Author Note

Hi there and welcome to another chapter of Avalon Bond.

We have one more chapter before I will start with the Fate Grand Order events. There are a few events I want to play out beforehand, starting with Emiya Shirou and then wirth Arturia Pendragon. Now, let's answer the reviews from last chapter.

hcook10 - Thanks for the praise in my stories. Also, I appreciate the tip...there will be a couple of differences to Arturia and Shirou. Shirou's change will happen in this chapter and Arturia's will happen in the next one. Chapter 12 will thus mark the beginning of FGO.

rushie2504 - Thanks...yes, first I needed to build up his strength and skills, so that the real fun began once the missions started.

Ok, that's about it for now.


Avalon Bond

Part I – Fate Stay Night

Chapter 10 – The Accursed Blade


Shirou and Arturia were busy at the dojo practicing their normal routine.

Ever since they had returned to Fuyuki, their mission schedule became less chaotic with only an occasional contact from Bazett with one minor mission in Osaka. Ciel has been strangely absent so far, but the woman must be giving them some space after what happened in their last assignment. Not that either of them minded as it allowed time to rest and above all else for Shirou's magic circuits to be less strained. As such, the couple found themselves simply enjoying life together at home. Aside from morning training, they would take nice strolls around the city, going to picnics, to the mall, even back to Shinto pool every once in a while. They both missed the action, but they went through enough to know that these resting times were essential in the long run.

Sakura and Rin had returned to London a couple days ago and Taiga had her school duties to focus on.

After finishing the spar, both were relaxing in the dojo drinking some water as they basked in each other's company.

"You have improved a lot, Shirou…you almost made me work for it."

Shirou could feel the sarcasm in his girlfriend's tone. They had been training mostly in her style of fighting.

"Very funny…you have been hanging with Rin way too much."

Arturia showed her melodic laughter at that as she drank some water. Even if the humor was at his expense, it was a welcoming vision. Above all else, he lived to see that happiness.

"Sorry…but I really meant it. Even if you are fighting outside your comfort zone, it's much better than before." Shirou had forgotten about the earlier jab and smiled in appreciation.

"It still feels jarring to fight with a long sword."

Arturia got up and returned the wooden swords back to the hack as Shirou got up afterward.

"Your style is centered on agility rather than strength…the purpose of us training like this is so that you can learn how to fight against someone like me. You will never know what's out there, after all."

"Yeah, until the mission against Darius III, I never thought I would face another servant."

They were now heading back to the house as it was time for a quick shower together and then breakfast.

"Replicating the grail is no longer impossible, after all. Imagine if another one managed to replicate the grail and somehow find a relic to summon one of your knights." Arturia shrudded at the possibility. Each had their own lives and families. Sir Tristan had his life with Isolde, Sir Lancelot was a servant in the fourth grail war…for sure there were manic relics of all of them, just like she had.

"Don't even jest about that, Shirou." They had stripped in the bedroom and went towards the bathroom together.

Shirou could see that his comment made her feel introspective.

"I apologize about mentioning them. Come here, allow me to compensate for you." Arturia smiled as Shirou took care of her bath, while giving her a massage.


===Kitchen===

After the shower, both stood in the kitchen as Shirou made breakfast for them while Arturia absentmindedly zapped the channels for something to occupy herself.

The King of Knights admitted that she was not a fan of this form of technology. She much preferred the contents of a book or a magazine. She stopped however when a news channel brought something interest to see. Even Shirou stopped what he was doing as he paid attention. The news network broacasted an event in the city of Kyoto and Shirou recognized one the Buddhist temples that they had visited once. According to the news, whereas before the temple was a place filled with tourists, now the area was pitch black, apparently enveloped by a dark gray field of sorts. The news network was filming the area by helicopter.

The disturbing part was that the temple was filled with Buddhist monks and the authorities could not enter to rescue them.

The police said that those who tried to enter, never returned.

Shirou had just served them breakfast as he took a seat.

"That's the temple we went to visit, isn't it? The one that held the samurai swords exhibition." Shirou nodded as he poured some tea to her.

"Yes, the Ryonan-ji Temple if I recall. It is a Zen Buddhist temple, remember. That was a place inside called the Rock Garden. We took a seat there and remained for hours until they had to close." Arturia made a thinking pose, before she did remember. The place was indeed quite spiritual and as a servant, she felt the flowing of energy in that place. It was quite soothing, quite like the feeling of Shirou's house from within. She also remembered the beautiful gardens and lakes around the property. Arturia then left the memory lane as she saw a rather familiar look in Shirou's eyes.

She had seen that look many times in their travels. It was her beloved's drive when he sees someone in peril.

