The trip to the church was...an uneventful one, Shirou would admit.
He remembered going to this place once when he was helping an elderly couple, wanting to pray and couldn't find the church so naturally, Shirou came to help them.
It took him a bit before finding the church for them but once he did, he simply guided them to the right place and bid farewell.
He never honestly thought that he would be visiting the church again, this time involved in a death match between Heroic Spirits from the past.
'I wonder if future heroes could be summoned as well?' Shirou let that thought linger for a bit before deciding that it was probably a stupid one and just dismissed it. There's just no way it would be possible for that to happen…
Right?
In any case, Shirou continues trekking to the church alone, with Saber going to spirit form so as to not drain too much of his magical energy. He didn't like the fact that he was hindering her from using her full power due to his ineptitude as a magus…
He needs to fix that very soon.
Shirou had arrived at the metal gate that would be the entrance to the church. Shirou expected the place to be more...holy-like but for some reason… there was only unease at the place he stood…
Perhaps it is due to the fact that it is also a cemetery? It would make sense, spirits and ghosts would probably linger around here if they have regrets and would make the place more...unfriendly, especially at night.
But no time like the present!
"I will not be accompanying you moving forward from here."
Shirou jumped at the sudden voice in his head but he remembered that Saber was still in spirit form and thus, decided to communicate through a mental link. Shirou kinda forgot they can do that…
"What do you mean Saber?"
"Master, the church is a neutral ground in the Holy Grail War. Servants aren't allowed to enter there to do battle and only masters are allowed there. You should still be safe though as the representatives of the church will not allow violence inside their territory either so I will stand by here in guard…"
It makes sense, Shirou thought about her thought process. Churches are a safe haven for masters who wished to retire from the war, according to Saber and will probably not tolerate attacking a safe haven for masters as well.
Still though… even if that's the case… he still would rather not go near this place if he can help it… especially alone
"Alright Saber, I guess I'll leave you here then?"
"That would be wise, master. Just call me if anything happens."
With that conversation over, Shirou opens up the metal gate and begins to walk forward through the cemetery up to the church's door. He simply pushes it forward and is greeted by…
"Tohsaka?! You're here too but… does that mean that you're a master too?"
Yup, lo and behold, Rin Tohsaka, in the flesh. She sputtered as she was shocked that Shirou was a master himself. She tried to get her bearings and to respond back but she was beaten to the punch by a familiar voice.
"Oh wow! So Emiya here is a master too huh? Then I guess I will just team up with him instead."
Shirou looked further in the church to find a familiar mop of blue seaweed hair. The face of his...friend, Shinji Matou. With that cocky smile of his, he proceeds to shove Rin to the side and hangs his right arm over Shirou's shoulder.
"Too bad Tohsaka, guess Emiya here will become my partner instead of you, but I'm still willing to extend my alliance to you if you so wish…"
But Tohsaka interrupted Shinji. "Hah?! What makes you think you will be a good partner for him? If anything, I'm a better partner for him than you can ever be. Also, you will be holding us back so why not just go back to your grandfather and cry about it huh?"
Shirou felt like this could get out of hand really quickly, judging by the glares of his classmates, staring down at each other. He needs to resolve this quickly. "Ummm, I don't know what's going on with you two but… can't we be all friends here?"
Both of them looked over to Shirou and had varying expressions. Rin looked like she bit on a lemon while Shinji had that smug expression on him. "See, even Emiya here has a brain big enough that he would agree on all of us working together as friends so why be so stubborn about it?"
Rin looked like she was about to throw another fit but then she looked over to Shirou and her expression changed to something he could not recognize… "Fine… I suppose an alliance with the two of you wouldn't be too bad…"
Then Shinji decided to hook his left arm to Rin and pulled them together for a group hug… of sorts. "Splendid! We have three servants now! We can win this Grail War no sweat!"
Rin felt very uncomfortable and shoved herself out of the hug and just stood to the side. Shirou wanted to go to her side to see if she was alright, but Shinji prevented that from happening by asking him a question. "Say Emiya, what servant do you have there for us?"
Shirou felt that there was no need to hide from his classmates about his servant's class. "Oh, it's Saber."
