Life Will Change
Just a moment ago, he was with his friends inside the café where all his cherished memories were. They were laughing, smiling, and having fun together. He couldn't wish for more than to be with them like this. But then, he snapped out of it and felt like he was being pulled away from this dream. When he opened his eyes, she was there, standing before him in an unfamiliar alleyway.
Dressed in a beautiful velvet outfit, Lavenza, the assistant from the Velvet Room, was looking at him with tearful eyes and a forced smile. He had never seen her like this before. Despite her small stature, she had always been sweet, strong, and sometimes cold. She had never been this vulnerable, even when facing world-ending crises.
Before he could do anything, her body glowed brightly and soon disappeared like particles scattered in the wind. He was left speechless, lost, and confused. He looked around for her but found nothing. Even the location of the Velvet Room refused to reveal itself to him. He searched for his friends, but like Lavenza, they also seemed to have vanished without a trace.
It was like they never existed. Not even Haru's company, Okumura Foods, one of the richest companies, rang any bells to anyone he asked. This troubled him the most. People could disappear, but not a billion-dollar company without leaving any trace of its existence.
Still, he couldn't accept it easily. For days he stayed in that alleyway, waiting for Lavenza to come back. For weeks he waited. For months he was homeless, hungry, and most of all, broken. Was he really left alone in this place without knowing why? Sometimes he wondered if all of this was just a dream, or if the friends he made and the bonds they created were just creations of his imagination.
He couldn't find any evidence that they ever existed. Not even the power he thought he had inside him.
Sometimes he wondered if it would be better to end it all than to keep suffering. But he couldn't bring himself to do it. Not because he was scared of dying, but because he didn't want to betray his friends, even if they might not be real. He wouldn't let it end that way.
Ren Amamiya, despite feeling hollow and broken, swallowed the bitter pill of reality. Knowing he was now by himself, he decided to move on and wandered around to wherever his feet would take him.
Evening had dawned as he reached the city park. Ren could feel his legs might collapse from fatigue at any moment if he continued going forward. Taking a rest on a nearby bench, he decided it was best to call it a day and continue tomorrow morning. He took a mental note to find a proper place to stay, a new set of clothes, proper food to eat, and finally to get back to his normal self.
Hopefully, he would find a job so he could start checking all those tasks off his list sooner.
He was about to fall asleep when he heard a voice from a distance. It sounded like a person in great distress. He immediately stood up despite feeling exhausted and followed the source of the voice in a rush. The young man soon reached the outskirts of the park. He then felt lightheaded, like something was swirling inside his head, and the air felt cold and heavy. His heart began to race as if telling him to go back.
But he decided to ignore all those feelings and continued forward as the voice came closer and closer. He saw a woman being held by two other women and a man standing before them.
"Please let me go," begged the woman desperately.
The man laughed and smiled sadistically as he approached the woman and touched her face crudely, making her more uncomfortable. "Do not worry, young girl. You're about to be part of greatness you could never have imagined," he said.
"Take her to the car," he told the two women.
"Please don't do this!" she cried out in panic and distress. But the two women didn't listen to her pleas and began pulling her along without any problem from her resistance. They only stopped upon hearing another voice that entered the scene.
"Let her go," Ren Amamiya said, intervening in what was happening.
The man ordering the two women looked at him in surprise. "What's this?" he said before letting out a soft scoff after seeing Ren's appearance. "Someone like you managed to break through the barrier I created?"
In the back of his head, Ren felt like his brain was being hammered over and over again. But he kept his stance and determination to save the girl from the man's group. However, if things turned south, he needed to find a way to save her no matter what.
"Who are you? Which family did you come from?" The man questioned Ren's identity. There was no doubt in his mind that the young man was homeless. From his dirty clothes, appearance, and the disgusting scent, the man thought perhaps the young man was an outcast, a black sheep of a family. Regardless, it was impossible for an ordinary person to enter the barrier he made. Their brain would be fried the moment they slipped inside.
"Let the girl go," Ren replied, ignoring the man's question. He looked at the girl being held. She seemed relieved that someone had come to help her, but at the same time, she was scared to the core. It was written all over her face. Changing his glance to the two women holding her, he noticed the look in their eyes. They were empty, not showing any emotions, just staring blankly at him like lifeless dolls.
