Fate: Bonds Beyond Humanity

by Apprentice of Life

In a world where all can be real, what does it mean to be human? What is the meaning of humanity? A meeting between a human and a devil will have them discovering the truth while chasing their dreams. My take on the combined worlds of Fate and DxD with characters from other franchises if they can be adapted to it. Harem.

51. Chapter 51

Fate/Bonds Beyond Humanity

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51- Sons of Devils

…..

Most of Irisviel's focus was on trying to keep Leysritt alive. "Bring me more blood bags."

"None of those is the right blood type." One of the men in a suit said before Maya grabbed him by his clothes.

"Don't waste time and do it!" There was no salute as the man raced to one of the coolers they had brought for the operation. All around them men laid hurt but not dying thanks to the efforts of many and EM's creation. Liz had no such luck. "How is she?"

"I have purged most of the curses but the damage has already been done." Irisviel worked with her hands to heal internally as externally her fellow homunculus was mostly fine. "Too many organs were damaged but some of those were to make her sick with fatal conditions. Kidney stones, liver failure, heart ready to explode, teared blood vessels, the whole shebang." One of the improvised nurses, because the real ones they brought were busy elsewhere, stopped with a cart full of blood bags. "Thank you."

"Is this really going to help her?" He was one of those in their organization who only knew the basics of the moonlit world.

Most of their organization was like that, foot soldiers who knew how to defend themselves but were unable to learn much else for either lack of skill or disposition. But working with them there were always magicians of many types to cover their weakness. It was a system that used one as the muscle and the other as a brain whenever necessary.

Even with operations like security it was common for pairs to work together but this one was rushing everywhere with supplies, selected by Maya to help with Liz in anything required.

"I am an alchemist." Irisviel and Maya separated the blood types quickly, the black haired woman prepared for a transfusion when she found the right one while the Emiya Matriarch opened a bag carefully to not spill it. She lifted Liz's head and began to pour it on her throat. "With the right materials, fixing organs is possible but mostly because blood is rich with mana." She didn't comment or even want to think about how it lost most of its property once frozen. Liz didn't need that and with great quantities even old blood would help.

More than once Irisviel hated her condition of a homunculus and that was one of those occasions. With her mana capacity she should be able to save Liz easily if not for the fact she also needed mana to function. Just giving it to the maid either wouldn't be enough as she also needed power for repairs.

Blood was the only thing she had on hand to use and was glad that Kuoh was turned into a fortress ready for a siege because that meant they had plenty. Not the most rich material and for a homunculus, it was a poor substitute from a direct transfusion from a magician of any kind, but the only one that Irisviel had on hand.

Guiding the blood Liz had already drank, the Matriarch felt it travel through her stomach and manipulated it to stop before reaching the acid. Had she not been an homunculus Leysritt would have already been dead with how much damage she had taken but Irisviel worked quickly on fixing the most grave spots she could until Maya finished.

And finished she did quickly, the Left Hand of the Magus Killer knew exactly where the right vein was and preparing a IV transfer was a habit for someone in her business.

When Irisviel noticed Maya was done her hands moved to the arm and she began to move the blood at her leisure to fix the blood vessels and then the other organs. Maya knew what needed to be done so she began to crush the blood bag to accelerate the process as Liz needed everything fixed as quickly as possible.

Usually things wouldn't be as smooth as they were on this occasion but once more Leysritt's existence as a homunculus came to her rescue as Irisviel was intimate with her body unlike anyone else.

She knew how things should be and so reversing the process was only a matter of skill. "Good thing her brain wasn't affected by the curses. Everybody would be sad if we had to restart her memory."

"At least she would be alive." Maya turned to one of her approaching subordinates who whispered something in her ear.

Only her experience with her husband and because Liz would die otherwise kept Irisviel working when her boundary field warned her of danger but not for her. Her connection with the boundary field allowed her a perception that came close to omniscience as it was possible for a magus to reach.

She wasn't aware of everything that was happening or every life lost but for the people she cared about it was like Irisviel had a third eye watching them constantly. It was for that reason she felt when Shirou began to step away from the school towards the White Dragon Emperor.

Quickly she closed her eyes for a moment to figure out why her son and the White Dragon Emperor were throwing hostile intent at each other. When she got the view of what was happening, when she heard the conversation, she knew there was going to be a fight and that was the message Maya just received.

The woman seemed to hesitate. "Shirou just picked a fight with the White Dragon Emperor." Irisviel spared the woman by stating the message bluntly.

"Did it already start?" Maya noticed how Irisviel still had her eyes closed and deduced she was keeping an eye on it.

"It is about to." She opened her eyes to focus completely on Liz. If the situation was a little different she would rush to get her son out of the line of fire.

Someone else had a similar idea. "I can get some of our men moving to give Shirou support." If the White Dragon Emperor was now an enemy Maya wanted him dead as soon as possible.

"They would just get in the way, unfortunately." Her words sounded cruel and some of their subordinates around heard but didn't challenge the statement.

Albion, sealed or not, was an adversary they doubted even their leader, the Magus Killer, could challenge. Especially if his host was already fully realized which reports stated Vali was.

Neither woman liked it but Irisviel looked more at peace with the idea of Shirou fighting than Maya was. "I will go there and-"

"Also get in the way?" Irisviel asked with a raised eyebrow. "Have a little faith, Maya."

"I have faith in plans and strategy and letting Shirou fight a fully realized Vanishing Dragon isn't one." She didn't want to admit she also would be sad if Shirou died and not only because Kiritsugu would.

Inside the infirmary everyone began to feel Vali powering up preparing for combat and only Irisiviel looked absolutely relaxed, or at least as much as she could while saving Liz's life, at the prospect of the Vanish Dragon fighting.

Maya found the notion odd since the opponent was her son. "Aren't you worried?" Usually she was the cold one.

But this time it was Irisviel who was controlled, no if anything she looked a little amused even if the emotion was buried under concentration and the effort of keeping Liz alive.

Few could notice it and Maya was on their number. "His opponent this time is the Vanishing Dragon. Even someone like me, with no magic talent, can feel his power."

"But Maya, you are forgetting something important." Despite still working on Liz, Iri looked relaxed, way more than she should considering everything. "He is also Kiri's son. I have no doubt that if Shirou is fighting the White Dragon Emperor then he has a plan to win."

…

"Ascalon!" The plan was simple both on paper and execution; strike first and strike fast.

A competition of speed to finish the fight early, that was all Shirou's opening move bowled to and unfortunately for him he lost as Vali moved his neck back just enough to dodge the blade as his hand moved to grab Shirou's arm.

With his feet firmly still on the ground the redhead managed to hop away and avoid having his limb seized but the Vanishing Dragon wasn't done yet. Unlike the magus who needed proper posture to move, Vali just needed to shift his wings a bit and he could easily counter attack.

He was about to grab the red shroud when Ascalon came close to cutting off his hand. 'So I am faster in pure speed but he has faster reactions.' Vali smiled behind the helmet as the magus ran away to reposition. 'Interesting.'

Accelerating, Vali moved in a zigzag pattern to approach Shirou and tap his shoulder. The fight would be over once the Divine Diving ability activated so he still held back a little to see what the magus would do.

Shirou didn't disappoint as he kept up with Vali's pattern and managed to swing Ascalon just when the White Dragon Emperor was about to reach him. Vali was impressed but not enough to give up so he flew back a little before moving to the right and then charging straight at Shirou much faster.

There was little indication that the redhead could keep up with his speed but Vali found himself surprised again when he had to suddenly stop or else Ascalon would have cut right through his eyes.

But just because Vali stopped didn't mean that Shirou did as he brought his sword for a back swing and kept trying to hit with quick slashes. Those were without a doubt faster than most humans could pull off and full of power both physically, as the redhead used his two hands, as well as magically, Ascalon pulsing with a blaze-like aura.

That aura was so focused around the sword that even with its size it didn't exceed the blade itself and except by a trail of 'flames', Ascalon was extremely efficient on the use of energy, superior even to Caliburn in that aspect.

So Vali had no other choice but retreat again but this time Shirou pursued, Reinforcement and Ki helping him keep up even as Divine Dividing made things more complicated. It not only eliminated any need for movement normal wings would have but got in the way when Vali threw it as a shield to stop Ascalon.

Predicting his opponent's next move Shirou pushed with all his strength while relaxing his stance which resulted in him getting thrown away when Vali pushed back with the intent of advancing.

The Vanishing Dragon tilted his head in a real show of curiosity and to let his opponent know he was intrigued.

Exactly what Shirou didn't want. 'So far everything has been following my simulations but only because he is playing around.' And Emiya knew the moment Vali stopped playing that his predictions would grow more imprecise. 'How long do I have until-'

There was no time for the redhead to finish the thought as Vali accelerated much more than before in a charge that surprised Shirou. He was already on guard and even if Vali's speed was greater than before it was still on the same level as when he fought Yoruichi so it was expected.

Besides, Shirou was used to much faster sparring partners to the point he could at least see where Vali was going. Which made less sense because the White Dragon Emperor went all in a frontal assault directly to Ascalon.

For all intents and purposes Shirou prepared himself, holding the blade for a stab while keeping to his sides to minimize Vali's target. He was still slower so he had no choice but wait for Vali to approach of his own volition.

Only then Vali, without losing momentum or giving any indication before the act, made a sharp turn left and began to move around to attack Shirou on his back, the redhead in a bad position to use Ascalon.

Other measures were necessary. "Trace on!" Various copies of his Wyvern Sword fell around Shirou's position.

[Dragon Slayer weapons!] Albion warned his host just in time and Vali stopped just short of the first sword.

Compared to Ascalon the Wyvern Sword lacked any real power to harm a dragon of Albion's magnitude. However there were more than twenty of them and Albion was sealed inside a sacred gear. Even if the original White Dragon Emperor's senses were sharp, thanks to Ddraig Shirou knew he wouldn't be able to notice the swords were weak immediately.

It gave him one of the many openings he planned for as one of his hands separated from Ascalon to grab one of the Wyvern Swords. Still he needed some reach so the magus kicked another sword in Vali's direction and the Vanishing Dragon was still cautious enough to pay attention to it and dodge to the side.

Shirou took his chance and began to swing Ascalon towards Vali's chest as the hybrid rose a magic circle to stop the attack. "Surprised?" Asked the Vanishing Dragon.

"Not really." As Shirou brought his other sword to bear, Ascalon's aura covered it as well and the Wyvern Sword broke the magic circle and managed to connect on Vali's chest with a stab. 'Got-'

The Mage of Swords had to let go of the sword as Vali almost grabbed him, his hand returning to Ascalon to finish the job only for the Vanishing Dragon to fall back in a fast flight to avoid the Holy Sword.

Only when he was thirty meters of distance from Shirou did Vali stop. "Interesting, really interesting." The hybrid grasped the sword with his hand, no blood had been spilled but the Vanishing Dragon was no less interested. "Looks like he duped you, Albion?"

[A fake Dragon Slaying sword? No, it is clearly made from the bones of a subspecies of dragon… Ah ha, wyvern bones.] Shirou gritted his teeth as the dragon chuckled. [Fufu. Cunning, Mage of Swords. Very cunning.]

Vali broke the blade in his hands, noticing that his gauntlet had no damage. The gap on his chest piece closed and he chuckled. "I have to say, Shirou, if that is the extent of your preparation I am disappointed. Then again, you almost had me there."

"Lying really isn't your strong suit." Shirou mocked a little to see if he got a reaction.

"So you noticed my Dragon Slayer measures?" A magic circle appeared in front of Vali, blue as his wings but already the magus could tell something was missing. "Bet you can't figure out what I am doing?"

"Usually a dragon's aura is also weak to Dragon Slayer weapons." Shirou held Ascalon carefully as he knew the fight was about to change. "However, your magic circle has no dragon power in it, just… demonic energy, the power of devils."

"Woah, got it on just a look. Not bad." Vali sounded sincere and that worried Shirou more. "It seems this will really be a fight to remember. Don't you think, Albion?"

[If all he has is tricks then it will be a short memory indeed.]

The magic circle vanished and Vali took flight once more. "Doesn't change the fact that the wyvern sword managed to pierce my shield. I suppose Ascalon has something to do with it?" Shirou didn't reply but both of them knew Ascalon's aura was on the Wyvern Sword at the moment of impact. "So you are using the Holy Sword's aura to empower other weapons? That is new, especially since you aren't using its power on yourself."

Taking a few steps back to stand surrounded by his swords, Shirou prepared. "Heh, don't underestimate Ascalon."

"I am not, even if it is the weakest of all recorded Dragon Slayer weapons." This time Vali's tone was mocking and he quickly flew to the other side of the battlefield, forcing Shirou to turn around. "But the fact it broke my magic circle showed that you are far stronger than on that day. Did Shihoin Yoruichi teach you Ki? What is your element?" He didn't expect a reply but found it amusing how tighter Shirou's stance became.

For a second there was silence, then Vali charged again, this time from above as Shirou raised Ascalon above his head for a more efficient defense. He didn't need to have bothered as Vali stopped just short and flew to the side just before Shirou could cut him, Ascalon failing to make contact.

Another attempt came as Vali moved to the right and Shirou took a swing only for the Vanishing Dragon to already be moving to the other side. This time to try and get him, Shirou drew another Wyvern Sword from the ground, Ascalon's aura being transmitted seemingly without loss as he spun in his heel for a slash.

It was for nothing as Vali retreated further away and moved to the other side, always starting his advance from Shirou's back. 'Is he trying to gauge my reaction time?' If so then the redhead knew he needed to act so he threw the Traced sword towards his enemy. Only when Vali didn't move did he realize he fell into a trap. 'Shit.'

Because the Vanishing Dragon stood there and took the blade right on the chest only for it to not reach him. "So this trick of yours doesn't make a sword as strong as Ascalon. It is still a weak sword." This time the magic circle was smaller, the size of a baseball, and it was intact as the empowered sword broke apart. "But what it gives is still a dragon's aura. Is it because Saint George slayed a dragon?"

[A weak one no doubt. This power is irrelevant compared to mine.]

"Comparing any dragon with you is unfair, Albion." They were taking their time and acting casually even as Shirou grew more nervous.

'An opening, I just need a good opening.' A familiar presence voiced his concerns in Shirou's mind. 'Not until we can catch him completely off guard or I have no choice. Vali isn't an idiot and I need to avoid making mistakes.'

Feeling slightly irritated that Shirou was absent from the conversation, Vali approached a little and folded his arms. "You should quit now if this is the extent of how much you prepared. Things will probably be more fun once you have you-know-what." At least he made the courtesy of not saying 'Reality Marble' before thousands of witnesses.

Still Shirou knew that he was the one with the best chance of victory if he played his cards right. "Aren't you underestimating me too much?" The tone was provocative and clearly confident. "So far I have managed to damage your armor and almost kill you, yet you haven't even touched me."

"Because the moment I do, the fight ends. That would be no fun." As expected, that was the same attitude he showed with Yoruichi. Unlike that time, Vali looked to the side with excitement. "Besides, you are just the entree dish. After this I will have an angel for the main course and perhaps a devil for dessert."

