Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson nor Fate/Stay Night. Those belong to Rick Riordan and Nasu.
Shirou Emiya exhaled calmly as he released an arrow he had strung back on a bow.
The arrow left the bow with a soft sound, yet soared high and true.
THUNK.
The tip of the arrow found its target.
In particular, it landed on a target placed on the bark of a tree. A bullseye.
Shirou looked around him and saw the hunters observing his shot. Most looked at him with resentment—for a reason Shirou couldn't discern—other's disgust, and he thought he saw one look impressed but they quickly turned around when his eyes landed on them.
Shirou sighed internally. He didn't care for their praise or admonishment, but he could certainly do without the searing holes they left in his back when he turned around.
He walked over and grabbed the arrow that was stuck in the target idly as he thought about his day and the rapid turn of events.
Apparently, gods exist, but to be more specific; the Greek Gods are still around. In his amazing luck he happened to stumble upon one of the major gods of the pantheon, Artemis, the goddess of the moon and The Hunt.
And even more shockingly, he wasn't anywhere near Fuyuki!
He was in Philadelphia. The United States.
How he got here from Japan was a complete mystery.
But then again, how I am still living is also a mystery. I should have died.
He thanked the fact that at the very least, Miyu was still alive and safe. Hopefully she found a nice family to take care of her and do what he never could do.
The thought of his sister brought him into a state of melancholy so he tried his best to distract himself.
Wait, where am I going to sleep tonight?
Shirou suddenly pondered. They never gave him a tent and he certainly was not going to approach one of the hunters and ask.
He had no experience when it came to the matters of setting up tents as he had never gone camping before. It simply wasn't necessary or viable where he lived and he was well-off thanks to Kiritsugu.
He looked around the area. They were in a semi-clear field where there was just enough space for them to set up tents. But there was nowhere he could see where to set up a tent for him or even a tent made for him.
In his mind an image flashed.
It was a standard gray tent that he had spotted some time ago, when he went shopping with Miyu.
No.
He shook his head. To do that, would mean to walk back into that. Once he started, he was sure he would never stop. It would mark the end for him mentally and eventually physically. Looking at his semi-tanned shoulder said more than words could describe.
There was no reason to fight anymore. No reason to push himself back into that habit. His role in the play is over.
The goddess Artemis told me to stay within the general vicinity of the camp, likely to keep her eye on me, but she never said I had to stay in the camp itself. It will be better for me to stay out of the way.
With that thought, he started to stray away from the camp. No eyes were on him but he could see the wolves—four seemed to circle the perimeter staring at him as he walked away but they took no action so he proceeded.
It was peaceful and surprisingly serene where he walked. He could see flowers start to bloom and animals in packs around.
"So, she is the one who was attracting the animals." He realized. He did remember her saying that she was the goddess of many things and one of them was the wilderness and animals.
It was only natural for her to be loved by them and for them to feel safe and secure around them.
That seemed to be why they didn't shirk away when he passed by them. They knew instinctively that no harm would come to them while under her supervision.
W-what the hell!
After walking for a few minutes, he noticed that the animals were starting to lessen and the state of the environment was getting worse.
Then his feet sunk deep into snow.
"Just a moment ago, it was just fine…" He murmured. He looked up and saw that it was darker now and flakes were falling on his head. He had to stop in his tracks as it was simply getting too bad.
As he retreated taking the same path he took going there, he saw the snow start to let up.
Something was definitely going on that wasn't natural.
To test his theory, he went forward again—the snow picked back up— then when he took a step back, the snow stopped falling.
"A bounded field?"
Was the first thought to come to his mind. He didn't know of any that could manipulate the very weather though. It wasn't impossible, however. But would a great mage be out so far in the woods? It was unlikely, especially given this was America, not london.
The sound of boots crunching through the ground alerted Shirou and he saw the lieutenant of Artemis, walking towards him, a severe look plastered across her face.
"Boy."
The lieutenant—Zoë, if he remembered correctly—called out to him, almost akin to how a master would call out to a dog misbehaving.
It also didn't help that she had one of those mystical wolves trailing behind her, quietly.
He regarded her with a nod but didn't bother to say anything.
"What do thou think they are doing?"
Zoë's tone lacked no small bit of hostile intent. And if the way her arms shifted to her daggers and the wolf staring at gim menacingly, something would go down if he didn't say something she would agree with.
"I was searching for a place to sleep tonight since I'll be here for a while."
He replied. That was clearly not the answer she was looking for as she shot him a glare.
"This far out?"
Shirou simply shrugged.
"I didn't see any available spots at the home base and I don't mind being alone."
His expression though then turned into a frown when he recalled what happened when he walked further away from the camp.
"When I left to look for a spot, the snow started falling heavily to the point where there was practically a snowstorm. But when I backtracked, the snow stopped instantly."n
Zoë's shoulder— that was tensed— relaxed slightly almost unnoticeably so that she was not just one step away from swinging at him.
