EMIYA stirred awake, attempting to sit up from his bed, but the weight pressing down on him made it difficult to move.
EMIYA: "W-what?" he murmured in confusion, feeling the weight of several bodies holding him in place.
As his eyes adjusted to the dim light, the archer took in the scene. Draped across him was none other than the recently arrived female version of the King of Heroes, who had claimed him as her husband the night before. On his right arm, Nero was nestled comfortably, and on his left, Boudica lay peacefully asleep.
EMIYA: "Oh... right," he muttered, remembering that the three had come to his room the previous night after Merlin had dismissed everyone from the viewing room and taken the malfunctioning device with him to inspect.
He debated whether to stay put or try to get up, but after last night's events, he doubted he could manage it easily.
Boudica: "Mmm..." The Queen of the Iceni began to stir, rubbing her eyes as the memories of the previous night slowly returned to her.
Her face turned as red as her hair.
EMIYA: "I can't tell where your hair ends and your face begins," he joked, not missing the opportunity.
The redhead didn't reply. Instead, she buried her face in the sheets and his arm, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Gilfem: "If you've got enough energy to joke, you've got enough to pamper your queen," she teased, snuggling closer to EMIYA with a playful smirk.
EMIYA: "Yeah, right. Keep dreaming, blondie," he scoffed, not about to give in so easily.
Gilfem: "You didn't seem to mind last night," she reminded him with a sly smile, causing EMIYA to roll his eyes.
EMIYA: "You drugged me," he shot back, recalling how she had used an absurdly powerful aphrodisiac from her vault, one he could barely resist.
Gilfem: "And yet, here you are, still inside me," she whispered smugly, making him realize that she wasn't wrong.
EMIYA: "One, you're on top of me. Two, I'm stuck between you and them. And three... well, no third point," he sighed, unable to come up with a better argument.
Gilfem: "Then shut up and enjoy being with your queen," she said, cuddling closer to his chest, while EMIYA could only let out a long, tired sigh, realizing this was going to be more of a headache than he could handle.
Nero: "Mmmm... let me sleep..." she murmured, burying her face deeper into his arm. Of course, Nero would be the one to want more sleep—she always had a knack for getting comfortable no matter the situation.
EMIYA: "You know I need to go make breakfast, right?" he asked, hoping to escape to his sanctuary—the kitchen.
Gilfem/Nero: "No," both blondes said in unison, tightening their hold on him.
EMIYA: sighs He resigned himself to the fact that he wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.
Boudica: "I could go in your place... get a head start on things," she offered, her face finally regaining some composure.
EMIYA: "Are you sure?" Usually, EMIYA took it upon himself to prepare breakfast for the various gluttons who were always waiting first thing in the morning.
Boudica: "Of course, I'm part of the kitchen team too, you know?" she reminded him, to which the archer could only nod in agreement.
A small blush crept onto Boudica's face as her mind wandered, an idea forming that made her feel both nervous and excited.
Boudica: "Well... I'll be off then," she said softly, leaning in to plant a soft, affectionate kiss on EMIYA's cheek, leaving the archer momentarily stunned, his brain momentarily short-circuiting.
Having completed her small act of affection, Boudica began to rise from the bed... only to freeze as a sharp pain shot through her hips, preventing her from moving further.
Boudica: silently tears up from the pain Her left eye welled with a tear, wordlessly expressing the pain she was feeling from her sore hips.
Gilfem: "What's wrong? Sore, Queen of the Iceni?" she asked with a smug smile, fully aware of the reason behind Boudica's discomfort.
Without acknowledging Gilfem's teasing, Boudica quietly began dressing in EMIYA's shirt, which hung loosely on her chest but accentuated her hips quite well.
Boudica: "No..." she muttered quietly, swallowing her pain and forcing herself to walk toward the kitchen to join Tamamo, Benni, Raikou, Irisviel, and Nemo Cook in preparing breakfast.
Meanwhile, EMIYA couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he nervously watched her leave. Perhaps he had overdone it a bit last night with her… though, in his defense, it was all due to the ruby-eyed blonde who had slipped him that potent aphrodisiac. If not for that, things wouldn't have gone the way they did.
Gilfem: "You worry too much," she said, as if reading his mind.
EMIYA: "H-how did you—?" he began to ask, surprised by how she knew exactly what he was thinking.
Gilfem: "I was married to a Shirou Emiya for his entire life. Do you really think I wouldn't know how to read another Shirou Emiya like the back of my hand?" she stated with confidence, her smug grin making EMIYA grit his teeth in frustration. It all made sense now… more reasons to dislike Shirou Emiya.
Before he could continue mentally cursing his counterpart, a sharp pain stung his cheek.
EMIYA: "Ouch!" he yelped as Gilfem pinched his cheek, digging her nails in with an almost sadistic pleasure.
Gilfem: "Now that your queen is fully awake, take me to the kitchen so you can make breakfast for those ungrateful lions," she demanded, her tone indifferent but laced with an insult directed at the Arturias.
EMIYA: "Tch, as if I could, with Ne—" He stopped mid-sentence when he saw the blonde beginning to change clothes right in front of him. "Wha—?" But, of course, he was interrupted again.
Nero: "Since Boudica left," she said matter-of-factly while adjusting her own clothes.
Gilfem: "You know those clothes are still stained with him, right?" she reminded the emperor with a teasing smirk.
Nero: "UMU! All the better! That way, the future children of Rome will know who their mother is!" she boasted proudly, placing her hands on her hips with a victorious smile.
Gilfem: "Hmph, as if the mutts that come from you could ever surpass my little one," she retorted, speaking with pride about her daughter.
Clearly, Nero did not appreciate the remark.
Nero: "...Is that an insult, Queen of Heroes?" she asked, her tone turning serious as her eyes locked with Gilfem.
Gilfem: "Maybe. Empress of Rome," she replied, a smug grin forming on her face as she stood her ground, arms folded beneath her chest.
Without missing a beat, Nero pressed forward, her chest meeting Gilfem's as they stared each other down, neither one willing to back off from the challenge.
Of course, for EMIYA, this was nothing but a headache.
EMIYA: "Enough," he declared, delivering a karate chop to both their heads. "No fighting in my room," he added, arms crossed as he began to dress in his usual clothes.
Gilfem: "Fine..." she muttered, materializing her regular attire in response.
Nero: "UMU, fine, Praetor," she pouted slightly but complied, stepping out of the room.
The archer sighed in relief as he went to put on his signature cloak. However, as he glanced at the remaining blonde still in the room, he paused. His gaze shifted to Gilfem's attire, causing him to reconsider his choice of clothing.
Gilfem: "Wha—?!" She hadn't expected EMIYA to suddenly be behind her… only to realize he wasn't going to fight her. Instead, he placed his cloak around her shoulders.
Gilfem: "...And what's with this sudden action?" she asked, one eyebrow raised, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
EMIYA: "Tch, if you claim I'm yours, at least don't walk around wearing something so inappropriate. It's not like I want to spend two hours listening to Zenobia lecturing you." The blonde just chuckled lightly, starting to materialize a new set of clothes.
