Hello Readers,
Newly Ascended God isn't dead! It is still alive and kicking.
I hope you enjoy the next installment of Newly Ascended God.
ShirouKuroEmiya
Chapter Ten "Gaia Suppression Force"
Shirou groaned as the morning sun hit his eyes. He got up while drowsily rubbing his eyes and made his way to a nearby window. The window curtain parted ways as he glazed outside.
"Argh! Close the curtains!" shrieked Rin as the light hit her half-closed eyes and she quickly shuffled around in bed, throwing her bed sheet to cover her face.
"Rin, it's time to wake up," yawned Shirou.
"I don't have the energy," grumbled Rin. "Because a certain individual made me stay up the entire night!"
Shirou chuckled. He certainly was the guilty one, but he had good reason to. The God of Heroes had been sexually frustrated for very long time until he had met Rin again.
"Don't forget we live in the Age of Gods! Just absorb the dense Mana to replenish your Od."
"That doesn't resolve the physical and mental exhaustion that I feel right now!" Rin screamed back.
"Rin, come on." Shirou walked over and started prodding Rin. "There is a lot we need to do. Evilus will not wait for us. If we don't act soon, who knows what plans they might bake up and unleash on the innocents."
"Nnggghh!" growled Rin as she rolled around in bed. "Fine!" She sat up and glared at her husband. "Sometimes I wonder why I even married you?! No other wife has to put up with the stress of having a Hero of Justice as a husband."
"Rin, you know that isn't true." Shirou chuckled as he peeked Rin's lips. "It will be my treat today. What do you want to eat?"
"Really!?" Rin's anger evaporated as her eyes lit up in delight. "You're going to make breakfast?"
"Of course," Shirou nodded. "It's been a long time since I got to cook for you..." His expression slightly darkened. "EMIYA isn't around to steal the kitchen from me."
Rin giggled as she recalled their life back at Chaldea. EMIYA had basically kept Shirou away from the kitchen with his arguably superior culinary skills honed over eons as a Counter Guardian. There was also the fact that Senji Muramasa, who Shirou was fused with at the time, didn't like to cook and much preferred to take up the role as Chaldea's blacksmith when Shirou wasn't acting as a Master.
"Let's go together!" Rin shouted excitedly as she threw the bedsheets off her body and with an application of some advanced spatial magecraft changed out of her sleepwear. "I want to see you cook in person."
"If that is what you wish." Shirou stood up and started to make way to the main kitchen used to feed the Ishtar Familia. Rin quickly followed her husband.
The husband and wife made their ways through the various stairs and hallways. The Ishtar Familia bowed to them the moment that Shirou and Rin came into view. The moment they left, the Ishtar Familia members would make comments about Shirou and Rin.
Rin hummed happily as she heard what many of her Familia thought of her "relationship" with Shirou. Her mood lifted greatly that the previous malicious or negative opinions about her disappearing as she no longer acted the same way as this world's Ishtar.
If Shirou had been the same man he had been prior to Chaldea, he would have been blushing and trying to hide himself. He was now thick skinned after his experience with interacting with all sorts of Heroic and Divine Spirits. It would take much more to shake his mental state.
They soon arrived at the kitchen. Rin was the first to enter as it felt awkward for Shirou to do so when he was a guest and Rin was the host.
"Welcome, Ishtar-sama." The kitchen staff greeted as they bowed.
Before any of her Familia could speak, Rin spoke up while waving her hand dismissively. "Please return to your work and ignore us..." She looked around to see there were no available cooking stations open. "Athar," Rin called out, pointing to a woman that, if she recalled correctly from the Ishtar of this world's memories, was her personal cook. "Please vacate your station. I will have someone else cook my breakfast for today."
The cook looked offended, but quickly changed her demeanor so quickly that a regular person might have missed it. Yet, Shirou was not a regular person.
"My name is Shirou," said Shirou in a polite tone. "I am a friend of Ishtar, and a..." His expression turned awkward for a moment as he recalled a part of his Reality Marble that his friends would sometimes fondly call as Unlimited Cooking Works. He took a deep breath before continuing, "A god of cooking."
