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


The burden was great…

Each step, each breath, each moment was torment…

The body was suffering but the soul was unyielding…

There were many knots left to untie…

I only repaired one of them…

Many more are left…


Chapter 16:

Goodbye Shirou


''Now children let's see what each of you wrote.'' The middle school teacher beamed as she walked from desk to desk and picked up the papers with the assignment she gave to the students. It was a simple and fun task, to write about what they dream to become one day.

The teacher suddenly stopped in her tracks and looked confused at one particular paper, a blank one that belonged to the only auburn haired boy of the class. ''Shirou-kun you didn't write anything?''

The boy didn't lift his face and simply stared at the desk with disappointed eyes. ''…No.''

''Why though?'' the teacher was certainly taken back, she could have expected this with one of the lazy students, but not the amber eyed boy. ''You are usually such a diligent student.''

The boy lifted his head and looked at the teacher, the image of the man that saved his life flashed through his mind every time he tried finding an answer… and yet he was unable to find an exact one. ''I guess I don't really know what I want to be when I grow up.''


''Aghh…'' a strained groan escaped my lips as I slowly opened my eyes and was greeted with an unfamiliar white ceiling. The moment I tried lifting myself up I instantly regretted it and my head crashed back down into the pillow. I definitely had better mornings than this that's for sure. ''Did anyone get the number of the truck that hit me?''

''Does 54SegrifsAdouche ring any bell?'' I heard someone deadpan on my left side, I instantly turned my head around and saw Tsubasa sitting on a nearby bed, chowing down on a bowl of food. ''Morning slugger, did you sleep well?''

My eyebrow rose in confusion to this, not to seeing her eat, but that we were both in this same foreign room. I suppressed a groan and tried to lift myself again, it was a bit hard but I managed to stand up and scan my surroundings. I was in a hospital room, not only that, but the others were also here. Saji was sitting on the window frame while Momo, Reya and Tomoe were playing cards on one of the beds. On the other side Ruruko was peeling an apple while Tsubaki-senpai was reading a book but strangely enough Sona was missing. The moment I was up they all took notice and instantly dropped what they were doing to focus on me, Tomoe especially as she seemingly teleported right next to me and started shaking me back and forth. ''Shi-chan! How are you feeling?!''

''Whoa, easy there!'' I managed to speak out as I got the hyperactive Knight off me. I took a deep breath to calm down and tried to assess my current state. ''I'm fine… besides feeling sore in places I never even knew I had, I think I'm fine overall.''

After hearing this everyone looked like a huge weight had been removed from their shoulders. Tsubaki-senpai seemed to have lost strength in her legs and sat on the side of the bed next to me, a gentle smile spreading on her face. ''You have no idea what a relief that was Shirou, we were all worried if you would be alright after everything you went through. They kept you for five hours in the O.R. after all before they finally were done treating you.''

This made me recall everything that happened, the whole abduction, the battles we fought against the Zepar peerage, and my fight with Segrif Zepar himself. No wonder why my body feels like it was used as a crash test dummy. ''That long?''

''Considering that the doctors were scratching their heads to how you were still even alive with the amount of wounds you had it isn't that shocking.'' Momo remarked dryly, she clearly didn't enjoy what happened recently.

''Sorry for making you guys worry about me.'' I took a moment and studied each of them carefully, there wasn't a single one that was uninjured. Each of them was wrapped in bandages on one body part or another. While they may have seemed all right at first glance at least as much can be expected, it was their expressions that didn't rub well with me. Each of them seemed utterly exhausted from the bags under their eyes. I could only speculate that they didn't get much sleep because they stood up to watch over me until I was out of danger. Looking at them all I couldn't help but ask. ''What about you guys?''

Reya waved her hand lightly at this. ''Oh, we were patched up right away, the Sitri house is famous for their advanced medical facilities. This hospital is just one of many in the Sitri territory.''

Hmm… so I guess we are still in the underworld, well it wasn't like we could just go to a human hospital and with how each of us were injured and exhausted there was no way we could handle the healing by ourselves either. ''Is that so, I never knew that.''

I tried to lift myself a bit more and the bed sheet fell down, a curious sight beneath it. ''Wait a minute, what happened to my clothes?''

Now that I noticed, the others were wearing the same type of hospital gown, but I don't recall changing into these. My answer soon came from one of the others.

''They were like completely tattered and dyed red from the blood, of course they wouldn't let you wear them.''

Momo's reply only made me raise an eyebrow in question. ''Then who changed me?''

''The nurses, duh, who might I add were curiously giggling and taking an awful long time to finish changing your bandages.'' Tsubasa remarked with a very big snicker which was bordering on the shit eating grin category.

''Why would they do that?''

''Huh?'' My reply only made the blue haired rook blink in confusion. ''You can't see what I'm getting at?''

''Noooo…?'' I muttered unsure of what she was even on about.

She just stared at me with an unreadable expression, one that everyone else was also sharing. The moment of silence was finally broken by one of the girls. ''Holy shit, it's like he isn't even considering it.''

Momo nodded solemnly at Tomoe's remark. ''Told you he is as dense as rock when it comes to women.''

A sigh escaped my lips as I just failed to see what they were talking about. When I looked around the room again, I noticed that someone was missing from the group. ''Say where's our master?''

''Sona's injuries were mostly superficial so she was placed in a different ward then us. If anything she's been under spiritual test to see if there was any affection from Segrifs brainwashing attempts. '' Tsubaki-senpai explained as she rearranged her glasses. ''Plus her sister dropped by and she wouldn't let go of her.''

''Huh, so that's it.'' I hummed as I crossed my arms and immediately froze when I registered the last part the black haired queen mentioned. Suddenly memories of the abomination were flashing through my mind, causing my body to jerk backwards in reaction. ''Wait, that thing is here?!''

''Wow, calm down Shirou, there's no need to panic.'' Reya tried waving her hands up and down in a soothing manner, but it had little to no effect on me.

''No need to panic, didn't you see how that thing turned and entire desert into the Antarctic in a matter of seconds?!'' I berated in a shaky voice, I didn't like to admit it, but that thing terrified me. ''Well, excuse me if I'm not comfortable knowing that some nightmarish monster is close by.''

Ruruko scratched her cheek and laughed sheepishly. ''Actually Shirou-senpai, as hard to believe as it may sound, Kaichou's sister is actually a really nice gal when she isn't pissed.''

My head turned around almost mechanically at this. ''Wait, you talked with her?!''

Tomoe nodded lightly and chuckled. ''Yeah, she's really sweet once you get to know her. Real ball of energy that girl, a bit of a total siscon, but overall a nice person.''

I took a moment and processed this… then two… then three. Yep, I wasn't buying it, the siscon part was making it even harder to believe than it already was. ''I'm having a hard time processing this.''

''Trust me I couldn't believe it either and was calling out bullshit.'' Saji remarked as he crossed his arms, a shiver ran through his body as he went on. ''When she saw that I didn't believe her she turned on the whole black smog thing just to show that it was really her.''

''Oh… that must have been bad.''

''I almost pissed myself.'' He stated with a solemn face, not embarrassed at all to admit it.

''… Sounds legit.'' I nodded in agreement, I wouldn't judge anyone for getting scared of what I saw, it would surprise me to find someone that can look at that thing and have not be even a little bit scared.

As the others laughed lightly at Saji's predicament the door on the other side was open and through it a man stepped in. ''Looks like our man of mystery has finally woken up.''

I scanned him carefully as he walked towards us and was quite taken aback by his appearance. He was a young man in his early twenties but I couldn't help but admire the inhuman beauty he had, with piercing light blue eyes and green hair that was slicked back without a single strand out of place. That aside, there was also this mysterious aura he was exuding, making me feel somehow overwhelmed and on edge in his presence. As I looked closely though I couldn't help notice something out of place, curiously I noted he was wearing a single glove on one hand while the other was left uncovered.

When the others took notice of him they all panicked and got off my bed to bow down in front of him. ''Beelzebub-sama!''

I felt the air get stuck in my throat when I finally realized who this guy was. It was Ajuka Astaroth, one of the heroes of the devil civil war, current Maou and bearer of the title of Beelzebub. This was the man that created the very evil piece system that devil's like Sona use, he was the genius that saved the devil race when it faced extinction.

That very man was now in front of me.

And apparently he rolled his eyes in boredom when he saw the others showing proper respect towards him. ''Geez, drop the formalities, I'm not here as Ajuka Beelzebub the big Maou of the underworld, I'm just here as a scientist checking up on an intriguing patient.''

He seemed rather… easy going. Not exactly the image I pictured in my mind when I read all of those articles about him. The way he just lazily picked up a nearby chair, put it in front of my bed, and sat on it, backwards might I add got rid of any images of a dignified scientist I had of him.

Before I knew it he made a tablet covered in glowing marks appear in his hand, and swiping down on it he stared at me when he stopped searching. ''So, Emiya Shirou was it?''

''Y-Yes.'' I nodded a bit sheepishly.

He lifted his hands up and gestured with them, a snicker forming on his lips. ''No need to be nervous, I don't have any injections on me.''

Whatever nervousness I or the others had before had lightened at the man's remark. When he noticed my change of mood he went back to looking at his tablet before asking me a series of questions.

''So how are you feeling?''

''Good, I guess, a little sore but well I suppose.'' Trying to feel once again for anything out of the ordinary with my body but fortunately finding nothing wrong as far I could tell.

''I see, are you experiencing any tingling in your legs?''

''None at the moment.'' I replied.

''Any noticeable difference with your eyesight?''

''Seems as good as it always was.'' I responded.

''Any back pains or itches of any kind in the back area?''

''Besides the tingling sensation from the hospitals gowns material, nothing else.''

''Try channeling some magical energy in your body.'' He told, or rather ordered me do to and I did as I was told without any comment. I did a simple reinforcement on my body. ''Do you feel any burn or burden while doing so?''

''No.'' I answered somewhat taken aback. Surprisingly, the strain from when I usually use magecraft seemed to have reduced.

The man nodded as he kept tapping on his tablet, offering me a serene smile as he finished. ''Well then Shirou-kun, let me offer you my congratulations. Your healing has been successful.''

Even though this was a good thing I couldn't help but feel that something wasn't exactly right here. ''Judging by those questions you weren't expecting that to be case?''

His eyebrow rose and a bemused smile spread on his lips. ''Oh, we've got a sharp one here. I was very certain that with the amount of physical trauma you went through permanent damage was bound to happen.'' He stated in a very clinical tone. ''Those bone shards in your back in particular were quite the curious little things, small yet very effective. They also had this ability that made them grow roots and latch themselves onto the victim. The doctors performing surgery on you had a field day extracting all those out.''

My eyes couldn't help but half close as I watched the sparkle of excitement present in the man's eyes when he talked about Segrif Zepar's weapon. ''You sound rather impressed by them.''

The bearer of the Beelzebub name simply scoffed. ''As reckless as he was, as a fellow researcher I have to give credit to Segrif Zepar for his research. A shame he went astray down his path, he could've become a great researcher one day. I salvaged quite a few interesting theories and samples he developed. Among those there was one thing in particular that got my attention.''

''Such as?'' This also got my attention, knowing what Segrif was working on it couldn't be pretty.

''Tell me, was there any sacred gear users within his ranks that out of nowhere injected themselves with something and their powers instantly started evolving?''

I took a moment and thought about it, there was the user of the Jade Archery sacred gear, the elf woman Eletha. She did inject herself with some unknown substance when she began losing against us and her sacred gear somehow mutated from it. ''Yeah, his knight did that. You know what she used?''

He shook his head in response. ''There wasn't much I discovered, but from what I managed to decipher from his notes it was supposed to be an imitation of something called 'Chaos Break'. I can only assume that it's some kind of enhancement drug that affects sacred gear users, but without a sample of the compound he developed or the so called original Chaos Break I can't give a certain answer. I ask if you ever encounter this drug or anything similar would you be so kind to secure a sample and have it delivered to me?''

''… I will try.'' I answered a bit flabbergasted, I honestly couldn't say no to this guy for some reason.

He waved his hand and his tablet vanished, his demeanor also changing with it, turning more serious and stoic. ''Now with that out of the way, I have a very important matter to discuss with you.''

I suddenly felt a bit nervous under the man's icy stare. ''Such as?''

''Tell me, weren't you suppose to meet up with me before the whole incident with the Zepar kid happened? Care to remind me why you were supposed to do that?''

I thought about it and recalled that Sona actually made me an appointment for a check out with this guy. ''It was to see why my demonic powers and evil pieces weren't working.''

''Exactly, now while you were unconscious I examined you and found the answers you've been looking for. I already informed Sona about what I found, now before I tell you, are you comfortable with the others hearing this?''

I pondered a bit on this, perhaps it was one of those patient doctor confidentiality moments. Perhaps it would have been the normal choice to hear about it by myself first, but after everything that we all went through together I felt they deserved to know what has been going on with me just as much as I do. ''I believe they also have the right to know what's going on with me.''

My decisions made the others each smile to some extent, even the green haired Maou only snickered. ''Good words.''

He waved his hand and a different tablet manifested. ''At first I tried remote accessing your evil pieces to check the memory banks in them and find any irregularities within them. To my own confusion they weren't responding to my commands, something which shouldn't happen. I then tried a manual access but even that failed as well much to my own confusion.''

He began tapping vigorously on the tablet, my eyes failing to keep up with his hand movements. ''I found that very odd so I put you under a PMRI test.''