Gilfem: "Hai hai, whatever helps you sleep at night. Just keep pretending you're not jealous that everyone looks at me like that," she teased, her new outfit fully forming as she smirked.
EMIYA: "It's more about making sure they don't see all the marks I left on you than jealousy, Queen of Heroes," he said flatly, pointing out the fact that she was still covered in several love marks from last night's activities—courtesy of the potent aphrodisiac she had given him.
Gilfem: smirking proudly "Oh, those marks? Proof of my victory, I'd say. Perhaps I should keep them as badges of honor," she teased, enjoying the fact that she'd clearly gotten under his skin. "But if it bothers you so much... fine, I'll hide them. But don't act like you don't enjoy seeing them."
EMIYA: "You just love being difficult, don't you?" He sighed, exasperated but resigned, realizing this would likely be a never-ending dynamic between them.
With her new attire now covering most of the telltale signs, Gilfem turned to face him, her red eyes gleaming with amusement. "I like to keep things interesting, husband," she said, emphasizing the last word with a wink before walking past him, ready to start her day.
EMIYA: "..." He stood still for a moment, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto the outfit Gilfem was wearing.
Gilfem: "Take a picture; it'll last longer. Fufufu~," she teased suggestively, laughing as she walked toward the door, her hips swaying provocatively with each step.
EMIYA sighed heavily, watching her leave, the rhythmic motion of her hips only adding to his frustrations.
EMIYA: "Damn my luck..." he muttered under his breath, cursing the situation he'd found himself in before realizing something was amiss. "Wait... She did not just—she took my cloak!" he growled, finally noticing that the blonde had walked off with his prized cloak—a precious gift from a dear friend during his lifetime.
Annoyed, EMIYA grumbled as he began making his way toward the kitchen.
Scene Change.
The cafeteria was bustling with Servants as usual, or at least they tried to enjoy their meals. However, the overwhelming aura of death looming over the room made it hard to focus on anything. The source of this suffocating tension? The various versions of Arturia, each exuding a deadly atmosphere that made it clear they weren't in a good mood.
And why, you ask? It wasn't hard to miss—Boudica was sitting there, casually wearing Archer's clothes, while Gilfem was proudly sporting EMIYA's cloak over her outfit. It wasn't exactly a subtle message.
Salter: "...Alright, who's the coward who didn't have the guts to go and claim him properly?" she asked bluntly, her tone dark as all eyes slowly drifted toward Squirturia, Arturia, and Lanturia. At least Bunturia, Salter, and Avalon had taken the initiative in their own ways.
Salter: "..." Without another word, she pulled out her sword.
Lalter: quickly lowered her arm with the weapon, stopping her from doing anything drastic.
Salter: "I hope you see now that your cowardice is costing you. It wouldn't surprise me if that foolish Roman has already joined those two," she said with a sneer, her words sending a chill down the spines of the gathered blondes, their expressions shifting to one of fear and realization.
Lanturia: "EMIYA would never... He always keeps his distance from some of us, especially us variants of Saber. The only reason any interaction happens is because she actively seeks him out," Lanturia sighed, trying to rationalize the situation but clearly disturbed by it.
Salter: "I see Boudica halfway flaunting herself in his clothes. What else do you want? For her to walk around naked, showing off the marks he probably left on her?" she retorted bluntly, the silence from the Lancer variant confirming that Salter had a point, even if she didn't want to admit it.
MHX Alter: "Not to mention that the Queen of Heroes looks way too pleased. She's been staring at EMIYA the entire time," she pointed out, gesturing toward Gilfem, who was thoroughly enjoying her meal while sending suggestive glances at the archer. EMIYA huffed in response, clearly annoyed but resigned as he dutifully fulfilled her requests.
MHXX: "And it doesn't help that she's wearing his cloak, the one thing he doesn't give to anyone. Not even to Master, and definitely not to Lily! For god's sake, she's basically his favorite!" she exclaimed, pointing out the obvious, causing the others to furrow their brows even more in frustration.
The implications were clear, and it wasn't looking good for any of them.
At another table:
Morgan: "..." Her brow furrowed as she watched Gilfem and Boudica proudly sporting pieces of EMIYA's belongings. The sight irked her more than she wanted to admit.
Habertrot: "No way… The Pendragon curse is real. I joked about it before, but now it's happening," she muttered, shocked to see Morgan's "consort" being figuratively stolen away. Her comment earned her a sharp, irritated glare from the Fairy Queen.
Baobhan Sith: "Tch, who does that witch think she is, treating my mother like this? And that silver-haired bastard, how dare he sleep with them?! Filthy womanizer," she growled under her breath, gnawing at her nails in frustration.
Barghest: "Well… you were sound asleep—" She didn't finish reminding the redhead what had happened last night before she felt the pressure of Baobhan Sith's gaze, threatening her with her Noble Phantasm.
Melusine: "Ugh… they beat me to it." She pouted, feeling somewhat defeated by the two queens. But then her expression shifted into one of mischief. "Ah well, experience makes it sweeter." She licked her lips, casting a hungry glance at the silver-haired archer.
EMIYA, in the kitchen:
He felt an unsettling chill run up his spine, making him shudder involuntarily. He glanced around, trying to shake off the sudden feeling of doom but had no idea why.
Back at the table:
Barghest: "Control yourself!" She playfully slapped Baobhan Sith on the head, trying to quiet the rant of both the redhead and Melusine.
She didn't get paid enough to deal with these two...
Wait… she didn't even get paid!
(Meanwhile, a certain narrator somewhere chuckled mischievously about unpaid debts and climbing interest rates...)
Habertrot: "So, are you going to try and claim a spot at his side?" she asked, eyeing her Fairy Queen friend with a knowing look.
Tonelico: "..." She glanced away, pretending not to understand what Habertrot was referring to.
Habertrot: "Don't play dumb with me, Tonelico, you know exactly what I'm talking about," she scolded, her brow furrowed as she watched her friend dodge the subject.
The Fairy Queen merely diverted her gaze, refusing to give her the satisfaction of being right.
Habertrot: "Seriously..." She sighed, clearly tired of her friend's evasiveness.
Morgan: "...Am I wrong?" she wondered quietly to herself, her expression thoughtful as she finished her meal.
In another part of Chaldea:
Da Vinci: "So, did you manage to fix that thing?" she asked, glancing at the Grand Caster beside her.
Merlin sighed heavily, clearly exasperated.
Merlin: "No… according to Zelretch, the machine is perfectly fine, even though I've spent half the day hitting it to get it working properly," he muttered, frustrated.
Da Vinci nodded as she prepared things on her end.
Da Vinci: "Anything happening in this next segment that we shouldn't let certain younger individuals see?" she asked, hoping they could clear the room if things were about to take an adult turn.
Merlin: "And what exactly shouldn't they see? One of them is a walking library, another's a conglomeration of 19th-century failures, one is a space probe, and the last one has an outer god inside her. You really think they aren't technically old enough to handle whatever's coming?" he pointed out, listing his points logically.
Da Vinci fell silent for a moment. As much as she hated to admit it… Merlin was right.