"That is only natural. My Lady unconsciously exudes a presence that stops any and all things that may obstruct The Hunt from completing. Including natural causes."
That was… kind of incredible, Shirou couldn't help but admit. The very forces of nature couldn't stop Artemis and her hunters. Then again, it was as to be expected from a goddess.
"Thou are not to leave the territory of the hunt for My Lady has not given thee permission to."
Zoë continued as she scrutinized him.
Then where will I stay?"
"One of the hunters will double up so thou can stay in theirs."
"I can imagine they wouldn't be too happy about that."
Shirou remarked, getting a glare from the huntress.
"They will do as they are told. And so will thou."
Shirou didn't bother responding back to that statement. He was already off to a bad start with the lieutenant of Artemis so, he preferred to just let her say as she pleased.
It didn't affect him either way.
"We shall return to the camp and prepare for The Hunt."
Zoë said as she finally turned around and started walking back with the wolf in tow. Shirou followed a moment later and they fell into silence until she spoke once more.
"My Lady has gleaned thy skill today in archery. She has deemed it fit for you to prove thou worth during thy's… tenure here."
Zoë spoke calmly. Shirou could tell though, that she wasn't happy with the decision, meaning that Artemis had insisted.
But why?
She didn't know him, she certainly had not trusted him, and nor had her hunters.
I have a feeling she has an end game to all of this.
Shirou thought. It just sounded too weird to him.
"The hunt?"
"That is what thy said."
"So we will go out and hunt animals?"
Shirou asked, a little surprised. Wasn't she a nature goddess? She would be essentially eating the people she was the patron of.
"Nay." Zoë sighed as she looked at him exasperated. "Thou will not find success hunting game in this environment. We shall hunt much greater prey. Lady Artemis hopes to put thee skills to use sho—as thou join tonight and prove thou worth."
"I've never hunted before."
Shirou admitted. He lived in a densely populated city with little forests around, so he ate and cooked store-bought food most of the time.
"Then how did thou survive so long in such harsh territory?" She questioned, scrutinizing him under her gaze.
Shirou wasn't sure how to go about answering that. Should he admit that he had an enhanced body that allowed him to kill animals quite easily?
He wasn't sure if that was normal around here. Or at least from a human standpoint.
"Luck. I found a few animals, I found the cave that you all saw me inhabiting and with my mediocre skill, I was able to survive."
Was what he came up with to say. Given her skeptical expression, she didn't believe him. But then again, did she believe anything he had said so far?
"We saw thou site. I spotted quite a few tools that were made well from wood. That doesn't say amateur to me, it says experienced."
Zoë remarked, aiming her dark eyes at him.
He understood now. This wasn't a light questioning, this was an interrogation.
"I've always had an affinity for making weapons."
"Truly? How peculiar. Men don't focus much on making normal weapons. Tis' the age of "technology", no?"
Zoë pressed.
"I'm an unusual person."
"Yes, thou is."
Zoë agreed with his statement.
"Tell me. Does thou know both thy's parents?"
The lieutenant questioned. Shirou had a feeling that she was asking for a specific answer.
But what answer would she be looking for?
He decided to answer truthfully, to see where it would go.
"No. I've never known my real parents. An accident happened when I was young… and I was adopted by a man."
A auburn-haired man in his early twenties smiled lovingly down at a bundle held in a raven-haired woman's arms.
He grabbed said bundle and held it close to his chest with all the loving he could give.
Or at least, that's what uNkNowNNNNNNNN thought.
A splitting headache started to form as it always did when he tried to remember the past.
All of that was best left buried in the snow under a pile of swords.
"Is that so?"
Zoë finally said. He could sense the ounce of pity in her tone and that made him only dislike her. He didn't like anyone feeling bad for him, not even his own sister.
This was the path Emiya Shirou, bro—
—The Hero of—
—Worst man in—
—Waiter of a thousand—
His mind shut down.
(-)
Shirou awoke to an unfamiliar ceiling.
It was light silver, slanted almost, he wondered when the sky suddenly turned a new shade.
When he looked around however, he realized he was not outside but in an enclosement, specifically a tent when he fully analyzed the interior.
It consisted of a simple sleeping bag—which was over him— his bow that he remembered leaving, and a few other tools he had in his little cave abode. On a chair in the corner he noticed there was a silver long-sleeved tunic and black pants with a long parka. In the center of the tent that was considerably large, there was a small fire, enough to warm up the tent but not overcloud it with smoke.
"But where… am I?"
He pondered. He tried to recall the last memory he had available. He remembered being in the cave and—
It all came back to him like a rushing tidal wave.
He was in the goddess Artemis' domain.
She had let him stay for reasons unknown to him, her hunters didn't like that, making him feel uncomfortable enough to want to move far away. Then he had that tense conversation with Zoë and fainted.
He sighed to himself. He had thought he had recovered years ago from his trauma but it looked like that was not the case.