A really cocky smile, or at least the best one Shioru could give, made its way on the redhead's face. "Saving energy? Fine by me." He changed his grip on Ascalon to a more aggressive one by holding it lower and ready for a stab. "That just gives me more chances to cut you down."

"Believe me, Shirou, the difference between our powers is the same as Heaven and Earth."

"Look at that, you really are Lucifer's descendant. Pride usually begets the fall, you know?" This time it was Vali's posture that grew tighter. "Something wrong? Maybe you hate your grandfather?"

"Right idea, I hate my grandfather. I also hate my father too, for the record." Vali's tone was cold and void of any trace of humor. "Good riddance to him. I will get rid of the other soon enough." Opening Divine Dividing fully once again, this time there would be no playing around. "Time to finish this."

[You made a terrible mistake, Mage of Swords.] Albion warned in a low tone as power covered the Vanishing Dragon. [Let's just hope your energy will be enough to replace what we are about to waste.]

There was no time for a reply as Shirou had choice but jump to the side and roll as Vali destroyed the remaining Wyvern Swords and the ground around them. Already the hybrid had his sights on the redhead and was charging again much faster than before on what the magus could estimate was his top speed.

'Still not fast enough.' Yoruichi was faster and Shirou lost enough games of tag against her to become a champion.

Soon Vali found himself struggling to catch Shirou as the redhead managed to always keep his hands away either with a dodge or by placing Ascalon precisely on Vali's route of attack.

Albion watched the fight with intrigue as while his host was a little upset he also was having fun. [Don't you think it is time to take him seriously?]

'After him I still have Michael and Serafall to deal with. Also there is no rush, the devils are scared, the fallen angels confused and my future opponents know they have no chance. No, only Shirou believes in victory.' He flew low to grab Shirou's leg but the redhead stabbed the ground and Vali turned to not cut in half.

That didn't stop Vali's attack who just turned mid air and kept going without losing speed. "Trace on!"

Calling more Wyvern Swords was something Vali expected. "Naive!" Divine Dividing moved almost out of their own volition and formed a magic circle above Vali who was only a couple centimeters from Shirou.

None of the spectators expected the redhead to last a second after the Vanishing Dragon began to Divide his power but that didn't happen as another Ascalon was already in Shirou's hands and moving to stab the White Dragon Emperor.

Vali was too close to dodge and the second blade pierced the defense he placed on his right hand going through the palm and emerging on the other side. Even so the White Dragon Emperor didn't surrender and pushed the sword aside even as the original Ascalon came for the finish.

Surprised didn't even begin to describe Vali's emotional state but he pushed through any confusion to summon many magic circles in front of his chest. The Holy Sword broke them apart, its Holy Aura stronger than before as it easily ripped the Scale Mail like butter.

Already Vali was retreating but they were too close and Shirou kept pushing with the intent of piercing Vali's heart. The hybrid acted swiftly and a ball of flames began to form in front of his mask much to Shirou's irritation as even if he knew Vali could use fire he didn't know the armor wouldn't get in the way.

The fire, a white flame similar to the one he showed before but bigger, exploded and threw Shirou back with some burns as Vali flew away once again.

Having no other choice Shirou began to roll around, feeling the heat destroying his armor and shroud. They were quickly mended once he got rid of the fire and as for the burns EM was Traced as an easy solution.

Didn't stop him from watching Vali examining his wounded hand with interest. 'Damned! I was so close!' He managed to lock his opponent's pace on his own and even Traced another Ascalon when he was sure Vali wasn't going to retreat. Even if it was a weak Holy Sword, two Ascalons worth of power bested both devil and dragon's defense. 'That won't work again-'

"Hahahahahaha!" Vali's laugh interrupted any further thoughts. "Shirou, Shirou, Shirou. I owe you an apology!" He closed his bloody fist tightly as the Scale Mail rebuilt itself. "Here I was, thinking you were just the appetizer when I should be fighting more seriously!"

"No, please, I don't mind. Keep going around some more. It gives me time to prepare some fun stuff." Plans and thoughts were quickly discarded as the fight had changed. 'Simulations are useless now.' Bellerophon protested. 'Only when we have a real opening and he can't suspect it is a trap.' The pegasus protested some more and the Mage didn't need words to know why.

However, unlike Vali, Shirou wasn't going to underestimate his opponent. Something the Vanishing Dragon finally stopped doing. "Not at all. From now on I will stop fighting as just the White Dragon Emperor," he opened his arms and power began to gather in his hands to form spears of Light, "but as Vali Lucifer!"

"Oh…" Lucifer had been an angel once so Light control should be expected. "Shit." Shirou had no idea what Vali could do with that.

Instead of charging like he had been doing until now, Vali threw the first spear in the redhead's direction in what could only be described as a casual throw. Seizing Ascalon once again Shirou destroyed the hard Light easily but he knew that was only the beginning as the hybrid prepared himself with the second one.

"Good! Let's keep going!" The second throw was so fast most people couldn't see the spear once it left his hand. This time there was no way Shirou could stop it without pulling off something big so he rolled to the side and watched it open a huge hole where he was. "You don't have time to admire."

Vali began to move around again, more spears appearing on his hands as he threw them at Shirou from multiple directions. Sometimes the redhead managed to dodge, other times he blocked, it wouldn't be enough however as his arm burned as the shroud failed to stop the first that passed his defense.

That wasn't the worst pain Shirou ever felt and Ascalon kept deflecting the spears with little difficulty. The Light had no weight even if it had heat and Vali's flame had been stronger so Shirou found himself easily blocking the spears while keeping the White Dragon Emperor in his sight.

"Good. Warm up is over." Vali announced and two magic circles appeared on top of Divine Dividing as another spear was formed on his hands. "Hey, Shirou, you better make more swords or a shield."

With his warning given Vali dived down towards the ground, the magic circles moving to the top of Divine Dividing and unleashing a barrage of lasers. This time it was too fast and while Shirou blocked some of the shots he still got hit on his right leg and one shot burned his ear and cheek.

Adding to that Vali who was flying even faster, spear ready to skewer the magus. Had the lasers not forced him to defend Shirou would be more confident in a fight but with his posture broken and wounds accumulating he knew there was no winning this.

So he Traced another sword and crossed it with Ascalon while the Vanishing Dragon kept getting closer. Seconds counted down before Shirou did something unexpected and threw the new sword in his opponent's direction. The hybrid didn't stop his charge and used his spear to bash the sword to the side.

It exploded and Shirou had no means to stop himself from being launched away. Same with Vali who was in the center of the Reinforced, Holy energized, Dragon Slaying empowered, explosion.

Dust was kicked up but Vali's power was still pulsing so Shirou began to prepare for another round. His shroud, restored once again, opened on his back to give space for Ascalon which was sheathed in handles from his Altered armor. While he was adjusting the Holy Sword he also Traced another EM and stabbed his leg.

'Need to do this slowly or else I will waste too much mana.' Shirou managed to think when multiple lasers flew in his direction and Vali left the smoke.

Scale Mail was damaged, the helmet was missing its left half and most of the armor was falling apart, but the hybrid was mostly unharmed.

And unhinged as the insane grin on his face was revealed to all. "Come on, Shirou! Show me more!" He threw his spear while advancing, magic circles still shooting.

Fortunately for Shirou his left hand was free and he brought it up with a thought. 'Sorry, Rias.' His circuits flared as he shouted. "Rho Aias!"

The flower bloomed, the spear broke and the White Dragon Emperor stopped on his tracks, his curiosity picked. "Heh. Let's see if that has what it takes to survive an attack that kills gods."

White energy poured from Vali as Shirou finished hearing himself but didn't dismiss EM. He pocketed it, knowing he would need it later if not soon.

It was like white lightning and light danced around Scale Mail as it finished fixing itself. Once again the White Dragon Emperor stood at full power, magic circles gaining shape all around him. On his wings, his hands, the center of his armor, shoulder, knees and in front of his head.

Divine Dividing had many more as in its expansion it could hold five magic circles on each wing culminating in a total of 18 magic circles brimming with power. He floated in place as blue mixed with white again, mana pulsing constantly and steadily.

There was no warning when the first shot came or any that followed. Only the flashes of lights and the loud explosions were evidence that Vali was attacking and attacking constantly as the magic circles kept firing and firing and firing.

Nobody could see what was going on anymore, only the explosions in light that had the effect that put fireworks to shame. Devils' eyes were better for night time and so it was with tremendous difficulty that they tried to discern how much damage Vali's assault was doing.

Even the fallen angels could see nothing but light and how it kept hammering a single area of Kuoh. Dust started to pick up and blow away by the explosions that kept going as the White Dragon Emperor showed his might. If anyone had hopes of facing him or reservations of his power, these were gone.

The actual White Dragon Emperor, Vali Lucifer, was proving himself to be an existence in pair with legends. His constant and relentless attack more than proved how powerful he really was. Devils from both sides could only describe it as 'overwhelming'.

However something was odd, even wrong, Vali knew it for sure. Unlike many others his eyes worked just fine thanks to the Scale Mail. While the clouds of dust still hindered his vision, the hybrid trained hard to adapt his sacred gear against Light so he couldn't be blinded neither from his power nor from fighting angels.

So he knew that, even after thousands of blasts, the university on the horizon remained intact which meant his attacks were failing somewhere.

WIth that deduction it didn't take long for Vali to dismiss his magic circles and observe. His keen sight found nothing with so much dust on the way so he waved his arm to unleash a blow of wind, getting rid of it completely. The sight revealed shocked the hybrid and many present.

"Looks like you aren't that strong." Shirou mocked with a cocky grin, his black bow on his left hand as his right remained held high and Rho Aias still standing. Around him there were newly Traced swords. "Or maybe you are still underestimating me."

The shield was still a sight to behold as it pulsed with energy, the flower intact much to Vali's shock. "Maybe that really can survive a god killing explosion." He formed a new spear of Light and spun it a little. "But its weakness is obvious. There is no shield," Vali vanished from sight, appearing a few meters to Shirou's right, "so moving the boundary field is impossible."

Letting Rho Aias go, Shirou was already turning in Vali's direction, once again shocking the hybrid. "And you are too predictable!" He grabbed one of his swords, turning it into an arrow, while the Vanishing Dragon prepared his spear.

Both launched their projectiles at the same time as Rho Aias fizzled out from existence, the weapons clashed between them and broke apart like they were made of glass. Still none of the combatants was willing to give the other time to think, they just acted.

The Vanishing Dragon formed another spear of Light and his wings began to shine with two magic circles in each. The Mage of Swords swiped three of his weapons from the ground and began to turn them into arrows but he was slow compared to his opponent who was already shooting mana projectiles at him.

Dodging as well as he could, Shirou tried to aim only to notice Vali also was moving while also keeping up his rate of fire. It wasn't even close to as overwhelming as when he tried to break Rho Aias but the redhead lacked his shield this time. Even if he had it the White Dragon Emperor was moving in a circle, cutting the magus from any escape route.

Shirou took his shot and only ended up destroying two mana shots while the third missed when Vali accelerated before slowing down again. 'He is still saving energy.' At this point the Mage of Swords was starting to get frustrated. 'Or maybe he is just trying to not give me a rhythm.'

It was also a possibility he couldn't disconsider even as he used an arm to protect his head from more shots and fell to a knee when he was hit on the leg. Another few shots connected with his back before Shirou tried to roll and buy some time because if things kept going like that he would die from a thousand wounds.

Ki and Reinforcement were already on their limits so the redhead began to pour mana on Ascalon to activate its aura and raise his stats. With the sword on his back he had to spend more mana to coax it to action but that was not the time to worry about reserves of energy, not if he wanted to stay in the fight.

"I am the bone of my sword." A black blade began to take shape and he added Ascalon's aura to push it further. The result was volatile but the dragon element turned the weapon red and gave it an aura of flames. "With Ascalon: Hrunting!"

Vali saw the weapon and immediately identified it as a Noble Phantasm, the fact Shirou added Ascalon aura just made him more cautious. 'Just don't get hit.' He smiled at the redhead's struggle. 'Then punch him and Divide. This one is in the bag.'

Once Vali saw Shirou taking aim he knew that the time to end the match had come. Accelerating once again the White Dragon Emperor was behind the redhead before he could unleash what he considered the magus' last trump card.

This time Shirou didn't try to find him and instead used his good leg to reposition himself slightly to avoid some shots before unleashing Hrunting which began to pulse, almost like a dog happy to be off the leash.

Vali didn't understand where Shirou was aiming but charged to take the redhead's power and win the fight. Only then did Shirou turn around and shoot a couple of arrows that were easily taken care of by Vali's constant barrage.

That didn't stop the hybrid feeling a powerful presence coming from his left and turning to look, expecting someone else to have joined the fray. He definitely didn't expect the red sword to be coming at him at speeds comparable to his own.

But that was why Vali had a spear ready, to cut down any possible surprise. So he threw it at the sword without hesitation only to be surprised once again as a huge explosion followed suit. The White Dragon Emperor found himself on the ground and pushed through it with just the blast alone.

'Hrunting, Beowulf's sword! A sword that could chase monsters!' Behind his mask, Vali couldn't contain his smile of happiness. 'And he turned a sword like that into an arrow!'

[Focus, you moron. Get on your feet! He is coming!] Albion's warning had Vali kicking the ground and using his wings to stop his momentum.

The dragon was more than right in being cautious as for the first time since he pulled off his bow Shirou had time to really prepare a proper shot, this one pulsing with even more power and Vali felt Ascalon's aura pushing it further.

Another Noble Phantasm that looked like a screw gained teeth throughout all of its spiral thanks to a new dragon trait. "With Ascalon: Caladbolg!"

It was like a huge ball of rainbow fire had suddenly appeared on the battlefield directly on Vali's path, the hybrid feeling the mass of power that threatened to devour him whole.

He never felt so alive.

Still Vali had every intention of winning so his focus turned from elation to survival in a millisecond as Divine Dividing wings were thrown ahead of him with a lot of mana covering them.

It didn't matter if it was dragon type mana or not because Vali was throwing everything he could on defense for the instants he had before impact. In front of his wings four magic circles took shape before the collision as his armor was covered with a blue hue born entirely of his own mana without Albion's presence.

The explosion that came after was the biggest one of the day and managed to bring down anyone that was still flying with many of the buildings around Kuoh being damaged from the blast.

Shirou didn't dare to fool himself into thinking that it was close enough to defeat Vali. Even as contained as Caladbolg's explosions tend to be, his opponent was a True Hybrid using his full potential. Ascalon may help in countering Albion but Vali himself was the problem.

Meanwhile the White Dragon Emperor didn't show himself again, Shirou used Alteration to have his armor drop Ascalon and close the shroud again while placing his hand on the pocket with EM and stabbing himself slightly as he released his bow's existence.

The blast had pushed him a few meters away from where he was but that distance was irrelevant once Vali came out of the cloud of smoke at full speed and a damaged Scale Mail.