Da Vinci: "If you get a beating from Atalanta or anyone else, I'm not testifying on your behalf," she said nonchalantly, wiping her hands clean of any responsibility.
Merlin: "Don't blame me for speaking the truth they refuse to accept," he huffed, crossing his arms.
Fou: "Fou! Fou!" The small creature immediately pounced on Merlin, delivering a series of angry strikes to the Grand Caster.
As the Servants began gathering in the viewing room, the tension was palpable.
Enkidu: "We're here... what's going on?" he asked, noticing Merlin being assaulted by Fou.
Da Vinci: "Nothing important," she dismissed casually while setting up the equipment for today's episode.
Enkidu: "Has anyone seen Gilgamesh?" The Caster and Kid Gil exchanged glances but shook their heads.
Enkidu: "I meant the adult Archer," he clarified, but both still shook their heads, indicating they hadn't seen him.
Just then, FEMIYA entered the room, looking far too pleased with herself. A radiant smile stretched across her face, and her entire demeanor was glowing with satisfaction. It didn't take a genius to figure out why she was in such high spirits—her smug expression said it all.
Enkidu: "..." His calm demeanor quickly darkened, his expression becoming cold. His long green hair began to ripple and glow with ominous energy, signaling the shift in his mood.
Proto Arthur: "..." His grip on Excalibur tightened noticeably, as though he were preparing to unleash the full force of the legendary sword. The tension in the air thickened as his fingers flexed around the hilt, showing that his restraint was close to breaking.
Gil Caster: "...Oh crap—" He didn't get to finish his sentence before being struck by a projected sword, sent flying toward him by the female version of EMIYA, who was glaring at him sternly.
FEMIYA: "Language, Gil," she declared, her tone firm as she strode confidently to the seat where Gil Archer had sat the day before.
The fate of the wise king was simple—he had turned as red as Gil Archer had when he first encountered Arturia Alter. It seemed the tables had turned for him, and his usual composure was nowhere to be found.
Merlin: "Alright, let's start—SERIOUSLY!?" Merlin shouted in frustration, as once again, the screen flashed an unexpected image.
[Image]
But this time, the image wasn't of the Archer... at least, not yet.
The whole room fell into an awkward silence as everyone processed what they were seeing on the screen. A tension hung in the air, though it wasn't entirely clear what or who the next surprise would be.
The room was silent for a moment, and then:
Penthesilea, Achilles, and Chiron: "..." None of them could immediately process what they were seeing on the screen.
Penthesilea: "WHAT THE HELL?!" she screamed, both furious and embarrassed, her face flushed red as she stared at the image on the screen.
Achilles: "..." Still trying to process what he was looking at, a small blush crept onto his face, clearly flustered.
Chiron: "...Am I going to be a grandfather?" he asked, turning to his students, both of whom were now even redder, avoiding eye contact.
Meanwhile, a certain huntress and her Alter were growling in the background, both Atalanta and Atalanta Alter visibly annoyed by what they were witnessing.
Van Gogh: "You have my blessing," she said with a bright smile, fully approving of the Amazon Queen as a potential match for her nephew-in-law, adding fuel to the embarrassed flames surrounding Penthesilea and Achilles.
The two warriors could do little but feel mortified under the weight of the teasing.
Gudako: "Told you, Mash... now you owe me your panties for that bet," she said with a playful smirk, causing the Shielder to blush even harder.
Mash: "S-SEMPAI!" she squeaked in embarrassment, horrified by the suggestion.
Her reaction drew the stern gaze of Berserklot, who glared at Gudako for teasing Mash so openly.
Atalanta: "What the hell?!" she exclaimed, her brow furrowed, clearly unimpressed with what the screen had just revealed.
Hans: "Well, according to myth, or at least one of its representations, Achilles carried the wounded Penthesilea off the battlefield. It's said that he fell in love with her warrior spirit and beauty as she lay dying," the Caster narrated matter-of-factly, though the only sound that followed his words were the enraged screams and growls of Penthesilea.
She had to be physically restrained by Achilles, or it was almost certain that she would've lunged at Hans with every intention of ending the Caster's life. Meanwhile, she furiously tried to brush off the subject, unwilling to engage further.
Van Gogh: "So sweet... taking care of his wife," she teased, taking a moment to mock Achilles while shooting a playful glance his way.
As if things couldn't get any worse, the screen flickered to show yet another image.
Merlin: "Oh, come on... Damn senile old man," he muttered, certain that Zelretch was behind the chaos. The Grand Caster was getting more frustrated with each passing moment as the screen kept showing ridiculous scenarios.
The room fell into total silence again, but this time it didn't last long. Many of the women present started to experience massive nosebleeds, a result of two things: the adorable image of Chibi Shirou and the sensual, mature version of his older self, displayed simultaneously on the screen.
EMIYA: "..." He sighed in resignation, realizing he was once again the center of attention. "It was too good to be true."
Salter: "Damn it... now I want to f— him again," she muttered, already planning her next intimate encounter with DEMIYA after seeing the image on the screen.
Lalter: "..." Her nose was bleeding profusely, a deep blush spreading across her face as she stared intently at the display.
Arturia: "..." She too was transfixed, eyes darting between the Shota Shero and the adult version, her expression unreadable but clearly affected.
Meanwhile, EMIYA Assassins was quietly taking stock of his weapons, his mind racing as he observed how many women were getting far too focused on the Shota version of Shirou.
Irisviel: "Anyone interested in more of the adult version, I've got this for you," she said, pulling out an album and showing several images of the various Shero versions, each in highly suggestive poses.
Gilfem: "I want five copies! And I'll give you 13 teams instead of 11 for them, Mother!" she exclaimed, pulling a mysterious vial from the Gate of Babylon, which sent a shiver down EMIYA's spine.
Irisviel: "15 teams and we've got a deal," she replied, already holding the copies that Gilfem demanded.
Gilfem: "Deal!" she said, taking the albums eagerly and flipping through the images. Her laugh was strange and unsettling, making a certain not-so-holy nun proud from across the room.
DEMIYA, EMIYA, Angra, and Senji: "I feel... danger," they muttered in unison, watching nervously as several women started to approach Irisviel, who stood there with a victorious smile.
Merlin: "Come on, you piece of junk, respond already!" he grumbled, delivering another heavy blow to the machine. Finally, the screen flickered to another universe. "Finally! It's done embarrassing everyone." He sighed in relief as the image shifted, showing Rider sitting next to Penthesilea, while EMIYA was seated beside Gilfem.
"I have a demand to make of you, Sir Shirou." His eyes stopped gazing into another time, seeing that grim, lifeless face that stared at him so. For a moment, he hoped to see a sparkle of life in her eyes, but he painfully found none.
She was as a doll, playing in the hands of strings she could not see. And, for Shirou, that made his heart ache beyond control.
Jack the Ripper: "They're so… different," she muttered, comparing the Arturia on the screen with the one standing in the room.
Lanturia: "I thought… if I stripped away all that was human within me, I would become the perfect king my people needed. But I learned the hard way that I was wrong..." she responded quietly, her expression downcast as the weight of her past actions settled on her shoulders. The small Assassin merely gazed up at the blonde, sensing the sadness behind her words.
