EMIYA:"So,Black Dawn, huh? This is going to get interesting..." he murmured as the peculiar title of this universe caught his attention.
DEMIYA:"Do you think Zelretch had a hand in this, just for us to watch?" he asked his counterpart, who nodded in response.
EMIYA:"Zelretch is the user of the Second Magic. We know him well enough to understand that the old man is capable of pulling stunts like this," he pointed to the Kaleidosticks of Miyu and Illya. "And other things..." he added, recalling a certain jewel-encrusted sword.
Senji:"So, this device is imbued with the Kaleidoscope magic..." he muttered, slightly impressed by the revelation that the object they were using had functions linked to the Second True Magic.
Ruby:"Hey, Sapphire. Do you think we could access that universe?" the red staff asked the blue one, which was held by the dark-haired girl.
At Ruby's question, the room fell silent for a moment.
Illya:"W-wait, Ruby?" Illya asked, looking at the staff nervously.
Ruby:"What? I'm just theorizing. I'm not sure if we could or not," Ruby said. They decided to leave the matter aside... for now, in order to focus on watching the universe unfold.
Meanwhile,Da Vincijotted down a note to investigate further, joined byHolmes,Tesla, andEdisonin her research efforts.
Voyager:"Please start the show already... waiting is getting boring," the small blonde boy said, standing besideSkadi, who chuckled softly at the comment from the blue-eyed boy.
Fate/Black Dawn:Prologue: A Sheath Without a Sword...
Cu Proto:"...Seriously? They're starting with the prologue?" he muttered, annoyed at the slow pace.
Do I need to say what happened to him next?
Florence:"...Poor Asclepius," she sighed, watching as Proto Cu was dragged to the infirmary.
Of course, the prologue title had caught the attention of several others.
Angra:"PFF-" he tried to stifle his laughter at the irony of it all.
Caren (Amor):"What's so funny?" she asked, confused by his sudden outburst.
Angra:"Here's a hint: 'I am the bone of my sword.' Does that ring any bells?" he asked, bursting out into full laughter.
Upon hearing that infamous English phrase, those who understood its meaning immediately turned their incredulous gazes toward the white-haired, dark-skinned Archer in the room.
Arturia:"It's going to be about you, Shirou," she remarked, recognizing the reference, recalling how they had once identified with that phrase in the past.
Jack:"Why a sheath?" the small, loli assassin asked, clearly not comprehending any of it.
Merlin:"Avalon," the Grand Caster answered simply.
Melusine:"...He has a connection to the distant utopia?" she asked, drawing a link between the response and the prologue's title.
EMIYA:"It's... complicated. But, to sum it up, for about ten years—maybe more, maybe less—I was closely connected to King Arthur's sheath. Thanks to that, I was able to survive a tragedy from my past," he explained, not wanting to delve deeper into the details. Despite the years, he still didn't like revisiting that particular part of his past.
No one pressed the matter. As fellow Servants, they understood the weight of the past, and none of them felt entitled to demand more from someone who clearly didn't want to relive it.
For a single, bloodless moment, she stares. Transfixed at the sight of the arrow as it flies true, right at his head. And, for a moment, she is as numb as the dead.
And then she screams, while another voice not her own raises the chorus. Her chest feels something it has not felt in awhile-
Pure, unadulterated horror. That feeling in her heart that had started to blossom out of control has become in such utter jeopardy. He is dead-
"SHIROOUUUUUUU-!"
Tesla:"Starting off strong..." he grimaced as he watched the intense scene unfold.
Billy the Kid:"...I admit, that was a good shot," he said, though his comment earned him some harsh looks from the Arturias, Irisviel, Sitonai, and several others. "What? I'm a gunslinger. I have to respect a good shot when I see one," he crossed his arms and looked away.
Meanwhile,DEMIYAwas busy scribbling notes into a notebook.
Ereshkigal:"What are you doing?" she asked, puzzled as to why he was writing.
DEMIYA:"Adding a new cause of death to the EMIYA death record and taking notes for improvements in the future," he said, raising his gun-swords, which caused the blonde goddess to break out in a nervous sweat.
EMIYA:"I have to admit, this does put a smile on my face," he said with a slight grin as he watched himself die on the screen. His smile was mirrored by both Angra and DEMIYA.
Arturia:"SHIROU!" she yelled, upset by his casual comment.
The white-haired Archer simply clicked his tongue and crossed his arms, unbothered by Arturia's scolding.
EMIYA:"...Was that Rin?" he murmured, thinking he recognized the scream that echoed through the scene.
Gudako:"Ishtar?" she whispered, swearing she heard the voice of the Sumerian Archer for a moment.
Gilgamesh:"Oh, great... ithadto be her," he grumbled under his breath, clearly irritated at hearing the voice of that "useless goddess" once again.
Cu Lancer:"The kid?" he muttered, thinking he might have heard the voice of the young Master of the Red Archer.
