Chapter Nine "Baka Shirou!"
Aisha Belka felt she was still dreaming despite it being several days now that her goddess and familia had changed. It was hard to believe that out of the blue that Ishtar had undergone a transformation, physically and mentally, to such a degree that every member of the goddess's familia thought that their goddess had become possessed. Well whatever had happened to Ishtar, she liked the changes that had taken place. In fact, the changes had been so long overdue that she stopped thinking about leaving the Ishtar Familia, which she had been considering for a while if the Ishtar Familia didn't change its ways.
What had caused Ishtar to change? Aisha wondered.
She thought about that question deeply as she wasn't the only one curious about the subject. In fact, it was one of the most discussed topics in the Ishtar Familia and the rest of Orario. As the Ishtar Familia was one of the most powerful, wealthiest and influential familias any changes in the Ishtar Familia affected many. So it was always something that everyone paid a lot of attention to.
It had been very interesting to hear what the normal people thought about the changes to Ishtar and the Familia compared to other groups like adventurers. What caught Aisha's attention the most were theories going around amongst the gods. It was only through her connections that she had managed to listen to the juicy gossip that the gods treated as divine secrets from those close and trusted mortals by the gods.
Aisha smirked at how resourceful and cunning she was. Normally someone of her standing, a Level 4 Adventurer, would never be able to learn the secrets that gods discussed.
"Hello, Aisha," said a familiar voice to Aisha.
"Good morning, Tammuz." Aisha greeted her comrade. "You seem to be..."
"Less exhausted?" Tammuz replied while raising a brow. "I have been able to get much more sleep since Ishtar-sama no longer seems to treat me as a boytoy anymore for her sexual pleasure."
"Do you like that?" She asked while watching Tammuz's body language. Tammuz maintained a calm demeanor for the most part but Aisha noticed the tips of his ear's turn red. "Oh, someone seems to miss a certain aspect of..."
"Aisha!" Tammuz shouted as his face went red.
"Heehee..." She giggled but she didn't push anymore on the topic.
"Ahem..." He cleared his throat as Tammuz calmed his emotions. "While I might no longer warm Ishtar's bed, I much prefer being able to think rationally without being influenced by Ishtar's charm. The ability to think without constantly thinking about Ishtar's body and how to please her in bed is so wonderful that I cannot describe it with words."
Aisha continued giggling for several moments. "How are the other males in the familia feeling? You were treated more like second-class citizens until the recent reforms." She asked seriously.
"Relieved. They feel as if they have regained their manhood and amongst many other things." Tammuz replied with a smile. "The Ishtar Familia had been very close to civil war or mass exodus of male members. A disaster that would have hit our manpower, income and reputation. We narrowly avoided that thanks to Ishtar-sama transformation."
She rubbed the sweat that had formed on her brow from imagining the male members of the Ishtar Familia rising up in rebellion. The male members were often looked down upon at most and at worst treated like slaves, but they performed a bulk of the unappreciated grunt work that made it possible for the Ishtar Familia to be one of the most powerful, wealthiest and influential familias. Even if the male members didn't rebel and only went on strike it would have brought great harm to the Ishtar Familia.
Aisha could only imagine how much more damage the Familia might suffer if there was an open rebellion to happen within its ranks.
The Ishtar Familia Vice-Captain glanced around if there was anyone around before leaning over Aisha. "Ishtar-sama no longer calls me to her bed or treats me as a close confidant. Did I offend her in any way?"
Aisha frowned, internally conflicted on how to respond. Prior to Ishtar's transformation, Tammuz had been part of the same circle of inner members like herself trusted by Ishtar as close confidants. So it should be no problem to tell Tammuz given that Ishtar's reason for distancing from Tammuz had nothing to do with his trustworthiness. Yet, the very cause of Ishtar was keeping Tammuz at arm's length had to do with the topic that he brought up.
She thought about the matter deeply for several more moments before coming to a decision.
"It isn't just you." Aisha replied as she recalled the moment that Ishtar had made the proclamation. "All of Ishtar-sama's male and female lovers have been ordered not to come her and never bring up their fomer sexual relationship ever again. If they did then Ishtar-sama promised that she would banish them from the Familia."
