Hello everyone! If people notice the dramatic transformation and reduced number of grammatic/synatax issues that would be thanks to my editor (DiscereEstVivet), who volunteered his time to help edit this chapter. Please thank DiscereEstVivet for the help. Without further ado, please enjoy the chapter.
Chapter Six "Soma Familia"
"You might as well show yourself, I know you've been following me for a while." Hermes said out loud after he walked off the busy streets and into various alleyways where there was no one else beside himself.
"I really shouldn't be surprised that you noticed me," a masculine voice said out of nowhere as a figure jumped down from a nearby rooftop. "You are the patron god of thieves after all."
"My, my…" Hermes chuckled as he saw his stalker. "I didn't expect that out of all the people that would be following me, it would be the newest god, Shirou Emiya. I bet many of our fellow deities would be shocked to learn of your ability to hide your presence. Not to mention your stellar tracking skills to even find me."
"There are many things that people don't know about me." Shirou replied lightly as he scrutinized Hermes. "I was told that you are an information broker. So, tell me Hermes, what is the price of knowing everything your intelligence network has on the Soma Familia?"
"The Soma Familia? Why are you interested in that Familia of all things?" Hermes asked in surprise. "None of my information on you said you were interested in alcohol."
"I am not much of a drinker. Besides the few drinks I have during celebrations, the only time I really buy alcohol is for others to drink or to use in cooking." Shirou responded as he shook his head. "The reason why I'm asking about the Soma Familia because one of my potential Children is from the Soma Familia, that should be enough to sate your curiosity. You have information that will allow me to resolve my future child's predicament."
"Hoh," Hermes said with a raised eyebrow as he looked at Shirou with a very interested look. "So, who's the very lucky child that have garnered the attention of the God of Heroes?"
Shirou paused to think for a moment. Revealing who was going to join his Familia might seem innocuous to a layman, but he was very experienced with those dealing with information. The layperson would be very surprised just how much could be done with even a small bit of information, especially personal ones. He debated whether or not to divulge the fact that his new Familia member would be Liliruca Arde. He quickly came to a decision. It wouldn't make much of a difference anyway, Hermes with his intelligence network was bound to learn about it very quickly even if he kept it a secret. And, well, if everything goes according to plan, Lili being his first Child would be a matter of public record anyway.
"It's Liliruca Arde." Shirou said in a calm tone. "So, what would it cost for the information?"
"I heard you can replicate Divine Constructs." Hermes commented in a nonchalant tone, as if he hadn't just divulged a secret that Shirou was trying his best to keep secret.
Shirou's eyes narrowed. "Where did you hear this from?"
"You did a good job hiding it, and those that do know about your ability are incredibly tight-lipped about it. I was able to get the information with great difficulty and costs." Hermes replied with a shrug and a shake of his head as if he was regretting his decision.
"There is no point in denying it when you know." Shirou sighed. He glared at Hermes and asked in cold tone, "So, what about it? Are you threatening me that you reveal that ability of mine to others?"
"No! I would never even think about doing such a thing!" Hermes replied in a hurry as he waved his hands frantically as he sensed the conversation going in a dangerous direction. "The reason why I brought it up, is because I want you to make a copy of a Divine Construct of mine."
"Why would you need a Divine Construct from me, when you already…" Shirou paused when a thought popped up in his mind. "Ah, I see, that rule that Ouranos made. So, you want me to create a replica that doesn't use divine materials or magic."
"Your guess was spot-on." Hermes nodded. "I ask only one measly replica of one of my Divine Constructs, and I'll give you all the information I have on the Soma Familia."
Shirou sighed at the somewhat lopsided deal. If Hermes had asked him to create a replica of his Divine Construct while they were in Tenkai, then it wouldn't much of a hassle. An easy task he could complete within a second as after his reincarnation/ascension to godhood his ability to create Noble Phantasms and Divine Constructs had become a part of his divine powers. It was a completely different matter here on Genkai where divine abilities were not allowed.
If Shirou wanted to carry out Hermes request the 'easy' way then he would have to return to Tenkai to do it. Something of a difficult task unless he broke the rules regarding divine powers on Genkai and forever exiled himself to Tenkai. A course of action that is really, really dumb.