''PMRI?'' Saji tilted his head in confusion, a sentiment that I also shared since I was oblivious to what it was.

The man's light blue eyes never left his tablet. ''Pulse magic resonance imaging, its similar to the MRI humans have developed but this variation shows irregularities caused by supernatural factors. Which were many to isolate might I add, since quite the number of marks were results from injuries of the Zepar incident. There was a lot of nitpicking to do in order to find any previous existing abnormalities.''

The subtle and almost unnoticeable glare he threw at me made it clear that the nitpicking part must have been a real pain to work with.

''What I found truly surprised me.'' There was a change in his demeanor, a sort of spark of excitement igniting in his eyes as he handed me the tablet he was using. ''This is a display of your spiritual body, take a close look at the center.''

Everyone else got behind me and tried to peek over my shoulder to see what it was. Much to my confusion I didn't know what I was looking at, it looked overall like a glowing outline of my body but there seemed to be something in the center of it, giving a dim golden light within. Reya and everyone else weren't having a better time figuring this out. ''There's something there?''

''Exactly, apparently you have some sort of artifact magical in nature implanted in your body.''

''What if it's a sacred gear?'' Ruruko asked skeptically, apparently she still hadn't given up on the possibility of me having a sacred gear.

The Maou only shook his head at this. ''Not a chance, the magical signature I decoded from it isn't even remotely close to that of a sacred gear in nature or function. In fact I have never even seen such an object before in my entire career as a researcher, so you can expect the scientist in me couldn't resist taking a closer look at it. Thus I tried extracting it to see just what it was.''

I could only nod lightly and go on. ''So what is it?''

''I said 'I tried' extracting it, not that I succeeded. The moment I tried to remove it I encountered some rather violent reactions from it.'' He then lifted the glove covering his hand and slowly removed the piece of fabric. ''As you can see, it really didn't want to separate from you.''

''Holy shit!'' Tsubasa's sudden outburst was justified, everyone was staring at the man's hand in utter shock. Skin was nowhere to be seen, instead one could only gaze at the wrinkly crimson and blackened exposed flesh. In some spots the flesh was thin almost transparent, making it possible for the bones to be seen and even the blood flowing through the veins could be noticed if stared hard enough.

Those were definitely fourth degree burns on his hand… and I caused them?

If it was some random devil I would've believed it without any problem, but this guy was one of the strongest devils in existence. The idea that I could cause such an injury to him, especially unintentionally was mind boggling. I was speechless by this sudden turn of events such that I didn't even feel the first time when Tsubaki-senpai elbowed me. When I did finally notice she was throwing me a desperate glare. ''Shirou apologize immediately!''

My eyes widened as I just realized it, but before I could even move my mouth to apologize to the man in front of me he raised his other hand and stopped me. ''Oh, no need for any of that, I reap what I sow, trying to meddle with it without your consent was an unethical move on my part so I deserved it. That being said, I have you ask you Emiya Shirou, just what is that object within you?''

I went silent as my mind tried finding an explanation, unfortunately I had no means to answer what he really wanted to know. ''… You ask me that but I am more oblivious about it than you are. Until this day I had no idea that there was some kind of magical artifact in me, let alone what it is.'' Hearing my response the man in front of me couldn't help but sigh.

''That is disappointing, I can deduce that you have no idea of how to remove it do you?'' as much as I wanted to help him get out of the disappointed state he was in, I couldn't do it and simply waved my head side to side. It only made the man sigh once again seeing my answer and further dejected. ''Of course you don't.''

Somehow his attitude was contagious, I was also beginning to feel a little down. ''So you have no idea what it is or does do you?''

''Well I can't say that I don't have any lead.'' He remarked as he put his glove back on. ''I analyzed the residual energy left in my burnt flesh and managed to at the very least identify its origin.''

''Is it some kind of holy relic?'' Tsubaki-senpai asked curiously.

''At first glance one would automatically assume that, however this was not a God forged relic, no, it's a Fae origin relic.''

''Fae?'' Tsubasa, among a few others, tilted their heads at this name. ''What's that?''

''They are more commonly known as fairies by humans knowledge.''

This made Saji tilt his head in confusion. ''So wait some small Tinkerbell shoved that thing in Emiya?''

The Maou could only snort at his remark. ''A crude description but not an inaccurate one, the object however isn't in his physical body but his spiritual one. Think of it as an extension of his soul, also I doubt the Fae bestowed it upon him.''

''Why do you say that?'' Momo asked in deep confusion, one that I also shared.

''There have been very few people recorded to have ever received Fae forged armaments and there hasn't been any case in the last millennium or so. The Fae have always been a reclusive race. It's very, and I mean very rare for one to spot a fairy in this day and age, but to find one that is willing to bestow one of their precious artifacts to a random boy is beyond impossible. ''

As I listened to this I did see some truth in what he said. I kept reasserting different myths and legends to get a better understanding of what could be out there and there were very few instances of stories in which someone received blessings from the fairies. I recall the Celtic hero Diarmuid Ua Duibhne and knight of the round table Lancelot du Lac being among the few people mentioned to have received the blessing of the fairies in one way or another.

''The artifact could have been bestowed on someone else at one point and then could have been lost, stolen, or simply passed down to another even though they didn't receive the Fae's approval. The only conclusion I can draw is that someone who possessed the artifact bestowed it upon you and it seemingly bonded to you at a spiritual level.''

This was beginning to get a bit complicated. ''Bonded?''

He stared at his glove covered hand and flexed it a couple of times before he continued. ''Considering the sheer recoil I received when I tried extracting it, that thing is stuck to you and isn't going anywhere for a while. Perhaps its waiting for when the times is right and until then it isn't leaving you.''

A long and heavy sigh escaped my lips as I took all of this in. Great… just great, like I didn't have enough on my mind as it was, now I have to figure where I got this artifact from, and who jammed it in me. ''Out of curiosity, how can you tell it's a Fae artifact?''

Lord Beelzebub simply pointed at the chart where the artifact was registered, his face on the other hand seemed rather uninterested. ''If you look carefully there are Fae letters on it, that was a dead giveaway.''

Well, that could be a start. ''So you can tell what it says on it?''

''Hardly, in fact you would be unbelievably lucky to find someone in this day and age that can even read Fae language outside of their race. As I said before the Fae are very reclusive, even more so than the Shinto Gods, as such there isn't any individual today that is known to be able to read them. Or at least not any the devil faction is aware of.''

I opened my mouth to comment on this but he immediately cut me off.

''I can recognize the writing by the unique design, but I have no clue what it says.'' He went on in a dry tone. ''In any case you all should keep quiet about it, Fae artifacts are worth far more than you can ever imagine. So unless you want to get a bounty on your head by collectors or attacked by power hungry individuals I advise you all forget it even exists.''

Everyone could only nod awkwardly at this, but the one who felt most awkward was probably me. It certainly was a strange feeling knowing you have a fortune in your body.

''Anyway we have deviated enough, let's go back to the initial topic.'' And like that his disinterest vanished and a serious look took over him. ''I originally used the PMRI to track your evil pieces, the fact that I found that artifact in you was pure coincidence. Look at the scan again, try focusing around the shape of the artifact. Do you see anything there?''

I narrowed my eyes and actually reinforced them to get a better view. I wasn't too sure what I was seeing. ''Some small bits of… something?''

''Those bits as you call them-'' a magic circle flashed above the green haired Maou's hand, from it small chucks of red and white stones dropped in the palm of his hand. ''…are your evil pieces.''

I stared at the chunks in his hand, yet I was having a hard time believing what I was seeing. ''Wait, what?''

''I was just as surprised as you are, apparently your pieces have shattered the very moment they tried converting you into a devil.'' He remarked with a small scowl as he played with one of the chunks, the said chunk starting to glow in a deep red light. ''They have shattered just when they were a step away from completing their task and remained in a semi active state ever since. But make no mistake, they never did their job all the way through.''

As I processed this I felt my throat dry up, breath becoming strained and haggard as I stared into the man's light blue eyes. A cold realization filling me and yet I couldn't see it possible. ''What are you trying to imply?''

''Isn't it obvious?'' he flashed a magic circle and from it a silver cross materialized, everyone around me took an involuntary step back when they saw it. With a flick of his hand the cross levitated and was pressed against my head.

Everyone stared in shock as I didn't react at this at all.

There was no reason to react to it.

It didn't burn.

As the cross started vaporizing the Maou only nodded in confirmation to everyone present, revealing the answer that we all wanted to know. ''You're still human Emiya Shirou.''

Time seemed to have slowed down, a heavy silence filling the room. No one dared to speak, all they could do was simply stare at me as if I just grew a second head.

I wasn't faring much better.

''W-What?!'' was all I managed to utter as I grabbed my face with my free hand. It seemed impossible, it was hard to believe… and yet it was starting to slowly make sense. The times I tried accessing my demonic powers, the times using devil magic, the times I tried promoting, the times I tried unfolding my wings, and how all of them ended in failure. There was only one answer, it wasn't that I lacked the talent or ability to use them. I simply was unable to do so from the beginning. ''But how?!''

My mind was simply spinning trying to find a proper explanation to this. All the memories of the times I should have realized this surfaced and had now hit me dead on. ''Sona told me she could feel the evil pieces in me. She said they felt weak and odd but she still felt them there.''

''What she felt was the residual energy from them. The king of a peerage has a connection to their evil pieces even if they are not currently being used, since they were still functioning to some extent she couldn't have realized that they shattered.'' The Maou carefully explained. '' You might not know this but reincarnated devils cannot naturally generate demonic energy the same way naturally born devils can. One of the functions of the evil pieces is to do just that, they absorb residual mana in the air and convert it into demonic energy.''

While that made some sense it didn't make things feel easier.

''You really dodged a bullet there because in their current state the evil pieces in you weren't able to properly generate demonic energy the way they were intended to. Direct exposure to demonic energy can be very harmful to humans, and an internal exposure would be even worse. From what I could notice the fragments of your pieces still collected residual mana from the air and stocked it. It also seems like you recently used it all.'' He clinically explained as he played with one of the fragments, a spark of curiosity igniting in his eyes once again. ''Speaking of which, did you at any point during the Zepar incident run out of any form of magical energy to use and out of nowhere gained access to a unknown supply of one?''

I looked back and realization slowly hit me. ''… Now that you mention it there were some instances during the final battle when I ran out of any magical energy but in a single moment my mind blacked out and I tapped into a reserve that I shouldn't have had naturally.'' I muttered as I recalled unleashing that wave of swords on Segrif, and the tracing of Hrunting that followed. ''I by all means was out of any energy and it just happened.''

The Maou nodded and took a few notes on his tablet. ''Better not get used to it since I took those fragments out.''

Somehow I realized something that could be used in my advantage. ''If they can collect mana like that can't you put them back inside me?''

The man was anything but amused at my suggestion. ''No way kid, you have idea what kind of luck you had that this ordeal didn't outright kill you. It was like swallowing an unsheathed knife and always keeping it in your stomach, sure it can be useful when the time is right, but you are risking killing yourself at the smallest misstep. The only reason nothing happened is because you didn't try to rely on your evil pieces and used your own means to fight, I may be many things but I won't endanger someone when I can help it.''

If I said I wasn't feeling a little bit dejected by this, I would be lying. ''I see… well, do you have any idea why the pieces didn't work on me in the first place?''

''I checked the recorded data on the remains, from what I could decipher you were truly on your death bed when they were used on you. The sudden influx of energy that they filled you with must have triggered something inside you that helped you survive the fatal wounds. The mandatory healing process was started at that time and when the pieces tried converting you into a devil something happened that literally shattered them before they could complete the process.'' A magic circle flashed in his hand and the fragments started dancing at the tip of his fingers, static energy emanating from them violently. ''I have seen many forms of reactions and side effects involving the evil pieces but never did I encounter something like this before.''

Somehow this whole situation was making me feel a bit awkward in front of the man. ''I'm sorry for the trouble I'm causing.''

''Quite the contrary, I find this whole ordeal most fascinating. On a personal level I would want nothing more than open you up and see the exact source of it all and what the exposure from the Fae artifact did to you.'' At this casual reply from the man I couldn't help but take an involuntary step backward, the way he smiled like a small child while he explained all of this was scaring me a bit. ''However work ethics these days prevents me doing so, also Serafall would probably castrate me if I made Sona sad by messing with her friends.''

And just like that the fear somehow vanished and got replaced by a sense of awkwardness. At least it made feel less of coward knowing that even a big shot like this guy is afraid of Sona's sister.

While I was trying to think of a way to restart the conversation, Tsubaki-senpai stepped forward and looked at the Maou with pleading eyes. ''Beelzebub-sama… What will happen to Shirou?'' Her voice was strained and bitter, this whole situation seemed to be affecting her even more that it was affecting me.

Reya also stepped forward. ''Yeah, will he be given other pieces in the old ones place?''

The green haired man only shook his head. ''I'm afraid as it stands he can't be converted into a devil. If I were to use a new set of pieces on him they would just end up the same as the old ones. Besides the numerical value the pawns had was the equivalent of ten at the time they were used, and I can tell that since the first pieces were used Shirou here has been growing at a rather impressive rate. I doubt ten pawns would be enough to convert him at this point even if I included in mutated pieces like the original pawns had.''

''O-Over ten…'' Ruruko muttered in awe at this number. It made sense that it affected her, for she consumed only one pawn when she joined Sona, and even the highest valued piece the Queen was only valued at nine. Three pawns were used on me that night, one of which was a mutation piece. I was told that the value of a mutation piece is much higher than a regular one but who would have thought that the one used on me was equivalent to eight regular ones.