The cook glanced at Rin and she nodded seriously. That got the cook to change her demeanor and she started to look at Shirou as if she was an apprentice eager to learn under a master. The cook stepped aside to allow Shirou to take control over the cooking station.
"So what do you want?" asked Shirou as he rolled up his sleeves and washed his hands.
"Some morning comfort food. You know what you make in the morning."
"Alright." Shirou nodded as he started to set up the cooking station the way he did things. "One set of comfort food for the morning coming up."
It wasn't long before Shirou started to draw the attention of everyone in the kitchen. His culinary skills quickly manifested and demonstrated why he had been qualified as a god of cooking. The Ishtar Familia's cooking division started to comment on his skills as he started to make Rin's meal.
You're even better than I remember, commented Rin through to the spiritual connection that they had forged from last night's tantric ritual. As she listened to her Familia's cooking personnel, Rin started to become very confused. Wait, were you not joking that are a god of cooking?
I am not, Shirou replied while trying to maintain a neutral tone as he still struggled to believe that his cooking ability had become so renowned in life when he only really got to cook during Chaldea's trips into Singularities and Lostbelts when EMIYA wasn't around to hog the position of cook.
Rin started to laugh at the thought her husband had actually become a god of cooking out of all things. While she alongside many other Servants and members of Chaldea had applauded culinary skills, it had been more of a passing joke. For Shirou to actually become...
She couldn't hold her sides anymore!
Rin do you want food or not? He couldn't help but growl in annoyance as his brows twitched. I could give you the same food that I gave Arturia when she upsetted me and demanded food.
The moment Rin heard about the incident that Shirou was referring to she instantly stopped laughing. It was an infamous incident known as the Lion's Poisoned Buffet that everyone in Chaldea, be it Servant or human, had learned from about upsetting Shirou, especially when he was going to cook the next meal.
Rin could still remember how green Arturia had become and felt like she on the verge of throwing up. Yet, Shirou had paradoxically made the food so tasty and addictive that the Once and Future King of England still kept eating.
She coughed and instead asked, What do you think about this world's magic?
Very impressive, said Shirou as he continued to cook and be the attention of the kitchen. Yet, the development of magic has stagnated in comparison to the similar comparable time period of Earth's Proper Human History.
The Age of Gods here never started to decline. Rin nodded in agreement as she watched eagerly in anticipation as Shirou prepared her meal. Magic didn't start to decline as the magical foundations, the gods were strong as ever. So the usual development of human research and experimentation never took root. Hence, the incentive to create more efficient magical methods with the gathering of knowledge and quest of improvement never happened.
Shirou continued to cook, but he recalled the state of this world's magic system. Most magic users were limited to one or two magic spells. While they might have wide applications like Reinforcement, Alteration and Projection magic spells that he used or powerful their speciality, it paled in the number of magic spells that the average 21st century mage on Earth knew. The average mage knows at least twenty magic spells after five years of basic magic training.
It's not like I can fault the gods of this world for trying to hinder the development of magic. Rin sighed. The gods in this world are in general much better than Earth's. They are more compassionate and understanding then Earth's which as a common stance were apathetic or treated humans like toys.
Yet, the Falna system that is intended to help mankind and other races is also a clutch curtailing certain development like magic, creating a situation that you and I see as a stagnation, replied Shirou as he added the final touches to Rin's breakfast. He brought over the food to Rin, who's eyes lit up in delight. "Here it is. Please enjoy."
"Itadakimasu," chirped Rin as she grabbed a chopstick and started to eat.
"So how is it?" asked Shirou with a smile.
"It's good. More delicious than I remember." grumbled Rin while she chewed. "Did your culinary skills become buffed similar to how Heroic Spirits are by how well known their feats are?"
"Probably."
"Mmmmmmmmm... I wonder what other of your skills have gotten better after becoming a god."
"Who knows," replied Shirou ambiguously. "So do you plan on teaching Magecraft? I think that the world would benefit from such an endeavor."
"The miso soup is really good... Did you use fish or meat to flavor the soup?"
"I didn't use either. Just my secret blend."
