Chapter 3 – The Promise
The sun rose in the sky of Tintagel, announcing a new day full of possibilities. Shirou, after a difficult night, woke up a little calmer. The nightmare still haunted his thoughts, but he was determined to protect Arturia, no matter what adversities might arise.
She decided to start the day with a joint training, Shirou had promised Arturia that her next training sessions would be done with him, he knew that she had a lower magical energy than her average so he had to help her. Arturia was waiting for him outside, showing her usual enthusiasm. "Good morning, Shirou!" She greeted him with a radiant smile.
"Good morning, Arturia!" Shirou replied, smiling back. Although the weight of the prophecy and Ector's words remained in his mind, he would not allow them to affect his resolve.
They both headed to a nearby field where they would begin training. The freshness of the morning air and the sound of birds created a serene atmosphere. They sat in the lotus position, preparing to focus their energies.
"Let's start with something basic," Shirou suggested. "Try to concentrate your magic on a specific point on your body."
Arturia nodded and closed her eyes, following Shirou's instructions. He tried to channel magic from it, but it proved difficult at first. Shirou patiently guided her. "Feel the energy flowing through you. Imagine a point on your hand and focus on it." He approached her to help her, taking her hands from behind. "If you can imagine it, you can do it"
Arturia, somewhat nervous, nodded and after several attempts, Arturia managed to feel the magic focusing on her hand. A small luminous sphere began to form, indicating her progress. "I'm doing it, Shirou!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"That's great, Arturia! Now, try expanding that energy and releasing it in a small magical attack," Shirou suggested, as he took her arms to guide her.
With concentration, Arturia released the pent-up energy in a small, controlled explosion. A bright flash illuminated the clearing for an instant. When I'm close to Shirou I can relax and concentrate, she mutters to herself somewhat embarrassed "Well done! You're moving quickly," Shirou praised.
Between laughter and more attempts, they continued the training for hours. Arturia's advancement was rapid with each tip and each achievement. Arturia, was excited to discover new abilities.
After a day of concentration and practice, Shirou decided to take the training one step further. She looked at Arturia firmly and proposed: "Arturia, now I want you to try attacking me with that new ability you have discovered. I want to see how efficient it is."
Arturia hesitated for a moment, "I don't want to do it," a clear indecision in her eyes. She didn't want to hurt Shirou, but he insisted with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Arturia. I'm sure you can control it. Also, it's important that you learn to control your energy, since you have very little and if you overdo it with more than you can control it can be fatal for you."
"F-fine, I'll try," Arturia accepted somewhat nervously and got into a combat stance. She concentrated her magic, visualizing the same point on her hand that she had been practicing during the day. She launched the attack with precision, but when she collided with Shirou, something unexpected happened. A small explosion echoed across the clearing, scattering sparks of magical energy.
Arturia, horrified, ran towards Shirou. "S-shirooou, Shirouu, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" she exclaimed, worried about the effect of her own attack.
Shirou, laughing, stood up and brushed the grass off of her clothes. "I'm fine, Arturia! That was a good attack. With some practice you can do much better!" Showing a small wound on her arm. It's incredible how quickly she learns, she can be a little clumsy at times but when she puts her mind to it she can achieve it.
Arturia, relieved to see that Shirou was not injured, still showed concern in her eyes. "But I didn't want to hurt you, Shirou. That shouldn't have happened." She says as she hangs her head sadly.
Shirou soothed her, patting her on the head. "Don't worry, Arturia. It was just a scratch. Besides, you need to learn this so you can defend yourself."
Looking up, Arturia nodded. "I understand, Shirou. But shouldn't we be more careful? I don't want to hurt you." The thought of hurting him was something she couldn't accept.
Shirou smiled warmly at him. "I appreciate it, Arturia, but I'm here to help you discover and control your abilities. And a little hit like that is nothing compared to what we both can achieve together."
After an intense afternoon of training, Shirou decided it was time to end the session. The golden rays of the sun filtered through the branches of the trees, creating a warm and comforting atmosphere in the countryside. They headed back to the village, with Arturia still in awe of the magic she had discovered thanks to Shirou's guidance.
As they walked back home, the idea of preparing dinner arose in Shirou's mind. "How about I cook tonight?" At her proposal, Arturia raised her eyebrows, surprised, and fixed her curious eyes on him.
"Cook? I had no idea you knew how to do that." Arturia expressed her astonishment, with a glint of curiosity in her eyes.
