"I am the bone of my sword"
Rubble littered the area, a sea of flames burning brightly within the market square of Sardinia only fueled further by nearby cars. Buildings lay broken, the ground a wasteland of trampled dirt and grime. Ginourmous tusks jutted through another building and snapped it in half, a primal roar surging to life in the air. People screamed and ran for safety. It would do them no good. Glass and stone fell like rain, showering over those that fled. Cars were jammed on the road, lights flashing and alarms blaring. The earth shook, massive tremors spreading throughout the ground.
Red-eyes looked impassively at the fleeing populace and turned away to continue towards a path of distruction. Embers of flickering flame exuded from the flaming body in which the red-eyes were attached to. It was a flaming boar, larger than the tallest house, and longer than any football stadium. Its brown fur swayed with every step, its maw filled with sword like canines. All in its way were reduced to nothing, trampled to oblivion. None could oppose it, none could stop its charge, and yet a brave blond-haired girl jumped head first into the fray. It was beautiful in a sense, the flames enhancing the overall look of the fiery red dress the girl wore. She flew through the air, her form graceful, her intent all but clear. A magical circle appeared before her, and from it she drew a sword-Cuore de Leone. For all her effort however, she could do nothing but irritate the boar, and was consequently knocked aside.
A youth stood atop a building several miles away, his hair an odd mix of red and blond.
"Trace on."
A sword appeared in his hand, ornate, peerless, divine. In his other hand formed a black bow, its length greater than the average man. The youth narrowed his eyes on the distant boar, his vision far exceeding that of an average mortal.
"My core is twisted in madness."
What occurred next could almost be considered a sin. The divine sword in the youths hand, twisted and bent, becoming something that could barely even be considered a sword. With practiced grace, the youth knocked the altered sword onto his black bow and pulled it tightly against the bow's string. Already taught with tension, the youth pulled the bow string back even further.
"Soar, Caladbolg II."
A shock wave spewed forth behind the sword launched, azure blue light spiraling at its tip. The distance to the boar was traveled in an instant, the impact created unimaginable. The world erupted in a burst of magical flames, the boar taking the brunt of the damage as a nuclear shroom cloud ascended into the air. The boar wobbled, its movements lucid and uncertain, its lower half completely blown away.
The youth traced another sword and knocked it onto his bow in the same manor as the last, intent on finishing off the boar. Unexpectedly, a gust of violent wind beat him to it, destroying the boar with gale force winds.
Far from angered, the youth just smiled, happy to know that at least the danger was over. With a flick of his hand, the bow and sword vanished in a flurry of particles. Casually, he jumped down the building he stood atop and disappeared from sight just in time to miss the appearance of a cloaked purple haired boy.
Shirou didn't know what he was getting into by remaining near the city of Sardinia, but he knew he couldn't stand back and watch as people were placed in danger. Which is why he found himself roaming the trampled streets of Sardinia in hopes of finding any survivors. He searched and searched and searched, finding numerous people buried beneath the rumble in hollow cavities. Many civilians cried when Shirou saved them, their despair fading from their faces. And yet Shirou could see that not all were happy. Many had lost family and friends, for them he could do nothing but offer his condolences. However, he could do something for those who were injured.
It happened when he was treating a man who's skin was burnt black. Shirou had traced a copy of Avalon, finding that the sheath's properties worked due to Arthur's presence, and placed it over the man who lay unconscious. It sank into the man in a burst of light particles. A gasp was heard from behind him, and he slowly turned around. A black-haired boy stood before him wearing a white sweater over his black shirt, and next to him stood the girl who had confronted the boar. The boy had been the one to gasp, his mouth still hanging open. The girl stared at him calculatingly.
Shirou had messed up. He had been to enraptured with helping those in front of him that he forgot that he was currently in a room available to anyone. He had been careful trying to keep the existence of magic away from the common populace, lest the world's magic organization deem him a threat. Now however, he had just exposed a civilian to the world of magic. Shirou hoped that the rules about people who discovered the existence of magic were not similar to his world. He leveled a stern gaze on the blond next to the boy for Shirou knew she was of the magic side.
