Chapter 7: Bitter Present

Emiya closed his eyes as his lips sipped at the Earl Grey. A moment alone within dawn to relax and think on the biggest problem of defeating Altair.

Altair was difficult to handle, skills similar to the King of Uruk. Definitely stronger despite withholding his abilities in the battle. Fighting at the maximum limit may be the deciding factor but it could be tantamount to suicide.

The fluctuations in the world were unsteady. The restorative forces were weak. Gaia could accept only so much distortion. Unlimited Blade Works might bring the world its undoing. Without it, Altair was certain to be victorious. New tactics were needed for victory.

The world carried a hidden repository of strength. Information. Knowledge is power and he needed to understand Altair's weakness. He had to admit that his proficiency with the computer is below average but it gave needed bits and pieces. The Kid would do better but for now, he'll make do.

The plan had a flaw. How much does Altair know? She found him easily despite his attempts to find her. She knew his name, history and his Noble Phantasm. Her abilities he witnessed thus far are dangerous. The remaining question. Was it everything she had or are there any hidden cards? Exceptionally dangerous ones.

Medea or other Casters would be more suited to answer them and devise a counter. The strongest Noble Phantasm restrained by circumstance, he couldn't just make do with what he had. There isn't much time to spare. The longer he-

Someone was outside. A few moments before the front door opened, allowing its master to return home. The boy was looking better than the poor sorry state the day before. Emiya dismissed the dagger behind his back. Lowering the tea cup, he said. "Have things improved?"

"Yes." Kid summarised the story. They'd spent the night together. Her parents didn't return home, rushing some work in the office. Misfortune yet a blessing. Emiya threw in a tease but as the boy said, nothing happened.

Emiya settled the cup onto the table. "Good. She won't be squeezing the matter anymore, isn't that right?"

"For now. I guess."

The Guardian's eyes narrowed. "What have you told her?"

Kid faltered. "I, I don't know actually. I guess my feelings just came out right."

"That was difficult to believe given how you screwed it up. Especially since your approach was horrible." The kid's spectacle was worthy of a face palm.

Kid's face scrunched. "You were listening in."

"She remains a problem. You're only keeping her placated at the moment. Find another answer. I'm not going to help you on that."

"Why not?"

"I'm not your babysitter. Second, you won't be convincing if you don't believe in it."

"I'll try." Emiya chose to nod as a reply. The boy took a seat before taking his own cup of tea. The smile on the boy's face spoke of priceless taste. "Moving on, are we going to continue hiding the fact about Altair?"

The other heroes. They had their own agenda. Ignoring them was the best choice for now. The question was how this boy was involved with Altair. Structural Grasp had told enough of Altair's history. Yet the one point about the boy was a shrouded blank. Why the reference when there was almost no detail? A potential valuable asset. He needed the other boy to cooperate.

"For now. Once the situation develops properly with that Mizushino boy, we would be able to reveal everything." The direct approach would been the best but would have antagonised the others, creating more fruitless friction. There's enough problems as there is especially with a certain redhead.

"We can do better if we plan it together with them." The boy proposed. He's trying hard to bring everyone together. Let him learn at his own time.

"I know some of her abilities. That girl is powerful and formidable. I will need more information in order to prepare against her."

"I could try to talk with Mizushino, see if I can help him open up."

"I'd rather trust an antisocial robot instead."

The boy twitched. "That hurt Archer. Are we going to do nothing then?"

"I'll deal with the boy. Meantime, you can help me to gather more information on Altair. Likewise, I think those girls are eager to find out more on this Magane. You managed to pull off good investigation work. You can do the same here." Let him handle the girls and the small fry. There's no reason for him to get involved.

"An investigator eh. I guess that'll work." Kid nodded, pleased with new tasks. Emiya would in the meantime prepare the rest. He glanced at the clock. Six thirty in the morning.

"Go to school. You have a life to attend to." He stood up. There is much to do. First is to establish the limits of her-

The phone beeped, a message scrolled on the display. A quick glance turned his day outside down. Speak of the Devil.

