"There. All set."
With these three words, everything was set in stone to Reines's standard. A smug grin plastered itself over her face, and she couldn't help nodding several times in self praise. The way her baby blues danced with a sadistic sort of mirth wasn't lost on Waver's eyes, causing the stalwart yet grouchy looking man to gnash his teeth, the hairs of his brown dog ears raising.
Yes. Dog ears.
In contrast, Reines had cat ears; the result of which had the ends of her mouth stretching thin in soundless mirth.
This was the product of the transmogrification spell that Reines had just activated and Waver had set up. What was more ironic was that Reines hadn't had anything in mind when she activated the runes of the magic circle beneath her feet.
All Reines had cared about was blending in with the Demi-Humans in order to properly talk terms. Appearances didn't really matter, but she had to say, she was endlessly pleased with the result.
Waver grumbled darkly, but didn't dare raise his voice while Reines twirled around him in order to get a good view of the scowl on his face.
Truly an entertaining sight.
"What's wrong big brother? The ears suit you. I have to say, even the mysteries of our Association's crafts seem to understand your position perhaps even better than I? What say you stop being so stubborn and accept reality?"
'That I'm the dog in this relationship?'
Waver's brow twitched violently, choosing to forcibly change the subject. "Are we going or not? Look Emiya's already running off. Better go now before he takes all the credit and ruins your plans for a good first-impression."
On this note, Reines's expression suddenly fell. She'd been too self-satisfied at the irony of the transmogrify spell that she'd neglected to pay attention to when Shirou had left.
"Curses, why is this man so hard to handle? What part of the implied 'I'm the superior' does he not understand?" Reines muttered under her breath. "I call the shots here," she huffed indignantly.
"He's reached the soldiers," Waver kindly reminded Reines that she was again taking too long.
In the distance, Shirou was seconds away from joining the fray, and considering his combat-oriented Tracing, he called it? Whatever. He was good at combat so nothing beneficial to House Elmelloi would happen if she allowed him to take the spotlight and intervene now.
Reines clicked her tongue. "Trimmao, kill them hurry!" She ordered.
The silver liquid mercury doll known as Trimmao accepted her creator's orders. "By your will, Lady Reines."
Under the watchful eyes of the Demi-Human alliance, and to the horror of the battered Empire Legion, the colours of Trimmao's clothing began to fade until only a faceless silver figure could be seen. Thereafter, tiny spheres rippled on the figure's surface before thrown outward in clusters.
Shirou who had just reached the Demi-Human Alliance members could only watch stiffly as dozens of these small spheres abruptly exploded into sharp thread-like webs that skewered through all defence.
A macabre scene of corpses was the only result, many suspended by blood-soaked fibers which quickly retracted, pooled back into spheres, and then collected back onto Trimmao.
It was over in instant.
Like Reines had explained, she was only prolonging the fight in order to give a sense of crisis to increase her bargaining power. Ordinary humans, especially using outdated weaponry posed no threat to magecraft.
Like Reines's first encounter with an Empire Legion, Trimmao slaughtered them.
Shirou couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath while surveying the carnage. He didn't exactly join in on the cheering.
He'd been informed of what sort of people the citizens and armies of the Empire were like, but if it were possible to just knock them unconscious and keep them as prisoners of war, he'd rather do that then murder them all.
"I hope you remember Emiya, but do stop running off on your own," Reines called out.
She and Waver who trailed behind her lethargically quickly became the focus of attention when Trimmao appeared next to them and bowed her head lowly.
"I'll keep it in mind," Shirou said wearily. He wouldn't promise something that he may not be able to fulfill.
Reines narrowed her eyes, but didn't say anything else for the time being as it seemed like he wasn't going to argue.
In any case, now that the immediate danger was neutralized, Shirou was more concerned about another matter.
The way Tuka and Caila were looking at his pointed elf ears felt oddly unnerving while they whispered to each other in hushed tones that ended with the two staring at him for even longer.
Yes, indeed.