Rin's jaw slacked open while Shinji's smile grew even wider. "See Tohsaka?! I told you this alliance is worth it! We have now one of the strongest servants in our alliance! Nothing can stop us from stomping on this Grail War."
"Oh? I would beg to differ. After all, my berserker is the strongest after all."
Everyone turned their heads to one of the benches to see a little white haired girl with red eyes, wearing a purple coat and hat. She had an innocent smile on her face but for some reason, Shirou could feel his spine shiver.
"Berserker? That servant? Hah! In your dreams! You can't even control that beast lest you use a command seal. What makes him so much stronger than Saber?"
Shinji, of course, proceeded to mock the little girl for her naivety or stupidity. Shirou frowned at his friend's attitude towards the girl. He looked a bit closer to the girl and widened his eyes.
"You… you're that little girl I saw last night!"
Rin and Shinji looked at him with shock while the little girl widened her smile. "Oh wow! So onii-chan did summon his servant! And a Saber one too! I can't wait to crush you all using my berserker!"
And just like that, the atmosphere became tense. Rin narrowed her eyes as she pocketed her hands in her right pocket, grasping something. Shinji's face paled a bit but still held his smile while Shirou felt more beads of sweat pouring down his face from the simple threat she had just made.
"Oh I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself." The little girl giggled as if she hadn't said anything wrong or disturbing in the first place. She got off her bench and curtsied herself. "My name is Illyasviel Von Einzbern. It's a pleasure to meet you onii-chan."
Shirou's eyes widened at the name that the little girl introduced himself. This was his sister, the daughter of Kiritsugu that he never was able to get back.
He was very fortunate to find those pictures of her with Kiritsugu and an older woman who looked like Illyasviel as well. Shirou asked Kiritsugu about them when he was still around and he told them about his daughter, his wife and how he couldn't get her daughter back from their cruel family. He never did explained the reasons why they were seperated in the first place but it really didn't matter too much in the end.
Shirou of course, wanted to help rescue his daughter but Kiritsugu at that point was too weak to leave the house without collapsing himself at that point. And after a few days… he passed away, but before he did he gave something to Shirou to give to Illyasviel should he see her again.
The only reason why he didn't recognize her back then was because he was too far away to see her face clearly.
Shirou stood forward to meet the curious red eyes of his stepsister. He did not know what to say to her or even how to communicate with her after so long. Apparently she knows about him but what was she told in that place she called home? Nothing good, judging by her previous words, so the only thing he could hope for was that whatever Kiritsugu would give to Illyasviel would mend their relationship…
Or break it even further.
Shirou grasped the worn letter that he always carried in his pocket since that day and gave it to her.
Her eyes were narrowed but before she could say anything, Shirou beat her to it. "It's a letter from my old man… it should explain everything there… I don't know anything that happened to you or why you hate me so much but… I hope that we can start over...after this Grail War thing is over."
Illyasviel's eyes blanked out as she carefully eyed the letter and used [Structural Analysis] on it to determine whether its a trap or not. Not sensing any magical energy within it, she decided to keep the letter in her pocket. "I will read it later."
Shirou flinched at the empty voice of her supposed stepsister. This was not how he wanted to reunite with her sister after so long, but fate decided to push it towards this direction and the only thing he can do is move forward.
Rin had a lot of questions about this…supposed relationship and was about to ask when the doors opened to reveal…
"Hah?! Kuzuki-sensei?! You're here too? Is every master related to our school or something?"
Shinji's voice snapped Shirou as he turned his head and his eyes widened in surprise alongside Rin. Their own history teacher was also a master in this Grail War too? How many more masters will he meet in this war that is familiar to him? What's next, Taiga being here too?
…
…
...That would be a nightmare and a half.
"So it seems…but you don't need to refer to me as sensei, considering that we are all enemies here. You may refer to me as just Kuzuki when we are not in school."
Kuzuki's statement reminded everyone why they were here in the first place. They are all masters for the 5th Holy Grail War and are fighting for the right to have their and servant's wishes granted.
Still though…
"We don't have to kill each other...do we? It's not necessary! We just fight servants and that's it right…?" Shirou hoped that he didn't have to fight any of his classmates to the death. That would be too much for him.