If he on the other hand tried to recreate a Divine Construct using only the resources available to him as a mortal, something that is stupidly difficult even for him, then the reward is not worth the task. It would be much easier to ask another, less well-known and connected information broker to get the information he wanted about the Soma Familia. It's not like the Hermes Familia is the only one in that business.
"Hold on!" Hermes quickly shouted as he saw Shirou's expression that reflects his conclusion. "I already knew it was likely an impossible task to make an exact replica of one of my Divine Constructs! At least tell me how much of my request you can fulfill?" Hermes quickly asked with no small amount of panic to his voice.
"Well there is only one way I could think of creating a Divine Construct, replica or not… The only problem is that the result might not be what you're expecting."
"What do you mean by that?" Hermes asked in a puzzled tone.
"You might not know as you are unlikely ever made a Divine Construct on your own, but they are called a Divine Construct for a reason." Shirou started explaining while taking on a pose that is quite familiar to him.
"For something to qualify as a Divine Construct one of three conditions must be met: their material, their creator or its fame. First the object can be made from materials that are sourced from something divine in origin, be it an animal or even wood and metal that has been influenced by divine energy. Not something that is very easy to find in Tenkai, let alone here in the Genkai. The second condition is much easier to accomplish, the creator must be someone of divine origin or have the skills to match. Someone like Hephaestus for example. And last of all, Fame. A quality that is either very easy to acquire or almost impossible. Easy in that, as a Deity, you could just pick any random weapon and infuse your divine essence into it, and it would turn into a Divine Construct. Pretty much impossible since you'll be forced to go back to Tenkai for that." Shirou explained the last bit with a shrug.
"Now the normal way to go about achieving it is to wield that same object for a long time as you go on great adventures, infusing your own fame into the weapon. Of course, the weapon must be already of a certain quality for it to even have a chance of achieving that. Or if not that, then having the object being used as an object of worship might do it. In general, the more of the conditions for the construction of a Divine Construct are met the more powerful the object." Shirou explained.
"So, you're saying replicating a Divine Construct is pretty much impossible as the thing that makes them unique and powerful also makes replicating them impractical." Hermes summarized.
"As a general rule of thumb, that is indeed the case." Shirou nodded. "Although, I might be able to get around this general rule if you showed what you wanted me to replicate."
"This is what I want replicated," Said Hermes as he materialized a staff with two snakes that were entwined around the length of the staff with two wings on the top.
"Caduceus," Shirou muttered as a blueprint was uploaded into his mind as a copy started to be produced within his Reality Marble. If nothing else came of this meeting, having such a thing in his arsenal was not half bad. "A renowned Divine Construct that is associated with you."
"So, you think you can replicate it?" Hermes asked with a smile.
"Not possible." Shirou shook his head. "There are no materials even close to being of divine origin down here on Genkai. My divinity is sealed, so I cannot meet the requirements of being a divine creator, and I'm not that pretentious to compare my skill to that of Hephaestus. The only thing I can to accomplish your goal, is to create an object that imitates the physical shell of your staff and use enchantments to somewhat imitate its abilities. You then could get people to worship the imitation, and it will probably eventually become a Caduceus replica."
"Impossible!" Hermes replied very strongly, surprising Shirou. "You likely never knew about this as you're a new god and no mortals should know about it anyway. Deities are not allowed to organize a religion around themselves, a rule enforced strictly by Alaya. Enough deities have either died or lost a great deal of their power at the hands of Alaya's Counter Force and Counter Guardians to know that it is very taboo to do such a thing." Hermes said with a grimace, as if just saying Alaya's name created a horrid taste in his mouth.
"Furthermore, that 'thing' like to keep their existence secret, I'm only telling you this Shirou to prevent you from crossing their paths. The fewer people know about them the better." Hermes finished with uncharacteristic seriousness.
Shirou looked at Hermes in shock, it seemed that he have struck gold in meeting Hermes.
Information regarding Alaya was so sparse that he had started getting suspicious that some power had been hiding it and restricted the information from being spread. When he had asked his fellow gods about the matter, they had all deftly avoided the topic like the plague. Now that Hermes had revealed who had been concealing the information, Shirou was greatly pleased.
Though it still somewhat shocked him just what level of direct influence that the Alaya of this world possessed compared to the Alaya of his Earth.
