Hi! Lugal kug-ga here! I am a long time reader but a first time writer.
Imma say this now, I own nothing of the originals portrayed in this fic, I'm merely making an iteration.
And should you see some similarities with other fanfic Authors, it might be because I've…. copied it. Or took some parts of their works and incorporated it in mine. So, credits to them.
Enough of the boring A/N and onwards to the story.
I've committed to finishing this work, should it stop updating for a year, I've probably self deleted. So, sit back, enjoy, and review!
——————————————————————————————————————————————————
Prologue
The space was a completed world.
Jet black with points of light.
In the center of a room in the wide, perfect sphere dyed in the color of the night sky, there floated a wooden chair.
Based on its appearance alone, it would be enough to call the chair extravagant, but its wood gave it a refined hue, and one would not think it a repulsive gaud of the elite. Rather, just by existing here, it imbued the space around it with a conspicuous gravity.
If an unrefined person sat in the chair, that person would likely be consumed by the weight of the chair's existence and hidden from surrounding view. Such was the significance of the chair.
The space had been prepared for the sole purpose of exhibiting the chair.
A man exuding a solemnity that outweighed that of the chair leaned back in it, emitting a loud creak.
"Hm…"
If one were to draw a reduced map of the universe based on this room, the man sitting in the chair would be at its center, emitting an air surely befitting its master.
His external appearance would probably place his age in the 50s or 60s.
One could sense the trials of his life in the wrinkles etched deeply on his face, but his eyes remained brimming with brilliance, such as one might see in someone ten years his junior.
"This is a problem… these lines will be annihilated too…no, it should have been annihilated…."
When the man slipped his finger into the sky, the heavenly bodies displayed on the surrounding walls began to revolve.
"Oh, this cut-off isn't so… no, it's the worst. That damned giant spider will wake up. It's a century too early to face that…. even if those Ṫ̸̲̎͂͆̊̍̉͊͝h̵̬̣̑̄͠i̴̢̜͚͓̥̯̍̉̈́ͅṋ̶̎̏̄̏́̇̀̚͝g̶̢͉͖̞̃͝s̸͎͖̰̹̬̊͗͛̈́ make their hosts stronger it would simply be devoured."
Then, as if to match his words, the pages in the book hovering in front of the man turned with a flutter, inscribing multifarious information in real-time.
The thickness of the book was about that of a standard encyclopedia.
Regardless, as the man guided his finger through the air, thousands— tens of thousands of pages were born and erased.
After continuing this activity again and again, the old man muttered as if in boredom.
"As I thought, no matter how this is resolved, it doesn't result in a satisfactory outcome for the Association. The Ṫ̸̲̎͂͆̊̍̉͊͝h̵̬̣̑̄͠i̴̢̜͚͓̥̯̍̉̈́ͅṋ̶̎̏̄̏́̇̀̚͝g̶̢͉͖̞̃͝s̸͎͖̰̹̬̊͗͛̈́ would have to be dealt with. Having said that, there isn't enough reason in my interventions. Yes, it's a complete stalemate."
The man who seemed to be talking to himself suddenly asked the space behind him for an opinion.
"What do you think? It's about time you said hello."
At that, the space replied,
"How rude of me. It seems you've noticed."
There was a small wooden table of similar design to the chair. Atop it sat a telephone.
It had the shape of a very old telephone, the kind that looked like a table lamp at first glance. But instead of a light bulb, there was a conical speaker. Mounted on a thin post was a microphone. A dial was affixed to the base of the device.
It was a telephone you would only find in movies, museums, or antique shops, save for one difference. Unlike the black color of most antique telephones, this one was a beautiful blue color that evoked sapphire. At a glance, one could only think that it had been crafted from an enormous precious gem.
As for the question of how long the telephone had been there, there shouldn't have been anything in that space until several minutes prior. But, the telephone was wonderfully integrated with the harmony of the room, as if it had always existed there.
Indeed, addressing the phone had confirmed the fact of its existence, as if the history of the room had been rewritten.