There are certain rules to be upheld by the nature of Magic- or Magecraft since True Magic was something no modern magi could even glimpse let alone comprehend. One such trait was that it was beyond impossible to do something so radically against the "planet's sense" that making objects appear- something considered a basic Magecraft- was viewed as pointless because the construct would vanish in mere moments due to the interference of Gaia.
Morgan:"Are you talking about Projection Magic?" she raised an eyebrow, recalling from her vast magical knowledge that this magic had been considered useless throughout history.
EMIYA:"It's good magic if you know how to use it properly," he replied, knowing that Projection Magic was the only type of magic he could use, and he had practically mastered it.
Baobhan Sith:"Projection Magic? Good magic? But it's such a ridiculously weak and useless form of magic. Well, I couldn't expect anything more from a filthy, weak former human," she taunted, expecting him to be offended and fire back. However, she was caught off guard when he simply nodded in agreement.
EMIYA:"It's a useless magic, perfect for a faker like me, incapable of using other forms of magic properly. A useless magic for a useless mage—what better combination?" The Archer smiled calmly as Baobhan Sith stared at him in disbelief. She had tried to mock him, but instead, he had turned her own insult back on her, leaving her the one being mocked.
There were ways to circumvent this, but for the more traditional magi, that was a clear sign of an unimaginative character.
At that moment, Emiya Shirou couldn't have cared less if they called him every name in the book. For twenty years, he had hunted and sought anything that could lead him to what he desired: an attitude that ironically resembled that of a true Magus, despite a shift in his goal. Nearing his forties, he finally found what some might have called a miracle.
Upon hearing the narration, the Archer stood up from his seat, an incredulous look on his face.
EMIYA:"He'slookingfor Avalon?!" he exclaimed, disbelief filling his voice as he watched the boy trying to reach that elusive utopia.
Meanwhile,Arturiafelt her heart leap with joy at the mention of Avalon, the sacred land tied so deeply to her legend.
Many of the Servants who were familiar with the legend of Avalon had their eyes wide open. If those who had found the path to the Root and returned with a True Magic could be counted on one hand, the number of those who had ever set foot in Avalon would be equally scarce, if not fewer.
Sieg:"If entering Avalon is already difficult, staying there is even harder..." murmured the dragon, trying to recall the legends about that fabled land.
DEMIYA:"He's trying to reach it... at what? 38 years old? Maybe 37?" he asked, impressed at what that boy was attempting to do.
Merlin:"The one who searched for eternity," Merlin murmured as he gazed at the screen.
Lady Avalon:"And the one who waited for eternity," she continued, her eyes fixed on the screen as well. This was going to be, at the very least, interesting and entertaining for them.
But to the eyes of beings beyond human comprehension, it was his very concept—the object implanted within him—that had finally generated a response he could no longer contain.
Shirou couldn't either. The ritual he performed on a bright, sunny day at the edge of a pristine blue lake in the English countryside opened the world around him and left him unconscious, as his magic circuits overloaded and failed, sending him into a painful trance. The remnants of Avalon pulled him towards the land where it should still exist.
Lancelot:"...He's in Britannia?" he murmured, asking no one in particular as he processed what he had just witnessed. He wasn't the only one shocked—the other Knights of the Round Table shared the same disbelief as the Knight of the Lake.
Morganstood with her eyes slightly widened, recognizing those lands all too well. She knew exactly where he was.
Morgan:"This will be truly intriguing..." she thought to herself, waiting until she had all the pieces in place to fully understand what was happening, wondering if her suspicions were correct.
Mordred:"Why does that place feel so familiar?" the blonde wondered, unable to shake the feeling of recognition upon seeing those particular images. There was something about that place that resonated with her, stirring a vague sense of familiarity.
In simple terms, what Shirou had done was a monumental slap in the face to the foundations of magic everywhere.
Many mages, like Medea or Merlin (though Merlin was thoroughly amused), felt an overwhelming sense of mockery toward the knowledge they had spent decades honing.
Gudako:"I think even Dr. Romani would have issues with this..." she whispered, remembering that Romani had once been the previous Grand Caster and the King of Magic himself.
The mere idea of someone so brazenly disrupting the natural order with a ritual like this, essentially spitting on the centuries of magical tradition, would have made any true magus recoil in frustration or disbelief. But in Merlin's case, it only added to his amusement.
It was the worst of all possible outcomes, he thought to himself as he steadied his hips and planted his feet. Staring across from him, the long-haired man held his sword loosely, the weapon's design leaving Shirou very aware of whom the man he faced down was-
Achilles:"Wait, what the hell?" he exclaimed, utterly confused. Something was supposed to have happened, yet now something entirely different was unfolding before his eyes.
Bedivere:"...Sir Lancelot?" he asked, recognizing the figure the red-haired man was facing.
Even the Knight of the Lake himself was taken aback. He never imagined he would be facing off against the red-haired boy at some point.