Shirou responded with a knowing smile. "Well, I've been on my own for quite some time, so I've learned a few things. Plus, I assure you, my cooking skills are something I'm very proud of. Just wait and see." Remembering the days she cooked for a certain king.
Curious, Arturia asked, "And what do you like to cook?"
Shirou laughed. "I don't have anything in particular, but I like to prepare stews and soups. They are comforting and nutritious, perfect for recharging energy after a tiring day."
Arturia nodded, showing interest. "It sounds delicious. I can't wait to try it."
"Arturia, is there anything in particular you would like to try?" she asked with interest, hoping to discover some culinary preference of the young woman.
Arturia, with a thoughtful expression, confessed: "I've never tried many things, but I've heard about chocolate. I'm intrigued by how it should taste." As she said it, unconsciously, a small trickle of drool escaped her, a sign of her desire that the mere idea of chocolate awakened in her.
The mention of chocolate sparked intriguing thoughts in Shirou's mind. "Chocolate, huh?" he said to himself, to get the ingredients to prepare it another day.
"Then one of these days, I'll make you something with chocolate," Shirou announced with a smile.
Arturia's face lit up with happiness upon hearing her proposal. "Really? Thanks, Shirou! I'll be looking forward to it, hehehe." giving him a smile that Shirou couldn't ignore.
Although Shirou also smiled at Arturia's effusiveness, deep inside him, a small voice warned him about the danger that his own weakness could pose in the face of the young woman's smile.
"I don't know if I can resist that," he said to himself silently, aware that Arturia's smile was an unstoppable force and, at the same time, charming.
The atmosphere was filled with a light and pleasant atmosphere as they approached the house. Shirou, with a playful glint in his eyes, continued the talk.
"Plus, I thought it would be a good opportunity to show you a little of the things in my world, don't you think? Sharing recipes and culinary traditions is a great way to do that."
Arturia smiled at the idea. "It's true, I've never experienced anything like this, I'm dying to try it" while inside she cried with excitement to try some of the human food.
Shirou, with determination, promised: "I assure you, you will enjoy every bite. Let's better hurry before the sun goes down."
Upon arriving at Arturia's house, they noticed that Arturia's mother was not there. The woman had been absent for some reason, prompting Shirou to prepare dinner. Arturia, intrigued by the idea, nodded. "Well then, I want to see how good you are at this!"
Shirou walked into the kitchen and began gathering ingredients. While he cut vegetables and turned on the stove, his mind wandered to a project he had been secretly working on: a gift for Arturia. He planned to give it to her after dinner as a surprise.
Arturia, watching Shirou's every move with interest, couldn't help but ask, "What are you preparing?"
Shirou smiled mysteriously. "It's a surprise. But I promise you it will be delicious."
As the fragrance of spices and ingredients filled the kitchen, Arturia became more and more intrigued. The idea of Shirou as a skilled cook was totally new to him.
Finally, Shirou served dinner on the table, revealing his culinary creation. Arturia marveled at the colorful feast spread out in front of her. "Wow, that looks amazing!"
They both sat down and began to eat. Arturia, upon tasting the first spoonful, was completely stunned. "This is amazing! I've never tasted anything so delicious!"
Shirou, satisfied with the reaction, modestly replied, "I'm glad you like it. I learned a few things while traveling to different places."
During dinner, they shared laughter and conversation. However, Shirou couldn't get the gift he had prepared for Arturia out of his mind. After the last spoonful, he suggested, "I want to show you something, Arturia. Wait a moment."
Shirou proposed to Arturia that she wait for him in her room to give him something special. Intrigued, Arturia nodded and headed into the room as Shirou left to look for the mysterious gift.
In her room, Arturia waited expectantly, not knowing what to expect. Meanwhile, Shirou was carefully selecting the gift that he had been secretly preparing. Finally, with a satisfied smile, he headed towards Arturia's room.
When she entered, Arturia looked at him curiously. Shirou just smiled, revealing a hair accessory of hers with an emerald jewel embedded in it. Arturia was speechless at the beauty of the gift. "Shirou, this is... it's beautiful, but why are you showing it to me?"
Shirou smiled back. "It's for you, Arturia. I remember you told me that you wanted an accessory and then I was working secretly to make this for you, I can say that it is my first personal job as a blacksmith and today is the day I wanted to give it to you."
