehead as a feral smile spread on her face. ''I will beat you up now.''

She pulled from her pocket nine tree leaves and threw them in the air, tapping her staff to the ground before they had the chance to fall down, light erupted from them as nine clouds of smoke formed around her body. As the smoke dispersed Saji could only gulp nervously as now nine more copies of Ruki appeared. All of them together with the original moved around from their previous spots, completely shuffling the original between the copies. The blond pawn could only think of one word to describe this turn of events. ''Shit!''

''Indeed!'' all copies responded in perfect sync as they dashed towards Saji and Ruruko.

Both of them braced themselves and prepared for the clash, the first two clones that reached them got greeted with an uppercut from Saji and a low kick from Ruruko respectfully, but they only wasted energy, the hits passing through them as if they were weren't even there to begin with.

Saji didn't get the chance to pull himself back together as other three clones hit his face with their staffs at the same time. They then pulled back and circled around him, two new clones joining in and proceeded to jab their staff tips into his knee, making the boy shriek in pain and stumble down.

This was getting ridiculous, he could tell by the pain alone that only one of them was real, but by the time he realized which was the real one the damage had already been done. Saji didn't consider himself a genius, but even he knew that with the way the girl kept hiding herself among her illusions while attacking together with them, there's no way for him to know which is the real one.

''Saji-senpai!'' Ruruko seeing this tried to rush and help him, only to fall and stumble as two of the clones tripped her.

This really got on Saji's nerves, with the adrenaline rushing in his system numbing his pain he pushed himself back up and pointed his gauntlet forward. Its jewel eyes flashing as the line rushed towards the clones, but once again it was for naught.

The clones started circling around him again, even faster this time. The pawn desperately tried to find the original among them, the echoing laughter of the group making his frustration grow even further.

Three of them got behind him striking his left kidney as giggles erupting all around from witnessing the pawns cringing pain. ''I'm over here!''

Five other clones jumped up above him and aimed for his shoulder, the boy attempted to block the strikes but didn't know which was the real one, he could only guard against three of them however all three were fakes. He gnashed his teeth as he felt his shoulder almost dislocating from the blow. ''No, I'm here!''

A deep frown etched on his face as he backed up and aimed his gauntlet for one of the clones, receiving a surprise response from the group. ''Hey, that's a clone you're going for!''

Perhaps it was his anger that was clouding his judgment, perhaps he was just rushing in without thinking properly, but the boy reacted to this. By all means he had no reason to listen to anything the girl in front of him had to say, in fact it would have been idiotic to so.

And yet he did.

In a single second of poor decision, he switched his aim to another clone, firing his line at her. It just passed through her like it did with the others.

''Lol, I can't believe you actually fell for that, what a complete idiot.'' The clones all laughed at the pawns poor choice in moves. If he only would have been properly focused he would have hit the real one.

He lost a rare opportunity to take out the enemy… Now he was back at square one.

This was making his hope fade little by little. The more this battle dragged on the more beaten up and tired he became. Even Ruruko wouldn't last much longer, while she wasn't the target of Ruki's beatings like he was, the twin tailed pawn kept on attacking the clones in an attempt to find the real one. Though it was a good plan, it had its drawbacks, with the way the clones kept changing position all the time it all came down to whether Ruruko could find the real one before her stamina ran out.

It was a damn game.

A game that would be over if he didn't find a way to flip things to his favor that thought kept plaguing his mind so strongly that he didn't register the hand that squirmed around him from his neck. His eyes widened as he tried to react, but he wasn't fast enough.

''Gahhhh!'' his screamed echoed as Ruki slashed his face with her long and sharp wolf like nails, blood streaming down his cheek like miniature rivers of red water.

Ruki smirked to herself as she liked how the Sitri pawn was now squirming around and screaming in pain at her very feet. However her smile was replaced by an annoyed frown as she checked the hand she previously used. ''Ouch, your face sure is hard, I think I might have chipped a nail.''

''Saji-senpai!'' While the enemy was all but fine about what was happening, Ruruko went in a state of panic as she saw how much pain her fellow pawn was going through, storming her way through to help him.

Her actions caused the wolf-tanuki hybrid to smile viciously. ''Sorry, but you don't have the time to worry about others.'' She once again mixed within the group of clones and all started circling around Ruruko, five on the ground while the other five floated in the air above her, forming a dome style barricade around the female pawn.

Ruruko gritted her teeth and raised her guard preparing for her next move, no doubt she was going to attack her the same way she did with Saji, so the most she could do was brace herself for the strike and see if she was lucky enough to counter attack after realizing which is the real one.

That was a plan that had its merit.

If only Ruki didn't realize what she was aiming for, that is.

To Ruruko's confusion the clones didn't attack, instead they all raised their staffs and pointed them at her. From their tips, spheres of fire the size medicine balls quickly manifested, causing all color to drain from the pawn's face.

She panicked, while she knew very well that only one of them was real, the question that was making her breathing go hectic was which one was it?!

She didn't know where to run towards, for all her luck she could be running right into the real one. This mental torment was like nectar to Ruki, the woman failing to resist the urge to just break into maniacal laughter. ''Guess which is the real one! Come on its just one out of ten! No big deal!''

Ruruko's mind just didn't know what to do anymore, what was real and what was fake. She couldn't find a solution, and time run out.

Boom!

The balls exploded on the moment of impact with the twin tailed pawn, embers dancing around her now burning body as Ruki took a deep breath in, a satisfied smile etching on her face. ''Oh, burnt flesh smells so yummy.''


Tsubaki Shinra was speechless.

Her mouth dropped the moment she saw Priscilla's true form as the realization of what she truly was hit her like a hammer.

While Priscilla enjoyed being looked upon in general, she however didn't like how Tsubaki was staring at her, the way her eyes were filled with horror and disbelief was actually getting on her nerves. ''I take it you're not enjoying what you're seeing?''

Her knuckles turned white as they gripped the shaft of her weapon, her voice coming out as a mere whisper. ''Your master… did this to you?''

She didn't see the reason to even ask that, but she was feeling rather chatty today so she indulged her. ''Indeed, in my case the body of a Scylla is rather frail, not meant for physical combat outside of a water environment, but after giving me genes of different shell monsters my strikes can now break steel.''

It disturbed her… the indifference in her voice. Was she truly unaware of what her master had done to her, or was it sheer ignorance to the truth?

In either case she couldn't keep herself from snapping desperately at her. ''Do you even know what he did to you?!''

She was Sona Sitri's Queen, as such she had to be someone worthy of being her right hand. Therefore she always tried to study as much about the supernatural and all related subjects be it magic, history, etiquette, or simple trivia. Doing so gave her a lot of knowledge that was useful in her new life as a devil, but also had her memorize a lot of information that she honestly didn't think she would need.

… Or that was what she thought up until now.

Seeing with her own two eyes what Segrif Zepar did to the members of his peerage made her remember an article she read, one featuring a father turning his own daughter into a half-chimera creature, the new creature ripping him apart like a paper crane minutes after it was created. Shivers went down her spine when she read it, and it was as she read the explanations provided by field experts at the end that she understood what turning a person into a chimera could do.

And such a person was now right in front of her very own eyes.

''Creating chimeras from actual rational people is forbidden! The minds and bodies of the people who go through it slowly deteriorate and lose all sight of what's right and wrong!'' The Sitri queen snapped at her opponent.

Chimeras by their own are feral creatures, something that shouldn't have existed by natural means, an insult to Mother Nature itself. While one may be tamed and forced to obey with proper methods like shock collars or binding spells. No one can raise a chimera and expect it to be docile or willingly listen to orders without incentive.

Many tried to prove this statement wrong and create a chimera that could be tamed naturally. The common theory they relied on was the idea of implementing the chimera process on sentient beings, like humans and other similar intelligent races.

However despite numerous attempts, no such thing was ever realized.

Not even the Zepar house that specialized in the creation of chimeras could achieve it, they who knew more about chimeras than anyone else in all the underworld. The process was so dangerous that they themselves were the ones that requested the ban on research for chimaerification, for they were well aware that it can't be done, at least not in the foreseeable future.

Anyone turned into a chimera hybrid will slowly deteriorate, both physically and mentally. Only savage beasts remaining from what were once people with a future ahead of them.

That was the harsh and cold truth.

Yet, that didn't seem to bother Priscilla judging by her indifferent look.

''So that makes us a little crazy?'' the Scylla woman asked slowly as her neck tilted to the side, eyes gaping as her smile reached her ears. ''Who would've thought?''

Tsubaki's eyes widen as Priscilla started slithering her way towards her, two of her tentacles raising and preparing to strike. She defended herself with the shaft of her weapon and tried to keep her ground, however that was proving difficult. The strength behind her strikes was great, pushing her back, for her strength was much greater than what she was used to from sparring with Tsubasa.

A long tongue came out of Priscilla's mouth, wiggling in front of her as she got closer to Tsubaki. ''That means we can just make you bleed and cry without any complaints, we are insane after all.''

Tsubaki gritted her teeth and tried to ignore the disturbing visage, twisting her weapon and breaking the stance, but she didn't get chance to catch her breath as Priscilla started another barrage of attacks using her limbs. One after another she would use her tentacles as blunt weapons to try to break Tsubaki, yet the Queen of Sona Sitri would not give in so easily. She may possess superior brute strengththan her but her speed on the other hand was a different story, as such Tsubaki used this to her advantage and was able to block and counter her attacks.

She ducked an incoming attacks and dashed forward, avoiding other tentacles as she was closing in on her opponent. The moment she knew her weapon could now reach her she began a series of thrusting strikes, aiming for her upper body. However her opponent wouldn't allow that and used her tentacles as armor, wrapping them around herself like a multi layer cocoon. While she did cause some bleeding, the wounds were shallow and only the tentacles were cut, the upper body was unscratched.

Priscilla unraveled her body by violently swinging her appendages like a whirlwind, Tsubaki barely having enough time to raise her weapon to defend. She was pushed back, but didn't take damage overall, however her hands felt a bit stunned from the shock of the impact.

As the Priscilla's limbs unfolded a shiver ran through Tsubaki's spine as she saw the euphoric look of joy on the woman's face. ''Exquisite.'' The modified Scylla enjoyed every bit of it, after all what's the fun in hunting prey that just sat there waiting to be caught.

Tsubaki had no idea what to say and just stared at her opponent.

''Oh, just drop that stare will you, I can go on without your pity. Sure, our master did cut us open and put us through a world of pain, but it was worth it, just look at what I can do now.'' She raised four of her tentacles and they shined in a purplish light, a white liquid beginning to seep out of the ends of the appendages, spreading over them in a thin coating, a feral smile forming on the woman's lips as the process was done. ''Let's get rid of that annoying stick, shall we?''

Perhaps she should step up her game a little.

Her body convulsed and her limbs began squirming around in all direction, panic filling the queen of Sona Sitri as she didn't know which one will attack. She steeled herself as the front tentacles rushed towards her, bending herself downwards and avoiding them, only to gasp as she saw with the corners of her eyes how they pulverized the ground they hit. The sense of dread in her reaching new heights as she estimated what could happen if she got hit.

She pulled herself back up and raised her weapon, blocking two incoming strikes, teeth gritting in pain from the impact she felt, but that wasn't all. Priscilla pulled all four of her tentacles back and began a series of rapid punches using them, Tsubaki lacking the time to dodge she was forced to take them straight on. She kept blocking each strike, but with each new impact between her weapon and her opponent's powerful attacks, her arms kept getting sorer and heavier with every blow.

She wouldn't last much longer, at this rate her arms will give up before she gets the chance to counter. Her only solace was that her opponent wasn't using all her tentacles to attack, from what she could observe she was using her free ones as a form of footing to increase the power behind each strike.

This couldn't go on, she had to break this stalemate and take back the initiative before it was too late.

Unfortunately for her it was already too late.

The sound of steel cracking invaded her ears in between the sound of exchanges from their clashing against one another, a gasp escaping Tsubaki's mouth as she realized the major miscalculation she had made. While she took into consideration how long her body would last, she didn't account for how long her weapon could hold on. Throughout the fight the constant stress the weapon experienced whittled away its durability making it more brittle and so the damage was done.

One more strike was all it took, her weapon shattering into many pieces before her very eyes, with disbelief filling them as she now was vulnerable. ''N-No!''

The remains of her weapon had yet to touch the ground, Priscilla's attacks never wavered not ever for a second and kept following. Four hammer like strikes landing on Tsubaki's shoulders and thighs. A painful hiss was heard as Sona's queen was sent stumbling around the ground like a rag doll.

When she finally stopped she tried to get up but was failing to find the power and do so, if it wasn't for the durability she received from her Queen piece her bones would have been turned to dust from those attacks. While they were still in one piece it didn't spare her from the probable bruising and deep pain she was feeling.

Her arms were trying so desperately to push herself up that she didn't notice that Priscilla was now right behind her, running one of her human hands through Tsubaki's long black hair, a rapturous smile present on her face, like a little girl enjoying the feeling of playing with the fur of a cat.

''Oh, such beautiful long hair.'' Priscilla remarked as she went about with her caressing. Even though it was a gentle and soft gesture that in fact felt pleasant, it was causing emotions of disgust and fear in Tsubaki that she couldn't find the words to describe. The only thing that she could do in response being punching Priscilla's hand to the side, her action making the purple haired woman's smile vanish and morph her lips into an uncaring line. ''Do you take proper care of it? Let's see if you have good roots.''

Tsubaki screamed as Priscilla yanked her up by the hair, beginning to spin her around, letting go of her after putting her little toy through about ten full circular spins around her. Tsubaki was sent crashing into a nearby wall, blood gushing out of her mouth as her body peeled itself down and landed on the ground. Priscilla didn't really keep an eye on her and instead went on to count the number of hairs that got ripped from her little improvised 'hammer throw'. ''Less than I expected, interesting, please tell me what conditioner you use?''

Tsubaki didn't say anything, her head slowly lifting up and glaring at her, glasses broken and gone, her mismatched eyes burning with a tranquil fury for her opponent.

''Not gonna share?'' Priscilla scoffed as she threw the hair in her hand aside. ''Such a party popper.''

The naginata user was really growing sick of her opponent's antics, frustration getting directed also to herself for letting Priscilla get the chance to beat on her like this. ''D-Dammit… if only I didn't waste time and let you transform...''

Hearing this at first Priscilla just tilted her head in confusion to whatever could her enemy be referring to, it was only after she remembered about her current appearance that she understood, and a chuckle began escaping her purplish lips as she spoke up. ''A bit of food for thought, we didn't actually power up, we just got rid of our disguises, we were strong like this from the start.'' The smile spread to her ears, pearly sharp teeth beaming at her together with her slit pupils. ''Us transforming was just the icing on the cake, a mere way of showing that you aren't dealing with the average devils. In other words, you kids were fucked from the beginning.''

The look of disbelief and despair that slowly morphed on Tsubaki's beautiful bloodied face was an image that was sending shivers down the Scylla's back.

She was really enjoying herself right now.


Fury.

Anger.

Wrath.

Those were just a few of the words I could use to describe the emotional state that I was going through, and yet they weren't strong enough to measure up to the rage that was rampaging through me.

The fact that I was forced to sit back and do nothing while the others were getting beaten up savagely before my own eyes was something that I didn't know how much more I could honestly take. If it was just a matter of the enemy following orders perhaps I would feel less frustrated, but they were enjoying every bit of the torture they were inflicting on my teammates. Those sadistic laughs, those deranged smiles, and all of them making me want to just jump in and kick the sick amusement out of them.

The irony of what everyone had been telling me up until now finally hit me, because I rushed in to save Momo and Reya without properly thinking things through I have to pay by watching the others suffer. I don't regret what I've done, I would do it a thousand times over again, however now that I look back if I would have just used my brain a second faster than I reacted I could have reinforced my hands to catch the arrows instead of using them to block them. That was my mistake, one that I was currently paying the price for.

My teeth clenched together as my eyes kept shifting from battle to battle, it was all a damn joke to the Zepar group. Our peerage stood no chance against the enemy as they are now, judging by how they react and fight its obvious they have more experience in combat, but to top it all off they have different abilities which makes the match ups even worse for my teammates.

While Saji and Tsubaki-senpai normally would have a slight advantage due to their sacred gears, they were useless on their current opponents. Saji's Absorption line may be a powerful counter against individual targets, however the fact that his opponent was using illusions to hide was making his weapon useless. The same for Tsubaki-senpai, while I didn't get to structural grasp her Mirror Alice from what I could tell she can only use it to absorb long range attacks.

The Sitri peerage had the drive that much I could tell by how they kept getting back up again and again even though they must have realized that the battle can't be won. However there is a limit to what you can achieve by drive alone, feelings by themselves can't make up entirely for experience and ability.

This was just a game to my enemies… A game my friends and I were on the verge of losing if nothing changed.

I had to figure something out, and fast.

''Momo, Reya isn't there a faster way to heal my hands?''

My eyes drifted left and right catching the looks of the bishops, while Reya was apparently contemplating, Momo's face exploded in a shade of beet red. ''W-Well there is a way, but it's a bit… complicated.''