"With a little more time, I had planned to make the phone's bell ring."
A youthful-sounding voice resounded from the telephone's speaker.
It seemed as if the phone was speaking according to its own will.
"Do I strike you as an old man who talks to himself?"
"Did you ask me that because you knew it was me?"
"Where do you think we are? I can count the number of people who can get inside."
Rolling his shoulders, the old man glanced at the blue telephone.
"So, what business do you have here? If you want to have tea, come back later. Unfortunately, I'm wrapped up in some troublesome work."
"Yeah, I'm actually here because of that."
"What?"
"If you're going to choose someone to deal with those things don't pick from the visitors. You should select someone on the basis of it being a sacrificial lamb. for dealing with them is not a simple task."
With that, the telephone's dial slowly began to turn, returning to its starting point at certain intervals before turning again.
At the same time, the heavenly bodies revolving around the room — and the book that the old man was reading — began turning faster than they had been before.
Inscribed on the pages was the face of a human, and that person's parameters and information.
At times, it was male. At times, it was female.
At times, it was elderly. At times, it was a child.
At times, it was musclebound. At times, it was obese.
At times, it was a saint. At times, it was a vicious monster.
At times, it was a magus. At times, it was a priest.
Flipping between countless qualities such as race, gender, age, body type, clothing, personality, and occupation, the book's pages turned with incredible momentum.
"You're quite confident in the turning of the planets."
"The trajectory to the future is like a labyrinth. It's my specialty."
Someone passing by the two at this moment would likely have found it a bizarre conversation.
"Of course, unlike my labyrinth, the destination one makes depends upon the person."
The pages kept turning at a high speed, and the displayed faces smoothly blended into each other.
As if he was watching a scene from times past, the old man sat back and watched as the telephone continued to turn its own dial.
Then, after some time, the turning of the pages slowed.
Inscribed on one page was an Eastern person.
"Next is to… yes, he needs to be prepared."
The pages turned delicately. A stack of books and grimoires appeared in his hands. About the knowledge contained within them, only the man and the person himself would know.
"...Is that important?"
"Who knows? I'm just back-calculating from the result I arrived at. Whether or not it has any meaning at all is something we can consider later."
"Hmph."
As he looked at the information on the final page, the old man spoke to the telephone behind him.
"Still, you've suddenly involved yourself with the world. If you're that bored, just visit the town yourself. Shouldn't there be a cafe that caters to readers? You can kill plenty of time there."
"No… this isn't exactly killing time. I'm rather involved with the some of them this time."
"...I see. It's something that one has thought of."
The old man immediately understood the meaning behind the telephone's words, and recalled someone's face. He took a deep sigh— and then his lips twisted into a smile.
"So you have a bit of a plan… all the more reason you can't intervene. It's the sort of being that rejoices as more intruders are involved. Let those things be followed through by someone who's duties are bound to dealing with them."
"Yeah, you're right. If you handled this poorly, it would confirm the world."
It was certainly a bizarre conversation that could only happen between these two. Then, the person behind the telephone — or possibly, the telephone itself — looked at the person now described in the open book, and spoke in a cheerful voice.
"His universe is an alethinoupigraphon, though I guess he's the perfect candidate for the task. Let's hope for the best and watch over him."
"Hmmm, I guess I could at least give him some guidance."
"What!"
At the old mans words the person behind the telephone became clearly agitated.
"But if you-! …Is that wise?"
"Whether it is or not, I guarantee that it will be an interesting one."
Said the old man in a mischievous tone.
"..'sigh'... I guess that I can't deny."
Sighing, Knowing that the old man wouldn't change his mind, the person on the telephone simply remained silent.
The book was opened to a picture of a young man.
It was apparently an Eastern man in his late teens to early twenties, despite his young appearances, he is already sporting a perfectly white hair, and along with a tanned skin giving him an exotic appearance.
Below his portrait was a name beginning with the letter E.
And then, with him as the center —
Here and now, the curtain would rise on a story about ideals and hypocrisy, love and tragedy, selfishness and selflessness.