The blond stepped forward, her stride confident.
"What did you do to that man?" She questioned, face impassive. "Based on your answer, I may have to take action."
"E-Erica, what are you doing?" The boy asked.
"What needs to be done, Godou." Erica responded offhandedly.
Shirou sighed in relief. Based on the two's conversation, the boy already knew the existence of magic.
"Nothing of harm." Shirou said without pause as he stood up. "Look for yourselves."
Almost in response to Shirou's words, Avalon's power lit up in a flash of radiant blue. Tendrils of holy power raced across the burned man's body, repairing all damage. In the end, not even a blemish was left on the man's skin.
"Amazing." Godou said. "I've never seen such a thing."
"Neither have I." Erica said before staring at Shirou.
A brief silence spread throughout the room as Erica gathered her thoughts.
"Which organization do you hail from?" Erica asked. "You are not of the Copper-Black Cross, nor are you of the Bronze-Black Cross."
"I'm not part of an organization," Shirou said as he knelt next to the healed man and extended an open palm to grasp at the resurfaced Avalon. "I'm more of a freelance going wherever my path takes me."
Erica's gaze left Shirou's and drifted to Avalon.
"And what ancient artifact is that?"
"A holy one." Shirou said as he tucked it beneath his jacket and willed it to fade away. "Now if you will excuse me, I must go."
Shirou stepped passed Erica and Godou, but was soon stopped by Erica's call. He turned around and once again met Erica's gaze.
"Would you be interested in helping us save the lives of millions?" Erica asked.
"Save?"
"Yes, a heretic god is on the loose, and millions could end up dead. As your unaffiliated with any organziation, you are in a postion where it wouldn't matter if I asked for your help." Erica said.
Shirou paused, thoughts spinning in his head. The woman with eyes of glass had told him to prove himself, and if he could save people in the process, isn't accepting the best course of action? Shirou nodded his head, his mind made up.
"I'll help." He said.
"Good, My name is Erica Blandelli and this is Godou Kusanagi."
Erica motioned to herself and Godou before reaching out an open hand.
"Shirou Emiya." Shirou said as he shook Erica's hand.
"Now then, follow me." Erica said after letting go of Shirou's hand.
Erica along with Godou walked out of the room, Shirou following soon after.
It turns out Shirou's assumption that Godou was familiar with the magic side of the world was wrong. Way wrong. In fact, Godou reminded Shirou of himself when he stumbled head first into the Holy Grail War. The similarities were just to coincidental that Shirou couldn't help but wonder if it was a twisted act of fate. Nevertheless, Erica Blandelli was able to inform Godou of the ways of magic while unintentionally giving Shirou insight of the way magic worked in the world he was in. Different from his world where one utilizes their inner prana to manifest their mage craft, magic users in the world he found himself in base their magic off of a god's grace. Attributing their magic to align with a particular god for a particular effect.
The group traveled to Godou's initial destination. A house owned by a woman named Lucretia Zola who Godou was delivering a magic tomb to. Located near the coast of Sardinia, it had a grand view of the ocean.
Shirou, Godou, and Erica stepped out of the car they drove in and walked to the gate of Lucretia Zola's house.
"I've never seen you before. Who are you?" A voice said from above them.
"A cat?" Godou said as his gaze traveled up towards the black cat perched on the tiled roof.
Shirou widened his eyes. In front of him wasn't just a cat, it was a familiar. Rin had told him once of high ranking magi capable of wielding familiars, it's just that he's never seen one before.
"We're here to make a delivery on behalf of Ichirou Kusanagi, lady Lucretia Zola." Erica said.
"Ichirou?" The cat said. "I haven't heard that name in a while. By all means, come in."