What struck him as strange however, was the fact that some of the memories that flashed through his head were times he did not remember.
He didn't know Rin Tohsaka.
He didn't know Artoria Pendragon.
What he did know was Sakura Matou. The girl he also couldn't protect.
I'm straying into bad memories again.
Shirou grimaced and pushed the sleeping bag to the side to stand up. He went over to the flap and opened it up. It was about evening time.
From his tent's position—which was unsurprisingly at the very back— he couldn't see anyone but if he strained his ears enough he could hear the faint chattering of the girls.
He was about to fully leave the tent when he realized his attire.
He was in his white and blue shirt but it was torn up so badly that it might as well have been a clothing item for a caveman. His jeans were far past the point of recovery and were more like shorts. All in all, he looked like he had been mauled by a bear and a tiger combined.
That may have been the reason for some of the looks he received.
So, he wasted no time getting acquainted with his new outfit. It was quite comfortable and fitting which made sense given presumably the goddess gave him it.
As he dressed himself in his new clothing, he walked outside feeling good.
He passed by the various tents, admiring the designs of the various ones that marked each hunter's personal taste.
He smelled cooked food that reminded him of one of his favorite meals that he loved to make; chicken stew, boiled.
The thought of food made his stomach rumble. He wasn't a heavy eater by any means but he had been surviving off the bare minimum.
Now that the adrenaline from his encounter wore off with some sleep he now felt like eating, so he made his way closer to the sound of voices.
In front of the goddess tent—given it was placed in the largest clearing— the hunters were strewn about in pairs of two sparring with Zoë supervising.
They fought with their silver daggers and struck each other fast and efficiently, reminding him of the time he installed his future self's card. No wasted movement, strike lethally and calmly.
Of course, as it was a spar they stopped before anyone could be injured fatally and instead simply hit with the flat of the blade or a simple poke.
Despite everything though, he did feel kind of… disappointed. He expected them to be on a whole new level from him but the majority of them followed the same style with little variation.
There was nothing wrong with that of course, but it made them predictable in battle and having a hive mind is the easiest way to get killed.
When his eyes landed on their daggers, he felt a copy of them bury itself into "his snow".
The pair he copied belonged to a huntress named Amaryllis.
She is a nymph born from a river god, Phasis—the river god of Colchis—. As one of many of his daughters, she was expected to be married to one of her uncle's Thermodon—river god south-west of Colchis— son.
However, things went wrong when she met him. He had a penchant for treating women as playthings and he had set his sights on her the moment he lay eyes on her. Before they were even married, he would force her to do obscene things and if she refused he would tell her father and his father and she would be shamed.
She was saved from the torment from Artemis who happened to be passing by the area with her group at the time.
She stumbled upon the goddess who gave her the knife as Amaryllis was curious about fighting, so Artemis taught her many skills.
Later, Artemis found out about the treatment Amaryllis was receiving and took action. She cursed him and turned him into the very thing he made Amaryllis.
A playingthing. Specifically, a beach ball which she later had land in a nearby beach where the various inhabitants smack it around in the game of volleyball.
That didn't make Amaryllis' betrothed' father happy and he made it clear by banishing Amaryllis for life from ever returning.
The knife was made
Then the rest was history.
It was very interesting and a bit sad. It made sense now though, why she disdained men. They have only ever brought her pain.
As for the properties of the knife itself, it was made of a material known as Celestial Bronze.
It must be some type of metal of the gods.
Despite this though, the weapon wasn't particularly strong. Or at least compared to a Noble Phantasm. Its divine origin didn't seem to affect it to the point of making it a divine construct or a weapon with a particular ability.
Celestial Bronze is also apparently only able to be used against the supernatural, namely demigods, nymphs, gods and especially monsters.
So it's no threat. The same applies to the arrows too, huh? When that lieutenant was pointing the knife at me earlier she must have done so assuming that I was a demigod and could be harmed by it. Is that why she asked me about my parents?
His mind went into calculating mode as he went through various simulations and thoughts. It seemed to be a feature of EMIYA, to always look for weaknesses and a way out to compensate for their lack of talent and physical abilities.
"I would not stare at them for too long, Shirou Emiya."
A voice said from right next to him, causing him to stumble back slightly and look at the person.
It was Artemis. In her twelve-year-old form, wearing her silver parka and pants with boots. Her expression was unreadable but he could feel his skin crawling even though she wasn't looking at him but at her group.
Her eyes were the main distinguishing thing that separated her from looking like an ordinary girl. It was far too old and scrutinizing to belong to a girl that age. Outlining her body was a silver shine that was far more intense then that of her hunters, distinguishing her as the leader.
"My hunter's will get the wrong idea. Or maybe, I'll get the wrong idea. I do love jackalopes or rather, turning people into one.
She commented casually, as if she hadn't just threatened him.
Shirou quickly apologized.
"I didn't mean to stare. I had just woken up in the tent and was just walking towards the voices."
