So I wanted to address this here before I started the chapter. Two big questions or complaints that a lot of you have been asking about.
Q: Why did Shirou not get hurt from using Rio Aias?! He should have taken massive damage from each petal breaking.
A: Yes you'd be right if this was the one from Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works Rio Aias. However, the big thing that Rio Aias has been a funky NP in all of the Type-Moon series. In FSN the user took damage from each one breaking, in F/KlPI though Shirou uses it twice the second time 2 petals break and literally nothing happened to the guy like he kept charging through with Ease. On top of this as well as having the Flower version of Rio Aias Shirou has the original shield within his treasury now, the one that doesn't have the drawback of damage. Thus he is able to implement that into the flower version. At least that's my reasoning.
Q2: Why is Shirou So OP?! He could never take on a servant!
A2: Shirou has literally done this multiple times even before the merging of all of the Shirou's in this fic. He has defeated The King of Heroes by himself and Dark Berserker. Dark Berserker had almost identical stats to the original Hercules, one of the strongest servants of all time. Still not enough? With help from Rider, he is able to defeat Saber Alter. Saber Alter has 4 stats that are A tier with one of those being her Endurance.
The man has at least some skill fighting servants and with the merge, he has memories of Servants as well as some enhancements from them as well, That's why I can see him being able to fight servants. In one on one fights he will beat almost all Assassin's, and most Casters with not too much trouble roughly a 70% in Shirou's favor. Riders will give him a decent challenge, it just depends who the rider is 60% Shirou. Archer's and Lancer's is where he will start struggling with it being 40/60 shot. Saber's and Berserker's will more often than not beat him in a one on one, while not impossible for him to win it will not be an easy fight at all, I give him maybe a 20% chance in these fights, again it depends on the servant.
Those question out of the way let's hop into the story!
Start of Chapter 5!
ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
Shirou's Body was sprung tight, ready to bounce in a moments notice. These Skeletons were a joke hardly putting up a fight, while his skeleton was slightly more annoying, it was still a fight where he had all the advantages, in a fight with a servant however then things would get dicey. Shirou was no stranger to fighting The Hound of Ulster, He (not him) even had summoned him as a servant once, so to say he was familiar with Cú Chulainn was a very small understatement. However, they're was one massive difference in his encounters with him from before and this one now. Every time he had faced the Hound his was always in the Lancer Class, this time he was a Caster.
Gleaming anything from the staff in his hand proved to be a wasted effort for Shirou, Yes it was a magical focus for Caster and reveal some of his skill with runes, it, however, wasn't his Noble Phantasm. If he was a Lancer then this fight would be much more manageable. knowing what your opponent could do in combat was a key factor in winning if you knew what your opponent could do then you could counter it much easier and plan for it in advance. However that one advantage was now much weaker, granted not completely gone due to this still being Cú Chulainn, just much smaller advantage now due to him being a Caster and Not a Lancer.
"I'm going to guess from how tightly your gripping your weapons you recognize me, normally people feel fear in the face of a servant... But you're showing signs of excitement for the fight, a true warriors spirit there!"
Shirou didn't give any verbal response, for both knew he was right at least in some way. Over all of his years of travel fighting and saving people, he'd be a liar if he said he didn't at least start to enjoy all the fights, at least somewhat. Not nearly to the level Saber and Lancer had and not anywhere near for the same reasons. While Saber and Lancer found honor in fighting, he found his sense of 'Honor' was from knowing the people he fought were in his way to save people.
Slave traffickers? Defeated to save the ones they kidnapped.
Terrorists? Defeated to save the innocents from the crossfire.
His sense of honor was earned from the people he saved knowing that in fighting. What point was there to the Honor of a warrior when he could have the honor of a Hero instead? So yes his warrior spirit had awoken and Caster could 'sense' it but it wasn't for the reasons The Hound most likely thought.
Before The wrought Iron Magus could potentially start the fight in the hanging silence, Cú Chulainn raised his free hand into the air as a gesture for peace.
"As much fun as a fight would be I'm not here for that. I sensed a new servant in the area and I figured I could offer a helping hand to the only non corrupted servant left."
"What do you mean by non corrupted?"