Iskandar: "A king who doesn't understand their people is no king at all," he commented, ever firm in his belief that to be a ruler was to embrace humanity and live fully as both a leader and a man.
Gil Caster: "But no one can truly embody that, unfortunately. No king is ever perfect, no matter how hard they try during their reign," he added, acknowledging that perfection in kingship was an impossible ideal. The legacy of any ruler was marked by both failures and successes, but true perfection was unattainable.
Meanwhile, Jack the Ripper moved closer to Lanturia and gently reached out to console her. The Knight of the Lake gave a weak, but grateful smile as she tenderly patted the Assassin's head, her mood slightly lifted by the innocent gesture.
Of course, this gesture did not go unnoticed by Mordred, who shot a glare full of disbelief, irritation, and indignation.
Henry Jekyll: "You know, if you're looking for affection, you could always go to EMIYA for that," he suggested, though his tone was light. His comment earned him a furious glare from Mordred. "...I'm just saying," he quickly added, attempting to excuse himself before she decided to murder him on the spot.
"I would do anything for you, S- - - My King." He had to correct himself. His eyes closed tightly for a moment as he let the mistake roll off of him.
In the real world, Arturia's eyes began to water as she watched this unfold. She was the cause of his suffering, his heartbreak, and his inner turmoil. All because of her choices, her actions.
Arturia: "I'm sorry… Shirou, I'm so sorry," she whispered, her vision blurring with tears. Guilt and regret weighed heavily on her heart as she realized how deeply she had hurt the one she cared for so much.
Bedivere, ever the loyal knight, was the only one among the knights who noticed the subtle shift in his king's demeanor. He silently hoped that something could be done to help her, to ease her burden, for the sight of her in such pain was unbearable.
When his eyes opened, it did not seem as if any had noticed his slip-up. Though, beyond Artoria's impassive face, he caught a quirk of the long-haired knight's lips downwards.
"Indulge me in a duel."
His world stopped. And, for a moment, he was certain so had his heart. "I'm- I'm sorry, what did you say?" His limbs felt heavy, and- worse than that- his chest felt tight to the point of bursting.
Lady Avalon: "Ria, for crying out loud, you killed him! And not even with the moves I taught you to take him down with!" she exclaimed, scolding her student with a mischievous grin.
Arturia: "SHUT UP!" she yelled back, her face flushed as red as it could be, utterly embarrassed by Lady Avalon's teasing.
Gawain: "To face the King..." she muttered, clearly conflicted. The very idea of a duel against her king was causing a storm of emotions to brew within her.
The reality was harsh: A human, no matter how skilled, could not hope to defeat a Servant unless they had absolute confidence—and even then, the odds were slim. Servants, even in their limited summoned forms, were far more powerful than mortals could ever dream. If a Servant were summoned at their true peak, with all the power they wielded when alive, no Master could ever hope to sustain them.
And now, in this peculiar era, the stakes had changed. The power balance was different, and Shirou knew it. His king was not just summoned but fully alive—at the height of her power. The thought weighed heavily on him. How could he possibly hope to stand against her? Even with his determination, it was almost impossible for him to even imagine having a chance against his king.
For her part, Artoria simply settled Excalibur against the floor, the blade's pommel being used as a rest for her hands. The regal bearing of her figure in her mantle and armor did not match with the expression on her face. She was so hard on the outside, that he swore her face must have been stuck that way for years.
Percival: "Well… he's not wrong," he muttered, reflecting on how long it had been since their king had carried the same unreadable expression.
The other knights, standing by, nodded in agreement with the bearer of the Holy Lance. They all knew too well the weight Arturia carried and how it reflected in the stoic demeanor she often wore.
Meanwhile, across the room:
EMIYA: "Not much of a difference here, either…" he remarked casually, though his words earned him a swift response—a projectile thrown his way by a very irritated blonde knight.
EMIYA barely managed to block the incoming object as Arturia's frustration simmered visibly.
Perhaps it had been.
"I would have you show me your strength. Your true strength, if you would think to serve me among the Knights, as your Lady recommends."
Angra: "...I forgot she recommended him for a seat at the table," he muttered, scratching the back of his head as he observed the unfolding situation. His thoughts turned to whether it was part of some plan to harm Arturia, pondering just how dangerous Shirou might be in this scenario.
Super Orion: "You're not the only one," he said, munching on popcorn as he watched the events with interest, seemingly treating the tension like entertainment.
The room was filled with unease, but some, like Orion, were taking it in stride, while others remained on edge, unsure of the potential consequences of what was brewing. Angra, always suspicious, kept his eyes on everything, wary of what was to come next.
Morgan. He'd forgotten completely about her since he'd stepped into the tent, but being reminded of her so brusquely- and by her of all people- made him aware of that tightening in his chest becoming suffocating.
Senji: "Looks like the kid forgot about her too," he muttered with a bead of sweat rolling down his face, observing how Shirou seemed to have completely forgotten about the Queen.
Meanwhile, Baobhan Sith clenched the seat with all her might, glaring daggers at the situation. The idea that this useless human could have the audacity to forget her perfect mother so easily infuriated her beyond words.
Gudako: "No wonder he's her vessel," she murmured, recalling when Muramasa had to forge the sacred sword back during LB6, drawing connections between the events.
Castoria, on the other hand, found herself overwhelmed by memories. A certain incident came rushing back to her, causing her eyes to mist over.
Castoria: "Baka…" she thought, wiping her eyes as she struggled to push back the flood of emotions that came with those memories.
This had not been his hope at all. In fact, this was fast approaching an unmitigated disaster- and that was coming from him. Shirou was well aware he viewed "life or death" circumstances as being normal on some level . . .
EMIYA: "I'm not saying a word," he muttered, already noticing how many pairs of eyes were focused on him.
DEMIYA: "Same," he added, trying to avoid having to field any questions.
Seeing that neither of them was going to offer any explanations, the others simply sighed and decided to stop pressing them. Better to just continue watching events unfold without poking into the archers' past.
But this was- He set his feet, and took a deep breath. There was nothing to be comforted by in this situation, but he also knew, without a doubt- "No matter what I say, you will not accept anything but an acceptance?" He dared, and when she nodded her head stoically, he closed his eyes and heard the gritting of his teeth reverberating through his skull.
Only bad things could come of this, but he saw no way out. Even behind her, her long-haired Knight simply seemed stoic as well. Shirou could swear he seemed . . . hopeful.
Tristan: "He wants to be the one to face her, to let her kill him," he murmured, recognizing the grim resolve in Shirou's actions. It wasn't hard for the knights to see that the young Knight of the Lake was seeking a battle that might lead to his end.
Percival: "He's... trying to redeem himself somehow." The pieces clicked for Percival as he recalled the increasingly dangerous missions Shirou had been taking. It was clear now why the boy had been so reckless.
EMIYA: "Is being stubborn just part of the Pendragon bloodline?" he asked, turning to Merlin with a raised eyebrow. The Mage of Flowers nodded, seemingly used to it, while ignoring the offended looks that Arturia, Morgan, and Mordred shot in his direction.
