Past Journey

DISCLAIMER:

I do not own the fate/stay night series and honkai impact 3rd both of which belong to the author

Past Journey

I slowly opened my eyes.

'How far have I come?'

I've clearly chosen barren land. The sky was dark with dim starlight covered in smoke, the rubble of the building was where I lay, swept by a soft, dusty wind that made me aware of the cold night. I can't confirm this place. How long has passed since then. How far do I travel?

Still vague.

"Onii-san?"

When my vision became clear I could see a child looking at me from above. The child was wearing a yellow raincoat with a hood over his head. Her face was hidden behind the shadow of a veil and the darkness of the night, but you could see her lips moving to say a few words.

"Are you still alive?"

The connection brought me out of my reverie.

'…Ah. I thought this long journey would continue forever.

Looks like, the journey still doesn't end here.'

"are you alone"

I asked him. After a few moments to calm down we sat side by side on a flatter pile of ruins.

"yes"

His quick reply made me worry about his safety amidst this rubble.

"Do you want me to take you to some people? Hmm, I'm just here waiting."

He continued, making me a little relieved.

"Onii-san, where are you going?" He said in a flat tone.

I turned to look at him, the corners of my lips lifted slightly when I saw that he seemed interested in my goal?

"I wonder how? I don't know"

I explained to him in a resigned tone.

"……?"

"You walk all the time? If you keep walking you'll get tired."

My vision spreads clear and wide.

The heavy shackles were removed to imagine the grassland swaying in the wind and a girl patiently waiting for him.

My mood gradually and steadily returned to the past.

"————–"

Looking up at the endless sky, thinking about the unspoken agreement.

That's the fantasy of adolescence, a warm hope.

Seeing the same sky, feeling the same.

If I keep chasing that dream. It will definitely be achieved

"Change your heart as strong as steel. That way you won't get hurt."

I answered his question.

"…….."

"…….."

For a few moments there was only silence between us. Before he finally broke the silence.

"That's not fun."

He said flatly.

"But…."

"….that's not entirely true, I feel a little happy." I answered with a small smile.

I started to stand up to continue my journey, not forgetting to rub the child's head as a sign of farewell.

"I go first"

"…!?"

He just kept quiet and let me continue my journey. After only a few steps, the child called me again.

"Oni-san! You forgot something"

The child showed me a ruby necklace, but I paid no attention to it.

'That…..

Who was it that gave me more?'

Without realizing it, I thought about these things on the streets of my hometown.

The image of a girl with twin pigtails entered my memory, but I couldn't remember her face.

"I don't know what motivates you anymore, there are people more important than you."

Who said that?

I don't even remember it anymore

This steel-like determination no one understands.

I might be happy to get rewarded from time to time.

in the end I can't change the course of my life and she will never be able to repay me.

I was amazed at the beauty, the beauty that was everywhere.

I never had that shining star shine when I left

But…..

It makes my life satisfied.

Before I realized the place I was standing had changed, my body seemed to be floating, sinking into nothingness. Just a bunch of flower petals flying around me.

"I see, so two people who are both stubborn consider themselves defeated"

A different voice distracted me, my muscles tensed, a habit I picked up after facing many dangers. I turned towards him,

His alertness was replaced by surprise at seeing a figure in a white robe and hood sitting on an invisible pedestal. There was no doubt in my mind that the person he was talking to was not completely human. The scent of flowers that tickled his nose made him suspicious about who might be in front of him.

"you…."

"I'm not someone who will just give out my name, but you can call me 'brother of flowers'." Her reply with a cheerful tone and playfully interrupting my words confirmed my suspicions. His body relaxed again knowing that he didn't mean anything bad.

"I'm here to give you a gift for you and him, but I can only give you 'a chance'," he added, making me curious about what he meant.

"an opportunity?"

"That means how you use it. However, the meaning of an award is the service itself."

Shirou was still trying to digest what happened but the man's words made him more curious. The meaning of his words did not escape him as the memory of that night replayed in his mind.

I will remember that encounter and voice for the rest of my life.

At a glance, I saw the figure of a woman dressed in blue with silver armor looking at me. That was the first time I met her. In the old warehouse, her figure stood straight, her feminine face was faintly visible against the moonlight.

"Are you my master?"

the words were clear, although a little vague. the details are engraved down to the smallest detail.

"At this moment, what should I say...?"

"please take care of her"

The image of the woman became increasingly blurry, replaced by black.

"Ne Elisia, will you help me?"

"Sure sorin, what can a simple girl do for you?"

"I want to forge a sword." I said briefly

"Then what help do you want from me? Can't you just make it like that?"

"I want to re-forge Excalibur"