I do not own Fate content, also every skill point is a level earned.
The House of Emiya
You have unspent Skill Points
You have gained the skill Alaya's Favor, Alaya's Favor will scale with your Level and can be leveled up through acts that benefit humanity and through fighting Servants
You have lost the skill Gaia's Blessing
Shirou looked up at the emblazoned letters that hung amongst the black void that engulfed him.
Alaya's Favor increases the hard and soft caps on all of your skills, you have also gained the Servant Index (interacting with Servants will increase your knowledge of them, making it easier to deduce their identities and abilities).
So I can learn just by being around Saber? Win win.
You have gained the skill Presence Concealment (D+) you can now hide your presence against Lv. 15 or lower enemies
You have unlocked Side Quests, Side Quests can be completed at your leisure to gain additional XP. Unlike Main Quests, most Side Quests can be repeated as frequently as desired with no consequences, regardless of the outcome.
The text hadn't straight out said it, but he knew that the game expected him to fail these quests at least once. It wasn't the lack of faith that unnerved him, but the possibilities to fail these quests considering up until this point everything he did short of tying his shoes could be filed neatly between "life-threatening" and "deathly stupid".
Also, WHERE THE HELL AM I!
Everything he thought reverberated across the abyss, even though his mouth didn't open, so he inferred that he was in his own subconscious to some extent. Turning from the lettering, Shirou looked around, hoping to see some sort of door to leave, just so he knew there was one. There wasn't.
Can I die in my mind?
He shook the thought away, deciding to turn his attention back to the text and hope for further instruction of which the game didn't disappoint.
When you sleep you now have the choice to either Rest or enter this Dreamspace
Dreamspace? How about Shirou-space?
Let's stick with Dreamspace…..
Nani?
The text was gone as quick as it came, but it had definitely been there. Shirou looked up into nothingness.
Hello? Magic text genie? Don't try ducking me now, I've got questions that need answering!
No response.
Ignoring someone is very rude, especially when that person is trapped in their brain.
In the Dreamspace, you can complete certain Side Quests that wouldn't normally appear in the outside world. When you have completed a quest or wish to resign simply state your desire to leave.
I'd like to leave please.
Access Denied. Tutorial still in progress.
Can I skip it and come back later?
Entering Dreamspace does not give you the full benefits of Resting but will replenish your Health and Mana
I guess not…
You have unlocked the Side Quests "Thicker Than Water." Would you like to attempt this quests?
The obvious run-around annoyed Shirou as he crossed his arms and glared at the text hoping to coax a reaction, but nothing came and the words just continued to float there.
Would you like to attempt this quests?
*sigh* fine, let's give it a go.
Objective: Defeat Kiritsugu Emiya
Reward: Calico, Contender, Magus Killer title, XP, ?
Battle will commence in 5 seconds
Shirou blinked hard at the words, but the lettering didn't change. So many thoughts ran through his mind, questions abound bubbled at his lips desiring answers. All were cut off immediately as a figure began to appear amongst the black canvas, blue wisps of vapor formed on what Shirou could only refer to as the 'ground' of his mind, moving up as it coalesced into solid form. His dad looked vibrant and healthy, healthier than Shirou had ever known him to be. Kiritsugu's face shone with youth, his posture supported his weight evenly, and the look of defeat that Shirou had always known lurking behind his eyes was gone, replaced with cold indifference.
Dad?
The first bullet tore through Shirou's gut, the second barreled into his shoulder and knocked him off his feet and onto his butt where he lay coughing up copious amounts of blood that mixed with what was spewing from his open wounds. The questions were back and buzzing in his head, the thick layer of pain that overlapped all other sense kept him from coherently voicing his confusion. As he lay there, holding his innards from exiting his stomach wound, he could hear the click of feet against the ground, which only added to the mounting confusion. It wasn't until Shirou could see his once deceased father standing over him that he felt a cold wave of fear wash over him, the pain, the blood, the bullets burning inside him, they all felt real, was it real, was he really about to die, by the hands of his dad no less?
No, no, it isn't real, it isn't rea-
The gunshot rang in his ears, then darkness, he had seen the barrel, the flash after he pulled the trigger, and the cold dead eyes that stared at him, there was no mercy in his father's eyes.
Sunlight met his eyes, he peeked through his eyelights, they were still a little too heavy to open. Eventually he willed them wide, and was fully greeted to the day. He was in his bedroom, with Saber to his-
Wait….. His eyes shot to his Servant, a smirk crept onto his lips. Now this is a way to wake up in the morning, she's gonna let me have it when I wake her though.