This made my eyes narrow at her, so there was a way, while the fact that she hasn't mentioned it up until now was kind of irritating me, considering the situation we are facing I didn't have the time and luxury of being snarky. ''Can you do it or not?''

''I-It's not about being able to do or not, it's just… well…'' her stuttering was raising questions in my mind regarding the prospects of whatever she thought of, but I didn't care if she had to put me through a world of pain, if it can heal me up faster and put me back in the game I would endure it.

I couldn't help but raise my voice at the white haired bishop. ''Look if you can speed up the process in any way just do it, I don't care about any aftereffects, all I care for is helping the others before it's too late.''

At this the faux white haired girl gulped nervously. ''B-But I, I never-''

''Let it go Momo, at this point the most we can do is just get it over with.'' Reya cut her friend off with a defeated sigh.

The lips of her fellow bishop quiver slightly, blue eyes casted down in shame. ''F-Fine.''

That was good, now I can focus back at the battle and search for any possible counter strategies against the enemy.

Huh… while some sensation did slightly return to my hands, they were still numb, and yet I suddenly felt a wave of heat over both of them. I looked back at my hands and my eyes opened wide at what they were seeing, my voice almost cracking. ''W-W-What the hell are you girls doing?!''

''What does it look like to you?! We're healing you!'' Momo snapped back at me in frustration, voice strained and embarrassed.

''With your boobs?!'' I asked as my mind was trying to process the inconceivable situation that I was finding myself in. Both girls opened the middle buttons of their shirts and shoved my hands in those openings, my palms currently resting between some rather… soft breasts.

While it didn't really help, the way Momo's face was fuming and her eyes spinning in her head, at least it showed I wasn't the only one finding this whole situation unpleasant. ''Shut up! You're not making this any easier!''

My eyes drifted to my opposite site as Reya was pinching my arm, she on the other hand seemed to be handling this much better then Momo, her face only blushing brightly. ''E-Ehem, Shirou as you might or may not be aware off devil healing consist of the healer transferring their demonic energy into the injured and accelerate their natural healing process, correct?''

I moved my head away, trying to avoid staring at the place where my palms were placed, nodding mechanically to her question which I already knew the answer. ''Y-Yeah?''

''However, what many people don't know is that direct contact between the healer and the injured increases the rate of healing since its energy is transferred directly, as such the more physical contact there is between them the more energy is transferred and the speed of the healing is increased.''

Oh… well when she puts it like that it does make a little sense. ''A-As informative is that may be it doesn't make this any less awkward and embarrassing.''

''You think you have it rough! We're the ones doing the embarrassing stuff here!'' Momo snapped at me, making me shift a little from my position, causing in return a moan to escape from the bishop's mouth. ''Also stop squirming around! Y-Your hand is rubbing some… sensitive 'parts'.''

My eyes gaped as I understood just what sensitive 'parts' she was referring to...

Don't think about it… just think about weapons… or cooking… or anything else for the matter just don't think about what my hands may be rubbing against no matter how soft and pliable they may feel.

''I must say you look quite pathetic like this.'' The smug voice of the current attendant in the back of my head suddenly spoke up.

While I actually appreciated the fact that he made me lose focus on where my hands were, it also reminded me about what was going on in front of me. ''Archer I really don't have time for any of your remarks right now!''

His chuckle wasn't a pleasant thing to hear, while there was amusement in it, I could feel a certain level of pity from it. ''Is that so, well it's not like you have anything better to do while your recovering.''

That remark was like rubbing salt on an open wound, my teeth gritting violently against each other. ''If there was anything else I could do I would've had done so, but I can't even project with my hands like this!''

There was a slight pause in our conversation, a sense of heaviness building up with each second he just kept quiet. The tone shifted as I heard him sight tiredly. ''Why?''

I blinked a couple of times at his question. ''What do you mean by why?''

I couldn't see him, but I could feel it, his disappointment in me. ''Since when do you need your hands for Projection?''

For a moment I wanted to talk back and ask just what he was on about, but something clicked in my head, a sense of realization towards what I have been ignoring all this time. There only word I could muster was a single flat. ''… What?''

''Projection isn't linked to ones hands, but rather to one's body, one can project an object within a certain range of his body without the help of his hands. The part of utilizing the hands to project is more for concentrating where you want the object to be projected, while is helpful it's not mandatory, if you can concentrate hard enough and visualize where you want it to appear it will happen.''

My eyes stopped blinking, burning from the dryness that was forming, yet the burn I was feeling didn't compare to the simmering anger that was slowly building in me. ''… Why didn't you tell me this?''

''I thought you already knew.'' He scoffed casually.

This was great news! If I'm not limited to using my hands when projecting this opens the door for new combat possibilities… yet as wonderful as that was, it didn't solve my current predicament. ''… It still doesn't change anything. If I can't use my hands what's the point of projecting weapons if I can't hold them.''

''Indeed… in this state it doesn't matter what you project, you won't be able to use them.'' He remarked this without a care in the world, an action which further cemented my belief that Archer really is impartial about everything happening. ''Well, not you yourself that is.''

The last statement really got my attention. ''You know something that I don't.''

''Many things in fact, but that's beside the point. I can give you one solid piece of advice, if you really want to help your friends you need to do it in a different way than simply fighting for them.'' He stated with a small snarl. ''Your eyes can see things differently than normal people, so visualize yourself helping them in a way that you've never done before.''

There was a brief and heavy pause before he went on again.

''You are like a sword are you not?'' he asked me with a very serious tone, sounding more like a statement than a question. ''Whether a sword is used for salvation or destruction it's all up to the one that 'wields' it.''

Him and his cryptic messages again… to help them fight in way that I never did before. I have no clue to what he could be referring to with what he said.

The only way I can see to help them without fighting directly would be-

No… he couldn't be suggesting that I…

In concept the idea is brilliant, so simple and effective that it's ridiculous that I haven't thought about it up until now… but it goes against how I operate.

There was one thing that I can't stand more than anything and that is the feeling of being a burden to others.

It was as I saw the enemy go about with their attacks that my face cringed… What choice did I have but to rely on others?

My teeth clenched against each other for being forced to do this, eyes closing and mind starting to search for the answer that I'm seeking. I tried picturing that image so many times during training, not even once was I able to do it, or even once was I able to tap into that power.

''Include!''

It was all irrelevant, whether I could do it before or not didn't matter at all, what truly mattered was doing it now. I can't tell how many I will be able to pull out if it works, but even a single one can change the tides of the battle if it is the right one.

A deep breath escaped my lips as I tried to emulate every single feeling that I felt at that moment, my mind becoming sharp and cold, just like a like sword.

There was one thing that I ignored, that I didn't want to accept.

A sword is a weapon, yes. Whether they are used to protect or to kill, it all comes to those who wielded them.

The truth that I have been avoiding… even if I myself can't wield any weapon… it doesn't mean that I can't pass them on to others to use.

It showed itself to me.

The hill of swords.

I reached out for it.

Search start.

I need something for Tsubasa, protection against her opponents blazing hide, not just that, but something that would make her punches strong enough to get past his steel like scales.

Iron gloves that tame lighting itself.

Searching...

I need something for Ruruko, something that can help her deal with those illusions and the opponent's magical attacks.

Scarlet spear that pierces through all mysteries.

Searching...

I need something for Tsubaki-senpai, a naginata, no, a pole weapon or something of similar design, durable enough not break against those strong blows, yet light enough for her to make rapid movements, and possessing enough sharpness to slice through her armor like shell.

Pinnacle of Chinese craftsmanship, the culmination of halberds.

Matches found.

Everything was set and ready for deployment, hands were unnecessary, all I required was a sharp mind and good visualization of where I want them to manifest. It was time, I flipped the switch.

The barrel was fired.

''Trace On!''

A loud scream was heard the moment the aria left my mouth, my circuits flared together with a surge of immense pain. What I was trying to do was basically reaching for the handle of a weapon hidden within a rose bush, the further I tried to push and grab it the more my hand would get cut and bleed. In this case the more I tried to tap into the cards power and project the desired weapons the more the pain intensified.

''Shirou!''

Body began heating up and convulsing, my insides feeling like someone just shoved an exposed electric cable down my throat and turned the power on. My vision was shifting between clear and cloudy, sense of consciousness slowly fading away.

''Shirou stop!''

Reya and Momo's concern was appreciated, but right now I didn't have the luxury of worrying about myself. ''N-No... I need to do this!''

I can tell… the noble phantasms that I'm trying to project are way stronger that Kanshou and Bakuya, the level of feedback and prana consumption didn't even begin to compare. The fact that what I was trying to project were things that weren't even swords to begin with just added more gas on the fire.

This burn was something else, I thought that I was getting better since the strain of projecting my usual twin blades was lessening as I kept training by repeating projecting them, but it would seem that when I try projecting something new for the first time it won't be so easy.

Was that going to stop me?

Was this pain really my limit?

No way in hell!

The pain I was in was all irrelevant for pain is something ephemeral, difficult to endure as it may be, at some point sooner or later it will pass and will become just a distant memory.

However… the pain of knowing I had the means to make a difference and backed up from it is something that I don't want to experience.

My body can go through all the pain in the world, as long as in that world there aren't others that are suffering I will endure it.

''I am…'' My eyes snapped open, I couldn't do much, but there was only one thing that only I can do. ''The bone of my sword!''


''Shirou!' I heard Momo call me out, yet I didn't react.

''Shirou! Snap out of it Shirou!'' Reya did the same and I still didn't react.

A sudden impulse ran through my body, I blinked hard, confusion overshadowing my pain as I stared at what was in front of me. Just a moment ago there was just the empty floor, now I gazed upon the captivating sight of three different noble phantasms.

While I should have been relieved that I managed to pull off a simultaneous projection of three different noble phantasms, there was just something wrong here.

… Did I just black out?

''Shirou!'' Momo shouted at me once more, only this time she decided to add a hard slap in the mix, said slap was against my face.

While it did sting a lot, it did help me put some order in my mind and compose myself. A dry hiss escaped my mouth as I stared speaking. ''I-I'm fine… I just blacked out there for a bit.''

The two girls looked at each other, frustration slowly becoming visible on Momo's features. ''A bit he says… Shirou your vitals stopped for almost ten seconds!''

I was out cold for ten seconds?

Weird… it felt like only one to me…

That was some concerning news to hear, I have to be careful when I try this sort of stunt during a fight. If I wasn't on the sidelines with the team's bishops by my side the enemy could have very well ended me in those ten seconds of unconsciousness.

However, all of those concerns are for a later time. ''L-Look that's not important right now, we need to give them these weapons, it's the only way they can make up for the difference in strength.''

Momo opened her mouth to raise her complaint but no words came out, her gaze shifting towards the newly projected weapons, eyes widening as her body shivered for a moment. No doubt that the power she felt from the weapons was unlike anything she had felt before. She returned her attention towards me and nodded vigorously. ''I understand.''

I also nodded as I began formulating a strategy for a counter attack. As simple as it would be to just throw each of them the weapons they needed, I doubt that the enemy would just sit by and let us give them support. As such I had to think of a good diversion. ''Good… now, is there any way for me to communicate with the others while they are fighting?''

Reya nodded slightly as she began explaining. ''There is, it's a communication spell that we both know.''

So both she and Momo knew it, good, that will come in handy. ''I want you to keep a communication line between me and everyone, I will rely instructions to them.''

I then shifted my focus at Momo, gesturing to the projected weapons with my eyes. ''Take those and wait for my signal, I will tell you what to pass to each them.''

''Yes!''

''Reya, I have a different job for you.''

''What are you planning Shirou?''

I didn't answer immediately, my eyes solely focusing on the opposing team scanning their every move, pattern, and overall behavior. Various scenarios forming in my mind as I muttered. ''… Seeing if I have the makings of a King.''


They were losing hope.

It wasn't hard to see how the servants of Sona Sitri were beginning to lose the hope of winning their battles. Not that anyone could blame them, the opposing force had an array of powerful abilities coupled with extensive combat experience at their disposal. As a group that up until now only lightly sparred among themselves and went on a few stray devil hunting assignments together they couldn't hope to compare. All of them were completely out of their league as situation kept on deteriorating, the challenge they faced unlike anything they had experienced before. Sure, stray devils could be difficult to handle depending on the circumstances the most obvious example being their recent encounter with Kurosaiga Ichirou, but in all other cases the stray devils they hunted were just insane monsters. There was hardly ever a need for any special strategy besides hitting it really hard and the most basic teamwork. The Sitri peerage was a rookie peerage full of fresh reincarnated devils and thus most of its members were never really pushed as Sona preferred to slowly break them in and guide them in their new position and responsibilities.

Unfortunately this came back to bite them was what Tsubaki concluded. Their opponents, while their mental state was questionable, were still very much self-aware. The scorching hand to hand fighting style of Sasha, the illusion wielding Ruki who specialized in hidden attacks, and the relentless assaults from Priscilla's steel like tentacles. All of those were things they couldn't face individually with their current level of power and skill.

It would have been surprising for them not to lose hope as the fight went on and they were slowly beaten back by their enemies

However, they didn't give up for they knew what was at stake.

Whether they could win or not didn't matter in their minds, they had only one objective, to save their master from the hands of Segrif Zepar.

They didn't pray for a miracle, they were devils after all.

Yet despite that, a miracle decided to step in.

''[Guys can you hear me?!]''

''Shirou?'' Tsubaki blinked confused as her eyes drifted to her side, noticing the spell circle over her right ear, easily deducing that Reya or Momo must have set up a communication link between them, but couldn't figure out what Shirou wanted.

''[Listen carefully, in five seconds whatever you do close your eyes!]''

''Huh?'' She blinked a couple of times, while she wasn't sure what the auburn haired member of their team was planning, telling her to close her eyes in the middle of a fight was pure insanity. Her body was already a mess as it was, one more of Priscilla's direct hits like before and she would be out of commission. She had to at the very least know what he would do before she took any risks. ''What are you-''

''[Do it!]'' The voice of the young Emiya snapped a tone at her she was honestly unused to hearing with the usually kind and calm Shirou. She wanted to know what he had in mind, but her instincts were telling her to trust the man who saved her, as such she did as he said.

It was the same with the others currently fighting, they all closed their eyes and hoped that Shirou really had a plan.

All pieces were set and everything was in place, it was time to start turn the tables. ''[Now Reya!]''

The braided bishop was running in the middle of the room, close enough for the enemies to see and hear her. Shirou instructed her with what she had to do, it was a risky gamble in her opinion but at the moment it was the best chance they had to really step up and change the battle in their favor. She might have her doubts about it, but she will do her best despite of the odds against them.

''Hey Zepar house! Over here!'' Reya shouted as she stopped in her tracks, hands joined together as a large magic circle manifested in front of them. Her action got the attention of the enemy, all three of them raising their guards up as they prepared themselves for an incoming attack, their eyes large and focused on her circle.

A small smile formed on the bishop's lips, just as Shirou planned. ''Flash!''

As per her command the magic circle shined, but no magical attack manifested, for it wasn't meant for creating an attack, but rather its purpose was to create a powerful light. One that could temporary blind one dumb enough to stare directly at it.

''What the deuce?!'' Priscilla screamed as her hands desperately reached for her eyes, her eyesight in complete disarray from the light.

''[Hit them with everything you've got!]'' Shirou commanded strongly, hoping this part of the plan would work properly, even if Reya's improvised flash grenade spell could blind the enemy, it will only last for a few brief moments. Those moments were crucial for the next part, she may not be able to seriously injure any of them, but anything will do in the current situation.

''Ha!'' Reya roared as she charged her demonic energy unleashing large spheres of magic attacks one after the other, her target shifting between each enemy. The first wave of attacks hit them dead on, exploding on contact, but they weren't strong enough to do any significant damage. After the enemy realized that they were under enemy fire they started guarding and reacting to them. While they couldn't see they were still able to hear and feel the energy from her attacks, thus began dodging and blocking them.

The braided bishop gritted her teeth, increasing the intensity and speed of her assault to their limits. While she knew it won't be enough to stop them, if she could tip the scales even by a fraction in her group's favor she would push forward. Still she also knew that this wasn't the main objective of Shirou's plan; this was merely a distraction, for the crucial part of it all was now approaching.

As Reya kept firing her spells her fellow bishop caught up to her, weapons in her arms and ready to be distributed. ''[Tsubaki the halberd, Ruruko the spear, and Tsubasa the gauntlets!]''

Momo nodded and made her way to each of her comrades dropping the weapons as per Shirou's instruction, retreating next to Reya when she was done, just in time to catch her friend from collapsing. While the braided bishop did have quite a decent amount of demonic energy even by a normal bishop's standard, keeping a constant flow of attacks like she previously did was quite draining on her.

Their part was done, now it was all up to the others.