Selesia sighed. The map of Tokyo was filled with red paper pins. The third day of the search thus far for Magane Chikujoin. They've been studying maps in search of the elusive killer. It wouldn't be long before she raises the ante and get many others hurt or killed.

Selesia and Archer had been searching for the elusive girl. Getting him to comply with her request was a pain. The white haired man begrudged her with the detailed observations of the locales, throwing in every other annoying comment now and then. He was clearly not interested in the mission.

Meteora would've been more tolerant against his crude nature. Said sage was elsewhere finding more details on Magane. She wondered if this headache is worth the results of keeping Archer in check. Just focus on the task at hand. Archer said. "We shouldn't be wasting our time finding this woman. The benefits are insignificant to the effort spent."

Selesia crossed her arms. "We can't let her be. Otherwise she will keep on murdering other people."

"Even when this could have been left to the authorities?"

"She's one of us. It's our responsibility to handle it."

Archer gave her half a glance. "Making the right priority is vital. It is clear who our real enemy is. Leaving her be would risk more lives."

"We cannot leave the people on their own here. They must be protected," She said.

"We can't protect everyone. We will be doing a lot more good taking the Princess out first."

"Sacrifice a hundred to save thousands. Is that what your philosophy about?" She clicked her tongue. The notion of sacrificing human lives reeks her gut with disgust.

"That would have been Emiya Kiritsugu's. If you know my foster father then you understand why it's the truth. It would be better and faster to cut off the source by its head." He stood up and pointed on the map. "That princess would be finding new allies to bring to her side. If we dawdle too much, we might lose our numerical advantage."

"We're trying to find both of them in the same process." She wouldn't let him decide who lives or dies. A hero doesn't make that choice.

"Yet you remain obsessed in finding a girl of no key importance." Archer pointed out.

"Kikuchihara said they haven't been able to get any new leads. However, that means there are no new creations for the time being. We can count that the Military Uniformed Princess has no new allies to bolster her side." She pointed out. "Unless that Magane joins them. Her abilities would be difficult to contend against."

Archer scoffed. "That woman who has no real skills other than her words. And you cannot trust the authorities or even Japan Self Defence force to apprehend one girl. I am quite surprised at how arrogant you can thoughtlessly be."

"You are underestimating her." He hadn't seen the destruction in that bookstore. The monster she unleashed within that tore the man to shreds. That confidence would be found wanting.

Archer chuckled. "I've fought men and beasts that destroyed armies in a single strike. This girl is nothing to me."

Selesia felt the desire to slap the man. Clenching fists kept her in check, barely. "You think you are some hotshot. It doesn't stop the fact that we need to take her into custody. Secondly, we defeated you."

"Injured and outnumbered. Also, it wasn't a defeat. We had an agreed draw." Archer stood and turned for the door. "If you want her so much, then keep on finding her. I'm going for the important target. Too much time is wasted."

Selesia watched Archer leave before saying. "Ha ha ha, a draw. I was right after all. I can't work with him."

The door opened. She turned. It would be great if Archer grovelled at her feet for forgiveness. It wasn't. Nakanogane popped his head in and backed out after a glimpse of her. What a day.

Daichi stepped into the lobby, grateful from the afternoon heat. Things felt great for once. School had returned to normal barring Kazuko's absence, nothing to worry about.

The brown jacket and jeans stood out from the adults in working suits but nobody cared. Archer was supposed to be around here. A glance of the Counter Guardian would be a small relief. A few moments through reception led him to a door.

Meteora called to enter. "Afternoon Meteora." He said while entering. "You look a little tired."

Slightly red eyes as the sage turned towards him. "Yes Hideaki. We've been busy searching for Magane Chikujoin."

Daichi said as he grabbed an empty chair. "I've heard from Archer. I want to help."

"Your assistance is appreciated. Let me explain to you the situation." Her cell phone rang and she answered. "Yes Kikuchihara." Listening to the phone, her eyes gloomed. "I understand. I'll meet you there." She ended the call and turned to him. "Unfortunately, there's a third murder now and I must go. We will get back to it another time."