Shirou already knew the answer before Caster had a chance to answer. He remembered the corruption, the taint that stole his Saber from him, the taint trapped inside Sakura that almost stole her from him as well. It made those dark servants and had cost him his arm. Dark Berserker, Saber Alter... He was sure if it wasn't for the priest killing Assassin and helping to save his life he'd be dead, That and the help of his two Lovers Sakura and Rider...
Forcing the small blush away before his brain remembered all the more intimate moments, he noticed the others had approached to listen to Caster's words. Mash was still on the defensive her shield held in front of the director and Fujimaru both standing behind her. Seeing as Shirou already knew most of what Caster was saying he took a further look into Mash's shield, more specifically the history to figure out the hero she was, he knew that whoever it was connected to the round table. seeing as the shield itself WAS the round table. So the wrought iron hero casually walked towards Mash, while he could scan the history of the shield without touching ithe always found it slightly easier with contact with it, however with a simple touch of the shield the world around him was no more.
He stood in an endless grassy plain, flowers covered the small hills surrounding the area. The sky was a lovely shade of light blue with small white clouds in the sky. While the place was simple, incredibly simple he felt at peace here. I shuffling of feet behind him alerted him that he wasn't nearly alone as he thought here.
"My King, it is good to see you again..."
Fully turning around Shirou saw what he could only describe as a male version of Mash. In fairness to the knight in front of him, they were multiple difference to him compared to Mash. While Mash had shoulder length light purple bordering on white hair, this boy in front of him had pure white hair that was wildly spiky and barely reached his neck, similarly where Mash had dull purple eyes the knight had bright yellow eyes, filled with a determination that reminded Shirou much of himself.
Before Shirou could so much as voice an opinion about how he wasn't the King of the knights, the knight spoke again.
"At least you have their power entrusted to you, don't you Shirou Emiya" "I'm afraid you have me at a disadvantage here. While you know my name, I don't know yours." "Are you so sure of this? Simply look into HER memories and My shield, you've known for a long time."
Sure enough, the memories pushed to the forefront of his mind. A knight who had served under his Saber, A knight who was the son of another knight of the round table, Lancelot; later joining the Round Table himself. A young knight especially famed for his escapades in the search for the Holy Grail. The saint who was the only one to obtain the Holy Grail, just to return it to heavens so no humans could taint it. The knight said to have been a perfect knight and the would be the leader of the Second generation of the Round Table. Galahad.
The newly named Galahad let out a small chuckle at the face Shirou was making, in fairness to Shirou the young man was borderline his nephew depending on what people thought of our favorite 3rd rate magus and 'King' of Knights.
"It seems you do remember, after all, it is good to finally meet you Shirou, I have heard many tales from my King in regards to you." Heard his stories? How had that been possible, before Shirou could voice the question though Galahad beat him to answer the unanswered question.
"The Throne of Heroes. While we have no memories of our time within the throne when summoned usually, however, when in the throne our memories of being summoned stay with us. The few times our King was actually there she was hounded by several of her knights about her journeys without us. Needless to say, she still waits in her utopia... Waiting for you Shirou. Leaving her knights behind she waits for you."
Saber... She was still waiting for him, if that wasn't a slam in the gut he didn't know what was. Yes, he had not given up searching, THIS version of him hadn't anyway, but he wasn't just THAT Shirou anymore. He loved her yes he was sure of that, but he couldn't deny that she was the only one in his heart, that that place was for her and her alone. Rin, Sakura, Rider, Caster?, Luvia, Ruler? and Saber all had spots in their now. How could he truly search for just her when he had left so many others behind. Was he allowed to indulge Saber alone when the others would have to be left behind? While most of his heart was screaming yes, he couldn't help but hear the small whispers in the background saying he didn't love Saber, the whispers sounded like screams to him yelling at him for abandoning them, his other Lovers.
He shoved these thoughts aside and focused on the task at hand, the knights before him expression hadn't changed as if waiting for a reply from Shirou. Shirou spoke the words quickly appearing in his mind, seeming almost too natural coming from him
"You have my thanks for delivering this note, The kingdom thanks you for your continued service. Your King would be proud." Galahad simply chuckled at this before he added.
"Some of the Knights would argue that you're the King now, with Our king being the Queen now, granted some would rather have your head than admitting you as a King."
Shirou felt his stomach drop further from this information. Him a King? Insanity, utter insanity. He was a mercenary and hero first, he couldn't lead a kingdom alone, a small part of his brain pointed out that he wouldn't be alone Saber would be at his side, however, this leads to the earlier problem once again.