Once again the Balance Breaker was already fixing itself but those that still could pay attention to the fight would see Vali's grin and burns. Despite Caladbolg failing to put him down for good it was more than clear it had broken his defenses.

Still it mostly just succeeded in making Vali more excited as his power began to float the area just as he rushed towards Shirou. There was no time for the redhead to heal himself completely but now he knew his opponent was going all out and he needed to act quickly.

The EM of his pocket vanished as the White Dragon Emperor was on him in an instant. Shirou could do nothing when the hybrid collided with him and pushed with all his power.

Ki or not, Reinforcement or not, Shirou felt his left arm break as Vali kept dragging him around. "It is over!" Announced Vali out loud.

"Trace on!" Shirou fought to keep himself steady as he Traced another sword. His boots kept sliding off the ground and his legs were starting to hurt. But the white sword heed his call and the pegasus in his soul began to stir again. "Bellerophon!"

And just like that all fatigue went away.

Vali found himself surprised once more when instead of pushing Shirou towards the school building he found himself slowing down as a white aura began to cover the redhead. Immediately he disengaged, suspecting a new sword, and finding a blade of executing a vertical slash that managed to open a gap on the Scale Mail.

There was a new wound beneath his white armor and Vali felt a slight burn unlike any other he ever felt in his life. It was a new sort of power and only his caution and instincts saved his life much to Shirou's frustration as that was the best opening he was going to get.

Still the attack had failed and the White Dragon Emperor flew a couple of meters back. "I have to admit; this fight was fun and I certainly won't ever forget it." He raised a hand in Shirou's direction, the redhead staring at him with Bakuya in his right hand. "But now is over."

With a powerful blue glow the Divine Dividing began to shine at the announcement of his victory. [Divide!] Echoed throughout all Kuoh and many waited for Shirou's aura to diminish. [Vali, something is wrong.]

"How?" Albion didn't need to say anything else as the hybrid could see it clearly when the power around Shirou didn't diminish but his wings seemed to grow dull. "Try again."

[Divide!] At that the reaction was different and this time there was no glow coming from Divine Dividing, it was still active on his back but obviously it was failing.

"Albion, what is happening?" For the first time confusion filled Vali's every word and he raised his hands to create magic circles just in case.

[I… I… I don't know. This is the first time something like this has ever happened.] His host was surprised by the panic in the dragon's voice.

'A day of firsts it seems.' That just made Vali's blood boil more in excitement.

"Something wrong?" Shirou sharp eyes were now accompanied by a smug grin. "Problems performing?"

[Watch your mouth, human! I have no idea how you are blocking my power but I will figure it out!]

At that point the aura behind Shirou had solidified in a form many had heard stories about, even if in passing. "Let's see if you can but I won't be here waiting for you to get on the uptake." The pegasus that had formed seemed more bright at the Mage's declaration as he flexed his left hand a little. The arm was broken but usable and he began to skip in place. "So you better," in less than a second he had disappeared in the eyes of many only to reappear on Vali's left, "watch out!"

A swing from Bakuya cut through the magic circles the hybrid threw in front of it but they slowed it down just enough that Vali could avoid the blade. That didn't stop Shirou or his motions as he completed the swing and went further until his hand touched the ground and he could use it for support.

Vali may have dodged the Noble Phantasm but his armor still ended with the imprint of Shirou's foot.

It was something that neither White Dragon Emperor could believe it happened but the fact Scale Mail midriff had the impression of a boot was hard to deny. Especially since it had broken through Vali's instantaneous magic circles, his aura and the armor itself.

'Divinity.' The Vanishing Dragon had no doubts his opponent had finally brought out his greatest weapon, one capable of bringing him low. His smile grew as Shirou charged again. "So you had something like that?!" He made another spear of Light and it collided with Bakuya.

The clash was so strong that the ground began to give out and a chasm started to open in the middle of the area. The two weapons kept pushing against each other but a combination of Divinity, Reinforcement and Ki involving a Noble Phantasm gave Shirou a clear advantage when the spear began to crack.

Seeing his host in peril, Albion moved to try and help. [Divide!] He felt the connection with his power and the Divine Dividing and was sure Shirou would fall for it this time. Only that he didn't and the blue of his wings grew dull again. [How do you keep doing that?!]

Vali ignored his partner and pushed more of his mana into the spear, using his wings to reposition and attack with its body. Unlike a normal weapon every centimeter of the spear of Light could either cut or burn if the user so desired.

But instead of panicking like he expected, Shirou smiled. He was waiting for a maneuver like that and relaxed his legs to duck so the spear passed by harmlessly. However Bakuya had to shift to his back as Vali brought his attack to it, the clash of weapons and the uncomfortable position making Shirou shake.

Despite feeling the pressure in all his bones the redhead focused on swiping his leg on Vali's. Even if the Vanishing Dragon was flying he felt the blow and let go of the spear, breaking the confrontation.

Once again Shirou made to pursue him only for the hybrid to open fire with two magic circles in his hands and two in each wing. It was a hasty offensive but it had multiple purposes of keeping the magus at bay while the armor recovered from any damage.

And considering how fast the Mage was since the pegasus got into the fight, Vali made the right call as the instants he had were barely enough since Shirou dodged most attacks skillfully, Bakuya and his armor denying any he considered irrelevant.

His legs and head were all Shirou was focusing on protecting and in the blink of an eye he was already swinging Bakuya at the Vanishing Dragon once more. He had no choice but make another spear to stop it while turning his wings to aim his magic circles better.

For all intents and purposes the magus was surrounded but instead of retreating he pushed forward, grabbing one of Vali's arms to stop a retreat. Even if his left arm was broken, Shirou's message was clear 'you want to blow me up? Do to us both.'

Sure his grip was weaker than it should be but with Divinity keeping his arm together and a will that refused to bend, Vali was forced to let go of the spear with that hand and use the other to stop Bakuya.

Relentlessly Shirou kept attacking with his blade, Bakuya connecting and cutting though many parts of the Scale Mail.

More and more blood was spilled in the area as the redhead kept the armored man in place despite his struggles, a thrust from Bakuya was blocked only for it to change targets and cut the shoulder instead, showing everyone the Vanishing Dragon was stuck.

Behind his helmet his smile of contentment threatened to split his face even as a jet of blood covered his back. The fight was so exciting for Vali that he couldn't help but try everything, including focus the beams of mana into tin needles and aim them for Shirou's forehead.

When the magus noticed the attack coming he raised Bakuya to save his life, almost letting go of the blade by that particular impact. He ended up letting go of his opponent, his weakened arm failing him at the last moment but that also gave him the chance to dodge when the laser moved.

The White Dragon Emperor commanded his magic circles with mastery, all four moving in sync to move from the blade to the redhead's neck. Quickly Shirou found it too risky to try and keep up with the laser so he protected his neck and rushed to the right. As he was, Vali couldn't keep up with the Divine empowered magus and separated his magic circles blasts.

He took aim and began to unleash another rain of attacks while preparing another spear. There was not a shred of doubt that Shirou would reach him in time and so he prepared for another clash.

Already both started to notice weakness brought forth from the battle and adapted their strategy to it. In Vali's case it was the fact that Shirou's left was now his weak side so he turned various blasts to the ground from an angle to make attacking with his right more complicated.

It was the Vanishing Dragon's belief that Shirou would have to circulate the area to attack with his stronger side and so he would have more time to pelt him from a range.

A repeat of what happened before occurred, this time with their parts inverted as Shirou charged off the explosion at full speed against a surprised Vali. The hybrid had underestimated the pegasus' Divinity and the protection it gave for despite being a steed the 'son' of Medusa was still considered one of the most powerful creatures of Greek Mythology.

Carrying Zeus Bolts in battle would be impossible otherwise.

So this time Vali found himself on the defensive but he already had a weapon to stop his opponent as his spear clashed with Bakuya again, and again, and again as Shirou began a barrage of attacks, not willing to give the hybrid a chance to use anymore magic.

Because Vali's use of Light was subpar compared to Azazel or even Kokabiel's Shirou knew his chance was in a direct confrontation. He finally managed to push the Light spear aside and grabbed Vali by the neck of his armor to hit the abdomen with his knee. His very empowered knee that still carried a lot of Divinity and Ki.

Normal humans would have already died if any attack in the fight touched them and the knee wasn't any different as Scale Mail cracked and broke together with his ribs. As a hybrid Vali could still keep going but the pain was distracting.

At least enough for Shirou to seize shoulder pads. "Steel is my body, Fire is my blood." His fingers sunk in the armor with the added power to make sure his prey couldn't escape as Bakuya began to pulse brighter.

Like a hammer Shirou pulled and then hit the spear of Light again. Vali was in a compromised position and failed to account for the extra power. He managed to grab Shirou's right arm and tried to push him away only for the redhead to hold him to kick his side.

[Divide!]

Meanwhile the two fought, the dragon tried to help his host.

[Divide!]

However it was in vain as Divine Dividing lit on and off like a Christmas tree.

[Divide!]

Shades of blue remained on the wings constantly but everytime Albion tried to intervene it was gone.

[Divide!]

Try as he might, the original White Dragon Emperor couldn't understand what was going on or how the redhead fought his ability back.

[Divide!]

But little by little he started to realize he was close to activating it before something went wrong and that, whatever it was, cut his connection to Shirou himself.

Finally Albion realized what was the problem. [It is Divine Dividing! Somehow he is interfering with Divine Dividing!]

While the dragon tried to warn his host, Shirou wasn't still as his position was perfect to keep delivering kicks on Vali's already broken ribs, even if he didn't know about that. Thanks to Ddraig's information he knew that restoring Scale Mail cost stamina and both fighters knew that if Vali's armor fell then the hybrid would follow soon after.

Cue to Shirou to keep kicking and breaking the same point again and again to force Vali to keep restoring it while the silver haired man fought to keep Bakuya at bay. Such a situation was unsustainable and soon the White Dragon Emperor made a new magic circle, aiming at Shirou heald with his free hand.

But his concentration was breaking and the shots were weaker compared to previous ones, his focus messed up as Divinity made every kick hurt despite his defenses. And he needed to concentrate more on his defense because the magus' kicks were fast, practically blurs to any observer.

Worse yet Shirou wasn't stopping and wasn't going to until Vali was unconscious or dead, whichever came first. And Vali knew it, it only made him smile more.

Then he did something the Mage of Swords didn't expect; he released Scale Mail, turning it into mottes of blue mana that freed Shirou's hand.

Already moving to another kick, Vali's reaction was faster since he knew the armor was going to vanish. He pulled Shirou to the side with his sword arm still in place and used Divine Dividing to stabilize himself for a kick on the magus' own ribs.

There was nothing Shirou could use to stop himself from flying away from the White Dragon Emperor as Scale Mail formed around the hybrid once again. Vali Lucifer didn't chase his opponent or pressed the offensive as he felt himself weaker than he should have been even after the beating he took.

Instead he flew higher and moved towards the center of Kuoh as Shirou rolled a few times before standing up again. "Albion, we are using Half Dimension." Azazel would know about it and Vali could already hear the panic but ignored it.

The fight was too fun for him to not give his everything.

[Let's see him counter that!] The dragon roared furiously. Divide Dividing's aura began to spread over the area as the visage of a huge dragon with a long neck and even larger wings surrounded the descendant of Lucifer. [All bow before our might! Half Dimension!]

Reality itself shifted as all people and things in the area fell under the effect of the Divide Dividing. Humans, devils, angels, plants, buildings, rocks, anything and everything in Kuoh was ready to fall and give half of their existence to the White Dragon Emperor.

However; "Bellerophon!" Shirou's aura took the full form of a pegasus.

For a single moment the pristine beast took over the battlefield, its aura not as potent as Albion's but the pegasus was more magnificent even if not as large as the dragon. Many expected a combat between such creatures.

But the pegasus only stayed corporeal for an instant as the legendary mount returned to Shirou, his body now covered in a white blaze that was nothing short of Divine.

Despite the momentary show everyone still felt the domination of Albion's power as it grew and prepared to take everything it wanted. Only for the redhead to surprise all by taking a random swing on the empty air and the Half Dimension's presence broke. The power of the White Dragon Emperor was lifted in an instant, much to the dragon's rage.

[Impossible! Even if he somehow grew immune to sacred gears, only him should be immune to an attack like Half Dimension!]

"That is because he wasn't aiming at Half Dimension or your power at all." Vali realized with a grin. "Isn't that right, Shirou?" The redhead grew a frown as his power stood ready for another attack. Instead the Vanishing Dragon folded his arms. "Hmm, you don't need to say anything if you don't want to. Just indulge me for a bit." He opened his hand and waved at him to offer a retort but the magus remained silent. "How it works is that the pegasus, Bellerophon, can affect Divine Dividing directly, either by cutting its connection with Albion or with its target."

Shirou did his best to remain calm, to not give anything away. "And what makes you think that? Maybe I just found a way to keep your dragon out of the fight." Just by replying he had already failed.

While Albion grunted at the remark he chose to remain silent and let his host do the talking. "If that was the case Scale Mail would have faded after your first hit- no, the first time I touched you with that sword, exactly when you first called your pegasus." Vali studied Bakuya curiosity as the design was certainly not Greek. "It has a connection with this Bellerophon somehow, like a sacred gear with something sealed on it. But at the same time it is different but I can't really understand the nature of it. What I can understand is that the pegasus is disrupting Divine Dividing connection with whatever it should be affecting. Most likely because the pegasus can take it away somehow."

'He already figured out this much?' Even with how much they have fought, even if it just started a few minutes ago and Bellerophon entered the fight in less time, Shirou hoped his opponent wouldn't deduce that much.

Unfortunately the redhead had seen nothing yet. "Ddraig talked a lot, didn't he? Scale Mail, Albion's abilities. But his greatest contribution probably was… helping you understand how Boosted Gear worked, its fundamental and more advanced mechanics." He closed his fist in triumph. "Did I get that right?"

Chuckling a little was Shirou's initial response. "It was like pulling teeth with him. Got only the basics because you are 'supposed to be his Rival'." Issei helped but only so much.

It would be bad enough if that was all Vali figured out but the hybrid went further. "So you figured out how to counter Divide by countering Boost? No, Gift, is that right? Same principle but in reverse?" When Shirou didn't reply, Vali had his answer. "I studied my Destined Rival capabilities the same way you studied mine but you figured out a way to go further. You found a way to steal my mana."

Cat was out of the bag. "To be fair, it was more like taking the mana used on the connection the Divine Dividing needs to start using Albion's power." There was no point in denying it. "You probably already figured out that Bellerophon is the key to it."

"Naturally, even if I can't guess how. Something to do with its Legend, if I had to guess." Vali turned to look at Medusa who was glaring in his direction. With a chuckle his eyes returned to Shirou. "Nothing to do with your goddess but the pegasus itself. Is that because it was the carrier of Zeus' Lightning? Or that it can reach Olympus?" He leaned forward. "Is that the reason why you gave it the name 'Bellerophon'?"