Her eyes flew open, emerald eyes met his, and he couldn't stop the smile that greeted her.
"Good morning, Shirou." She returned his smile warmly, a smile that slowly turned into a frown, her eyes grew stern and Shirou quickly wished he had kept his eyes shut. "I told you, it isn't safe for you as it used to be, you're a target and should be protected. What warrior would leave his house without his sword?"
"I had Rin there with me, and I got a blow in with my sword. She was too cocky, we caught her stealing the mana of a girl but she didn't fully retreat when we arrived, she stayed close enough to observe us. Rin and I got into a scuffle, I doubt a Servant wouldn't notice that, if I had let her go with knowledge of our abilities, especially if I don't get information in return, it would've been a wasted opportunity." Shirou rose from his mat so he could meet Saber's face, "It was a success Saber."
Saber rose her left eyebrow, "Oh?"
"She used a chained spear that can go intangible at her leisure, she doesn't mind killing people, and she's probably responsible for the Bounded Field around the school, Rin destroyed the circles but they returned along with new ones. She was seductive, extremely fast, and kept her eyes wrapped, which is either a cosmetic choice, or her eyes contain something she wants hidden or saved for use."
Saber soaked in the information, her chin tucked into her hand as she swam through her pool of data. "Was she a snake from the waist down?"
"Umm, no."
"Then all I have are guesses, but from the classes present to us, it would make sense for her to be of the Rider or Caster class. You wouldn't have seen an Assassin if they attacked you, a good one at least." Saber stood up from Shirou's side, smoothing the wrinkles from her skirt as she stood.
"So uh, how long were you watching over me?" As he asked he too joined Saber on his feet, albeit far more gingerly.
"As soon as Rin brought you home, a hole in your arm and dried blood on your lips. Thankfully, your injuries have again healed quite well, although from the look on your face, there are some lingering pains?"
He rolled his left shoulder around, "A little, nothing to worry about."
Saber put her hands on her hips, "I think you've lost the privilege of saying what I should worry about. The same could be said for the amount of protection you have, from now on I'll be sleeping in here."
A small smile appeared on Shirou's face, "Don't get me wrong, I don't mind but-"
"Glad to hear it, I'll move my bed in, you'll need to move over a little."
A protest arose, lingering but never escaping Shirou's lips as Saber left the room. He couldn't let her go through with this, but he needed to formulate what he was going to say, simple protest wouldn't get him out of this one. He began to put his mind to task, developing a concise arrangements of statements so convincing she wouldn't be able to protest. The idea was instantly dashed when Saber reappeared a second later, her bed in tow behind her.
"Saber, this isn't going to work, I cannot allow this." His feet were planted, he looked into her eyes, his emerald reflection looked back at him, he looked stern, certain.
She looked shocked, she looked behind her at the bed, "Are you sure? I assumed you would rather it be this way, to provide you with more comfortability."
"No, I appreciate the gesture, I do but really, it's not necessary." He sighed, the situation couldn't be going smoother, all he had to do was stay focused and factual.
"Very well, we'll share your bed." She was gone behind the door the second after, Shirou raced to the door, throwing it open with his remarks of disapproval but was met with the forehead of Sakura. Shirou came too on the ground, rubbing his head as he looked up to Sakura who stood in the doorway looking no worse for wear, yet extremely worried.
"Sempai! Are you all right? I'm so sorry, you came out so fast that I couldn't react, you know I wouldn't do something like this on purpose right?."
The muddled pool of vision gained clarity, Shirou could now see Sakura's distressed expression clear as day. He looked past Sakura and down the hall, but there was no sight of his Servant, and he definitely didn't want Sakura to catch wind of his new sleeping arrangements.
"Here let me help you." Sakura reached out to him and he took her hand gratefully. Pulling him up from the floor, Shirou felt something in his shoulder stretch and tear. The sharp incursion of pain made him recoil in response, tugging back in hopes to reconnect his shoulder and hopefully mitigate damage, but Sakura never let go, and came tumbling down to the ground on top of him. He could feel the cool touch of the wooden floor, Sakura's warmth and softness were sending his senses into overdrive, she was wearing a t shirt and pajama bottoms so Shirou could feel every curve that pressed into his skin. His chest and shoulders had been bandaged but he was for all intents and purposes topless, and Sakura soon caught onto this after regaining her bearings, looking up to meet brown eyes. Shirou looked into Sakura's eyes, a flash of something primal crept by, to which Shirou attributed to their current proximity to each other.