The gate opened and Shirou, Erica, and Godou walked inside.
Inside Lucretia Zola's house was no different from any of the other houses Shirou has had the pleasure of seeing in Sardinia. Paintings lined the walls, and windows allowed for maximum light efficiency. Overall the house wasn't bad. It wasn't long before the cat lead Shirou, Erica, and Godou into the living room.
"Excuse my terrible manors." Lucretia said. She lay on her side, a hand perched by her head to support herself. "Being able to use magic makes one lazy."
Shirou had to stop himself from openly gawking at the boldness of Lucretia. She had a body that could put models to shame, and yet she chooses to brazenly wear such daring lingerie in front of guests. She wore a laced purple bra that just barely seemed to be able to hold her breasts, and a matching garder belt that had frills near the edges. Furthermore, her long silky brown hair enhanced her brown eyes. Luckily for Shirou, he had been exposed to something like this before, but Godou...He was a flustered mess. His eyes darting around as he had no idea where to look.
"She-She looks young." Godou whispered.
"What's the matter?" Lucretia asked.
"Well I thought you were my grandfather's acquaintance so I thought..." Godou trailed off, not wanting to offend Lucretia.
"I guess I can be old when compared to normal humans, but my youth has not yet faded." Lucretia raised her legs sensually into the air, her stockings running up her legs drawing Godou's attention. "The sun will set soon. Would you like to take a peak?"
Godou visibly swallowed.
"Disgusting." Erica said.
Shirou wasn't sure if Erica's insult was directed at him as well, but he chose to remain silent.
"Shut up!" Godou said to Erica who simply ignored him.
"Well, I wouldn't blame him, or the young man over there either. Youngsters don't have any self-control when it comes to certain things." Lucretia said.
"I-I do have self-control!" Godou shouted.
Shirou raised a questioning brow. He wouldn't fall for Lucretia's provocations like Godou had.
Lucretia sighed and brushed her hair back behind her ear with her left hand before picking up the tomb that Godou brought.
"The Grimoire of Prometheus? It sure brings back memories." Lucretia said with a glazed look in her eyes.
"Prometheus!" Erica exclaimed in surprise. "What do you intend to do with it?"
"Well I'm not sure. Something like this can only attract the wrong kind of people." Lucretia said. "I would like Godou to take it back if possible."
A calculative look entered Lucretia's eyes. Shirou was instantly on edge, he had seen a similar look from Kirei Kotomine when he had first met him in the Holy Grail War.
"Godou, did you meet anyone other than Erica here on your way to my home?" Lucretia asked.
"Not really...Oh! I did meet this kid who talked kind of funny though." Godou said.
Lucretia nodded her head and tossed Godou the grimoire of Prometheous.
"I'll give that to you." Lucretia said.
"Me? Wh-" Godou asked.
"-Please wait!" Erica said as she stared frustrated at Lucretia. "He's a complete novice when it comes to magic. He wouldn't even be able to use it!"
"It's a god's wish that Godou should hold onto it." Lucretia said.
"No way." Erica said.
"Coincidences are fate," Lucretia said as she gestured with her hand. "And the strings all come together in the end to lead to a destined path. Do you understand?"
Erica remained silent, her blond hair shadowing her eyes.
"That's not completely true." Shirou said as he spoke up for the first time. "Fate can be changed. If you walk down the path that you believe is right, you cannot be wrong. Coincidences are a product of chance, not fate."
"And you could prove such a statement, young man." Lucretia inquired.
"It is why I am here." Shirou replied falteringly.
If coincidences are truly fate, then what does that make EMIYA? What does that make Shirou who promised with conviction that he wouldn't become the man EMIYA became? It would make all of Shirou's efforts till present day be for naught. Shirou couldn't accept such a thing, and as such had spoke out in response with clenched hands.
"Interesting." Lucretia said while inspecting her nails.
"This is absolute rubbish." Erica stated with a huff. "It's a precious, ancient grimoire. How can you possible expect me to understand."