Merlin: "You have no idea. I lost count of how many times I tried to reason with them about it." He sighed, crossing his arms as memories of Arturia's youth came rushing back, reminding him of the many arguments they had.
Shirou gave up hope of an alternative. This was not his Saber- the one whom had taken it easy on him in order to teach him. This was "King Arthur", who saw a man being played by one of her greatest enemies, Morgan, and making a stand against her.
EMIYA: "Facing her at 100%..." he murmured, analyzing the dire situation the boy found himself in. It was clear what was about to happen.
Arturia: "Do you think he can defeat me?" she asked, almost hopeful. She didn't want to hurt him, but she also didn't want to go easy on him in this form.
EMIYA: "I'm a magus, but my specialty is close combat. My magic arsenal is limited, and my origin and element make projection my strongest skill. To even stand a chance against you, he'll have to use Unlimited Blade Works with the highest-ranked weapons he can summon," he explained. Arturia as a Servant was already terrifyingly strong. The legend of King Arthur was known across the world, but this was the living version, wielding her full power.
Merlin: "The issue is that she doesn't know anything about Reality Marbles. I didn't teach our Arturia much about them, so I doubt she knows anything in this timeline either. Using Unlimited Blade Works will complicate things for everyone," he added, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. EMIYA nodded in agreement, realizing how limited their options were.
EMIYA: "And if he tries to project? No… it would be suspicious and strange for him to wield that weapon. There's no way he could explain how he'd use it," EMIYA quickly dismissed the idea of Shirou projecting Caliburn to fight, knowing it would only raise more questions.
If she wanted to, and Shirou darkly felt that she did, she would destroy him before he could muster a defense.
In so many words, this was going to suck.
Angra: "Yeah, it's pretty much hopeless," he remarked, lazily munching on his popcorn as he watched the scene unfold.
Astarte: "Almost as hopeless as when Angra fights a Servant," she added with a smirk, causing Angra to shoot her a betrayed look.
Angra: "..."
After that, the Avenger simply slumped into a state of depression, clearly wounded by the remark.
After all was said and done, Angra sank further into his depressed state. It wasn't news to anyone that he was the weakest Servant in existence—he had long since accepted that. But at least give him credit where it was due: he was the best at killing humans.
Astraea: "There, there, don't listen to that gorilla," she said gently, consoling the Avenger as he buried his face in her chest while she soothingly stroked his head.
The affectionate gesture from the Ruler didn't sit well with Astarte, who let out a low growl of frustration, glaring daggers at the blonde with a rising sense of irritation.
Astarte: "Grrr... damn b,"* she muttered under her breath, absolutely fuming at how that peroxide blonde had managed to get so close to Angra.
Meanwhile, Bunturia stood nearby, her brow furrowed as she watched the scene unfold. A part of her thought, If he wanted comfort, he could've come to me. I have more than enough to offer, even more than Astraea. Her thoughts were laced with frustration as she observed the situation.
The dynamic between them was growing tense, with Astarte and Bunturia both competing silently for the spotlight, while Astraea remained blissfully unaware, simply focusing on soothing the Avenger.
"Very well." Adorning himself in his helmet again, he waited for her response.
"In the morn, before the tournament continues, we will meet in the fields to the west. Just two warriors. Rest well and come with all of your strength, Sir Shirou."
Gil Caster, for his part, received a flash of clairvoyance regarding what was about to happen, his face turning pale as the vision unfolded.
Gil Caster: "...Ohhhh man, this isn't going to end well," he muttered, already seeing how everything was about to go south in a catastrophic way.
For some reason, the group of Arturias shared an unsettling feeling—something bad was on the horizon, and it was coming for them.
That in itself was a bad omen, one that grew stronger for the Arturias, amplifying their collective sense of dread.
Meanwhile, Morgan couldn't quite put her finger on it, but a sense of satisfaction washed over her. Whatever she had done, it felt like it was going to pay off greatly—for her, at least.
Habertrot: "...I should get the camera ready," she muttered under her breath, sensing the need to record everything. It felt like a perfect opportunity to later tease both Morgan and Tonelico. And just in case, she thought it best to make copies for future use.
Despite her words, when he left the pavilion, Shirou did not sleep well at all that night. Least of all because he'd done so hunched against the side of Morgan's carriage. Physical discomfort held no sway in comparison with ache of the heart.
Illya/Sitonai: "Onii-chan..." both albino girls whispered in unison, their voices soft with concern as they watched Shirou, who was visibly struggling with the weight of emotional turmoil. The sadness etched on his face spoke volumes about the pain he was enduring.
Medusa: "He's truly... emotionally drained," she observed quietly, her gaze lingering on Shirou. The boy she saw now was a far cry from the one she had known when he was with Sakura. The emotional exhaustion was evident, and it tugged at her heartstrings as she recalled his resilience from before.
And so he would arrive at the destined place, having not even spoken a word between himself and others- let alone Morgan- to hold the gaze of a face he would have rather seen in a smile.
Just the two of them, a situation that would have otherwise made him gleeful. Except she held Excalibur- without even Invisible Air to mask its presence- and not her demure, gentle nature that made him so enthralled with her.
And he did not hold kindness and affection for her in his hands, but swords he knew did not stand a chance against that, the Most Holy of Holy Swords. And she wanted his full strength, which he could not give without bringing forth some very difficult-to-answer questions.
Sieg: "The holy aura from that weapon… it's incredibly powerful," he admitted, feeling the weight of the sword's presence. He wouldn't lie— the aura emanating from Excalibur was almost as suffocating to him as the Dragon Slayer weapons, which could severely harm him.
Da Vinci: "Among all holy weapons, Excalibur stands out as something special, far above the rest," she commented, her eyes fixed on the weapon in the hands of its wielder on the screen. She hoped to witness its full glory.
Lady Avalon: "The ultimate Noble Phantasm… the most powerful sacred sword," she murmured, recalling Excalibur's legendary abilities, as well as those of its counterpart wielded by Proto Arthur, which was even more powerful than Arturia's.
Jalter: "What's with those two objects from her legend?" she asked, a faint trace of curiosity creeping into her voice as she recalled there was still a second Noble Phantasm, even stronger, that Arturia possessed in her legend.
Merlin: "At this point"—he gestured to the screen—"the kid supposedly has the sacred scabbard, Avalon. Together, in Arturia's hands, both treasures are absurdly powerful. In theory, nothing in the visible world can penetrate the defenses that Avalon provides," he explained, and Jalter nodded, understanding the importance of that scabbard in the blonde's possession.
EMIYA: "With the sword and the scabbard combined, the user is virtually invincible… Avalon's defenses are such that not even Ea could damage it." He paused, a memory of that battle flashing in his mind, but from his own perspective.
Gilfem: "How I hated that..." she muttered with a bitter expression, remembering how frustrating it was to deal with Avalon. All because that blonde couldn't accept that the redhead belonged to her, not some other fool.
The tension in the room grew as they watched the legendary sword and its matching scabbard take center stage, each person reflecting on their significance and the looming confrontation that awaited. Sieg felt the weight of the holy weapon, while others remembered their experiences with it—whether in awe, frustration, or curiosity.