Tsubasa also couldn't keep silent in this conversation. ''Then what will happen to him?''

The Maou pondered for a bit before he answered. ''If I were to go by standard procedure I should inform the council about him, but with the current facts involved he might just get stripped of his freedom and get locked away somewhere out of reach.''

There was an instant uproar by those around me at this declaration.

''What?!''

''You can't be serious!''

''Why?!''

''No fucking way we are letting that happen!''

As the uproar of the Sitri household went on, Tsubaki-senpai threw her arm to the side to silence us, the look on her face was strained and exhausted, her arm was shaking as she tried to find answers from the man in front of us. ''Beelzebub-sama, please explain to us why Shirou would get such a treatment when he has done nothing to earn or deserve such a punishment.''

The man simply sighed as he began elaborating. ''It's not what he has done, but what he has the potential to do. He is an anomaly as it stands a very dangerous anomaly at that might I add, if word gets out that there is a way to resist the evil pieces the council wouldn't want him to fall into the hands of any other faction. Just think about it, if what kept him human, whether it is that artifact or some other factor, can be replicated it could become the very downfall of the evil piece system. As much as the council keeps throwing fits about the superiority of the purebloods and the necessity to preserve the noble bloodlines, they are well aware that the evil piece system is crucial for our race. With all of those things accounted for, Shirou's mere existence is a threat. He is potentially a threat so great that it may end up with him being sentenced to death just to eliminate any possibility of him falling into the wrong hands.''

If I took a moment and thought about it, he was making a valid point. While I wouldn't intentionally take advantage of my situation and use it for my own means, the risk of others trying to use me is still out there.

From a pure logical standpoint, I was indeed a potential threat towards the devil race.

That conclusion was making everyone look defeated and at loss.

There had to be something that I could do.

I let out a tired sigh and stared the man in the eyes. ''Then what will you do?''

''What should I do? What should I do?'' The Maou hummed as he stroked his chin.

The air around him suddenly turned heavy and serious, his eyes looked sharp, a stare that would make a weak willed man pass out on his feet were locked onto me.

''I will ask you one single question, and depending on your answer I shall decide what to do.'' It felt like the very air around us was gaining weight, threatening to crush me under the man's icy glare. ''Breasts or butts?''

I blinked once… then twice… at the third time my mind tried rebooting and I went on and asked. ''… Would you be so kind as to repeat that?''

''Which do you prefer, the magnificent bosom or the alluring bottom?'' He spoke without any hint of embarrassment in his voice, heck the way he spoke was very clinical, like talking about a medical condition. ''Careful what you chose, your freedom may very well depend on it.''

Even though he said that, my mind was having a hard time processing all of this and my usual self-restrictions were feeling kinda loose. Somehow my mouth was on autopilot and just answered the first thing that came to my mind regardless of the results it may have. ''… Thighs.''

The Maou and everyone else in here just stared silently at me.

''Heh.'' A chuckle escaped the green haired man's mouth as it morphed into a smirk. He waved his hand and from a magic circle a bottle of rum and a pair of goblets appeared. Before I could even comment he opened the bottle and poured in the cups, giving me one of them and toasting. ''You my friend, are a man of culture.''

I only stared at the rum in my hand. Unsure if I should tell the man that I was still underage or just chug the whole thing down to take off the edge I felt.

Just what in blue blazes was going on?

It appeared everyone else was also taken aback by this, Tsubaki-senpai's eyes for one looked like they were one step away from breaking through the lenses of her glasses. ''Beelzebub-sama you can't be serious!''

''Of course I'm not. Can't a man joke around?'' He shrugged his shoulders as he finished his drink, the half lidded stare he was giving us was telling me this guy was far easier going than he let on. ''I wasn't planning on making this matter public from the beginning, there are far too many variables involved and it can cause unwanted effects. For the time being I will use the remains I managed to extract and run further diagnostics on them. Those together with the tissue and bodily fluids I extracted while you were asleep should give me enough to work with.''

I didn't comment about just what kind of bodily fluids he collected, at this point I really didn't want to know. Instead I focused on a different matter at hand. ''For one of Hell's leaders you certainly are showing a blind eye to a possible threat.''

''Don't misunderstand kid, I'm only doing it this one time because I still can. If you do become a threat in any way to my kind I will report you regardless of the headache I will get from the council.''

''… A fair point.'' I nodded slightly in appreciation, to be honest I think I just dodged a bullet right there. ''So I take it you don't like the council?''

''Trust me when I say I can't stand the council.'' The way he rolled his eyes further emphasized that. ''I understand that making sure order is kept is a given, but they manipulate things to further their own agendas, so please excuse me if I like giving them the middle finger whenever I get the chance.''

A nervous laugh escaped my lips at this, but I was anything but amused, it was more of an involuntary reaction as my mind was getting slowly overwhelmed by all of the turns of events. The fact that I'm still human, the mysterious artifact in me, the possible threat that I pose and what may happen if I take the wrong step.

''L-Look I appreciate all you're doing for me and all that you did up until this point, but I need to properly process all of this.'' In spite of still feeling sore I got up from my bed and made my way out of the room ignoring the concerned looks of the other Sitri devils. ''I… need some air… all of this is a lot to take in.''

''That's a good choice, try not to let it get to you since you still need rest.'' A bright and friendly smile spread on his face as he went on. ''Also, Shirou-kun if it's not too much to ask, could I get the rights over your body in case of death?''

If before I was sluggishly making my way out of the room, now I was running away. ''I… really need to get to the bathroom.''

''Please, it's in the name of science!''

I ignored the man and got the hell away from him as if the devil was chasing me.

Oh wait… a devil was chasing me.


The Sitri peerage stared in silence as Shirou bolted out of the room.

''Well that was a letdown.'' Ajuka Beelzebub sighed as he picked his tablet and prepared to leave. ''I hope you all can be discreet about all that was discussed here?''

No one made a single comment, they simply nodded silently in unison. This situation felt way over their heads so this was all they could do at the current time in response.

''Wonderful, make sure you all rest.'' The Maou kindly chirped as he left.

As they were left alone a heavy silence filled the room, each member of Sitri peerage was utterly shocked by the revelations that took place concerning their friend within the last hour.

''…So that was what was going on all this time.'' Momo spoke slowly, trying to attempt to uplift the moral of the group, but she knew far too well that it wouldn't be so easy given the circumstances.

Reya only chuckled bitterly at the white haired bishop. At this point it was all she could do. ''To think… he was still human all this time… how the hell didn't we notice it?''

''He never did show any sort of devilish traits or abilities all these months did he?'' Ruruko chuckled as she stared dejectedly at the ceiling. There were some small patterns she noticed when one became a devil, such as a decrease of physical energy during daytime which got balanced by an increase during the nighttime among other things. The twin tailed pawn really couldn't notice them since they were all so insignificant, no one bothered keeping track of them.

''… And yet in these few months we've been together he has outdone us in spite of that.'' Tomoe admitted in shame as she recalled the first spar she had with Shirou, at the time she was able to keep up with the red haired swordsman, but now she doubts she would even last a minute against him.

''… I shudder at what he could have achieved if the pieces worked properly.'' Tsubaki offered her own two cents. If he managed to outclass them by his own means, as a human without a sacred gear or any supernatural heritage she was aware of, who knows what heights he could achieve if he became a devil.

The only male of the group observed silently while leaning up against the wall. As the conversation kept rolling it continued to get more and more depressing, when he finally had enough he clicked his tongue and decided to get out of here.

When the pawn turned around to walk away the twin tailed girl called him out. ''Saji-senpai where are you going?''

The male pawn stopped at the door but didn't turn around to face them, he mumbled something under his breath before speaking clearly. ''… I need a smoke.''

When he left the room the others realized how annoyed the blonde must have felt by the way he slammed the door behind him. Tomoe could only stare with half lidded eyes at the door. ''Talk about having a stick up your ass.''

''Can you really blame him?'' Reya hummed sadly as she sat on one of the beds. ''Being forced to rely on Shirou is hard enough, but his personality only makes things more painful.''

Momo chuckled bitterly at this, it was so ironic that she wasn't the only one feeling this way. ''I know right, you already feel bad that you can't do better, that you couldn't do it alone without his help, and then he comes around beating himself up and apologizing that he couldn't do better when it was your own mistake that he was correcting. Not his own but yours, that just makes you feel like shit.''

That was a collective struggle that they all faced. Making mistakes is something that happens on a regular basis in any place at any time, some may be small and insignificant, but others so large that they may not even be fixable.

When one makes a mistake others may ignore them, in other cases some will point them out to you, or even rub them in your face as they hold you accountable for them.

Those are all the normal ways to react.

This wasn't such a case.

Sometimes when someone takes the blame for a mistake that you yourself have committed, whether that mistake was out of foolishness or lack of ability, it will make you feel even worse. Far much worse compared to how one would feel if they simply felt guilty for those mistakes themselves.

''He really is a selfless dimwit isn't he?'' Ruruko remarked as she sat on the bed, curling her knees to her chest.

Tsubaki was he most conflicted of them all. She realized that everything her friends said was true and yet a part of her still refused to accept this. How could someone that could show so much care and compassion for the people around him show so little concern for his own safety?

The incident with Kurosaiga Ichirou was the first sign, but at that time the circumstances were different.

However this whole abduction incident only further proved it, shielding the others with his own body and critically injuring himself, while putting his body through immense strain and pain to create a means for all to survive. Choosing to fight opponents in critical condition as long it meant that others didn't have to do it.

On paper those may seem like acts of courage and selflessness, but what she saw was something completely different.

She saw a man that didn't care about his own welfare as long as it meant that others were safe.

It may not have happen today…but the Sitri Queen feared what may happen to Shirou the next time he encounters a similar situation.

That dark thought continued to plague her mind, the more she thought about it a sensation akin to a cold pit formed in the bottom of her stomach. She gritted her teeth before finally giving her own opinion. ''He means well, we all know that he is the kind of person that wouldn't intentionally hurt any of us but he isn't realizing that by taking no pride in himself and trying to shoulder everything he is unintentionally hurting others.''

Emiya Shirou was always an enigma to her. On the surface he seemed like a simple although kind normal everyday student, but for each layer she managed to peel away, she would seem to find another ten waiting underneath them.

Among the depressed girls, the one that had kept silent all this time slammed her fist against the wall when she had enough.

''I don't know about you girls but the moment I'm back at full health I'm going to start training for real.'' Tsubasa spat out irritated, her eyes unable to keep themselves from shaking. ''This whole shit fest was nothing but a massive wake up call.''

The girls stared silently at the blue haired rook. It didn't make them feel that much better, but she was making a good point, as things stood staying depressed was the last thing that they should be doing. Momo found it difficult but she reluctantly agreed. ''You're right… as it stands this may very well have been our last mission with Shirou, next we may be by ourselves. We can't keep relying on him the way we did until now.''

''It can't keep up like this.'' Reya spoke up nodding in agreement. ''We have to develop our own skills and create our own techniques. Just like how Segrif Zepar's peerage had members with skills and abilities different from each other, we must aim to do the same and expand our horizons.''

''Just like how Shirou endures so much to forge a weapon.'' Tomoe remarked.

''We need to get stronger by ourselves.'' Ruruko stood straight.

Tsubaki only nodded her head silently, she had no more to say as the others had said all that was needed to be said.

Things were bound to change from now on. That much they were all aware of, whether they were for the better or worse they had no way of knowing at the time.

The only thing they could do was move forward.


What was I even doing?

I honestly didn't even know where I was going. Everything was just getting suffocating in that room with every new revelation that I was given and I really felt the need for some fresh air and time alone.

As it stood I was just walking aimlessly through the hospital halls, taking notice of the unusual sights around me. I haven't been in a hospital since the incident ten years ago so I might be a bit unfamiliar with them but this definitely wasn't a normal hospital. I would occasionally peek in the rooms as I walked past them and the medical equipment was different to anything I've seen before, it looked like the most cutting edge machines were combined with magic crystals and various magical seals.

To think that all this time I was still human…

What a sick joke.

All the times I struggled to come to terms with the idea that I became a devil, my struggles to gain control of devil magic, to try to awaken my demonic power, to call forth my wings, and all of those attempts were nothing but a waste of time. If that wasn't bad enough I also wasted so much of Reya and Momo's time helping me out to gain control of my nonexistent devil powers.

The fact that I also had to keep up with Archer always poking sticks at me for trying to understand devils also was a thing that bothered me.

I stopped in my tracks as I realized something, my hands tightened into fists the moment I processed everything.

Of course… there was no way he didn't know.

As I walked I reached a waiting room, to my luck the place was empty so I took a seat in a corner. I looked around one more time to confirm that I was alone, when that was done I closed my eyes and concentrated. ''Archer we need to talk.''

When I heard an amused laugh I narrowed my eyes for what was to come. ''This is certainly new, you usually don't start a conversation with me.''

His unperturbed tone only further annoyed me. ''You knew I was still human didn't you?''

''Pretty much.''

I'm glad I was alone, something told me I was probably making a really angry face right now. ''And you didn't tell me because?''

My tone didn't affect him, he only scoffed smugly at me. ''I'll be honest with you, I thought it may help you get a better perspective of things.''

That wasn't an answer I expected. ''What do you mean by that?''