The Greek God looked somewhat surprised at Shirou's strange reaction "What a weird response. Somehow, you are not surprised by the existence of Alaya. It's as if you already know about it, but for some reason didn't know that Alaya was censoring information relating to its existence and influence."
Since Hermes had been forthcoming about information about Alaya that other gods had been mum about, Shirou decided to give Hermes some juicy information in return. Though information he wouldn't be able to tell others about and pretty much have no use to him.
"I do know about Alaya's existence, what I didn't know was about Alaya forbidding organized religion and why I couldn't find any information about it if I looked for it." Shirou responded. "What I know about Alaya comes from when I met a Counter Guardian. A possible future me, who swore to serve Alaya in return for granting his wish."
"Wow…" Hermes commented in disbelief as the last thing he expected the identity of a Counter Guardian was a what could have happened to a god if they had taken a different path in their life. One that he knew personally even! "I have seen and heard of many strange things in my long immortal life, but that is amongst the top ten most bizarre things I have ever heard."
"Others have told me the same." Shirou laughed as he recalled how other Heroic and Divine Spirits in Chaldea had reacted to the same news. Made funnier when they needled Archer about it, his vexation is a balm to his soul. "Well anyway, the only way I think I might be able to replicate a Divine Construct without breaking the ban on divine powers whilst on Genkai, would be using Hephaestus' radical idea for a Falna/Growth type equipment."
"That sister of mine still haven't given up her radical theory of hers?" Hermes sighed with the dream of using his divine weapon so close yet so far away. "It's been centuries, and she has only failures to show."
"Heh, don't underestimate the God of the Forge's capability, Hermes. She has succeeded in her attempt not too long ago. She already made a successful Falna/Growth weapon. If I'm remembering right, it was at the request of Hestia, supposedly it's called the Hestia Knife… " Shirou replied.
"Does this Hestia Knife happened to be the one given to a certain young boy who had just become an Adventurer, by the name of Bell Cranel?" Hermes asked with a strange expression.
"That's right." Shirou nodded, a bit surprised that Hermes didn't know. "I heard he is Zeus' adopted grandson, so that would make him your adopted nephew."
"That is correct." Hermes answered. "I was surprised that Hestia fell for Bell. Rumor has it that my aunt went and begged Hephaestus to make a good weapon for Bell. I didn't know that the weapon was that much of a rarity."
Shirou was caught by surprise by the sudden change in topic, but he was very interested in hearing about it. Hercules had asked him to protect Bell Cranel, so it wouldn't hurt to hear more about his charge.
"Tell me more about this boy? What is so special about him to make a goddess fall in love with him?" Shirou asked curiously.
"Apparently, it was love of first sight if the rumors are to be believed." Hermes laughed. "As to why, I haven't the foggiest of idea. Never had the chance to talk to Hestia about the topic, and I'm not that wise to be able to guess what goes on inside a woman's head. But, if my aunt does really love the boy, I hope she enjoys it while the boy lives. It's a troubling affair for a deity to fall in love for a mortal. Their lives are always so short…"
Hearing about the love story made Shirou agree with Hermes. It was a difficult burden to carry knowing that your lover would inevitably die while you would likely live on forever. Shirou started to become all emotional as he empathized with Hestia's plight when he remembered the reason why he had come to meet Hermes in the first place.
"Will you accept a payment of Falna weapon replica of Caduceus for information on the Soma Familia?"
"I had been expecting a less powerful version of Caduceus, but it seems I had been expecting too much." Hermes sighed. "If that is the only way to get a replica, then I will accept it as payment for my information on the Soma Familia." He nodded. "If Falna weapons are all like the Hestia Knife then I will have to level up the Caduceus replica myself. This might be a good chance to give that rumored lifestyle a chance. A life of a mortal adventurer."
"Eergh…" Shirou coughed uncomfortably. He suddenly got the feeling that Hermes said that last part as a dig at him. After all, according to his memories, no god had tried live as a mortal adventurer. If they have, they have either died trying or kept their stories as a mortal adventurer a secret.
"Is something wrong?" Hermes asked.
Shirou looked seriously at Hermes and inquired, "Did you learn about trying the life of a mortal adventurer from your sister by any chance?"