"That would be a bit on the nose, don't you think?" His father would lecture him in the importance of subtlety if that was the case and that fact made him smile. "He, Bellerophon, is an existence capable of reaching the Olympus by himself, something the original Bellerophon recognized. A power capable of challenging Divine Instruments, like Zeus Lightning or even Athena's Reins which allowed the first Bellerophon to ride him."

"So it is part of the pegasus nature. The ability to challenge a god's Authority." Vali found the concept fascinating as he looked at his armored hand. "That explains it. Despite the hero Bellerophon having managed to ride the pegasus, he never tamed it, sorry, him. So even when his rider fell, the pegasus was capable of reaching Olympus." All that made the Vanishing Dragon curious about something. "Why Bellerophon as a name, though? It makes it a little confusing telling the story and the man himself wasn't all that exceptional without his mount."

"Heh, because he was a lot like me; a fool too stubborn for his own good." Shirou admitted with a smile. "That and Medusa wanted a Greek name."

"Hahahahaha! Because he was a fool! Hahahahaha! That is new!" Then all humor left Vali and he grew serious. "But the pegasus connection with that weapon is also a strange thing. Ever since you Traced it you have avoided making other ones. The fact we are having this conversation instead of you pressing your advantage shows it has more limits, probably sealing your other weaponry." Shirou's face showing both shock and panic had Vali chuckling. "That is why you didn't start with it. Not only were you trying to catch me off guard, cut me down fast or weaken me before I did exactly this, fly too high for you to defeat me. Once the pegasus is out, you can't just call it back without paying some sort of price."

Gritting his teeth, Shirou's posture grew tighter. "So what are you going to do? Stay up there and try to take me down with your magic? That won't work." Maybe if his opponent used more of his Light he could and the Mage would be in trouble but at this moment in time he was sure Vali wouldn't go for it. "You also don't seem like the type to 'run down the clock' and in this state I can keep Bellerophon's power indefinitely."

With Divinity supporting his present condition no one would dare to challenge Shirou on that. Not only the Divine power of the pegasus boosted all his parameters, nobody really knew what else the mount's power could do and so he could outlast Vali, who had to attack or give up in this scenario.

One only needed to look at both combatants to know that Vali would grow tired first even if his reserves were obviously superior.

Every time there was a direct confrontation the Scale Mail would break or get damaged and the hybrid would need to fix it. Or abandon a controtation where he could use his superior strength but throw more mana around to attack at a distance. All the while the Mage of Swords' power was centralized and focused on himself, a magus whose training was towards spending little to do the most damage.

It didn't matter if Vali was naturally stronger, Shirou was more efficient. Besides all that the fight had already been going for a while and the hybrid already used plenty of energy while Shirou gained a second wind of sorts with Bellerophon.

Not to mention that Shirou studied Vali, or better yet Albion and his hosts, in preparation for the match while the descendant of Lucifer only knew the minimum amount about his opponent and even less about the pegasus which was a surprise to everyone outside of the redhead's friends.

Anyone else would see the futility of keep fighting, bow out, retreat or even surrender.

Anyone else would take the loss and wait for a better opportunity to fight again, when both sides were more equal.

Anyone else would just admit that the fight was far from their favor since the opponent in front of them wasn't the only enemy round.

Anyone else but Vali Lucifer whose shoulders began to shake as he let out a slow but loud laugh. "Hahaha hahaha hahahahaha!" That grew in intensity as his aura began to shift around him.

From his Reality Marble Shirou heard Bellerophon that Divine Dividing wasn't connecting to the world, this was all Vali. 'Is it coming?' Both began to power up as Ddraig's warnings about the Heavenly Dragons' final trump rang in their heads. 'Get ready!'

Bellerophon voiced his approval as the white aura of both combatants filled the area but unlike Vali who was already preparing to go all out, Shirou held back. He refused to commit until his adversary did so first since his power was less risky but more exhausting. He needed to know if the hybrid would really cross the point of no return.

There was no need to wait for long. "Shirou, I owe you an apology!" Vali announced for all to hear as his power began to stabilize and once again Albion's figure appeared around him. "This whole time I have been treating you as an appetizer… When should I consider you the main DISH!"

Energy exploded from Vali's body as his power grew heavier and made the area hard to breathe for the weak. There was no doubt in anyone's minds that this was a power able to compete with the Original Lucifer, perhaps even his superior.

Slowly the power began to coalesce around the Vanishing Dragon and even if nobody could see his face they all knew he was smiling behind the mask. It was just the kind of aura he was letting out, not one oppressive by design but the kind that invited one and all to challenge its power.

Indeed only the weak had fallen to their knees because that was a power that only sought out those equally if not stronger. The true nature of Vali Lucifer.

"I, who is about to awaken,"

Once the Chant began Shirou knew it was 'go' time. His left hand moved to touch the gem on his chest while Bakuya began to glow and the voice in his soul shouted with joy. "Fly beyond the Heavens, Bellerophon!"

In an instant Shirou's body disappeared in a bright while Light that threatened to blind everyone in the vicinity. The pegasus form appeared above it before flying back to the star that began to expand until it became a streak of light flying straight in Vali's direction.

Things had changed so fast that to many it was like a bright flash had occurred and a huge power had descended into the world which now was brighter. The night hadn't just turned to day for a fraction of a second, it was like the first dawn after an eternity of darkness.

The number of people who could react to such an event present could be counted in a single hand. "Am the White Dragon-" And Vali was one of them. He saw the attack coming and raised his defenses as best he could.

Foregoing the Chant and his transformation, all of Vali's energy was forming the strongest magic circle he could to stop Shirou that was coming to him like an arrow of light, ready for the kill.

It saved Vali's life, just barely.

The impact made the very air of Kuoh shake as in a moment there was a flash of light in the ground and the next it was exploding midair after clashing against the Vanishing Dragon. Few knew what really happened for only they were strong enough to see when Bakuya, physically unchanged but more powerful than ever, broke the magic circle and almost took Vali's head.

But the hybrid showed his skill once again, evading the attack by a hair that still cost him his helmet, revealing his surprised face.

Finally the light diminished to reveal Shirou flying above Vali; his clothes were completely white, from his shroud to his pants and his armor, only Medusa's Gift was still red and proudly on his chest. Surrounding the gem was the image of a pegasus' head that grew around it, the gem exactly on its forehead.

However the white armor didn't limit itself to his chest anymore as it had grow and changed in ways no one would expect from a human's creation; Shirou's legs now had a belt with a diamond shape front and on the sides, his boots reached his knees and had wings on the heels, gauntlets also covered his arms until his elbows but they had no gloves.

But the feature that most caught the attention of those that could see was the helmet on the Mage's head; it was similar to the Scale Mail but also not. While the mask protecting his mouth and chin could belong to any Balance Breaker seen that day, the eyes were different in the sense they could not be seen.

Instead of a pair of glowing crystals that protected the host of anything, Shirou had a visor that hid his eyes completely, the only black part of his new armor. His hair also was hidden beneath a helmet that was connected to his back which had a pair of jets of mana made light that tried and failed to take the shape of wings.

Strangely enough, nothing was connecting the streaks of light to Shirou's back as their unstable form fluctuated behind the redhead. They were moving with him as the magus was making a curve and positioning himself.

Incomplete was how any who could see that armor would call it, obviously realizing that parts of it were missing or used for protection, compensating for the lack of whatever was needed to complete the armor. But there was also a Divinity that had been present since Shirou called for Bellerophon for the first time but more intense.

Previously it was undeniably grand but like a flower finally blooming it matured in an aura that was far gentler and not at all overwhelming. Calling it 'powerful' was a given but there was no oppression or hostility in it, anyone could look and admire that existence without fear.

If they were capable of comprehending what they were looking at in the first place. For those whose eyes and senses weren't strong enough, Shirou was nothing but a light cutting through the battlefield. A huge one, taller than himself with how the aura projected him as a greater existence, but still just a light.

Still not fast enough for Vali who began to react the moment Shirou began his turn. This time he knew magic circles were useless so he focused only on his aura and in a Light spear with no deliberation, only instinct. Every single cell of his being told him that if he didn't defend himself, he was going to die.

As Vali's face was covered by a helmet once again, Shirou could see the smile of elation.

There were no words, that time had passed, just movement as Shirou descended from above with his own Light as a weapon. Bakuya was bathed in it as the sword's aura danced like a flame ready to consume everything. All it needed was its owner to give it a target. The Vanishing Dragon would do.

For all intents and purposes those too weak to perceive the fighting happening on the heavens could still hear the first clash that reverberated throughout all of Kuoh. They certainly saw bright flashes that came after as Light faced Light in a contest that threatened to devour everything.

It was just a millisecond for the combatants had no time to waste, Shirou pushed through and kicked Vali on the abdomen again, this time the armor didn't instantly break, it just bent. Vali had raised his defenses to their limits in response to the magus' clear power increase.

Still the Vanishing Dragon was forced to give terrain because of the redhead's new power and he was pushed low but the Mage was already on the chase.

Bellerophon sung on his ears with joy as both finally fought together. Behind his mask Shirou also had a small smile even if the mana of their union threatened to burn him out. Had this been a friendly match he would have already lost. If he was fighting fairly there would be no way for the Mage of Swords to keep going.

Except it wasn't so, Shirou turned Bakuya down, holding it in both hands, and used his 'wings' to accelerate his new attack. Every intention of skewing and finishing his opponent was present in the blade and in the otherwise gentle aura.

However that won't be so easy as Vali sprung more wings on his back, his mark as the descendant of Lucifer. With the additional 8 wings the hybrid turned and rushed to the ground fast enough to escape the attack aimed at his heart. That didn't stop the Mage who aimed for his back.

Here was where Vali showed his greater experience in flying when, just before he would touch the ground, he made a sharp turn and avoided the collision. In his position Shirou didn't have the same luxury and he met the ground with an explosion. The impact was so great that Kuoh had a small earthquake.

Once he got some distance, Vali turned back to his opponent, fully expecting him to keep going. "Didn't-" He found himself interrupted by Shirou who was already going for the kill.

Bellerophon's power protected his rider and so the Mage ignored the impact of his mistake and just took to the sky again, Bakuya positioned to stab Vali's chest. Spear of Light met the Noble Phantasm just in time and the clash repeated itself another ten times as Shirou threw dozens of slashes in a second.

There was no time for words or a chance to stop as the Mage of Swords showed his aptitude for the title, the Noble Phantasm dancing on its owner's hand as he tried to break his opponent's guard.

But Vali was skilled and unlike the Noble Phantasm, every bit of his spear was a 'blade' with how it was created. A mistake born of hurry had Shirou almost losing half of his face as went low and managed to dodge by disengaging.

However there was no intent from Shirou's part to stop the attack and as he was beneath Vali he threw another slash that forced the hybrid to block low. With their wings the new position wasn't a bother and Emiya unleashed another flurry of attacks that needed to be defended.

This time he was also pushing Vali higher on the battlefield, soon the silver haired man acknowledged that his back would hit the boundary field. That would be terrible as he would run out of space and so one magic circle appeared on each of his 10 wings and unleashed blasts of mana at his opponent.

Shirou surprised any who could see by kicking and punching some of the blasts as Bakuya pushed the spear away. Vali tried to bring it back and rein his opponent as his fire rate grew more intense but Shirou ignored all the blasts and explosions that hit his body.

Instead he focused on punching his target repeatedly while moving Bakuya to keep the spear away and stop Vali from escaping. His arms also gained new speed with Bellerophon's Divinity to the point every punch easily broke the speed of sound.

Every time the redhead's fist connected with Scale Mail had a small, minuscular trickle of mana escaping the Divine Dividing. That was the sacred gear's attempt to connect with a target to activate its ability. Every attempt cost a little of Vali's reserves and helped with Shirou's own.

Pegasus, the steed capable of reaching Heaven, was stealing the Heavenly Dragon's power and that neither Vali or Albion knew how to stop it. The situation wasn't only worse because Shirou's arm was broken.

That aside the situation still made it extremely hard for Vali to think, his head ringing with each of Shirou's punches.

But that was where Albion came in. [We need to get away!] For even if he was sealed inside the Divine Dividing, the dragon was trusted enough that Vali didn't mind giving him control over the sacred gear. [Get ready!]

And their power. 'On your mark-' Was all Vali managed to communicate in the middle of being punched to oblivion. Scale Mail broke apart and was rebuilt hundreds of times over the last few seconds even if it was just the helmet.

But with some coordination Albion managed to direct Divine Dividing's wings just enough to shoot Shirou's head when they were about to reach the top of the boundary field. That was an attack the redhead couldn't ignore so he retreated a little, just enough to get away from the blasts.

It gave Vali enough space to fix his head and unleash a flamethrower and that was an attack Shirou couldn't dodge.

That bright white flame covered all of Shirou's body and even with Bellerophon's help he couldn't straighten himself, being pushed down as his body became a fireball. The heat reminded him of his personal Hell but all that memory did was give him strength to banish it quickly.

Albion was already taking advantage of the distance they managed to get, guiding Divine Dividing's magic circles with precision to shoot lasers to Shirou's chest. Vali had to do nothing but match his partner's moves and soon enough all 10 magic circles unleashed lasers that combined to slam Shirou on the ground.

A constant stream of mana was unleashed on Shirou and he needed a few moments to raise Bakuya to block the constant damage just enough so he could get a running start. Took Bellerophon shouting in his ear to remind him he didn't need one and in an instant he was already flying away.

Letting Shirou move freely would be a mistake so the White Dragon Emperors were already approaching when he took flight again, redirecting their attacks in pursuit. Some landed while others didn't, most managing to get Shirou everytime the redhead tried to fly up, a wing reserved exclusively to stop him.

And when one of those hit, Shirou lost balance and only the Divinity surrounding him saved the fight by blocking most of the damage. But not neutralizing it and the Mage felt more pain than he should with Bellerophon out. Trying again had a similar result and from beneath his armor he felt blood flow.

'Faster, faster, faster, faster!' Shirou began to accelerate further but while Vali's blasts struggled to keep up with him they still did. Every shoot was closer as the Vanishing Dragon also grew faster. 'Faster! I need more speed!'

So Shirou pushed further as his body burned more mana than he had by himself. In any natural circumstance that would have been his limit, doubly so because he had already spent just as much since he unleashed his full power. But he wasn't fighting alone and so he had far more to give.

Bellerophon gladly threw more of his own power as incomplete as it was without Bakuya's twin. Both knew their form wasn't complete, they knew the transformation born from the pegasus and Noble Phantasm never would be complete without Kanshou. None of that mattered as they just wanted to go faster.

Faster than Vali's perception.

Faster than the Vanishing Dragon's attacks.

Faster than anyone else.

But they were not the only ones trying to go beyond their limits.

Vali's hidden smile had grown maniacal and he was enjoying the thrill of the hunt, always flying above Shirou with mana raining on the redhead. At that point his wings were moving in independently from each other, Albion taking care of Divine Dividing while he controlled all others.

There was little coordination but one of the crystal wings always focused to keep Shirou close to the ground which was being demolished with their passing. Explosions that happened instants after the Mage was already away from their center, always avoiding their attacks.