As the two bishops retreated back their comrades simply stared looking at what they managed to pull off. Tsubaki for one was taken aback by the plan Shirou just executed, however even more than that her focus was drawn to the weapon that Momo stabbed into the ground in front of her. As a devil she was now far more perceptive than when she was human towards presences and energies that were supernatural in nature, because of this the moment the halberd was placed in her vicinity she felt hundreds of shivers running down her back from the sheer power exuding from it. While the weapon wasn't releasing any magical aura or energy itself, she could feel the immense power and immeasurable potential it held within it. ''S-Shirou this i-is?''

Shirou would have honesty preferred to take his time and explain everything in detail to all of them, but unfortunately he was on running on a tight schedule.

''[Listen up all of you! There's little time before the enemy recovers so hear me out!]'' He took a moment and took a deep breath, knowing that what he will say was something he honestly didn't want to do. ''[You will fight them using those weapons that I projected.]''


Tsubasa and Tomoe were perplexed, Shirou suddenly telling them to close their eyes in the middle of battle and the very next moment when they opened them back up Momo was right next to them and passed the blue haired rook a pair of metallic gauntlets. They were fairly simple in design, a pair gloves covered in small plates of dark iron over soft leather padding. The moment she held them she almost stumbled in surprise by how heavy they were, but also gasped in awe as she felt the powerful presence within them, she could tell by touch alone that these gauntlets were made from the strongest metal she had ever came across. Curiously she wondered how her much her punching power would increase if she used them.

She brushed that thought aside as she felt the communication spell fluctuate. ''[Tsubasa, put those on! If you wear them you will not only gain an incredible elemental protection but also your physical strength will be augmented. Don't be afraid to get close to him, as long as you wear them you can take on his heat.]''

The blue haired rook took a moment and looked with half lidded eyes at the gauntlets, she wasn't really one for big pompous words so she sometimes needed an simpler explanation, hence to why she had to ask. ''So does that mean I can pummel lizard breath with these on?''

She could hear Shirou sighing on the other side of the line. ''[As much as you like.]''

A feral smile formed on her face as she equipped the gauntlets. ''Bitching!''

Now that the rook was ready, Shirou focused on the team's knight. Even though the gauntlets may give Tsubasa the edge she needed, it didn't instantly secure her victory, she would need as much help as she could get. ''Tomoe, listen carefully, Tsubasa may now be able to bypass the enemies heat, but that guy is still a hard opponent to deal with. She needs your support, you have to use the Senkyouka.''

The knight's mouth dried out when she heard this, her sword wielding arm trembling as she slowly glanced at it. The weapon that once belonged to Kurosaiga Ichirou was silent, no better than a regular katana, something she knew wasn't a good sign. A weapon of Juuchi Yosamu's caliber would cause her devil side to react, weakened as it currently was due to previously shattering, there still should be a reaction. Yet she never once felt it. It could mean two things, either the sword had truly lost all its power, or she simply was too weak to truly use it. Her master already told her that the underworld blacksmiths which reforged it confirmed that its power was still there, so it was just as she feared.

She was too weak.

This was the source of the usually bubbly girl's low sense of self-confidence. Her teammate and fellow swordsman was now asking her to call forth one of the swords strongest techniques. Shirou's request felt like she was just asked to hold the heavens herself. Words had a hard time forming in her mouth. ''B-But Shi-chan, that's Kurosaiga's move, I don't even know how he did it in the first place… let alone use it.''

Shirou was silent at first, he couldn't hold it against the girl that she was down and insecure about her ability. As the current stand-in leader and as a friend he had to rekindle her drive. ''[Tomoe, I know this is hard given the current circumstances, but don't give up. Regarding Senkyouka, don't worry about that, I will tell you how to do it.]''

His words, while they were reassuring didn't help her that much; her hand still trembled as she thought of executing the Senkyouka and the possibility of it failing. She wasn't worried that it will hurt her, but she feared that if she did one misstep Tsubasa or someone else she cares about might get hurt. She couldn't find the will to fight.

''[Tomoe! Think about Sona! Imagine what that creep Segrif might be doing to her at this very moment!]'' The knights eyes opened and dilated, air getting caught in her throat, disgust at herself forming in the depths of her stomach. How could she forget? This wasn't about her, it was about saving her master. Everyone was risking their lives to do that, and here she was acting like this.

She gritted her teeth, hand tightening around her weapon as the trembling subsided, she had a job to do, and she wasn't going to lose any more time feeling sorry for herself. She could do that all she wanted when this was over. ''So… how do I do it?''

Shirou took a moment and thought of a simple way to explain the technique, thinking back on how he structural grasped the weapon during his last bout with Kurosaiga he knew the swords capabilities and the techniques its former owner develop for it. ''[Here's how it goes, Senkyouka in essence is like a raging flame, the curse power within the sword is like an spark, and you need to ignite that spark into that raging flame.]''

The knight nodded slowly, but still didn't quite get the answer she wanted. ''Ok… but how?''

''[Demonic energy.]'' Shioru stated seriously. ''[Channel as much demonic energy as you can muster and transfer it in the blade of the sword. Once the aura of the Senkyouka is built swing the blade towards your target and release it.]''

''Will it really work?'' Tomoe asked as she prepared her stance.

''[Normally it would take careful training to learn how to control the overall output of the attack, but that right now is something that we can work around.]''

The Sitri knight took a moment and tried to understand what he meant by that. Realization hitting her as memories flashed of the way Kurosaiga executed this technique, how he could freely control the output of how much energy he could put in each wave of attacks he made. She wouldn't be able to do that, all she will have is one single shot with her full current power. How strong that will be however, she wasn't sure.

She took a deep breath as she took this little bit of info in, her eyes drifting to the side as Tsubasa started walking towards Sasha, the lizardman in contrast was busy dusting himself off, the attacks that Reya launched barely scratched him.

The brown eyes of the Sitri knight narrowed carefully at her friend and her opponent. As things stand now she will have to wait for the right timing to unleash the Senkyouka.

Sasha grumbled as he narrowed his reptile eyes at Tsubasa, a sneer present on his scaly features. He certainly wasn't expecting the surprise attack from the enemy bishop, but it didn't matter to him whatsoever since his rook trait made him tank them without breaking a sweat. ''Man that was a real pain to deal with, nice gloves you got there by the way, got any in my size?''

Tsubasa snarled at the man's easy going attitude, a feral smirk forming on her lips. ''No, I don't, but I do have a fist with your name on it.''

Sasha only scoffed in response. ''Be real girly, even with those things on nothing will change.''

''You never know until I try.'' Tsubasa replied as she raised her guard.

The confident attitude of Tsubasa was quite an amusing sight for Sasha, the lizardman bursting into mad laughter. ''Ha, tell you what, I'll cut you some slack and give you one more free shot.''

This took the bluennete by surprise, eyes blinking in confusion. ''You sure about that big guy?''

Sasha dropped his guard and left himself wide open, inviting his opponent to attack him. ''Yeah, yeah, come on, I don't have all day you know, I have to go and trim my scales.''

Tsubasa was skeptical about all of this, her opponent may just as well be tricking her, and simply inviting her to attack only to launch counter at the last moment. It was risky, but if her opponent was as full of himself as she believed him to be then this was an honest move on his part. Sasha's offer was just another way to prove his superiority over Tsubasa.

This was a golden opportunity for her, as such she wouldn't hold back.

The rook dashed forward, her arm pulled backwards for a large swing. If her opponent would react now was the time as she left herself open with such a large swing. A rather reckless move, but it was one with benefits, as she was sacrificing all of her defense to launch a more powerful offence.

Sasha just stood still, her opponents gauntlet covered fist was quickly approaching his face, but he didn't bother to move. With his rook trait combined with the durability of his lizardman body and other augmentations he received from his master, he had no doubt that this attack will barely faze him.

He was proven wrong.

His eyes snapped open as he felt Tsubasa's punch bury deep within his cheek, sending him crashing in the nearby wall. He fell down and gasped in pain, hand reaching and checking his face. ''Gahh!'' The scales on it were shattered, his cheek bleeding profoundly with almost all of his teeth on that side were broken.

''Holy shit!'' Tsubasa said in awe with eyes the size of saucers, gaze shifting between her fist and the damage she caused to her opponent. Up until now no matter how hard she punched she didn't even manage to chip one of his scales, and here she just broke the guy's teeth. While she wasn't a sadist like a certain devilish upperclassmen at her school, she was feeling really good right now.

''H-How?'' Sasha on the other hand was in complete shock, spitting out a mouth full of blood and teeth as he glared at his opponent. It didn't make sense at all, if they truly had an magical item that could increase one's strength like this, why would they not use it from the start and instead wait until after they already got beaten up. It was completely illogical and didn't make any sense.

''Not telling you!'' Tsubasa roared as she charged forward, her battle drive gleaming in her eyes.

Sasha clicked his remaining teeth together and unleashed his salamander power, even if her physical strength skyrocketed it didn't mean she can take on his heat. From what he saw earlier his opponent didn't have any protection spells or magical resistance to it, so he will simply let her get close and burn herself out.

When Tsubasa entered Sasha's range his orange aura exploded, scorching heat surrounding him like a thin veil, the eyes of the Sitri rook widening as she knew what would happen. Her self-preservation instinct told her to back up before it was too late, the pain of the burns from earlier resurfacing in her mind. She wanted to back up, teeth gnashing as she was fighting her own fear, but she pushed forward, regardless of what she felt, for she was going to place her trust into Shirou and the gauntlets he gave her.

She shifted her weight, delivering an uppercut straight into Sasha's gut, her fist burying deep within it. Bile rushed out of his mouth, the force of the punch feeling like he just got hit by a runaway train not some skinny high school girl. However what truly affected him was the fact that Tsubasa was so close to him yet was unharmed, no blisters or burns over her skin not even a small sun burn. ''W-Why?! Why isn't my heat working?!''

Tsubasa was just as surprised as he was it wasn't that she didn't feel any of his heat, but it felt weaker compared to how it was before, like she just walked into a sauna. This new level of heat she felt was nothing she couldn't handle, her eyes glanced for a second at the gauntlets. A thin, almost unnoticeable yellowish glow was covering them, a grin formed on her features. She made a mental note to treat Shirou to something good to eat when they got out of this mess and looked back to her opponent. ''Heat aside, you suddenly seem weaker than before, maybe all those muscles you have are just for show? Do you even lift, bro?''

Whether Tsubasa was trying to get under Sasha's skin intentionally or not she certainly was successful, veins were bulging all over the lizardman's body, demonic energy danced violently around him as he decided to change tactics. If his heat was useless then there was no reason to bother keeping it up, and instead he focused all of his power into strengthening his body. ''That does it! No more fooling around!''

He swung his tail and made Tsubasa back up, raising his focus as he began slowly circling around Tsubasa like a beast stalking its prey. He delivered a front hook at her, an action which the blue haired rook reciprocated, the two fists clashing against each other, sparks flowing from the clash of steel gauntlets and steel like scales. The two rooks clenched their teeth as they both pushed forward for domination.

A battle cry from the lizardman broke their standstill, with a series of fast jabs quickly following, the battle frenzy slowly beginning to overtake rook of Segrif Zepar.

Each exchange sent jolts of pain through his body, a sensation that he grew unfamiliar with. He couldn't recall how long it was since his fists hurt like this, the last time he had to fight for real against someone that could pose a challenge one on one like this. It was frustrating that a little girl that couldn't stand up to him minutes ago was now on the same level as he was, he who had to butcher his body and experienced excruciating pain to obtain his current power. It was frustrating, incredibly so, and yet it was also making him feel excited.

Tsubasa on the other hand wasn't enjoying the battle nearly so much, while the gauntlets did provide her with the protection she needed, she still felt the heaviness of his strikes. With each attack that hit her armored arms, she could feel them slowly numbing, there might be little to no damage, but she still felt the backlash. She had to finish this quick.

She dodged a low kick and jumped back, crouching down as Sasha almost slapped her with his tail. When she saw his tail pull back and wiggle behind his back, a smile crept on her face. She just had an interesting idea.

Dashing forward she started throwing fast jabs at the lizardman, forcing him to stay on the defensive. As Sasha was pushed back he realized this wouldn't do, his arms won't last long guarding like this so he had to break her assault. With both arms busy with defense and both legs busy with holding his footing, Sasha was left with one option.

He brought his tail up and thrust it towards Tsubasa, an action which she was waiting for. The blue haired rook leaned to the side, letting the tail go past her; she then pushed herself back next to it and wrapped her arms around it, so the gauntlet covered parts gripping strongly around it. She then pulled him hard, making fall down on the ground, not wasting any time she stumped on his back with her foot, and pinning down.

''Ahh!'' Sasha screamed in pain as he felt like his tail was just put in an industrial vice. ''Let go you bitch!''

''No chance!'' she gritted her teeth as she tried to further tighten her grip and make her opponent submit.

''Then you can shove it up your ass!'' He roared as pulled his hand free and made it in a chop, bringing it down before Tsubasa could react.

Tsubasa stared in disbelief, blood spraying on her as her hands still gripped on the tail that Sasha just cut off, the person in question taking the opportunity to crawl away and regroup. ''Y-You cut it off…''

''I'm a lizardman dumbass, it will grow back in a couple of days.'' He commented as he engulfed the bleeding part of his back in his orange aura, a sizzling sound filling the room as he cauterized his wound with his heat, the pain of the process quite noticeable on Sasha's face. As she saw this Tsubasa's eyes drifted down to her hands, which were still holding on the dismembered limb, disgust forming on her face as she quickly threw the tail away. She couldn't really help it, the thing was still wiggling even though it was cut off.

Sasha for one didn't get bothered by her reaction, humans tend to overreact the first time they see a lizardman detach their tail anyway. Usually it involves more screaming and throwing up, sometimes both, so Tsubasa's reaction in his opinion was actually a new thing to him. However he brushed all of that aside as his eyes narrowed in confusion as Tsubasa suddenly stumbled, the girl grabbing on her left side and cringed in pain breathing heavy and strained. He didn't understand why the sudden reaction, however it all became clear as he remember how 'well' she fought before she got those gauntlets. ''I see… those gauntlets may make up for the different in strength and ability between us but your injuries are still there.''

A visible flinch could be noticed from Tsubasa, even though she tried her best to keep it together she was hitting her limits. It was just as he said, her earlier injuries were still there, and her fatigue was only growing as this fight went on. Even though she had the means to win, she wasn't sure if she will be able to last that long.

Sasha's smile reached all the way to his ears, revealing the bloodied and broken teeth on his left side. With that little revelation his mood became better, his vigor renewed as he immediately pounced towards her starting a new series of attacks.

Tomoe watched all of this and connected the dots in her mind, now she understood why Shirou insisted that she prepare herself to use the Senkyouka even though Tsubasa clearly had the means to fight Sasha. It all came down to the accumulated injuries and fatigue from the battle that piled up until now. Shirou knew despite getting the gauntlets that Tsubasa could only keep up fighting him for a limited amount of time, and the chances that Sasha would still be able to go on as Tsubasa's injuries fully took their toll were very high. As such, they needed a backup plan should that happen, one in the form of her utilizing the Senkyouka.

She understood now, and she had to make a difference.

''Here goes…'' Tomoe muttered as she brought the former sword of Kurosaiga in front of her, grasping it firmly. She closed her eyes and began calming her breath, slowly building up her demonic energy and directing it towards the sword, trying her best to emulate Kurosaiga as best as she could. As she opened her eyes she saw the thin cyan glow forming around it, but she wasn't satisfied with what she saw. While she was glad that it was working, it was a joke compared to what Kurosaiga was able to do. This wouldn't do, she had to channel more power into it. Her grip tightened as she increased the amount, the sword starting to shake as more and more demonic energy got transferred into it, merging with the cursed power held within.

''Senkyouka!''

One chant, which was all it took for the beast to awaken.

Like a raging fire the swords aura flickered and exploded, swirling violently around the blade in a malicious harmony together with the screams of Tomoe. Was this wild unstable power really what Kurosaiga was able to control and use with such ease?

It felt like her arm was shoved inside a meat grinder that someone set on to max. No matter how much she tried to hold it together she couldn't stop the tears from pouring. She wanted to let go, it would be so easy so simple, just open her hands and let the sword drop, and the pain would vanish.

She wanted desperately to make it stop… but she refused to let go.

Pain… she knew that she wasn't the only one going through it. The pain filled screams when Shirou made those weapons, she heard them, the ones from Tsubasa each time she exchanged blows with Sasha, she heard those as well. Even now as the others were fighting she could hear them struggling yet fighting on.

Was the weight she felt on her shoulders what those who walk the path of the sword have to endure? Was this what wielding a powerful sword entailed? Was this threshold the thing that separated swordsmen like her from those like Kurosaiga and Shirou?

If she wasn't in so much pain she would have laughed cynically at this. She was aware she wasn't on their level, but to think that gap between them was so large it was just ridiculous.

She will not let this stand.

It wasn't just about defeating the enemy and saving her master anymore, her pride as a swordsman was also at stake and she won't allow herself to fall. She was well aware that her overall ability and skill wasn't remarkable, but now she had the means of making a difference and the potential of reaching new heights.