Daichi leapt to his feet. "Let me come and give a hand."

Meteora narrowed her eyes. "A murder is not for the light hearted."

"If I want to help investigating, I need to have details. This is part of it isn't it?"

"We have experts that can do that. Your presence there is not necessary for the investigation."

"Do you know how to get to the place?"

"I am versed in the language and can travel. That will not be a problem."

"Flying in the open?"

"I am sure I know how to use this world's transportation. Does that satisfy you?"

"Are you sure you have money for that?"

"You are just being petty with the details are you not?" Daichi shrugged. Meteora closed her eyes and turned for the door. "Fine. Let us go."

Outside, they took a taxi on a short trip towards Roppongi Hills. During the short drive, Meteora introduced him to their target.

Magane Chikujoin, high school girl villain in a detective based manga series. They found her a few days ago before they met in Higashi. The Military Princess' team were also interested in recruiting her and both sides had a fight. The girl vanished afterwards but there were trails of murder left in her wake.

A red tower next to the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Reaching the twentieth floor, they stepped out of the elevator and walked toward the end of the corridor. The last room had been barricaded with police tape and they entered.

Meteora asked. "Who is the victim?"

"Haruto Kobayashi. Owner of a printing business." Kikuchihara answered as she displayed a badge to the police officer.

Daichi glanced around as the police and forensic worked. Black marble tiles. Glass walls and a balcony with a great view towards the park a few blocks away. "Wow. This is a rich man's place." The deceased was on the floor beside the blue sofas. A man, balding white hair in a suit. A hand towards the chest. A forensic officer was busy taking photographs.

Kikuchihara stepped beside them as the officer walked out. "The police are collecting details about the victim. They'll have it ready for us in a short while."

Daichi crouched behind the officer. "Excuse me, what's the cause of death?"

The forensic man raised a brow. A glance to Meteora before he answered. "Not known for sure but the signs are pointing to suffocation or a heart attack." Daichi had a better look at the body. The man's face was flushed red. The neck looked swollen. The man's wide eyes frozen into a twisted mess of fear. A feeling gnawing inside him, a taste of death.

Daichi pulled away and looked outside. His stomach didn't want to keep the gaze at it. Kikuchihara's words were barely out of earshot. "Meteora, I disagree with Hideaki being here." Annoyance flustered before he kept it down. The next room needed a look anyway.

"A stubborn boy," Meteora said. "I will talk to him about it."

"Very well. I'll ask the forensics to pass a copy of the details." Kikuchihara said before turning around to attend the officials.

The bedroom was empty and clean. Daichi noticed some yellow plastic markers scattered within the room. Each item had been bagged and placed there. Forensics were taking photographs of the evidence. Keeping some room to avoid touching, his gaze glanced around. There wasn't anything that stuck out as important. The other room would be more useful.

As he returned, Meteora was glancing around the main room. She said. "Unlike the previous crime scene, this place is neat." A safe behind the bookshelf by the corner. The door slightly ajar. They glanced inside. Empty. Meteora stepped out to the balcony. She knelt to a marker on the floor. A closer look revealed a long strand of purple hair. She asked. "Have you made an assessment?"

Daichi kept himself from staring at the victim's face. "She's cruel." The forensics began to bag the body. "The way he died is painful to watch." He pointed to the open safe. "Her motivation here was money. She didn't need to kill him."

"Unfortunately, some people behave that way. That is why we need to put a stop to her. The previous murders were a reflection to her personality. However I do not think that money is the sole motivation."

"I don't think she'd know who this man is though. Why would she find him to kill him in his own home?"

"Her actions puzzle me thus far," Meteora said as the black bag was placed beside the body. "Despite the erratic sense of actions, there remains some cold logic and purpose inside them."

That felt complicated. One step at a time. Daichi pointed to the ceiling. "Maybe the camera here can tell at least what happened. Let me ask the police for the security video." He turned to leave outside. A sigh behind him. Trouble was coming. He can feel it.