Tammuz stared at Aisha in disbelief. She could understand why he was shocked. The very idea that Ishtar would ban her lovers from visiting the goddess or even threatening to exile them over their previous relationship seemed impossible. Ishtar was known the goddess of sexual love and fertality for a reason. That had been the case for centuries. Ishtar's Familia controlling Orario's red-light district was another example of her familia following their goddess's lead. It was almost unthinkable that Ishtar didn't seek sex. Almost like the sun never setting.
"Apparently her husband is coming," said Aisha as she recalled Ishtar's explanation to her inner circle. "And no, it isn't your namesake, the original Tammuz, that is visiting." She continued after seeing Tammuz's bewildered expression. "Apparently, he is coming as we speak. I was sent down to escort him to Ishtar-sama."
"Lead the way. I want to see which mortal or god had made Ishtar-sama forsaken all her lovers, be it mortal or god. He must also be the reason why Ishtar-sama had undergone such drastic, physical and mental, transformation to reform the familia."
"Follow me then," said Aisha as she led the way. "In Ishtar-sama's words, 'be prepared to have your mind blown away. My husband is the strongest, smartest and most compassionate man that any wife would look for.' Those were her exact words."
Aisha and Tammuz walked through various hallways and stairs before they found themselves at the entrance to Ishtar Familia HQ. There they found several guards blocking the entrance and preventing someone from entering.
"What's the matter?" asked Tammuz as he made his way to the guards.
"Tammuz-sama," said one of the guards, "this man claims that Ishtar-sama is expecting his visit."
"Let me handle the matter. All of you are to withdraw."
"Of course, Sir!" The guards replied and they returned to the previous positions in watching over who entered and left through the front entrance.
Aisha walked over to Tammuz's side and she was surprised to find who she had been directed by Ishtar to guide. Her goddess hadn't said anything about the visitor's physical appearance, only a description of the visitor's clothes. A red overcoat and black body armor. She had found someone wearing the attire matching Ishtar's guest, but she hadn't expected that...
"What are you doing here, Shirou Emiya?" asked Tammuz as he scrutinized the subject of the recent hot topic of the week if Ishtar's with her drastic transformation and reforms of her familia had overtaken Shirou's limelight. "Are you seeking Ishtar's protection from the Soma Familia?"
"Me? Look for protection from the Soma Familia?" Shirou repeated in an amused tone. "No, I am not. I would like to talk to Ishtar on another matter entirely."
"How dare you address a goddess so disrespectfully-!?"
"Tammuz," said Aisha as she placed a hand on Tammuz's shoulder, "you are supposed to treat him with respect." She leaned over and whispered into his ear. "This man is likely Ishtar's newest love interest, and one that she had identified as her husband. Don't insult him over such a trivial matter when he is likely Ishtar's newest romantic interest. If you make him your enemy then it will be you that suffers."
The Vice-Captain of the Ishtar Familia sweated nervously when he realized what he had done. "Thanks for the warning," he whispered back as he turned his attention to Shirou. "Shirou-sama..."
"There is no need to apologize. If I had been offended so easily then the guards would have been standing unharmed." Shirou replied nonchalantly. "Please take me to Ishtar. She is expecting my arrival."
"Of course," Tammuz quickly nodded and he started leading the way. "Please follow me."
Aisha followed behind Tammuz and Shirou. She couldn't help but stare at Shirou. There had been many rumors going about Shirou during his moment of limelight as the juiciest topic of Orario. He was supposed to be a new adventurer with no more than a month's experience under his belt but possessed the abilities, skills and experience of a high leveled adventurer. This rumor had been confirmed true when witnesses saw him fighting Soma - who was another topic of hot discussion showing that gods were not as powerless as many had believed - with the combat prowess, skills and experience expected of a Level 5 Adventurer.
If the rumors were true then Aisha found it hard to believe. She had to admit that Shirou did possess a physical body that had an excellent amount of strength and agility. Features that an adventurer would possess but being an adventurer wasn't just about possessing great physical strength and agility. What was more important to an adventurer was their combat skill and experience.
She couldn't see the usual signs of veteran adventurers' that bled into their habits such as being hyper-aware of their surroundings. All that she saw was a regular human. Albeit, a rather muscular one.