It may not be today, it may not be tomorrow, but right here at this moment she vowed that she will master the sword that is Juuchi Yosamu and will surpass Kurosaiga Ichirou!

Until that day comes, she will make do with what she can do.

Arm groggily pulled back, pain within it making her feel like it would snap at slightest misstep, and her aim focused on the preoccupied enemy. Tsubasa was barely keeping herself straight, sluggish and gasping for air, she had to strike now before her friend was taken down. However she had a problem, how could she signal her friend to back away without letting her enemy know what she planned?

''[Tsubasa! Retreat now!]'' The sudden command of Shirou's voice via the communication spell made her eyes go wide, a sly smile forming on her lips. Even now after everything he had already done he was still supporting them, classic Shirou.

''Go! Senkyouka!''

A loud battle cry sounded as she brought her sword down, the wave of aura being released all at once. Tsubasa jumped backwards the very second she heard the sound of the attack being unleashed, taking a quick look at it as she made her way out of its range. She could spot some major differences between the Senkyouka used by Kurosaiga and the one used by Tomoe. The former stray devil's was much more stable and precise, with a skull motif at the front of the wave blast. Tomoe's on the other hand looked far too unstable, the attack looking like it had a rough time keeping itself in a straight line, small fragments of the aura breaking apart and flying in random directions, the front of the wave lacked the skull motif or any distinctive characteristic, and making it overall look like a wave of violent cyan aura.

Sasha stared confused to why his opponent decided to suddenly make so much distance between them. Serpentine eyes widened in shock as he recalled one crucial detail he had forgotten since his second fight with the Sitri rook started. It wasn't her alone initially that fought him, there was another girl with her one that wielded a rather familiar looking sword.

His neck turned mechanically towards the new power source he felt, eyes gazing upon the incoming assault. He wanted to lament himself for being so ignorant, just because only one of his opponents got a magical item, it didn't mean that the other one was out of the game. In fact if he focused on only one of them, then the others might get the time they needed to pull a fast one on him.

Such was the current case.

No time for him to dodge, the only thing he could do was pour all of his power into his defense and tank the attack head on. Arms protecting his vital areas in a cross guard, he then pulled his right leg back to use as support, a primal roar being released as he clashed head on against the attack.

Small ripples of aura started flying as the two forces clashes against each other. The ground beneath Sasha's feet shattered under the weight of the attack, but the proud lizardman didn't falter. He stood his ground and refused give in regardless of how much his arms screamed in pain.

For a moment he felt something connect in his mind as he felt the aura of the sword. He knew it from somewhere, and now that he thought about it the sword the enemy knight used seemed awfully familiar but he just ignored it since he had other pressing matters at the time.

It was at that moment that recalled the word that she shouted when she released her attack, it was Senkyouka. There was only one person he knew that used that attack, and his name was Kurosaiga Ichirou.

The man who fought and defeated him along with the others at the same time.

Scales slowly got peeled away and turned to dust, the exposed skin quickly suffering a similar fate. Gashes opened within his flesh, the flowing blood sent flying everywhere from the force of the wave.

''I-I w-won't fall!'' he grit his remaining teeth, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth, veins in his arms became swollen as the eyes dilated, and yet they were filled with burning determination. ''I won't!''

With one final scream he mustered all the strength that he could find and pushed his arms upward, the attack getting pushed back. Even though all the scales on his hands have been shredded, he still pushed forward, and successfully redirecting the wave towards ceiling.

His arms fell limp to the side as he watched the attack go upwards and break its way through many layers of floor, surprisingly reaching all the way to the surface. The light poured down from the opening as the rays of light illuminated Sasha's broken and bloodied body.

A tired smile formed on his lips, he certainly felt that attack. When his team had their encounter with Kurosaiga Ichirou he had the opportunity to see what the stray devil was capable of doing. While Tomoe's version was a far cry from what Kurosaiga was able to do, the girl had some potential in his book, give her a few years and she might be able to catch up to him. Killing weaklings was no fun at all, as such he will certainly enjoy taking that sword and stabbing her in the gut over and over again. ''G-Got any more in you?''

Tomoe was silent and on her knees as she focused in recovering her breath.

One attack… that was all she was produce with her current strength, just one single swing of the Senkyouka. Kurosaiga was able to keep spamming that attack over and over again without even stopping for a second to catch his breath, yet here she was completely exhausted and out of demonic energy from just one swing. Her head slowly leaned down towards her arm, her expression unreadable as her hair now covered her eyes.

Sasha also watched this and looked carefully at her arm, a sick satisfaction filling him as he saw the state in which her arm was in. From her elbow down all her skin was completely bruised and covered in small lashes over it, twitching and trembling uncontrollably, yet still refusing to let go of her sword. But even so she won't be able to use that arm for a while. Her head then turned back to her opponent, a smile spreading over her face, one that Sasha found strangely familiar. ''… I don't, but she does.''

The lizardman's eyes gaped as he understood what she was referring to. He instantly turned around and saw Tsubasa rush towards him. This wouldn't do, his arms were useless and his tail was cut off, but that won't stop him, he refused to get defeated by a pair of brats. With a savage roar he opened his mouth and rushed forward, thinking how Tsubasa's throat would be a nice snack.

The blue haired rook clicked her tongue, it was oblivious to her that her opponent has given up on strategy or any thinking and embraced acting on sheer instinct. From here on it will be like fighting a cornered animal. She had to end this in one punch.

His fangs were closing in, but she didn't try to move aside. The mouth shut strongly, the taste of blood wandering in the lizardman's tongue, but it was his blood. Sasha's eyes gaped and slowly drifted down, the air got stuck in his neck as he saw Tsubasa sitting in a split position with her fist pulled back.

One could see the lizardman instantly pale regardless of his dark scale, as he understood what Tsubasa was about to punch.

He had to dodge! He to dodge! He to dodge! He to dodge! He to-

'Crack!'

His eyes rolled in the back in his head, and feel limp on the floor like a marionette that had its strings cut, white foam coming out of his mouth as he passed out.

''Well… something definitely cracked down there.'' Tsubasa commented as she got back up, feeling rather good with herself even though she had to pull a cheap shot.

''That was brutal Tsubasa.'' Tomoe sighed as she slowly made her way to her comrade, barely keeping herself from screaming in pain from how her arm felt. While she knew that Sasha was the enemy what Tsubasa just did to him was too much.

Tsubasa turned around and was about to reply, but her words got stuck in her mouth. Perhaps she was still dizzy from the beating she got earlier, but she could swear there was something wrong with Tomoe. For the briefest of moments, her eyes seemed to have flashed into an intense orange. The blue haired rook took off one of the gloves and rubbed her eyes, when she then checked Tomoe again, her eyes were normal, maybe she was just imagining things.

''Better him than us.'' She scoffed uninterested, he should be grateful she only punched him, if she wanted him to really suffer she would have just kicked him there.

Still… Tsubasa did not understand the gravity of what she just did. She didn't just punch a man in the crotch.

No.

She punched a man in the crotch while wearing a pair of noble phantasm gauntlets.

Dwarven forged armaments, wielded by the great thunder God of the Aesir.

Only Sasha knows the pain he went through in that moment.


Ruruko and Saji were truly surprised by what just happened. If it weren't for Reya suddenly blinding their opponent, Saji wouldn't have had time to recover, go help Ruruko out, and regroup. The blonde pawn was at ease when he saw the girls state, while the attack Ruki used on her appeared quite powerful, Ruruko's Queen promotion made her resilient enough to take it head on and get out with only light burns.

Saji used the few seconds he had available to try and get his head back in place, ripping a piece of his shirt and whipping the blood from his eyes. He at least was glad that his fur ball of an opponent missed his eyes when she slashed his face. All of this made him feel as weak as he really was, Ruruko took that explosion head on and is still alive and kicking. In contrast he lost count of how many bruises and gashes he got from this fight and honestly felt that if he took any more hits he won't be able to endure it.

As much as he wanted to sit and lament at his own weakness, he focused at what Shirou began transmitting them.

''[Ruruko, listen carefully, attack with that spear, it will render the illusion useless, focus all your power into your speed and go for the staff of the woman, if you strike the real one all of the illusions will fade.]''

Both pawns stared at the red spear that Momo dropped by them when they regrouped. It was a scarlet in color and reached about two meters in length, foreign letters present just below the blade part.

Ruruko put her hand around its shaft and instantly pulled it back on reflex, the pure power she felt the moment of contact was quite scary. When Kurosaiga jammed the hilt of his sword into her and dislocated her shoulder she felt the power of the cursed blade, but the spear sent jolts of power into her that made the power of Juuchi Yosamu seem like a joke. Perhaps it was the reluctance to wield such power, or maybe she felt insecure in her skills, but she couldn't help and address it someway. ''B-But I never used a spear before.''

Shirou couldn't really blame her, Tsubasa was handed a weapon that complimented her battle style and Tsubaki received the type of weapon she had experience in using. Unlike the others she on the other hand had to use a spear for the very first time, perhaps it was even the first time she used a weapon in her life since he noticed that the twin tailed pawn relied on physical combat in all training sessions. True as that may be, now was not the time for such excuses. ''[It doesn't matter, what you need to focus is simply make the blade part make contact with her. I was able to analyze her staff and all of her battle style is centered around her using illusions with that staff, take that away from her and she will be a sitting duck.]''

Now that she learned about this, she understood the importance of her role, she may feel unsure about using the spear but she doesn't have a choice. ''Y-Yes!''

''[Saji! I have a plan to figure out which the real one is so you will have to listen very carefully to it! It will only work for a limited amount of time so you get only one shot. When Ruruko will disable the illusions, you will use sacred gear and restrain her, don't try to fight her, avoid giving her any more chances to recover and immobilize her.]''

''Gotcha!'' The blond pawn nodded with a smirk. ''So what's the plan?''

Shirou carefully explained to both of them how they should proceed. While the spear would be able to help them out, if the enemy realized what its abilities were she would very likely change to a different strategy that may render the spear useless. As such they had to end this in one shot and for that to happen they had to use the spear on the real Ruki.

If it was Shirou himself using it he could tap into the weapons history and replicate the battle style of its former owner, making him able to dispatch Ruki without much effort. However Ruruko didn't have his ability, so in her hands the spear could prove useless depending on the situation.

Both Saji and Ruruko were a bit skeptical about the plan Shirou gave them, hardly even a plan to begin with, more like a reckless gamble compared to the carefully crafted strategies that their king usually devised. It was clearly different from what they were used to, and weren't even sure if such an idea with so many possible variables would even work, but it wasn't like they had anything better at hand. The fact that Sona wasn't there to guide them was clearly noticeable.

Saji stared ahead as he noticed that Ruki and her clones already seemingly recovered from the flash spell Reya used earlier, his teeth clicking in annoyance as he understood that it was now or never. He gestured to Ruruko to stand by and prepare, the fellow pawn nodding silently. With slow steps he began walking towards Ruki, the latter looking quite irritated by Reya's little stunt, that was good he told himself, if Shirou's plan were to work they needed to make her as distracted as possible. ''Ok… the plan sounds like it may work, but how do we get all the clones to focus on me?''

Shirou was silent and thought about it for a second, curiously wondering what Archer would do in a situation like this. ''[Try setting her off, say something that you think will make her so furious that she will ignore Ruruko and focus strictly on you.]''

''Let's see…'' Saji contemplated as he slowly got closer to his enemy, eyes widening as he just remembered a certain myth about Tanuki's. ''Hey Tanuki girl!''

All copies of Ruki narrowed their eyes at Saji, clearly still hurting from the flash spell by how they were throbbing. A smirk formed on Saji's face as he began ranting. ''There's something that has been bugging me when it comes to your kind, is the whole Tanuki balls myth a legit thing? And if so, does it only apply to men, or women as well?''

Dead silence.

Everyone present who heard this couldn't help but stop whatever they were doing and stare at Saji. Even Shirou who was the one that technically encouraged him to say that was appalled. ''[… Saji, I asked you to make her mad, not be a jerk.]''

The blonde pawn was confused by everyone's reaction, did it really matter what he said as long as it did the job? Besides it's not like he said something that bad. ''Oh come one, how bad can it-''

Ruki's demonic aura flared, her animal features became even more predominant, claws and fangs growing longer and sharper, sheer blood lust filling her eyes. ''YOU SON OF A BITCH! I'll RIP YOUR DICK OFF!''

To his defense, if he knew what he said would sound racist he would have come up with a different way to make his opponent become livid. ''… I guess that answers my question.''

Well… it was no use taking it back now so he concentrated back on the plan. The moment he saw the clones rush towards him, he smashed his gauntlet in the ground, cracking the surface around him it. Not wasting any time he picked pieces of the cracked floor with both hands until they were full, quickly sending a glance towards Ruruko that was on standby.

''This better work or I might just lose my junk.'' Saji mumbled to himself as he pulled his fists up, waiting for the clones to enter the necessary range.

Three meters… Two meters... One meter.

''[Now!]'' With Shirou's shout as a signal he pulled his arms to his chest and threw all of the pebble like pieces towards the clones.

With how livid Ruki was feeling she didn't even bother to acknowledge the pieces of floor as a danger and try to dodge them, why would she in the first place?

What could some small pebbles even do to her?

She barely felt when one of the pieces hit her, heck she felt mosquito bites with more sting than that.

That was her mistake.

She let herself get hit.

Exactly like Shirou wanted.

When the rubbles were thrown by Saji, he threw them towards all copies of her. Because the clones were just illusions without an actual mass the rubbles would simply pass through them. The only exception to this would be if any pieces hit the original.

Ruruko was waiting patiently, she knew she had only one shot and she couldn't miss the right timing. When all pebbles were thrown all of them shall pass through the clones, with the exception of the pebble that hit the third clone on the left that recoiled on contact.

She now knew which the real one was.

Her hand tightened around the spear as she leaned down, directing all of her power into her legs. With the force of a bullet she blasted forward, the ground from where she stood shattering.

Ruki took notice of this and didn't react at first as she doubted that Ruruko knew which one was her real self and simply deduced that she was charging recklessly like she did earlier. No need for her to pay too much attention.

A sense of dread filled the former Tanuki's stomach as her enemy rushed straight to her, the source of it being the red spear she was now carrying. Unlike devils reincarnated from humans her senses were far sharper due to her supernatural inheritance, said senses were now screaming to her not get hit by that spear.

She didn't have a doubt about winning against such green horns like her current enemies, however if there was one thing she learned over the years it was to trust her instincts. Just as Ruruko was a couple of feet in front of her she commanded two of her clones to step in and cover her. She wouldn't risk it a direct confrontation, better hide herself by mixing back in with the group of illusions.

If Ruruko was asked how she felt the moment she saw the clones regroup she would have lied if she said she didn't panic, her heart was beating like a drum considering what if the plan failed. She grit her teeth in frustration casting aside such thoughts. If she didn't act now all of the effort that Shirou put into all of this would have been for nothing. Failure was not an option, she won't be the one to drag this team down even if she was the weakest of the lot.

Mustering all the demonic energy she could find within, she poured it all into her speed, a short burst of explosive speed sent her dashing forward. She put the spear forward, crimson edge aimed at the enemy like an arrow as it sought its target.

Its tip made contact with the enemy, not even a second later the clone exploded in a cloud of brown embers. The Sitri pawn was quite shocked by this turn of events, true Shirou did tell her that the spear can render the illusions useless but it was an entirely different matter seeing it unfold in front of her.

This show of lights was a rather interesting sight to behold, but she focused entirely on her mission. She couldn't stop from the force of her speed, but she could improvise her way around it. Using her leg as a pivot she twirled around on it and stabbed another one of the clones. Normally such a stunt would be almost impossible under such conditions, however Ruruko had something many people lacked, and those were years of dance practice under her belt which greatly helped her with difficult movements such as these. The show of light started once again as crimson spear made contact with the clone, illuminating the horrified face of Ruki as she saw her precious illusions vanish into the air.

She wasn't wrong! She didn't know where her shrimp of an opponent suddenly found herself a spear that could cancel her illusions and she honestly didn't care, what she did know was that she had to get rid of it fast before things get even worse.

All trickery was dropped as she pointed her staff forward, focusing all of her power into one blazing fire ball, this time she wasn't going easy like earlier and will burn her alive. With a loud hiss the ball was blasted towards Ruruko who was just a meter or so from reaching her.

She had to dodge, that was the only thing that she could think off as she saw the fireball quickly approaching, if that thing hit her it will be the end of her that much she was certain of… but if she did that everything will be ruined. From what she saw from her opponents fighting style the moment she dodges she will most certainly try to hide herself again while trying to take them out with surprise attacks.

Time was flowing very slowly at that moment for her as everything that just happened flashed through her mind. Perhaps she was being reckless, perhaps she wanted to prove herself, but it all led to one decision.

Go forward no matter what.

Just like she did with the clones she jabbed the spear forward towards Ruki, not caring that she will have to go through the giant fireball and burning herself in process.

However that never happened.

The Sitri pawn estimated from the heat she felt from the fireball that the spear would get heated up the very moment it made contact with it, but it didn't happen, it was like the spear was completely ignoring the very existence of the spell itself.