"You want us to go check, don't you, Shirou?" He blinked and turned to the smiling Arturia. Shirou scratched his head in an embarrassed smile at being so transparent.

"Yes, though I understand if you feel it's too dangerous…"

Indeed, ever since the Romania mission, Arturia felt ill at ease at the notion of yet another mission like that. The splash of blood that erupted from his chest was too brutal a scene, but sadly it would remain in her brain for quite a while. Still, she needed to overcome that, as certainly there will be many other assignments in the future. And Arturia vouched herself to never allow that to happen ever again.

"It can be, but I would also not forgive myself if I tarnished your resolve in saving those in need, Shirou." The redhead smiled as they finished breakfast.

Shirou and Arturia did the dishes together and Shirou quickly went online to purchase train tickets to Kyoto.


===Kyoto===

A couple hours later and after leaving the train, Shirou and Arturia quickly found a taxi that would take them to the temple.

When they gave the taxi driver directions, though, the senior driver did not leave the station.

"Is something wrong, sir?" Both Arturia and Shirou could see the man tense and started to sweat and the man's glasses got humid even.

"Sorry, but I can't take you there…haven't you heard the news, kid. The temple is haunted."

Arturia frowned but allowed Shirou to conduct the situation.

"We're from Fuyuki, actually. And I came here to visit the temple here with my girlfriend. Why you say is haunted?"

"Simple, kid. People went inside and they never left. There is a black fog of sorts surrounding the area, I will not go there!"

"I understand…well, I would have to visit a friend after going to the temple and it's actually quite near, just a few blocks away from the temple, could we go there at least?"

Shirou then gave the taxi driver the address and the man relented as the taxi moved once more.

They could walk all the way towards the temple, but that would take too long, and the excuse apparently worked. It took a total of ten minutes for the taxi to cross the city until they reached the address that Shirou provided. From the taxi, they could see the heavy fog. No sooner had they left the car and Shirou paid for it, the taxi driver accelerated and left the area. Every city in Japan that they had visited, especially the main ones, had many people roaming the streets at all times, even in late hours. However, the entire area they were in had no one. They could see the headlights working, but no cars passed by, with the exception of the taxi driver that just left.

As they approached the block where the temple entrance was located, tons of police cars could be seen and even a helicopter hovered the area, attempting to find out what was going on.

Both Arturia and Shirou could feel the heavy residue of mana in the air. Could this be the work of a magus? The couple quickly sneaked around the block and stood in front of the heavy fog, though where they stood there was no cops and no one around to spot them. Still, Shirou could not risk being caught by the eventual camera. Every town in Japan had a thorough surveillance system on the streets. Throwing a couple of pebbles on the ground behind them, Shirou and Arturia suddenly vanished from the world as they then quietly observed the dark fog in front of them. Arturia would stretch her hand to feel the amount of mana inside. As a servant, she could feel what was going on inside the heavy fog.

It does not appear to keep people from entering, though.

"Is it a cursed bounded field of some sort?" Arturia opened her eyes and nodded to Shirou. Her hand barely touched the fog and Arturia felt the slight drain in her reserves.

"Yes, and the effect is quite easy to discern, considering that I had barely touched it and it sucked my mana."

"Can you feel the culprit behind all of his…a magus…a dead apostle…another servant? In their line of work, it could very well be either one of them.

"I cannot, which is quite fretting. There is indeed a source emitting the bounded field, but it does not feel like a magus or a servant."

Shirou frowned at the information, though he what he knew that what he said now, she would definitely be against it.

"Arturia, I think it's best if I alone got inside…" This time, it was she who narrowed her eyes at him, practically ordering him to explain.

"Surely you jest if you think I will let you get in there alone…"

"You said that it sucked your mana when you touched it. I get the feeling that if we both got inside, we would not be able to leave. The strain on supplying to you would reach dangerous levels fast." Arturia did not like being reminded about her weakness like this and once more cursed the fact that she sometimes represented a burden to him.

"Staying outside, you can conserve your mana capacity and quickly use your mana burst to get me out if needed be. We have our link and I can call you"

She was crossing her arms waiting for something to criticize her beloved on, but it came out as a rationale plan. And the blonde king of knights would have expected such sound reasoning from another person, not Shirou. In the end, she breathed deeply and released a sigh. Even if it was a sound plan, it did not mean that she was comfortable with the idea of letting him go alone. Still, if this bounded field was sucking people's mana like that, then time was off the essence to deal with whoever or whatever is inside before it is too late.

"It appears that it's you who has been hanging with Rin, Shirou…" Arturia could not help but pout slightly, earning a smile from Shirou.