"Hmphm! One of these days I am going to discover your secret blend," grumbled Rin. "So, yeah... I might as well do something productive and I enjoy teaching magecraft. I might as well teach it, but only after I clean up the mess left by you know who."
"Don't forget to help me out with eradicating Evilus." He reminded his wife.
"And deal with Evilus."
He watched in silence afterwards as Shirou observed what foods Rin enjoyed and how others could be improved for the next time he cooked.
Suddenly, Shirou frowned.
"What's the matter, Shirou?" asked Rin in confusion as she finished eating her breakfast and put down her chopsticks.
"Rin, don't you feel it?" responded Shirou while pointing in one particular direction.
"Feel wh-" She frowned as she focused her attention on sensing whatever had kept Shirou's attention. Rin did feel something unique and she wondered why Shirou was curious when she suddenly recalled something. "I am so stupid! There was an important thing I should have resolved long ago, but I forgot because there are so many other issues that had required attention."
She grabbed Shirou's arm and got up, pulling him along. Rin ignored the pleading looks by her familia in the kitchen. They no doubt wanted to ask Shirou questions about cooking.
Rin waved her hand to cast a moving Bounded Field to stop people from eavesdropping.
"This girl might even provide a great deal of help for you," continued Rin. "Ishtar was preparing to use her as a strategic weapon to deal with the Freya Familia."
"Strategic weapon?"
"The unique aura that caught your attention is most likely a girl by the name of Sanjouno Haruhime. She has a unique magical ability known as Uchide no Kozuchi. It can be used to temporarily make an Adventurer a Level higher. The Ishtar of this world had been planning to use the girl's unique power in conjecture with an item known as a Killing Stone to sacrifice the girl and make the Ishtar Familia 'invincible.'" explained Rin in a disgusted and condescending tone.
"I take it that Ishtar's plans were going to fail given your tone?"
"Oh, sure. Her plan would have failed, and rather spectacularly. She greatly underestimated the Freya Familia that she is trying to replace. In fact, looking at the details of her plan, the Ishtar Familia likely just died from the strain of being buffed beyond their natural limits. I wouldn't have been surprised if the Ishtar Familia had ended with explosions as Od burst out of their bodies."
"Ishtar-sama," two amazonesses guarding a door bowed as Shirou and Rin arrived.
"You no longer have to guard Sanjouno Haruhime. In fact, tell everyone that she is no longer a prisoner or free to move around however she pleases," responded Rin. The two guards were about to react when Rin moved her hand dismissively. "This is my final decision."
"Of course, Ishtar-sama." The two guards bowed and opened the locked door.
Shirou entered the room to see a beautiful girl. She has long blonde hair, green eyes, and fox ears and a tail. The girl wore a simple red kimono.
The girl bowed onto the floor then looked up at Rin. "Ishtar-sama?" asked the girl in confusion.
"That is right." Rin nodded. "I presume you have heard about how I have changed?"
"Yes... I have."
"You might not have heard me talking to your guards, but you're free to go." Rin paused for a moment. "Actually, you're free to leave to my Familia with my blessing if you wish. I will also compensate you for the mental distress I have caused you."
Haruhime blinked owlishly.
"What Rin..." Shirou coughed as he realized his mistake. "I mean... Ishtar is sorry for what you had to go through. She wants to make up for her mistakes." He hugged the confused Haruhime. "Do you have anyone outside of the Ishtar Familia that might be able to take you in or help you out?"
Shirou, what are you doing?! You should be trying to convince Haruhime to stay! Rin shouted in an alarmed tone. You know the usual good cop and bad cop.
He sighed whilst turning around to look at his wife. Rin, I think you're being influenced by lingering thoughts of this world's Ishtar. You should be willing to let Haruhime. She is not a tool to be used, but a living human being.
I am not. Rin shook her head. I was planning on keeping Haruhime here for two reasons. She needs protection from those that would seek to use her, and she was kidnapped thousands of kilometers away from her home. There is no one she would know in Orario.
If Shirou had only heard Rin's first point he might have argued with her for treating Haruhime too objectively, but that was a different matter entirely when he heard Rin's second point. He pondered on the matter before glancing towards Haruhime.