……..
Justice, a word commonly used by those in power in order to impose judgment upon those they deem having committed an act against their self imposed rules or simply to something that's an obstacle for their goals.
Quite Ironic yet fitting, he thought, for someone striving to be an ally of justice to die by justice.
His execution being broadcasted all over the world. The execution of the worst criminal in the modern society.
This is fine, he thought. If his death would be a means in bringing peace then, he would be more than happy to lay down his own insignificant life.
Curses were thrown, "Monster!", "Murderer!", "Devil!", "Satan!" such words were shouted.
And then last, the command for his death were given.
All this time, the man paid little attention to everything.
He looked up at the blue sky littered with little clouds, And then he smiled. Not one of joy, nor despair. Not of mockery nor joy, but a simple ordinary satisfied smile.
….
For the young man, after the floor underneath him gave way, everything turned dark.Jolted awake as if waking from a nightmare.
Sitting up and gasping for breath, he seems to have been lying on a bed. Slowly his right hand went up his neck, where he felt the rope dig into his skin.
"Ah, you're finally awake." A voice at his left said. Then a chuckle as if he just said something funny.
Looking up he saw someone he didn't expect.
An old man exuding an air of elegance just by sitting on a wooden chair at the side of the bed. He has a white hair and sporting a beard of the same colour, sharp nose and red eyes that shows characteristics of not being a human, and currently is looking at him with a childish and mischievous gaze.
A chill ran down his back causing him to sit straight at attention, recognising who is the one he's currently in the presence of.
The director of the clocktower, the user of the kaleidoscope, The 9th dead apostle ancestor, one that is both admired and disliked within the magus community.
Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, the wizard marshal. Sitting on a chair with his jeweled tip cane held in front.
"... Good day, Wizard Marshal." Although stunned, he managed to give at least a polite response.
"Ah, no need to be so polite young man, you can just call me Zel."
"... Understood, wizard marshal." Although feeling that he was getting swept away by his pace, he still complied.
" May I ask a question, wiza-?"
"Zel." Interrupted Zelretchs.
"...Zel..-san. about my question."
"Ask away young man, I will give you an answer to the best of my knowledge."
"why am I here? I was supposed to die."
"Oh you died. And with you being here, That, young man is because you were not killed." his left hand rested on his chest, He said with a mirth in his voice.
"Though I may not consider your state as living. More like in a limbo?..."
"I..see?" not knowing how to react to the Old Magus' answer.
"Then where am I? Where are we?" he asked instead.
"We are "outside"." was his answer.
"I..I see. What am I doing here, if I may ask?" despite clearly in a room of a house, he brushed off this incongruity.
At this Question, the Old Vampire smiled a smile that showed his teeth.
"That, Young man. Is a good question"
Shirou fell silent.
"..."
While Zelretch Stood up holding his jeweled cane and using it as a walking stick. Walking towards the door of the room, turning his head and looking into the young mans eyes, he spoke in much seriousness.
" Let me ask you, do you want to save everyone?" Then he went outside.
"Come, if you have rested enough, then we shall have a talk." Thus the sound of footsteps became farther and farther away.
The young man looked at the door for a few more seconds, then just lied down once more. There are so many things to think about that he doesn't know where to start. But the Wizard Marshall's words kept repeating much louder in his mind. With his right arm covering his eyes he murmured.
" save everyone…huh."
Then the dream world took him once more.
….
Having gathered his bearings, he went outside the room. Surprising him that the house was actually a carbon copy of His residence back in his hometown. Choking it up to being the Wizards' eccentricity, he let it go.
Being already familiar with the house he went to the living room where the wizard marshal is currently in. Drinking tea. Where he got it, he didn't know, magic maybe.
"tea? I hope it's to your taste."
"...thank you." accepting the offered tea, he sat in facing the wizard marshal.
For a couple of minutes They silently drank their tea.
Zelretch began to speak.
" So, shall we begin? So, what is your answer, I suppose?" Stated Zelretch.
"...it's impossible to save everyone." was his response.