Galahad not sensing Shirou's inner turmoil continued onwards with his report. Once again taking a knee before the Wrought Iron Hero.
"While I honor your words, my King, I must report a more pressing matter to you, Involving her Highness." Shirou's problems faded away instantly, Something pressing involving Saber, more than likely not good "What has happened to Artoria!" Galahad for his part only flinched a small amount from the sheer authority and urgency in his King's voice, and a small smile creeping onto his face for his way of addressing the Queen. The smile fell though as Galahad had to explain the rest of his report.
"My Liege... I'm afraid she has been tainted by some truly horrible magic, this timeline we're in is the same one you had to fight her before. Expect she has a boost to her strength from months of bathing in this power, now making her even more powerful than before. I humbly ask you to do what I cannot, Save her... Please"
Shirou wasn't sure what emotion h felt more of, the sheer overwhelming anger from having his Saber/Lover stolen again or the dread of having to fight her again, having to slay her to free her from the grail.
"How do you have this information Galahad? You've been within Mash's soul correct?'
As if answering his question Galahad stood tall and simply materialized his Shield in his hand right hand, the metal of the shield digging into the earth below before he pats the top of it as to gesture to it.
"Her connection to the Round Table, while I can't sense any other servant normally, I can feel those who hold a connection to this order, I feel her power within here, however, it's grossly tainted from something."
The root be damned grail, that was what had done this before and it seems it wasn't done in this timeline, he knew what he had to do though. Turning to Galahad once more The 3rd Rate Magus nods in the Knight's direction before deciding his course.
"The deed shall be done, I will save her from herself, no matter what that means I must do." and he would, they both knew it. If Shirou said he'd defeat the servant, then he'd pull out every root be damned trick in the book to do it. The burden had to fall to someone and if he could save his lover by relinquishing her of life he would. Almost as if to assure him he made the right choice he could have sworn he heard a voice carried in the breeze.
I Have withstood pain to create many weapons.
Yet, those hands will never hold anything
"While I wish are meeting had more time, it seems it must end for now. I wish you luck, may the grail and the kingdom protect you."
The massive amount of irony in Galahad's words was not lost on Shirou. A quest that he had dedicated a large amount of his life to, just to make sure the relic wasn't tainted. And the damned thing was the very reason Saber was tainted before and had been tainted again, even more, ironic that the grail was tainted by humans for greedy purposes, all for the search of the root.
Shirou bit down on his response and simply nodded to Galahad before the reality around them seemed to crumble away turning to dust as the world was once more filled with fire. Galahad no longer stood in front of him, now in his place was Mash, staring oddly at him, her face having a dusting of a blush on it. Sound returned to him next and with that, he could hear the roar of laughter coming from his right, it was Lan-Caster and it seemed to be directed towards him.
"You know kid, if you stare any harder at the little lady over their people are going to make a lot of assumptions." as if to confirm this Olga had a look similar to a fish out of water and Ritsuka was simply looking away as if to try and give them a small sense of privacy. Shirou just sighed and had his hand cover his face before replying.
"We're moving out, this location isn't safe and there are at least two enemy servants out there. An Archer and a Saber."
"Don't forget about Lancer and Berserker, Luckily you have a Caster and Shielder on your side."
"I was unaware we had a Caster on our side, what do you have to gain with working with us?"
"Other than Living? I suppose fixing this disaster is a pretty good one, that and I have a personal vendetta with that damned Archer. So I figured combining forces is better in this situation, besides I can't leave these defenseless Sheep here to fend for themselves." His gesture went to everyone present except for Shirou. Clearly, the Child of Light had seen more of his fight then he let one if he was confident in his abilities. This did raise the question of how long Caster had been following him.
Olga seemed to have gained some confidence back and tried to take control of the situation again demanding answers from Caster.
"If we are to work together then perhaps you should explain some of your abilities to us so we can better form our attack strategies." Shirou seeing a chance to get back at Caster was the one to respond.
"As you can tell he is a Caster, his main form of magic is runes instead of spells, his real name is Cú Chulainn, the Child of light or also known as the Hound of Ulster. Normally he would be better suited for the Lancer role."
Olga turned to Shirou as if he grew a second head before turning back to Chulainn looking for a positive or negative affirmation.