Arturia, holding the accessory in her hands, could not contain her surprise and excitement. No one had ever given him anything before and this was very special. After a moment of silence, with tears in her eyes, she finally spoke, "I can't believe you made something so beautiful for me. Thank you, Shirou."
Shirou, relieved to see his positive reaction, replied, "I thought you'd like it. I wanted you to have something special, plus it matches your eye color."
Arturia, excited, stood up and hugged Shirou. Tears of happiness continued to flow down her cheeks. "Thank you, Shirou. This means a lot to me. I don't know what to say..."
Shirou hugged her warmly. "You don't need to say anything. I just wanted you to know how important you are to me, Arturia. I will always be here for you."
Arturia, still holding the accessory in her hands, nodded gratefully. "And I will always be grateful for being with you, Shirou."
Shirou, with a smile, suggested, "Why don't you try on the accessory? I want to make sure it fits you perfectly."
Arturia, excited, happily accepted: "Yes, please!" She approached Shirou and handed him the accessory. "But...can you put it on for me? I'm not sure how to do it." It was a lie, she just wanted him to do it.
Shirou nodded, taking the accessory carefully. "Sure! Let me help you." With deft hands, he placed the accessory in Arturia's hair.
As he adjusted the jewel, he spoke with warmth evident in her voice. "This accessory also contains a lot of my magical energy. It will help you with your low level of prana and protect you when you need it." Shirou knew that he was also giving him this in case something happened, Ector's words were still in his head and with this he will be calmer that nothing happens to him.
Arturia, shocked by the revelation, looked at Shirou in surprise. "Really? It's amazing!" Arturia, with the accessory already in place on her, looked at herself in the nearby mirror.
"Shirou...How does it look on me?" Arturia asked, waiting for Shirou's opinion.
Shirou, amazed by Arturia's beauty with the accessory, couldn't help but smile. "You look beautiful, Arturia. It really highlights your elegance."
Shirou's words caught Arturia by surprise, and she blushed intensely. Instinctively, she covered her face with her hands, embarrassed. Shirou, laughing softly, apologized: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you so much."
Arturia, still blushing, gave him an annoyed look. "You shouldn't laugh at that, Shirou!"
Shirou, trying to contain her laughter, responded: "Sorry, sorry. But it's the truth, it looks amazing on you."
Arturia, with an expression somewhere between annoyed and embarrassed, finally relaxed and let out a shy laugh. "Well, if you say so..." she muttered as she dropped her hands, revealing her smile.
Shirou, enjoying the moment, suggested, "I think we should go to sleep. Tomorrow will be another day of training and I want you to be rested."
However, Arturia shook her head. "I can't, Shirou. I have an order that I must finish before I rest. You go to sleep, don't worry about me."
Shirou, concerned, insisted, "Are you sure? I don't want you to overexert yourself."
Arturia gave her shoulder a gentle pat. "Don't worry, I'll finish it quickly. Go rest, see you tomorrow."
Shirou accepted Arturia's suggestion. "Okay, but if you need anything, don't hesitate to wake me up."
Arturia smiled and nodded. "I'll keep that in mind. Good night, Shirou." She as she headed to the town square where the villagers called her.
Arturia found herself surrounded by the town's fairies, whose faces reflected impatience and skepticism. The tension in the air was palpable as voices rose in a chorus of demands. "We want proof that you are the Son of Prophecy. The blacksmith who lives on the hill is one of the Queen's elite guards; you are the only one she trusts. If you really are who you say you are, kill the blacksmith," they cried. with anger.
Arturia, overwhelmed by the demands and pressure of the fairies, felt a lump in her throat. She knew this moment would come, but the reality of facing such a request hit her hard. Fear enveloped her, she feared being perceived as a fraud, she feared rejection from those she tried to protect and, above all, she feared losing Shirou's trust.
With an expression that reflected internal struggle, she Arturia nodded in resignation. She had no words to defend herself at that moment; She could only prove her worth on the hill where Ector resided, accompanied by the town's fairies, who waited anxiously.
She decided to leave for the hill, with the fairies following her like a shadow of expectation. Each step became heavier with the burden of expectations and fear of failure. As she approached Ector's workshop, the fairies' inquisitive gazes accompanied her, evaluating her every move.
When he arrived at the workshop, Ector was asleep in his stone bed. Without saying a word, the fairies conveyed the request. Arturia, with a lump in her throat, prepared to face the test imposed on her.