In a competition of who had more mana, Shirou knew he was going to lose from the beginning. Even with all the help he was getting Vali was in an absolutely different category, a True Hybrid from the line of Lucifer couldn't be underestimated.

From his experience Emiya knew his time was shorter, that even if his body could last thanks to Bellerophon, mana would run short in a minute or so. From the initial call of the pegasus power Shirou knew he had already run half of his clock and Vali still had a lot in the tank.

Divine Dividing was such a terrifying thing that even an weakened White Dragon Emperor could still do too much damage for Shirou to feel safe on losing. Winning was the only path he could see to avoid unnecessary deaths.

To protect his loved ones' smiles.

'Faster! Faster! Faster faster faster faster faster faster faster faster fasterfasterfaster!' Was all Shirou could think as he let his mana and Ki run wildly on his body. His magic circuits screamed and he could practically hear the protests from his source of mana. 'Faster!'

It was nothing compared to taking the mana of a whole city, he wanted to tell her, it was nothing compared to surviving the Fire of Fuyuki. His resolve wasn't broken from any of these events and it wouldn't fail him now.

After a few seconds of pursuit Vali had approached enough to the ground while keeping a safe distance he felt Shirou couldn't counter attack. Bombarding his adversary may have been fun but his mana wasn't unlimited and he wanted to finish it soon to give the fight a satisfactory conclusion.

Also, because of all the damage he took before, the Vanishing Dragon knew he would need some energy to deal with the rest. Shirou had delivered in becoming a fight to remember but Vali still wanted more and was confident in dealing with anyone not ready to counter Divide.

For another few seconds the bombardment grew more intense as the White Dragon Emperors filled his wings with magic circles. So many lasers were unleashed in the constant rain that Shirou had to practically dance to evade them. That cost him speed and so Vali prepared his spear for the final blow.

Light grew more intense as the Vanishing Dragon threw the spear faster than all lasers he had shot so far. Because of his concentration some of the magic circles fizzled out but that didn't matter, he was sure his weapon was going to meet its target.

Time seemed to slow down for the White Dragon Emperor as he watched the Mage dodge left from a beam of mana only to get into the path of the spear, just as planned. There were too many attacks still around to stop any other maneuver and even flight couldn't change the outcome when the floor was close and the enemy was above.

The only place Shirou had to escape was the front and Vali was sure his spear was too fast for the magus to dodge.

It hit its mark and Vali was about to call his victory when the spear passed through Shirou without resistance, an explosion only happening when it made contact with the ground. For a moment everyone was blind but the Vanishing Dragon knew what he saw even if he was confused by it.

Confusion that still wasn't enough to stop him from noticing Shirou coming at him with Bakuya ready to cut his head. Vali turned as fast as he could but there was no way his evasion was perfect, Shirou was too fast and the hybrid screamed in pain when one of his flesh and bone wings was cut off.

At the moment Shirou was also moving too fast to properly react when his attack connected, his speed had reached levels he only saw Yoruichi archive, enough so to use an afterimage like her.

When he turned to reach Vali and had to slow down or kill himself on the collision but now, now his opponent was slower without one of his wings and Shirou could focus on a manageable speed.

Both combatants turned and Vali unleashed as many blasts of mana as he could, Albion shouting on his mind to get the silver haired man to retreat. He refused, his euphoria drowning out the pain of losing a wing.

Already Bakuya was moving to deflect some attacks as the magus charged on the White Dragon Emperor's direction, ignoring most of the blasts. He only protected his head and flew horizontally, like a missile, to reduce the area he could get hit on. Any other alternative would take too long.

It was still not fast enough for a decisive strike as Vali threw one of Divine Dividing's wings in his path, Bakuya cutting it in half like butter only for a fire to be revealed behind it as the dragon's flames were unleashed again.

Didn't stop Shirou this time as he shouted a wordless warcry and kept going to stab Vali's chest. The fire stopped as the sword pierced through heart and lung, the fight should be over.

But it wasn't for the descendant of Lucifer proved his mettle by punching Shirou hard even as the redhead kept his Noble Phantasm on the hybrid's heart and grabbed the arm.

Both warriors began to fly uncontrollably as they fought each other for supremacy, Shirou doing everything he could to keep a hold of Vali and take his power while Vali unleashed all his mana on Shirou's face to blow him away.

They had no idea what building they hit during the struggle but they were inside some facility before Albion's host managed a kick that forced Shirou away. Bakuya began to disappear from Vali's chest the second Shirou was repealed but that only left him with a bleeding wound that should be fatal.

Fatal to anyone without his lineage and as the blade began to reappear on Shirou's hand, glowing as vibrant as before, the grandchild of Lucifer knew the fight was coming to an end and that should make him happy.

However he felt that this would be an unsatisfactory one, one where he couldn't give his all and so there was some bitterness in his mouth and it wasn't the blood. For that reason alone he wouldn't stop, couldn't stop, until he gave everything he had for either a satisfying victory or a worthwhile defeat.

Things wouldn't be simple against Shirou as Bakuya had reformed on his hand and Bellerophon formed behind him again as he charged. Vali's heart was pumping harder despite the damage as he knew there was no time for magic circles or fancy maneuvers, the pain reminding him it was all or nothing.

'Win!' Vali shouted in his mind while his Light began to surround his body towards his hands. Two orbs of pure and Light, the Light of Lucifer, pulsed in the milliseconds he had before Shirou reached him.

Throwing both his arms forward the orbs channeled all his power in a gigantic beam of Light that slammed on Shirou and blew the side of the building they were in apart.

Such facilities were not alone in a single area and the buildings around it were demolished from Vali's desperate assault. The Light diminished little by little as plenty of Kuoh's structure was destroyed by the hybrid's desperate attack.

Nobody dared to get in his way as the White Dragon Emperor flew higher to get as much distance as he could from his opponent because he didn't believe it was over not by a long shot.

Vali also forgo any idea of fighting against anyone else today because his body took too much damage. Already he began some emergency treatment of his heart but there was just so much a devil could do for healing without some kind of tool. He also knew there was no way everyone else would just let him escape.

"I, who is about to awaken," Before these words were said in the name of fun but now they were in the name of survival. Vali wasn't afraid to die but not if it would be by anyone other than his opponent.

And even then he wanted to fight at full strength, something that Shirou denied him before even if Vali couldn't complain. Strategy was strategy and far from the Vanishing Dragon to complain about being denied his greatest asset.

"Am the White Dragon Emperor who will take the law down to the darkness." So he seized the opportunity to let it all out, the chant beginning once again as he hoped that Shirou would stay down for long enough so he could finish. "I walk the road of domination-"

Then the Light came back as Shirou exploded from some debris of one of the buildings. His Divine aura was weaker but it still shone bright. His armor was breaking apart and there was a lot of blood but he could still fly and was going at Vali with all he could muster.

Once again Vali abandoned the Chant and prepared to defend but it was too little too late, much of his remaining energy was already on the transformation.

Just as Shirou planned as Ddraig had told him, the deeper in the Chant a Heavenly Dragon Emperor went, the more he would have to fight against the souls inside the sacred gear. By letting the Chant go for a few more seconds he managed an opening and he just needed to capitalize on it.

Now all the Mage of Swords needed to do was reach his opponent before a recovery and for that he needed more speed. With how much damage his armor took it was starting to grow useless. So Shirou got rid of the extra weight, transforming it into fuel for his 'wings' that were still trying to take shape.

He forced them to blast the ground in an explosion that launched him higher for starters, Bakuya pulsing as all the energy of the armor was directed to it.

First it was his boots that returned to normal, his belt and in his back the Divine wings and the shroud followed him. His helmet followed next, revealing that his hair was no longer red but completely white like a cloud, it was even shining like the sun was behind him.

Last was his mask for the rest weren't called from Bellerophon's power.

The mask cracked in half before breaking fully and only Vali could see Shirou's eyes which were carrying a new blaze and shone brightly as the visor and mask fell for only the Vanishing Dragon to see.

A mixture of gold and red that created a color that Humanity never had or was able to have naturally, born from Bellerophon's presence. Eyes that looked like blazing suns.

Not that Vali had time to study Shirou's eyes, all he needed to know from them was Shirou's intent and all they told him was that the Mage of Swords was going for the kill. That was real killing intent and everything that Vali and Albion had left was thrown in the defense.

"Last," softly, just above a whisper, a new Aria was born from the combined efforts of Mage and Mythical mount, their senses became one as Divinity ran freely on Shirou's body, "Stardust."

Time didn't slow down but Shirou's mind, senses and body were so energized by Bellerophon that he had surpassed time or began to perceive things so quickly that even someone like Vali appeared frozen before his eyes.

Before they were moving and fighting down to the millisecond but Shirou went beyond and reached the realm of nanoseconds. He wasn't the first to do it, any that could be called truly strong could even go beyond that, but with Medusa's Gift and Bellerophon's Divinity he had reached a new realm.

And he could move on this elevated state, Bakuya still firm on his hand as he threw the first cut towards the Vanishing Dragon's chest. While the armor was still damaged it managed to resist way more than it should.

Still in his higher state of mind Shirou could make deductions in nanoseconds as well, the limits of the human mind already irrelevant to him thanks to the pegasus' help. Concluding, based on all Ddraig had told him, that it was because of the process of transforming, the Mage shifted gears.

If one single strike wasn't going to give him the victory, what about a thousand?

So the Divine empowered magus began to move again, Bakuya dancing and hitting Vali at speeds that even the hybrid could barely react or perceive. All that the silver haired man could do was try and survive.

Bakuya clashed and collided with many parts of the Scale Mail many times, dozens of them before the first cracks began to appear. Shirou wasn't focusing on a single area but everywhere all at once because even in his new state there was no time to get used to it. Already he could feel his new power slipping through his fingers.

The result was a chaotic mesh of attacks, with no clear direction, Shirou just began to try and cut Vali to pieces with everything he had as fast as he could. It spoke loudly of Albion's natural resistance if an interrupted transformation was capable of even surviving the onslaught for as long as it did.

However surviving was all it could do as while the Original White Dragon Emperor would have already reacted, the current one couldn't. He could only take the hits.

And the hits just kept coming; on his chest, hands, arms, shoulders, legs, head, wings. The last one was important since unlike the rest of his body those 8 bat-like wings had no armor or shields.

Bakuya made quick work of them with every pass, a cut to Vali's stomach also took his lowest left side wing before the white blade pushed up and began to cut another off. Shirou didn't stop there and returned to attack the white armor's left side, the shoulder pad had a huge gash as a scratch appeared on the arm.

Then he moved back to the chest for four slashes in succession before moving forward to the right side and cutting another wing into pieces. They failed to move from his vision with how fast Shirou was. Instead he moved down and got rid of another wing, 6 more remained, including Divine Dividing itself.

The next point of focus was Vali's leg as Shirou hit it on his passing before trying to cut the Vanishing Dragon's waist. There were no sparks, no sound, nothing but the movement and the person moving as the Mage was too fast for anything else.

Nothing but the designs of the Mage of Swords clashing against a dragon.

'How long since I started this?' Shirou managed to wonder as Bakuya moved from waist to head to cut the side of Scale Mail's helmet. He could see gashes and holes but not a single speck of blood. 'It is like…' He failed to find a description.

Higher levels of thought and deliberation seemed to escape him as his body only obeyed his whims for movement and allowed his eyes greater perception; thinking was hard, talking was impossible, breathing was difficult and were not for Bellerophon's Divinity his body would be ripped apart.

So that was all he did, he kept moving, kept attacking, slashing and cutting.

By the time Shirou felt his power waver and began to leave him, he had hit Vali everywhere he could reach. Despite everything he could still see no blood in any point of his armor but he also managed to direct himself enough to cut his devil wings completely.

Time began to run normally for the magus and he knew he had to finish this quickly and win the fight. After calling Bellerophon this completely Shirou knew his body would be screaming once the Divinity was gone and he returned to normal. Already vertigo threatened his perception and he needed to finish Vali off.

Forcing his left arm to move again he grasped Bakuya with both hands for a final overhead slash before his senses returned to normal. He wanted to puke but was too distracted by the Vanishing Dragon suddenly flying to the ground at high speeds. Except he wasn't flying, Vali had been hit too much in a short space of time and the momentum finally became visible.

All witnessed how the White Dragon Emperor went from preparing to unleash his full power to suddenly crashing on the ground so hard that after a small tremor he kept dragging the earth with him until he slowed down naturally.

All Old Satan Faction's army felt horror at the defeat of their champion as they saw how his bright white armor, something that invoked the Original Lucifer on their minds, broke in thousands of pieces during his descent, the Divine Dividing's wings were last remained pieces and even those were cut down and broken on the fall.

But that wasn't the worst of it as they saw how wounded Vali was; his body was completely covered in cuts and every single one of them was bleeding. There was enough blood that a trail marked the ground he had skid on almost as much as the track from his collision itself.

Contrary to his opponent Shirou descended from the sky far more slowly with the last of Bellerophon's power calmly delivering him back to the ground. Clear proof his powers had diminished was that the aura was flickering and that the color of his clothes began to return, the black and red taking over once again.

Gracefully, mostly because the once again redhead wasn't in control, Shirou landed with his feet, taking a second to recover his balance. That lasted until he suddenly crouched with a hand and began to vomit on the side.

'Does the old man feel the same thing when he messes with time?' Technically Shirou knew he was messing with speed and his father's magecraft was another thing but he saw enough parallels to wonder. 'Need to-' Couldn't even finish his train of thought before vomiting again.

Once asked to describe the sensation of immersing himself in Bellerophon's power, Shirou told his friends that it was like exiting the fastest roller coaster on the planet, all fine during the ride but once it was done his stomach began to catch up.

Part of it was because he was not used to working with Bellerophon that much, the cost being too great for him to train much with Last Stardust, another part of it was that the only other two times he reached that level of speed was on training conditions with no anxiety or stress other than trying to save mana.

Comparing it to a real battle, one where Shirou began to use that state in a rush when Vali began the Chant again, was far much harder than in a training environment. Already he could feel his stomach settle down but that didn't change the fact he could only use Bellerophon at full throttle for a few minutes at most.

Slowly the Mage of Swords got up, no one daring to approach as some of Bellerophon's Divinity still remained, giving him a god-like presence. Even weaker he was still intimidating to the average devils, especially after he defeated a hybrid descendant of Lucifer.

As his hair returned to its natural red a small tuft of white remained, the very same that had been created after he saved Fuyuki from its ley line. He took a deep breath and began to walk towards Vali, Bakuya by his side.

However, after a couple of steps, Shirou stopped to look at the fallen Vanishing Dragon. 'It is over.' He thought with certainty upon seeing the rivers of blood leaving Vali. 'I won.' That didn't fill him with any satisfaction but gave him some relief. 'I stopped the war-'

"Rias Gremory… That is how-" Vali opened one of his eyes, the other swallow shut, and coughed some blood much to everyone's surprise. Shirou wasn't the only one that thought he was dead. "That is how you did… that is why you have.. that much mana… Far more than your body-" He coughed more blood that went mixed with how much already was on the ground. "More than your body could ever support. A mana transfer ritual." A bloody grin revealed itself as the magus looked more nervous. "By blood or… Ah, now I remember that you two are in a relationship. Practically married if you are sharing your reserves like that."