Erica left the room, her steps thumping heavily against the floor.
"Erica wait!"
Godou ran after Erica, leaving Shirou alone with Lucretia. As Shirou turned to leave the room, Lucretia turned a wayward glance at him, her eyes filling with a mysterious glint. Lucretia watched as Shirou exited the room before sitting up and walking over to her desk by the far wall. It wasn't a normal desk, not in the slightest. Magic circles and runes ingrained into the wood flashed a dim green before revealing a hidden compartment located under an ancient relic of a dragon. Carved scales ran down the dragon's length, its maw filled with sharp teeth. Clutched tightly in its hands, was a red jewel, a pendant that had been discovered recently that fell out of a distortion of malevolent energy from the sky. It is not yet known what it is, or what purpose it serves, but the dark energy it stored within it was enough for the Bronze-Black Cross to personally ask Lucretia to hold it for safe keeping. This however, was not what interested Lucretia at the moment, but rather the letter she had placed next to it. Specifically the line of a heroic god with eyes of golden brown, and hair a startling blend of red and blond.
"Shirou Emiya," Lucretia laughed to herself. "You truly are an interesting one."
Shirou felt a shiver run down his spine, but at the moment, it was the least of his problems. Shirou carfeully pried off a drunk Erica off of him and somehow managed to divert her attention onto Godou who just walked into the room Erica was staying at. In her drunken stupor, Erica somehow forced Godou into listening to her rant about the unfairness of life. Perhaps it would have worked better however, if she realized that she was mistaking Godou as the mask hung on the wall. Sure Shirou felt guilty for placing Godou in such a situation, but It was at this point that Shirou slipped out of the room, and into the guest room Lucretia provided.
Lying down on the guest bed, Shirou closed his eyes and found himself within Unlimited Blade Works, Arthur nowhere to be found. Shirou worried greatly about his friend, but knew that only time could heal mental wounds. It was precisely why he had grown to learn to be able to enter his inner world from The Woman with eyes of glass- to show Arthur that he could rely on him. Shirou felt Arthur's presence, in fact he was certain that Arthur was currently watching him, so like always, he sat down beside Avalon and waited.
Arthur watched Shirou from a distance. He knew he was being a coward. He knew he had no choice in ending Voban's life. But he also knew, that he himself was a cause of the incident. In Shirou, he saw Sasha, the boy he had saved, but forsaken. In Shirou, he was reminded again and again about his failure, but Shirou was earnest. Shirou had sat there waiting time after time. How long had Shirou simply just sat there waiting for him? How long would he make him wait? Arthur clenched his hands into fists. His behaviour was not fitting for a warrior, his behaviour was not fitting for a king!
Arthur brought Voban's battered scarf to his eyes and sighed in regret, his determination fading ever so slightly.
"Soon Shirou," Arthur muttered with conviction as he tied the scarf around his sword's hilt. "Soon."
Shirou awoke with a jolt, the ground trembling beneath him. Quick to action, he jumped out of bed and rushed out to see the commotion. Erica and Godou seemed to have beat him to it, they stood in the hall staring out through a window.
"What's going on?" Shirou asked.
"Nothing good." Erica replied as she and Godou rushed out of the house and into the storm outside.
Shirou followed after them, his mind visualizing a revolver being cocked. Following closely behind them, Shirou exited the front of Lucretia's house. The wind hit him first, then a torrent of rain drenched him from head to toe. A giant of a man was was walking in front of him, each step causing massive tremors on the Earth, albeit unintentionally. The man had a white beard that stretched down to encompass the upper half of his muscular armored chest, and white hair that flowed down his head like a lion's mane. His eyes were completely white, his arms equipped with circular bracers.
"What the hell is that?" Godou asked in shock.
Erica stepped forward.
"Please wait dearest god!" Erica yelled.
The god stopped and faced Erica.