Arturia moved silently toward Ector's workshop, where the forge lay in a quiet slumber. The atmosphere was charged with tension as Arturia held in her hand a knife provided by the villagers, an instrument that, at that moment, symbolized the weight of expectations and the fear of disappointment.
Tumultuous emotions surged in Arturia's chest as she approached Ector's sleeping form. The thought of her true identity being discovered tormented her, generating a fear that mixed with her anger and frustration. "I have to do it... if I don't, they will consider me a fake," she told herself in an attempt to justify the harrowing task she set out to accomplish.
The knife trembled slightly in her hand, a reflection of the conflicting emotions that invaded her. The fear of not living up to her expectations drove her, but at the same time, the fear of losing Shirou's acceptance was what she feared the most, she didn't want him to see her as a liar, she didn't. could bear.
With each step, the ground creaked under her feet, but Ector remained oblivious to the danger ahead. Arturia arrived at her bedside, the edge of the knife shining in the dim light of the workshop. A shaky breath escaped Arturia's lips as she raised the knife, hesitant until the last moment.
Arturia, under the watchful eyes of the fairies and the villagers, lowered the knife with a determined gesture. The blade seemed to find its way to her as tension gripped the air. The villagers, with expectant expressions, watched as Arturia complied with her apparent demand, taking an irreversible step towards the grim duty she had been assigned.
The brilliance of the blade reflected in the dim light of the workshop, and time seemed to stop for a moment. The fairies, although surprised, remained silent, aware that this act would define Arturia's destiny as the Son of Prophecy.
Silence descended upon the workshop, followed by a collective sigh of relief. Arturia, with a serious but justified look, faced the reaction of the villagers, who now saw the apparent fulfillment of her dark request.
"You have done it," one of the fairies commented quietly, acknowledging the emotional sacrifice Arturia had just made to preserve her position in the village.
Arturia, head held high, headed towards the fairies and villagers. "I have proven my commitment," she announced in a firm tone. "Now please allow me to return to the village and continue my duty as the Son of Prophecy."
"She didn't do it! She just hit a hoof! She's not the Son of Prophecy, she's not a special fairy, she's just a liar!" a fairy exclaimed, unraveling the truth behind Arturia's ruse.
The fairy's revelation unleashed pandemonium among the villagers. The news that Arturia had not complied with the fates' demand generated a mixture of indignation and fury. The calm that had taken hold during the peculiar episode vanished, and anger took over the crowd.
The villagers, now convinced that they had been deceived, felt betrayed and manipulated. The collective fury focused on Arturia, and the cry of "Catch her! Catch the liar!" resounded in the air.
With no time to defend herself, Arturia was quickly surrounded and captured by the enraged villagers. She was led determinedly through the town toward the prison cell beneath the surface of the ground, a dark and dismal place where those who had violated the town's rules were confined.
As the crowd made its way, some murmurs of discontent began to spread among the villagers. Some expressed doubts about the severity of the sentence, while others whispered about the possibility of a misunderstanding.
In the underground cell, Arturia was locked up, unable to fully understand how the situation had reached this point. The iron bars separated her freedom from the outside world, and the darkness that surrounded her reflected the sorrow she felt inside her.
The villagers, in her anger, did not stop here. News of Arturia's supposed betrayal spread quickly, with some suggesting she be brought before Woodwose's execution squad, an extreme measure only reserved for the most serious crimes.
As Arturia remained in the cell, uncertainty and fear mingled in her heart. "Shirou...help me" she pleaded as she held her accessory.
The underground cell was plunged into an ominous gloom, and Arturia found herself alone with her dark thoughts. Suddenly, a fairy approached her with contempt evident in her voice.
"Ever since you arrived, I never believed in you. There is no way a fairy as pathetic as you could save the world. That's why I had already contacted Woodwose, to have them come and take you to your execution," declared the fairy with palpable contempt.
Arturia, overwhelmed by the betrayal of those she once called her neighbors, felt a lump in her throat. The fairy's poisonous words echoed in her ears, and the feeling of loneliness took over her. Other murmurs and cries intertwined in the air of the cell while other fairies, obviously distressed, murmured asking for forgiveness, arguing that they had no other option.
In the middle of this scene, the Village Chief made his entrance. His commanding presence filled the cell with an aura of authority. He addressed Arturia with a tone that mixed disappointment and pragmatism.
"The year you arrived, this town was supposed to disappear, and you gave us hope and a ship full of treasure. But now everything is gone. At this point, it doesn't matter if you're the real one or not. If we manage to pass you off as the real one, we could get a reward for you," the Village Chief expressed, revealing a darker and more selfish side of his character.