Tristan:"Uh... Lancelot?" the purple-haired knight glanced at him. "...If I were you, I'd be careful," he warned, pointing toward their king and her various counterparts, all of whom now stood with their weapons drawn, their faces filled with concern as they watched the screen.
Lancelot could feel the blood drain from his face as he realized what was about to happen. The sight ofArtoriaand her variants, their gazes fixed on the unfolding scene with weapons in hand, sent a chill through his spine. He already knew where this was headed, and the implications made his stomach churn.
Even if he didn't already know from prior experience and research. Lancelot was not like Gilgamesh, a foe he could face down with pure guts and refusal to lose. He could not hope to win without Morgan there, and so the best he would have to hope for was that he could get away rather than fuss about honorable combat.
The mention of the witch left many in silence, fully aware of the significance of her name in Arthurian legends. Meanwhile, theArturia-facesstood in stunned silence, processing the mention of their sister,Morgan, unsure of how to respond.
Morgan, for her part, raised an eyebrow. Well, her and her other versions did the same, clearly intrigued.
(Note: Castoria is not counted as one of Morgan's "faces" in this instance.)
EMIYA:"...Wait, what?" He finally caught on. "What do they mean, without Morgan, he doesn't expect to win?"
Baobhan Sith:"...Excuse me, what did he just say?" she asked, thinking she must have misheard.
Melusine:"It seems he has some connection to her majesty," she remarked, glancing at the red-clad Archer, who still looked incredulous.
Barghest:"...I think it might be more than just that, Melusine," she murmured, her words catching the attention of the dragon loli, who nodded in agreement. Without a doubt, she could feel it too... and, for some reason, she liked the idea a lot.
Gilgamesh:"Obviously, that half-breed could never compare to my magnificent radiance," the King of Heroes scoffed, pleased that theFakerhad acknowledged that he was stronger than Arturia's knight.
EMIYA:"Of course they're different... after all, Lancelotisa warrior, unlike Gilgamesh," he couldn't help but smirk at the reaction, seeingGilgameshtrembling with rage.
Gilgamesh:"...ONORE FAKER!" the golden king roared, only to be restrained by chains from his Kid and Caster versions, who held him back from lashing out at EMIYA.
Rin's face had contorted into a grimace beyond what could even be called discomfort when he had worn the traditional purples and greens of Atlas Academy's uniform. It had not been a dig, or a declaration, against the dark-haired magus . . .
Ishtar:"No doubt about it, that outfit doesn't suit her at all... much less me," she remarked, observing the girl on the screen with a touch of disdain.
EMIYA:"In essence, those colors never really suited Rin. Formal red and black have always looked better on her," he said weakly, his voice tinged with nostalgia as he recalled the brunette as best as he could.
DEMIYA:"It's like Taiga in formal wear—no matter how you dress her up, it's impossible to take her seriously," he emphasized, to which the red Archer gave a slight nod in agreement.
But that's how things had turned out. She had offered him guidance and solace after he helped her win the Holy Grail, and so they did... only to end up destroying it.
The weight of that decision still lingered in his memory. In the end, despite all the power and promises the Grail held, it was never meant to be obtained. Both Rin and Shirou knew that, and yet, in their intertwined fate, they had found something far more valuable than any wish—a bond forged through sacrifice and resolve.
Gudako:"Theydestroyedthe Grail?!" she exclaimed, astonished by the revelation.
Several Servants were equally surprised by the bold action.
Zhuge Liang (Lord El-Melloi II):"It actually makes sense... the Grail from the Fourth and Fifth Wars was corrupted. It didn't matter what kind of wish was made—good or bad—the outcome would always be the same, no matter what," he explained, his tone matter-of-fact.
Robin Hood:"And what's that outcome?" he asked, curious to hear more.
Arturia:"Destruction. No matter the wish, it always leads to the worst possible scenario," she replied, recalling the two times she had destroyed the Grail in both timelines.
Angra:"Thanks for the introduction," he chimed in with a cheerful smile, thoroughly enjoying the acknowledgment of his role in the Grail's corruption.
Shirou had come to understand—far too late—that the comfort Rin offered had taken the form of romance.
Ishtar:"...Eh?" she blurted out, her surprise clear as she processed the "romance" between her vessel, Rin, and the boy.
Crack!
The sound of something breaking echoed through the room. All eyes turned toward the source of the noise, an ominous feeling settling in the air as the tension grew.
Merlin:"The jealousy in the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife," he remarked, watching as his student,Arturia, was visibly stewing at the mention of romance involving Shirou.
Meanwhile,EMIYA, along with every variant of himself, was sweating bullets. It wasn't just him—the versions ofArturiapresent were all staring daggers at him. Weren't they supposed to be the ones he was looking for? So what was he doing getting involved with another woman?
Proto Merlin:"This is literally the best part," he chimed in, pretending to slice through the palpable jealousy emanating from the blonde knights.