''Your little friends, I thought that if you believed you were one of them you might grow to open up to them more compared to how you would have done if you were still aware you were still human. If not from your own initiative, then from obligation at the very least since you were supposed to be part of their so called peerage.'' He explained rather casually with a hint of smugness in it. ''Now that you saw how things are from your human eyes, do you think becoming a devil is a bad thing?''

I tried to see his point but the more I tried to understand him the more confused I got. ''You're talking like you want me to become a devil.''

''What I want from you is to think things through for once in your damn life and make a decision for yourself not others.'' For the first time the man showed genuine anger as he talked. ''Knowing you I wouldn't be surprised if you chose to truly become a devil for their sake rather than your own.''

The more I listened the more he was getting under my skin, I could see what he was pointing at and yet couldn't help but get rattled by it. ''…I can take care of myself dammit.''

''No, you can't.'' he stated coldly. The way he spoke… it wasn't like he was making a remark, it was like he was stating a well-known fact. ''For once in your life be selfish and decide what you want. It's for everyone's best interest that way.''

''Stop talking like you know me…''

''Oh, I know more about you than you can even begin to imagine. Why don't you tell me the last time you did something selfish without caring about the others around you?'' I couldn't see him but I knew that he was showing a savage smile. ''No answer huh, I thought so.''

I really hated that he shut me up like this.

''In any case you should think carefully about what you will chose.'' He went on, this time far more composed. ''Trust me, when you make a choice like this you must be ready to face the consequences or you might just break down from it later.''

That statement made me narrow my eyes. ''Talking from experience?''

''You really don't want to know.'' Archer sighed, clearly annoyed by this conversation.''At the very least from what that Ajuka guy explained I got to know how I came into existence.''

''What's that supposed to mean?'' I was genuinely confused by this bit.

''It's pretty simple when you think about it, when those evil piece tried reviving you, they also must have computed my existence within you since the card was still installed. At that moment it must have caused an error and it accidentally ended 'reviving' my consciousness from within the card.''

Huh… now that he mentions it, maybe the reason why the pieces failed was because they healed my body and revived Archer's consciousness. That must have indeed caused an error for them, like trying to look back and forth at the same time.

''Wait, I hear that sacred gear users get converted to devils without any problem. Saji has a sacred gear with a dragon's soul fragment in it. What makes us our case all that different?''

''A class card contains the powers of a heroic spirit, not the very soul.'' He went on, a cold serious tone present in his voice. ''In order for one to take upon himself the powers of that heroic spirit the blueprints of its spiritual core get overplayed with the user's. Somehow the evil pieces were able to take those blueprints and empowered them, making me sentient.''

I continued nodding until I caught on the implication involved, my eyes widening in shock. ''Wait… so that would mean that you-''

''Aren't even a real person?'' he finished my sentence unperturbed by it. ''Nope, not really.''

I was honestly unsure of how I was supposed to handle this. ''You seem awfully calm about it.''

''Heroic Spirits can only manifest in the form of a servant, which by nature aren't the original souls of the heroes they represent. Their souls are forever protected within the throne of heroes, unable to be truly summoned within this plane of existence. The closest thing is creating copies of those heroes and placing them within a container that can handle their power, but that power is significantly reduced, skills and abilities are lost, and certain aspects of their personas are affected by the time of their life when they are summoned among other things.''

''We as servants are well aware that we aren't the originals, but it doesn't affect us, for at the core we are still the same as the ones we represent.'' He scoffed lightly as he went on. ''Besides it's pretty obvious given my condition that I am far from something normal, I knew from the start that my existence is some kind of bug or whim of fate.''

I was certainly unsure of how to comment about this. ''Even so… you are handling it way to well.''

''I had my fair shares of being a plaything of fate. You get used to it at some point.'' With how he chuckled something told me he was smirking like a prick to me.

To my own surprise I also let out a chuckle yet I didn't understand why considering that I found this anything but amusing. ''Doesn't sound like something I would like to try.''

''Then get busy growing up if you don't want to end up like me.''

''My, my, who do we have here?''

I opened my eyes and looked at the person that interrupted my conversation with Archer, in front of me was a familiar butler. ''Ronove-san.''

The man smiled casually at me as he walked next to me. ''No need for such formalities with me young Emiya, I'm just a humble butler so please feel free to call me Vincent.''

He says that and yet he is still the pawn of Serafall Leviathan and also the current holder of the title of Ultimate pawn. While I think it would be the proper conduct to show him the respect he deserves, if he says he is alright with a casual talk I have no reason to refuse. ''Then call me Shirou.''

''Noted.'' He nodded his head and gestured me to follow him. I did as he asked and started walking together with him in the hospital halls.

As our footsteps echoed through the halls I tried doing some small chat with the man. ''So what brings you here?''

''Oh, just running simple errands.'' He replied with a smile.

I nodded as I recalled what just happened to me and the others and started speculating for whom he was running these simple errands for. ''I guess this situation is causing a bit of trouble isn't it?''

''You don't even know the half of it.'' The goatee wearing man sighed and rubbed his eyes. ''All of the political nuisances that are taking place aside, it took me a lot of convincing to make Lady Serafall stop clinging onto Lady Sona and get back to work.''

While it was sweet knowing that she loved her sister, somehow the image of that black abomination hugging Sona wasn't really much of a pretty picture in my mind. ''It was that bad?''

''Normally I would let my mistress be given the circumstances, but we had very important foreign officials visiting and as the head of foreign affairs she has to personally handle this one, I had to convince her to go but that was easier said than done.'' His eyes were half closed as he continued and looked rather pissed. ''I was half tempted to use a magically enhanced crowbar to do so.''

''Oh…'' I muttered somewhat speechless, my respect for the man growing since he wasn't afraid of Sona's sister. ''So how did you do it?''

A satisfied smile spread on the man's lips. ''Much easier than you can imagine, I simply threatened her that I will throw out her magical girl merchandise collection.''

I nodded at this but found my eyes widening the following moments. ''Wait, what?''

The unperturbed smile still went on. ''Oh, you weren't aware, Lady Serafall is quite the avid fan, she even cosplays as one in her free time.''

My left eye was failing not to throb at this tide bit. ''I find that hard to believe.''

He was clearly finding my disbelief amusing by how he kept chuckling. ''You will soon see it when she visits Lady Sona on her free days.''

''And that threat really worked?''

''Like magic.'' He smirked amused at me. ''Lady Serafall has collected merchandise that, what do your people call it again, oh yes, otaku would kill to obtain. Limited edition items, autographed goods, first released copy, you name it, and she has it.''

Even though my overall fear for the woman wasn't subsiding, my respect on the other hand was certainly going down the drain. ''I'm starting to feel that all the rulers of hell are… eccentric.''

''Wait until you meet Lord Sirzechs Lucifer. Actually consider this a heads up and don't get too worked up over it, he certainly isn't like how the world imagined when they said Lucifer.'' As we reached the courtyard of the hospital the butler stopped in his tracks and focused on me, his jovial smile all gone. ''There was something I wanted to talk with you about.''

This sudden change of attitude put me a bit on the edge. ''What is it?''

Before I could even register it he stepped in front of me and placed his hands on my shoulders, a dead serious gaze emanating from his eyes. ''I wanted to offer my gratitude for your valiant stand during the Zepar incident.''

A breath of ease escaped through my lips, it seems I got worked up for nothing. ''It's no big deal, I only did what I had to.''

''You give yourself far too little credit for what you did. I've known Sona for a very long time, the first time we met she couldn't even reach my knees, I was there and watched her grow into the fine young lady she is today.'' I could only blink in astonishment as the man bowed his head to me. ''She means a lot to me, so I give you my deepest gratitude for protecting her and her friends. If you ever find yourself in any trouble feel free to reach out for me.''

''T-there's no need to bow.'' I waved my hands to stop the man's display, this certainly was something new for me and quite frankly I felt a bit embarrassed by it. He says that it's thanks to me but everyone contributed in the rescue. In fact there were wounds I could have prevent if only I were more careful, if I did that maybe everything could have been solved without the others getting hurt so bad when we fought against Segrif's peerage. As I recalled everything that happened a sudden realization hit me about a certain woman. ''Actually there is something I want to know.''

''Such as?''

I took a moment and took in a deep breath, hoping that worst didn't happen while I was out. ''The Queen of Segrif Zepar, the one we brought along with us, Shahnaz. What happened to her?''


It didn't take long for the Sitri butler to lead me to the person in question, it took us less than three minutes to arrive there as she was also hospitalized here. When we reached her room we stumbled upon some minor trouble as it was guarded by two men. They didn't want to let us in at first but after Vincent gave the two men a smile and pat on their backs they let us through, to anyone around that was what it looked like but I saw the real reason, it was from brief influx of power he channeled into the two men that they got too scared to stand in his way, the way his red eyes also flashed dangerously might have also been an factor.

When we entered the room and I saw the state Shahnaz was in, I honestly wondered why the two guards were even there in the first place. ''Why is she like this?''

My muttered whisper was apparently heard by the butler, by his look he understood my confusion. Shahnaz was strapped to the bed with shackles similar to the ones Segrif used on us to suppress demonic power, and a series of medical machines were connected to her body, while I couldn't tell what most of them were from I could decipher to some extent the ones that showcased her vitals, she seemed stable at the very least. ''From what I heard and managed to learn from the doctors, it's a sort of side effect of her sacred gear. At first she could stay awake but as time went on she began to sleep more and more with the intervals of consciousness shortening until finally her current condition. They speculate that the next time she wakes up it will be the very last one before she falls in a state of total coma.'' The older Sitri devil explained as he stood against the wall, his eyes never leaving the patient in question.

''But why?'' I clenched my fist in frustration. ''She was still conscious when we escaped, so why is she like this?''

''Perhaps all of the built up strain had finally caught up to her.'' Vincent speculated as he walked next to her bed and rearranged a lone strand of hair that hanged over her eye. ''It apparently was being overused on a regular basis. An ability of such power without a doubt must have put an immense strain on her each time she used it, and from what I gathered she was also using it repeatedly during your encounter?''

I recalled the times she would rewind time when we fought. By all means she would have died many times over if not for her ability. It gave me a bitter taste in my mouth knowing that she also used it in order to save me. ''… Yes.''

''Sacred gears are known to evolve and adapt depending on the users will, there are however certain limits that must not be broken.'' Vincent remarked with genuine pity in his voice, a far cry from his usual upbeat and confident self. ''You have no idea how many promising youths have perished form overusing their gears.''

''A flame manipulator ended up burned to a crisp by his own flames. Another one with the ability to read minds went insane from all the voices that were heard in their head. Another that could phase through solid matter lost control and ending up falling all the way to earth's core. Those are just a few of the tragedies that befell various sacred gear holders that bit off more than could chew.''

''I see…'' I nodded slightly as I recalled some of the history I saw within Shahnaz's sacred gear. One previous user for instance grew old and weak so he tried using it to rewind his body back to his youthful prime and attempted what he called a grand rewind, however he lost control and ended up rewinding his body till the point he didn't exist.

My hand reached to grasp hers but stopped when it felt the cold touch of the metal shackles encasing her arms. ''Were the shackles really necessary though given her condition?''

''It is necessary I'm afraid.'' Vincent sighed tiredly. ''I am well aware that she betrayed her master and saved your life but it doesn't justify her involvement in the abduction. All of her remaining former allies are now in custody and are awaiting trial for their actions. While I can guarantee that this woman will receive lenience for helping you, in the end it won't allow her to walk away unpunished. The best we can hope for is that she receives a more bearable sentence.''

I barely held in the urge to punch the wall out of frustration. After everything that happened, after everything that this woman had to endure, she isn't even allowed the chance for the freedom she deserved.

I wanted so desperately to help her somehow but I couldn't even think of a plausible solution.

A brief silence took place between us, the only sound heard was the one made by the medical machines. Even though I didn't look directly at the man I knew that he was keeping a close eye on me, analyzing my every move as I kept watching over Shahnaz's unconscious form. This went on for a couple of minutes before he finally let out a tired sigh and walked behind me, patting me on the shoulder. ''I do not know the full story between the two of you, but it seems like you have something to tell her.''

With a spin on his heels he turned around and walked out, stopping briefly at the doorstep. ''Try not to take too long, even if she is in this state she still needs rest.''

When the door closed behind him I was left alone with Shahnaz.

''… Hey.'' I managed to mutter after a couple of long minutes. ''Well this awkward… talking like this.''

Seriously it's one thing to talk to someone and be ignored but talking to someone that can't even reply or which you aren't even sure that is hearing you in the first place was truly odd, and yet I went on. ''I'm not sure if you can hear me, but I need to say this while I still can.''

There was no guarantee she will be kept here, for all I know she could be transferred to some special medical facilities for criminals, and I might never get a chance to see her again. ''What you did for me… even though you had the chance and all the reason to leave me there to die you still went out of your way and saved me. The person you previously were clashing blades against. ''

I wrapped my hand around hers and pressed it against my forehead, bitterness present in my mouth as I couldn't do this without her being in such a state. ''I guess I'm trying to say… thank you.''

There were no more words left for me to say and I began to leave.

Before I could even take a step I felt something wrap around my wrist, the beeping sounds of the medical machines also changed, becoming more accentuated. My head slowly turned back and I saw the person who stopped me. ''W-Wait…''

My eyes widened as I stared into Shahnaz's now open black eyes. ''… You're awake?''

''N-Not for long…'' she replied in a strained and haggard voice, sweat running all over her face.