There were no words to describe what Ruki felt when she saw the end of the spear erupt from the back of her attack. She couldn't think at that crucial moment and just reacted, her self-preservation drive kicked in as she shielded herself with her staff.

The two weapons made contact, but it was hardly what one could call a proper clash. The red spear stabbed its way through her staff like it was made of papier-mâché, piercing the Zepar bishop in the chest.

Even though she wanted to scream in pain all her attention was pointed at her staff, its aura seemingly imploded and scattered the moment the spear pierced it, but that wasn't all. At the very same time all of her clones got erased in the same manner, even her fireball vanished just as it was about to reach her enemy's hands. It also didn't help her that the damn spear was about two meters long and helped her opponent cover the distance between them.

She knew the spear would be a threat, but she didn't think things would turn out like this.

The properties of the spear did allow the user to bypass certain magical properties but it didn't erase them entirely. Should it be put against magical attacks or defensive barriers it shall pass through them like they never even existed. However should the spear meet with a source that acted as the fuel of a magical ability or enchantment, it shall render them completely useless as it severed the connection between spell and power source.

The tanuki girl gnashed her teeth, this had to be some kind of joke, there was no way some brats could humiliate her like this. Disregarding the bleeding wound that was throbbing in her chest she raised her hands and charged her demonic energy to the maximum. She would make sure that her opponent felt pain one hundred times what she had felt just now.

With a loud shriek she released her attack, a sadistic glee spreading across her face on the prospects of what injuries an attack of such magnitude may cause to her opponent.

Her excitement however was short lived and was quickly replaced by confusion, specifically confusion to why no attack manifested. She didn't understand, with the amount of demonic energy she poured in it she should have an attack the size of monster truck in front of her.

''What the hell did you do?!'' Ruki demanded in shock, she never saw or heard of something like this happening, it was like her power were being blocked by something.

Ruruko was quite confused as well but it didn't matter to her since all of this was in her favor, she also couldn't help but smile when she saw who was standing right behind Ruki.

A pit formed in Zepar bishop's stomach as she felt something cold slither around her body. Her head turned slowly back and her eyes gaped as she saw Saji currently using his sacred gear on her, slowly contracting and immobilizing her.

Panic took her over and she tried to desperately to break free, not only did she get herself stabbed but now she would get restrained if she didn't do something. She struggled and tried to pull the line away, but the more she tried to break free the more the line would contract around her.

It was difficult for her, but it didn't come close to the effort Saji was putting in keeping her at bay, having learned only recently how his sacred gear works he was still coming to terms regarding his control over it. The moment he lost his concentration everything will be over.

It was a good thing though Shirou told them what to do when they managed to immobilize her.

''Ruruko!'' The blonde pawn shouted to his junior, gesturing with his heads towards Ruki.

''Yes!'' Ruruko nodded strongly, pulling out the spear out of her opponent's chest and quickly stepped behind her, jamming the blunt end as hard as she could in the back of the illusionist's neck.

A strained gasp escaped her lips as her eyes rolled in the back of her head, passing out where she stood.

After she waited for about five seconds to confirm if her enemy was truly knocked out, Ruruko let out a relieved breath, glancing over to her upperclassmen and raising an eyebrow to why he wasn't letting go of her.

Saji on his side was feeling reluctant to stop using his sacred gear. Perhaps he was scared she could just wake up at any time and start using her illusions again. In any case he was pondering of what he should do, should he keep her like this? Should he let her go and focus on other stuff?

He wasn't sure…

''To bad I can't detach this thing…'' he muttered to himself as he stared at his sacred gear for ten long seconds, his eyes widening as he just realized something. ''Say Vritra, do you think you can-''

Slick

Before he could even finish his sentence the mouth of the lizard like sacred gear close and cut the line. Saji could only stare dumbfounded at what just happened.

''[You're welcome.]'' The former dragon king replied casually to his partner, yet Saji couldn't help but detect a certain amount of smugness in his voice.

As much as he wanted to comment about this he just shut up and proceeded to tie Ruki. With how much his face throbbed from the lacerations on it he just didn't have the mental disposition to deal with bullshit at the moment.

The moment the enemy was properly immobilized Ruruko breathed at ease and used the spear as a pole to support herself.

As she kept inhaling and exhaling she directed all her attention to the weapon in her hands. She already knew that Shirou was somehow able to create swords and the twin ones he always used were indeed an impressive set, but she wasn't expecting him to create a weapon outside of the sword area. She did enjoy reading about sacred gears and there were quite a few that caught her eye, and by the way Shirou could seemingly create swords out of thin air she had suspected that he possessed either a copy of Sword Birth or its holy counterpart Blade Blacksmith. However as she saw him create different types of weapons, she began believing him when he said that he didn't possess a sacred gear. From what she was aware of creation type sacred gears usually specialize in a single form, she hadn't heard of one that allowed the user to create any type of weapon they desire.

She really was starting to suspect that there was much more to Shirou's powers than meets the eye if he was able to produce weapons like this.

Little did Ruruko know that what she previously wielded was more than just a simple weapon, but a legacy of the first knight of Fianna.


They say that each person's perspective differs, the way that they perceive certain ideas or objects sometimes clashing due to their inability to understand how someone else views them in a completely different manner from them. Something that may appear dangerous or menacing to one may appear like a work of art to another.

''[Tsubaki-senpai.]''

Such was the current case with Shinra Tsubaki, the pole arm in her hand was obviously quite an intimidating piece of weaponry, even her opponent that was dominating the fight up until this point was feeling unsettled simply by looking at it. In the eyes of her enemy the weapon she was holding appeared dangerous, but in her eyes there was no such case, not at all, to her this weapon was simply mesmerizing.

''[Tsubaki-senpai.]''

The important factors such as its weight, form, sharpness, and feeling at touch were so unrealistically perfect no matter how thoroughly she searched for a design flaw, even the length that easily toppled her by two heads wasn't an issue. She usually disliked the idea of ornamenting a weapon or giving it an interesting design just to make it stand out and be unique, the idea was stupid and useless in her eyes, adding more flaws to a weapon then it should have, and yet she couldn't find that problem with this weapon. She wasn't a master in pole arms, but she had her fair share of experience with them and could tell a good one from a bad one. The weapon currently in her possession is probably the pole arm closest to perfection she will ever encounter in her lifetime.

She was so engrossed in admiring it that she was failing to register Shirou calling out to her.

''[Tsubaki-senpai!]''

It was only after the red-haired magus raised his voice that the Sitri Queen finally snapped out of her own contemplation.

''Y-Yes, my apologies Shirou, you were saying?'' she muttered awkwardly to her underclassmen, a tinge of pink forming in her cheeks, feeling quite embarrassed to get caught out of focus from her musings like this.

''[As I was saying… unlike what the others got, that weapon doesn't possess any special abilities you can use but the pure combat potential it possesses is something that can't be underestimated. In the hands of a rookie it's just a sharp weapon, but in the ones of someone with skill it could even slay even Gods, what it needs is your skill!]''

This information made her mouth dry, a weapon with the potential to slay Gods he said… if she didn't know Shirou she would have written it off as simple bolstering or sheer ignorance but she knew that he wouldn't make such a claim unless it was true. As such she began feeling on the edge, for there were few weapons recorded to have accomplished the feat of slaying a God class being, even the Longinus type sacred gears who are known as weapons that can slay the Gods have yet to achieve this, or at least from what she knew.

For Shirou to give her such a weapon, even if it's out of necessity, it certainly was making her doubt herself. Her achievements up until this point were small and insignificant indeed. While she had confidence in her naginata skills, will they be enough for her to handle a weapon of such caliber?

Her words seemed to tangle even as she started to speak. ''B-But, I don't think that I-''

To her luck Shirou wasn't going to have any of it. ''[No! I trust you, if there's anyone that can use that weapon, that's you! So show me what you can do!]''

A pin drop could be hear from how silent Tsubaki was, her lips quivering as she was trying to find her words. It was easy for him to say that, he wasn't the one that up until now had been useless. She was supposed to be Sona's Queen leading them whenever she was absent; it was downright frustrating to how bad things had gone up to this point, and that she had to rely on Shirou to fix things. As much as she trusted him and believed him to have more potential than any of them she was still supposed to act as an senpai to him and teach him the ways until he could hold his own. Seeing him act like he was the one with experience was a big blow to her ego. It wasn't that she believed herself better than the others on the team, but due to her position she should be the one to help and guide the others, not the other way around.

She bit her lower lip and threw her ego aside, as defeated as she felt on the inside she had a job to do. If Shirou went out of his way and put so much trust into her she had no other choice than oblige. ''…Understood.''

''[The only advice I can give you is don't be afraid to get close to her, I know you believe she has the advantage but trust me, she won't know what hit her… Good luck.]''

As the line got cut off, a small smile formed on her lips. ''… Thank you.''

She tightened her grip on the halberd and lifted it to her side, slowly walking towards Priscilla, the latter keeping a close eye on her.

Unlike Sasha and Ruki who let their arrogance and confidence get the better of them, she possessed a more cautious nature and didn't rush straight to her opponent.

The two women slowly walked and circled each other, never letting the other out of their eye sight. This made the Sitri Queen curious to what she was supposed to do, attacking directly would be reckless as her enemy was expecting her, but if what Shirou said was true she had to do it.

Using the speed trait of her piece she dashed forward like a bullet thrusting the halberd forward. Her enemy instantly reacted, immediately positioning four of her tentacles one in front of the other ready to block where she aimed.

With the genes from the various shell monsters that her master implanted in her, Priscilla was confident that she can block the strike. The reason she positioned multiple tentacles the way she did was for counter attack purposes, the moment her first tentacle blocks her weapon she will use the other three strike her.

She carefully waited for the moment of the impact to start her assault. When she felt the cold steel pierce her flesh that was the signal she waited for and began to raise her tentacles to crush Tsubaki's bones.

However they didn't move, to her confusion the tentacles she positioned before the first one somehow wouldn't move. Her mind was so focused on that aspect that she failed to understand what truly happened.

It was only when she saw the edge of the halberd erupt from the forth tentacle wall that she realized what had happened. As the blood dripped from the weapons tip, mere centimeters away from reaching her face she began feeling the deep pain of her wounds.

Her plan would have normally worked, under the conditions that the halberd Tsubaki wielded was a regular weapon. Even if it was magically enchanted or forged there was no way for it to pierce through all four tentacles, considering that each tentacle individually once coated in shell was as hard as block of reinforced concrete.

It was a shame for her that what Shirou projected and passed on to Tsubaki was a weapon that was known as the Sky Piercer. Its sharpness was something that if underestimated would be fatal, something that Priscilla had to learn firsthand, for the weapon having pierced through her tentacles was just like a hot knife through butter. Her only solace was that the weapon didn't manage to pierce all the way through, while it was indeed a long weapon it wasn't long enough to reach any vital areas.

The Zepar rook screamed in pain as she struggled to pull her tentacles out, but the side blades on the halberds shaft was making things worse, the more she struggled the more it shredded the insides of her tentacles.

On the other side Tsubaki was keeping her stance, gripping firmly on the halberd with all her might and made sure her opponent didn't run anywhere. She was barely able to keep her mouth from dropping when she saw how easily the weapon pierced through her opponent's appendages.

Shirou was absolutely right, by how the weapon was able to cut through her flesh if she manages to get close enough and deliver one good blow it will all be over.

Priscilla couldn't take the pain anymore, she raised her free tentacles and aimed for Tsubaki, if she was going to keep hold of her and not let go, that could also work in her favour.

Tsubaki noticed this right when she started her new assault, if those attacks reached her she would be in trouble. She twisted the weapon strongly and pulled to the side, eviscerating the Scylla's flesh, a sharp scream elected from her, but it didn't stop her. The new assault kept coming but with a fast spin the Sitri queen blocked the attacks with the shaft of the halberd, her body getting pushed back a few steps, but nothing more.

From a quick glance around the shaft she didn't spot even a single scratch on it, even though it received multiple hits at once. This was indeed a reassuring thing to see, while she knew that such a weapon couldn't even begin to be compared to the random naginata she used, it was much more comforting to see the results with her own eyes.

A smile formed on her lips as both she and Priscila rushed towards each other prepared to clash once again, but they froze half way as something caught both of their attention. The sound of an explosion stopped both women in their tracks, both turning their heads to the source just in time to see Tomoe perform the Senkyouka in the distance.

The shock wave of the attack made her hair flow backwards violently as it clashed against the lizardman. While the attack itself didn't finish the job and was in the end redirected in the ceiling, it certainly was able to deal quite the substantial amount of damage to its target.

Tsubaki didn't know how Tomoe was able to perform that attack out of nowhere, but it was without a doubt an impressive feat, a feeling of pride danced through her chest as she witnessed her junior progress as such.

''Tell me…'' Priscilla slowly spoke, an icy tone present in her voice. ''Why does that little girl have Kurosaiga Ichirou's sword?''

The black-haired queen was taken aback but this sudden question, but maintained a cool posture. ''…I take it you knew him?''

Her question was like a slap over the face for the Scylla woman, sharp teeth clenching dangerously against each other. ''Knew him she says… our group tracked him down months ago and tried to capture him, the bastard got away after killing some of our members. Now answer my question! Why does that brat have the mad dogs sword?''

Tsubaki pondered for a second considering how she should answer her, while she wasn't one that encouraged bragging, perhaps a little intimidation tactic might just help her in her current situation. ''Because we defeated him.''

As Tsubaki expected this caused a visible reaction in her opponent, the eyes of the Zepar rook widening and dilating in disbelief as she took in her words. ''You're lying… there's no way a couple of green horns like your group could have taken down a rabid beast like him!''

''…You aren't wrong, all of us fought together and weren't able to defeat him. He certainly was a foe beyond our current capabilities.'' Tsubaki admitted, a bit ashamed of it, but feeling pride for someone else. ''However that wasn't the case for Shirou.''

''Shirou?'' Priscilla tilted her head.

''The boy that got his arms crippled by your bow user, he was the one that fought Kurosaiga by himself and managed against all odds to defeat him.''

Once again the denial was evident on her features, her eyes staring in the distance at the red-haired boy that was sitting on the sidelines and glaring daggers at her. ''That brat defeated the mad dog?!''

''Quite, if he would've been able to use his hands, these battles would have been over by now.'' Tsubaki answered with a smile, truly if Shirou was in good condition things would have been clearly different.

Priscilla opened her mouth to retort but went silent as she realized something. Their group's archer wasn't some amateur or weakling by any means, in fact her arrows were incredibly fast, and she remembered clearly that the boy wasn't facing them when her ally launched an surprise attack on the Sitri group. So he actually managed to react even without looking at the arrows. While he did get his hands ruined he actually had the ability to detect the attack and reaction speed to block them.

Information was slowly pilling up, her mouth dried as she understood where those crazy weapons came from. If any of the bishops could have done it they wouldn't have waited so long to do it, so her only logical answer was that this Shirou was able to create weapons of incredible strength, probably via some sacred gear, but it took so long because of his injuries. Even if she wasn't accurate if the boy was relatively close to what she deduced, there was only one course of action she had to take. ''Then he must be eliminated!''

The only reason Priscilla and her comrades were even alive today was more out of luck than anything else. When their group tracked down Kurosaiga Ichirou their encounter led to a bloodbath as the stray devil was able to fight them all by himself. The only reason things didn't escalate beyond control was the fact that reinforcements were close by and despite how feral and battle loving Kurosaiga's was, even he wasn't stupid to face a whole squadron of stray devil hunters all by himself.

The very information that Shirou was able to put the mad dog down was something Priscilla couldn't ignore. He was a threat that took priority above all else.

She rushed forward like a feral beast out for blood completely disregarding her opponent and ran in Shirou's direction. It was only due to a glint of light she caught with the corner of her eye that she stopped and jumped to side. Somehow barely managing to dodge a slash strike from Tsubaki, yet it did cost her one of her tentacles in the process.

As much pain as she was going from losing a member, it was taking second place on her priorities list, the venomous glare she was receiving from the Sitri queen was actually scaring her.

''No.'' Tsubaki muttered coldly at as she began a series of thrusting strikes.

A spike of demonic energy was rising from Priscilla as her main body was narrowly dodging the strikes, a grotesque display of impossible twisting and contorting movements on her part, and only possible due to her body lacking any actual bones to limit her movements.

Tsubaki tried to think of how land a solid hit as she continued her assault, shifting from thrust to swipe attack in hopes of confusing her enemy. Much to her frustration Priscilla wasn't falling for it and her demonic energy kept increasing.

With a flash of purple light her demonic energy exploded and surrounded her like wild fire. The white substance from earlier erupted once again from all over her body, coating her in thick shell like armor, plates of white overlaying each other like a scale mail.

This sudden change didn't stop Tsubaki as she went on ahead with her attacks, but the thing she noticed which put her on the edge was that Priscilla didn't seem scared anymore.