Licking his lips to calm himself, Shirou took a couple more steps. "Yes, you are right. I have been sharing mana with Rias for a while now. Without her… I couldn't use Bellerophon and Bakuya to their full potential."

"And in a spar… you wouldn't use her power… only your own. A handicap." Vali was satisfied, too satisfied in Shirou's opinion. "Looks like I was right." He sounded stronger than he should with how wounded he was. "Only in a real fight… a fight where lives are on the line… we can show our real power."

"Except that power wasn't just my own. I wasn't fighting alone."

"Neither was I. Albion saved my life." Vali moved his finger to point at a vein on his neck. "Without his direction most of the power… you would have killed me one hundred times." He leaned forward. "I was right."

That was something Shirou couldn't agree with. "You may have been right but you weren't correct. Look around you!" He waved Bakuya to show the battlefield, the many bodies spread in a once peaceful school. "Was this all worth it? Was everyone that died because you wanted to fight like in a war! Well, there is your war! Dead everywhere!"

Vali lost his smile. "They chose to fight. Picked weapons and laid their lives for their leaders."

"And you think a war is just about those who 'chose to fight'? That not a single innocent won't be in the crossfire?" Shirou scoffed. "So much for not picking on the weak." He glared at the fallen silver haired man who glared right back. "Destruction of their homes, their fields, the starvation, the fear-"

"I would stop all that!"

"-death of family members, their fathers, mothers, sons, daughters." The redhead's glare grew more intense. "Look around you, Vali Lucifer. Every dead here had someone who cared about them, be them a lover, a parent, a child waiting for them at home. Even a friend who just waited for the next day they would drink together." Veins were visible in the scowl on Shirou's face. "What can your power do for them? Can you bring back the dead? Or perhaps you thought only your enemies would die? Only the strong, right?"

"That is how it should be."

"But it isn't! Stop being naive!" Fury, that was an emotion not many saw Shirou present but today he was showing it in spades. "Maybe you think that you could convince your men to not fight, but what about the other side? What if they cared for their leader so much that they were willing to lay their lives for them?"

"Then their leader shouldn't let them." Vali tried to get up but the damage to his heart paralyzed him while the rest of his body fought to not shut down from blood loss. Only the fact he was a True Hybrid kept him conscious. "If they are so beloved then they have to make a stand before their people die."

"And you believe they would abandon someone so loved just because they were told so?"

"That is what they should do! That is how we move forward!" Fury seeped in Vali's voice. "Hiding behind a desk is for cowards and a coward has no place in a position of power!" Dark blue mana surrounded the hybrid as he slowly got up, it managed to stop the blood from leaking but Shirou didn't react, judging it temporary. "And power, power is the only way the world can move! Better to weed down the weak and let the powerful prove they deserve to remain where they are."

Shirou shook his head with disappointment. "Power… Yes, power makes the world move. But even the weak, given enough time, can take down the powerful if they see themselves facing a tyrant." And there were many ways for the weak to stop being such. "But war to show power? You are ignoring everyone that doesn't want it, just to push your selfishness."

"You don't know what you are talking about!" Clearly Vali was offended.

So was Shirou. "That is the truth. You don't even know what a real war is. You have no idea of the darkest impulses that manifest during it." For the Mage of Swords did as his weapons told the tale.

Or tales for even the most glorious Caliburn lost its path sometimes due to bloodlust, for Hrunting hunted those that undeserving of its bite, Caladbolg was lucky since few used it. The Muramasa Shirou saw more than its fair share of conflicts.

All of Humanity's History had plenty of conflicts for a reason or another and as an excellent sword, the Muramasa saw plenty since its creation. Sometimes it was for justice, other times it was for survival, more than once it was just to kill someone else and the reason didn't matter. From its creation to the Meiji to the modern day, a Muramasa was a piece of work that demanded to be used.

If just to fulfill the obsessions of the owner.

"You don't know anything about war. Perhaps you are a genius at fighting but you also know nothing about a real fight." Those words stung Vali's chest more than his wound but Shirou wasn't done. "Without understanding anyone else, you try to force your beliefs on them. I won't have it, not from something as stupid as war for fun."

"Don't you dare to deny my existence!" Vali finally stood but his power was flickering and his stance compromised. He was too wounded and only his will kept him on his feet. "You think this is just for fun? Yes, it is fun! But there is more! It is the only way of finding the truth!"

"What truth?"

"About everything." He said with gritted teeth. A smile came after. "Besides, you can't deny you were having fun too."

After a second, Shirou raised Bakuya and looked at his reflection, gave it a deadpan stare then directed it towards Vali. "You are an idiot."

"Hey, I call how I see them. You like fighting."

"Perhaps if the stakes were not so high, like a war." Shirou didn't mind competition and he couldn't deny he had fun sparing with his friends. However Vali was demanding too much.

"Sure, keep telling yourself that." Vali gave off the most satisfied sigh he could as his body gave out and he fell on his back, struggling to even look at the magus. "But you are also someone looking for a purpose."

Those exact words struck a chord that erased Shirou's scowl. "I take it back, you aren't an idiot."

"Oho." Despite having a foot on the grave, Vali was amused. "Good to know-"

"Instead you are a fool." Shirou shocked any that were making an effort to hear their talk. "A fool instead of an idiot. That is a more fitting title."

"Is there a difference?"

"In my opinion there are many." He looked at Bakuya and approached a few more steps. "Mostly an idiot is an idiot while a fool can be described in one of two ways; someone incapable of learning or someone who refuses to learn." The magus pointed his sword at Vali's eyes. "You are the second, just like Bellerophon."

Chucking, the hybrid asked. "The horse or the man?"

"Cheeky." Yet there was no bite on the Mage's tone, just a deep sadness. "Have you ever heard of his legend? About the man?"

"He tried to become a god, right? Then Zeus crippled him, I think."

"That is the short of it and not incorrect." Shirou felt an immense pity because he started to understand Vali more yet it didn't change what he would have to do. Still he would try and it wasn't like anyone had the guts to interfere. "Bellerophon was born a prince, or at least a noble, legends vary. However everyone agrees that he had everything he could have; prestige, a family, power. No reason to go out on an adventure at all."

Shirou stopped to make sure Vali was paying attention, fully convinced that even bathed in his own blood the hybrid wasn't going to die so easily. Instinctively Vali's magic was stopping most of the bleeding if not all of it. Not that he could fight either way with how much blood he had lost but looking closer Shirou was sure he should be dead.

But he was a True Hybrid so the magus had time for a story. "Yet he was ambitious, not the same ambition of a normal man, oh no. Someone that already had everything and had ambition could only aim to go up. And what is greater than a king? A god."

"Not the first." Vali was engaged and a little more than curious where this conversation was going. "Wasn't the Greek Pantheon famous for collecting mortals and ascending them to godhood? Or turning them into flowers and such."

"Every Pantheon did that now and then but yes, even in that time mortals ascended to gods, Heracles is the most famous exemple but there was also a cupbearer whose name escapes me. He was one of Zeus' lovers." That didn't narrow it down at all and Shirou was too concerned to think of others. "There was also Psyche, wife of Eros, Diomides, one of the many, many, heroes of the Trojan War and so on and on. As you can see, this was a common practice."

Which wasn't uncommon in most Pantheons; sacrifices from the Aztecs became gods themselves to serve their Divinities, the Norse Pantheon raised brave warriors as Einherjars which were recorded as smaller gods even if called just spirits waiting to fight on Ragnarok.

Examples never would be lacking on that topic. "Now Bellerophon wasn't going to demand something like that from his gods, he was a believer and the kind of man that, even if born with everything, wanted to earn something." Shirou tried to find the right words. "He was proud because of his upbringing and smart enough to understand that something like this needed to be earned either by being loved by a god or by doing something great. He had no illusions of the first so he decided to go for the second."

There were no real twists on the beginning of that particular story, no tragedy or any kind. Just ambition and a man that decided to pursue it in the right way.

Most Greek myths were still tragedies. "Credit where credit is due, calling Bellerophon just smart may be underselling it, he wasn't harsh and didn't rush to try and pick a fight with the biggest thing he could find, the First Chimera, that was assaulting the region."

The glare he was giving Vali was enough for the silver haired man to know part of the statement was a dig at him. He wouldn't complain, as the loser of the fight it felt wrong to try, and it didn't bother him that much. Instead the Vanishing Dragon gave Shirou a small grin.

"Without hiding his intentions at all he parted to the closest temple of Athena bearing gifts and a request."

"To tame the pegasus."

A nod showed he was correct. "Yes, he was smart and knew where the pegasus territory was and heard of his power. Who didn't hear of Perseus' mount that was faster than the wind in those days?" For people who lived them it was both an attraction and a chance for fame as many tried to ride the pegasus, both for the novelty and power. "He was quite honest too, telling the goddess word for word of his plan to become a god. His choice of Athena also was well thought out; she is Goddess of Heroes, Wisdom, Knowledge, Strategy and had a reputation for favoring heroes like Odysseus, Achilles and Heracles."

Far and wide those tales spread and all knew who was the goddess who always helped figures as those. Bellerophon didn't need Zeus, King of Gods, but his daughter.

"That was probably his first mistake but we are getting ahead of ourselves." For a moment Shirou wanted somewhere to sit but considering Vali's personality he felt it would be disrespectful. "She gave him reins, golden reins, capable of holding even a creature like a pegasus. Push comes to shove, maybe it could even hold Albion."

Part of him expected the Divide Dividing to return with a furious dragon trying to talk him down or insult him. It didn't happen, couldn't happen. Vali was too weak and Albion cared about his host so the original Vanishing Dragon wasn't going to consume whatever meager reserves they had left.

Shirou just looked at his opponent with more pity. "Anyway, he managed to attract the pegasus, rein him in and went immediately to fight against the First Chimera. They won." Some legends said there was a struggle, others say that he just threw concrete on the lion's mouth of the creature and it suffocated. It wasn't important. "Sounds good enough already, right? Saved a country, killed one of the few great monsters not even Heracles had to deal with. Certainly enough to earn godhood? Perhaps not but Bellerophon didn't ask for it, no instead he went on to live many adventures, defeat armies and even kill more monsters, all with the pegasus by his side." Shirou held Bakuya's blade in his hand to stare at his reflex again. "Sure he made some mistakes along the way, made powerful enemies, but not even once he insulted the gods he wanted to be part of and the only time he killed someone innocent, his own kin, it was an accident."

As far as Greek heroes went, that was an impressive record since some literally had legends that began with said 'accidents' or they didn't care about who they killed. It was a different time and none of that diminished what those heroes did later in life or the penalty that came when deserved.

The Furies chased many wannabe heroes and tyrants, tormenting and crushing them before their stories could begin so only a few, a very selective few compared to how many they took to Hades, were made into Legends.

Yet they didn't chase Bellerophon, either because of the pegasus or because it was a real accident. "So for years and years, with the pegasus by his side, the hero went on dozens of adventures, never being defeated. His mount was the most powerful and he was very cunning." For the man knew how to use the pegasus' full potential. "There was none in Greece and the neighboring lands that could be compared to him. His feats and accomplishments were so many that a king who disliked him saw no other choice but to offer his daughter and kingdom."

Sometimes Shirou wondered how Bellerophon must have felt at that moment. He who rejected simply inheriting the position, had finally earned it even if in another kingdom altogether. The boost on his ego had to be enormous, like he finally had achieved what he set out to do even if he didn't know it.

That was Bellerophon's ruin. "He rejected the crown and the woman, the praise and the pomp. Not because the woman was ugly or the kingdom was poor…"

"Because he wanted to be a god." Vali had relaxed a little even as his wounds burned. He was intrigued by the point of the tale.

"Good, you are still alive and paying attention." To the redhead's lament as his eyes showed sadness. He knew where this was going. "At that point there were no more foes to fight unless he wanted to conquer all of Greece. Hell, unless the gods interfered he could have conquered the whole world." Was Shirou's honest opinion.

As a Divine Beast, only another or gods could compete with the pegasus and at the time most of them were in their Pantheons or hidden from the world. Sure most gods would fight the moment that an invasion properly began but the damage would already have been done and a war would start.

"But Bellerophon didn't want that either, not conquest or at least not war, he wanted godhood and believed that after all he did, he had earned it." His eyes looked even sadder. "Of course Athena didn't warn him, he didn't bother to ask. In the end he grew arrogant and decided to fly to Olympus and claim his 'rightful' place." His sarcasm was dry and it was more depressing than anything. "Instead of sending Hermes to give a proper warning, have Athena stop one of her champions or go himself, Zeus sent a small bee, the tiniest creature possible." He chuckled with some irritation. "Or impossible. Such a small little thing that had no place in the altitudes of a mountain or at the speed Bellerophon was moving yet it was there all the same. Divine intervention at its finest."

After his travel to Greece, meeting Medusa more specifically, he took his time to study as much as he could about the Greek Pantheon and the shenanigans Zeus was capable of. Taking everything in he would judge them worthy of a comedy if it didn't end with people suffering most of the time.

It was hard for Shirou to describe how he felt about the Chief God of the Greek Pantheon but he was sure of one thing; if he ever had the opportunity he was going to punch Zeus in the face, repeatedly, with gusto.

"So to recap. Bellerophon, after receiving the endorsement of Athena, faced many challenges and saved many people, tried to ascend to Olympus. Zeus didn't like that and sent a bee, or a wasp depending on the version you read but someone told me it was definitely a bee, to sting the pegasus and send his ride to an early demise." Shirou shrugged dramatically. "In the end, the pegasus kept going up, while his ride went down. Funnily enough, despite the speed and the altitude, Bellerophon survived. How? Divine intervention again? Or maybe that is the only part that is really a legend. Funny thing is, I like this part."

"The part where a man was crippled for life and went looking for his horse until he died in poverty? That part?" Vali was shocked and rightfully so, pain forgotten. "If you haven't been calling your pegasus' name… the whole fight I would say you are trying to teach me a lesson." While he wouldn't complain about it, Vali couldn't help but be offended.

"Yes, that part. You want to know why?" Shirou waited for a nod. "Because he was a fool." The surprise just couldn't leave Vali's face. "Think about it this way, why was he still looking for the pegasus at the end of his life? Remember that Bellerophon defeated every challenge of his time, could have been crowned king, married, lived a happy life. Sure the pegasus was gone but he earned all that already and many of his allies wouldn't have forgotten about his help. If he wanted, what was stopping him from retiring then? To stop his search and settle somewhere, maybe not as a king or a god but as a hero?" During his tirade Shirou looked a little excited but soon the sadness and pity returned to his eyes. "Because he wanted to try again."

"What?" Confused but intrigued, that was all Vali could utter.