Selesia stared at the screen. White twin tails. Military Uniform. The sword. The confidence in her smile. Every detail matched. They found their target. "There's no doubt about it."

"Altair. That's her name." Meteora agreed. Nakagone had gathered everyone within the meeting room. The exception was Archer and Sota whom remained to be found. Odd since the Counter Guardian was in the vicinity earlier.

Nakagone explained as he opened an image gallery. "Given the notes I've found, she's based off another character called Shirotsumekusa from a social game called Eternal Wars Megalosphere."

Mirokuji pointed out. "That looks totally different from her. How on earth is she related?" Selesia had to agree. The young girl with the large diamond staff. Green dress against black uniform. Long pink hair against white. Complete contrast.

Nakagone nodded. "That's right. She turned into a completely different character."

Kikuchihara said. "In other words, they are completely separate people, am I correct?"

Marine hummed from the back. "That isn't totally accurate." She raised a finger while explaining. "Altair is a well-made secondary creation. Most secondary creations are parodies built to meet another theme or style. If the case where a secondary character with a plot is better than the original story, it is accepted as a separate story with its own rights."

Selesia asked. "So, if someone other than Matsubara wrote a different story about me, does that mean another version of me would be born?" What would it mean to have multiple copies of her to exist in this world?

Meteora answered. "It depends if the changes are able to blend into the original story. Stories would have to be consistent for them to work."

"That is a tough call to say." Daichi added, his seat beside Marine.

"You have some experience to say about it?" Matsubara asked.

"I, uh had some experience writing these type of parodies you see." He explained. "Usually stories in Fan fiction genre tend to break away from the original plot. Some may include references to new characters, alternate universe scenarios or crossovers with another story."

"Is that such a big change in revision?" Meteora asked.

"Not as much to an original novel. It's a lot easier to write when you have an existing foundation. There are usually a lot of problems that come with it though such as the parody is unable to stay in character."

Matsubara nodded with a thumbs up. "Writing is a tough job after all. There's so much to consider in the big picture down to the smallest detail. Character is key."

"Matsubara's characters are the hardest to understand," Marine said.

Matsubara sighed to that as Nakanogane added. "That's part of the point isn't it? Since normal people like us are hard to figure out. That's why your artwork is important to bring an image to the audience."

Marine raised a finger. "Thanks Nakanogane, it helps to be appreciated by authors sometimes unlike a certain man." The middle aged man in question fidgeted.

Meteora gave a light cough. "We are going off topic. In a nutshell, it can be considered they are two separate people. The traits that defined them, personalities and goals are very different and can be considered as individual characters on their own right." They all agreed on this. "Based on this, Altair's world is recognised as completely independent and probably separated itself from the game."

"Since we know Altair's an individual character, who is her Creator?"

Nakanogane tapped a few screens on his laptop. "This is the video that made Altair famous." The screen turned black before a set of text. The name of the video, World's Etude and its author, Setsuna Shimazaki.

Nakanogane continued explaining. "I tried searching around but I couldn't find any clues. I'm sure this is the author but the person hasn't been online for three months." The music video began to reveal Altair's birth from the fragments of a meteorite whilst showing the contrast between her and the original.

"I will assist with the investigation on that end." Kikuchihara offered. The resources from the government would be better suited to such a task.

"If we know who it is, we can proceed to the next action." Meteora said. "In the meantime, we should study with Matsubara on clues how to achieve the revision we desire."

"If you could make me stronger, by all means." Selesia smiled. "I'd like to smash Altair's cocky face into the ground."

"That's not your thing though." Matsubara chipped in.

"Anything for that annoying brat."

Kikuchihara received a phone call. "Yes, yes everything's okay now. Please bring them here immediately." Ending the call, she addressed to them. Everyone, we've found two authors that are involved with characters that have appeared. They're on the way here now."

"Who are they?"

"One is for Yuya Mirokuji. The other for Blitz Talker."

Yuya stood up from his seat. "Oh, my God is coming here? Now this is going to be interesting."