The leader's words echoed in Arturia's mind like a death sentence. He realized that, in this cruel game of interests, his life was worth no more than the temporary benefit he had provided to the people. Hopelessness enveloped her as she absorbed the unforgiving reality of her situation.
At that moment, Arturia's Mother made her entrance onto the scene, carrying with her an expression of anger and resentment. Arturia with some hope that she would do something called out to her but was interrupted by angry words from her own mother.
"You brought it on yourself! I was forced to raise you. The reality is that you have always disgusted me, but I can finally be free," Arturia's Mother snapped with obvious disdain.
Arturia remained silent, taking in the emotional blow of the words of the woman she once called her mother. Arturia, despite her betrayal, heard among her murmurs some villagers who still believed in her. That spark of faith, although small, gave him the strength to resist. After all the training she had gone through with Shirou, she wasn't about to waste her skills and sit idly by. Arturia's determination shone in her eyes, even as her adversity threatened to extinguish that light.
-With Shirou-
The calm of the night was disturbed by screams and flames that devoured the town's structures. Shirou, awakened by the cacophony of chaos, rushed towards Arturia's room, hoping to find her safe. However, the room was empty, and anxiety took over him.
He ran outside, and the sight that presented itself was her worst nightmare come true. The town was engulfed in flames, and its inhabitants faced each other in a chaotic dance. A feeling of helplessness prevented him from acting until a scream shook him from his stupor.
"Shirou!" Ector's voice echoed, and Shirou ran towards him. Ector's words broke the spell that kept him immobile. "Wake up, we don't have much time! Woodwose's army is on its way to take Arturia and destroy Tintagel," Ector warned urgently.
Shirou took in the information, his mind working at full speed. He asked determinedly, "Do you know where Arturia is?" Ector nodded, at that moment, an explosion was heard in the distance "They have arrived." Shirou made a crucial decision "Ector, listen to me carefully. I need you to take Arturia away from here. I will give them time. I will take care of the army that is coming," he declared seriously.
Ector, understood the magnitude of the task that Shirou was willing to take on. He knew that despite Shirou's power, facing an entire army was practically suicidal. He knew it was a sacrifice, yet he did not express any objections, as he respected the decision Shirou made. Their paths parted at that critical moment, each aware of his mission.
-With Arturia-
The clamor from outside filtered into the cell, ringing in Arturia's ears like the announcement of her impending doom. Although she prepared for the worst, she couldn't help but feel the nervousness and tension that accompanied uncertainty. The shadow of despair hung over her when suddenly a figure descended towards her cell.
It was Ector, who emerged from the darkness with an imposing presence. The surprising encounter left Arturia breathless. "Hmph, it seems like you're still alive, Arturia," Ector commented with her characteristic serious tone, although her figure was marked by wounds that showed the intensity of the confrontation she had just fought. Concern crossed Arturia's face as she saw her mentor in such a state. "Ector!? You're hurt!" she exclaimed, expressing her anguish.
Ector, however, downplayed her injuries. "This is nothing. I just faced some people who didn't want to let me pass. Save your words, we don't have much time," he replied, handing Arturia a hat to hide her face. Confusion mixed with gratitude in Arturia's gaze. "Are you coming to help me?" she asked, to which Ector responded by handing her another belonging. It was the Staff of Selection, taken from her in her childhood. "Take this too. It was yours after all," Ector said.
Surprise reflected in Arturia's eyes as she took the staff in her trembling hands. It was a symbol of her connection to magic, a tool that had been unjustly taken from her. Ector, despite her apparent harshness, restored a part of her lost identity.
However, the situation left no time for deeper reflections. Ector knelt momentarily due to the pain of her wounds, which alarmed Arturia. "Ector!" she exclaimed, worried about the state of her protector.
"Listen, we don't have time for this. We have to go," Ector said firmly, ignoring her own suffering. The urgency in her words urged Arturia to set aside her immediate concerns and focus on the impending escape. He took her hand, guiding her towards freedom with determination.
The urgent escape took Arturia and Ector through alleys and paths, avoiding the shadows that threatened to reveal her presence. As they advanced, Arturia spotted the figure of Shirou, who seemed to be preparing something in the midst of the chaos. Without hesitation, she exclaimed Ector's name to get her attention.