"That's right. Hephaestus told me about it while she was drunk on one of our night out." Hermes nodded. "Do you also want to give it a try? If you do, how about it lets party up. I'm pretty sure that a God of Heroes would be nothing to sneeze at even as a mortal."
His expression darkened as Shirou cursed Hephaestus' drinking habit. You promised that you will keep my life as a mortal adventurer a secret! Shirou smiled his best poker face before continuing, "Did Hephaestus ever disclose which deities are trying this lifestyle of a mortal adventurer by chance?"
"Hmmphmm…" Hermes hummed as he thought. "My sister was very drunk, but she was rather tight-lipped about whom she had heard was trying the life of a mortal adventurer. From the impression I got, it seemed quite a lot of fellow deities were trying it."
At least you didn't reveal that I was doing it… Shirou sighed in relief. Still that doesn't save you from being punished! As he turned his attention back to Hermes, Shirou asked. "You're an information broker, there's no way you haven't heard at least something. So which gods and goddesses are trying this out?"
"That information is expensive, you know. Are you willing to pay for it?" Hermes asked with a sly smile.
"No," Shirou shook his head, it seems that he had no luck here. Though, he could probably guess that it was the gods with some ability to disguise themselves since it's not an open secret now. If Shirou have ever learned anything about the gods, is that they're a very curious bunch, there's no way a badly kept secret wouldn't be find out by those lots. "I will settle with information on the Soma Familia."
"One information on the Soma Familia coming up," said Hermes as a magic crystal formed in his hand. "Do take note Shirou, the moment you use this memory stone, it will be locked to your spiritual aura. No one else can use it. If they do the memory crystal will self-destruct so be careful where you put it. You don't want to have to pay again for the same information." Hermes threw the memory crystal Shirou's way, before quickly doing a U-turn out of the alley.
"Thanks for the warning." Shirou replied as he stood up and took the magic crystal. "It was nice working with you, Hermes! I may drop in on you again in the future if I need more information!" He then shouted back to Hermes as Shirou walked away.
- O -
"Are you going to reveal yourself or not?" Soma asked into the open space as he detected the presence of a hidden intruder. "You have been watching for quite a while now, isn't that enough?"
"You are sharper than I had expected, Soma," said Shirou as he revealed himself and entered the room. "It's hard to associate skills often linked with battle-hardened veterans such as sensing danger to you. Many would have believed that you were a simple winemaker given your reputation." Shirou said with a grin that is highly reminiscent of a certain Archer.
"Humph, I guess it's only expected for such a young god to be ignorant. Listen, boy, such a thing doesn't just apply to me, many other deities are the same, if not all of them. Just because some of us are not known for our battle prowess doesn't mean we are powerless to protect ourselves." Soma replied in an amused tone. "So, what brings the latest talk in Tenkai to my humble abode."
"I don't know if you noticed, with you being so preoccupied with your hobbies, but your Familia is getting out of hand. What had been a couple of questionable incidents once in a while has started to turn into an unacceptable level of incidents that are borderline criminal." Shirou said as he dropped a large stack of paper detailing the Soma Familia's actions of late before Soma.
"Is that really anything of your concern? Besides, the Guild will act if my Familia are breaking any rules or laws. So, I don't really see the point of you barging in here." Soma replied in nonchalant tone.
"Read it," said Shirou in a firm tone that sounded like he wouldn't take no for an answer. "Especially about the part of your captain and his lackey."
Soma frowned in displeasure at being told what to do by another god, a young one at that. But, at the same time, he had the feeling that something important lay waiting in the stacks of paper. If nothing else, it would distract him from his latest failed batch of wine, so he took the stack of paper and started to read.
When he started reading, what he first discovered was something that he was aware of despite not really paying attention to the affairs of his Familia. It was when got past the first few pages that his lack of interest into his Familia started to show its consequences, especially the part on Zanis Lustra's recent activities.
"I didn't think it was this bad…" Soma muttered in disbelief.
"I bet it is much worse than what I got, given that most crimes go underreported. The Guild hasn't caught on to these yet as Zanis and his lackeys have been incredibly good at hiding their tracks. But, the rumors of his shady business is starting to grow. And if I can get my hands on the information, then you can bet that it would be only a matter of time till it becomes public knowledge." Shirou spoke in a disgusted tone as if he wanted to kill Zanis Lustra personally.