Meteora stood up. "Very well, let's talk to them."

The Creators were on the way and would take twenty minutes to arrive. The others went on first to the conference room. Selesia held back in wait. Her instincts were ringing alarms. A question that needed answering. A missing entity that should be here yet is not. She walked along the corridor, looking for the person who could answer it.

She found him standing around a corner. Selesia waved. "Hideaki, a word with you."

Hideaki pointed to the phone by his ear. "A moment. Sota's calling." A nod. She stood and waited as Hideaki made a quick discussion. The boy finished the call in a minute and apologised. "Sorry about that, Sota asked for a meet up with me tomorrow. What do you want to talk to me about?"

"Your good friend Archer."

"What about it?"

"Where is he?"

"Don't know. I have no control over him."

Selesia nodded. "That's right. However his intentions were very clear. Something was strange when I thought about it. Why isn't he here?"

Hideaki shrugged. "Again, I don't know."

Selesia wrapped her arms. "I confirmed Meteora did inform him about Altair. Yet he isn't here. Something doesn't add up." Now would be a good moment to set the trap. "I remember reading something about Archer. That he could identify a weapon's owner."

"Yes, that sort of ability is in his character description." Hideaki nodded.

Time to spring it. "If that is the case, has he already known about Altair beforehand?"

Hideaki paused in thought. "I don't know."

Right into it. "I've thought so. You are a bad liar." She leaned closer towards him. "Did he ask you to keep it a secret?"

Hideaki's eyes met hers. "Yes. There's a reason behind it."

She needed to dig more information. "By any chance that you know about this reason?"

"It's best not to say." Anger burst from her arm, pushing him against the column.

"For whose benefit? Meteora had been stubborn in making sure things went right with you and you're keeping things away from us? You speak as though we should work together but look at what you're doing."

Hideaki turned away from her gaze. "It'll be revealed in time. Giving it earlier wouldn't be a good thing. Can you just wait for the best moment?"

"When we are dead? I knew it was hard to trust him, to think he'd pull you into it." The point was revealed. Red hot anger turned to cold disappointment. Selesia closed her fist. The boy was just used like a tool. "I had some faith in you Hideaki. Now, not so much." She backed away towards the room. "A word of advice. This world is built on trust and breaking them leaves you with no bridges to turn back. That's all I am going to tell you." She left him outside.

Masaki Nakanogane felt good today. They've found Altair's identity and could prepare something against her. Now with Kikuchihara bringing new Creators, the team would grow bigger to fight against the bad guys.

The good guys always win, right? Especially since the day before they had a new pair to join the group. Archer and this kid apparently running on a partnership basis. Masaki couldn't believe it when Archer was around. Sure the Heroic Spirit was rather problematic but he understood the man. It was part of his character description after all. The kid though was a fan of anime and manga, seems like a good kid to him and Marine so far.

Hideaki and Selesia were the last to enter. The Chevalier didn't look happy when she took a seat beside Meteora. Hideaki sat on the opposite end of the room beside him and Marine. A glance toward Hideaki was met with a shrug. Better leave it be since it wasn't his business anyway.

Everyone seated, Kikuchihara said. "The two Creators are entering the building as we speak. Mr. Nakanogane, do we have any other information about Altair?"

Masaki stood up and reported. "No, unfortunately that's what I've found so far. I'm planning to dive later into some anime clubs to search for more information."

"A secondary creation. I wonder how she appeared in this world." Marine said.

"That is up to us to find out. She is the cause we are here in this world after all," Meteora said. The door knocked. A police officer entered whom Kikuchihara conversed. The man left before two people entered.

A man and woman entered, standing across them in the room. First impression he had about the woman was a biker. Jeans with a black jacket. Black hair in a tomboy fashion exuded the sense of toughness and solitude. However she did look rather on the sick side.

The man had a similar feel, pants and jacket. A goatee with wild stallion hair down to neck. Masaki struck him as familiar. Where did he meet him?