Oh well. He murmured to himself as he watched her settle into that ready stance that he knew meant she planned on letting him take the initiative. If I'm going to get my ass kicked, at least I can say I'll do my best.
He took in a breath, stepping in to close the distance. His stance, the secrets in another world he would have learned from Archer, would do no good against her. Preparing weak points only worked against someone you could actively prepare against.
Orión: "You slept with her once, didn't you? You should know her weak points by now," he pointed out casually, causing the blonde's face to heat up in embarrassment as memories of the past flooded back.
Artemis: "Darling..." she murmured, casting a look at her beloved, who simply shrugged.
Orión: "What? I'm not wrong," he replied, matter-of-factly.
The goddess could only sweat at his bluntness, knowing full well that there was no changing him. Despite everything, she loved him just the way he was—flaws and all.
The air thickened as the blush on Arturia's face deepened, while Artemis sighed at Orión's unapologetically straightforward attitude. Even though he could be a handful, he always spoke his mind, and that was something she admired, even if it meant moments like this.
Saber was too fast as a Spirit weakened by his own poor magical talents. Now that she was alive, and had no such limits? The best he could do was rely on training and- likely- magic-boosted abilities.
He probed with a slice from the left sword, which she dodged deftly and brought her hips into a swivel- a diagonal slice. His right sword careened off of Excalibur as it was all he could do to stop the attack that made metal creak beneath the glowing light of the Holy Blade.
Merlín: "You'll have a hard time even getting close to her," he said, his tone serious. After countless battles and intense training, Arturia had honed her swordsmanship to an incredible level. For the boy, it would be difficult to even land a blow, let alone injure her.
EMIYA: "As long as the kid doesn't end up like him," he motioned towards DEMIYA, "I'm fine with whatever he tries." His response was simple, but enough to make the Mage of Flowers sweat nervously at the thought.
Angra: "Honestly, it's better to just die than end up with mega-syphilis..." he muttered, lamenting the unfortunate fate that had befallen DEMIYA. Even his own curses seemed mild compared to the punishment DEMIYA had suffered.
The gunslinger scoffed, crossing his arms but not bothering to argue. It was true—better the kid dies in battle than go through what he had experienced. His silence only confirmed the grim truth as the group exchanged glances, each more than aware of the cost of failure in such dire situations.
He hadn't even started and already he was being pushed back. This was the difference between him, he had known it before, but it was only being punctuated. He pirouetted on one leg and brought both blades around to force distance. She met both in a lock, the guards of all three weapons meeting for a moment. His ears would have been rattled by the creaking of his swords against her's, but just as fast, she'd pushed him with the Sword of Promised Victory, forcing him back. It was a familiar effort, getting his feet and bringing the crossed swords up to hold Excalibur's blade from splitting his helm. His foot came up to kick her away and she gave the attack up.
Senji: "Having a dragon core sure helps a lot..." he muttered, sweating a bit as he acknowledged the stark power difference between them.
Angra: "Yeah, but having Avalon isn't exactly helpful either," he remarked, gesturing toward several of the Arturias, particularly focusing on their rather generous bust sizes.
Gudako: "It's not like having a large chest is good for your back," she crossed her arms, trying to hide her internal envy as she glanced at Angra.
Angra: "I don't see Passionlip complaining about that," he countered, leaving Gudako momentarily speechless. As the largest-chested of the average-sized women, he wasn't wrong.
Salieri: "You just want to die buried in breasts, don't you?" he said, sweating a bit as he watched the Avenger cross his arms and look away, trying to avoid the many glares from the women around him.
Angra didn't deny it, but his evasive glance and silence only made the situation more amusing to the others. The playful banter hung in the air as they navigated between jest and seriousness, each character wrestling with their own strengths—and weaknesses.
She was playing with him. No, measuring him, perhaps. He knew she could have taken that opportunity, but-
His right arm came around as he swung with all the force from his hips and legs. The sword in his hand gleaming from the light of the rising sun. The gleam failing against the brilliant glow of Excalibur as it swatted away his swing and- in the span of another breath- crushed the blade of his left hand coming around to slice at her.
Leónidas: "For a test, this is lasting quite a while," he remarked, watching the extended "battle" between the King of Knights and the young boy.
Lu Bu: Grrr... he growled in agreement, giving a nod to the Spartan King as they both observed the boy's relentless effort to hold his own against the British King.
Scáthach silently supported both warriors as well. The boy had a great deal of untapped potential, and she was deeply intrigued by how far his abilities could grow, especially in the face of a formidable opponent like the King of Knights.
Meanwhile, for reasons unknown, all four Shirou-faces felt a sudden chill run up their spines, sensing danger even if they couldn't pinpoint the source.
Steel shattered, he simply dropped the broken handle and let it lay forgotten as he circled to the side and adjusted his grip into a two-handed hold on his remaining sword. He hadn't yet activated Reinforcement, but he knew that he was going to have to. If he had time.
MHX: "You'd be foolish to think she'll give you any opening. If you were recommended by Morgan, it's expected that she won't take you lightly," she remarked, observing the situation closely. The possibility of using Reinforcement seemed to be slipping further away with each passing moment, as the opportunity to activate it was quickly being denied.
Semiramis: "And considering the history she has with her… I highly doubt she'll grant you something as precious as time," she added with a cold edge to her voice. Her piercing gaze met Shirou's for a moment, and he could only nod in agreement at the queen's sharp observation.
Even EMIYA couldn't argue. The tension in the air was palpable, and it was clear that the King of Knights wasn't going to allow a single misstep or moment of respite.
She was on him again, a stab with both arms that formed into the wind-
Ah, Strike Air-?!
The hammer cocked and fired, energy surging into his legs and arms as he ducked to the side as a furrow was worn into the earth from the force of the assault. He did not bother to study more, knowing how serious she was.
If he was a threat to her, she would kill him. But she wasn't making it easy for him to survive, either.
His arms came up, bringing his sword in an arc to fend off the next helm-splitter swing, the groaning of the sword in his hands told him that another direct clash would see him without a weapon.
Lady Avalon: "Otherwise, who would I fail later if I killed him now?" she quipped, raising an eyebrow with a smirk—just as Fou leaped up and gave her a quick, disapproving thwack.
Gray: "...It really seems like she enjoys getting hit by Fou," she murmured, sweat trickling down as she observed the usual antics of Lady Avalon.
Meanwhile, the tension was escalating.
Gilfem: "He can find someone else, but Shirou Emiya is mine—from now until the end of time," she boldly declared. Her words sparked a wave of anger among all the versions of Arturia, Rin, Sakura, Illya, Nero, and Medusa present. Each of them bristled in irritation, with their auras flaring. Astraea, Miyu, Caren, and others joined them, all united in their shared indignation at Gilfem's claim.
Gudako: "I've never seen someone declare war on half of Chaldea with this much guts…" she whispered to Mash, who nodded silently as they both took cover behind King Hassan, hoping to avoid the inevitable clash of tempers.
It was a good thing that he had a back up in that case.