Soma frowned as he looked at Shirou. "In your report, you attribute that Zanis's rapid rise to power in the criminal underworld hinged on him controlling the supply of the wine I created. Forgive me if I find that hard to believe. My wine is indeed highly valued as even as failures and casts off, I can guarantee their quality as a good wine. But that's it. They're good wine, not something valuable enough to be considered worth more than gold. Definitely not something that many shady individuals and criminals would be stupid enough to spend their lives and wealth working with Zanis just to get. Your logic doesn't hold up." Soma finished with a somewhat triumphant tone. Shirou really wanted to punch his face at that moment. Some of the things he found out from Hermes really hit close to home.
"You really don't understand mortals, do you? Even worse than that, the value of your wine…" Shirou sighed. "Let me ask you this Soma. What properties does your wines made in Tenkai have? What reputation does Soma's wine have? Especially amongst the Indian Pantheon?"
The light in Soma's eyes lit up as he caught on to what Shirou was implying. Soma cursed, having completely disregarded how the legends of his wine in Tenkai might have spread to Genkai. If mortals somehow got the knowledge on how the Indian Pantheon regards his wine as something that could grant immorality, then that changed the value of Soma wine from simply being expensive and highly addictive alcohol into something immeasurably valuable.
"Despite my wines… the ones made here in Genkai not possessing the life-extending or immorality giving properties, mortals would be the ones chomping on the bits on the chance that it does. I see now, I could understand why so many want my wine that they would be willing to give up so much to cooperate with Zanis. That explains how Zanis's wealth and connection grew so rapidly." Soma replied in an enlightened tone, and then his face suddenly turned serious. "I am grateful for the news." The Indian god smiled in a friendly manner. "Why are you doing this? You wouldn't have investigated my Familia and gathered proof of how corrupt my Familia has become for no reason. What is it that you want?"
Shirou smiled wryly. If he was still the same person before his time as a Chaldean Master he might have brought Zanis and his lackeys to justice for no reason at all, other than the fact that it's the right thing to do. But, his time travelling through various time periods, meeting all sorts of humans and creatures had changed him. He was no longer driven with single-minded desperation to help out everyone when he had saved the human race from extinction numerous times. Now he was no longer conscious-bound to help the first person he saw, he would decide who and how to help people in his own way and in his own time. He couldn't help but feel Archer's and Fa… Assassin's gaze as he contemplated just how much he had changed.
"I helped you out for one of your child's sake. I doubt she could leave your Familia if it remains the horrible mess it is. In return for letting you know the current status of your Familia, I want you to allow Liliruca Arde to leave your Familia if she asks." Shirou replied.
"Liliruca Arde…" Soma muttered as he attempted to recall if there was someone with that name in his Familia. "Are you talking about a female pallum with a petite body with chestnut-colored hair and eyes, about fifteen years old? She was a Supporter if I recall correctly."
"Correct," Shirou nodded, happy to get his business done. "She has helped me a great deal recently, and I want her to join my Familia if she is willing."
"No one is forced to stay in my Familia. They may leave at any time they want." Only to frown a second later when Soma spouted something very dumb.
"Easy for you as a deity to say." Shirou scoffed. "You are not a mortal, so you don't understand the consequences that most mortals leaving a Familia on their own free will would face. Unless there is something special about them that makes them valuable, most mortals that leave a Familia will likely be seen as an opportunist that is easily be swayed by a good offer by a rival Familia. This stigma will likely forever follow them making it difficult to join other Familias in the future. And, even if they somehow do they will be barred from raising in the ranks as someone that is perceived to be easily swayed cannot be trusted."
The Hindu god of the moon frowned at first, but he nodded in acknowledgement. Despite the fact that he was not really that different from a mortal right now thanks to the Genkai rules restricting divine powers, Soma could never really fully understand what it was like to be a mortal. For example, even without his Divine powers, he still possessed many things that mortals would never possess such as immortality. Making him blind to just how much a mortal may covet such a thing. If Shirou hadn't raised the point, he would have likely never understand why mortals may not leave a Familia despite how badly they might be treated when they could just leave if they wanted.
"Also, even with your permission, I doubt anyone besides a select few even have the ability to decide to leave your Familia given that they are addicted to your wine. They would never dream of leaving as long as your wine exists." Shirou added.