"How about we make a deal? How much will it cost for you to turn a blind eye? I have a fortune that will save you from poverty. Just name your price," the man offered with a friendly smile on his lips.
Ren felt the panic and fear coming from the woman's eyes upon hearing the man's suggestion. "I refuse. Just let her go," he replied with conviction. No matter how much it would benefit him, his resolve would never be tempted. He would do what he thought was just and right.
"It doesn't look like you're up for an offer," the man said before letting out a sigh. "Such a shame. I'd rather not make a mess in this beautiful park." He then looked at Ren aggressively.
"Caster…," the man whispered.
Ren felt a presence behind his back. His instincts made him react and quickly turn around, but he was a second too late when a hooded figure carrying a strange-looking dagger stabbed him in the chest. It wasn't deep, but he felt something inside him. It wasn't the weapon nor the wounds he received. There was a burning sensation growing more and more with each passing second.
"That's it," the man smiled. "Destroy whatever magecraft he used," he said and watched the burst of energy released as the hooded figure pulled the dagger from Ren's chest.
Ren dropped to his knees while grabbing his head with both hands. His head felt like it was inside a vortex, swirling furiously, and he couldn't help but scream in agonizing pain.
The woman watched him in horror as his screams grew louder and more severe. She wanted to help him but could not as the hold of the two women on her arms was strong.
"Very good," the man commented as the hooded figure stood beside him. "I can only imagine the pain he's experiencing right now," he said. Now that Ren's defenses were gone, the barrier he set should take full effect against him. Though he was quite impressed that Ren was still not dead, no one could survive having their brain fried inside and out.
"Let's go. We still have work to do," he said, deciding to play it safe rather than having another individual witness the event. The group left the scene, leaving the young man to his fate.
Tomorrow it would be just another random crime. No one would ever point a finger at the man, nor would the authorities ever care that a homeless person died in the street.
"You seem to be spacing out more than usual, Joker," said Morgana as he approached the raven-haired leader of the Phantom Thieves. Morgana, codename Mona, is the tool specialist of the group. He has the appearance of a black cat and is the size of a medium stuffed animal.
Though his appearance varies from a normal cat to a van and sometimes even a helicopter, his personality is often condescending, arrogant, and conceited. Despite all that, Morgana is very loyal and won't hesitate to help those in need, regardless of his form or size.
The dimly lit alley where they stood was filled with shadows, the distant hum of the city creating a tense atmosphere.
"Don't tell me you're getting nervous. That will make us nervous too, you know," he added with friendly banter.
Joker looked at his hand covered in crimson gloves. Despite the weather not being that cold, it was shaking non-stop. "I guess I am," he replied solemnly. It was not like him to feel nervous, especially before a mission.
But this one task they were about to do... he could not shake the feeling off.
"For real? Ahem..." Morgana asked in surprise before making a fake cough. "Excuse me," he said with a soft sigh. "I thought by now you were used to this kind of mission, Ren." Instead of using their codename, Morgana decided to call him by his real name.
Behind the brave and confident persona that the young man wore as their leader was still a human with feelings, and most importantly, a friend.
Ren glanced around at his team, all preparing for what was to come. Makoto was adjusting her gloves, Futaba was tinkering with her gadgets, Yusuke was quietly meditating, Sumire was doing stretches, Ann was checking her whip, and Toshiro was sharpening his knife.
"What's making you nervous?" Morgana asked.
Ren stared at the floor with a conflicted look. "What if we don't make it this time?" he replied, clutching his hand into a fist. "What if we fail and—" The shaking grew much stronger as the thought of what might happen if they failed made both his mind and heart race. "What if we just forget this and—"
He remembered their last mission vividly—Ryuji's sacrifice to ensure their escape, Haru's bravery in the face of danger, Zenkichi's determination to fight alongside them, and Sophia's unyielding support. The memories of their faces flashed through his mind, fueling his anxiety.
It only stopped upon receiving a smack on the head that almost knocked him to the ground. "That's not necessary," he said to Morgana while rubbing the part of his head where it hurt.
"It is necessary," Morgana replied angrily. "May I remind you that this isn't our first rodeo where we are all risking our lives to do what we think is right?" He glared at the young man. "We know the risk, and yet we still do it!" He clenched his paw in frustration. "If Ryuji were still here, you'd be on the ground receiving the end of his fist. He fought until the end so we could all escape. Not only him, but Zenkichi, Haru, and Sophia also knew the risk."