Cu Caster:"Well, at least it's not a female version of the guy," he pointed out, adding a silver lining to the chaos.
Gudako:"Why would you say that?" she asked, genuinely confused about his reasoning.
Cu Caster:"If he—" he pointed atEMIYAand his variants, "—has this problem—" he gestured to the jealous Arturias, "—imagine if he were a woman." He then nodded towardProto GilandProto Arthurfor comparison.
Do I even need to say what happened to the neutered dog?
Gudako:"...Awelo, I'm counting on you for safety," she mumbled, hiding behindKing Hassanin search of protection from the hypothetical scenario. (Awelo = abuelo)
Suddenly, an image flashed across the screen, leaving the room in stunned silence.
Those who had been smoking dropped their cigarettes, those drinking soda had it shoot out of their noses, and those eating choked on their food, gasping for air. The shock was unanimous, leaving many speechless at what they had just witnessed.
Many were left speechless at the sheer beauty displayed on the screen, and it didn't help that the image was labeled as[The True and Greatest Mother of Chaldea]. This title struck a direct blow to the pride of all the maternal Servants present.
EMIYA:"...ZEL—" His impending scream was cut short for the sake of everyone's hearing.
Somewhere out there, a certain trollish vampire was laughing hysterically at the chaos he had caused.
Proto ArthurandProto Gilstared at the screen, dumbfounded by the image.
Edmond:"...Ouch!" he exclaimed after receiving a sharp jab to his ribs.
The annoyedNightingalehad delivered the blow, frowning at him with disapproval.
The display had to be paused to remove the image before things could proceed—otherwise, it was clear no one would be able to focus on what was supposed to be shown next.
Not onlyEdmondbut many male Servants were captivated by the image, their eyes glued to the screen.FergusandBlackbeardwere perhaps the least subtle, panting like cartoon wolves and even whistling in appreciation.
Irisviel:"...I feel inferior in so many ways..." she muttered, feeling utterly defeated and without any ability to even compete.
EMIYA (Assassin)gently patted the albino's head in comfort, his expression soft as he tried to console her. The room was slowly beginning to recover from the unexpected shock, though the atmosphere still lingered with traces of astonishment.
He could not do that to her. It was unfair to them both. Shirou loved Rin, but he had not been IN love with her. There was only one person whom had ever made Shirou feel thatway.
Boudica:"He decided to leave her so she wouldn't suffer, right?" she asked, looking at the Archer.EMIYAnodded in response.
EMIYA:"He followed my path and ideals, distancing himself from those he cared about to protect them. Emiya Shirou is an empty existence, a living dead who only exists to save others. At the age of seven, he lived through a hell from which his soul will never return, forever trapped in that abyss," he explained, letting out a sigh, reflecting on how the boy had done the same—abandoning those close to him to chase an impossible ideal.
Arturia:"Shirou..." She placed her hand over his in a gesture of support, offering him a small smile. This simple action was mirrored by the otherArturia-facespresent, each acknowledging his burden.
Ishtar:"You're not alone anymore, EMIYA-kun, so change that expression," she said, approaching him with a smile that made the Archer's mind briefly recall the raven-haired girl he once knew.
EMIYA:"I know... it's just that seeing how he hasn't changed is... disappointing, at the very least. It's undeniably sad." He sighed one last time before they resumed watching the universe unfold, the weight of his reflections still lingering in the air.
So he could not- WOULD not- let her do that to herself. Tohsaka deserved better, as did Sakura.
He was too selfish.
Pam!
EMIYA:"Ouch... and what was that for?" he asked, rubbing his head and looking atIshtar, who had just smacked him.
Ishtar:"I don't know, my vessel told me to hit you," she replied, to which the white-haired Archer merely rolled his eyes.
Gil Caster:"I pity you, Faker. Good luck dealing with her," the blonde Caster said, feeling genuine sympathy for the Archer being accompanied by that "useless goddess."
Ishtar:"SHUT UP, YOU HEARTLESS PERVERT!" she yelled, furious at the comment from the Caster.
Gil Caster:"THAT WAS ARCHER'S FAULT!" he pointed accusingly at his Archer counterpart.
Gilgamesh (Archer):"Hey, they were all satisfied. So stop blaming me for that." He shrugged, completely unbothered, as none of the women he had been with ever complained or seemed displeased. In his mind, it was a win-win situation.
Kid Gil:"How did you not end up with kids?" He still couldn't understand how his Archer self hadn't become a father with his reckless behavior.
Gil Caster:"I wonder that myself..." he sighed tiredly, massaging his temples, whileEnkidu'slaughter echoed in his mind, only making things worse.
Gudako:"...Was Siduri one of those women?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, full of doubt and curiosity.
There was no response from either the Archer or Caster versions ofGilgamesh, as both seemed unwilling—or perhaps unable—to answer her question. The silence was telling, leavingGudakoto wonder even more about the situation.