When her swipe strike was about to reach her body she blocked it with a now armored tentacle, her eyes widening as the swipe didn't go through. Priscilla retorted with series of tentacles jabs which Tsubaki only just nearly managed to parry.

The black-haired queen backed up and regrouped herself, analyzing the situation. It seemed her opponent still had a couple of tricks left up on her sleeves, just great. Her eyes scanned the tentacle that blocked her last attack and was intrigued by what she saw. The armor was covered deeply in cracks, and she was slowly filling them back with the white substance, repairing it.

So that's how it was.

Since her attacks would cut through her flesh so easily she concentrated all of her power into creating armor than can take those blows. That as it may be, its still not strong enough to completely block it, and has to repair itself.

At her current situation there wasn't much that she could do against that armor of hers, strategy wise she didn't have many options. The only exception being giving up on strategy and fight relentlessly, or as Tsubasa would say, hit it till it falls.

Tsubaki channeled her demonic energy, sky blue flickers of aura forming around her body. Since it came down to it she will do the same as her opponent and channel everything she has in her physical abilities.

With an explosive dash she clashed against her opponent, sparks flying from the clash of steel and bone like armor. Both girls glared dangerously at the other and started their retort, armored tentacles being jabbed after the other, blocked and stabbed by the pinnacle of halberds.

Blood was gushing from the cracks of her armor each time Tsubaki countered and attacked, but that wasn't the only blood getting spilled on the floor, for the hands of the Sitri queen were also bleeding violently. The weapon she held may be able to handle the enemy's attacks, but her body was a different story, the backlash of each attack was slowly ruining her hands. At the current rate they were fairing it won't be long before they gave up on her.

Priscilla's sharp teeth gritted as she started feeling the burn as she assessed her situation, she wouldn't last long, she wasn't used to donning her shell armor and constantly repairing it. Her demonic energy was rather low to begin with and once it ran out she won't be able to repair it anymore. Things were very bad for her, she had to finish this in one attack before she completely runs out of energy. As much as she hated to admit her opponent did have some skill and if she were to try and rely on physical combat to end her things might just go wrong.

She had enough of this shit.

Swallowing the pain she smashed her heavily injured tentacles into Tsubaki, while the girl was able to block it the force of the attack sent her flying upward. A vicious smile then formed on Priscilla's bloodied face, it was her victory.

Her demonic energy spiked violently, swirling and collecting in front of her mouth, growling larger by the second. ''If my strikes won't kill you, then I will just disintegrate you!''

A beam of concentrated demonic power was unleashed towards Tsubaki, the ground under Priscilla's feet getting shattered from the sheer force she was emitting.

Tsubaki wasn't expecting her opponent to use a long range attack at such a time, but she had to give credit to her enemy, with her current position she didn't have anywhere to run or dodge. Truly it was a dire situation for the Sitri queen, and yet she couldn't help the small smirk that formed on her lips.

After all, she did possess one of the best last second counter type sacred gears. ''Mirror Alice!''

The mirror manifested in front of her, absorbing the blast right before it could hit her. Priscilla was confused by what was going, her mind in such disarray that by the time she noticed what had happened it was already too late, the mirror having shattered and her attack being returned at her with twice the amount of power.

Her mind zoned out for a brief moment before her face contorted in pure fear.

She tried desperately to dodge but she didn't make it, her own attack striking her.

The explosion was so great that it make the whole room shake violently, the others on the different zones in the room forced to shield themselves from the shockwave of the blast.

Tsubaki landed on the ground and panted heavily, Mirror Alice didn't usually put much of a strain on her, but her body already went through a lot during this battle and using her sacred only added more to it.

Her mismatched eyes narrowed tiredly at the clearing smoke, catching the silhouette of her enemy still standing tall, but it all just for show. As the smoke fully cleared she saw the full extent of Priscilla's wounds, all of her shell armor has been destroyed and her body was bleeding all over.

As injured as her opponent was, she herself wasn't unscratched. The injuries she accumulated from Priscilla till this point had been piling up and her palms were in a dire state. They were bleeding fast and there was barely any skin left on them, she probably had only one or two swings left if worst comes to worst.

Priscilla on the other hand was in a world of pain, her body felt like it was being stabbed with hundreds of knives at the same time, and it hurt her to even breathe. To be humiliated like this by a bitch that couldn't even stand up to her when this fight began made her absolutely livid.

Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her. Kill her.

This dark chant kept repeating over and over again in her head as she slowly turned to face her hated foe. Her eyes widened, a blur passed by her and she felt something cold pass through her body, when that coldness finished, she stopped feeling any pain from below her middle section.

Dread filled her to the brim as her trembling eyes looked down, a part of her already knew what had just transpired but she was far too scared to admit it and was hoping that perhaps there was a small chance that it didn't happen.

All words died in her throat as she witnessed what was below her middle section… or it was more precise to say as she witnessed what wasn't there.

Her body crashed on the floor, eyes in shock at the dismembered lower section that was still standing rigidly a few meters away from her, Tsubaki sitting in a crouch position right next to it with her weapon stretched to the side, her blood still dripping from its sharp end.

''Fuck…''

The Sitri queen stabbed the halberd in the ground and used it to support herself, her body barely able to keep itself straight. For a single moment she channel all of her demonic energy into her speed, creating a temporary explosion of momentum, using her wings as glides to reach her enemy before she could recover from the previous attack.

She honestly couldn't believe it worked, after all this wasn't something she did before, but rather something she saw before and managed to replicate to some extent. It was similar to the burst like movement that Shirou showcased during his fight with Kurosaiga.

How Shirou was able to do it at that time she never got to ask him, but she was a very observant person and could get a basic idea of how it works from seeing it once. Whatever the case may be, she was barely keeping herself together, her wounds finally starting to catch up to her, but at the very least her opponent was out of commission.

''H-Ha, ha…'' Tsubaki instantly turned around and saw that Priscilla was still awake. While she knew that she didn't go through any vitals when she slashed her, she at least expected her to pass out from the shock. Instead, she was slowly laughing while staring at her in contempt. ''Y-You know, it won't matter how much you struggle, in the end it will be the same result. The only reason we couldn't beat Kurosaiga was because our Queen Shahnaz wasn't with us. She is on a whole different level compared to us, as long as she stands in your way you have no chance of reaching your master.''

''Perhaps you are right…'' Tsubaki admitted, this sudden information was quite disturbing, they barely managed to beat the first attack force of their peerage, there were still members around and now she learned that their Queen is far greater in strength than they were. It was concerning indeed, yet the Sitri Queen's mismatched eyes didn't falter. ''However that isn't any reason for us to stop, we who by all means were supposed to lose to you and your comrades managed to win in the end. As long as we keep on moving forward the door to victory may yet open to us.''

Her speech only made the woman to laugh even more. ''S-Such a foolish girl you are, it will be most delightful to see your broken spirit once you lose.''

Tsubaki only watched over her as her laugh died down and she lost consciousness, she didn't like when someone else had the last word. ''… We won't.''

A strained cough escaped her mouth, her vision going blur for a few moments as her ears started ringing. As much as she held on to her weapons shaft she couldn't stop the dizziness, she tried to pull herself up but instead slipped in the process.

To her surprised she didn't hit the floor, confused she looked up and saw that someone managed to catch her. ''Good job Tsubaki-senpai, you were amazing.''

Even though by all means he was incapacitated and shouldn't have had any way to help them, he still found a way towards victory and passed it over to them, enduring who knows how much pain and here he was praising her in spite of the fact that everything was only possible because of him. She couldn't hold back a small chuckle as she held his now healed and warm hand. ''No… you are the amazing one, Shirou.''

Really, whatever will she do with him?

As the red-haired boy helped her get up and walked, Tsubaki couldn't help but notice a trail of blood running his cheek. ''Where did you get that cut?''

The young magus flinched and rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. ''Well…''


I was still recovering my breath from relaying all of the instructions. Not having any time to waste I had to go fast through each individual team and immediately shift to the next team. I wasn't a very talkative person, so I wasn't used to talking so much without breaks.

A tired sigh escaped my lips as I noticed the return of the makeshift weapons delivery service. ''Good job on delivering all the weapons Momo.''

''It's nothing, were you able to relay to everyone what to do?'' she asked me as she took back her seat and took my hand, returning to healing it. Even though she said that I could tell that little stunt she did was quite exhausting, but I kept quiet about it.

''At some extent, those were all strategies I came up judging by the enemies fighting styles and their overall personalities, but they aren't full proof. Anything could happen that can make them lose even with those weapons.''

''I see… Reya, how is the healing going on your side?'' Momo asked her fellow Bishop.

She didn't ask immediately, taking a second to wipe the sweat on her face. ''Almost there, it won't be long before he can wield his swords again.''

That was good, the moment my hands are back to normal I will go and support the others.

My eyes snapped open as I felt my nose tingle, my body instantly reacted and grabbed the two girls next to me and jumped backwards. Before the two girls could even complain or ask what I was doing someone crashed in the spot we were previously sitting.

''If I knew that you would be such a pain in the ass I would joined as well.'' He spoke with venom in his tone, it was the one with the gas mask that chose not to fight instead opting to watch his comrades do it.

Dammit.

How could I forget about this guy?

He may have said when their group first intercepted us that he won't join the fight and will just sit back and watch, but that was when he thought his team wouldn't have any hard time taking us down. He may have seen me when I projected the noble phantasms and realized how much of threat I really was thus decided to take action. The only solace I could find was that he chose to focus on me instead of backing up his allies.

''Sit back Shirou, we will take care of this.'' Momo declared as she stepped forward, shielding me from the enemy.

This didn't go well with me. ''You can't really expect me to-''

Before I could even finish she snapped at me. ''Oh, yes I do! Your hands are almost healed and if you get them hurt, all we did will be for nothing and will have to do it all over again! Now shut up and let us fight him!''

''Guys, don't want to ruin your little spat, but… what is that thing?'' Reya said carefully as she pointed towards the man. As I took a closer look to where he landed I noticed he stabbed something in the ground. It looked sharp, similar to a blade, but it looked somewhat… organic?

Its end was sharp and curled, dark green in color, and had small spikes running down the edge. There was a certain luster to it that made it shine when exposed to light, but it wasn't steel or any metal I knew of, it looked more like some kind of bone.

There was something definitely wrong here, normally when I see a weapon I get a reaction of some kind upon seeing it, but that one didn't do it. I had a bad feeling about this, something which I voiced in response to Reya's previous question. ''Something we should avoid that's for sure.''

The enemy apparently didn't like being ignored and decided to remind us of him, retracting his blade and rushing to Reya, the braided bishop raised her hands to create a barrier to protect herself, but her enemy was already in front of her.

Sparks flew as the man brought down his weapon, a clicking sound was heard through his gas mask as his attack was blocked by barrier. His body language gave away his confusion, the source of the barrier not being Reya. He turned his head and saw that Momo was the one who blocked him yet this didn't seem to discourage him, it fired him up instead. Drawing another blade from under his cloak, striking with it right next to the opposite one, It wasn't enough for him, he pulled back and kept attacking over and over again in spite of the barrier blocking him.

It may have seemed like a stupid action to many, but it was actually a precise move, continuously striking in the very same spot was slowly cracking the barrier.

This was bad, from what I understood the creating aspect of a barrier isn't the hard part, but the maintaining of it against attacks, especially when it came to continuous attacks. One single attack may not work, but dozens one after another would certainly do the job.

With a final strike the barrier shattered like a glass window, hundreds of pieces flying everywhere, Momo feeling the recoil making her stumble backwards. Now that the wall was down he stepped forward and tried to slash Reya, but failed to see the small smirk on her face.

When his foot touched the ground a magic circle flashed right beneath him, exploding in a large pillar of blazing flames.

Now I understood why Reya stood there and didn't run away, she must have realized that he won't simply let her get away and will try to bring the barrier down. Knowing this she must have placed a trap spell near her and lured him into it.

Reya took a relieved breath as her plan worked, a small gasp came out, followed shortly by blood, and her trembling eyes looking down widening as she saw a blade stabbed in her stomach. A burst of demonic energy erupted from within the pillar of flame, dispersing the majority of it, but his clothes were still on fire.

''Was that supposed to hurt?''

He didn't waste any time and pulled his blade out, allowing for his enemy to properly bleed out, but not before twisting the blade inside her wound, further damaging her insides. Yet, that wasn't enough and he raised his blade once again to strike, his focus all centered on the target in front of him.

That was a mistake on his part.

If it weren't for that he might have noticed when I arrived behind him, and he might have dodged or blocked the kick I did to his ribs.

As he got sent crashing to nearby I wall I took the chance and picked Reya up, rushing her to Momo. While I wasn't able to heal her I managed to use whatever healing magecraft I knew to at the very least ease her pain.

I took a quick glance at her wound and it wasn't looking good. She was bleeding both out and internally, she needed to be treated fast.

The angry expression that was forming on my face was probably giving away my mood. As much as I want to listen to Momo and not get my hands ruined again I have to fight. She can chew me up later all she wants, if it means them being safe I don't care.

My eyes drifted to my palms for a brief moment, attempting to move my fingers. Most of feeling had returned to them, but I still couldn't move them properly, if I tried using my swords I wouldn't be able to properly hold them. If it came down to it I will need to think outside the box and find some other way to fight.

The sound of footsteps close by made me raise my guard, eyes shifting towards where I previously kicked the man. He was slowly walking towards me, his cloak was a complete mess at this point.

''I know I was asking for it when I stabbed your little friend, but surprise attacks are kinda rude don't you think?'' he asked as he stopped in his tracks, I simply ignored him. ''The old silent treatment is it? Well guess I will have to change that.''

He grabbed the tattered cloak and broken gas mask and ripped them off, revealing the body hidden by it. When I saw it I was taken aback by how it looked. It was mostly humanoid but there were some big differences, his body is encased in a segmented, thorny exoskeleton, with clawed feet,and the blades that I saw earlier weren't blades at all but rather scythe-like forelegs similar to those of a praying mantis. It was not that I couldn't see any hand around them, it was because the blades were his hands to begin with. Large yellow eyes glowed in his head, mandibles protruded on each side of his mouth.

I honestly wasn't sure what he was supposed to be, he looked like a cross between a human and a mantis.

''You know that was quite the hit you gave me, if I didn't use my armor at the last second you would have shattered my ribs.'' He chuckled, rubbing the place where I kicked him.

Now that he mentions it when I kicked him I had my leg reinforced, with the amount of force in it even if he was a rook he shouldn't have recovered without sustaining any damage. This only piqued my interest. ''Armor?''

''Hercules beetle plate armor to be precise.'' his demonic aura flared, kaki specs of energy collecting around his body, merging and spreading over it. When the light died down he revealed his full plated body. ''Pretty neat don't you think? Who do you think Priscilla copied her shell armor from?''

He pointed out to the current fight going on between Tsubaki-senpai and his comrade, who also was wearing a similar type of armor. So it seemed that this guy was also some kind of chimera hybrid.

The mantis man rushed towards me, his scythe like appendage aimed for my chest. I crouched at the very last second, avoiding a fatal wound, but I still got lightly cut by him.

Not wasting any time I jumped back up and kicked him to the sides, the man not bothering to block since it was protected by his armor. My kick pushed him away a couple of meters, while it visibly didn't do any damage he definitely felt it, the way he walked was showing it.

Armor may offer one protection from slash and piercing attacks, but blunt force was a different story, while he can still block the attacks he can still feel the force of the impact.

Once again he charged at me, swinging his scythe like arms one after another to make sure I didn't have anywhere to dodge. His swings were fast and relentless, no playing around on his part, and focusing only on my vitals. Dodging would prove rather difficult, but I still managed to do it regardless.

No matter how much I am taught about magecraft or do sparring matches I never obtain the same results like when I am fighting with my life on the line. The combat training I did with aunt Maiya proved vital, I might not have noticed it before but as I fight this man I slowly am seeing the results. I was getting a solid image of his fighting style, how fast his swings and reaction speed is.

As I dodged the strikes of his appendages I noticed something about his fighting style.

It was crude.

To a complete amateur it might look like he knew what he was doing, but I knew the truth.

This guy is a complete novice at sword fights.

There was no real style behind it, he was just randomly swinging his scythes at me trying to get a hit on my vitals. There were no faints, target shifts, or any overall precision behind them.

Perhaps I can do this even without using my swords.

I let out a deep breath, raising my guard up in a boxing stance. My opponent looked curiously at me for a couple of seconds but that didn't stop him from assault.

His blade was approaching but I simply waited. When I felt the edge almost touch me I dodge and pushed forward.

Reinforcing my hands I pummeled his chest with palm of my hand, while it did not do as much damage as fist would do, this way I could prevent my hands from taking any more damage. The strike wasn't enough so I went on, recalling every bit of CQC that aunt Maiya taught me I pushed forward and kept hitting him repeatedly, each strike making him gasp in pain for air.

The armor he was wearing was limiting the damage his body was receiving, that was true, however he didn't have a way to limit the damage I was doing to the armor itself.

Unlike what my enemy did where he simply aimed for any vitals he could, I on the other hand had focused on only a single point where I would strike. After the seventh strike I delivered I heard something crack.