"You don't have to decide right now," said Shirou. "Think about the matter. You have all the time in the world."
Rin looked at her husband impatiently, but sighed. "You can still call my Familia home until you have decided what to do."
"Thank you for the options," replied Haruhime in a nervous tone.
Shirou and Rin were about to respond when Tammuz Belili, former Vice-Captain under the assimilated Ishtar of this world and new Captain of the Ishtar Familia with Rin's appearance, knocked on the door and entered the room.
"Ishtar-sama, I am sorry to interrupt, but a lady by the name of Arturia Pendragon and Mer-"
"Arturia!?" Shirou and Rin shouted in surprise.
"Yes, that is correct." Tammuz nodded his head. "She says that it is urgent and claims to know you, Ishtar-sama."
"I assume you guided my guest to the main hall?" asked Rin and Tammuz nodded his head. "Well please take care of Haruhime. She is no longer restricted to where she can go. If Haruhime has any requests then try to fulfill them to the best of your ability."
She didn't give Tammuz time to respond and quickly whipped around to walk out of the room. Shirou quickly followed behind.
"Do you think this Arturia is the one we knew?" asked Shirou.
"Well we already know three examples of beings from our world ending up here. Heracles, you and me. What's to say more people from our world cannot be here? And with Merlin tagging along, I think there is a high chance that it is the Arturia we know."
"Which one though...?" Shirou chuckled as he recalled the shenanigans that had happened due to several possible versions of Arturias being at once place. "I hope it's the Arturia we know the best, the one from our timeline and who we met during the Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War."
"I think the same way."
Shirou and Rin didn't take too long to arrive at the Great Hall that the previous Ishtar used for place of ceremonies and meetings. They entered to find two individuals standing in the room. A woman and a man. Merlin looked very much the same as the one they had met in Chaldea.
It was Arturia that caught Shirou's attention. She was the same height of 170cm of her Lancer and Lancer Alternative Servant forms, and the Lion King of the Camelot Singularity, but she was not as curvaceous as them. The Arturia before Shirou seemed more on the slimmer side. Yet, her demeanor seemed halfway between the very human Lily Arturia and Arturia Avalon, and her machine-like Lion King personality.
Shirou and Rin were about to greet their guests when a very familiar creature materialized on Shirou's shoulder and before they could respond the cute animal launched itself into the air and became a white blur.
"Die, Merlin, Fou!"
The husband and wife were prepared to see the sight of a humorous and playful "fight" between Fou and Merlin, but they were not prepared for what actually happened. Fou turned into a large monstrous beast the size of a truck and grabbed Merlin with his jaws that could easily swallow a person and started to shake Merlin like a chew toy.
"Greetings, Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka," said Arturia while approaching Shirou and Rin. "It's alright. Fou is likely being influenced by his counterpart in this world. The Merlin of this world didn't treat our Fou very well."
Shirou and Rin were about to point out the savagery that was before them. Yet, to their surprise, Merlin showed no signs of being hurt. Yes, he was still being swung around the monstrous Fou's jaws, but Merlin just seemed to laugh and enjoy what was happening that would have killed a normal human.
How was Merlin not injured?
The answer was very apparent. Either Fou wasn't too serious about hurting Merlin or Merlin was casting defensive magic spells to protect himself. It seemed that the latter case as from Shirou's perspective Fou seemed like he really wanted to, at the very least, hurt Merlin.
"What did Merlin do to make Fou hate him so much?" asked Rin.
"In this world, my Merlin violently suppressed and subdued Fou's true form, Cath Palug, so that Fou wouldn't become Primate Murder. He tore Fou from Gaia's influence. Fou became a Beast of Alaya in this world." explained Arturia.
Shirou stared at Fou in disbelief. He might strongly disagree with the Merlin of this world's actions, but he could understand Merlin's motives. Primate Murder was a supreme killing machine that when it came to taking human lives nearly unnrivalled. If he had been in the same shoes as Merlin, he might have also done the same for the greater good of humanity.