Rin looked away, ashamed of her own thoughts on how to get rid of the other masters besides Emiya. Shinji snorted at the naivety of Shirou. Illyasviel looked still as curious as ever with that not so innocent smile and Kuzuki just blankly responded to Shirou's plea.
"It's possible to win the war without us masters dying. However, keep in mind that masters are the anchors for servants in this world and the best way to eliminate the servant is to kill the master. It also helps the fact that masters can contract another servant should they encounter another servant without a master…" And those words made Shirou's stomach drop.
The idea of killing people to win the right for a wish and also to prevent them from joining back just feels...wrong. He could and will never accept that fact. He will do whatever it takes for everyone to live, especially his own sister.
"Good evening masters of the 5th Holy Grail War. Thank you for coming to visit."
Everyone's eyes glued on to the altar to find a lean individual with sharp amber eyes that...radiated power unlike they have ever felt before. It felt like they had to listen to every word this person had to say.
Well everybody except Rin.
"Wait… Kirei, what the heck is going on here?! And why is that guy there taking your job?!"
Rin pointed at the tall man, wearing dark blue priest robes, leaning at the side entrance of the altar. The person from before responded to her question.
"I'm afraid that Kotomine Kirei has violated the rules of the Grail War and thus, I have stripped him of his right as supervisor but not as a master of this Grail War."
Rin's complexion paled rapidly at the thought of fighting her teacher who basically taught her everything she knew… this was gonna be a rough fight, she can tell. It didn't help the fact that Kirei smiled at Rin's predicament which made her grit her teeth in frustration.
"But first allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ruler. I am a servant, summoned by the Holy Grail to administer the rules and to check up on the Greater Grail's condition."
Illyasviel latched on to the last words from the individual called Ruler. "Why do you need to check up on the Greater Grail? Sure, the war has started 60 years too early but it still is functioning as it should be."
Ruler nodded at her statement. "It is precisely because of that fact that I have been summoned to check up on the Greater Grail for any more anomalies that may occur within it."
Illyasviel rubbed her chin in contemplation. "So you're saying that there may be more to this Grail war than you first thought?"
"That is correct."
Shirou throughout this entire conversation was completely lost. He didn't know what they were both talking about, the only thing he could glimpse at is the fact that the war shouldn't have started this early and there might be something wrong with the Grail.
"Is there anything I could do to help?"
Everyone stared at Shirou mostly in shock except for Ruler and Kirei. Even Kuzuki had to raise his eyebrows at his student's willingness to help, regardless of the situation.
Shirou himself didn't know why he wanted to help but he had a bad feeling that something unpleasant may happen very and it involves this Holy Grail War...
"I appreciate the offer young man, but as this is a task assigned by the Greater Grail itself and not to you masters, I'm afraid I can't accept your offer." Ruler declined Shirou's help before he returned back to the topic at hand. "As such, until I can identify the problem and have it solved, the Holy Grail War will be postponed."
This further shocked the masters, even Kirei himself. The only one who was relieved about the situation was Shirou as he breathed a sigh of relief before asking another question. "How long will that take?"
"That really depends on the complexity of the anomaly but at least 1 week, 1 month at most. If this problem cannot be solved by then… then I have no choice but to cancel the Grail War and have the servants be dispersed as the probability of this Grail endangering this world is high."
Shirou narrowed his eyes at the warning given by Ruler. If this Grail War could endanger everyone then…it's for the best for it to be dismantled or be destroyed to prevent it from harming anyone.
Though...the other masters have other worries.
"Wh-what?! Dispersing my Servant!? You're crazy if you think I will give up just because this Grail is "malfunctioning". Why should I care about something like that? Why not just battle everyone here and now before it breaks down?!"
Shinji's response made Shirou sick… but… he was not the only master to respond…
"While I don't agree with us fighting right now… why should we give up our servants? While I am not as aware of the state of the Grail… it seems to be functioning normally with our command seals and the servants being present so unless the Grail's error actually exposes the moon-lit world, why do we need to give up our right in this war?"
Shirou was shocked to see Rin defending Shinji in a roundabout way of letting this...bloodsport continue despite the dangers that could lie ahead in the future. Do they not care about the people in Fuyuki City? The whole world?