Parrying would only save him for so long, his feet advanced into her space and he brought the pommel forward towards her gut-
She guarded with the steel of her gauntlet, bringing his strike to the side away from his body- an opening he knew she would capitalize on. She followed through-
And was met with his right sword as he gave up the ground in favor of keeping from a grievous injury. Reinforced legs aiding him in a flip while his blade was used to orient himself, until it's blade was passed through cleanly by Excalibur and broken. He dropped the rent blade and- aware of the weight of his armor- darted back several steps.
Her footsteps were quiet in the grass, but they sounded like thunder crashing nearby as his heart was beating so loudly in his ears that he knew he'd entered the stage of pure instinct that she- and so much battle and death- and inured in him.
Chiron: "Good save," the Archer commented, impressed by how the boy narrowly avoided a potentially lethal blow.
Merlin: "But it won't mean much if he keeps just defending. He's only buying time." The Magus of Flowers pointed out, and many of the more experienced Masters watching agreed. It was only a matter of time before Arturia either overwhelmed him with sheer force or he exhausted himself trying to keep up.
Scáthach: "Battles where you wait for your opponent to tire often end up working against you." She observed calmly, noting Shirou's defensive stance. If he had any chance to go on the offensive, he would need to seize it soon, or else he would lose the momentum entirely.
The light passed into his hands and formed into shapes, the unbreakable Durandal projecting into his left hand while into his right came the hilt of Ascalon, the sword of St. George. The unbreakable defense of the left hand, and the Dragon-seeking weapon for attack with the right.
Both Roland and Georgios, seeing their respective weapons manifested, exchanged glances at the sight of the young man wielding their legendary blades.
Georgios: "Ascalon..." he murmured, his gaze shifting between his weapon and Durandal in awe.
EMIYA: "He's imitating Gilgamesh…" EMIYA muttered, knowing the only reason Shirou had those swords in his inventory was from having witnessed the King of Heroes use them before.
Merlin: "A good plan," the Magus acknowledged. "Durandal is famed for its unparalleled durability, almost to the point of being indestructible. Ascalon, on the other hand, serves both as a protective weapon for its wielder and possesses the capability to invert and bypass any defense. Shirou is thinking strategically here, using Durandal to defend and Ascalon to strike."
Da Vinci: "But will those swords hold up against Excalibur?" she asked skeptically, earning offended glares from the users of those very weapons.
Merlin: "While Excalibur is certainly one of the most powerful sacred swords, it's not the most powerful weapon overall." He pointed to Sigurd, specifically to Gram, the sword of the dragon slayer. "There are many Noble Phantasms with their own unique strengths… with the exception of Angra's of course." The Magus swatted away one of Angra's weapons with his staff, ignoring the Avenger's disgruntled expression.
They were the best he could muster without drawing forth Caliburn.
Mordred: "Wait… can he project Caliburn?" she asked, her eyes wide as she turned toward EMIYA.
EMIYA nodded calmly. "Yeah, I can project both Caliburn and Excalibur here in Chaldea, thanks to the mana supply this place provides. In a natural setting, I can still invoke them, but using them… would kill me." The Berserker Saber let out a groan of disappointment at his explanation, and EMIYA sweated slightly in response.
Seeing her sister's dejection, Gareth stepped in to console Mordred, offering a nervous smile while gently patting her on the back.
Excalibur was completely out of the question. Both would turn this fight into a nightmare, even before the strain they would put on his magical circuits. Even with his reserves not being drained as bad as they usually would be, this much was already putting half of himself into this battle.
Salter: "If he'd tried to project Excalibur, I would have demanded answers on how he even knew how to do it—and probably killed him afterward," she commented darkly, causing DEMIYA, EMIYA, and Angra to scowl in agreement.
EMIYA: "For once, the kid actually used his brain… too bad it's in a situation where he's still likely to die." He growled, ignoring the fact that the Saber beside him had made herself comfortable by using his shoulder as a headrest.
Gilfem: "Stop hating yourself so much," she teased, wrapping her arms around his as she got even more comfortable. It was a position she was clearly familiar with.
EMIYA sighed but allowed it. After all, something told him this behavior was going to be a frequent occurrence. There was no point in making a fuss now.
She followed through with the swipe, right to left in a bisecting manner. His left hand came up, powered by Reinforcement and the nature of Durandal's existence, and guided the strike wide while his right hand came around in a stab of the blade's formed tip.
For the first time since the battle had started, he got breathing room as she leapt back into charging distance and he had a chance to rest his stance and catch his breath.
And he was winded already, he knew it. It was everything he could do not to let his shoulders shake and keep a stoic facade. He silently thanked Morgan for the armor's visage, since it meant he could hide the sweat brimming his brow. This much? This much had worn him out?
Gawain: "Sparring with the king is exhausting in itself… but a real battle? That's on a whole other level." He watched as Shirou struggled to keep up, clearly worn out from the relentless assault of Arturia.
Kiara: "I'm sure that sweat would be much better if it came from a different kind of marathon…" she added with a sultry smile, causing Arturia to freeze in panic at the thought of what her Alter counterpart was capable of suggesting.
Salter: "Oh, don't doubt it," she confirmed, making Arturia blush even harder, her face glowing red from sheer embarrassment.
Arturia: "SHUT UP!" she shouted, horrified by what her Alter had implied.
Salter: "Oh come on, don't act like you didn't steal his clothes, smell them, or wear them to feel like he was hugging you." Arturia's face grew even redder, steam practically rising from her head.
EMIYA: "…So that's where my clothes keep disappearing!" he grumbled, glaring at the blushing blondes who were now avoiding eye contact.
It wasn't just the Arturias, though; several other women turned away guiltily as well.
Gilfem: "Guilty of all charges. His clothes are some of my most prized possessions," she admitted, making EMIYA growl in frustration, mentally noting to keep a closer eye on his wardrobe.
Kama: "Does that include his underwear?" she asked, hoping for a denial.
Gilfem: "Of course. I have quite the collection." She casually pulled out clothing from her Gate of Babylon, much to everyone's shock.
The room fell silent, with several men looking on, stunned.
Fionn: "And they call us perverts…" he muttered, watching how some women gazed enviously at Gilfem's display.
He'd thought she was strong as a Servant, but this was ridiculous. He knew that she wasn't going all out on him yet, either. Whereas he was heaving and fighting to his hardest- without pulling out his metaphorical trump cards- she seemed as ephemeral and lovely as ever.
Angra: "Can he stop flirting with her already?" he asked, exasperated.
EMIYA: "Don't blame me. The kid's the one who's obviously thirsty for the blonde. Not me," he replied, narrowly dodging a projected Excalibur swing directed at him for his remark.
Arturia, now completely flustered, struggled with her feelings. She loved Shirou, but his straightforward attitude and EMIYA's commentary weren't helping.
Most appropriately, he let out a very direct mental, Fuck.
The standoff lasted for what seemed like minutes, but he was sure was only bare seconds, before her voice carried across the wind to him. "Are you her apprentice?"
Kama: "No, more like her… personal slave," she joked, which the blonde didn't take as a joke at all, but rather as a painful reality.
The various Arturia Faces all had expressions of horror at the suggestion. Well, except for one, but she didn't count.