"He wanted to try again, to prove himself, to be a god. A real fool, not unable to learn but refusing to learn if the result wasn't the one he wanted." Shirou raised his sword. "You are like him. Like me, a stubborn fool. Usually that isn't a bad thing but what you want is literally leading you to death." Bakuya was close to Vali's eyes and with a single movement Shirou could either blind or kill him. "A hero that doesn't give up, that did the work and fell because the gods couldn't just send a messenger. Was it arrogance or pride that brought Bellerophon's fall? I don't know. All that I know was that he didn't quit and while he died crippled and poor I believe if he had found the pegasus again he would get right back to the saddle and try again until he either succeeded or died. A fool."

"Hehe. You don't like my way of living."

"I made that clear plenty of times."

"But it is my choice… like Bellerophon's was his." Vali chuckled, closing his eyes for a few seconds. When he opened them, Shirou saw the determination of his gaze. "So you better finish this fight properly or else I will make sure you live to regret it."

That was as bad a sign as any for the Mage. "And you are fine dying like this? In front of this many people? Defeated by a mere human?"

"Heh, don't try to sell yourself short… I fought … gave everything I had… and I lost. Sure you stopped me from using Juggernaut Drive-"

"That is more of a 'you' problem since you didn't put up a proper defense." Shirou shot back, hoping to break Vali's train of thought, to give him a reason to live.

Because while he was naive Vali was a good man. Extremely naive in Shirou's own opinion, that to be sure, but didn't change the fact he only wanted to fight to prove himself, to have himself seen.

Even if the kill was justified in the middle of combat, now it wasn't as simple as Vali was on his back, defeated despite not surrendering and Shirou knew he wouldn't, not if that meant living out of mercy.

He would hate Shirou forever if the Mage spared him. The hybrid would see it as the magus denying his existence by sparing it, an vile action which could earn him an eternal enemy who wouldn't stop until he was put down for good.

No, Shirou didn't want to kill Vali anymore, for they both were fools of a different lot..

The worst part was that Vali was already smiling at his own death. "Fair enough… Then again… I never expected anyone to throw themselves… at an increasingly powerful dragon or to be faster than I… could react." He tried to shrug but failed and his shoulder bled. Still he looked stronger for some reason. "But unusual tactics are supposed to be expected from the Magus Killer's Son…" The smile on the Vanishing Dragon's face was a happy one. "I came prepared… you came even more prepared… and I lost. I may never become the strongest but this… I am fine with this." He raised his head, showing his neck. "Do it. If you kill me now, that will only benefit the New Satan Faction so you have no reason to not to."

Vali was right since there were plenty of witnesses and the tale of a human beating the descendant of Lucifer would weaken any claim the Old Satan Faction had about their superiority.

Once he was known as Rias' lover, or even as just her magician, that would also increase the Gremory's Clan position which would in turn strengthen Sirzechs' position. All that combined may be enough to break any dissident in the Underworld, perhaps even nullify any threat the Old Satan Faction could impose.

"Didn't you want to be the strongest? Are you already giving up?" Shirou didn't want to kill Vali. He was a naive fool but not evil and so the redhead found himself hesitating. "You can't be the strongest if you are dead."

"Can't be the strongest if people let me be the 'strongest'." Vali spit some blood at the end of the sentence. "If I could escape, I would. If I could fight, I would. But I lost… Completely." His smile began to fill with malice. "Don't you dare to let me escape, Emiya. Do so and I will make your life a living hell."

A promise he would keep with all his strength, he would escape any trap, any prison, any castle or fortress or whatever place they put him in just to get revenge over the shame of living.

For a second Shirou could imagine a distant future where Vali didn't give any warnings or challenges, he just unleashed Albion's full power in the middle of Fuyuki and began to destroy everything just to get back at Shirou.

In the present Vali wouldn't do such a thing but if Shirou dared to stomp on what he considered a satisfactory outcome even if not ideal.

Steeling himself, Shirou knew sparing Vali's life would be a mistake. "Very well. If this is how you wish to validate your existence," Bakuya was raised above Shirou's head with a single arm, "then I shall reaffirm it with its end."

While Shirou was resolute there was a deep sadness in him.

While Vali was close to death all he felt was satisfaction.

Bakuya moved, gravity doing most of the work as Shirou was too weak. He had plenty of mana left thanks to Rias but the fact was that his body was on its limit.

Perhaps because of that he couldn't notice when another blade with tones of red appeared from nowhere and intercepted Bakuya. There was a pause that made Shirou think time had stopped as he examined the sword that was floating right in front of his face.

Except it wasn't as he could see a pair of hands holding it. 'A woman?' Shirou was so surprised by the sudden event that he didn't even fight when the mysterious sword pushed him back.

Really he couldn't fight back even if he wanted, he could barely feel his muscles and his movements were sluggish. Since his stamina was that low, Ki was also out so the new arrival had no issues sending him away.

And that was all she did and she was even delicatated about it, bashing Bakuya as gently as a flower when hit by a breeze and then using her weapon to force him take a few steps back just as kindly.

Shirou was surprised by the demonstration of skill as he didn't feel any hostile intent or forcefulness on the maneuver. It was so gentle in fact that the redhead felt that the person was trying to help him walk away instead of attacking in any way.

His world became a blur when someone flew and picked him up, depositing him a few meters away from Vali and his savior. "Sorry but I can't stand doing nothing anymore." Michael finally stepped on the battlefield, a calm but resolute expression on his face. "Besides, you neutralized the main threat. Good job, Mage of Swords."

The title snapped Shirou back to reality. "Please not you too."

Michael blinked in surprise and spared the redhead a glance. "Don't you magi like titles like that? I heard that your kind tends to kill for it."

"But I don't!" Shirou felt Bakuya go as he almost fell on his face only for the Seraph to help him.

"Don't worry. You fought for us, allow me to fight for you." There would be no protesting as the magus had to admit he was too tired to even try.

On the other side of the battlefield, someone voiced a particular protest. "What the hell, Ria?!"

The woman's form was revealed as her hood became visible with a dark purple color as she turned. "Vali, you lost the right to complaint with what you just tried to pull." Her voice was passionate and furious. "To threaten someone like that after losing a fight… That was cowardly."

"We were just finishing the fight properly-" When Vali tried to get up, ignoring his many wounds, he felt a small delicate hand hold him down. "What the-" He looked left to see a transparent form taking shape to reveal a girl glaring at him. "Le Fay?"

"You should stop moving or else you are going to make things worse." The girl's hood fell from her head revealing her blonde hair as she messed around until she retrieved a vial with a blue liquid. "This will hurt a bit."

"No, wait, the fight- aaaaaooooow!" The True Hybrid, Vanishing Dragon, Vali Lucifer, started to scream and cry as the potion spread on his chest and began to close some wounds. "You used one of those that hurt on purpose!"

Le Fay shook her head with an innocent smile. "Don't be silly. This is just one of those that works better." Then in a flawless motion she pulled another vial and shoved it on Vali's mouth before he could call off her lie. "Now drink, drink. You lost a lot of blood and we need to start getting it back."

"I am pretty sure you had one of the more harmless potions on you, Fay." A disembodied voice spoke from the side, clearly male. Vali looked at its direction with a frown and he chuckled before revealing itself. "After losing so completely, I don't think Vali needed to rub the magical equivalent of salt on his wounds."

A tall man revealed himself and the first woman, identified as Ria, scoffed under her hood. "He deserves it." She was more than upset and her younger sibling nodded in agreement.

Vali couldn't take it anymore and ripped the empty vial off his mouth. "Yeah, I lost, I accept that. But Emiya Shirou still needs to finish me off so it is official." He turned to look at the redhead who was being helped by the Seraph. "Get back here, Emiya! Our fight isn't over until you take my head!"

"Tsk, why are you in such a rush to die? Especially after Ria saved you?" The man folded his arms and shook his head.

"Shove it, Arthur! I didn't ask to be saved! I lost, fair and square!" Vali complained and Michael, upon hearing the name, quickly placed Shirou on the ground and began to approach.

He was mostly ignored by the woman with the sword who planted her weapon on the ground. Even with her eyes covered, all knew she was glaring at the White Dragon Emperor.

"Since when can the loser demand anything from the winner?" She called him off and Vali turned to her with some shame. "And using such underhanded tactics too. I am disappointed in you, Vali. Really disappointed." Ria turned back, ignoring the angel who had stopped a few steps away from them and looking at Shirou. "Sorry about him. He was bluffing about tormenting you to have a 'perfect fight'."

"Hey, Ria-"

"Forget about killing him if you don't want to." All eyes turned to Shirou who was surprised but recovered quickly.

"Sure, thank you for saying… and for stopping me. Can't believe that I fell for a bluff." The redhead scratched his neck, his muscles were hurting. "I mean, damn it, tried so hard to kill him during the fight but when he just demanded to die like that…"

"You hesitated because despite being an idiot, Vali is a good person." Ria nodded in understanding, obviously used to similar situations happening.

"Oi!"

"Just a really big idiot." Le Fay added with a giggle and Shirou couldn't help but think her face was somehow familiar. "A dumb dumb."

"Yes, Fay, a dumb dumb." The taller woman nodded in constant agreement. "Forcing people to do things they don't like. And after losing like that."

"Can you all shut up? He won. Killing me is part of- Ow my lord stop it, Fay!"

After blue vial was poured on the wounds of his back. Some closed, most didn't. "Needs healing, healing~" Le Fay sang a little as Vali noticed she retrieved green potions, those which wouldn't burn him.

However they all knew those had its limitations and even big dosages wouldn't heal him completely, he needed special treatment for that.

They had to leave and it wouldn't be simple. "I believe we ignored the angel present for far too long, sisters." The man stepped forward, removing his hood to reveal a handsome face. "Greetings, Michael of Heaven, I am Arthur Pendragon. I suppose my family must have spoken of me."

"Yes, the heir of the family that left with priceless Artifacts with her siblings to chase his love." Usually those kinds of stories would make Michael smile. Their affiliation with Vali soured his mood. "The girls are your sisters?"

"Correct." Was the clear response as Ria retrieved her sword to step back and allow her brother to take over.

Michael turned his head to check on something in the distance. It was still there. "Did you come here for Caliburn?"

If the names weren't a good enough clue, mentioning Caliburn was and once again Shirou paid attention to the trio. Or better yet, the only sword visible.

He knew it, for how could he not? Intimately even as he was the one who restored the original sword even if incomplete or at least missing its true final piece.

Now it was before him. "Caliburn Ruler."

The woman with the sword tilted her head, revealing a beautiful smile. "I suppose that is the correct name, all things considered." Once again Shirou was hit by a sense of familiarity that disappeared once the girl bowed. "Thank you for fixing Caliburn." A moment of silence came and the girl grew conscious of her position, turning to her brother. "This is how you thank people in Japan, right?"

"I think you can rise now. The Mage certainly must think so with how he is blushing."

'I am?' At Arthur's words, Shirou found himself caught off guard as he tried to peek under the hood. 'Why is she so… familiar?'

With a nod Ria straightened her spine and turned to Michael. "I apologize for the inconvenience, Lord Michael. We just came here to see Caliburn but I didn't agree with what Vali was doing." She turned to give the silver haired hybrid a glare he shot right back.

Before the White Dragon Emperor could say anything else another red potion was shoved in his throat. "You made my sister mad." Le Fay wasn't even hiding her hostility anymore either.

Arthur chuckled before focusing on Michael again, he could read all over the angel's face that he wasn't in a good mood. "We came just to check Caliburn since none of us feel particularly worthy considering we left the main family." The two sisters nodded at their older brother's words. "Despite one Fragment being missing, I am glad to see the blade of our ancestor restored. You also have my thanks."

Mostly Shirou ignored Arthur, his eyes on Ria. "It was nothing but since we are talking about Fragments…"

The hooded girl played with her sword a little before resting it on her shoulder. "Sorry but until I find a better sword I can't give this one up. Hope you don't mind."

"It was just an idea-"

"An excellent one." Michael interrupted with a dry look. "While another sword can be found somewhere else, allowing Caliburn to remain in the hands of someone with the Khaos Brigade is… far from ideal."

Ria took a step forward with intent but Arthur raised an arm and stopped his sister. "Better in my hands than in some of the Church."

"I don't disagree." Michael's reply surprised the siblings but the Seraph wasn't joking. "Instead it should be combined with the other Fragments."

"I would need another sword." Because Ria wasn't exactly against the idea.

"No you wouldn't. Not after your crimes." Michael added suddenly. "While I won't say anything about your deeds to your family, former alliances or not, you are helping a confessed member of the Khaos Brigade, one that thwarted a peace meeting."

Vali nodded in agreement. "Hey, I don't mind if Shirou takes my head now, it would be fair and square." Then he smiled impishly. "Then again, if my allies spring me away, we can have another match in the future."

"He also won't be bothering your Factions anytime soon." Arthur added much to Vali's irritation. "Believe me when I say my sister took real offense to his actions and until Vali repents, she isn't going to let him do as he pleases."

"To shame a duel like that with such a cowardly demand."

"He won-"

"I won't have it!"

"Neither will I." Michael spoke loudly, his wings open and his power flowing. "Do you think I don't know the kinds of treasures you three stole? The Journals of Morgan, obviously Caliburn Ruler," his gaze grew dark with suspicion and caution, "the cube."

"We call him Add." Arthur commented offhandedly but respectfully. "Did you know he had a personality? That he was alive, in a sense?" A raised eyebrow was all the reply he received. "No? Then do you have any idea what they planned to do with him?"

"Hard to believe in the words of someone that joined a terrorist organization." Michael spoke coldly but didn't act.

Arthur took it as a sign he was willing to listen. "They planned to use us to bring our ancestor back by using the power of the spear." Michael grew pale. "Glady to see you didn't know about it."

"That is impossible. Bringing her back with… No, the spirit of the goddess would take over any vessel first-"

"Unless the vessel had the right blood, disposition and upbring." Arthur interrupted with disdain. "You have my word that whatever I will use Rhongomyniad for, it won't be for such an abominable thing to mold a soul into someone else's."

Both blondes stood there, staring at each other as the Acting God judged the merits of the young man's words. Despite being beneath a gaze that had seen the birth and death of stars Arthur didn't bend or flinch. He stared right back at the Seraph who he felt was looking directly at his soul.

In time Michael let out a sigh. "It seems all the Pendragon line lost their way." So sad was the angel, so mournful, that one would think he had lost his best friend. Then his gaze turned hard again. "However their intentions, as evil as they were, don't give your own merit. Return the Noble Phantasm, the sword, and the journals and I will allow you all to leave unmolested." His eyes turned to Vali. "My nephew will stay."

Ria shook her head. "Negotiations have broken down." She prepared her sword but her brother didn't react.

"Do you think you can face me, child?" Michael asked calmly with real curiosity. "Have you already reached the realm few can trend? Can you already extinguish a mountain with a swing of your blade?" His Light grew more intense as the pressure began to rise. "If so, come and face me. If not, know that I will try and spare your life regardless. I hate harming the young."