"While I can agree to just end my contract here with my servant, I doubt my servant would agree to just die quietly without her chance of granting her wish so I would also like to ask not to let us get rid of our servants…"
That was the last nail in the coffin as even his own teacher agreed with continuing this Grail War… the only one who hadn't made a rebuttal was his own sister but still… he had enough.
"How could you?! How could any of you just agree to keep fighting despite the entire world being in danger?!"
Shinji just scoffed at Shirou's plea. "Relax Emiya, Ruler said it himself. There may be a problem with the Grail or whatever but he should be able to fix it. Besides, even if this so called "problem" does come up, we have servants to protect us so we need them to fix this problem and BAM! Back to fighting for our wish!"
Shirou was quite disgusted by Shinji's explanation and just went up to Ruler. "Can you please dismantle or get rid of the Grail instead? I don't care about some wish to be made, I just don't want people to be hurt at all…"
Ruler hadn't responded to any of them as he had his eyes closed, deep in thought before he opened them to give them his own verdict…
"The one with the Blue hair is correct. The anomaly itself-"
"Hey! Its Shinji Matou to you, servant!"
"-may not be a threat to any of the inhabitants in Fuyuki so this Grail War may continue on, uninterrupted… However, for precautionary measures, please refrain from fighting one another until 1 month has passed, then I will give you my findings about this anomaly. Is that satisfactory to you all?"
Shinji grumbled underneath his breath but agreed to the one month truce. The other masters also agreed as well. This would give them time to prepare and maybe even do some reconnaissance against the other masters…
The only one who could not agree was Shirou, his eyes widened in surprise as they all just agreed… to fight each other after one month is over…
…
…
...It was truly disgusting to him that they allowed this sort of thing to happen.
"Also, the Master of Assassin has not been chosen for this Holy Grail War as well so this would give the Grail time to choose the last candidate."
Rin's eyes widened as she looked around the chapel and… she noticed that indeed, one master was missing from the church.
"But I thought Grail had already chosen the Master?"
"That was not the case. The Caster servant hijacked the ritual and summoned Assassin. However, due to the fact that Caster wasn't a master, chosen by the Grail, the servant summoned is nothing than a wraith. I have managed to correct that mistake and thus, the true Master of Assassin can summon their servant."
No one noticed Kuzuki's eyes narrow a bit from that tid bit of information…
"That is all I have to say about the current state of this war. I shall update you in about a month's time. If you have any questions about the Grail-"
"I do."
Everyone looked over to Shirou and flinched as his eyes were blank and no longer focusing on the world around him."
"Very well, what is it you wish to know?"
"The Fourth Holy Grail War. Illya said that this Grail war started 60 years too early and you confirmed it right?"
Illyasviel tilted her head, her smile becoming a bit more genuine for some reason.
"Indeed, that is the cause for the current anomaly. What about it?"
"...was it the one that caused the Great Fire…"
…
…
…
"While I was not summoned at the Fourth Holy Grail War at the time, I am aware of certains events from the past Grail Wars that have indeed occurred."
"...so?"
"While the circumstances were quite unknown as to how that exactly happened, even to my own recollection, the Fourth Holy Grail was indeed, responsible for the event known as the Great Fuyuki Fire."
…
…
...There was nothing for Shirou to say anymore as that just confirmed it all.
The Great fire… the one responsible for killing his parents, all those people and that hell that occurred was caused by the blood sport known as the Holy Grail War.
…
…
…
"I see… thank you." His voice sounded so hollow at that point that it chilled everyone's spine in that room. That implication confirmed for everyone that Shirou Emiya was the sole survivor of The Great Fire caused by the Holy Grail War that they are participating in.
Kirei was smiling at this newfound information.
"If that is all, then you may leave and return to your base operations." Ruler's voice ended the meeting.
Thus, the night of the 5th Holy Grail War or rather, the beginning of the end for Shirou's peaceful days in Fuyuki City as his city is about to become a battlefield for legends alike.
Omake: Acquainted Fate
The cold concrete floor of the shed isn't that comfortable for taking a nap.
Then again, Aether did not particularly ask to be lying down here as his gut was flaring in pain from the enemy's kick.
He grits his teeth once more as he struggles to get up and summons his sword and hastily blocks the multiple spear attacks that are hitting him frin different angles.