"Do you want to test me out?" Shirou suddenly spoke up to Aisha's surprise.
Aisha was about to respond when she felt a chilling amount of hostile intent and before she could even move, found Shirou standing in front of her with his right hand on her left shoulder.
"Aisha, what did you do?!" Tammuz shouted in surprise when he had detected a burst of hostile intent and found Shirou disappearing from his side to find Shirou's hand on Aisha's shoulder.
"She doubted that I was a capable adventurer so I gave her a test of what I can do." explained Shirou as he released his hand from Aisha's shoulder. "Do you still doubt that I am incapable?" The amazoness shook her head. "That's good to hear. Please lead the way. I don't want to anger Ishtar over something as trivial as being late."
Shock arose in Aisha's mind. Shirou didn't seem to be lying. It was as if he knew her goddess so well that he could predict Ishtar's behavior. She wondered who this man that was to meet Ishtar really was. The rumors failed to capture the essence of the man she saw before her.
Aisha quickly chased after Shirou and Tammuz while wondering how Ishtar might react.
- O -
Shirou Emiya mentally snickered at the shock that Aisha must have felt from what seemed like having her mind read, his hostile intent and suddenly appearing in front of her. She hadn't been the first, and many other people had the same thoughts if they were to hear the rumors going around about him or were unimpressed when they met him.
Hiding his true abilities had become second nature to him after the numerous Singularities and Lostbelts that he had dealt with as a Chaldean Master. A habit born from when force couldn't resolve a situation. Where non-violent or indirect methods were more effective or the only solution.
If Aisha had been able to gauge his abilities that easily then it meant he had gotten rusty as it was his skills of hiding what he was able to do.
"Who's your god?" asked Tammuz while leading the way through the various hallways and stairways that made up the Ishtar Familia HQ. "There is no way that you are really a Level 1 Adventurer with your abilities, skill and experience that can match a Level 5."
Shirou only smiled, creating a mysterious aura. There was no way that he was going to reveal information no matter how trivial for no reason, especially to a stranger that might use or pass information that could be used against him.
He was especially pleased by Tammuz's reaction. His guide looked slightly annoyed but Tammuz also looked at him with curiosity. The more people wondered who his "god" was the better it was for his plans to establish his familia as anyone that might become interested in him would spend manpower and resources looking for a god that didn't exist, with less to devote to investigating the reasons for his actions.
"Many people have tried all sorts of methods to find out about his patron deity or which familia he belongs to," said Aisha from behind, "but failed so just leave him be."
"You gave up so quickly," Shirou remarked casually. "Do you not want to know more about me?" He asked as he looked over his shoulder to where Aisha walked behind him.
"I am not foolish enough to force you," snorted Aisha. "Three things have happened if someone investigated you: finding no answers, missing or dead."
Shirou stopped walking and turned around to Aisha as he asked incredulously, "When did these rumors start and where did you hear them?" While internally he wondered, I don't ever recall killing any of those that attacked me for the purpose of gathering information on my combat prowess. I either let them get away or if they learned too much then erased their memories. Who is it that wants to paint me in a negative light? I don't recall making any enemies on Genkai...
Suddenly, Shirou recalled his recent action that had made him a topic of the Orario, his fight in trying to purge the criminal elements of the Soma Familia. His eyes narrowed as he realized that it was likely Evilus that was acting from the shadows to portray him as a cold and ruthless figure that tried to do anything to protect his secrets. No other group was motivated enough to push his patience and risk escalating their hostile relationship to another level.
"I might if you have something worth trading for," remarked Aisha as she smiled. "Do you want to make an exchange?"
Shirou shook his head. "I have a meeting with your patron deity. She would literally throw a planet at me if I made her wait any longer." He shuddered when recalling several close calls when that nearly happened. When Aisha and Tammuz looked at him with curious stares, Shirou couldn't help but blurt out. "Your goddess, Ishtar, if not for the restriction on divine powers on Genkai, would be able to create a copy of Venus and launch it as a weapon."
"I might actually use Mountain Range-Shaking Firewood of Venus on you right now," said a familiar voice in a cheery tone, which made Shirou shiver. "Aisha and Tammuz make sure no one eavesdrops or interrupts me until I finish my meeting with my baka husband."