"Do not worry Arturia, I will send word for your help the minute I perceive an attack." Arturia nodded as she saw Shirou taking the first steps towards entering the heavy dark fog. As soon as he vanished, she kneeled on the ground and closed her eyes in deep concentration for if or when Shirou called for her. Meanwhile, she would have to conserve as much mana as possible through meditation.


===Inside the Fog===

As soon as Shirou entered the fog, his eyes met with the insides of the temple. It was mostly dark, but not completely to the point that he could not see where he was going. Shirou could feel his mana being sucked slowly. He had magic resistance due to the runes on his body, but that would not save him for long. While not on the level of Medusa's Bloodfort Andromeda Bounded Field, Shirou could feel the slow strain. Shirou travelled through the sinister temple pathways. Normally, he would be able to see beautiful gardens, buddha statues and tranquil lakes, but all he could see was the heavy fog, making him want to get out of this place as fast as possible. As he walked, Shirou saw the zen monks on the ground and even some of Kyoto's Police Force. The police were laid down next to the monks, so it looked like they tried to leave, but did not have the strength to make another step.

Shirou quickly inspected their health and realized that he could still feel life force even if barely.

'What do you see, Shirou?' Shirou was glad that their link was not cut off. In Medusa's Bloodfort Andromeda, Shirou remembered that Rin could not communicate with Archer at least not until it was released.

'I have found the monks and even some of the policemen…they are alive, but barely…to help save them, I must find the source of this bounded field and release it.'

'A sound plan…Any hostiles, so far?'

`None…this place feels abandoned…there are only unconscious bodies on the floor`

'I see…please proceed with caution…'

'Will do.'

Shirou looked around, searching for the culprit behind this bounded field. However, as he looked around, there was no one there…conscious that is. However, strangely so, he could feel life energy emanating from the trees, the lakes and even from the buddha statues. Shirou proceeded now, somewhat certain that his body was reacting to whatever it was that was causing all of this. He could hear a strange sound resonating in his ear as he progressed. As he arrived inside the main temple, Shirou could hear the sound more accurately. When he closed his eyes, Shirou was made aware of what exactly was causing the noise in his head. Shirou's Reality Marble was filled with swords of all kinds and shapes. And all of them started emitting a sound as if calling up to him. To this day, Shirou had never communicated with his swords in his Realty Marble before. He always needed to activate his Noble Phantasm to get inside.

Still, as he closed his eyes, he could feel each and every sword he had ever scanned or traced in his life.

'Shirou, what is that noise I'm hearing?' Shirou was so transfixed about what was going on that he had forgotten that his link with Arturia was active.

'It's the swords in my reality marble…the swords are humming as I approach the zen garden. Whatever it is, I'm getting close Arturia'.

Arturia could hear the melodic hum of the swords in unison from her position outside the strange bounded field. Being the only guest of Shirou's Realty Marble, The King of Knights had passed her hand through the majority of them to the point that she became familiarized with their feeling by now. Those swords were a part of Shirou. Each one of them represented a memory. Many swords were there, although all of them were replicas of the original. All of them were fakes, even the ones that were traced from her own Caliburn. Even Kanshou and Bakuya, Shirou's swords, that he inherited from Archer, were mere projections from the original ones.

Back to Shirou, as he approached the Rock Garden, he thought that his eyes were playing a prank on him.

However, his swords all reacted to the sight before him. And his swords were a piece of him. What he said to Gilgamesh that day: My body is made of swords. There in the middle of the Rock Garden, was a sword stuck upside down on a rock. It appeared to be a regular sized katana, though the steel was enveloped by a blood red hue. Shirou could however see the energy being emitted from the sword alone. The red energy travelled towards the skies and enveloped the entire temple.

'It appears that I found the source of the bounded field, Arturia. It's a sword…'

'I beg your pardon…a sword…'

That alone was not much of a surprise as the concept of holy swords was not new. Swords like her Excalibur, Arondight and Excalibur Galantine were made from the fairies and were quite sentient. However, for a sword to emit a cursed bounded field like that, it was quite unheard of.

'I will release it from the stone, see if the bounded field is released.'

'Ok, be careful…'

Arturia could not help but think about the irony of Shirou facing the same event as her…another sword stuck in a rock for him to pull like the one she pulled to become king.

As Shirou stepped foot in the Rock Garden, he was surprised to feel himself losing control over his body. Steps were taken towards the blade, but they were not his steps. His body moved, sure, but he was not willing his feet to move. In his mind, Shirou could see eyes like his slowly opening. A hair that was shaped like his, although gray like Archer's. A toned body, even more than what he had. A red sleeve strapped on the shoulder was the only article of clothing he could see up the waist and below the waist dark pants and dark leg protection. Just who was this person inside his mind that looked so much like him. When Shirou stepped foot in front of the red metal blade, his hand unconsciously reached out to grab it. As soon as he grabbed the hilt of the blade, it caught on fire and Shirou knew no more.