"Hmm, that's true. Even God can't save everyone." Nodding and taking another sip, he continued.
" But that doesn't mean one should merely give up and stop trying. Isn't that right, young man?" He said as he smiled at him.
He looked at Zelretch like he grew another head.
"I didn't know the wizard marshal cares about ideals and the salvation of others." He said, his words laced with sarcasm."
Zelretch merely brushed it off. " That's true." And clearly amused. " But saving humanity aligns with my goal so you can say It's merely a result for accomplishing it. So? What may your answer, young man." now regarding him with a smile, yet serious eyes.
" …What do I have to do?" he finally asked.
"Hmmm, I won't go into details, because it would cause unwanted consequences." Saying so he continued to sip his tea.
"Uh.. what? .. then what am I supposed to do then?"
"And why me? being that my talent in magecraft makes me just at the level of a third rate…."
"Well, we can work around that." Snapping his fingers, a stack of books and grimoires appeared atop the table.
"Wha-!"
"It's never late to start learning." saying so he pointed at the stack of books.
"These contains the knowledge about astral mysteries, alchemy, kabalah, thaumaturgy theories and practices and …souls and parallel worlds."
"This… how is this relevant to what you want me to do?"
" Oh it pretty much is relevant. it could at least help with expanding your knowledge and by proxy your magecraft. and also as for the latter two.." he paused and sported a smirk. " I'll let you decide what to do with the knowledge."
Hearing that, Emiya now sported a complicated expression.
"...What you said is pretty much impossible. I don't even think that l would be able to understand one in my lifetime. As for the latter…isn't it impossible for me to delve into them being that only one could be the owner of the true magics?"
"..."
" Why even me? There are more talented people other than me in that regard. why didn't you pick them?"
" …that's true, your talent is nothing worth talking about, and yes I know some who are more talented and suitable than you."
"Then!-"
"But I chose you." He said while looking at him with a stern expression.
" Say.. do you know why I chose that girl's ancestor as someone suitable for entrusting the blueprint of development of the jeweled sword and not the einzbern or the matou?"
"..."
"you could say, because of his heart. because I know that no matter what, they would not stray away from the righteous path. That is why, young man, I chose you. You might forget, you might abandon, and you might betray your own ideals, but someday or somewhen, you'll still have your answer."
He can't say anything, he just sat there looking at his hand on his lap, balled in a fist. After a few minutes of silence Zelretch spoke once more.
"...ah, I'm sure you'll be able to finish reading and studying them all. Because, time is already not an issue with you." he can't help but perk up at that.
"What? What do you mean?"
"Didn't you make a contract with the counter force? Well, let's just say, eternity is on your side. Though I don't think you'll love it much." he furrowed his brows at those ominous words .
" Well as for the issue regarding the True magics, I didn't say that you'll have to become a user, I said, learn from it."
At that he gave him another grin
"Well, we've gotten off topic too much. So? What do you say, are you willing?"
"Huh? Uh, I.. guess?" Still confused and too much in his mind to process, he just ended up agreeing.
"Hahaha, that's it young man, I'm happy to see that you're motivated." Slapping him again in the shoulder, he can't do anything but give a forced smile, knowing he just made a mistake.
"Now, I'll be on my way soon, I'm a busy man you know. I'll come back sometime when the time is right." Saying so, Zelretch stood up and pulled him up.
"what?"
"I'm counting on you, Mr. Ally of justice." After patting his shoulder once again, he turned around and a portal opened up with a kaleidoscopic of colors. With that he was gone, as if he was not there to begin with. The only evidence he's been there are the stacked books atop the living room table.
"Eh?"
For a few moments he just stood there, his mind unable to keep up with the situation, if it was on a battlefield he would be already dead. It might be because he's in somewhere that closely resembles his home, he unconsciously let his guard down.
Though he should have expected it considering who the old man was.
"huh?….HUH!!" And so, not knowing that his own determination, ideals, dreams would be put to the test in the following future, past and present, his existence as a Guardian has already begun.