While he did manage to block some of it, a lot more went past his guard, granting him many cuts that are making him bleed more profusely before getting hit by a gust of strong wind that knocked him further back in the shed.
Aether had to admit, his entry to this new world was a lot more brutal than he thought. After being separated from his sister, he somehow ended up in a big building of sorts, only to witness the brutal death of a young teen with auburn hair as his body parts were split apart by a very strong strike from a spear.
He ran quickly after witnessing that death due to him being weakened in his battle against the unknown goddess. Not only that, but he noticed that the World itself was working against him as he felt himself grow even weaker as time passed on. Now? He isn't even sure if he could beat his sister with her using only 1/4th of strength, blindfolded. It appears that this new world hates travelers from other worlds.
He lifted his head up to see a strange green mask that he nas no idea of its origins. He wears a white sleeveless top with green tattoos on his right arm. He wears baggy dark purple pants, and wears dark purple boots overtop.
Using his strange new found power from this World, Aether could see huge amounts of energy, spurring out of control from this person and he could see a core of sorts, which would mean this person is either a robot, a living spirit or something else. He would go with the second one.
"You mortal are not from this world. You have desecrated this ancient ritual that has been held on this place for over 200 years. I shall eliminate you with this spear. Be grateful that I gave you the chance to defend yourself from me before I end your life."
Defend myself?! Please! I could have beaten you if I wasn't tired. Aether thought in his head but he wasn't really too sure. Even if he is fresh, this World has the means to limit his strength and isn't so sure whether or not he could still win…
Still…
"Shut up…"
"Hm? You dare disrespect me? Very well then, I shall cut the tongue of yours first before ending your life. But before that." He swings his spear in Aether's face. "Any last words?"
Last words huh? Well…
"Yeah I got some alright… I ain't dying in this new world just because I was "desecrating" your so-called ritual. I have a mission to accomplish now."
Aether did not notice his energy being slowly sapped away to the circle behind him as his mind was too muddled to realize that fact.
"I will get out of here, find my sister and make that unknown God pay for ever hurting her."
He also did not notice the red glow coming from his hands.
"So go ahead, make your threats…" Aether stood up in defiance despite his injuries. "Cause if I die here… then I'LL TAKE YOU WITH ME!"
Before Aether can recklessly rush towards his enemy, a bright flash of light blinds both of them before a blur and a gust of wind, knocking the spearman over to the side, away from Aether.
"The seventh one?! But how?! He is an outlander-!" The enemy could not finish as he was forced to block many strikes using his shaft before being kicked out of the shed by a very strong gust of wind.
Aether had to rub his eyes as to clear away the bright lights from his eyes. Once he was able to open them…
He was shocked.
There stood before him, a young woman with grey-blue eyes and medium-length gold-blonde hair tied back into a ponytail with a black bow. On her ears, she wears a pair of gold cross earrings.
She wears a white, blue, black, and red strapless shirt with gold symbol and linings along with a long blue tailcoat attached to it, a pair of separate white sleeves, a short blue and gold cloak with a light blue inner lining attached to a white separate collar with black linings, a white tights embroidered with gold diamond-dot pattern, and pair of white high-heeled knee-high boots with gold patterns and black heels. She also wears a pair of blue gauntlets.
In her hand is a silver and blue sword with a gold grip in the shape of a spread bird wing, set with a sky-blue gem.
She bows before Aether, her head down. "Servant Saber. In response to your wishes, I have been summoned to fight at your side. I ask of you…"
She lifts her head to stare at the shocked Aether with determination in her eyes.
"Are you my master?"
Date posted: September 1 2021.
A/N:... so over 2 months since I last posted a chapter of this story huh… sorry about that.
To be honest, I didn't know how to write this particular one. With all the characters and how will they react with each other, this one is very a big hurdle for me personally.
I delayed this chapter by posting that One-shot story because I was at a loss on how to write it.
Even after finishing it, I will still struggling to make this chapter in my head. So I said "Fuck it" and write what was on my mind. So this chapter may not come out the best but hey, its all I can manage.
Btw, the omake was inspired by a youtube video of a crossover of Genshin and Fate. It was interesting… u should watch it yourself.
Please do Follow, Favorite and Review. Especially the Review since I want to know whether or not the characters are acting OOC here.
Anyways. I will Xian you later! Chow!