"Ector! We have to go find Shirou!" Arturia shouted with urgency painted in her eyes. Ector, his face hardened with seriousness, stopped her with a firm look. "Listen, Arturia, Shirou decided to sacrifice himself so you can escape. You can't waste the time he gave you," he told her, conveying the seriousness of the situation.
Her revelation left Arturia paralyzed, taking in the magnitude of the sacrifice Shirou was willing to make for her. "He was going to sacrifice himself for me?" she murmured to herself, feeling the weight of reality settle on her chest. Ector's words echoed in her mind, reminding her of Shirou's noble decision.
"He said he was going to stay with me forever, no, no, no, Shirou!" Arturia exclaimed, freeing herself from Ector's grip. Her determination prompted her to run towards where Shirou was. She couldn't afford to lose the man who was willing to give everything for her.
-With Shirou-
Shirou moved nimbly across the roofs of the houses, gaining a clearer perspective of the situation. Surprise overwhelmed him when he saw that Woodwose's army was overwhelming, hundreds of soldiers ready to carry out the execution and destruction of the town. "I have to save this town, everyone is afraid..." His attention was interrupted by a familiar, desperate scream.
"Shirou!" Arturia's anguished call rang through the air, penetrating Shirou's heart. He looked down and saw Arturia running towards him, defying the logic of flight. Surprise was reflected on his face as Arturia quickly approached.
The meeting between the two was a whirlwind of emotions. Arturia rushed towards Shirou, hugging him tightly as tears welled in his eyes. "You can't do this, Shirou. Please come with me, don't leave me," Arturia pleaded between sobs, clinging to the hope that Shirou would reconsider his decision.
Shirou, feeling the weight of responsibility and imminent danger, knew that he had to make a difficult decision. His voice, full of pain and determination, cut through the tense air. "Get out of here, you'll only get in my way! I don't want to see you anymore, you're not the Son of Prophecy! Ector, take her away, FAST!" The words were harsh, but they were the only way to protect Arturia.
Arturia's heart broke upon hearing those words. Tears flowed freely as he tried to process the abrupt separation from Shirou. "Why...? Why are you telling me that, Shirou?" Arturia asked in a broken voice, unable to understand the reason behind the apparent cruelty.
Ector, realizing the need to act quickly, approached Arturia and grabbed her firmly. "I'm sorry, Arturia, but there's no time. We have to go," Ector said, leading her into the nearby forest with the determination to protect her at all costs.
As they ran, Ector couldn't help but think about the difficult choice Shirou had just made. "So that path you chose to follow," he reflected to himself, recognizing that Shirou, despite his feelings, had chosen to sacrifice himself to protect Arturia. The journey towards the forest was filled with silence, broken only by the muffled sobs of Arturia, who was still struggling to understand the abrupt separation from the one who had promised to always be by his side.
Shirou, looking at the Woodwose troops with determination, directed a calm gaze towards Arturia before calmly uttering, "I have no regrets. With this, you will be safe. I only hope that you can forgive me." His words echoed in the tense air, loaded with a weight that only time could lift.
Woodwose's troops stopped, and their leader, Woodwose himself, stepped forward with a defiant expression. "Who are you? Where is the Son of Prophecy?" he demanded to know. Shirou confidently materialized a holy sword that gave off a divine radiance. It was Caliburn, the sword of victory, a symbol of power and destiny.
"Listen, my name is Emiya Shirou and I am the Guardian of the Son of Prophecy, I am here to stop you," Shirou proclaimed in a firm, defiant voice. The manifestation of thousands of swords in the sky created an impressive spectacle, leaving Woodwose and his troops stunned at the display of magical power.
Woodwose, raising his hand in preparation, exclaimed, "Everyone, prepare for the attack!" Tension in the air increased as both forces prepared for the inevitable confrontation. Shirou's magic resonated loudly, while Woodwose and his soldiers got ready to defend themselves against what seemed to be a formidable threat.
The battle was about to break out, and Shirou was determined to fulfill his role as Guardian of the Prophecy, even if it meant giving his life. As he held the sword of victory, his gaze reflected the resolve to protect Arturia.
The night enveloped the stage with its dark mantle, while flames consumed houses and the screams of the villagers mixed with the roar of the footsteps of Woodwose's soldiers. At the epicenter of this chaos, Shirou, glowing sword in hand, faced the approaching horde.