From the way she breathed, the way her body was shaking and how her eyes looked like they were struggling to stay open I knew that she was anything but fine. ''Stay calm, I will go and get some help.''

I tried to dash for someone from the medical staff but Shahnaz wouldn't let go of my hand. ''It's no use… it can't be stopped at this point.'' She huffed sadly. ''There are many conditions to my sacred gear, and many draw backs. I always subconsciously knew about it, but I never gave it too much attention since it never came down to it. However there is one taboo that I wasn't supposed to break no matter what, otherwise there would be dire consequences.''

As I heard this my fist tightened, a part of me realized what she was referring to but I still asked, hoping that I was wrong. ''What was it?''

She tried stabilizing her breath before answering. ''Rewriting time for one's self isn't an issue, but willingly rewriting time to prevent another's death was something that I wasn't allowed to do.''

I wasn't sure what it was exactly I felt disappointment perhaps, maybe it was shame, but as I took this knowledge in my eyes cringed and looked to the side, unable to look the woman in the eyes. ''That means when you saved me-''

''I broke that rule and am now paying the price.'' She said that, and yet there didn't seem to be any regret in her strained voice.

''Why…?'' I whispered slowly, unable to understand. ''Why did you save me even though you knew what would happen?''

She was silent for a few moments as she pondered. ''I guess… seeing how you never stopped trying even though you knew it was an battle you had no way of winning inspired me. The kindness that you showed to one you had all the reason to hate, it made me want to be like you. For that I couldn't let you die.''

Her answer didn't make me feel any better. ''Even so… the cost you have to pay.''

''It was worth it.'' She whispered gently a subtle smile forming on her lips. ''I made that choice out of my own will, not for someone else's sake, but my own. I told you that I was a slave before joining Segrif, because of that I never knew what it was like to make my own decisions. After I became Segrifs queen that didn't change, perhaps I simply latched onto him because I didn't have anything else. I adored him for giving me some degree of freedom but deep down I knew it was fake and I was deluding myself.''

''I saw the things he did, the self-destructing path he was heading on that would eventually drag all of his pieces down with him. Even so, I refused to wake up from that fantasy.'' Her trembling hand reached out and rubbed her eyes, trying to stop the tears from coming forth. ''Meeting you was what finally gave me the courage to escape from my own self-made prison.''

She reached out for me and grabbed me by the head, pulling me closer to her, resting her forehead against mine, and making it so I could look her straight in her tear filled eyes. ''So please, do not accuse yourself for what will happen to me. For me whether it was intentional or not, what you did means more than I can ever hope to repay you.''

As I stared into her black orbs the feelings inside me were in conflict. I couldn't deny that I felt guilty for her state, that if I was just a bit stronger or careful it wouldn't have come to this while on the other spectrum I wanted to listen to her request even though I didn't think I deserved to.

The inner struggle went on until I felt the tears that ran down her face land on my hands. Even though it was a simple action in words alone, it didn't lessen the tug I felt in my chest. With a strained sigh I reached out and took hold of her hands. Maybe one day I will learn to forgive myself but I will never forget my weakness and will strive to never let something like this happen again. ''… I understand.''

It was weird, the smile that spread on her face might have looked off-putting together with tears running down her eyes and runny nose, but to me all I saw was a beautiful woman finally finding the closure she desired. ''Thank you.''

I only sat in silence as the pulled me into a hug, her head resting on my shoulder. As awkward as I felt from the sudden embrace I sat in silence and let her be, no more words were needed.

At some point she tightened the grip on my shirt, as if it was a lifeline, her head still buried in my shoulder.

''There is something you must know, I don't have much time left so please listen carefully.'' She slowly began, her voice noticeably weaker than before. ''There are instances when I rewind time that I see glimpses of things to come, random flashes of events that will happen. At the very last moment when I reversed time for you I caught a glimpse of your future.''

A cold pit began forming in my stomach, a brooding feeling surging through my body at the possibilities of what she might have seen. After all, I doubt she would have brought this up if what she saw was something insignificant. ''What did you see?''

''It was rather hazy but I saw you down on your knees, rain was pouring without end all around you. In your arms you were desperately holding onto a woman, but it wasn't an act of affection.'' My blood ran cold as I heard the rest. ''Her chest was torn open from the inside out.''

The air got stuck in my throat, for a brief moment I forgot about the condition the woman was in and yanked her away, grabbing her by the shoulders in panic. ''What did she look like?!''

When I saw her face grimace in pain I realized that I was hurting her and immediately let go, giving her a small apology. ''I couldn't see, her features were all blurry. All that I saw was the look of utter despair plastered on your face.''

''Was there anything else you saw, anything at all?''

She took a moment and closed her eyes to complete. ''There was something… far away in the distance… there was a man wrapped in a black cloak.

I started rubbing my eyes in an attempt to calm myself and think everything properly. ''Dammit… That isn't helping me very much.''

My answer made the woman bow her head down in shame. ''I'm sorry but this all I can offer. I have no way of telling when or how it will happen, but I know for certain that it will if left alone.''

The fact that there's no telling when it may happen is very concerning but I have no means of figuring it out besides being careful. A tired sigh escaped my lips as I put down my hand. ''No, it's okay. Better to know about it and stay sharp then stay oblivious and let it happen.''

Shahnaz opened her mouth to talk but the words died in it, suddenly clutching her chest as the medical devices started to beep uncontrollably. I got up with the intention of calling for help but the stopped me and woman shook her head.

Her time was up.

''T-The future isn't set in stone Emiya Shirou. As long as one never falters in front of it they may just find the means to change it. You are the one to prove that to me.'' Her upper body lost its strength and fell back in the hospital bed. Even though she looked like it was pure torture to simply stay awake she still reached her hand out to me, all I could do was hold it as her eyes slowly closed. ''For bringing hope and peace of mind to one that abandoned it and submitted herself to her fate, I thank you… and I wish you farewell.''

The sounds of the medical machines went low as the woman's eyes closed, her weakened hand slipped out of mine and landed lifelessly on the bed sheets.

I gazed silently at her, a bitter taste permeating in my mouth.

She was still alive… but who knows how long it will be before she wakes up again. That was of course if she will ever wake up again.

My hands tightened in a pair of fists as my head fell down in shame but I steeled my heart and swallowed this bitter pill. I made a promise to this woman, as difficult as it was I wasn't planning on breaking it.

I will move forward.

There was nothing left to do and I got up to leave, stopping for one brief second at the door. ''Goodbye Shahnaz-san… I hope that one day we may meet again.''

It was weird… the very moment I closed the door I could have sworn I heard one last whisper from her.

''As do I… my hero.''


When I left the room I was greeted by Vincent leaning on the wall in front of the hall, a calculating look present on his features. ''Is it done?''

''Yes.''

He nodded as he straightened himself and arranged his suit. ''Did that talk bring you some closure?''

I rubbed the head sheepishly as I let out a tired sigh. ''To some extent…''

He nodded as he walked next to me, placing his hand my shoulder as he was about to pass by. ''I will speak with my mistress and make sure that the former Zepar Queen will be transferred to a private ward, somewhere where she won't be bothered by any unsavory people interested in her sacred gear.''

A shallow chuckle escaped my lips as they curled slightly. ''You have my thanks.''

''It's nothing, I'm sure Sona will also want that.'' Vincent smiled gently as he resumed his walk. ''Well then I must take my leave, as much as I enjoy our little chats I still have work to do. Have a good day Shirou-kun.''

''Goodbye Vincent-san.''

''Oh, a small heads up. '' he turned his head around just as he was about to turn the corner. ''My mistress will also like to show you her gratitude for saving her sister, so expect her to invade your personal space and shower you with kisses when the two of you meet.''

A sudden chill went down my spine as that particular imagine formed in my mind. ''You're joking right?''

''Maybe?'' He chuckled as he left, leaving me in perpetual fear of what may happen when I meet up with Sona's sister in the future.


After walking through the hospital halls I finally found my way out to the courtyard. It was nice change to finally get some fresh air since apparently devil hospitals have the same smell as human ones and I don't really find it pleasant.

''I see you're awake Emiya Shirou.''

I turned around to the person calling me out and to my surprise on a nearby bench I found the man that aided us during the recent incident. ''Sairaorg-san?''

I walked over to the man and we both exchanged a handshake before taking a seat next to the Bael heir. ''How are your wounds?''

''Fine, I guess.'' I replied sheepishly.

The buff man offered me a vibrant smile as he went on. ''That's good to hear, the hospital staff was in a complete frenzy when you were brought in the O.R.''

''That so….'' I laughed a bit embarrassed, I recall the others saying the same thing when I woke up earlier. My eyes trailed at the dozen of badges wrapped around the man's bulky arms and at the ones peaking up from under his shirt. '' I see they got you patched up as well.'

The man simply laughed it off and waved his hand. ''Trust me my condition isn't remotely as bad as it looks, the staff were just very meticulous since I am the heir of the house of Bael and they couldn't risk even the slightest possibility of me exiting their hospital with any untreated wound.''

When he puts it like that it does make sense, since devil heirs are nobility it would be really bad if they didn't get the best of care. ''Can't say I blame them, fighting a lion of that strength must have made them very concerned.''

''Most of my wounds were shallow gashes and minor bite wounds, Regulus and I mostly wrestled each other so there weren't any life threatening wounds.''

''I see.'' I nodded then realized something crucial, when we were teleported away from the Zepar hideout, the lion also tagged along. ''Speaking of which where is he?''

''He's over there.'' To my surprise Sairaorg pointed behind himself with his thumb.

I looked curiously and a couple of meters behind us there is a natural plaza where the patients could go for strolls. In the middle of it the golden Nemea lion sat and appeared to have taken a nap in the sunlight, which made his glorious mane shine even brighter than usual. After looking carefully I could notice that he was also sporting many bandages around his body. ''They left him outside?''

''It was for the best, Regulus would lash out to anyone that dared approach him, even the doctors that wanted to help him. The only one he lets come close and not react violently is me, so I had to tend his wounds myself.''

Considering that he pretty much tried to make a chew toy out of me and the others first thing he got free I wasn't really surprised. ''That must have been difficult.''

Sairaorg chucked and rubbed his neck somewhat bashfully. ''Not really, I have a lot of practice putting on bandages.''

''That so…'' I nodded but my eyes never left the lion alone. ''But isn't it dangerous for the patients and staff to leave him out there?''

''I talked with him and he will behave, as long as no one gets too close he will just nap there.'' He crossed his arms and sighed tiredly. ''The real problem is that he will need time to readjust to the outer world. As the two of us fought I managed to earn his respect and we eventually started to talk things over. I was able to calm him to some extent but that only is limited to me, even if someone walks over to him with peaceful intentions he will lash out at them violently.''

The more I heard him talk about the lion the more intrigued I got. ''You sure seem to understand how he behaves.''

''It's not that difficult to understand once you consider his circumstances. He had his soul caged in a sacred gear, stripped of his liberty, forced to give his power to generations of users whom I can imagine have never showed any understanding or said as much as a thank you in return.'' There was brief pause as he glanced over at the lion. ''While I don't condone how he reacted towards you and your friends when he got released, I think I would lash out pretty violently as well if I went through what he did.''

That was a fair point, though it only raising more questions. ''What will happen to him?''

''It's a bit of a delicate situation, the fact that Segrif managed to recruit its former user was something the devil council wasn't aware of and really took them by surprise more than the whole fiasco itself, even though the lion is now free he is still a Longinus sacred gear at his core and the knowledge of him being on devil territory may cause a bit of panic both on the devils side for the danger he represents but also for other factions as well due to being a potential weapon to use against them.'' He ruffled his hair in frustration clearly not enjoying the situation. ''I talked with Lord Ajuka Beelzebub and for the time being Regulus will be put under my care. Whether it will be decided to leave him with me or lock him up until a new host for him is chosen it all comes down to if I can manage to pacify him or not.''

I nodded as I understood the implications involved, as it stands the lion is a powerful weapon that can't be left alone and must be brought one way or another under devil jurisdiction, the higher up's probably don't care if it remains with Sairaorg or some other devil noble as long as it doesn't fall in the hands of some other faction. As such until a final decision is made the information that the lion is here in the first place must be kept secret. ''So that means I need to keep silent about it?''

''Not too happy about it either but order are orders.'' The Bael sighed as he cracked his neck, gazing with the corner of his eye at me. ''I'm sure your situation isn't any easier.''

My hand twitched slightly as I heard this, it appeared that more people knew about my particular case than I was aware off. ''So you know…''

''Due to my involvement I was informed about the situation.''

There didn't seem to be any malice or distaste in his voice regarding the fact that I'm still human. From what I hear devils and most supernatural creatures look down on humans and if I were a betting man I'm sure that many devils would take insult in my very existence. With that in mind I can't help but wonder what Sairaorg Bael had to say about my situation. ''How do you feel about it?''

The man crossed his arms in silence for a few moments and flashed me an approving smile. ''Frankly, I'm impressed.''

His answer truly took me by surprise, my eyes blinking repeatedly in response. ''Impressed?''

A sudden spark of excitement ignited in the man's eyes. ''Why yes! In spite of still being human you have been keeping up with your comrades that are devils, no scratch that, you clearly outstrip them. Segrif wasn't by any means a major threat but he wasn't a weakling either. I doubt I could have fought him without getting a little roughed up myself and you fought him despite being injured and exhausted yet still came out victorious. ''

He stopped himself the moment he realized he was getting far too excited than was necessary and crossed his arms. ''In any case don't worry I will keep silent about it, after all I want to see how far you can reach by your own means.''