"Well damn kid you really do your research, it's almost like you've fought me before or something" He let out a rather amused laugh after that.
"Well done Senpai" Mash had walked forward and seemed to be hesitatingly hovering around Shirou as if she had something to say. She simply settled for standing behind him slightly to his right.
Shirou simply watched Mash's actions with a small smirk on his face, she was a strange girl to be sure. However, she was kind and almost motherly at times. Getting back on track though, Shirou turned back to The hound of Ulster with his hand held outwards.
"I suppose this makes us partners for now If you need a master Director Olga is more than qualified for it." The child of light laughed at this before returning the handshake.
"I might just take you up on that second offer, she is a looker at the very least."
Olga's reaction was instant, her face turning a fierce crimson a both of her hands started to violently shake. She suddenly raised one arm and fired it at the Caster in question who merely laughed as the magic impacted against his chest, he seemed completely unaffected by it, however. Seeing her first plan fal, she simply started pounding her fists against Caster's chest in anger. Cú Chulainn simply continued to laugh at her expense and even Shirou found himself joining in on the fun. I reminded him so much of Rin that he couldn't help but laugh. After about 2 minutes of this Olga finally stopped and turned to properly face Caster, the anger was still on her face but hidden somewhat under a mask of focus.
"How do we go about making you my servant, I know there is some ritual but I'm unsure with an already summoned servant."
The Hound simply raised his staff as multiple runes shot force making a perfect circle around the two of them, the magic power from the runes was very potent to Shirou' Bloodhound like noise.
"Simply repeat after me little lady with your dominant hand extended forward' Olga simply Nodded.
"Heed my words, My will creates your body, And your sword creates my destiny."
"Heed my words, My will creates your body, And your sword creates my destiny."
"If you heed the Grail's call, And obey my will and reason, Then answer my summoning!"
"If you heed the Grail's call, And obey my will and reason, Then answer my summoning!"
With each line said Shirou could feel the power surrounding the two of them, it reminded him of his summoning of Saber, while is might have been rushed, he would never forget the rush of power that hit him when she appeared before him
"I hereby swear, That I shall be all the good in the world, That I shall defeat . . . all evil in the world!"
"I hereby swear, That I shall be all the good in the world, That I shall defeat . . . all evil in the world!"
"Then let thine eyes be clouded, With the fog of turmoil and chaos, Thou, who art trapped in a cage of madness, And I, the summoner, who holds thy chains! Seventh heaven clad, And the great words of power, Come forth from the circle of bindings, Guardian of Scales!'
"Then let thine eyes be clouded, With the fog of turmoil and chaos, Thou, who art trapped in a cage of madness, And I, the summoner, who holds thy chains! Seventh heaven clad, And the great words of power, Come forth from the circle of bindings, Guardian of Scales!'
The power within the final words exploded outwards before suddenly wrapping themselves around Olga's hand. A bright light spread across the clearing before the disappearing entirely, the only thing left that proved the spell had even taken effect were the three glowing command seals on the back of Olga's hand.
ttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
END OF CHAPTER!
Sorry for being one day being late I just could not think of how this chapter was going to come together and it really pissed me off. I'm still not fully happy with it tbh. BUT you guy deserves a chapter and here it is.
If you like my work and want to support it sub to my pateron! P a treon . com (slash) GSmith624
Added NOTE: Sense Several people have pointed this out to me and have rather rudely insisted I have fucked up the Lore of Fate(Not all of you guys did this just a couple in PM). YES you all are correct, the Throne of Heroes doesn't work like I described in the story (SPOILERS FOR STORY AHEAD READ AT YOUR OWN RISK SINCE YOU GUYS WON'T STOP TELLING ME I F'D UP) 1) Shirou doesn't know how the throne works 2) Galahad and the rest of the knights of the round table WEREN'T in the Throne of HEROES! but Galahad Doesn't know this!
There is reasoning for the stuff I write and I usually do fact check things like this to make sure they work. Similar to Olga, she had the potential to be a Master but was unable to Rayshift in the original FGO, one thing I shouldn't have to point this out but I will point out is this is a FAN-FICTION, meaning not everything will line up 100% with CANNON for example Olga having a servant.
Sorry for the massive rant here people I just wanted to justify my actions sense so many people keep telling me how I messed up.