===Inside his Reality Marble===

When Shirou opened his eyes, he was inside his realty marble with the swords that had his company every time he and Arturia came here to spar.

Problem was that this time he was not alone. The same sword that he saw in the temple was there as well, emitting the same red energy. He also saw the very same man that appeared in his mind now showing his back to Shirou as he faced the sword. The man was a bit taller than him and even more muscular than him. Well, the man's upper boy was all but exposed with the exception of the red fabric covering his shoulder and the reminisces of a white kimono strapped on his back like a cape. The man had eyes like him and even hair the same shape, though it was white in color instead of Shirou's red. Shirou could see a few wrinkles on his face due to advanced age. He could also see somewhat lifeless eyes that kept staring at the red steel blade. The longing look was of someone who had faced plenty of hardships.

"It has been a long time since I last felt this kinship bond with another…"

When the strange man turned to see Shirou, the magus flinched slightly at the strong gaze that met his.

"Who are you and how did you come here?"

"My name is Senji Muramasa…" The way Shirou was surprised made the man smirk. "So, you know me, after all."

"I know of your legend…famed blacksmith within Ise Province, the one who forged the famous demon swords of history that antagonized the Tokugawa Clan." Muramasa nodded as he crossed his arms. "But, you still has not answered my question…how are you here and how I am even here…also, were you the one responsible for the attacks in the temple?". For Shirou to be transported here, he needed to use a great load of mana and usher his Aria. One thing that surprised him was that the drain in his mana has now stopped, however the link he had with Arturia was gone. The last part was a given, considering that he was in another world at this point. She must be worried right now, but Shirou needed answers. Muramasa, for his part, sighed at the impatience.

"You ask too many questions, son. Such lack of patience is uncanny in a blacksmith such as ourselves."

"I am no blacksmith…" Muramasa smirked as he looked around the hill of swords. Shirou, though, felt the need to explain.

"All of these are fakes…replicas of the original I traced as a magus."

"Fake you say…they may have taken after replicas of other swords, but in my eyes, there is nothing fake about them, Emiya Shirou."

Muramasa walked through each one of the swords and passed his hands through each one of the hilts. The same sound Shirou heard from before coming here returned as the swords hummed to Muramasa's presence. The magus was so engrossed in what was going on, that he was still due to acknowledge the situation….someone dead a long time ago - or at least what history showed – was not only apparently alive, but also speaking to him inside Shirou's own little world. Worst of it all, that this man knew his name.

"Are you going to answer my questions or not…"

"As I said, patience is key" As Muramasa passed his hands through the sword hilts, all he did was emit a sound of acknowledgement. "Your swords are no fake, Emiya Shirou. Each of them tells me a story, a memory."

Shirou's throat hitched as he realized what the man was saying.

"Swords are marvelous creations, are they not…once you learn to listen to what they have to say, they will open themselves to you. Though, it is interesting that some of the memories are not your own. Oh, no, wait, they are your memories and not at the same time. A different version of you, perhaps. Quite interesting, indeed." Shirou's eyes widened at that implication as Muramasa must have seen Archer's memories. Well, most of the swords in this place were projected by him. Muramasa then went to Shirou's version of Kanshou and Bakuya and Muramasa closed his eyes as he saw the memories play to him like he was an expectator. He saw what happened in this very place…a fight between two individuals who used the same weapon…Past and Future. A fight between Emiya Shirou and another version of him older and with lifeless eyes. Muramasa could feel the sadness and regrets written on this white-haired man's expression, though he kept fighting.

Shirou could see a lone tear escape from Muramasa's eyes.

It could be said that with age and experience, one will inevitably accumulate regrets. And Muramasa was no strange to wrong choices. The creation of demon blades alone was one of them. While no one can blame the creator of a weapon capable of killing and even curse, the weight of the many weapon's usage fell onto his shoulders. As such, he looked at Archer Shirou Emiya and understood.

"Truly magnificent indeed for one so young to have faced so much…"

Shirou could not tell if he was speaking about him or about Archer.

Then, Muramasa moved on to the last sword and Shirou stiffened as the man passed his hand through the hilt of Caliburn.

"Wait a minute, this one is perhaps the most interesting sword in this world of yours. I see a noble warrior…one who faced many hardships in life to uphold the responsibilities demanded of her. Moreover, I can feel love emanating from this elegant foreign sword…and it is directed at you Emiya Shirou. However, this woman I see is a figure of long past…like me…oh…yes, quite marvelous. You truly have quite an outstanding life, Emiya Shirou. One that surely stands out from the rest."