"On that topic, you passed out, according to Zoë while discussing something out south. What happened?"
She questioned the brother of Miyu. Shirou had little answer to give the goddess as he wasn't exactly sure what caused it himself.
But he didn't want to lie, so he answered to the best of his abilities.
"I can't say for sure, but… some bad memories came up, and coupled with my exhaustion from earlier…"
He trailed off and Artemis seemed to get the memo as she still stared off at the hunters training, her expression carefully blank like it always was.
"You humans and your fragile minds. I forget sometimes that you all are all ailed by curses not just physical but mental. But you know, you did cause some trouble for the hunters. When you passed out, she refused to carry you there herself and had the other hunters do it. That didn't make them too happy, see those two over there?"
She pointed to two girls. One a brunette who looked about twelve and another a blonde who has raven hair, each of their hairs put into a high ponytail. They attacked each other furiously, their weapons blurring in silver. He could see their faces tightened and their eyes furious.
It was a miracle neither got hurt attacking the other so fast and with their small frame they were able to move around quite nimbly.
"Can you tell them I'm sorry for their troubles and thank you?"
Shirou asked and Artemis shook her head much to his shock before a new expression was set on her face. Amusement, however slight.
"I will not. You will do so yourself. They are right there after all."
"But…"
"They will not attack you. Without warrant that is, so as long as you remain peaceful, no harm shall come to you. Besides, from what I have already seen, you can take care of yourself should they choose to duel you. You aren't an ordinary human after all."
Shirou wasn't too surprised she figured it out. She was a divine spirit after all, and even though he tried to hide it, his muscles were quite toned for someone his age, and his strange half-tan appearance only amplified his strange appearance.
That didn't stop Shirou from trying to downplay his abilities.
"I can fight decently, but my experience is quite limited. The one time I fought was for a specific reason and I put my everything into accomplishing a goal I had for the sake of someone else. Even with all of my power however, I failed."
Of course, Shirou knew that he was perhaps beating himself up quite too much as the person he was put up against was the First Hero who held every weapon's prototype and made up for her lack of strong capabilities with sheer might of her treasures.
Still though, his inability to protect Miyu in the first place is what led him to the situation in the first place. He spent years not developing anything substantial to protect his sister, and it cost him everything.
"If you don't want to make the same mistake you must simply get better. Reassess the situation calmly and adapt to it. That is what I teach my hunters. They are all always putting their lives at risk to hunt down dangerous beasts."
"Then why do you do it? Why do you put them in intentionally dangerous situations when you are able to handle it yourself?" Shirou asked. As soon as he did though, he regretted it. He may have spoken his mind a bit too much in front of the goddess.
Instead of getting mad though, Artemis only sighed.
"Us gods and goddesses are bound by ancient laws. Because of this we are seldom allowed to interfere in matters pertaining to monsters. That is the purpose of The Hunt. To hunt down monsters before they can get to demigods. Of course it is impossible to get all of them, fate will simply steer them away, but the dangerous ones we can handle."
"Like that bird they were fighting?"
"Indeed." Artemis confirmed. "Those are the Stymphalian birds. Deadly man-eating vultures that are sharp enough to tear through metal and dangerous for any demigod to face as they travel in packs."
She mentioned demigods again. The way she phrased it sounded like there are demigods simply roaming around. Surely not, right…?
Shirou then paused as he processed what she just said. "Those birds… weren't they killed by Heracles' arrows?"
Artemis at the mention of the great hero's name scowled but replied. "Monster's can reform after a certain amount of time has passed. That is why The Hunt is a never ending task. Now, back to the topic, you will spar with the hunters. I want to see what you are capable of to have been able to survive for so long in this type of environment."
Before he could respond, she was already walking forward, getting everyone's attention as she walked to the center. When she was there she looked back at him expectantly and so he reluctantly moved as well.
When the hunters saw him, like usual there were varying reactions. Anger, disgust, neutrality and once again, curiosity.
Before they could get riled up, Artemis held a hand up. Immediately, all negative emotions left their face like it was never there to begin with.
"Hunters. Sisters. As usual, before we hunt our prey, we must sharpen our skills, for it must never be dull in the face of battle. This will especially be so for the monster we will face at the brink of dust, the Lamia!"
Gasps rung out by the younger members of the Hunt. Shirou assumed that this monster was a big deal. He had never heard of it. The older ones weren't calm by any means but were more cool-headed, suggesting that this wouldn't be their first time facing something that was a genuine threat.
The calmest was easily Zoë as she stood off quietly to the side.
"Yes, yes, the Lamia has respawned after hundreds of years somehow. She has been the bane of many demigods for years now and is their ultimate enemy. Olympus itself has designated us to eliminate her. And we will do it."
Cheers rang out by the members of the Hunt as they psyched themselves up.
Artemis's eyes glowed and the silver glow that surrounded her strengthened exponentially, in response to their support.