"Let her out." His voice was level, quiet even. He was aware, for the first time, that he was furious. It wasn't an emotion Shirou could say he'd felt often, but right then it was roiling in his gut in a way that made him scared of what he was doing.
Angra:"Wait, what?" he raised an eyebrow. "Emiya Shirou... furious? That's new. What's next? He's a terrible cook?" he joked, knowing full well that an Emiya Shirou who couldn't cook wasn't really an Emiya Shirou.
EMIYA:"I'd rather castrate myself voluntarily than have that be true." For some reason, many of the women present didn't appreciate that comment.
Parvati:"How often did you feel something like that?" the Hindu goddess asked, looking at the Archer with curiosity. Given that evenAngra Mainyuseemed to back the rarity of it, this must have been either extremely rare or impossible.
EMIYA:"Well, I don't recall ever feeling something like 'hatred' or 'rage' towards anyone. Ever since my contract, my mind's been a mess in some areas, so I wouldn't know how to answer you properly." He gave the goddess a slight apologetic look, to which she waved off with a reassuring smile, telling him not to worry.
DEMIYA:"I don't feel anything at all," he stated bluntly, causing some of the Alters in the room to feel a slight sting from his words.
Angra:"Except pleasure when you sleep with Kiara," he taunted, only to be met with a gunshot—DEMIYAhad fired at him. "Worth it! Hahaha!" Angra laughed while holding his wound, clearly amused by his own antics.
DEMIYA:"The next person who mentions her will get one between the eyes," he threatened with total seriousness, making it crystal clear that he would not tolerate hearing Kiara's name again.
Everyone quietly noted in their minds never to bring her up again... unless they wanted to experience swords being born from within them, quite literally.
"Why?" It was accompanied by a look that screamed of mistrust- of wariness- but he was also aware that she would not have even asked someone else who had made such a demand of her. They would have been paste on the wall.
Arturia:"...It truly is Morgan," she murmured, her eyes fixed on her sister once again.
The variousArturia-facesvisibly shifted with discomfort at the sight of their half-sister, Morgan, the one who (to the original) had played a significant role in the plot that led to the downfall of her kingdom.
Most of them couldn't hide their unease—except forLily, who wore a sad smile. She hadn't had the chance to have a normal sisterly relationship with Morgan, something she quietly regretted.
Mordred, on the other hand, had her gaze turned away, deliberately avoiding looking at her mother on the screen. The complicated feelings between them, the unresolved tension, weighed heavily on her, and she wasn't ready to confront that reality just yet.
The room seemed to hold its breath as if anticipating what would come next, with each face ofArturiadealing with their own mix of emotions—betrayal, sadness, and perhaps, in some hidden corners, a longing for what could have been between them and Morgan.
"Because she is not a tool, she is your daughter."
BothMorganandArturialooked on in shock, astonished that someone had dared to contradict her. For once, someone stood up to Morgan, and the thought crossed their minds—was he really going to...?
Mordred:"...What?" she murmured, disbelief clear in her voice upon hearing those words.
Someone had spoken up for her, none other than theShirouaccompanying her father. But... why?
Mordred:"He doesn't know me. He knows nothing about me. So why... why is he doing this?"Her thoughts spiraled in confusion. She couldn't understand what he was thinking. In her mind, this would only lead to one thing—her mother,Morgan, cutting off his head for daring to oppose her. That was just how Morgan was, and Mordred didn't expect that to ever change.
Meanwhile,Baobhan Sithsat fuming in silence, gripping the armrests of her chair in anger."That brute isn't the daughter of my perfect mother!"she thought bitterly."It's me, and only me!"The jealousy and rage boiled within her, unable to accept that someone else could be recognized in such a way.
The tension in the room thickened, with each moment laden with uncertainty, as Shirou's bold words hung in the air, defying the usual order and leaving both allies and enemies stunned.
Atlas, in comparison to the Clock Tower, had been an interesting time in his life. Rin had warned him a long time ago about the dangers of Magi society, of politics and backstabbing that was rampant and perhaps even encouraged.
Achilles:"Okay, I'm not getting any of this. It's jumping from one thing to another in no time. What the hell is happening?" He wasn't alone in his confusion; several others were equally lost.
Hans, snapping his fingers: "I've figured it out," the young author announced, catching the attention of those around him.
Shakespeare:"You're not the only one. We're witnessing a chaotic mix of flash-forwards and flashbacks in the narrative," he explained while jotting down notes in his book.
Penthesilea:"In plain language, not all of us are lyrical," she said, staring expressionlessly at the Caster writer.
Hans:"You see, woman of pure muscle—"Achillesquickly moved to stop her, preventing a possible infanticide (or whatever one might call it). "Flashbacks and flash-forwards are literary devices commonly used in writing. They offer brief glimpses into the past or future events of a story, summarizing key moments that will be explained in detail later or are essential to the narrative," Hans explained in a straightforward manner, hoping not to complicate things further.