Shirou at this time waited for the man. It has been pointed out that he was lacking patience, so the answer would come eventually.

"Yes, now, you understand it. The answers always come to those who are patient enough to search for. I will begin by asserting that indeed I was the one responsible for what happened in the temple. You see, I have no recollection of what happened to me in life…all I know is that I have been hovering these lands. For what reason, I do not know. However, with enough patience, the reason eventually comes. A short time ago, my spirit merged with one of the temple's swords and because of my legend in creating demon swords, the sword itself turned and became accursed. Those from the temple suffered for it, and for that I am truly sorry. Though my creations ended up killing thousands, perhaps millions, my intentions were never to harm others."

Muramasa's eyes lacked focus as he remembered the true horrors of his era.

"Okay, but how are we having this conversation and how are you inside my realty marble?" Muramasa looked back at Shirou with a smile.

"So, is that what this world is called? I must admit that I feel right at home in here, Emiya Shirou."

"And how do you know my name?" To Muramasa, the answer was so simple, it became baffling.

"I did say before that once you learn to listen what the swords have to say, they will open themselves to you. Well, Emiya Shirou, I listened to you…" Shirou's breath hitched as he saw what the man was getting at.

My body is made of swords.

"Also, I can recognize my own flesh and blood when it's staring back at me…the swords in this place talk to me like they talk to you. That's only possible with those with the same origin…those of Muramasa blood."

"Hold on…what are you saying…."

"Truly, your older self was right…" Shirou flinched at the mention of Archer. "I'm being made to look into an old mirror." In all essence, the elder Muramasa was looking at a younger version of himself. "Looking around this world of yours, I can feel at home in this place. Perhaps, my destiny…the place my spirit longed for is here after all in the world created by my descendant." Muramasa then crossed eyes with Shirou once more as the legend glowed in a red energy. Just like the one emitted by the demon blade that now rests in his hands.

"Once my spirit returns to the blade, it will be lodged here with the rest of your swords. It shall be my place of rest after all. You will earn my skills, knowledge and my power even, Emiya Shirou. I would be remiss, however, in not pointing out that this power is not to be used for ill intent. However, I know it and I know it very deeply…that you have plenty of virtues, my descendant. The swords here told me about your actions. Your hardships have only made you stronger, not only in skill, but in character. A true Muramasa descendant, indeed."

"Wait a minute…I still have more questions…" Muramasa did smile seconds before returning to the blade.

"Yes, you still lack patience it seems. Like I said, though, the answers will come in time. Do refrain from ever using my demon blades, Emiya Shirou, not even if life or death situations. There are blades here better suited for that. My blades' powers are not meant for mortal men to yield. Truly, it would have better to never make them in the first place."

When Muramasa's spirit returned to the blade and it became lodge on the hill of swords, Shirou felt the literal tsunami like wave of red energy enveloping his entire world and even himself.


===Outside the Dark Fog===

It has been some time since Arturia had lost communication with Shirou and she was growing worried by the second. She trusted her lover's judgement in waiting for his call if he needed help, but a king's patience was did not last forever. She was about to summon her armor and charge inside the fog, when it suddenly lifted with no explanation whatsoever. From her vantage point, she could see the police storming inside, screaming orders. She was about to go in as well when she stopped abruptly. Her eyes widened and her mouth hang open in complete incredulity. She could feel the immense energy that she was receiving from Shirou. So much energy that perhaps could rival a servant in power.

When he appeared in front of her, Arturia's face became speechless.

The runes bounded field were still active, so they were hidden. Shirou was different. The amount of mana that practically exuded from his body was enough for her to see a few blue lines of mana sprawled through his now much more defined muscular built. His clothes were different, and she could have sworn that he was taller somehow. The eyes held more maturity in them. It was still his eyes, but it showed a darker shade now.

"Shirou, what happened in there? What happened to you?" Her worry melted as soon as she saw the smile directed at her.

"Many things, Arturia. Many things." Shirou had quickly summoned his own clothings, dismissing the ones that Murasama wore into his mystic code.

Shirou told her everything that transpired inside the temple as they saw that the police managed to rescue the monks inside and took them all to the hospital.


Author Note

Ok, that is about it for now.

There is only one more chapter before we begin with the Fate Grand Order events as I will focus on Arturia's issue next chapter.

About Muramasa's description and even his life, I did not see anywhere describing how he looked like or even how the man died. So, I chose to describe an older Shirou Emiya.

See ya.