Her power is rising…
Shirou noted. It seemed to be tied to belief and worship. Along with her hunters helping her dispatch monsters, they also made her stronger by having faith.
Or at least, that is what he thought. It was a genius thing to create the hunters.
Artemis then looked at him, her warm smile now gone and instead neutrality replaced it.
"Now. As I am sure you are all aware by now, we have a guest. A male to be specific. This man right here is Shirou Emiya, a man of Japanese origins. I understand that he has stirred a lot of controversy as to his intentions, with his subsequent spying, but I have personally observed him and have determined that he has no hostile intentions. Should my evaluation prove wrong however, and he violates the agreement we had, I will personally execute him and nobody else. You do not need to like him. I do not expect any of you to, nor will I ask you to. Only tolerate him and accept my judgment."
All of the hunters were silent. All of their faces were blank, before one of them spoke.
"Is that one, merely a human?"
I'm not right here…
They had no hesitation treating him like he wasn't even around.
Artemis nodded.
"Yes, one hundred percent human. Simply a clear-sighted one."
Clear-sighted? What does that mean?
He assumed it had something to do with his vision or something in that regard. He had always had decent vision. When he received "that" it only increased triplefold. Maybe that was it.
The hunters asked several more questions , like where he would be staying, how long, could they harm him and other things that may have caused him to react in shock if his emotions weren't so numb.
Finally, Artemis got to her main point.
"Now that I have answered your questions, I would suggest a spar between Thelka and Shirou Emiya.
The hunters looked at their goddess in shock and Thelka spoke up. "My Lady, he is a mere human… having him face up against any of us is obsolete."
Artemis's eyes sparked with something, Shirou couldn't identify.
"Then show us. Fight Shirou Emiya, right here and right now. He will fight you, won't you?" She looked at him. He shouldn't be so unnerved by such a little girl, but only if she was only that.
She wasn't giving him a choice.
The only answer was to accept.
With a deep sigh that he didn't bother to hide, he agreed.
Thelka—his opponent— stared at him coldly, as if he was her greatest enemy. No mercy will be given, her eyes seemed to convey.
Within minutes, everyone gave them some space and the two stood across from one another. Zoë walked over to him and handed him two silver knives of about six or so inches. It was light and a quick scan revealed that it was imbued with Artemis' aura which is why it was a shining silver.
They seem not to care that we could get injured from this.
He couldn't help but think. Most likely, they had a healer waiting somewhere. Artemis walked up to the two of them who stood only a few meters apart and stood in the middle of them.
"Thelka. You understand the rules so I will not reiterate it to you." She turned to him instead. "This match will be clean, meaning no fatal wounds. First to five hits will win. You will stay around this circle."
Shirou then looked around and noticed that the other hunters formed a circle around them, not unlike street fights. They probably wouldn't appreciate the comparison though.
"Other than that-that is all. Show me your worth, Shirou Emiya…"
She backed away.
"On my mark."
"Three."
Muscle memory kicked in and Shirou assumed a stance. Both his hands were up, holding the knives sideways to his chest like he was wielding Kanshou and Byakuya. This would be the best technique to use as it countered those stronger than him by parrying.
His opponent, Thelka simply had her knives held slightly up from her waist. Presumably for quick jabs.
"Two."
Most likely she will attack first to try and end this quickly and impress her goddess. That is good for me as that will make her prone to mistakes.
Shirou shifted his foot-stance.
"One."
Thelka kicked off the ground immediately after Artemis finished and led a straight thrust to his chest. Her attack met his in a shower of silver sparks.
Her experience was greater than his at using knives which was evident by how she spun her free knife hand counterclockwise and thrust at him.
Shirou was forced to break their confrontation and tried to roundhouse kick her to gain some distance. Thelka bent her body slightly backward to dodge it and tried to punish him with a thrust but his stance was already regained and she was parried once more.
They met in several showers of sparks with neither truly gaining the upper hand.
He could see Thelka gritting her teeth as all her attacks kept getting parried perfectly and without delay.
She was tethering on the edge of superhuman strength while he was still within human limits. If only at a higher level.
Thelka swiped at his head and this time, he decided to take a page out of her book and simply lean his head to the side to dodge it but that was precisely what she was waiting for as she spun her drawn knife in a reverse grip and stabbed down where his head was.
It was a fast and skillful maneuver with a knife that would be impossible to dodge normally as human senses weren't fast enough to perceive such rapid shifting of movements.
Furthermore, she swiped in an arc meaning that he wouldn't get away with no damage.
Unfortunately, she wasn't aware of the fact that he had a skill that allowed him to perceive such attacks based on one's own experiences.
Eye of the Mind (True).
Through Archer EMIYA's many experiences in battles, he was able to dodge attacks using his own intuition built from many battles.
Shirou had inherited such skill when the class card assimilated into him.