With his determined gaze, Shirou exuded intense energy that contrasted with the surrounding darkness. The swords he had materialized in the sky twinkled like avenging stars, ready to fall on those who dared defy him. Woodwose, leader of this invading force, watched carefully from the rear.
The soldiers, despite the initial surprise, soon reorganized and adopted a military formation. The sight of Shirou, with his sacred sword raised, defiant in the face of the despair that enveloped the place, generated concern among the enemy ranks. However, loyalty to the leader and desire to fulfill his mission prevailed, and they advanced with determination towards Shirou.
The first confrontation did not take long to break out. Shirou, with agile and precise movements, blocked and dodged enemy attacks while counterattacking with rapid slashes from his sword. The light that Caliburn emitted illuminated every corner, revealing the young guardian's skill.
The soldiers, although numerous, were no match for Shirou's mastery. However, the real challenge lay with Woodwose, whose calculating gaze evaluated every move. It was evident that this leader would not easily expose himself to the front of the battle.
The metallic sound of clashing swords and the din of fighting echoed in the air, as Shirou continued to face the tidal wave of soldiers. His every move was a deadly dance, a choreography of skill and magic that kept his adversaries at bay.
As the fight progressed, Shirou realized that, although his skills were superior, the number of enemies seemed endless. Fatigue was beginning to take its toll on his stamina, but his determination continued to burn brightly.
Suddenly, Woodwose's hoarse voice rang out over the chaos. "Stupid people, you can't stop at a simple guardian! Attack him together and end this farce!" Woodwose's orders revived the momentum of his troops, who redoubled his efforts to overcome the guardian of the prophecy.
At this critical moment, Shirou, although overwhelmed by the number of his adversaries, decided to deploy a special technique. Channeling magical energy from him, he brought down the swords floating in the sky with dizzying speed. Each sword found its target, clearing a space in the middle of the fray.
This magic show momentarily stunned the soldiers and allowed Shirou to take a breath. However, he knew that the true threat lay in the shadow of Woodwose, who shrewdly watched the battle unfold.
The confrontation was far from over. The darkness of the night mixed with the glare of swords, creating an epic scenario where a fight between hope and despair was waged. Shirou, with Caliburn in hand, prepared for the next attack.
Shirou's wounds multiplied with each confrontation, but luckily he had the Scabbard inside him that acted as a magical balm that accelerated the regeneration of his body. Each cut, each blow, although painful, closed quickly, giving him the necessary resistance to continue the fight.
"Help me one more time..." Shirou whispered to himself, as he touched his chest, feeling the warmth of the Scabbard, remembering the teachings of that legendary king. He held on to that spiritual connection, letting the force within him flow and fuel his will. Although exhausted, he realized that he must finish what he had started.
The combat intensified. Shirou, with renewed determination, redoubled his efforts. The swords he controlled danced in the air, cutting through space and creating a magical barrier that made it difficult for Woodwose's soldiers to advance. Shirou's every move was a dance between magic and sword, a display of skill that defied reality itself.
Despite Shirou's resistance, Woodwose, furious at the situation, decided to intervene personally. With a great sword in hand, he lunged at the guardian of the prophecy with unbridled ferocity. The fight between both leaders became the focal point of the conflict.
Shirou's injuries increased in severity as he faced the enemy leader. Every impact of Woodwose's sword resonated through his being, but Shirou held his position with a determination that defied the limits of human endurance.
In the midst of the battle, the swords controlled by Shirou became more aggressive and faster. They cut through the air with surgical precision, forcing the soldiers to retreat. However, Woodwose was not easily intimidated. His experience and skill allowed him to anticipate Shirou's movements, countering each attack with mastery.
The confrontation reached its climax when Shirou, despite his injuries, managed to disarm Woodwose with a deft swing of his sword. At that crucial moment, the enemy leader, angry and humiliated, decided to retreat. Noting that persisting in the battle would only result in more casualties for his army, he ordered a retreat.
Shirou, exhausted and injured, smiled as he saw the enemy soldiers retreat. He dropped to the ground, feeling the weight of fatigue and accumulated injuries. Before losing consciousness, he murmured gratefully, "At least...I managed to save her..."
The darkness of night closed in around Shirou as the echo of the battle faded away. The town of Tintagel was destroyed by the magnitude of the combat, there was no one left, only ashes of what once, but at least for now, Shirou's sacrifice had ensured the survival of that person he swore to protect.
End of chapter. I hope you liked it, thanks again for the advice I was receiving in the previous chapters.