Kikuchihara introduced them. "This is author of Code Babylon, Shunma Suruga. Her real name is Chika Ohsawa." Masaki decided to call them by their author names. "This is author for Exclusive Underground, Ryo Yatoji. His real name is Ryosuke Goda. I anticipate that just like everyone here we will be requesting your cooperation as Creators in the future."

"Hey, I'm Yatoji." Yatoji raised a hand and small wave.

The woman was lethargic by the drawls in her voice. "My name is Suruga. I wrote Code Babylon. A pleasure."

"I didn't know you were a woman Suruga." Marine spoke.

"Yes, I often get mistaken for a man." Suruga tilted her head to meet Marine's eyes. "I'm already used to it."

"So this is the person who was drawing those pictures. Amazing." Masaki heard Marine mumble. He heard similar sentiments from behind.

Matsubara stood up and introduced himself. "I'm Matsubara. I haven't seen you since we met at Kogakusha's party." Ah, that's right. The publication launch party for his latest novel.

Yatoji was puzzled. "Have we met before? I don't remember." Matsubara's face grew puzzled.

Marine turned around towards him. "Do those two not get along?"

"I don't know the details but it doesn't look that way." Masaki answered.

Yatoji pressed both hands into his jacket before turning back towards Kikuchihara. "So what is this about? I have a deadline. I'm busy. If you have something to say, keep it short."

"Hey there." Mirokuji called out as he stood up from the back.

Yatoji paused, eyes sharp in study. "What? Why is a cosplayer from my manga here? Although I'd say he's doing a good job."

Mirokuji set off a storm. "What do you mean 'did a good job making me'? I'm the original."

The Creator huffed. "Even in character, what a strange guy. Don't tell me all the fuss was just to see this guy."

"I thought you weren't such a bad guy but I'm disappointed. Selesia's God is a million times better than you. Get your act together. I thought you were a real man."

"The police came to my house all of a sudden and talked about some nonsense and brought me here. I got a lot to deal with too. Because I'm a real man unlike a man that goes around cosplaying."

"You're the god of our world. I have a lot of things I want to say to you. Saying it wouldn't change anything, I have no intention to ramble on like Altair. And now I hear you calling me a cosplayer like its nothing." Mirokuji was oozing with anger. "It pisses me off."

"I have a bad feeling about this." Kanoya had rested against his arm. Masaki agreed with him alongside uncomfortable glances. Although Yatoji was a Creator, he was asking for trouble.

Meteora hissed. "Mirokuji, I want you to restrain yourself here." Her words meant nothing as Hangaku appeared and grabbed Yatoji by the scuff of his neck. Oh boy, here it comes.

Yelps of surprise as Matsubara shot to his feet. "Mirokuji, don't do anything to his right hand and his head." Afterwards, all hell broke loose. Masaki would remember this for life though. The stories that nobody would ever believe because it was too crazy to be true.

Daichi stared at the ceiling. Whenever he closed his eyes, the face of the dead man would appear. Frozen in tormented pain. He could imagine the face screaming into his ears and it scared him. The other deaths were equally disturbing. One forced to hang himself. Another torn to bloody shreds by a beast.

Selesia's words came after, a hiss of poison. He is powerless against them. Beings that break reality. What could he do?

You don't need to be an idiot trying to get himself killed

Archer made pragmatic advice. Still, I can't stop. Never again. Stepping outside, he saw Archer at the dining table. Kanshou and Bakuya were on the table. The paired swords glowed a gentle green under Archer's touch. "Why are you practising?"

The glow faded. "Old habit. Can't afford to grow rusty."

Daichi leaned forward to get a better look. "Those swords are beautiful." The moonlight shined along the curves of steel. The swords vanished. "How much does the world affect your projections?"

Archer leaned against the chair. "I said once before. It's unstable. I don't like the curiosity on your face. What idea are you thinking about?"

"I need a favour." Archer raised an eyebrow as Daichi explained his request.

Archer's gaze sharped to steel. "Kid, are you so eager to die?"