"That won't be necessary." Arthur looked at Shirou with a confidence that shouldn't be possible with someone like Michael in the vicinity. "Your sister is really a talented magus," from his robes a light brighter than Michael's was revealed to be resting on the man's hand, "nobody felt the mana when I began to open the seals."

With those words Michael opened his wings to protect Shirou and created a barrier around them. "You are bluffing." He hoped it was some kind of trick.

It wasn't. "3 are already open." When Michael began to gather Light in his hand, Arthur whispered. "Palamedes."

Despite being a whisper it was like all Kuoh had gone silent to hear it as the light on his hand grew brighter and a huge lance of golden light, the kind used in jousting, took shape on the young man's hand.

It pulsed and transformed into a lance of a metal that couldn't ever be reproduced by man. A giant weapon that towered over its owner at least twice over and had more power than anything anyone present had ever seen.

Just gazing on it had Shirou screaming and covering his eyes, much to everyone's shock. 'What was that?!' His mind struggled to process the existence as Michael, the Pendragon siblings and even Vali watched his reaction with worry. "What kind of weapon…" He managed to say, avoiding looking at it directly.

"Brother, pull back, he is bleeding." Ria noticed the bleeding nose that Shirou suddenly had and for a moment Arthur looked ready to do just that.

Only for Michael to step in front of the Mage. "This is a Divine Construct, a Noble Phantasm so powerful that it can reshape the world, Rhongomyniad. Originally a Tower, a Lance is easier to use." Arthur explained to the Mage before turning to his sister. "And while Michael is around, I can't put it down, not until I have secured our retreat." He looked back at the angel. "With the spear already unleashed, even your attacks will fail to reach us easily. If we fight, everyone here will die." It was his turn to offer a dark gaze to his opposition. "Your move, Seraph."

Just from that Michael knew he was beat. "Allowing you to leave with such a dangerous Noble Phantasm isn't something that I like but the fact you can break 4 Restrictions of the Round Table is concerning enough."

Yet the question remained if Arthur could really break more of the seals or not. If so then Arthur's words were not a bluff but a warning that Michael couldn't dismiss for one second. Sure many would die if too much power was unleashed but the thing was that depended on how much power Arthur could access at once.

But if he could access that much power, even if Rhongomyniad still had seals to be broken, then all of the three Factions army and the Old Satan Faction army, combined with most of Fuyuki would die.

Worse yet, Michael knew he could win in this situation because even if Arthur could open more seals he couldn't use Rhongomyniad's full potential. The Seraph could act but it would cost too many lives.

"Very well." Michael was cornered and they knew it. "You may go, but only the four of you." Slowly the Light in his hands began to take shape, his power rising to ridiculous proportions as he slowly turned to the Old Satan Faction army. "They are staying."

A sword of Light took shape and it was brighter than any weapon used that day, brighter than Rhongomyniad for certain despite how powerful the lance felt. Immeasurable power without a rival began to pour from Michael as the army of devils fell to the earth. It was like their spirits were being crushed by just the man showing what he had.

And they knew there was no more hope of winning as there were no commanders or leaders for the Old Satan Faction to step forward and even if they had they would have no chance of winning unless they had Ophis' power.

Because that power was greater than Katerea's, even greater than Azazel's. Despite being made of Light it was obviously a two handed sword that the man could easily hold in one hand and its Light was unlike any other.

Michael, the Seraph, Acting God, had absolute control of his power and he showed it since people around him were still breathing. Yet the Light around the sword wasn't material or uniform, it moved constantly in waves like a flame.

A flame of Holy Light so powerful that all devils, even Michael's allies, felt a sense of dread.

It was so strong that despair began to take root in the army of devils and they turned to Arthur, a human, for salvation.

"Deal." It would never come as Arthur didn't care about them.

And any hope of Vali interfering on their behalf died when the hybrid stood up casually and offered a smile. "Then we will get going." Such words made the army look at him in horror. "Shame we couldn't finish our fight properly, right Shirou?"

The redhead glared at the silver haired man but someone did him a favor by hitting his side. "If you accepted being captured like a man, the fight would have ended properly."

"Ria, don't do that. Healing him will be harder if he has more broken bones." Yet Le Fay just smiled, not even attempting to stop her sister.

Vali nursered the new wound. "If we consider that I own him one, will you drop it?" The woman tilted her head beneath the hood before nodding eagerly. "Right. Shirou, I promise on my defeat to not attack any leader of your Faction until I get a fair win." The redhead was too surprised to respond but the Vanishing Dragon wasn't looking at him. "Happy?"

"Very." Her tone was so amused and melodic that it caught Shirou's full attention. He really wanted to peek under that hood and he didn't know why.

"Then leave already." Michael didn't doubt the Pendragon siblings had some sort of escape route prepared.

"Altria, it is your turn." Arthur called and his sister nodded, Caliburn Ruler glowed with mana.

She held the sword with two hands and in front of her face vertically as teal mana began to cover it until it turned bright gold. "Distort the spell, Ruler!" With that call she took a swing and the boundary field shook.

It wasn't that she was aiming at but the area around Vali and her siblings as the effects of the boundary field became visible and then were cut down by the ability of the sword, an ability that Shirou's Reality Marble had already confirmed.

Caliburn Ruler, the Strongest Fragment, had the power to Rule anything at a cost of mana that varies depending on the target, be a person, objects or, like in this case, a spell even if bonded and sustained by a boundary field.

And its effects were really distorted as the area they were in lost any and all mana connected to the boundary field, its effects disappearing even if it wasn't affected.

But the cost wasn't small, especially against a boundary field of this kind that was sustained by a ley line and the girl stumbled a little before recovering her balance, suddenly tired. Didn't change the fact that Shirou and Michael were really impressed with how much mana she has to be successful at disrupting the boundary field and staying conscious.

Then she removed her hood and Shirou felt a punch on the gut upon seeing the face.

The hair color was wrong but it didn't matter because while the other two siblings looked like the person he admired, the girl was a perfect reflection down to the smile of satisfaction as her hand moved to clean up the sweat on her forehead.

"Arturia Pendragon." At Shirou's words Michael's eyes grew wide as he also recognized the face, the girl turning to the redhead with a curious look.

Arthur glared at both of them for how they were looking at his sister. "Le Fay-"

"Already on it." She moved her hands a few times and the area around the quartet began to glow in a bright light. "All aboard, the train is about to leave the station."

"This generation of Pendragons is really a dangerous one." Michael watched powerless as the escape began and Arthur kept Rhongomyniad ready for anything.

One devil lost his nerve at the opportunity of escaping and flew max speed towards the area of teleportation.

Before he couldn't even get close he was already ash as Michael took a swing with his sword. The combination of his Holy Light and the immense power in the weapon was enough that the devil felt no pain or even knew what happened.

He just died, his body erased with little to no trace left as the wind took him.

It was a warning to all devils that remained that Michael was furious even if it was not visible from his face. Instead it was blank, neutral, completely devoid of emotions as the Seraph's eyes never left Arthur's.

But while the two blondes' confronted each other a pair of emerald eyes met gold with curiosity and intrigue. "My name is Altria Pendragon." She introduced herself respectfully even if she didn't know why. Something was calling her in Shirou's eyes and for a moment she blushed before smiling. "I hope to see you again, Mage of Swords."

"Same." Was all he could say even if the shock had not worn off. Instead he wanted to protest at the name and call her Arturia as something in his soul demanded he acknowledge her as. 'Is that you, Avalon?'

Bellerophon replied in confusion but the redhead chose to stay silent as the girl left with her siblings, Le Fay also looking at him with curiosity as Vali just smiled.

Until they left Arthur had Rhongomyniad prepared and with its departure only Michael's sword remained to give the world Light.

A Light full of fury and disappointment with himself as the Acting God felt the weight of his failure. "I have grown complacent in peace." He admitted for only Shirou to hear, chastising himself for letting Vali and Rhongomyniad slip from his fingers. Then he smiled. "Yet a part of me would have it no other way." For the alternative was war and unfortunately the warrior was needed once more as he turned to the devils of the Old Satan Faction. "Surrender or die."

It was so sudden of a shift that most people in Kuoh felt like they were hit by a train. Michael's glace at the enemy army looked dismissive, completely and utterly uninterested. Yet they knew very well that they had all of his attention, every single bit despite him not moving from his position as his sword arm lowered after the attack.

Once the Old Satan army was brave and ready to die for their beliefs yet the events of the day battered their morale into an unrecognizable pulp. Their leaders were defeated, one rather easily, the other after a hard fight, and had escaped, letting them fend for themselves.

Some still held the loyalty necessary to raise their weapons and stand against their enemy, their oldest enemy once his Father had perished.

But their courage was tested once again when Michael moved to stand between them, Shirou and the school building. He didn't teleport or move too fast for anyone to lose him from sight.

No, he just calmly repositioned himself with only his sword out to prove he was ready for a fight.

Some devils took it as a sign of weakness and prepared magic circles or their own weapons which made the fallen angels and devils on the other side react similarly. Michael may not be their leader but after all that happened they knew what it was at stake and were ready to reinforce the angel.

What they all forgot was that before them wasn't any angel and even if his posture was calm and he only had one weapon, they were ignoring the power around him because of his appealing appearance and usually subdued demeanor.

He always looked sad, even at this moment with a blade made with the strongest Light he still didn't look intimidating.

Except this time he wasn't sad, he was cold.

"Surrender or die." The Seraph repeated and the air shook with his voice.

There was no spike of power, opening of his wings, shift on his Light or even his face which still held no emotion. His usual sadness was gone, his kindness was gone, there was only apathy.

"Surrender or die." No magic or power was pushed and yet every single devil from the Old Satan Faction heard it clearly. It wasn't a threat, it was a promise. "Surrender or die."

A heartbeat passed and many of the devils began to shake and look around uncertainty. These were the zealots, the fanatics, those sent on a suicidal mission to guarantee at least one blow against their leaders enemies.

And they were afraid.

It was obvious that plenty of them were losing heart but none let go of their magic or weapons, some even began to fly high and position themselves for what could only be the last fight of their lives.

"Surrender or die." This time when Michael spoke, Shirou didn't see the gentle angel he grew used to in the last few hours.

What he saw was a much taller figure made of Light that could easily outshine the sun. After blinking once the image of the Seraph had returned even if a great power now surrounded him.

There was also a chime in the back of his mind, a type of compulsion born from Michael's words that reminded him of Medusa's Charm but on a far greater scale and of a completely different variety.

It reminded him when Vali was extending Albion's aura, a demand for submission but directed in another form. 'Devotion. This power demands absolute devotion.' Shirou blinked again and the sensation was gone, his soul refusing the call. Then he looked at the devils and couldn't stop from thinking sarcastically. 'That is plenty like God.'

Because plenty of the fanatics had lowered their heads, their weapons, extinguished their magic and bent the knee. Most of them had looks of despair and denial while a few showed relief and resignation.

For those were the ones that had doubts, fears and wished to live. They weren't fanatics any longer but men who didn't want to die and Michael presented them with an insurmountable wall, a perfect excuse to lower their weapons.

Many of those would never fully know if it was their fear or the Seraph's presence that made them surrender but surrender they did. Like Medusa's Charm, Michael's presence worked by imposing on the weak of mind or working with what was already there. Fear was easier to use but to the Acting God it could also have been devotion, faith or even hope.

Some of those emotions the devils had in spades, especially fear. Michael was the equivalent of the boogeyman or at least His right hand man and they all knew of him. Add that previous knowledge to the power the Seraph was showing and the fear just consumed most of the army.

Most, not all and by the sigh that escaped Michael's lips he wasn't surprised that there was still a fight to be had. "That is your choice?"

There were less than a hundred devils combat ready and still willing to fight, they had magic circles and not much. Willing but not powerful. Not a single one of them could be considered High Class, in fact any of Rias' Peerage was already stronger than any of these soldiers.

Comparing them to Michael wasn't just unfair, it was pointless. Even they knew there was no chance of winning this fight. Only a miracle could change such an outcome but these were devils.

Devils that believed that anything coming from God, or any god for that matter, was wrong or for the weak.

All they had was a dark hope that one of their attacks would make some sort of difference, just one, and not about the fight or at least this fight.

These were the men absolutely loyal to their leaders, their kings, their Maous. For them they were going to throw away their lives for the sake of weakening Michael with some sort of wound.

A dark hope that even if they couldn't win they could maim the angel enough that one day they would be avenged. Anything else was useless to consider because one way or another they were going to die.

Michael knew that and his sadness only grew as he raised his sword and moved it to his other shoulder, ready to cut anything. "So you have chosen."

Nothing else needed to be said as the devils charged as one with a wordless cry, not for victory but to inflict a wound, a debilitating wound that one day could help bring down the Greatest of Angels.

Magic exploded as demonic energy flew in Michael's direction as they threw their very lives on that final charge.

Until Michael took a swing with his flaming sword and they all died.

It happened fast both due to Michael's power and to his mercy as he didn't wish to extend their suffering. Flames of Light left the sword in a wave that consumed all the attackers and only them. For the devils that landed and surrendered there was no harm but the horror of watching their comrades be atomized.

After this act Michael looked down, his sword relaxed by his side but still existent. He waited to see if any of the devils would try and raise arms after their comrades demise. All the while he kept his weapon at ready and his power elevated with golden wings fully open in all their glory.

More emotions crossed the former Old Satan army, the fear was still prominent but there was another emotion taking over. An emotion that one shouldn't expect of a devil.

They knelt, their heads touching the ground to show total submission to a superior being, an existence far more powerful than them. Total and complete, they didn't dare to raise and wouldn't do so until ordered otherwise or dragged to their feet when they were thrown in a prison of some kind.

For they weren't just afraid of Michael, both Seraph and Mage could see clearly as they were the only ones close enough to tell the emotion of most of the devils' faces; Admiration.

Shirou couldn't believe what he was seeing and a part of him felt sick as those men had just witnessed their friends, colleagues, comrades deaths and instead of feeling anger or hatred of some kind they could only admire their destroyer.

Unlike Shirou who was surprised by the event, Michael knew it was coming and his sadness returned in full force. In reality it was even worse but the perfection of his face literally stopped people from noticing how much he was suffering.

Contrary to that his attitude remained the same as he let his sword vanish and waited for his allies to come and collect the defeated army who would be escorted to the Underworld for trials and rehabilitation if possible.

Despite the Seraph's power being contained once again by his fair form, not a single devil from the Old Satan Faction made eye contact. Even when collected and escorted they refused to meet his gaze or even direct words at him of either gratitude or hatred.

Instead they silently marched when they were told and as soon as they were completely disarmed. When it was considered safe the boundary field was brought down so they all could be teleported.

It was already night, the real night, in Fuyuki and it was clear that Michael would just sign whatever needed to be signed and depart because Shirou recognized a defeated man when he saw one.

'He really hates being acting as God.' Shirou realized as his friends rushed to him but he just watched the Seraph with pity.

Because while he wasn't God, he was god-like and hated himself for it.

…..

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