I think I was beginning to see why Sona holds such respect for the man. He certainly wasn't from the same cut as other high class devils are from.

''Actually that reminds me.'' He unfolded his arms and extended one of them to me. ''Can you extend your arm?''

I was a bit skeptical from the sudden request. ''Why?''

''Just humor me.''

While I still didn't see where he was heading with this I decided to do as he said. When I offered him my arm he started to squeeze on it in different areas. I did feel a bit awkward since it almost felt like the man was copping a feel from me but the calculating look on his face made me realize that there was more to it than that and I let him finish. ''I had my hunch when we shook hands earlier, but now that I felt them I can tell that your muscles are very tense. You've been keeping a very strict training regime, while it does seem to offer good results there's a lot of built up stress in your body.''

He gave me a light slap on my shoulder as he finished his inspection. ''Take a couple of days off and just relax, you deserve it, especially after this whole Zepar fiasco.''

So that's what he was checking out, judging by his breathtaking physique he must have worked his body in ways I can't even begin to imagine, and probably learned a thing or two about muscles as well since he could now tell by touch alone how strained they were.

While this was good advice, I didn't really take it well.

''Not sure if I will do that to be honest, this whole ordeal made me realize I still have a long ways to go as a fighter.'' I admitted somewhat dejectedly as memories of the previous fights flashed through my mind. ''I have to keep improving even though I feel sometimes that pure physical training isn't enough.''

When I glanced over to the man his eyes were closed with a contemplating look etched upon his face. When his eyes opened they had a look akin to a burning passion within them.

''Listen carefully Emiya Shirou, we as living beings have limits put on our bodies from the day we are born, once you realize those limits you may give up trying to overcome them.'' He got up from the bench and started walking to the open area, his eyes keeping track of a large rain cloud that was hovering above us. ''Many times I felt the despair of those limits, but my body and these fists were the only weapon I had.''

The cloud darkened the courtyard we were in, small droplets of rain began to pour. ''There is a threshold that only those who have broken through their limits time and time again can step onto.''

My eyes went wide as something was happening to Sairaorg. Some kind of mist like white aura was forming around his body. It wasn't demonic in nature, that I was certain of as it lack that particular scent. This one felt like something of nature, a presence that was bursting with life force.

The aura collected around his fist as he took a fighting stance preparing to strike. He then aimed right at the sky, with a mighty battle cry he threw his fist up into the air and the aura around it burst forward like a raging tsunami.

I felt one lone rain drop land on my face as I stared at the cloud above. A thunder like boom echoed through the sky, the cloud exploding and scattering until there wasn't a single trace of it left, only the bright sun burning proudly.

My eyes slowly looked down at the man. ''I am one of the few devils that reached this stage, if not the only one currently alive.''

My mouth ran dry as I processed what I just saw. I could tell that what was displayed wasn't something achieved by a spell or some ability generated by a sacred gear. It was the culmination of this man's physical prowess.

Incredible.

He was able to create such a pressure with pure physical strength alone. That amount of force from that blow could probably turn a normal person into bloody stain on the wall should his fist strike them, in fact the pressure alone would probably be enough to do the job.

I could tell from first glance from his body that he must be keeping a strict training regime but I wasn't truly realizing the extent of what he put his body through to reach such a level.

''You on the other hand possess something that gives you an advantage not even I have.'' The Bael devil walked towards me and lightly tapped over my heart with his fist, pointing at it. ''Your humanity.''

For the second time in the span of a few minutes this man made me speechless.

''Because of it you have tens if not hundreds of more limits than devils have, that being said you have many walls to break through, which may perhaps lead you to reaching this stage even faster than I did or longer depending on your progression. It's still early, but I can tell, you're on the right track so never falter on your path.'' He picked my hand and gave it a weird squeeze around the wrist, causing it to shake violently in response. ''However I want you to keep in mind to never go in like a fool, all of it is pointless if you break your body in the process. Take it from me, I once overdid things in my rash judgment pushing myself to far in training and ended up breaking my fist so badly it took me six months to properly heal it.''

Even though I saw where he was going with this discussion I couldn't help but nitpick at what he said. ''Couldn't you have used a phoenix tear or get it healed by magic?''

''I tried but my mother forbade it.'' He replied as he crossed his arms.

My eyes couldn't help but blink confused at this. ''What?''

''She told me many times that this was going to happen yet I still refused to listen and that was the result. In the end it was meant as a lesson for me regarding my rash behavior.'' He went on and I couldn't help but notice a fondness in his voice when his spoke of his mother even though what she did could be considered by many a cruel act. ''Call it tough love or whatever you want, but she was right. There were many times I was frustrated when I couldn't use my arm, but I realized the lesson she wanted me to learn.''

He lifted his arm and flexed it, the veins in it bulging and throbbing. ''My body is my fist, once it breaks I lose it all.''

My eyes drifted at my own arm as I flexed it, yet no matter how much I looked at it the feeling of it being incomplete never went away for it lacked a weapon to grasp. A dry chuckle escaped my lips as I looked back at Sairaorg. ''I guess I'm more of a sword than a fist.''

''Fist, sword, it's the same principal. Once it breaks it's over, so never become too obsessed with training and know how to properly balance it.''

After hearing this I recalled what had transpired during the first encounter I had in the enemy base, how I crippled my hands by acting rashly. The frustration I felt when the others fought and I could only stare unable to properly help them… I never want to repeat that sort of situation again.

''You're right… once you break your means of fighting you are forced to watch helplessly as events that you could have stopped go on.'' I paused as I brought my hand forward. ''I will keep what you said in mind.''

''That's the spirit.'' The Bael heir gave me an electrifying smile as he shook my hand. ''Well then, I have go get Regulus his meal, trust me when I say that lions can be really cranky when they are hungry.''

I don't know why but the corner of my mouth twitched as I heard this. ''For some reason I can't help but agree with you.''

Just as he was about to talk away he stopped in his tracks and pointed to the opposite side of the plaza. ''By the way, if you're looking for Sona she is in the backyard.''

I nodded and took a look at the sky, it was about time I had a word with my former master.


The backyard was certainly a sight to see, the sheer amount of plants and flowers decorating it had an almost soothing effect, making one feel at ease simply by walking and enjoying their scent. It was much bigger than the main courtyard and it did take me a while until I caught sight of Sona.

Or it was more precise to say that I caught wind of Sona shouting annoyingly. When I tracked her down she was sitting on the grass on a small hill and appeared to be in a rather heated argument with someone over a communication spell.

''I'm sorry, but as I already told you I don't have anyone that can help.'' She kept arguing on the line as I made my way to her, when I arrived behind her she took notice of the sudden shadow looming over her. When she turned around her features softened and brightened, but it was short-lived as an annoyed scowl took its place. ''I'll call you back later.''

Even though she cut off the communication and was waiting for me to talk, I stood silent and stared at her face. ''What?''

''Umm…'' I muttered in contemplation, trying to the best way to tell her what was bugging me.

''Just spill it out already.'' My lack of answering only made Sona's scowl deepen. I could only sigh tiredly and trace a mirror, giving it to Sona letting her see what was causing my awkward silence. She took it and was curiously checking her appearance reflected by the mirror, her eyes almost popping out of her head when she saw her face. ''… Dammit onee-sama.''

It would seem that Vincent wasn't exaggerating when he said that Sona's sister was rather open with showing her affection, that being said Sona was currently busy rubbing off the dozen or so lipstick marks she had on her face. ''I find it surprising she did that to you.''

My remark only made Sona cringe as she rubbed the living daylights out of her skin. ''Trust me, she can be over affectionate to the point of being obnoxious.''

I didn't voice it but I knew her pain. Iri also had no sense of personal space and has showered me and Illya with far too much attention and affection on numerous occasions. ''How bad are we talking?''

''Bad enough to give your mother a run for her money.'' She stated dead serious as she got rid of the last remaining lipstick.

The information made my mind go blank. Somehow my mind failed making an image of what Sona must have endured while growing up. There was only one word that came to my mind. ''Ouch…''

The face Sona had made looked like someone shoved a lemon covered in salt in her mouth. ''Yeah, but she is my sister and I somewhat got used to it.''

I could only nod solemnly as I took a seat next to her on the grass.

Silence fell upon us for the following minutes.

''So… '' I trailed in an attempt to restart the conversation but the awkwardness between us didn't make it any better. ''Apparently I'm still human it seems.''

''…'' Sona didn't respond, she instead reached for the lower pocket of her shirt and pulled out a small red silk pouch. She handed it to me and gestured to open it. ''Beelzebub-sama gave me these as a replacement for the ones that got destroyed.''

As I heard this I understood what was inside and wasn't surprised when I opened it and gazed at the evil pieces in it. My eyes stayed on them for a bit before handing them back to Sona, a bit uncertain of why she showed them to me. ''You don't seem very happy about it.''

My remark clearly pressed the wrong button judging by the glare Sona threw at me. ''Should I?''

For some reason I felt I was walking on thin ice so I tried brightening the conversation. ''Well I mean the old ones broke and I apparently can't be converted so I thought that maybe you could get a new-''

It was at that moment I realized I dun goofed.

''I don't want a new pawn dammit!'' Sona, the usual picture of being calm and collected screamed in pure unadulterated frustration at me. To my own surprise I backed away slightly in response, the enraged glare she threw at me was something else entirely. However just like a lighting strike, it came in with blinding speed but lasted only for a few seconds. Sona's features softening as she calmed down and averted her gaze. ''… My apologies, I shouldn't have snapped out like that.''

In all honestly I felt like a jerk, even though I didn't know exactly why. Once again I failed to understand women.

I rubbed the back of my head sheepishly, trying to think of a way I might repair this conversation. ''Do you want to talk about it?''

Her eyes were downcast as she stared at the blades of grass waving in the wind, an impassive look present in her violet orbs. ''… I'm not satisfied with this turn of events Shirou, not one bit.''

Perhaps I haven't thought of how she felt regarding this whole situation. Who knows how learning that I was still human affected her. Whatever it was, I wasn't the only one involved in this. ''I know that this whole thing is a bit overwhelming, trust me I know, but it's not something worth stressing over.''

Frustration was spreading on her face as she bit on her lower lip, threatening to draw blood before she continued to speak. ''I… we all grew close to you. As hard as you might find it to believe everyone cares for you and I don't want to say goodbye either.''

''Why do you say that?'' I asked confused. ''It's not like I'm going away or anything.''

My reply didn't seem to brighten her up at all. ''Things won't be same from now on.''

''Why do they have to be?'' I tried reasoning. ''I can still keep being a member of the student council, I can still join you guys on training sessions, stray hunts and other stuff. I just won't do as a pawn, but as a friend.''

For a brief moment she chuckled, but it wasn't a happy one. It felt bitter and shallow.

''Look Shirou, no matter how much you sugar coat it the facts still remain.'' She trailed as she leaned over on my side and rested her head over my shoulder. ''All we can do is move forward and see what life has in store for us.''

I might have felt a bit uncomfortable with her so close to me but I didn't voice it. While I may not understand social interaction with the opposite sex, even I knew that this was one of those moments I shouldn't ruin. ''If it's any consolation there is a part of me that was a bit sad when I learned the truth.''

She shifted her head and lifted it to look me in the eyes. ''Shirou, please answer one single question, but be honest with me.''

This made me raise an eyebrow. ''Ask away.''

Her lips parted and a heavy breath followed as she began. ''Was the time you spent with us meaningful?''

Her question took me by surprise, and yet it didn't confuse me. Why would it since it was something that I had no doubt about. ''I don't think I need to answer that since you already know my answer.''

Violet orbs went wide in response, a small smirk forming on her lips as she took back her seat on my shoulder. ''Typical.''

We just sat like this for the following hour, simply watching over the gardens with the occasional small talk. This was probably the first time the two of us sat so casually like this, and in all honesty it didn't feel bad.

''You know I really thought that one day when my dream is finally realized you would be there to celebrate alongside me as one of my precious household members.'' Sona remarked rather offhandly.

Yet, it piqued my interest. ''Your dream?''

She blinked a couple of times and a surprised look became present on her face. ''Oh, I never did tell you, did I?''

I waved my head and gestured her to go on. ''My dream is to open a Rating Game school here in the underworld.''

Unfortunately I wasn't seeing the point. ''A school, that's all?''

My unimpressed reaction certainly annoyed her. ''No, not just 'a school', but a school that will allow devils of any status or background to learn.''

I didn't voice my confusion, there wasn't any reason to Sona went on to explain.

''As you may know, rating games can change a devils life completely if they get the chance to participate.'' Her features grew bitter as she went on. ''The rules of society prevent that unfortunately. Only devils of high class status or above are given the right to form peerages and participate in rating games. I want to change that, I want the people who have the drive to aim for greatness to receive the chance they deserve.''

''Can I ask you why?'' I asked slowly, even though it was an admirable dream, I was confused by the reason for it. ''I keep hearing that devils of your status usually don't care for the lower classes, and after meeting someone like Segrif I'm starting to believe it. So I want to know what made you want to change the status quo.''

''That is a fair question.'' Sona nodded as her eyes trailed to the sky, nostalgia present in them. ''I guess everything started when I was little.''