Daichi stood resolute. "It's a question I want answered." The opportunity needed to be confirmed. If it worked, it would change the game.

"At the cost of your life? I am not interested to send you to the afterlife. I have enough friends there as it is." Archer scoffed.

"You've done it before. Not just once but multiple times. Things should pull through just fine."

"That is because of damn plot armour. If I died outright at the start of a story, that would've been a painfully short and stupid one isn't it? Give it up kid. It's not worth trying this for an answer."

"To be a Magus is to walk with Death." Daichi stared into grey eyes.

Archer coughed. "At first I thought you were a smart kid. Then I've been thinking I'm seeing another idiot. Now it's confirmed, I'm looking at a lunatic."

Daichi felt another stare of death. He held his ground, squeezing the back of the chair. "Since we're in this, we do this together."

A sigh. "If you are so determined, I won't ask to change your mind. However, prepare yourself that death is almost certain. If you want to survive, your will must be strong."

"We'll succeed. I have faith in you Archer." A few moments later, his certainty was doubtful. "Isn't this overkill?"

Archer had him seated at the chair. Shirt removed, back exposed. Archer towered over him as he had Daichi lean against the table top. Hands and legs were tied with cloth. The Guardian stuffed cloth into his mouth. "Breathe deeply and relax your body." Daichi tried to relax with a few slow breaths. It was difficult. He felt a rough hand on his back. "Trace on."

Warmth. Arching along his back, it felt ease. Like a tinder fire, it raged into an inferno. Burning hot. His throat screamed, teeth digging into the towel. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. An image flashed before his eyes.

A city in flames. A young boy walking through Hell. Collapsed in exhaustion. Saved from the ruins by a broken man in tears. In a flicker, it disappeared. Back to his room and the inferno raged. Sweat glistened, turning flesh hotter like a sauna. The air in his lungs, stale and burning hot.

"Breathe." Archer said. Fresh air filled his nostrils. So cool against flesh yet they helped to fuel the fire. Fanned flames grew stronger. Coursing through his body, up and down. Everywhere burned. No relief. It felt forever, just like his screams. Muffled screaming helped, a little.

The flames raged before tightening into a core. Pain compressed deeper into the spine and the thunderstorm came. Sharp tingles along the nerves, pulsing rapidly. Electric jabs jumped around, jerking muscles involuntarily. Screams cut short by the freezing bouts that took everything. Two different tortures in one.

Pain. It's just so great. Daichi felt the choice to die was better. Give up and end it. "Hold on." Archer assured. A short relief before it grew again. The heat, spiralling along the back. The limbs felt so cold in contrast. The spiral branched out into a web. The tingles grew along the nerves. They didn't hurt now. A bond formed like a coat.

The inferno vanished in a blink. Daichi felt hot sweat along clammy skin. Archer stepped in front of him. "You are fortunate to survive." The gag towel was wet from saliva.

Daichi spat the towel away. Teeth hurt from biting too hard. "I can feel it." Hot, fresh out of the forge. One Magic Circuit like a third vein. A single core that pulsed following the rhythm of his heart.

Archer explained as he rinsed the towel in the sink. "I have used your nerves as an anchor for the circuit. This way it should be less affected by Gaia's interference and last longer. There may be side effects."

Daichi felt them slowing down before silence. He chose not to try anything to agitate them. "I should be fine."

Archer applied the towel. The cold sensation felt bliss. An oasis within the desert. "That's remarkably optimistic for someone who nearly died."

"Thanks to the man that made his own Magic Circuits for years."

Archer chuckled. "That had been stupid." He plopped the towel on Daichi's head. "Keep them off for now until your body gets used to it."

"What can I do with them now?"

"Nothing with them."

"Why didn't you bother to say that in the first place?"

"You never asked. Now do you realise the level of idiocy you've just attained Kid?"

"Great…so I can pretty much just turn them on and off." Flickering like a bloody light bulb.

"Summed as much. I'm not going to teach you any Magecraft afterwards. I don't need the idiot to dig deeper into his grave. Now go sleep." Sleep is a very good idea. A pity he didn't get any throughout the night.