"At least, Fou doesn't hate my Merlin as much as he used to." sighed Arturia. "At first, my Fou really tried to kill my Merlin until he started to make up for his dubious actions. Still, his anger towards my Merlin hadn't subsided enough. It seems Fou still wants to seriously hurt my Merlin."
"You keep saying, 'My Merlin.' I assume you're not the Arturia we know or any other versions of her that we are familiar with?" inquired Rin as she stared into Arturia's eyes.
"That is right," Arturia nodded her head. "The best way to describe myself would be comparing the Arturia you know and myself in the same manner as Shirou encountering EMIYA during the Fifth Fuyuki Holy Grail War. Somehow I received the memories of my counterparts, those encountered by Chaldea. I even have the memories of..." Arturia started to blush, but Shirou and Rin didn't miss how she glanced down towards a certain part of Shirou. She started to blush and quickly glanced away from Shirou. "Ahem... Please excuse me."
Rin looked very angry for a moment before she started to smile. "Which ones of those memories? Just Saber Arturia or the other Arturias?" She asked while trying to suppress her giggle. Her eyes glowing with amusement stared at the embarrassed Arturia. "Please tell me. I am curious."
"Rin!" Shirou coughed uncomfortably. "Can you not bring up that topic, at least with me around..."
"Fine, Shirou," chuckled Rin. "Arturia and I will have our girl talk another time." She glanced over to Merlin that was still being swung around like a chew toy. "Shouldn't we stop them now?"
"Yes." Arturia nodded. "I think it has gone on for long enough. Fou, please put down Merlin."
Fou growled and threw around his jaw for several more moments before reluctantly lowering a laughing Merlin.
"That was fun, Fou!" The archmage patted Fou's head. "My, my..." He glanced at Rin with a smile. "I didn't think you would become so beautiful Ishtar after you were assimilated by your Proper Human History counterpart..."
"Enough, Merlin! Stop with your womanizing ways." shouted Arturia as she threw a punch that carried compressed winds to Merlin.
Merlin easily twisted his head to the side and avoided the compressed air. "Of course, your Majesty." He replied politely while bowing. "The reason for our appearance is that her Majesty would like to request your aid."
Shirou raised a brow. He wondered what kind of threat that Arturia was facing to request his and Rin's help. The Arturia before him, while not as powerful as the Goddess Rhongomyniad of the Camelot Singularity, still possessed the strength that rivaled a great proportion of the Lion King's powers. There was also Merlin to help, and Shirou didn't doubt that there was the Round Table to assist.
"Evilus is the least of your concerns," said Arturia. "Shirou, do you know about the Gaia Suppression Force? You might not have heard about it as a newly ascended god. Well, many gods also don't know. Only those that fought in the Monster War or powerful enough to warrant recruitment know about it."
He frowned as he tried to recall anything about the Gaia Suppression Force. Shirou rigorously searched through his memories, but found nothing. Turning to Arturia, he shook his head.
"The Gaia Suppression Force was created after the Monster War ended, this world's replacement for the ending of Earth's Proper Human History, Age of Gods. Humankind prevailed and it became the Age of Man, ending the Age of Monster," explained Rin.
"The Age of Gods never ended in this world," added Arturia.
"It did end in some ways. The gods couldn't reckless use divine powers as reckless as before so much so that gods cannot use any Arcanum on Genkai without good reason like acting as part of the Gaia Suppression Force, unless you wanted to suffer punishment at Alaya's hands." Rin corrected Arturia. "The Gaia Suppression Force refers to the many actively patrolled and guarded areas like Dungeons that are hidden, partially and fully sealed or the World Anchors points. Gods act like strategic nuclear weapons, Demigods are tactical nuclear weapons and Familias are the armies."
Shirou nodded as he engraved the information into his mind. He was about to ask more on the subject when Fou transformed back into the small cute form that the former Beast of Calamity normally used before jumping onto his shoulder and started playfully licking Shirou's cheek.
"It's good to see you, Fou. I thought I would never get to see you again." cooed Shirou as patted Fou's head. "So what more should I know, Merlin?"
Merlin was about to speak when the building started to shake and his expression darkened.
"The seals suppressing Gaia are weakening!" The archmage shouted in alarm.
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