Soma's eyes twitched as he resisted the urge to automatically refute Shirou's claim. He might have decided to ignore the affairs of his Familia and left Zanis in charge, something which had allowed corruption to spread in his Familia, but he wasn't blind to the quality of his wine. He was perfectly aware that people got addicted when they drink his wine. It was one of the main selling points that made his wine so popular and expensive after all. So, for this whipper-snapper to insinuate that he was ignorant about his own specialty somewhat nicked his pride.
"You are right about that." Still, Soma conceded grudgingly. With the mess that Zanis created, he needs the goodwill. "I will have to deal with that issue after dealing with Zanis and his lackeys. Oh, by the way, I will not let you take Lili." At the very least, he won't let his children get hurt anymore.
"Can you repeat that again?" Shirou asked in a frosty tone while his hands were ready to grasp swords that may materialize any second.
A shiver ran down Soma's spine before he mustered his courage. "Lili is not an object that you can take as you wish Shirou Emiya."
"Lili said she wanted to join my Familia, but she can't because you would never allow such a thing." Shirou shouted furiously.
"Of course, I would never let such a thing happen. Am I supposed to trust your word on this Emiya? No one really knows much about your personality besides your combat prowess and unheard ability to replicate the Divine Construct of other gods. Who knows, you might be a ruthless and evil man underneath that fake persona that everyone knows about? While I thank you for bringing the matter of Zanis crimes to me, I can't risk one of my child's safety on a stranger of all things." Soma rebuked harshly as if it was the most obvious thing to do.
"There are gods that can attest to my character. That I am kind and honorable man."
"What gods? I bet they are no-names that are easily fooled, if not then ones that you have bought out through favors or other means." Soma laughed in Shirou's face.
"You count the likes of Odin as no-names and those that could easily be bought out?" Shirou quipped.
"Depends on the replica Divine Construct you give." Soma replied lightly as a small wooden cask materialized in his hand.
Words to rebuke the infuriating god were about to slip out of Shirou's mouth when his eyes fell onto the wooden cask. There was a pop as the wooden cork came off the cask, as water spilled out, and splashed towards Shirou. Instantly, Swords appeared in Shirou's hand as he dodged to the side whilst using his swords to bat away at the water. The sections that touched the water was soon melted off.
"Most people would have assumed that you used acid." Shirou said as he looked at the melting sections of his blades that had touched the water. "I am surprised to fight another bacteria user." And then he silently added to himself, Who would have thought such a magic user would exist in this world still in the medieval age of all places.
"Bacteria? What's that?" Soma asked in genuine confusion and curiosity despite the fact that he had attacked Shirou.
The newly ascended god resisted the urge to laugh. Shirou found the notion that Soma, who could manipulate bacteria to be able to eat through metal as if it was acid, hadn't given bacteria a different name of his own greatly amusing. And so, he decided to humor Soma's curiosity.
"Bacteria is the name of the living creatures that you are manipulating. Creatures which are too small to see with your eyes." Shirou replied earnestly.
"Oh! Someone else already learned of their existence and gave them a name?" Soma muttered in a disappointed tone. Then his eyes widened and he shouted, as he noticed something amiss "What are you…!"
"It would have been great if you fell for it." Shirou sighed as he saw Soma dodge backwards from his sneak attack and quickly put some distance between them.
A murderous glare was sent Shirou's way before Soma sent waves of bacteria-filled water from his wooden cask at Shirou. The deluge of acid-like water was as like gentle waves from the oceans crashing towards Shirou. Despite their gentle appearance, the water was deceptively fast.
The wave then crashed into Shirou, his figure disappearing under the waves. Not to long after that he reappeared from underground as he used his swords like a shovel digging through the earth. Much of the water was deflected away, but there were still small bodies of water and droplets that he couldn't stop from touching him. It was his clothes that mostly took the brunt of it, and they would have melted on contact with the water if they hadn't been made out of special material and enchanted with magic. A few sections of his body was also inevitably hit by the water where his cloth didn't cover. Shirou could feel parts of his body burning.
Shirou ignored the pain, as the water started to melt part of his skin. It was a minor inconvenience to him compared to what he had suffered in his life. He then cut through all the water in his way and soon arrived where Soma stood.