"How insolent for a human to interrupt a god's work." The god said.
"Please excuse my rudeness. I take it you are the great Melquart, the king of gods the Phoenicians worshiped in ancient time."
"I'm impressed that there is still a commendable human that remembers my name." Melquart turned and fully revealed his form. "I am Melquart, the god who was once king of this island- no, the entire ocean!"
Shirou stored the name Melquart into his memory, and watched how things would play out.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning shot down from the sky and struck Melquart by the arm.
"Was that lightning?" Godou asked.
"It barely rains in Sardinia, let alone lightning..." Erica trailed off.
An image of a goat's face appeared in the sky before fading away.
Melquart drew his undamaged arm to his side and stared up at the clouds.
"Troublesome fellow, but still quite the shape-shifter. I must make haste." Melquart said as he turned and continued on his way.
Erica's face became pensive, before widening in realization.
"Melquart manifested, which means...!"
A magic circle appeared beside Erica and she instantly changed into her battle wear, the red dress Shirou recalled her wearing when she was up against the boar manifesting itself on her person. She jumped forward, intent on pursuing Melquart.
"Godou, you stay here. Shirou, I need you to cover me with whatever spells you have up your sleeve."
Shirou nodded and leapt beside Erica.
"Wait!" Godou called. "What are you going to do?!"
"Melquart intends to fight it out with another god. Shirou and I will prevent the god's from fighting. Melquart is one of the strongest gods in the Mediterranean. If Shirou and I can't stop him, this island will disappear." Erica said gravely.
"But how?" Godou asked.
"It's a knight's duty to protect the people." Erica stated as she stared at Shirou. "I know I'm asking a lot from a freelance, but will you help me?"
Something stirred deep from within Shirou, Erica's words resonating with his soul. There wasn't any doubt in his mind.
"Of course." Shirou said.
The skies churned, violent winds uprooting trees and shooting gravel like shrapnel. lightning flashed in irregular increments of time, wreaking havoc on the world. Houses caught on fire, gauges were ripped into the Earth and filled with heavy rain. At the center of all the chaos stood Melquart, his gaze directed at the youth in front of him. The youth, was cloaked from the neck down, his young face and vivid blue hair were the only features left uncovered.
"Long time no see, Melquart." The youth said.
"I have been waiting for this day Verethragna!" Melquart said.
Verethragna eyed Melquarts form.
"It seems the injuries in our last duel have not yet healed."
"You would be so conceited to revive me just to have a worthy opponent?" Melquart asked. "I will not over look such audacity just because I am wounded!"
"Then I will look forward to this."
The clouds parted, a goat and a raptor appeared and morphed into particles of light which were absorbed by Verethragna.
"With this, I have all but one of my incarnations." Verethragna said.
Melquart raised his fist and made to punch Verethragna to start the battle.
"Please wait!" A voice yelled.
Erica jumped between Melquart and Verethragna, hiding her nervousness from view. A shield was held in her right hand, and her red battle dress billowed with the wind.
"I plead you to kindly cease this battle." Erica said.
"This land is now a stage fitting for a battle between gods. Cease your nonsense human!" Melquart said.
Far from giving up, Erica stood brave against the fury of a god, and tried once again to plead with them.
"Gods please have mercy!" Erica shouted.
Verethragna floated closer to the ground and stared Erica in the eyes.
"Witch, I find your unwavering spirit against gods admirable. However, know thy place!"
Lightning shot down from the clouds and launched itself at Erica. Quickly, Erica jumped back and avoided the blow, but more lightning soon followed. Each strike of lightning cornered Erica more and more, until a point where she was forced to block with her shield. Sparks flashed to life, Erica's shield flying through the air at incredibly speed and embedding itself into the ground. Wincing in pain Erica could only look up in time to witness another bolt of lightning coming straight for her. She tried to run, tried to do anything to get away, but her body wouldn't be able to react in time. Strong hands enveloped her form, pressing her protectively against a broad chest.