"Sorry, I'm not entirely healed, you pulled on my bad shoulder." He got up, making sure to help her up as well, disregarding the absurdity of how red her face was, considering he could still feel the phantom sensation of her breasts pressed against his chest, the thought of which brought a matching blush to his own face. "W-would you want to help me with breakfast today? You're cooking skills seem to improve by the day." He smiled, hoping to disarm the situation before he got attacked (again).
Sakura's blush lessened as she nodded her head with vigor, "Oh yes, I'd be happy to assist, I do have much to learn however, forgive me if my cooking doesn't meet your expectations."
He waved her dismissal away, "Nonsense, let's go see your progress." He made his way out of his room but not before grabbing a shirt from his dresser. Now he was walking down the hall, Sakura behind him a step. He could feel her staring into the back of his head but he was used to it and didn't think twice of it. "What's new with you Sakura?"
"Well between archery, school, and helping you out around the house, I keep myself pretty busy. Shinji has been acting really distant lately, more than usual, and whenever I am around him, I get this weird feeling that something just doesn't feel right, and that I've found something I've been missing. People have been saying that he and Ayako are missing, I just hope that he's alright, I know he's an acquired taste but he wouldn't hurt Ayako."
He considered what she said before replying, "As long as I've known Shinji, this entire thing will clear up and he'll be no worse for wear." He looked back over his shoulder to her, "so no need to worry, I'll go find him myself if it has to come to that, but I truly doubt it does. Give him some time, he was probably out with one of his girlfriends." He had seen the look of desperation in sakura's eyes, so desperate to be right. He respected the love Sakura had for Shinji, moreso how she showed the same compassion to others as well. It would've broken his heart to tell her Shinji might be a suspect or victim, and he figured the optimism he showed would bring good fortune. "I love how caring you are Sakura, you're like a saint. You've really grown into your own over the years and you're still growing, I know you're going to be a great woman in the near future, I'm glad to know you." He hoped the compliment would raise her spirits, an increase in morale for one could impact the entire group. He looked over his shoulder again to see that she was staring down at her feet, a blush on her face and a smile on her lips, mission success.
They made their way to the dining area, where Saber, Taiga and Rin and sat patiently, chatting amongst each other until they noticed the two new arrivals.
"Good morning Shirou! Sakura!"
"Good morning Emiya."
He returned each their greeting in kind before following Sakura into the kitchen, making sure to hear the topic of the 3 women's conversation before he disappeared completely, hoping to ensure that Saber moving into his room remained a private matter, thankfully there was no need as their subject revolved around Taiga's recent date. Shirou allowed Sakura to prepare most of the meal for today given his injury, her need for the boost in confidence, and the additional time to think.
This 'game' seems to have some level of sentience, enough to be a dick at least, he thought, rolling his eyes. So that's something that needs to be sorted out later, along with my unspent skill points. However….. He clenched his fists, he could feel his nails biting into flesh, that thing that was impersonating my father, it needs to be dealt with. It wasn't him, and I can't knowingly allow something like that to exist, even if it is in my mind, if I get some loot and XP from it, even better. There was also the matter of the Projection magic he used the other day, his Magical Circuits had never been used at such a high capacity before all at once. The only thing of comparison in his repertoire was the Time Alter, but Kiritsugu had taught him that years ago, and he had acclimated. This new magic was something else, and his body was paying for it, but the way the game introduced it it seemed to be a fairly important concept. The materialization of blades at hs whim sounded fantastic, but he needed an area to practice when he was fully recovered.
If I can pull off that technique in the Dreamspace, I could knock out two birds with one stone. There was much to do and they hadn't even eaten yet, Shirou knew he was in for a long day, but it looked to be quite full, and hopefully he could sit down with Saber, Rin, and her Servant and talk about the details of their war plan.
Shirou Emiya, Level 39
Health: 40/100
Magic: 25/100
Strength: 29/100
Endurance: 50/100
Dexterity: 47/100
Intelligence: 30/100
Wisdom: 20/100
Luck: 60/100
Skills:
Element: Sword/Sword
Resistance: Magic (5%) Curse (5%)
Unlimited Blade Works: Level 4 (Locked)
Passive increase in Swordsmanship
6% EXP increase in Sword skills progression
10% EXP increase in Archery skills progression
Charisma: C+
Cooking: A+
Cleaning: A+
Zen: D-
Gaia's Blessing: E
Kenjutsu: C
Reinforcement Magic: C
Weapon Tracing: C-
Time Alter: C
Gun Fu: D
Pankration: Level 3 (Instant Travel: 2%)
Perks:
Ironman
Miraculous Healing
Star Constellation: Locked