Shirou turned around to see his lovable, tsundere wife before she grabbed him by the collar. He could only helplessly stare at Aisha and Tammuz for help, but they suddenly found looking at their surroundings or adjusting their clothes to be better presentable.
The Hero God soon found himself dragged away into a very luxurious room. Rin threw Shirou at a nearby sofa, and he landed on the sofa to stare at his wife sitting down opposite of him.
"So what was so urgent that you wanted to meet straight away. If you had really wanted to meet me because..." Rin's face went red and she coughed as she recomposed herself. "...Then you would have been more discreet like sending me an encoded message. Maybe even sneaking into my room."
Shirou choked at Rin's suggestive comment about sneaking into her room before he smiled. "Did you miss me that much?"
"Wipe away that smile!" Rin snapped before she launched herself at her husband. "I..." Her voice quieted down as the tips of her ears went red. "...missed you." Before Shirou could respond she started to kiss him very passionately. "Forget about whatever is on your mind and let's enjoy the moment."
Rin pushed her husband down onto a nearby bed, which she had prepared before, and her clothes started to slip off. Afterwards, moans started.
- O -
A bruise covered Rin hummed happily as she got off bed and started to slip back on some clothes. She turned around to see her husband staring at her.
"So what was so urgent that you wanted to meet face to face?" Rin asked as she fixed her hair.
Shirou replied as he got up from bed. "Do you know about Evilus?"
"Yes, Evilus." Rin nodded. "A collection of familias dedicated to committing just about every evil deed and atrocity that you can imagine. A group, unknown to most, is Gaia's secret weapon to sow chaos and cause as much damage to humanity and the other mortal races while Gaia looks for opportunities to launch an invasion of Earth and starts the Second Monster War with the odds more in her favor."
"That's the purpose of Evilus? I never would have known about the true goal of Evilus if you hadn't told me." Shirou remarked in surprise. "I am very curious. Why did you learn this? I basically scoured Genkai for any information about Evilus."
"I learned it from Ishtar," said Rin and when Shirou stared at her, she continued on. "Well, Ishtar of this world. As one of the oldest deities, Ishtar was there at the thick of the 1st Monster War. She had been one of the many active participants in hunting down Evilus until she was attacked by her enemy deities and was crippled."
"Crippled! Are you okay, Rin?" Shirou blurted out in concern.
She waved her hand. "I am fine." Rin sat down on a nearby sofa after getting properly dressed. "Why did you bring up Evilus? Did you find traces of them and want my help in dealing with them?"
"Yes, I did find Evilus." Shirou nodded. "You are someone I trust with my life," Rin's expression lit up, "and you conveniently lead one of the most powerful familia in Orario."
Her expression darkened and screamed, "Baka! Do you only think about coming for assistance because I happened to be Ishtar!" Black orbs that were Gandr Shots flew at Shirou. "Baka, stand still and take your punishment!"
"You're going to destroy everything in the room, Rin!" Shirou shouted as he dodged.
"Who cares about that! I can have everything replaced or repaired with magic." She screamed in frustration as she continued firing at Shirou.
Shirou didn't stop dodging no matter what Rin started to say. He knew that his tsundere wife wouldn't kill him, but that didn't mean she wouldn't hurt him, especially when Rin was so angry. His decision to continue dodging moved to be an excellent one as he witnessed the destruction of the larger and more durable furniture in the room being blasted into pieces, and if the Gandr Shots had hit him then he would have likely spend the next several hours in bed even with his superhuman constitution and magic resistance.
The game of cat and mouse lasted several more minutes as Shirou dodged his wife's attacks and her constant misses only further infuriated Rin. Shirou wasn't fooled. Despite looking outwardly angry, Rin was really enjoying herself. How else could she be missing in such tight confines? Rin had the ability to easily hit targets smaller than a bird traveling at supersonic speeds if she got serious.
It all came to an end when there was nothing left in the room except small craters on the floor, walls and ceiling.
"Have you finally released all your pent up stress?" Shirou asked as he dusted his clothes.