This was what I was aiming for.

With a quick spin on my heel, I jabbed my elbow in the place where it started to crack. The impact was strong, sending him crashing away at a distance.

I used this few seconds to check the state of my hands, fortunately they were ok and didn't get further damaged. The fact that they were reinforced the whole time also probably helped them stay in one piece.

Changing my focus back to my enemy I got to see that he wasn't in the best of shape, sitting on his knees gasping for air with his arms sitting limply to his side, the plated section where I elbowed him was also affected, a spider web like pattern was spread all over the chest area, and seemingly only a hit away from shattering completely.

I carefully walked over to him, my hands ready to strike the moment I see any sudden movement from him. When I was in front of him he lifted his mantis like head and stared at me with his broken eyes. ''… I g-give up... so please… spare me.''

That… wasn't what I expected. I know the strikes I did on him must have hurt but I didn't expect him to give up.

However this was a result I wasn't dissatisfied with, enemy or not I don't enjoy hurting people. They may be standing in our way to save Sona but it's because it's their orders not their personal choice… it couldn't be helped.

My hand relaxed on reflex, something that he also noticed. His head bowed down as he started coughing violently, blood dripping down floor.

As much as I appreciated that this was over, something just didn't feel right with me. The more I heard him cough the more that feeling kept increasing. It was when he suddenly chuckled and raised back his head that my wariness was proven true.

Before I could even react he split opened his mouth to the sides and screamed releasing something.

''Gahh!'' I gasped I felt my dozens of stabbing pains all over my upper body. My eyes glanced down and I silently cursed at what I saw. Dozens of needle like shards were buried deep in my flesh.

Dammit… I couldn't believe how stupid I was, of all the rules of combat that aunt Maiya tried to so hard to drill in my head I broke one of the most important and basic ones.

Never let your guard down, no matter what.

''Shirou!'' Momo didn't seem to take the sight of me getting turned into a pincushion too well. As busy as she was trying to heal Reya she still kept a close eye on the battle, the way it was going on made her anger flare as she charged a fire spell towards my attacker. ''You bastard!''

He easily dodged the first fireball and regrouped in front of nearby wall, but this didn't stop Momo, she kept shooting one fire ball after another.

This however wasn't bothering the mantis man and he kept dodging every blast, but strangely he wasn't running away anymore but rather dodging while keeping his position. ''Good! Keep shooting at me!''

''Stand still then!'' Momo snapped at him, further increasing the speed of her attack.

''Yes! Heat!'' the man laughed in excitement, something that made me realize that Momo attacking him with fire was a grave mistake. However what followed next really took me by surprise, he raised his scythe like arms and jammed them to where I cracked his armor. He proceeded to forcefully open it like a window as a gelatinous like substance was sticking to it from the inside. ''Just what I need for my children to grow!''

When I heard this I focused on the now exposed chest area, dozens of spheres were embedded into his flesh, said spheres starting to crack open, and wasp like monsters the size of pigeons came out of them.

I was speechless by what I saw, not entirely sure what I was even supposed to say or think at seeing such a thing, but it seemed that Momo had an answer to this.

''Disgusting!'' the way her face paled was indicating how much she was struggling to keep herself from puking, even Reya was visibly disturbed by what she was seeing.

He lifted one of his scythes and gently rubbed it against one of the wasps head.

''You might have assumed I was a knight, but I'm actually a bishop.'' He chuckled briefly. ''The armor wasn't just meant to protect me, it was also meant to keep my children safe as they incubate in me. Quite the cute things they are, a rare breed of demon wasps called Saimyōshō.''

So that's how it was, those eggs probably kept growing as we fought, his powers focused on making them grow, the process going faster the more heated up he became, and the fire attacks made by Momo further accelerated it.

Momo for one was finding this whole situation quite frustrating judging by her behavior, running her hand through her hair violently. ''Just how is a mantis guy supposed to give birth to wasp monsters?! It doesn't make any sense!''

''…''

I wasn't sure if that was really what really bothered her or if the stress and exhaustion finally caught up to her and she was just speaking whatever was on her mind at the moment, so I chose to not comment about it. Reya on the other hand tried to calm her friend down even though she was still injured. ''Calm down Momo, remember how the other members of his group were turned into chimera hybrids, I'm sure that is that same case with him.''

''I get that but it's still weird! And why did it have to be bugs?!''

''You know it's really rude to talk about someone when their right in front of you.'' The mantis man commented as he rolled his eyes, a really odd image considering his insect like head.

''Oh shut up bug boy!''

''Hey, I have a name you know!''

What?

''Like you ever said it!''

''Geez, no need to scream like that, just call me Sting.''

''Sting… really?''

Okay, again now. What?

''Got a problem with my name?''

''No…''

Was I the only one that still remembered we were in the middle of a fight? Because as I see it Momo and this Sting guy seemed to have somewhat forgotten that small detail.

The interlude was short lived though, as Stings eyes began narrowing as he pointed his scythe at the two bishops, the demonic wasps that were on standby up until now have started moving as their targets having been selected.

The eyes of the two girls widened as they saw the new approaching enemies, igniting their magic circles they began blasting at them with magic attacks. Unfortunately the targets were flying too fast for them and were able to dodge all their attacks. The first wave of demon wasps reached them and prepared to sting them, the two bishops barely managing to put up barrier as one of the wasp's stingers were mere inches away from Momo's eye.

They were safe, but it only a temporally defense. The wasps started attacking the barrier and it seemed that they would make their way through it if nothing is done fast.

I had to do something.

A deep breath made its way inside me, and an equally deep exhale found its way outside.

I scanned the surroundings and began making a plan in my mind, taking in account the distance, number of wasps, and my overall condition.

Those damn needles he shot in me hurt like hell, but I couldn't take them out because depending on how deep they are I may bleed too much and have major case of blood loss on my hands. My whole upper body was numb which probably meant they were laced with some kind of poison as well.

Focus… visualize where you want them to appear.

''Trace on!''

For a moment I felt a strong jolt running down my back, no doubt I still didn't fully recover from the projections I did earlier but I tried to ignore the pain.

The married blades were projected in the air in front of me, not wasting any time I pulled back my arms and jabbed them forward, the palms of my hands hitting the handles of the swords, sending each of them spinning in an opposite direction.

To anyone watching it would seem like I started going completely nuts by hitting them like that, however for those who knew of the 'attraction' the two sword held for the other they would know that they will keep trying to be brought together whenever thrown. As such when I sent them spinning the trajectories slowly changed as they made their way in the air.

Such that they made their way right at the wasps that were attacking the girls, shredding them to pieces, blood and gore covering the almost broken barrier, the two girls were visibly paling from having the butchered flesh so close to them.

The sudden death of his minions drew Stings attention back at me, clearly pissed by what I just did. No scratch that, the man had an absolutely livid expression, which was further accentuated by his mantis like head.

The fact that he changed his target from Reya and Momo to me was a good thing, but it also raised new problems, such as what happens now?

From what I could notice new batches of eggs began cracking open, meaning in a few moments a new swarm of those wasps will appear.

Using Kanshou and Bakuya like I did before was only a onetime thing, now he will expect me to try it again, but truth be told I doubt it would work again. The way I sent them flying was far too unstable, heck it was mostly dumb luck that the swords managed to get all the wasps in one go.

I missed the chance to take him out when it counted, and now that he can hatch those wasps there is no need for him to fight anymore. As things stand all he had to do was keep making new wasps over and over again until they were dead.

In order to win I have to defeat him in one strike.

My eyes slowly narrowed at the new batch of wasps that took flight, it may be reckless move but I need to focus on Sting, not on them.

''So the cripple thinks he can fight?'' the mantis man sneered at me, his eyes glowing in anger as he raised his arm towards me. ''Devour him!''

As per command the demon wasps started swarming towards me, acid like drool coming out of their mouths in anticipation towards eating me.

I started walking slowly, my arm stretched to the side. Walking was the only thing I could do, the numbness from the needles was making me barely move.

The way things were I had to gamble everything on my projection.

Search start.

Think… not something that can necessarily be used for offence, but something that could help me reach him despite the current situation.

Searching…

I need something to make me get pass those bugs, something that can help me even though my hands weren't at full strength.

Match found.

Steel knitted scarf, the most elegant of protections.

''Trace on!''

I tried to ignore the pain even though it was even worse than before. Wisps of cyan light danced around my arm as the new projection wrapped around it. Archer was right, as long as I visualized where I wanted the projection to appear it will do so.

It was a long silvery scarf, a wave like pattern going down on it, a surprising peppermint scent could be felt from it. The moment the scarf embraced my skin I projected a copy of Bakuya, using the scarf as a rope to tie it in my hand.

I took one step forward.

The wasps almost reached me.

I focused my reinforcement in my legs, even if my upper body was barely moving my legs still had life in them. With a powerful dash forward I dived head on in the swarm of wasps, the demonic insects instantly reacting and attacking me.

For a moment I heard the terrified gasps of Momo and Reya, overlaying with the sadistic laughs of Sting. I was surrounded, there was nothing that could stop the wasps from devouring me.

Or so it would seem.

My body rushed out through the wall of wasps, the eyes of the mantis man bulging at the current state of my body. No wounds were obtained from the clash between me and wasps.

''W-What the shit?!'' Sting voiced his disbelief as his wasps kept swarming around me and yet they wouldn't dare come within my reach. ''Why don't my children attack him?!''

It was understandable that he couldn't comprehend what was going on. Perhaps if he knew that the scarf around my arm was acting as a ward that repelled them he wouldn't be so worked up.

I reached Sting, groggily pulling my arm backwards and preparing to strike. His shocked state held him back from properly reacting to me, confused about what to do he disregarded dodging and sought to strike back his scythe arm jabbed forward towards my head.

Three seconds.

Two seconds.

One.

The very moment I felt him nick my cheek I pushed myself to the side, while it still cut me deeply I still managed to narrowly avoid the attack. While I couldn't move properly due to the poison, my body was being carried by the momentum of my dash, as such all I needed to do was turn myself to the right angle and my sword went through him.

Pale green blood gushed out of his wound, the scythe like arm stabbing itself in the ground, right in front of its former owner, the glass shattering shriek filling the room. ''Gahh! My arm!''

I grit my teeth as I slammed my foot down and tried to stop my momentum. My foot heated instantly, the sole on my shoe probably got ruined from the powerful friction but I ignored all of that, quickly turning around to face Sting.

The moment our eyes met I saw the horror form on his face as I glared at him, yet it didn't originate from me, the fear he was feeling was produced by the scarf around my arm. That fear quickly built in him and exploded, as he immediately began turning around and started running away.

I wasn't going to let him get away.

With this in mind I attempted to dash after him. The moment I tried to run after him my foot throbbed violently, the sudden break I did previously must have ripped something.

I stumbled for a moment, but that allowed me to see Tomoe fight in the distance, witnessing her performing the Senkyouka. She was waiting for an opportunity to strike so I helped her out.

''Tsubasa! Retreat now!'' I shouted as I tapped the communication spell on my ear.

It was at that moment that an idea popped in my head. It seemed that I had to borrow Kurosaiga's sword for a bit.

I projected Juuchi Yosamu in front of me and let it fall down. With the amount of pain going through my body the additional one from this projection was just salt over wound.

With the way Juuchi Yosamu's style and powers worked I never considered trying to use it. It was indeed a good sword, but it relied heavily on mending ones demonic energy into it to further power it and use the Senkyouka techniques, something which I couldn't do due to my apparent lack of demonic energy. As such I didn't bother trying to use it.

There were some exceptions though.

Certain sword techniques that Kurosaiga used were deeply engraved into its history. One of them that he used on Sona during their encounter had no demonic energy involved, just pure skill and precision.

I reinforced my eyesight and locked my aim on the target.

When the sword almost reached the ground I kicked it in the handle, shooting it forward just like a bullet.

It was a shame Sting was running in a straight line, otherwise this technique would have been useless.

The mantis man did seem to register the sound of the sword rushing towards him but it already too late, it punctured through his back and burst open through his front. Everything happened in a heartbeat, one moment he was running the next he stopped and discovered the gaping wound in his body. Perhaps the strike was so fast that he didn't even register it at first, but when he did his reaction was simple, his eyes rolled in his head and he fell down like a puppet that got its strings cut.

He wasn't dead, no vitals were pierced when the sword went through him, but the shock must have made him pass out.

My leg gave up on me and I fell on my side. While I was trying to catch my breath I checked my hands, to my own surprise they didn't get damaged.

Well at least Momo won't complain that I wasted their healing.


''And that's about what happened.'' I concluded my little attempt at briefing, and what I got in return was a dry stare from Tsubaki-senpai.

''That was crazy Shirou.'' She told me in flat done.

To my own end I couldn't help but give a slight remark. ''Is what we do ever normal?''

She opened her mouth to comment at this but struggled to find the right retort, eventually sighing in defeat. ''Touché.''

It took us a bit to regroup, tie up the enemies, calm down, but after taking in account everything that happened this battle ended up on a good note. While everyone got pretty roughed up, some more than the others, everyone was still alive and no one was in a critical state.

''Everyone still in one piece?'' I asked as I rubbed my chest, even though the needles were taken out the areas they stabbed still itched, but I kept quiet.

''Missing a tooth or two but I can manage.'' Saji commented as he cracked his neck.

I nodded slowly as I took another look around at each of them. Reya and Momo were clearly exhausted from healing all of us, even though Tsubaki-senpai tagged in and helped them out. The way things stand they will need some time to recover so we will have to be extra careful and not get injured.

It wasn't easy but we managed to get through this, yet that doesn't change the fact that this encounter was quite taxing on the others. Their wounds may have been healed but the accumulated fatigue is still there. If more enemies come to fight they probably won't last that much longer even if they have the noble phantasms I project.

My fist tightened as I contemplated the current situation.

Since my hands are back to full usage I will take the front line when another enemy appears. It's the least I can do for how hard they fought just now.

As I was lost in my thoughts Tsubasa wrapped her arm around my neck and pulled me into a headlock, lightly jabbing her gauntlet clad fist in my face. ''So… mind telling us just what the hell is up with these kickass weapons?''

Oh, right…

I never really explained how my projections work and all of them were under that impression that I basically just create swords. So they must have been surprised when I procured them various weapons.

Feeling a bit awkward I rubbed the back of my head as I started explaining. ''Well since I couldn't fight myself I tried thinking of a different way to support you guys, the only thing that came to my mind was to give you something to even up the field.''

Everyone nodded slightly at this, Ruruko stepping forward and began. ''Well at least we know that you don't have a sacred gear, since I haven't heard of one that allows the user to create different kinds of weapons.''

I sighed as head this. ''You still believed that?''

''I'm hard to convince, ok.'' The twin tailed pawn muttered.

''If you didn't use a sacred gear then how did you create them?'' Tomoe asked.

''It's part of my magecraft, it's supposed to be a basic spell called Projection, in essence it allows for one to replicate objects by using magical energy. But usually they are just hollow knockoffs that are quite fragile and don't even last very long.'' I carefully elaborated, reiterating that lesson Sella taught me about Gradation Air. ''Somehow I have a unique magical inclination that makes me able to evolve that spell, turning it into what I call Tracing. With it I can replicate any weapon I see down to the smallest detail, even its own powers and history.''

From the unblinking stares I was getting from everyone while they did appear to understand my explanation to some extent but they clearly were having hard time wrapping their heads around it.

The awkward silence was finally broken by Momo. ''Wow… wait a second, in order to copy them you must have come across them in some them in some form, where did you even find them?''

She was making a fair argument, unfortunately I didn't exactly had a good answer to give.

''It's a bit complicated…'' I muttered, to be honest I wasn't sure myself how the weapons just happened to flash through my mind, there seemed to be some kind of trigger involved that I haven't understood yet. It must have a connection to Archer somehow but he hasn't told me anything so I'm pretty much in the dark. ''Also, those weapons aren't just regular weapons, they're noble phantasms.''

''Noble phantasms?'' a lot of heads tilted in confusion.

I considered going into details about them, but since they already had a bit of a hard time understanding my tracing, if I start elaborating the whole prospects of crystallized legends and myths turned into conceptual weapons and abilities that define those legends they would probably burn a fuse. ''Basically the weapons of heroes in myths and legends.''

''Oh!'' the collective awe was telling me that they understood me.

''Take that spear for instance, it's called Gáe Dearg, it was one of the spears wielded by the Irish hero, Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, it has the ability to bypass magic based enchantments or skills, and cancel them as long as the blade of it makes contact with the source. If you used it for instance against a person wearing armor made out of magic, it will bypass it like it didn't even exist.''

There was quite the group reaction from this tid bit, everyone staring at Ruruko and the weapon she held, the pawn in question looking quite shell-shocked by what she was holding.

The first one to recover was Tsubaki-senpai, raising the halberd and asking. ''Then what about this weapon?''