Meteora compiled the papers into neat stacks on the table. The meeting room cum office had stacks of documents in every corner. A messy place needing further work but it had peace compared to the fiasco earlier.

Magane Chikujoin remained to be found. Their approach thus far had not been working. It was frustrating to watch as people die from her hand.

The door knocked. She called to enter. Kikuchihara entered with a folder in hand. "Meteora, here are all the information gathered by the forensics team." She placed it on the table. "It includes their autopsy analysis on the case."

Meteora studied the papers. "Cause of death is by myocardial infraction. I am unfamiliar with this term."

"Basically, it means a heart attack." Kikuchihara explained. "The forensics were unsure to how the heart attack occurred as Kobayashi was in good health and noted it down. Can we agree that Chikujoin murdered him?"

Meteora settled the papers down. "Yes, your hypothesis is correct. She had him murdered for money. The video from the camera had proved Chikujoin as the murderer. Seven hundred thousand Yen was stolen from the safe after Kobayashi's demise."

"A murder for relatively so little. If she wanted money, there would be better options."

"We likewise agree. Hideaki and I were unable to discern the other part of the motive. The money is just a benefit." Meteora had spent a few hours trying to read the novel Magane debuted in. It was difficult to understand the mind of the girl.

"Speaking of Hideaki, he should be excluded from further crime scenes. Murders and death aren't things that a teenager should be seeing."

"I've already talked to him as we discussed. He remained persistent in volunteering. I will utilise him in a way to find Chikujoin and Altair on something appropriate as of now." A pause as Meteora sorted the document into sections. I hope there would be no more murders."

"Thank you Meteora. Enthusiastic as he can be, he shouldn't be doing things that are beyond his capability." Kikuchihara said as she leaned against the table.

"Hideaki does it because there is no other option. That is the flaw I see in him."

Kikuchihara loosened her office coat. "I believe there is a phrase of 'Goody two shoes' for that."

Meteora shook her head. "Unfortunately, that isn't the case. The better answer would be 'He condemns himself for doing nothing.'"

"I see." Kikuchihara stood up properly from the table. "In the meantime, would you like some coffee and some dinner?"

"Yes, a Long Black please." There would be another long night. "Speaking of which, how is Kanoya doing?" The Mecha pilot had been reined in by the Coordinator. Gigas Machina had been stored into a warehouse. A team of engineers were renovating the roof to make it easy to send the war machine when needed. That made him finicky.

Kikuchihara chuckled. "He's doing nothing besides searching for fun. Mirokuji is keeping him reigned in from overdoing it."

"Good. I never thought that man would be useful in such capacity."

"Speaking of him, Mirokuji left a message when I met him earlier." Kikuchihara placed the folded note on the table. She opened it and read.

Hey Metchin, Kanoya and I are hanging out at the karaoke. We'll be back late tonight. Also, we run out of ice cream at home. Buy some on the way back will you?

She crushed the note. "I am sorely mistaken."

Author's Notes:

Here's the next chapter update, more or less in the timeframe. Going to keep this short as I'll be working in a short bit.

Thank you for reading and reviewing . It had been a tough week so to say on this project. I've been working on reviewing the entire plot due to some nagging feeling and the reviews helped to reinforce the notion. Building an entire excel of the remaining plot, I was regrettably mistaken on how much Daichi I had in there. Granted, he started as a main character but eventually relegated to a key character.

I've had doubts on whether the change to him would work but nothing on my research could point a definitive answer. I consider it important to opening more options on the Fate realm and thus kept it in.

That said, the other characters get proper attention instead while trying not to overdo it. Doing the last minute work and I find out there are more things to fix, hence this chapter is a bit shorter and all my chapter buffers are considered null. They'll be priority to fix to restore.

Some scenes will be familiar in the notion of the plot and someone did raise up the fact and concern. I am aware of it and trying to imagine the changes based on how the characters would react.

Thanks for reading and hope to have your support in making this story better.

Regards

MarksmanKNG