''To my shame I was like most devils that I now detest. I used to be selfish and self-absorbed and never really cared for the lower classes, believing myself as better simply because of my pedigree and rank. Everything changed when my sister took me to a festival that was held in the capital. At one point I got lost in the crowd and tried looking for her, however I only encountered more problems along the way.''

I raised an eyebrow skeptically. ''Such as?''

''It's a common prank within devil youths to place teleportation traps in random places for unknowing people to walk into and teleport them to who knows where.'' She explained in grimace, the memory of the event clearly not a pleasant one. ''By the time that I realized it I ended up in one of the slums of one of the extinct houses territory far away from my sister or home.''

''At the time I was still learning how to use magic and didn't know how to properly teleport home or call for help. The only thing I could do was look around and hope I could find help.'' Her hands tightened around her arms. ''I never saw such poverty and poor living conditions before… I lived in the clean and peaceful streets of the Sitri territory, so everything that I saw was all quite shocking to me. Before I knew it some thugs saw me and realized by my clothes that I was nobility and they thought that they could get a good chunk of money by ransoming me.''

The grip of her arms tightened even further. ''I ran and ran, so scared of them and everything that was happening. As you can imagine they caught up with me and immobilized me, at that moment I didn't care who or what it was, I wanted nothing but someone to save me.''

''It was at that time that he came walking by.'' A spark of admiration ignited in her eyes as she went on. ''He was a member of the slums, I could tell by the way he looked, and by all means he had no reason to help me and yet he confronted the four men and tried to save me. I still remember it even after so many years… It was simply breath taking… his speed, his strength, his dexterity… all of those were far greater than any of the high class devils I grew up around.''

I nodded slowly, taking in every word she said. ''What happened after that?''

''When he was done he took me to a nearby outpost so I could get help and go back home. It was as we walked there that I built up my courage and asked him how he was able to reach such strength. In spite of the poverty and poor living conditions he was very sharp and instantly caught on to why I was so confused. He told me that one's blood or status doesn't amount to one's strength; it is the power of one's conviction that can be turned into true strength. It was those words that changed my life.''

For a few brief moments she went silent, a sad longing filling her eyes.

''That was the first and last time I saw the man… I never even got the chance to thank him for saving me. I couldn't help but imagine how amazing he could have been if he were able to participate in rating games, but it was then that reality checked in and I realized he wouldn't have been allowed to do so due to his low status. Only high-class and above are given the privilege of receiving Evil pieces.''

Her mood began to turn sour as she went on. ''It wasn't long before I realized that there are probably many like him out there. There are people with immense potential, talent, and skill that struggle and aren't allowed the chance to prove themselves due to their situation or circumstances.''

She got up from her seat and faced me, the wind blowing as she stood in front of me. I didn't comment that her skirt was fluttering and I was getting small peeks of her pink panties.

''So I decided to try and change that.'' She stated with determination, unaware of what the wind was doing. ''The school is my plan to do it, one day all devils will get the chance they deserve to have.''

I averted my eyes to the side, unable to look at her, trying to get my mind back on the conversation. ''When you put it like that, it sounds like an amazing dream.''

''That's sweet of you, but I am well aware of how childish it is.'' She chuckled slightly, but it wasn't just amusement, there was a tinge of bitterness present in it. ''Changing the old ways of my society has always been one of the hardest challenges. The only reason a system like the Evil piece was allowed in the first place was out of necessity, if there wasn't the risk of my race's extinction such an idea would have never been considered let alone approved.''

Her hands balled into fists as her gaze wandered upwards at the infinite sky above. ''I have a long struggle ahead of me.''

I took a moment and stared at the bespectacled girl. The always confident and strict student council President wasn't in front of me now, just a girl with a dream who knows will lead her to many hardships and yet her gaze never faltered. She realized the consequences of her dream but still doesn't let go, and quite frankly it was inspiring.

There was however one detail she wasn't noticing.

''True as that may be…'' I began slowly, garnering her attention. ''It's not a struggle you will have to endure alone, after all you still have everyone here to support you. Tsubaki, Reya, Momo, Tomoe, Tsubasa, Ruruko, Saji, and I, we will all be there to for you.''

My words took the girl by surprise, her glasses dropping slightly on her nose. She simply sat in silence until the corners of her lips began to curl up and she started chuckling softly. ''… Yes, I have my precious household, plus a wannabe human swordsman with a skull thicker than the gates of Hell.''

She continued to chuckle as she threw herself in the grass next to me, stretching the lips as an eager yawn escaped her lips. It seemed my words had more of an effect than I realized. As she rolled around in the grass she turned to me and offered me a curious stare. ''You know Shirou… telling you all of this made me realize something.''

This made me curious as well. ''What is it?''

''Shirou what do you fight for?'' She asked as she picked herself up back to my level. ''What is the thing that drives you so much?''

That was… a surprising question to say the least. It wasn't that I didn't have an answer, just that the question itself surprised me. ''I just don't want to see people suffer in front of me…''

My answer clearly didn't satisfy her given the expression on her face. ''That is something normal, but I want to know why it drives you at such an extent to risk your life the way you do. Don't get me wrong, courage and camaraderie are noble reasons to put your life on the line but there is a limit to how far those can push you, and yet you never stop in your tracks.''

''There's not much I can give as an answer, I've always been this way. '' I admitted somewhat awkwardly, and for a brief moment the image of a familiar man flashed through my mind. ''Yet… If I were to find a justification for my actions… I guess a part of it is because I want to be like my father.''

This bit clearly got her attention. ''How so?''

I might as well answer her question with another question. ''You are a rather cautious person, have you ever run a background check on me?''

''I admit I did so, but I didn't really find anything that would answer any of my questions.'' There was shame present in her voice but it didn't stop her. ''All I could find out about you were things that happened after you were officially adopted into the Emiya family, there wasn't anything before that.''

''Can't be surprised really, I don't recall much but I was caught in a disaster when I was little. Emiya Kiritsugu was the man that saved me that night when I lost everything, my family, my home, my memories, and even my old self.'' Nostalgia ran through me as I recalled that sight. ''The way that I saw him at that time… that happy look on his face… it inspired me… it made me wonder how great it would be to be like him.''

A series of emotion ignited in me as memories of the life I lived together with the man echoed in my mind. ''I want to be a man that could save people no matter how grim or impossible the situation seems, to bring back hope to those that have abandoned it. Just like how dad did for me.''

When I turned around to look at Sona her eyes were wide open, the shock clearly present within them was quite obvious, and it made me feel like I just told her something outrageous like I will become an exorcist or something. It took a bit before she composed herself, licking her dried lips before she replied. ''Shirou… what you're describing… isn't what you want basically becoming a hero?''

''A hero…'' those words left my mouth almost mechanically, and like a spark something ignited in me. Almost like adding the very last cog into a machine to make it work. A cog so small and insignificant at first glance but one that surprisingly had the most important role within the whole frame. Honestly it felt like a blindfold was finally taken off my eyes and I could finally see what I truly wanted. ''Yes… I see… all this time it was in front of me and yet I didn't realize it.''

My hands balled in fists as I looked at the black haired girl, a smile which probably looked goofy forming on my face. ''… I want to become a hero.''

Sona was silent at first, then she burst into laughter. It wasn't directed at my dream that much I knew. ''Guess we both have childish dreams.''

It seems her laugh was contagious since I also started chuckling. ''So it seems.''

Before I knew it her hand was extended in front of me, offering a handshake. ''How about we see who can achieve their dream first?''

It was weird to be honest, this whole situation. Everything that led up to this point, but I cherished all of it all the same.

''You're on.'' I smiled as I took her hand and gave her firm shake, curiously though she started staring at my hand with a rather complex look. ''What?''

She woke up from her daze and almost startled when she heard me. ''Nothing… I was just wondering how I never noticed it before.''

''Notice what?''

''You have strong hands.'' Sona stated a serious and calculating look present on her face.

''Thanks… I guess?'' I could only shrug in response. Not the first time I was told this, and something told me it won't be the last. ''By the way, you seemed rather bothered by something when I got here. Did something happen?''

My question quickly made her mood go sour. ''Not quite, just an old promise I made to someone which I don't think I can keep.''

''If there's anything I can help just ask.''

She smiled but also sighed tiredly. ''You don't have to be so dedicated anymore, you're no longer my pawn Shirou.''

This actually stung me a little. ''Just because I'm no longer technically your pawn doesn't mean I won't help you and the others anymore.''

''Why do I even bother.'' She took off her glasses and rubbed her eyes. ''Anyhow whether you can be of help or not depends. Are you willing to go traveling for a couple of days?''

This tidbit made me curious. ''Where to?''

''Paris.''

''Paris?'' I asked in confirmation, thinking I might have misheard her.

''Paris.''

It seemed that wasn't the case, now I was the one rubbing his eyes trying to get my finger around the idea. ''Okay… why would I need to go all the way to Paris?''

''It's about the son of my fathers contracted magician. I met him on a couple of occasions and can tell you that this guy is a real piece of work, and recently he started acting really recklessly on his missions. His father kept trying to contact him over and over again but he kept giving him the cold shoulder and the man is really concerned that his son might be getting himself into something really bad.''

I nodded as I got the basic gist and gestured her to go on. ''The problem is that recently he's been spotted in France and that makes the situation a bit difficult. You see unlike back in Japan, France is a major territory of the holy church and there is no devil territory there so a devil going there even on business matters is incredibly difficult. By the time I would obtain the proper approvals I might just lose any track of the man.''

Well that made sense now that I think about it. Actually maybe since the holy church has so little influence in Japan that devils were able to occupy territory there, but that didn't answer my main question. ''Ok… but if it's that difficult what difference would it make if I went instead.''

''All of those rules and restrictions do not apply to you Shirou, since you are still human.'' She stated clinically, my eyes widening in realization. ''As it stands you are just a random teenager going on a small trip to Paris, as long as you just keep a low profile everything should be fine. ''

I nodded and smiled, it was quite well thought out. ''That part makes sense, but how am I supposed to find this guy in big city like Paris?''

''It's not difficult, his father sent me a tracking spell that will react when you are close to him. All you have to do is go to Paris and walk around until you get a sign of him.''

That was simple enough, so much that even an idiot could do it. ''So what exactly do I have to do when I find him?''

''Nothing difficult, track him down and tell him everything that I will teach you.''

Our discussions went on as Sona gave me the details of the mission. Once she was done we lay down on the grass and relaxed, enjoying the warm rays of the sun. ''Shirou there's one thing that has been bothering me.''

I rolled around in the grass and looked at her. ''What is it?''

''Right at the very end of the fight you just snapped in anger at Segrif, not that I blame you, but it's what you said that confused me. Why did you call him Shinji?''

My eyes could only blink at this. ''I did that?''

''Yes, who is this Shinji?''

''Oh, he is Sakura's brother.'' I answered without a moment's hesitation.

''Sakura?'' she tiled her head confused by who I was talking about.

''You see Sakura is…'' my words died in my mouth.

It was like suddenly reading a paper and then shifting to a new one, only that page was completely blank. So was the sensation in my mind.

Who was Sakura? Why did I suddenly think of her?

No, no, no, wait!

I also don't know of any Shinji! So why did I act like I did, why did I call his name when I snapped at Segrif?!

In my own stated of panic and confusion I didn't notice when Sona got close and started holding me by the shoulders. ''Shirou?''

Her soft and concerned voice was enough to calm me down, my hand reaching for my face and wipe away the cold sweat that run on it. ''I'm f-fine… I must have lost a lot of blood and temporally went delirious.''

I almost winced in pain when I felt Sona's sharp nails dig in my shoulder. ''Shirou, you aren't good at lying, please talk to me.''

Personally I wished I could listen to her, but the facts didn't help me. ''I don't know what to talk about since I'm not sure what is wrong with me.''

Her eyes saddened as she let go and put some distance between us. ''Maybe the whole idea with the mission is a bad idea, you need to rest.''

''No, it's okay, I can go.''

Her eyes narrowed in a sharp glare at this. ''Shirou you can't expect me to send you when you clearly need to rest.''

''Look I said its okay, it doesn't involve any fights or anything dangerous, it's just me going to talk with the man and that's all.''

''Since it's apparent you won't back down lets reach a compromise.'' She stated in her no nonsense student council president tone. ''You will go, but you will leave first thing tomorrow.''

I nodded but I only got confused by this. ''Didn't you say he will be in Paris in a couple of days?''

She threw her hand towards me and started poking me in the chest. ''That's the whole point Shirou, you will go earlier and will use those days for some R&R until he arrives. Use it however you want, visit some museums, go around trying local food, go sightseeing on Eifel Towel all day long, heck go to Moulin Rouge, I don't care, and just use that time to relax you clearly need it.''

There might have been a part of me that wanted to protest since I was basically getting an all-expenses paid vacation while the others were staying behind, but under the icy gaze of the Sitri heiress I realized any further complaints will only complicate things and in all honesty I had dealt with enough shit for one day. ''Fine, I will do as you say.''

I tried to ignore the triumphant smug look she now displayed and went back to my own thoughts, my eyes widening as I realized that I forgot an important piece of information regarding this mission. ''Oh right, I forgot to ask… who am I searching for exactly?''

''His name is Loup Garou.''


Unbeknownst to the two of them, behind a nearby tree someone was watching the way Shirou and Sona interacted. The distance made it hard to hear what they were talking about but in the end it didn't matter.

A rage was slowly building inside him as he watched, a rage laced with bitterness and self-loathing. He knew nothing was going on between them, but he couldn't keep those dark feelings from eating him up from the inside.