''That weapon has its roots within Chinese history, specifically within the Romance of the Three Kingdoms era and is probably the strongest weapon created during its time period. It's called Houtengageki, the two handed halberd known as the primary weapon of Lü Bu Fèngxiān, the General of Repetition. While it may lack any special magical properties compared to other weapons it is on the other hand a masterpiece of a weapon due to its versatility that put to use all major characteristics of large two handed weapons, allowing it to be efficient in slashing, thrusting, battering, scything, and sweeping.''

Once again I was getting impressed looks from the people around me, Tsubaki-senpai particularly had an uncharacteristic sparkle in her eyes, like a child receiving a new toy and couldn't wait to play with it.

Before I could comment about this, Reya was tucking on the scarf still tied around my arm. ''What about this scarf you used? I mean it looks stylish and all but it doesn't really look like a weapon.''

''This one is more of a conceptual weapon, called the Hachi-no-hire, part of Tokusa-no-Kandakara, also it may look like a regular scarf but it's actually made from strings of steel knitted together and blessed by the local god of the region it was made in. It has a powerful protection spell embedded in it, protecting the owner from all forms of insects, instilling a primal fear into them making them unable to reach the user. It may sound like a useless ability, but it protects the user from the 'concept' of insects, as such any form of creature that has insect like attributes or powers will be affected by it. ''

I was getting quite the analytical look from the others, probably trying to discern if they thought it was useless or handy to have around. The only ones that seemed more easy going about it were Reya and Momo, the latter somehow managing to unwrap it from my arm while I was busy explaining, then proceeded to wrap it around her fellows Bishops neck. Childish antics aside, I had to admit that it looked quite good on her.

I turned around as I felt Tsubasa jab her fist in my face, gesturing towards the gauntlets covering them. ''What about these bad boys?''

Oh right… those were the hardest ones to trace, the fact that they were defensive armaments and not swords or at the very least offensive weapons really took a toll on me, I could have traced twenty pairs of Kanshou and Bakuya one after the other without a second to rest and I wouldn't get that kind of feedback. Food for fought next time I try projecting armor type noble phantasm.

''Those gauntlets are called Járngreipr, they belonged to the Norse God Thor and was one of the items that he required in order to use his hammer Mjölnir. Not only do they increase the user's physical strength, but they also give them a very powerful elemental resistance making them able to shrug off even a point blank thunder strike.'' I elaborated carefully.

Tsubasa nodded casually as she looked at them for a few seconds, her mouth dropping and eyes beginning to open wide as she realized something. ''Wait a minute, w-wait, wait a minute! Hold it! Wait!''

As she tried to recover from the mumbling mess she let out, which reminded me of an certain American stand-up comedian that Ayako once showed me video of, she reached for my shirt and pulled me closer her blue eyes looking like they were about to pop out of her head at any second. ''This things belonged to Thor?! Thor the mother fucking Norse god of thunder?! One of the ten strongest beings in this world!? That Thor?!''

Hm… now that she puts it like that I guess it is kind of shocking for me to replicate one of the weapons of the most popular Norse deity with Odin and Loki right behind. Makes one wonder what kind of reaction I would have got if I somehow traced Mjölnir.

It seemed that the others finally recovered from the shock and joined the shouting contest, Tomoe being the front liner. ''Shi-chan you can replicate god class weapons!?''

''Not really, at least I don't think so.'' I answered with a straight face.

No words were spoken, everyone was just staring at me.

Three, two, on-

''The hell?! Then how did you make these things?!'' Saji roared as he hit one the of Járngreipr gauntlets, immediately regretting it by how he start rubbing his hand, though this did seem to give Tsubasa a good laugh.

It seemed I had to explain a little what was going. ''A common misconception, while those gauntlets were used by him, neither Thor or any other god created them, but rather they were made by the dwarf blacksmith brothers Eitri and Brokkr, the very same blacksmiths that forged Mjolnir, Thor's legendary hammer. It was due to Loki's interference when they forged Mjolnir that its handle came out shorter than intended, because of that whenever Thor tried using his hammer because his hands were so close to the top part where all the power of thunder and lightning he wielded was channeled, his hands would get hurt from the backlash. That's where the gauntlets came in play, they would act as protection and allow Thor to use his hammer without any drawbacks.''

While they did seem to understand where I was going with this, Tsubaki-senpai apparently had more to ask. ''And you know all of this how?''

''The weapons history. When I trace a weapon I don't simply create a physical copy, I replicate everything about it, even its own history. As such, when I trace a weapon all of the knowledge regarding it, it flashes through my mind.''

I may say this but truth be told when I trace a weapon the process is extremely fast, within those seconds in which the tracing takes place years' worth of information regarding what I'm tracing flashes through my mind. At the end of it all, I retain only the small and important information about it, a sort of self-preservation mechanism since the sudden intake of so much knowledge may be far too much for my mind to handle.

''So wait, let's say I hypothetically wield a weapon that could level a country, you're telling me you can copy it with all its powers?'' Momo asked me with a shaking voice, the prospects of what I may potentially be able to do clearly shocking her.

''Pretty much… I guess.'' I said as I rubbed the back of my head.

Once again explaining my powers has made the group stare silently at me. Maybe when they are arguing I can just do that to calm them down.

The first one to speak was Tsubasa, laughing tiredly at me. ''That… sounds kinda broken bro.''

''Try hax…'' Saji remarked somewhat annoyed.

''Well, I'm glad you're on our side Shirou and not a member of the church or the Grigori.'' Tomoe chuckled nervously as she patted me on the back.

I rubbed the bridge of my nose as this situation escalated far too much. ''Ok look, the way my powers work isn't important, right now we need to focus on saving Sona.''

Everyone nodded and started picking themselves up, our first battle was over but we couldn't let our guard down, there was no telling how many people Segrif still had around here.

The first step I took on the staircase was the only one as I froze on the spot, a jolt of pain running through my body like electricity. I gasped and grabbed my face, my vision going blurry for few moments before going back to normal.

I wasn't sure what was going on, my wounds were healed and the poison was already taken care of. So this sudden surge of pain was making me worried to what was going on with me.

''That's what you get for projecting multiple unknown noble phantasms with your current level.'' Archer replied in contempt.

So that's how it was… should have expected it sooner or later, though later would have been much more preferable.

''It's a pain I'm ready to endure.''

''Even if your mind can endure it, your body is a different story. Your friend told you didn't she, how your vitals had stopped?'' He allowed me some time to reply but I didn't, not having a solid argument to give. ''Sella also warned you before, using magecraft that is beyond ones abilities will have powerful backlashes. You were lucky nothing major happened, however if that happens to you in mid battle your dead, never make that mistake.''

There was some truth in that… if my mind blacked out before when I fought with Sting I would have died.

With how things are… I'm not sure how many projections I have in me before my body breaks down. If I rely on Kanshou and Bakuya I might manage several copies, but if I try new tracing new noble phantasms I think that if I go past two or three my body will finally give out.

''That being said… as reckless as it was, what you did was a good call, those kids have drive, but that isn't enough to make up for the difference in skill and power. As they are now facing enemies of this level is asking too much, however if they gain support from noble phantasms they might just make it.'' Archer remarked in somewhat amused tone, perhaps he had his own ways of dealing with everything without doing what I did, but I decided not to comment about it and let him do his part. ''However don't let that become a habit, they need to get stronger on their own, you can't have them rely on you all the time for there certainly will come times when they will face strong enemies and you won't be there, for that they must learn to take care of themselves.''

... I didn't like coming to the same conclusion as him, but he was absolutely right, I don't have any problem helping them however that can become bad in the long term of things. Something must done…

I clicked my teeth as I shook my head, getting rid of any lingering dizziness and started climbing the stairs again. ''I'll think of something later, for now we have a job to do.''

''A fair point.''


The Sitri group was making their way through the dark corridors of the hideout, all of them feeling a bit edgy due to the previous encounter, but also more careful with each step they took.

Among them the one that appeared most distraught and stressed was the white haired bishop of the group, something that her best friend easily noticed.

''Is everything alright Momo?'' Reya asked Momo as she put her hand on her shoulder, clear concern in her voice.

She didn't speak at first and just continued walking, thinking carefully about the cause of her distress, a dry sigh escaping her lips. ''I'm not sure…''

''What do you mean?'' her friend inquired.

''It's about Shirou… when he made those weapons something happened that really disturbed me.''

''What happened?'' Tsubasa asked as she stepped between the two bishops, having silently listened to them.

''His eyes, they… I don't know how or why, but for a moment before those weapons materialized his eyes changed.'' Her friends noticed her shivering, how her eyes wondered in concern towards the red haired boy leading the group. ''They were there for a moment but I saw them, steel grey eyes.''

''Is that all?'' Tsubasa remarked with unimpressed half lidded eyes. ''So his eye color changed for a bit, big deal.''

She wasn't an expert in eyes, but she was aware that there were plenty of cases in the supernatural with one's eyes changing color. Most examples she knew of involved spells that affected the eyes, like illusion or curse based ones. Another thing she knew of was supernatural inheritance, certain unnatural eye colors were a sign of inhuman races, and those individuals usually hid them with color changing spells. As such the whole bit with Shirou's eyes going grey didn't seem like something all that important.

Momo shook her head desperately. ''You don't understand, it wasn't the color that disturbed me.''

Her reaction was actually starting get Tsubasa worried. ''Then what was it?''

''The look he had in them… it was completely different from his usual self, yet it still felt like it was his own. But that's the thing that scares me, they were cold and calculative, there was a detachment in them… they just felt more machine than human.''

The two girls looked at each other for a few seconds unsure what to do or say in this situation, they understood Momo's reason of concern, it was justified, but unfortunately they couldn't do anything, not at the moment. Reya gave her friend a brief hug and tried to reassure her. ''I get why you are worried, trust me I do, but now we have to save Kaichou. We can't stop to worry about ourselves.''

The lips of the white haired bishop quivered. She didn't like this situation one bit, Shirou was someone she has been growing close to for a while and can even call a good friend, so it was difficult to just bite down and brush her concern aside, but she had to do it.

Her eyes wondered once again at the red haired magus, confusion forming on her face as he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, his hands flashing in cyan light before he shot them up in the air.

A strong gale of wind hit her head on.

As she struggled to keep her eyes open against it, she witnessed the source of it, held tightly in Shirou's hands. With a strong clutch the arrows that Shirou had just caught got shattered.

The sword magus opened his hands and let the arrow remains fall, a cold glare present in his amber eyes. ''The first time you got me… I'd have to be the biggest fool to fall for the same trick twice!''

Up on a nearby railing a cloaked figure clicked her teeth, the woman with the jade bow was actually hoping that she could get another lucky shot like she did the first time. ''Well shucks, it seems someone learns from his mistakes.''

The battle was just getting started.


Omake: The adventures of the Emiya house.

Shirou wasn't quite sure what to expect when it came down to living together in the Emiya/Einzbern family. Each member seemed unique in their own way but he generally got along with everyone even though he didn't really know what each of them used to do before they all moved in together.

Leysritt was such a mystery to him, the first week of living together the white haired woman was going around the house as if she was at a museum. Any time she caught something that intrigued her she would just stare at it for minutes without blinking.

It wasn't really something bad at first, but it all changed when Liz discovered the malicious and manipulative device that was the TV.

Like an ever evolving process Liz started watching more and more until one could actually see her imprint in the couch whenever she would get up… which was becoming ever so rarer much to her sister's annoyance over her actions or rather her inaction.

Shirou could only sigh as Sella kept bickering with Liz, calling her a slob and a failure as an Einzbern maid, not that Liz really seemed to give a damn.

The red haired boy wasn't one to judge, and he didn't mind doing her share of work around the house since Sella didn't really let him help out. He was sure that Liz will eventually get bored of watching TV and chowing down on snacks one of these days and everything will be fine.

Oh, who was he kidding?

Liz was probably the laziest person he ever met… or at least he thinks she was… since he didn't have any memories before getting adopted.

Anyway Shirou wasn't really sure how to think about this. Such were his thoughts when he went to the living room to ask Liz if she wanted to go shopping with him.

His face instantly turned the same shade as his hair upon witnessing the Einzbern's maid form. She was currently engaged in trying to recover the TV's remote that somehow ended under the coffee table in front of the couch. Now any normal person would just get up and pick it up, Liz however was trying to reach for it while still keeping contact with the coach, as such she barely keeping her lower half on the couch, one of her arms to support herself on the floor, while the other one trying to reach for the remote. The woman was so focused on recovering the blasted piece of plastic that she completely disregarded how her clothes were, her already loose shirt was falling backwards due to her bent position revealing her toned abdomen, but that was completely tame compared to how her lower part was, her shorts were half pulled down enough for the young Emiya to get a full view of her panties.

''Hm?'' Liz turned around and stared at the empty air, weird, she could've sworn there was someone there… must have been her imagination.

Shirou didn't know why but when he saw Liz like that he instantly dashed out of the house.

A smart move on his part, as he narrowly avoided the horror of witnessing Sella's rampaging figure when she discovered the scandalous state her sister was in.


Author notes:

So apparently it took me a bit longer to post this chapter.

Well this chapter is pretty big, actually my longest one ever made, truth be told I could have divided it in two parts and give two chapters instead, but I ended it on such a cliffhanger that it would have been a dick move on my part to do another one without giving some proper action.

For some reason people were under the impression that Shirou went blind last chapter, no, he didn't go blind, he just couldn't see in the pitch dark corridor.

Since I made Shirou unable to use his hands everyone expected him to use sword barrel or rain of swords on the enemies and save the day, that or he got his hands healed at the last second and save the day. I instead did something different, and made him abuse projecting. Now before you bite my head off and say that the Sitri shouldn't be able to use NP's, they never really actually used them properly. They just used them like simple weapons, not NPS. If Shirou uses them he can access the memories within them and replicate how to use them like their original owners, the others use them however they could using their own style and techniques with them. Also before anyone brings up Gae Dearg, its special ability is a passive one, it doesn't require the user to activate it.

Hope you enjoyed my OC's. They weren't exactly the best ones you could find but they were mostly fodder so you can't expect many expectations from them, but I tried to go out of my way and give them more interesting powers and characteristics than simple magic attack, boom, explosion. The names weren't so original, that's for sure.

So exam session is over, a real bitch that's for sure. Well hope I can charge my batteries for the next two months and get to write more.

DxD hero finished, well I think the new studio did pretty good job adapting the volumes, at least they didn't go like DxD born with their own route.

Was I the only one surprised by some character designs? Specifically Diehauser and Indra. The first looks surprisingly like Archer if you ask me, while Indra looks… I don't know what the right word… thick? For some reason I was expecting a thinner looking guy, don't know why, but at least they got his persona pretty ok, you could just peel off the godly arrogance off from him. It makes one really curious how Shiva would look.

Also am I the only one hearing Ainz Ooal Gown filing a copyright infringement against Hades?

Hope the studio will do an OVA with the Armageddon at the school festival story. I think we can all agree that we need to see Gabriel animated.

Anyway so the first set of battles in this arc is done, still a few left before I wrap things up, I think 2 chapters will do the job.


Now about the NP's that appeared in this chapter:

Gáe Dearg: Crimson Rose of Exorcism

Rank: B

Type: Anti-Unit

Abilities: Same abilities as canon

Houtengageki: The Decorated Halberd that Matches the Heavens

Rank: A

Type: Anti-Unit, Anti-Army, Anti-Fortress

Abilities: Same abilities as canon

Járngreipr: The iron grippers

Rank: B

Type: Anti-Unit

Abilities: The Iron gauntlets user by Thor to wield Mjolnir. Due to Mjolnir's handle being too short Thor would always get his hands burned whenever he channel the power of thunder with it, the action being like holding torch near the part where the flame burned. As such the gauntlets act as wards to block away elemental forces, granting them protection similar to an A rank magic resistance.

While wearing both of them the user will also receive an ''+'' boost in their strength parameter. Should for instance the user have C rank strength, wearing them will raise it to a C+ rank

It must not be confused with the variant used by Magni, the son of Thor. When he recovered the armaments used by his father he only found one of the gauntlets, as such he didn't receive the full set of abilities that they bestow due to both of them being required.

Hachi-no-hire: The wasp scarf

Rank: D

Type: Anti-Unit (self)

Abilities: One of the ten treasures brought by Korean prince Amenohiboko when he settled in Japan, said to be housed in Isonokami shrine. According to the Nihon Shoki, Amenohiboko was a prince from Korea who settled in Japan.

The scarf was kitted with the steel thread produced by an old spider youkai and kept for many days in special peppermint concoction to sip its scent into it.

Wearing the scarf produces a unique form of barrier around the user, like a layer of cloth invisible to the naked eye. The barrier produces an effect that causes pure dread within insects and creatures with insect like attributes within its range, making them unable to get to close to the owner. Highly effective towards wasps and other similar creatures, the youkai whose tread was used to make the scarf being a natural predator of wasps.

While it may not have much usage outside of its specific protection, it's still is quite a sturdy piece of cloth, able to block sword slashes.

Wearing it for long periods of time isn't advised as the strong peppermint scent on it may cause dizziness.


Don't forget to review... no seriously review; I could use some constructive criticism.