At a lower level, but more than enough to counter. He leaned his head forward to dodge the attack much to the shock of his opponent and swiped her leg with his own, forcing her to back up.
This time though, he was on the attack.
He swiped in an arc towards her chest with his blades on either side as a scissor motion. Thelka barely was able to dodge it but had.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Blood fell down her arm and onto the grass.
The hunters started muttering around him, quietly.
Thelka scowled as she avoided the eye of her fellow sisters and instead glared at him.
She's angered now. The mistakes will start to appear in her form soon enough. Most likely she will also start to go for more fatal areas such as the solar plexus, neck, brain and maybe even my lower area. I should proceed with caution. Especially to protect the most important part…
Thelka, now angry, threw herself at him with almost reckless abandon, swiping at him furiously. Shirou took the backfoot once again and resorted to simply parrying or blocking.
"Heh… heh… stop running around!" The huntress yelled at him, still attacking him.
Normally, Shirou would have taunted her to rile her up even further and cause her to make more mistakes but decided against it for this spar. He didn't need her to hate him in the future and do something detrimental later.
He was going to be here for a while, after all.
For the next few minutes, he ran around her and had scored an additional two hits on her forearm and another on her leg.
Meanwhile, he was still completely unharmed.
Thelka clutched her arm as the hunters now looked at her with worry. He didn't cut anything major but it had to hurt.
It was impressive though, that she was still standing. Artemis's hunters were impressive for sure.
He took a glance at the leader of the women and saw her stare at him intently. She didn't seem mad though, which was a good sign for his existence.
But now she knew that he was not entirely normal. Although, that wasn't too hard to figure out with his half-tanned skin and auburn hair turning white.
She would have questions, he knew and he wasn't willing to divulge too much of his secrets and capabilities to her. If any of the other gods got word of him— given they also migrated from the Reverse Side Of The World— it could turn out bad, especially if he mentioned Miyu and her capabilities or even his more unique abilities.
If she knew already that he was a magus though, there was no helping it.
He focused back on his opponent, still breathing heavily. His own was carefully controlled and hardly wasted because he had done more counterattacking then attacking.
It's best I finish this now. Delaying it will help nobody.
He looked off to all around him. The hunters stood there, most in shock and a lot in annoyance and disappointment. They had expected him to lose and perhaps he should have.
Zoë on the other hand's expression was blank. It was hard to tell what she was thinking or whether she was impressed or annoyed. He didn't care too much to know though as long as she wasn't trying to kill him
No. Their goddess would have seen through that. She may have even had me killed…
Shirou spun his knives around his hand. The weight was much different from Kanshou and Byakuya and were not his favored weapon.
This was especially made evident in his and Thelka's next confrontation.
She led with a feint, swing mightily at him and faster then she ever had before. He predicted such an outcome but it was getting harder and harder to parry her attacks as her strength was steadily increasing.
Kanshou and Byakuya were perfect weapons for all versions of him because it encapsulated everything Shirou was looking for. A weapon that carried more strength than he did naturally making it easier to counter people many times stronger than him. If this was a confrontation where he used his blades, the result would be obvious. No attack would get past his guard.
He decided to lead her in a trap herself and so the next time she decided to rush him, he created an opening within himself. The hip area. Usually, his style would have his weapon in the middle of his body to quickly react to any attack from any type of position, but this time he mimicked her and the other hunters' style and had one of his hands too far up.
Surprise flashed in her expression for a moment but it was too late to give pause to her attack.
She swiped at him, except she went for his chest and he shifted his body. She didn't give up and kept pursuing.
Each time she attacked him she would always aim for that area which confused him.
Does she not see this opening? I made it purposely blatant.
Their next exchange would have her trying to land an overhead strike. He met it with his knives crossed and tried to make her lose her balance with a knee strike. She was prepared for it and captured his knee between her legs. She shifted her body, forcing Shirou off balance and subsequently breaking their engagement.
Shirou rolled out of the way of her next strike while he was down but wasn't quick enough and he received a slash to the leg.
The hunters who were in bad spirits, suddenly cheered for their hunter.
"You've got this, Thelka!"
"Show the boy why he shouldn't mess with the hunters of Artemis!"
"Good work. Don't let him overwhelm you any more. You just need four more hits!"
Shirou stood up from the ground and inspected the wound. Nothing deep. It was a glancing hit at best but a wound nevertheless. He gave her a nod and surprisingly, she actually nodded back.
It seems she doesn't hate me for inflicting all of those wounds earlier. Good.
Once again Shirou shifted his stance to the one that had an opening. He was going for all or nothing now.
He focused intently on her form and amber met dark brown. Shirou's feet skidded across the dirt as he began to approach. His mind was clear and his intent was focused.
His feet kicked off the ground and he closed the distance between them. She was ready and slashed at him with her knives criss-crossed.
The attack was clean, well choreographed and done without fail.
Unfortunately, she had attacked the very place he had been expecting.