He chewed on his cigarette in frustration, never noticing that his black gauntlet manifested on his arm, the purple eye like gems glowing eerily.

Vritra had witnessed and felt all of this from within his host, and he couldn't help but grow worried for him. ''[Tread carefully other me. Otherwise you might get devoured by your own emotions.]''


Ajuka Beelzebub sat in his chair and went over his paper. His feet up high on his desk for all to see, while it was poor manners to do so, it was his desk so he could do whatever he wanted to it.

A glass of rum was present in his hand as he went over the report of the recent incident. His whistling echoing in the room as he finished the last page of the report.

He couldn't help but be impressed by Serafalls work, he hadn't seen her go all out like this since the old days back in the civil war. What she did to Segrif Zepar's manhood in particular was something the doctors that performed the autopsy on him couldn't find words to describe. After seeing a picture of the end result he understood why, it looked like something ripped out of an art book made by that Giger fellow. Oh, how he missed that human's artworks, may he rest in peace.

Now that he was done with everything he gazed at his rum and sighed as it got warm. He wasn't really surprised from it though, his mind has been far too busy to keep track of his glass.

So much that he felt the need to share some of his thoughts with his oldest friend. A magic circle manifested around his ear, shortly the person in question answered his call. ''Sirzechs we need to talk.''

''[Ajuka! Can't you call later I'm really busy right now!]'' Ajuka for one merely sighed as once again he caught his friend in one of his 'moments' judging by his muffled panicked voice.

Unfortunately the green haired man was in no mood for it. ''No, it's very important.''

''[Can't it wait?! I'm at my son's piano recital.]''

Oh, well he couldn't really hold it against the man for wanting to be a good family man, but the situation at hand was far too important to wait. ''… Look I know you love your son, but these are matters of extreme urgency.''

''[Fine! Wait a minute!]'' He huffed in a childlike manner, making Ajuka rub the bridge of his nose. ''[There I'm at the bathroom stall, now make it quick. Some guy was using the urinal and started splashing everywhere when he saw me so I don't want to stay here for long.]''

Not that what Sirzechs said was surprising Ajuka thought, after all it's not every day that a Maou walks in on you when you're taking a piss. ''I just happened to meet Kiritsugu's kid.''

''[That's why you called me for?]'' Ajuka couldn't see it but he was sure Sirzechs was rolling his eyes like a dumbass. ''[So you've met the glum chums son, big deal!]''

Oh, he had no idea how much he wanted to punch the red headed jackass sometimes. ''Tell me something my friend, have you ever wondered why ten years ago, of the things he could have asked you as reward for what he did, he asked for his family to be protected but out of our reach?''

''[Because he loves his family?]'' Sirzechs replied not seeing the point Ajuka was trying to make. ''[He isn't the first or last man that called for the protection of his loved ones in exchange for his services.]''

''That may be the case in general, but I think there's more to it than that, even after ten years I can't say I truly understand how that man's mind works.'' Ajuka stated as he recalled the instances he met with Emiya Kiritsugu, recalling those blank and cold eyes he possessed. ''He may have been protecting his family as he claimed, but perhaps he was also trying to hide something dangerous away from the rest of the world.''

''[What are you getting at? ]'' For the first time since this conversation started, Sirzechs was serious.

Ajuka leaned back in his chair and chugged down his drink, grimacing as he finished. He never liked his rum warm. ''Sirzechs, I think we need to keep a close eye on his son.''

''[Why?]''

In all honesty he didn't have a plausible reason to give his friend, his actual reasoning didn't involve any of the political motives he explained to Shirou earlier it was instead a more personal matter.

It all originated from the feeling he got from the boy.

As it stood it was difficult to put in words, there wasn't any current factor that gave him reason to worry and yet he couldn't shake this nagging feeling he had.

Ajuka Beelzebub was man of science and logic, he didn't let simple instinct drive his judgement. All his life he solved his problems and challenges methodically with his mind.

There was only one single event where his mind was unable to comprehend by logic the intricacies of a man. In his memory there was only one instance where he couldn't grasp the nature of a person at a single glance.

He only experienced this kind of feeling with Sirzechs Gremory, his old friend and the man that would eventually take on the mantle of Lucifer.

The fact that this Emiya Shirou was giving him the same feeling in spite of being just a human only made him more concerned and curious.

''Call it a hunch, but I feel that this Emiya Shirou has the potential to become a powerful ally, but at the same time there's an equal chance he may become a dangerous threat.''


He gazed at the gears in the sky from atop the hill of blades.

The boy had once again broke through his limits and started tapping more into his powers.

Steel grey eyes drifted at the endless landscape covered in weapons. So many were scattered throughout this world that a normal person could never begin to even count them all, yet he knew each of them, he knew if one was missed or was tampered with. ''That makes another six that he took… plus all the ones that he traced out unconsciously.''

''He's adapting fast… way too fast. At first a single new projection was his limit, but he is becoming more in tune with the power and his mind is becoming more in synch with mine.'' The wrought iron hero's red mantle fluttered in the wind as he stood up and faced toward the horizon. ''During the whole abduction I could barely talk or give him any advice. The way the power was rapidly spiking I could barely keep it under control.''

Hawk like eyes gazed at his hands as they balled into fists. ''Very soon he will catch up to me…''

He realized it… his dream.

This was something Archer was hoping that the boy won't grasp. He felt very conflicted about this sudden turn of events.

On one hand he was intrigued, it was from his personal choice. Shirou didn't inherit it, he came to that conclusion by his own means, something he chose for himself, and not promising to do in someone else's stead.''

However the thing that plagued the red bowman's mind was the cause of that realization.

Did he truly come to that conclusion by his own means?

Or perhaps was it because his influence was slowly affecting the boy's mentality.

Shirou was still 'pure' so to say and the fight with Segrif further proved that to Archer. There was sharpness in his fighting, calculating strikes at vital areas sure, but there wasn't a true cold intent to kill. Shirou fought to defeat but not kill Segrif, so many times he could have ended Segrif Zepar and finished things once and for all, yet in spite of the numerous openings his body constantly fixed itself to avoid it instead choosing to try and incapacitate his enemy.

If it were Archer he would have killed him without a moment of doubt.

He knows how Shirou thinks, no matter how much he detested his enemies deep down he still wishes for an outcome where no one has to suffer or die. If he can help it he won't pull the trigger.

Giving Shahnaz her weapon back was a suicidal act. She could have reversed the fatal blow she was dealt and then proceeded to kill Shirou on the spot or she could have used it when her master lost. There were so many moments when that choice Shirou made could have come back to bite him making him pay for his naivete. It was only by sheer luck and circumstance that the woman came around and betrayed her master.

Shirou was subconsciously resisting the bleeding effect they were going through, but this only raised the question.

How long will it last?

''Agh!'' the red bowman cringed as he grabbed his head.

It was happening again.

They were invading his mind.

The memories of Emiya Shirou.

A different Emiya Shirou.

He knew they weren't his… he knew he never went through what he saw.

And yet they felt so real.

A loving mother constantly embarrassing him in public with her displays of affection.

Not his…

An aunt that always bickered with his mother but gently smiled at him.

Not his…

A little sister he grew up with that adored him.

Not his…

A little cousin always visiting and grew attached to him.

Not his…

A maid nagging at him whenever she got the chance but was always concerned about him.

Not his…

A lazy maid that always stole his food but offered to "help" him whenever he needed it.

Not his…

His father Kiritsugu was still alive and around for him.

Not his…

It felt like an eternity, but the pain eventually subsided. Leaving the red bowman with a grim expression on his face as he took it all in. ''It's happening faster than I expected… if he keeps up overusing those powers we both will pay for it.''

His vision went static for a few brief moments. It was getting worse.

''At the very least he heeded my warning and didn't attempt a full install.'' Archer muttered as he gazed at the infinite steel landscape. ''Should he install… I fear our individualities will cease to exist.''


Omake: The adventures of the Emiya house

''Kiritsugu must we really do this?'' Irisviel asked in a pained voice, saddened by her husband's choice regarding her recently adopted son.

Kiritsugu on his part only took a puff from his cigarette while in his mind of steel state, lest he falter in front of his wife without it. ''Yes Iri, it's for Shirou's own good.''

''Iri-san, please let go.'' Shirou on the other hand was trying his best to escape the bear grip of Irisviel who refused to let go of him.

''I don't want to.'' Irisviel pouted as she hugged her son, rubbing her face on his own as if he was some kind of teddy bear.

Kiritsugu for one would have preferred dealing with a high risk assassination mission than dealing with his wife's childish antics. ''Iri we've been over this, Shirou NEEDS to go to school.''

''But I don't want him to leave!'' The Einzbern homunculus protested. ''Besides neither you nor I went to school so why should Shirou go?!''

Well she wasn't particularly wrong, both of them never went to school due to their unique circumstances, but he wanted his children to have a normal life and for that he had to be strong and confront his wife. ''Iri, it will be just for a couple of hours. Education aside, don't you want Shirou to interact with kids his age and have fun?''

The magus killer noticed the subtle moment of weakness in the woman's defenses, seizing the gap it was time for the decisive strike. ''School is very important in the development of children, who knows, if he doesn't go Shirou might just grow up to be a socially inept person and never experience love.''

Irisviel wanted to protest, but she didn't want to be some kind of monster of a mother that ruined her son's future love life. ''… Fine.''

Hook, line and sinker.

Shirou could finally breathe again now that he was out of his mother's iron grip, tonight he was going to make Kiritsugu something good to eat as a reward in gratitude.

''Now Shirou be sure to take care of yourself so Iri here doesn't get worried.'' Kiritsugu said as he ruffled the boy's hair, keeping a perfect poker face considering that Irisviel just elbowed him in the ribs. Hard.

''Please be careful sweetie!'' Irisviel shouted as she watched her son walk into the school ground.


The first day of school went pretty easy for Shirou. He got along with most of his classmates, but he heard some weird rumors from the one of the others classes. Something about a kid obsessed with boobs or something and he was very vocal about it as if he was spreading the word of a new gospel.

When he walked out of the school gate he couldn't find any trace of his mother even though she was supposed to be there to pick him up. ''I wonder where Iri-san is?''

''MY BABY BOY!'' He heard a banshee like scream and saw a white blur before he was put under a world of pain that were Irisviel's hugs. ''I MISSED YOU SO MUCH! MAMA WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU AGAIN!''

To his own abysmal luck this display was noticed by quite the number of students from his school. As one can expect the rumors immediately spread like wild fire.

For years to come Emiya Shirou was condemned to enduring the heavy title of 'Mama's boy'.


Author notes:

Well I'm back. Hope you all had a good winter vacation, I know I had.

And with this we have officially ended the Zepar arc and are starting a brand new one. To hype it a little besides Loup Garou that was mentioned three other canon characters will be involved, two as side characters, while the third one as a main. And they're all fine ladies. To give a little clue, one has confidence issues, one is a rather hated character, while the last is related to the church. Good luck guessing who will appear.

I tried to tie all lose ends in this chapter and hope that nothing was omitted so I apologize if it feel a bit packed.

Now about Shirou still being human. As you all noticed he has Avalon inside of him, so this will make things easy, that thing is HAX! So much that even Gil would yell HAX out of frustration. One may argue that since Shirou is not Saber he can't call forth its full potential but I for one believe that even by itself it's working enough to protect him from getting demonized.

Before you go and rage at me that this thing is completely out of the blue, it isn't. I have been dropping clues and signs all over the place, and have been planning this for a long time, hell even Sona directly remarked in the first chapters that she wasn't sure if Shirou was fully converted in a devil.

Other stuff, I hope I managed to give Ajuka a good characterization, I mean he didn't really have more casual scene in the LN, so it was kind hard to pin point his personality. I tried highlighting the mad scientist vibes from him and make him more easygoing. He may seem a bit too easy going in some scenes but remember that this guy is Sirzechs BFF and puts up with his BS on a basis. I mean you don't dress up as a Satan Ranger unless you're pretty wacky yourself.

Bad news is that I'm entering exam session so it will probably take longer for next chapter to get out.

In FGO news I still have E-rank in the gacha. I failed all the banners, no Quetz, Merlin, Musashi, Gramps or Dantes. Out of salt I went and used two grails on my boy Rama (crits for life). The only 5 stars I have are Shuten, which I got back in November, and in all honestly I have no clue how I got her since I was rolling for Ozy. Not that I'm complaining about her but I'm still wonder how that happened. Also got Karna yesterday… spent 25 tickets on the all-male banner… got only Karna, and not one valentines CE's. Again not that I'm complaining but you would think it's only fair that once every 10 wasted tickets you should get a good a 5 star drop (even CE's work, I'm just saying…)

I won't even bother with MHX Alter, saving for the Shinjuku release, need an gold Archer.

The Solomon chapter I failed to grind the way I wanted. I mean I was like 'Oh the pillars are finally out, but it's kinda late so I will play tomorrow.' Next day Barbatos was fully killed… and I needed THOSE PAGES DAMMIT!

And for some reason the game is giving me an error whenever I'm trying to buy saint quarts. That being said I couldn't use the guaranteed paid banner at New Year's… and I really needed a gold archer. Question if anyone is aware, if the money you have in your bank account is a different currency does it work to buy quarts with it? Or should I make another account like a one and convert my money to dollars.

Now anything else that I should mention… Oh yeah just turned 24 today… yeah, that a thing apparently…


Don't forget to review... no seriously review, I could use some constructive criticism.