Soma looked like he was panicking, not expecting Shirou to make through his water attacks unscathed. He staggered back several steps before managing to send a few more water attacks at Shirou. Shirou easily deflected these as he slashed at the defenseless Soma. Only there was something strange to the Soma in front of him.
"I should have expected this," said Shirou as he saw the Soma he had cut react in an incredibly realistic manner to being decapitated before the body hit the ground. Only for the body to start dissolving into motes of light. "You are not just the god of winemaking. The moon is also under your domain."
"That is correct. I am not just skilled with using water and the manipulation of what you call bacteria. My powers also include manipulating light." Soma spoke as he stepped out from the shadows in another part of the room.
"Not light, but moonlight." Shirou commented idly as he stared at the full moon that is shining beyond the ceiling. "Today is the zenith of your power, be it the mortal powers you trained or in your unrestrained divine state."
"If you know all that then why fight me now? A wiser person would retreat and fight me again during the day." Soma said as he looked at Shirou in disappointment.
Shirou didn't care about Soma's thoughts, he charged again at Soma. A blinding flash stopped in his tracks as he instinctively closed his eyes. After opening his eyes, Shirou noticed that several more figures of Soma surrounding him.
He soon found himself on the defensive when the Soma clones started to attack him from all directions. Shirou blocked and dodged the beams of light and waves of water coming at him, all the while tracking the Soma clones to see which one could possibly be the real Soma. This defensive posture lasted for several seconds before he came up with a concrete plan.
Motes of light then formed all around Shirou, the lights then quickly formed into swords. In a flash, faster than a bullet the swords shot towards the Soma clones. The speed made it so that the Soma clones have no other choice but to be hit and one by one dissolved into motes of light or a puddle of water. Soon there was only figure left standing.
"I'm surprised that you were able to figure out which ones were my clones and where I was." Soma said out in surprise. "You must have fought a great number of people that use clones like me to discern such things so quickly."
Shirou shook his head. 'A great number of people'; was a gross understatement. He had fought countless users of various forms of clones during his time as a wandering hero and then countless more during his time as a Master of Chaldea. Anyone who had survived so many clone users would have eventually developed such skills if they want to remain alive.
"I doubt you're the real thing," said Shirou as he materialized and shot several swords at Soma. His hunch was proven correct when 'Soma' dissolved into light and water. That last clone was different from the rest. I was nearly fooled into thinking that it was the real Soma…
Light and water then bombarded Shirou's position. The furniture and the room was torn apart as explosions ripped through anything caught in their blast waves. The explosions continued to erupt until there was nothing left in the room but dust.
"It was a shame that I had to attack him. He hadn't been a god for long and already he is exiled to Tenkai for several decades before he can descend again… I hope he doesn't carry any grudges." Soma muttered in disappointment and sadness which quickly turned into surprise as he felt the cold bite of steel on his back.
"Too bad I didn't go down like you thought." Shirou said glibly as he placed a tip of a sword at Soma's back. "I admit you are one of the more skilled clone users I have fought. Not many of them were as good at making their clones as difficult to discern as you. That last clone that I took out and the clones that just attacked me nearly had me fooled."
"I surrender," Soma replied with a sigh as he held up his hands. "I should have expected this outcome. You're a god who is specializes in fighting, while I am a god of alcohol. The chances of me defeating was close to zero."
Shirou shook his head at Soma's misconception. Just because you specialized in fighting didn't make you the strongest. He knew several Servants from Chaldea whose legend didn't mention anything about their combat ability, who proved to be very dangerous fighters. Shirou had the feeling that there was a great deal more combat skills Soma possessed that the moon god had decided not to reveal. If Soma fought seriously, Shirou got the feeling that the fight could last for a very long time. He was confident that he could win, but not before revealing some things that he preferred kept secret. Furthermore, Soma would just come back in a couple of decades probably bearing a grudge.
"So, will you allow Lili to leave your Familia?" Shirou asked in a calm tone.
Soma thought about it for several seconds before coming to a decision. "Well the fact that you're willing to go as far as to fight me shows that you really do care about Lili. I may allow her to join your Familia if Lili tell me herself that she wants to leave my Familia on her own free will, and that she was not pressured by you to join your Familia."