Her cross slash was met in the middle by his own two knives. Both stopping her blade by its tip.
He slid under, entering under her guard.
Her eyes widened as she realized his maneuver and tried to pivot.
He wouldn't allow it.
He couldn't allow it.
He didn't allow it.
His knife cut right into her silver parka and through the various layers of heavy clothing. Blood was drawn and the match was over.
He immediately drew back, breathing slightly labored. It was a risky maneuver but one that paid off only because of the experience he gained copying the other hunters moves.
Nobody cheered for him and instead their faces were downcasted and in shock. They must have found it humiliating to be beaten by an "ordinary" human who they just happened to stumble upon.
One of the hunters though— a blonde women—wasn't making any of those expressions and was instead rushing over to Thelka who was clutching her arm with a grimace.
He heard her mutter something to her and she seemed to relax, even if only slightly and a yellow light shone across the wounded huntress' body. He could feel the warmth from meters away and when the blonde woman drew back he saw the wounds healed and without a scar.
I felt heat from that healing technique but that was not magecraft. It felt natural and stronger.
He had his theories but he shelved it for later.
He turned his attention to the leader of The Hunt.
Artemis walked over to them and for once her eyes were not on him but on her huntress.
"Thelka." The woman in question flinched as if she'd been almost slapped. Artemis however, had a warm expression on her face. "You did good."
"I failed, My Lady. I am sorry." She said, downcasted.
"There is nothing to apologize for. You had lost against a male whose capabilities you had no knowledge of and still managed to score a hit. And besides, you are new to The Hunt, only a few hundred years old, you have room to grow."
That's what you classify as new?
Thelka's expression brightened. "Yes! I will continue training as hard as I can."
She turned towards him, her expression a mix of resolve and determination.
"The next time we face off against each other, I will win."
Shirou gave her a stoic nod and she walked back into the circle of the other hunters.
"Now, I believe me and you have some things to discuss, no?" Artemis said as Zoë came up behind her with a fierce glare that promised trouble.
Shirou mentally sighed.
It never ends.
(-)
And that is it for me.
I had a lot of trouble with this chapter because honestly, I am not good with fights. I tried my best though, and hoped it came out at least somewhat entertaining.
Also, if it wasn't already obvious, Shirou was holding back against Thelka. He didn't want to use his magecraft much since it could set off Artemis or maybe even she would kill him because of it.
How long that will remain a secret, who knows. Maybe until the next chapter. You just gotta find out…
And yes, I'm using Lamia even though she is used somewhere else in Pj. Discard that nonsense. This is my canon.
Now, let's go over some comments. This is gonna be long.
Username: Fire said "Greatfirst chapter can't wait for the next update keep up the great work."
Username: Psych Ward Works said "Seems promising, hope to see more.
One thing though, I'm pretty sure you meant Fahrenheit instead of Celsius since 20-30 is fair to hot weather in Celsius, nowhere"
Yeah, I realized that and changed it. My bad. Thanks for the review and the love.
Username: Dillian97 said "I like this beginning better. And yes, you're right that it's corny that Shirou needs someone to pamper him, and of course, both of them are not going to fall in love that quickly and easily. Both Shirou and Artemis have their problems with relationships, problems that they must solve.
As for Shirou traveling with the hunt, he will at least make them get to know each other a little, at least he will make the huntresses not want to kill him with their eyes. Not to mention that Shirou's bow skills will make them, at least, respect him a little or give birth to a desire to surpass him, since they can't stand a man being better than them.
Regarding the hollow divine weapons, I say that Fate's divine weapons are more complex than Percy Jackson's, since they are a combination of magic, alien technology, and divinity. In comparison to Percy Jackson what are made by divine steel and the divinity of the God. Tracking is something that can recreate it, compared to Fate which has to deal with non-existent materials from Earth and how advanced they are. Something that Percy Jackson is not, if I have to compare it with something it would be the Durandal, a weapon with the power of the Biblical God, that NP has the power of the miracles of its God. And if Shirou can track him, then he can handle the divine weapons of Olympus. Although of course, doing so will require a lot of mana on Shirou's part."
Long comment but I do agree with you.
I wanted to address that later but I think I will do it here as well for everyone else.
The topic of whether Shirou can trace Divine Constructs has been tossed and turned throughout the years with Nasu often changing his mind throughout various media. Some say its too much, some say it's not.
This is how I think it is and how it will be in this fic.
Shirou can trace Divine Constructs. HOWEVER. He needs a connection with the user of it to trace it. We see this where when he loses the original Avalon, he loses the ability to trace it.
So Pj wise, he can trace anything including Celestial Bronze as its really just magical iron. Not much different. And it is definitely not a construct.
However, a weapon like Zeus' lightning bolt would be something that is impossible to replicate. It is something that belongs to Zeus and was made exclusively for him much like how Ea is made for Gilgamesh and Shirou can't trace it because of this.