"And don't forget," Morgana continued, "we've faced worse. Remember Shido's palace? Or when we took down Yaldabaoth? We've always come through."
"Not only in our group, but the others have their losses too. We can't let all of that be in vain."
The cat paused and stood there quietly. "I'm scared of what may happen to us," Morgana said, then forced a smile. One that showed bravery despite the uncertain fate he might face. "But we gotta do what is right. That is our resolve, not only as Phantom Thieves but also to ourselves."
"So Ren, whatever happens, do not compromise our resolution. We all made up our minds. We will see this through together."
"Promise me that," Morgana said, reaching his paw to the young man.
What was he thinking when he thought about escaping? Was he really going to disrespect the wishes of his team? Those who sacrificed and those who are still fighting. What about the others who joined? Was he really going to turn his back on them?
It's shameless that he ever considered that.
They are the last remaining hope to save this world. They will fight until the very end. That is the resolution that everyone decided.
"I promise," he answered, this time showing his determination to fight. "I'm sorry you had to see me like that."
"Heh, well, I'm glad I did," Morgana laughed.
"Let's go. We'll have to bring that thing down," he added as the two of them left and returned to where their comrades were waiting.
As they walked, Ren felt a renewed sense of purpose. He knew that together, they could face whatever came their way.
Ren will keep that promise, no matter what happens.
When he wakes up, the first thing he notices is the unfamiliar surroundings. The white tiled ceiling above his head, the soft bed beneath him, and the comfortable environment contrast sharply with what he last remembered. He blinks several times, trying to gather his bearings.
The dream he'd had lingers in his mind. It had been so long since he last dreamed or even slept properly. Was it real, or just a figment of his imagination, driven by how much he missed them?
A knock on the door pulls him from his thoughts. A woman with long golden hair enters, carrying a tray with a bowl of food that smells delicious and a glass of water. She seems surprised to see him awake.
"Thank goodness you're awake," she says, approaching his bedside and placing the tray on a cabinet. "Are you okay? Do you feel anything that requires medical attention?"
"I'm fine," he replies, though his body feels heavy, likely from lying in bed for so long. "How long was I out?"
"Three days. A local doctor checked on you. He said your body collapsed from fatigue due to poor health. He wasn't sure when you'd wake up, but he emphasized that you need to eat properly to avoid this happening again."
Three days? That explains the sluggishness. He knows he should follow the doctor's advice after pushing his body too hard recently. Something feels off, though. He checks his chest, expecting to see a bandage where he was stabbed, but finds nothing.
The woman notices his confusion and averts her eyes bashfully. "I wasn't the one who changed your clothes, if that's what you're wondering," she says, stuttering slightly.
"Oh, okay," he replies, still puzzled. It wasn't exactly what he was thinking about, but it's good to know.
"Anyway, you should eat now to regain your strength," she suggests, pointing to the food.
"Thank you," he says, accepting the food. The aroma from the bowl fills the room, and as he takes a bite, he finds himself relishing the taste, feeling more invigorated with each mouthful.
The woman smiles as she watches him. "There's more in the kitchen if you want," she offers.
"No, this is fine. Thank you," he says, feeling more energized already.
"Oh, it seems our sleepyhead is finally awake," says a voice from the doorway. A man with white hair and tanned skin, dressed in priestly robes, stands there with a kind smile. "I'm just kidding. But it's a relief to see you up."
Despite the man's friendly demeanor, Ren feels a nagging suspicion. Something about the priest feels off.
"Is something wrong?" the woman asks, noticing Ren's intense stare.
"Ah, don't worry about it. I know that look," the priest says with a laugh. "It must be your first time seeing a Heroic Spirit in the flesh, right?"
"Heroic Spirit?" Ren repeats, confused.
"You don't know? I thought you were a magus, given your aura," the priest replies, now equally confused. "Who are you?"
"I am Ren Amamiya," he introduces himself, then explains his recent past: living on the streets, being new to the city, and the incident in the park with the woman and her captor.
"Does your family know what happened to you? Do you have any way to contact them?" the woman asks sympathetically.
"No, I lost all communication with them," he admits, unsure if they even exist.