Angra: "What a blessing…" he started before Astraea shot him a sharp glare. "Okay, okay, I'll shut up," he conceded, not willing to test whether his class advantage could save him from a divine spirit.
Cu Alter: "With everything they've said so far," he motioned toward the Arturia Faces, "it wouldn't surprise me if she wants to be dominated and enslaved by the kid."
As Cu Alter was being taken away to the "human" veterinarian, no one bothered to disagree with his statement. Given what they'd heard already, there was no doubt that there might be some truth to it.
He paused, caught off guard by the question. His left hand, holding Durandal, lowered slightly from his guard. "Morgan's?" He clarified, the muffle of his helmet making him aware of how worn his voice was. It was almost like a growl, which made him feel more than a little amused. Best to enjoy what he could out of this mess.
"My sister's, yes." She noted, beginning to circle with light steps. In agreement, he padded in an opposing circle to her own steps. "You use magic, and gaze at me in a way that reminds me of her."
Things were about to get interesting.
Angra/DEMIYA: Yuri goggles.
This comment made both Morgan and Arturia grimace in disgust, their faces twisting in horror at the thought.
Both sisters couldn't help but feel an overwhelming urge to vomit at the insinuation.
Arturia/Morgan: "OF COURSE NOT!" - both screamed, disgusted by that -
The four Shirou looked at them with a raised eyebrow.
Angra: "You told the kid that, explicitly, he looks at you the same way he looks at your sister." - he responded to the sisters, who went silent at that -
EMIYA: "The only thing the boy has done all this time is look at you with affection." - he raised his finger, starting to count -
DEMIYA: "Love." - EMIYA raised another finger for that -
Senji: "Sadness." - for some reason, the expressions the blonde made caused his vessel to respond as well -
Angra: "Longing." - he continued the list, causing the sisters to now avert their gaze uncomfortably -
Melusine: ... - she was confused, in her dragon form -
Barghest: "What's wrong with you?" - she asked, looking at her companion, but Melusine felt she was going to regret it later -
Melusine: "I'm confused... is he our king?" - she pointed to EMIYA and his versions - "Or is she?" - she pointed to Arturia -
At the question from the dragon loli, the Pendragon sisters could only make a face of disgust at what the dragon fairy had said.
Baobhan Sith: "Stop saying nonsense, you damn perverted loli!" - she gave a strong downward hit to the loli, who ended up buried in the ground, a bump forming on her head -
Melusine: "...confirmed, he is our king... and my future lover." - she murmured the last part, only heard by the blonde fairy who just sighed at what the loli said, knowing she'd have to keep an eye on her -
Salter: "Like hell I'll let you have my queen." - she declared solemnly while gripping her weapon tightly -
Gilfem: "Excuse me, queen of infidelities," - all the versions simply frowned, looking annoyed at the queen - "but he is MY king, not yours nor your sister's." - she boasted, looking at the blonde while her pupil sharpened -
Both sisters, Morgan unconsciously, frowned at what the red-eyed blonde had said, while she only looked at them with mortality, at what Salter had said.
Arturia: "Damn bitch..." - her knights looked very surprised to have heard her say such a thing -
That comment brought him pause, making him drop the guard of Durandal even more. He stood up tall, out of stance, and let the blades rest at his side- and then dissipate into the ether. Strangely, while he had been winded, he didn't feel as . . . taxed, as Projections usually made him feel.
Sherlock: "By going back to the past, the magic is of better quality, more alive, and more abundant, which causes his magic to improve." - he analyzed while watching the weapons dissipate and, when they were projected again, they seemed almost like the originals -
EMIYA: "At least the degradation..." - he muttered quietly, seeing that the rank degradation wouldn't be affected -
Seeing him relax, the blonde woman lowered her weapon from ready into a cautious side-stance. "No." He remarked, realizing for a moment that he . . . found the idea amusing. He was rather sure, if nothing else, Morgan would have trained someone better than him.
Baobhan Sith: "She definitely would have." - she knew that if her mother had an apprentice, she wouldn't choose a filthy human like that piece of trash -
Merlin: "He just has to sleep with her for her to change her mind." - he received a beating from Fou for that comment -
Though Gil Caster knew those words weren't so far from the truth.
Angra: "The boy has a thing for crazy women, so he'll be fine." - DEMIYA growled at that, remembering the past -
"Then why do you serve her?" Her caution, the mistrust in those doll-like eyes, stung him to the core.
Senji: "Because he has to save someone..." - once again, the body spoke in his place -
For their part, Angra, DEMIYA, and EMIYA simply nodded in confirmation. They knew better than anyone that the only reason the boy was with Morgan was because she helped him to save Arturia.
Even as he finally gathered most of his breath back- having to fight the urge to hunch over even though he knew it wouldn't help with his breathing- he was fighting even more not to bring his hand up to his chest as if struck. Standing opposite her so, and feeling . . . like he was the enemy she was staring at, ready to defeat.
It was disheartening.
"Because there's someone I want to save." He finally remarked, after having to mull the thought over. His answer brought a confused look across her face, so much so that he was not surprised when she relaxed into an idle stand. Excalibur was still in her hand, glowing and radiant, but he knew that the time for this "little duel" had passed.
He had lost- handily. She'd been playing with him.
Angra: "Physically or emotionally?" - he asked, raising an eyebrow at the insinuation -
EMIYA: "...seriously?" - he asked the Avenger, who only shrugged -
Angra: "It never hurts to make sure." - some agreed with the weakest Servant, realizing he was right -
He didn't care about that. It meant not having to figure out how to use the remains of Avalon to keep him alive.
He didn't mind that. It meant not having to try and figure out how to use Avalon's remnants to keep him alive.
"Whom?" He smiled at her through his helmet. They really were too alike. One walking in the blinding light until she would burn out, and the other slinking in the shadows and fading away without the light to bolster her existence. Both were doomed to tragic fates- perhaps as he was, too, to try and save them all.
"You." His word gave her much more pause, those deathly eyes- for the first time- glimmering with something he saw as life. Her brow furrowed, and for a moment, he saw her as pouting rather than outright confused.
Hearing him say such words only filled the blonde's heart with joy, feeling as if each heart was dancing with emotion.
Of course, this caused jealousy in some and annoyance in others.
Morgan: "Tsk..." - she let out, not realizing how upset she was that her sister was hogging all the attention -
Her tongue-clicking went unnoticed by many... except for Baobhan Sith, who, upon hearing it, turned to look at her and saw that expression, horrified as she understood why.
Parvati: - making a tiny pout while watching the interaction between the blonde and the archer -
Ishtar: - feeling defeated, knowing she would have to make up for it by staying close to the archer later -
Jaguar Man: - feeling joy on her part, as her vessel seemed quite happy with this -
Illya: - pouting but happy that the redhead might finally have a chance to be happy again -
The smile that stretched his lips grew so much bigger, and the tightness in his chest from earlier was loosened. Somewhere in there, the woman he loved still lived. "What? What do you mean me? What are you even talking about, that doesn't make sense-"
He couldn't help it. He laughed-
"Stop laughing! This instant!" Her pout only made him laugh harder.