Jeanne:"So, part of this is not only showing his past in that universe"—she pointed toEMIYA—"but also what will happen to him in that world?" she asked, seeking clarity.
Hans:"That seems to be the case. It's being used in a somewhat confusing way, but it's clearly serving its narrative purpose," he confirmed, giving Jeanne a nod of approval. She understood, andSieggently took her hand, smiling at her. Jeanne's face flushed, unsure of what to feel as her cheeks burned with warmth.
This tender moment was quickly noticed by a certain aristocrat, who began glaring daggers at the peasant girl standing beside her "son."Jeanne Alter, filled with jealousy, could hardly contain her frustration at the sight.
He had made only one friend there, and if he had known at the time who she was, he would have wondered what kind of thing he'd done to have such powerful bad karma when it came to women.
This set off alarms in the minds of several of the women present.
Angra:"The real question is, whodon'tyou end up flirting with?" he asked, looking at the dark-skinned, white-haired Archer, who wisely chose not to answer. Deep down, he knew that responding would only make things worse.
It didn't help thatArturiawas staring at him with the same cold smile she had when they first met... the kind of smile that sent chills down his spine.
Meanwhile,Irisvielfound herself wondering if she could give Shirou grandchildren.
Irisviel:"Do I still have those photos?"she mused, trying to recall whether she still possessed pictures of the variousShirou-faces.
Suddenly, fourShirou-facesfelt an eerie chill run down their spines, each of them having the unnerving thought that they might be auctioned off... and at a very high price.
Sion Eltnam Sokaris had been a very upbeat girl, but she was brilliant all the same. Of course, it went without saying that he hadn't known that the girl was so . . . important.
Sitonai:"...Please tell me you didn't do something stupid," she sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she felt her stress levels rising.
EMIYAchose to stay silent, knowing that saying anything at this point would only dig his grave deeper.
Senji:"...Something tells me he definitely did," he muttered, feeling a strange unease, though he couldn't fully explain why, but it definitely had something to do with Sitonai's question.
Not that he had particularly deep knowledge of the Moonlit World in the first place, but it would have explained a great deal of why he had proceeded to be ignored even more by the Alchemists there.
That had been fine, however. He was at the Academy to study, not to make friends. He doubted many of the scholarly types could put up with his own quirks. Perhaps she found his companionship entertaining.
Shirou just liked that she knew when to give him space.
Angra:"He made her fall in love," he commented in a chibi form.
Artemis:"Hedefinitelymade her fall in love," she added, in the same chibi style.
Gudako:"No doubt about it—he hit her with Cupid's arrow," she said, joining the chibi chorus.
Now,EMIYAand his various counterparts found themselves in quite the dilemma. Their respectiveArturiaswere staring at them with intensely serious, stern looks that sent shivers down their spines.
Ishtar:"Besides, isn't he supposed to be in a relationship with my vessel? Yet here he is, going around making every girl he meets fall for him," she added with a cold smile, her eyes still closed but her tone filled with ice.
The dark-skinned Archer, along with the others, began sweating profusely under the combined pressure ofIshtar'sandArturia'scold glares. It was as if they were all being held accountable for their collective romantic entanglements—whether they were intentional or not.
xxxxxxx
She holds a wrapped blade, not offering it to him, but clearly about to. His eyes wander over her veil-covered face and he wishes, just for a moment, that she would trust him more than this. He can see its colors and knows that doing this is akin to offering him everything that she had denied him until this point.
Lanturia:"Is she... giving him a weapon?" she asked, surprised to seeMorganhanding something to Shirou. That was... unusual, to say the least.
Someone, however, recognized the weapon immediately.
Mordred:"She's really going to give him something?" Mordred murmured, unsure of how to feel. This was her mother—why was she acting so... kind? She couldn't quite describe it. It was such a foreign behavior from Morgan that Mordred didn't even know what to think.
"If you are to do what I want of you," She starts, and for a moment pauses. He can mentally see her teeth worrying her lower lip, "- you will need this. And, in all of my graciousness, I give it to you."
Arturias:"WHAT?!" they all exclaimed in shock, unable to believe their sister had just said such a thing.
Mordred:"This has to be some sick joke..." the blonde muttered incredulously, struggling to process the idea that her mother would willingly gift someone aNoble Phantasm.
Raikou:"Why does she look... happy?" she asked, confused as to why the same witch who had a hand in the destruction of Camelot seemed content in this moment.
The immense feeling of danger crept intoArturia'smind as she realized something was very wrong. She didn't even want to imagine what her sister had planned, but every instinct told her that whatever it was, she wasn't going to like it—not in the slightest.
Lady Avalon:"This is going to be better than the Round Table feast," she commented, munching on popcorn, watching with great interest asMorganacted in a way no one had expected.
For some unknown reason,Proto Arthurtensed up, sensing an ominous weight in the air that no one else seemed to notice. Something about this situation had rattled him deeply, even if he couldn't put his finger on it.