"You can stay here at the church," the priest offers. "It would be cruel to send you out with no place to go. As long as you're honest and help out, that's all we ask."
Ren smiles, grateful for their kindness. "Thank you. And about the incident, I can recognize the people involved if I see them again."
"Good," the priest says. "That will help the authorities. For now, get some rest. There are clothes in the cabinet, a hygiene kit in the restroom, and books if you want to read."
"I hope we get along, Amamiya-san. I'm Amakusa Shirou," the priest introduces himself.
The woman realizes she hasn't introduced herself. "Oh, I'm sorry! I'm Laeticia. Just Laeticia. Nice to meet you, Amamiya-san," she says with a bright smile.
"Likewise," Ren replies kindly. As they leave, he feels hopeful. Maybe this is the fresh start he needs.
He decides to rest a bit more but notices a book on the cabinet that catches his attention: "The History of SERAPH."
Resting a suitcase on his side, a young man in a peacoat gazed idly at the serene blue sky above. His attention was momentarily diverted by a sudden commotion across the street. The wail of police sirens pierced the air, followed swiftly by the arrival of emergency vehicles and a growing crowd of onlookers.
As he observed from his bench, whispers and gasps spread through the crowd like ripples on water. Paramedics solemnly carried a body bag from the building, casting a somber shadow over the scene.
Among the flurry of activity, a determined woman, clearly a reporter by her brisk movements and poised demeanor, leaped out of a parked van and sprinted towards a nearby police officer.
"Sir! Sir!" she called out urgently, thrusting her microphone towards him. "Can you tell us what happened and who the victim is?"
The officer, maintaining his professional composure amidst the chaos, turned to address the reporter and the gathering crowd. "We received a report of an incident at this apartment building," he began, his voice steady and measured. "Inside, we found the body of a man."
The name Ryuunosuke Uryuu didn't resonate with the officer or the crowd in the same way it might have in other contexts. The man on the bench, though intrigued by the unfolding events, remained detached, merely a curious bystander amid the unfolding drama.
"There are no apparent signs of foul play at this stage," the officer continued, choosing his words carefully. "However, we're treating this as a suspicious death until we gather more information."
The detective overseeing the scene approached, his expression grave as he assessed the situation. He fielded questions from the reporter and her colleagues, his responses measured and guarded. Meanwhile, speculation among the bystanders swirled about the potential motives behind Ryuunosuke Uryuu's untimely demise.
"Could it have been a tragic accident?" pondered an elderly woman to her companion, her voice tinged with concern. "Or perhaps something more sinister?"
Another bystander, more cynical in tone, whispered to a friend, "Money, jealousy, revenge... People have many reasons for doing things like this."
The man on the bench listened to these conjectures, his mind wandering as he contemplated the complexity of human nature and the mysteries that lay beneath the surface of everyday life. His thoughts were interrupted by a vibration in his pocket. Digging his hand in, he retrieved the ringing phone.
"Is it done?" The voice from the other end asked. "Did you retrieve what I told you to do?"
"Yes, I did," he answered, glancing at the suitcase resting by his side. "The catalyst that man stole from his recent victims." Letting out a sigh, he kept his bored tone and continued, "Who should I visit next?"
"Your next target will be Beryl Gut, a mage from the Department of Botany at the Clock Tower in that city," the voice said with a solemn tone. "Be careful, he was raised by a witch, and we don't know what wicked witchcraft has been taught to him."
"Regardless, alive or dead, it's up to you. Your objective remains the same: collect the catalyst he has. It is said to belong to the famous enchantress of the Arthurian Legend, Morgan le Fay."
"Is that so?" The man scoffed before standing up with the suitcase in his hand. "Consider it done," he replied, ending the call.
"Let's go, Berserker," he said. An eye appeared on the suitcase, which responded with an ominous voice.
"Understood, Master."
As they left the area, heading towards their next target, the young man reflected briefly on the surreal nature of his mission. The city continued to bustle around him, oblivious to the tragedy and the impending danger lurking beneath the surface, under the watchful gaze of the boundless blue sky above.
Author's note - I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of Fate/Will Change! If there are any suggestions for improvement please do tell, I would love to apply your suggestions in the next chapter.
Thank you for all the support and see you next time! Peace o7