Rin nodded. "Yea." She sighed in relief. "The past few days have been incredibly stressful. Not only did I have to run one of the largest and most powerful familia in Orario but I had to reform it from the bottom-up while purging the criminal elements." She looked at Shirou with glowing eyes. "Can you lead the Ishtar Familia while I get a much needed vacation?" Rin winked at him playfully. "It's not like you don't have the experience. You learned leadership skills from some of humanity's greatest, and had demonstrated your ability to lead by making people that would have normally been enemies to work together for the greater good of humanity."
"Just leave the matter to your inner circle," replied Shirou in a lazy tone. "Most deities only give the direction that the familia should take and maintain the Falna of their familia members."
"That was before I purged the Ishtar familia and implemented the reforms. I am lacking qualified and experienced people to replace the exiled or arrested members." Rin sighed. "So will you help me out, honey?"
"I only have the training in running military operations. My experience being limited to managing dozens of Servants." said Shirou. "Besides, I don't have time to help you run your familia. I came to you for help to track down Evilus and eliminate it wherever I can find it before any more people are hurt. Just give me all the help you can provide."
"What an unreliable husband," Rin muttered. "Fine! I will get my familia to help in whatever way possible. Since you cannot assist in running my familia then you're going to have to help relieve my stress..." She winked coquettishly at her husband. "...in bed!"
- O -
For the first time in centuries, emerald eyes opened for the first time in centuries. Her golden hair fluttered in the air as her slender body moved. She looked down to see that it was not just the spear in her hands but her sword and sheath that were shaking and glowing as if something was exciting them.
She was very confused by how her beloved wargear was reacting. Never in her life, a very long and immortal one, had she experienced such a thing. What caused them to behave made her curious.
"Bedivere!" She called out.
"You called, your Majesty?" The familiar appearance of her steward quickly teleported before her.
"Has there been any unusual events that may have excited Rhongomyniad, Excalibur and Avalon?" Goddess Arturia asked.
"For centuries nothing worthy of your attention has happened save for the ascension of a new god." Bedivere replied as he knelt down before Arturia.
"What is the name of this new god?" She asked as her instincts acted up.
"His name is Shirou-"
"-Emiya." Arturia interrupted. Memories of possible versions of her popping in her mind that she had experienced while she had dreamed in her centuries long slumber. "That is his name. Shirou Emiya?" She asked while frowning.
"How did you know, your Majesty?" asked Bedivere in surprise as he looked up at Arturia.
"My instincts," Arturia replied dismissively. "Has there been any other news that I should be aware of?"
"It seems Ishtar may no longer be crippled and have recovered from her wounds suffered at the Monster War. Her appearance has also changed alongside her behavior."
"Could her new appearance and behavior be like this..." Arturia spoke as she quickly described another person she had seen during her dreams. Bedivere looked at Arturia as if she had suddenly become a prophet that could predict the future. It seems Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka from what my dreams call the Proper Human History have appeared in my world. Why is that? Hmph... Should I go meet them?
Arturia suddenly felt Rhongomyniad sending signals to her. She looked at Rhongomyniad, its true form the Anchor of the World, shaking and groaning as if under tremendous amounts of force. Her expression turned serious as channeled her divinity into the Anchor to strengthen it.
"Your Majesty, what just happened?" asked Bedivere in a concerned tone.
"Bring our forces to a high state of alertness," said Arturia. "Gaia is trying to break Rhongomyniad's restraint on it. It might even be trying to launch an attack on Genkai." She paused for a moment before continuing. "Also inform the other Anchor-defenses forces of what is going on. Gaia might only be targeting our side. So we may need reinforcements."
"Of course," Bedivere replied as he took a communication crystal and started to relay Arturia's orders.
Normally, Arturia would have thought about defending her keep, but something told her that this was the start of something huge. Her instincts screamed that it was time to get aid, just in case the worst was to happen. She suddenly thought about Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka. They had played a crucial role in preventing the extinction of mankind in another world. If the worst was to happen they could provide great assistance for the possible calamity.
She looked at the Demigods, members of the Round Table, that maintained eternal vigilance around her. "Lancelot as my strongest knight, please take my position temporarily to watch over the true form of Rhongomyniad, an Anchor of the World. Bedivere, call upon Merlin and tell him that I want him to accompany me to Orario. There are two people I need to meet."
Was this good, bad or meh? Please tell me what you think. I accept all criticism as long as it is no flaming.