He takes it and unveils it with all the ceremony that she deserves from him. Holding the darkened blade aloft, he studies the way it refuses to accept the light and instead only refracts it. It is a weapon that he understands she has put her all into. It is not a Holy Sword or a Demonic Sword, he knows with just a touch even without his own special brand of Magecraft, it is a weapon that conceptually reigns in Darkess- it is her attempt to provide him with the weapon she thinks will combat Excalibur, or the weapons of the Knights of the Round.
Salterstopped eating her hamburgers, her attention fully drawn to the scene unfolding before her, where Shirou was being handed what appeared to be herNoble Phantasm.
Salter:"What the hell is that witch doing withmyNoble Phantasm?!" she growled, thoroughly enraged thatMorganwas gifting it to someone else.
Her anger was so intense that she failed to notice the pained expression on another Servant's face, who had recognized the weapon for what it truly was—him.
Jalter:"You're upset about the weapon? Not about who she's giving it to?" she quipped, instantly regretting her words when she caughtSalter'sfurious glare. The last thing she needed was to provoke the dark king further.
Meanwhile, theKnights of the Round Tablewere watching with a mix of concern and uncertainty. They worried about the implications of this weapon and what it meant for Shirou. If they were ever forced to face him wielding it, they prayed their king wouldn't hold it against them... though they couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that fate would soon bring them back to the throne once more, for reasons beyond their control.
He knows better, but he also knows that her worries are unfounded.
Morgan:"Okay, something very strange is happening..." she muttered, watching her counterpart express such deep concern for someone.
As far as her memories of theMorganfrom the Pan-Human History went, she wouldneverbehave like this toward anyone. And yet, here they all were, witnessing a version of Morgan acting in a way that none of her close associates had ever seen before.
Merlin:"...Even for me, someone who's used to strange occurrences over all my years of existence, this is the first time I've seen her act like this... Not even when she tricked me into teaching her magic did she behave this way," Merlin admitted, feeling a bit uncomfortable as he momentarily set aside his popcorn.
As forBaobhan Sith, well...
She was completely passed out in her seat, overwhelmed by what she had just witnessed.MelusineandBarghestwere at her side, trying to revive her. The shock had been too much for her—after all, she had never even managed to receive something like that from her mother.
(Festival events don't count here, of course.)
Baobhan Sith's distress was clear; seeingMorgangive someone such a significant gift—aNoble Phantasmno less—was too much for her to handle. In her mind, she had failed to earn her mother's favor in the way she had so desperately wanted. The scene before them had shaken the room, leaving many wondering what had triggered such an unexpected shift in Morgan's demeanor.
The vertigo began to lessen. The dreams and images tearing away as his mind reacclimated to his own body. He came to and sat up slowly. The feeling of silken shifts crossing his chest made him aware of his own nudity. One of his arms came up, and he watched studiously as his fingers flexed and he realized that, for the first time in many years, his circuits did not feel so weak. Worse than that, he recognized that his build had regressed.
Shirou had never stopped being physically fit, half because of Avalon and half because he had long since learned it was uncommonly necessary to be ready to defend oneself- to kill- in the Moonlit World. But, he had also been nearing forty.
As the image unfolded, many of the women in the room couldn't help but blush deeply, turning their faces away in embarrassment. Some covered their eyes with their hands, but still peeked through their fingers, unable to resist. Others, less subtle, had their gazes locked onShirou'sbody, practically devouring him with their eyes. It didn't help that theSaber-class blacksmithhad a physique strikingly similar to his, enhancing the effect.
The Servants who had been married and remained faithful to their husbands respectfully averted their eyes... although they couldn't avoid giving quick, fleeting glances at those muscles. Something about the scene compelled them.
Lanturia:-Her face was bright red, she turned away but still managed to sneak subtle glances at the screen.-
Salter:-She licked her lips, imagining a contest of dominance between herself and Shirou, a blush appearing on her pale cheeks.-
Morgan:"Ugh... why do I feel like this?"she wondered, confused by the strange feeling starting to build inside her. She didn't even notice the faint pink dusting her cheeks... butMelusinedid, and she couldn't help but smile mischievously at the sight.
Tonelico:-Completely red with embarrassment, she hid her face behind her hat, trying not to watch the scene.-
(Protagonist of an eroge: Late, but better late than never.)
Arturia:"Where is this? I don't recognize that room..." she muttered, trying to recall the layout of her castle, wondering if Camelot had such a room hidden somewhere.
However, two people instantly recognized the location.
Mordred:"You'vegotto be kidding me..." she groaned, not believing what she was seeing, especially inthatspecific place.
Morgan:"What... in the world?"she thought, equally stunned that this was even possible.
One ofShirou'sarms lifted as he observed how his fingers flexed. For the first time in many years, his magical circuits didn't feel as weak. Worse still, he realized that his body had reverted to a younger state.