"Rho Aias!"
A seven petal shield burst into existence.
Rho Aias: The Seven Rings that Cover the Fiery Heavens, is the shield based off of the legend of the hero Aias who blocked the javelin of the Great Hero Hector during the Trojan War. Originally a shield covered in seven layers of oxhide, it became a conceptual weapon said to block all projectiles due to the feat of stopping Hector's javelin. Seven reddish petals were formed in the air in the shape of an iridescent flower attributed to a rocket larkspur flower said to have bloomed from Aias's blood as he died. Seven petals, each with the durability of a fortress wall.
The lightning did not stand a chance. Striking against the Aias's walls, the lightning faded without leaving a single trace.
"A-Another holy artifact." Erica stuttered from her position held against Shirou's chest. "Impossible."
"Erica, take Godou and head for cover." Shirou said. "Negotiations have failed."
Godou had come along with Shirou and Erica insisting that he would be of use because of the grimoire of Prometheus.
"Another holy artifact." Erica muttered again in a daze causing Shirou to sigh.
"Its you." Verethragna said. "The one from before."
Shirou looked confused at Verethragna, but took the brief calm as the time to retreat back to Godou with Erica.
"Shirou, Erica, are you okay?" Godou asked.
"I'm fine, but I need you and Erica to remain here. I'll deal with Melquart and Verethragna." Shirou said.
"Your crazy." Erica said, returning from her earlier stupor. "You can't possible take on one god, let alone two."
"That's why we help him." Godou said resolutely. Godou stared Shirou in the eyes, making sure he had Shirou's attention. "Let us take care of Verethragna."
Shirou hesitated. Erica and Godou were still human, one possible mistake could mean the end of them, but for him it was different. Through Arthur, he could be considered a god. It was a miracle really, that Verethragna and Melquart did not yet sense the divinity that he concealed within him. Then again, he already learned how to control it and keep it from seeping out of him by mitigating the brunt of the divine energy into Unlimited Blade Works. Be that as it may, it wouldn't be wrong to say that he would be taking a chance on Erica and Godou's life if he followed through with Godou's suggestion. Finally, he made up his mind. Raising a single hand, Shirou revealed his fingers.
"Five minutes." Shirou said sternly. "Hold Verethragna back for five minutes. However, if you are in danger, flee for your lives."
"I understand." Godou said with a bit of confusion. "But why for only five minutes?"
Erica's eyes widened in shock, her high intelligence running to an obvious conclusion.
"...You can't be serious." Erica said.
Shirou didn't answer, just tackled Melquart at godspeed off of the Island of Sardinia and disappeared into the distance.
Gobsmacked, Erica could only gape in shock at the absurdity of what just what happened. Godou too was reduced to a similar state. Verethragna however only smiled in anticipation before staring down at Godou and Erica.
"I had thought that by reviving Melquart I would fight a fierce lion, but I didn't think that I would attract a hidden dragon." Verethragna said. "Now how will you entertain me boy?"
Godou clutched tightly to the grimoire held in his hands, but also clutched tightly onto the shield Shirou had left him. Rho Aias took its original form of a shield covered in seven layers of oxhide. Godou knew that Rho Aias was the key to victory, just that he had to find a way to use it to his advantage.
I have to apologize to a lot of my readers for the long months of absence. As we all know, life can be very difficult at times, so this is as much as I am currently able to get out. Tests are hectic and exams are excruciatingly painful. As for why this chapter is being posted before the other ones, the other ones are still in progress and I was closest to finding a way to end this chapter of Birth of a Legend than the others so I updated this first.
As a status report for my other stories.
Magus Among Ninjas Chapter: 54% - I plan to make it long, hopefully.
A Hollow Feeling Chapter: 30%
That's how it's going so far, and I fear I may not be able to update again in a while, maybe not till the end of school and exams...
Thanks for reading- Parcasious.