Many also say its because of the fact that he can't understand it and that may be true but we see in hf that he can trace the Jeweled Sword of Zelretch and he has no idea how any of it was made.
Of course, there is still the large matter which is that there is no way he has enough mana normally to even trace it. Especially with the state that he is in right now and his Reality Marble was quite literally destroyed.
Darth Kyuubi Kurama said "Great Chapter."
Thanks.
GyroJapster said "As a person who hasn't read Percy Jackson, my god those Amazonian(?) are annoying. Hope the EMIYA in Shirou snarks them to oblivion or something."
Lol.
ENDDRAGON369 said "I hope Shirou uses runes."
Maybe.
Dannyphantom369 says "Wonder if Enkidu (the Chains) are in this version of Shirou's UBW?"
Nope.
Webowobo says "Great first chapter! Looking forward to what you will write in the future! :)"
Thanks. I hope I won't disappoint you.
Jebest4781 says "Looks well on how this went here. Will wonder how things will proceed."
Stick around to find out!
PersonalNinja Lux states "Ig-Alima being usable was due to his connection to Miyu(Who provided him with infinite mana) , UBW and the Illyaverse(and Miyuverse) Gaia being VERY weak to the point that iirc even the counter force was hindered o the point that shirou was able to fight against julius who was trying to save the world.
The one he traced during the Prisma Illya episode was hollow and was basically just a giant sword without much of ehat made Ig-Alima a divine construct.
the only way he would be able to use it ully on his own is if he was linked up to a mana source, and was given a pass by the Gaia(earth itself)of the PJ universe to use nps that are of divine origin and not just the gods and Gaia of the Greek Pantheon since she's a different entity from the Gaia that would be the consciousness of the planet"
I'm not sure that Gaia would be managing the mana source in Pj. How it all works in the series is extremely vague and magic seems to be more of a mist thing and the traditional methods seen in Greek Mythology.
Regardless, you are right that Shirou was only even able to manifest Ubw because of Miyu. Without that, there is no chance that he could here until or if he fully becomes Archer.
Ig-Alima though, is yeah, impossible for him to trace. But he can just use it as a stepping platform like he did in prisma illya.
Pixie Duck says "Fun fact
FSN Shirou can perfectly trace Divine Constructs. EA was th only limitations.
Shirou literally trace Avalon and Excalibur and every weapon that appears is traceable.
Shirou not being able to do that is a retcon by Nasu years later. So you can perfectly ignore that retco and go with OG FSN limits"
Ehh, not really. He loses the ability to even trace Avalon when he loses the original so its clear that a connection needs to be established. Same with Excalibur I would reckon given they are on the same tier.
Regardless, there will be workarounds as you may see.
Fyr RedNight says "This is a very interesting beginning so far.
I'm curious to see where this remake will go, I look forward to the next update!
Thank you. I tried my best.
Linuxnoodles says "Much better than your previous rendition, thanks for the story."
I'm glad. I had been practicing for years and tried to avoid all of my old mistakes by taking my time and fleshing out the characters more. When I first made the original I was a Senior in highschool and just wanted to do whatever sounded cool. Now I kind of think more.
AvalonWork says "Aye man i love the improvements it is magnitudes better!"
Good to hear.
NyaNyaKittyFace says "So a few questions, why couldnt Shirou use structual analysis? I thoyght as long as he could SEE a something he could scan it? Why didn't Shirou notice the magic on the Hunter's? Well more specifically why didnt he SMELL the magic on them? Shirou had no reaction to Artemis' identity, why? He knows the age of the gods ended LONG ago an that all/most mythical creatures should he on the reverse side. Lastly, sense Gaia isn't restricting his magecraft, is there any effect taking place? I mean, yes his magecraft should be far stronger now, but is there anything else like the "fusion" between him and the Archer card being sped up because of this?"
Uhh, Im gonna have to pop your bubble. You've been living with misinformation. Luckily, Im here to help.
First, he can use analysis. He was just too far and it was dark. You will see him use it lager on.
As for the second question, I think the more appropiate term would be divinity and he hasn't really been introduced to that very much. Him smelling magic is also fanon. The only times he has smelled it was when it was so thick that it emitted a smell.
He just found out about Artemis. He is still processing everything. His reaction will be shown fully next chapter.
Gaia doesn't restrict his magecraft in the first place. Thats a fanon term. Gaia breaks down projections, yes because they are comprised of just mana and as such cannot stay in its rawest form in the Age of Man. Shirou doesn't use projection though, he uses tracing.
He is pulling the weapons that he traces directly from his reality marble and manifesting them. As such, it is a loophole and he can keep them manifested forever.
As for his magecraft being stronger, well, maybe? If we go by fate terms, since gods are still very much around, the mystery should be higher and yet humanity has evolved drastically and they don't rely on the gods like they used to meaning it should be the Age of Man.
So its a direct contradiction. Which is why Shirou will be confused next chapter, too.
So, I'll see you all next chapter, peace.