Nikola Tesla:"...The only way that could technically happen is with—" He cut himself off, realizing what the boy had done.
A time travel spell. Who would have thought? He had gone back to an era when magic wasn't as dead as it was in the present.
Shirouhad always maintained excellent physical condition, half due to Avalon and half because he had long ago learned that being prepared to defend himself (to kill, if necessary) in theMoonlit Worldwas crucial. But he was nearing forty now.
EMIYA:"He still held onto it...?" he murmured, surprised to see that the boy had kept Avalon with him after all this time.
Arturia, meanwhile, stopped trying to recall if she'd ever seen that room before and instead focused on the fact that this version ofShirouhad maintained his bond with her. A deep joy filled her heart, knowing that he had kept Avalon, their connection as strong as ever, bringing her an overwhelming sense of happiness.
Age changes things, especially when you have spent a good portion of those years trying to find a way to make a path not to the Root, like most Magi, but to the person you loved. Reinforcement was no longer needed to feel the tension of each muscle as his fingers curled. No need for the lines of his circuits to ignite on his skin around his eyes as he honed them to see like a hawk.
Merlin:"Will he make it?" he murmured, wondering if Shirou would be able to achieve this miracle.
Zhuge Liang:"There are few, if any, magi who do not covet the Root... Seeing one who doesn't is certainly unusual." Just as he finished his words, he received a solid smack on the back from theKing of Conquerorshimself.
Iskandar:"Come on now, don't be like that. Cut the boy some slack," he said, crossing his arms as he watched the screen. "He's traveling a long, hard road to reunite with his beloved. It's selfish and reckless, but his determination is admirable... I wonder if he'll really be able to do it," he added in a low murmur, a smile forming on his face as he admired Shirou's resolve.
Zhuge Liang:"If my king says so..." he replied with a resigned tone. After all, if there was one person he couldn't argue with, it wasIskandar. He decided to accept the conqueror's words.
Meanwhile,Arturiafelt her eyes begin to well up with tears of joy as she watched herShiroustriving so hard for her. Her heart swelled with emotion, beating rapidly as she realized just how far he was willing to go to be with her once again. Every ounce of his effort, every struggle he faced, was not for power or fame, but purely out of love. This thought filled her with overwhelming happiness and pride.
In short, Shirou felt . . . Amazing. Youthful, even.
Cu Alter:"Do you feel like an old man or something?" he asked, amused by the scene.
EMIYA:"With the stress our Master causes, who wouldn't?" He raised an eyebrow, purposely ignoring the offended "HEY!" from the background, courtesy ofGudako.
DEMIYA:"Besides, the old man is him." He pointed atSenji, who merely sighed in response to the comment from the gun-slinger.
Do we even need to say what happened to the rabid dog after that?
But, at the moment, it was time to take in the surroundings of the world he had traveled to through a very . . . Inappropriate. . . loophole of the Second Magic.
EMIYA:"Cover the kids' ears!" he yelled. Everyone near a child Servant quickly covered their ears. "...BUT SER—"
Meanwhile, somewhere else...
Zelretch:"Alright, now what's going—" He didn't finish his sentence because his jewel-encrusted sword suddenly shattered. "...What the hell—?!" He collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from his ears as stones around him began to crack and crumble.
A high-frequency sound had assaulted him, damaging everything in his vicinity.
Back at Chaldea...
EMIYA:"...Okay, I'm done now." He looked around to see several Servants holding their ears, others knocked unconscious, and many (likeTamamoand other animal-eared Servants) with blood dripping from their ears.
Gudakowas peeking from behind a stunnedKing Hassan, terrified ofEMIYAafter witnessing the volume and venom of the curses he had just unleashed. The effects of the scream had been devastating.
It took severalGardens of Avalonto restore the hearing of all the affected Servants, and everyone eventually recovered... except forSetanta, who had to be rushed to the infirmary.
Asclepiusnow had his hands full, no doubt cursing the fact that a single, cursed scream fromEMIYA, directed at a trollish vampire using the Second True Magic, had led to an influx of patients.
Scathach:"I never thought I'd hear a scream that shrill since the day I found Setanta in bed with my daughter," she muttered, still clutching her ears, which were throbbing from the lingering pain.
He just had to hope that Zelretch would find his bastardization more amusing than offensive. Shirou wasn't sure he could do it again anyway, as someone he couldn't remember the name of had said: The Right Time, The Right Place, The Right Person. Shirou had to add a few extra variables to that little equation.
Florence:"Doesn't remember much? Retrograde amnesia?" she murmured, now feeling more recovered as she began analyzing the situation.
Paracelsus:"I doubt it's amnesia... but it's something similar, a kind of memory erosion. It happens with common situations—the brain needs to clear out small amounts of memory over time to make room for new memories. Some don't get stored in short or long-term memory. But in this case... something significant must've happened for that level of forgetfulness," he explained thoughtfully, recalling the complexities of memory function.