Unlike Waver and Reines who got a variant of animal ears, the transmogrify spell had given him elf ears, and if he was hearing right, an 'elflike disposition' that had the two other elves stammering.
This change likely had something to do with the matter with the elder tree of the elven village, but he couldn't afford to dwell on it for long.
Not now. He decided.
He moved towards Reines to hear what she was discussing with the members of the Demi-Human Alliance who welcomed their fellow 'comrades' with open arms.
"We're magic users, Mages," Reines used the term most widely known in this new land to convey her point. "We are willing to help your alliance if you promise to aid us in the research of our crafts? I assure you that your aid may lead to further improvements in the field of research."
"In what ways?
"Little experiments here and there, and maybe some material collection from time to time," Reins said with a straight face.
There were many subtle meanings in the terms she was giving, but Shirou didn't intervene after Waver nodded at him.
If there was anything that Shirou had learned in the Clock Tower, it was that Waver wouldn't let research projects step over the boundary of inhumane. If a bottom line was threatened to be crossed, Waver would be the first to interject.
Being as Waver signalled to Shirou that it was okay, Shirou could only keep his doubts to himself and believe that Reines by extension from Waver wasn't an unethical magus.
"Good! Then we are agreed. I'll have the first batch of assistants at their soonest availability, and oh, do know that if anyone tries to poach you with the surname Sophia-Ri, be sure to rub it in their faces that you are assistants of the Elmelloi."
"Uh, sure," The Demi-Human representative, Belut Wildman, agreed absently to such an odd request, but he quickly shook his head. "Then you all should fulfill your end of the trade first. The Warrior Bunnies led by their Queen are on the verge of defeat. Our team stationed here was supposed to be their reinforcements, but with our numbers now, we don't amount to much. We need you all to go with the advance team in the morning and provide your aid."
"Of course. An Elmelloi never goes back on their word, and this sounds kind of fu- I mean most pressing." Reines took everything in as if the matter were already settled. She coughed lightly into her hands to clear her throat before pushing out her chest and assuming an authoritative stance. "We'll rest now, and then head south in the morning to the Warrior Bunny Kingdom."
When Reines spoke, most of her attention was on Shirou, daring him to just take off in the dead of the night without her.
She obviously didn't know if he would actually do this, but she found it prudent to silently warn him to behave.
Shirou could only nod and restrain any rash impulses.
Ulterior motives or not, it spoke something of Reines's character that she'd hash out a deal with the Demi-Human Alliance and aid them rather than just forcibly acquire their assistance in magical research.
Their goals aligned, so there was no need for problems just yet.
Knowing the nature of the Clock Tower's magi, he became determined that he couldn't allow them to cross over into this new world through the Gate enmass.
Worse yet, as demonstrated by Reines, these people were helpless and far behind in magical theory to the advanced nature of the Moonlit World's magecraft.
This world's people didn't deserve to be just fodder for research.
Selfish as it may have been, the time Reines bought by delaying the inspection of the gate by the other magi in the Clock Tower would be used to brainstorm countermeasures.
It was all that Shirou could do as an ally of justice.
This sentiment would echo with his most recent blessing from the elf tribe
Unnoticed, a symbol shone dimly over the back of his hand.
Shirou had the distinct impression that he was dreaming. The lack of scenery in the ephemeral field of clouds around him only further emphasized the point by accentuating the abnormality of the situation.
Often times, people have described a concept known as a lucid dream in which one knows that they are dreaming while they are dreaming. In which case, they be able to become masters of their own dreams and dream what they wish to see and experience. However, the present circumstances weren't so enjoyable.
A square gate stood before him, leading into a dark passage that was long and narrow; a light shining upon the other side. It was ancient in design, stone pillars carved upon a type of granite displaying odd motifs of archaic script. Further inspection made him quickly realize that it was the same gate he, Reines, and Waver had come from.
This was to say, this gate appeared to be the corridor or passage into his soul's inner world, his Reality Marble. As if to prove this point, he could feel a faint tug; a resonance if you will while standing before this massive gate.
He had no doubts that if he walked towards the other side, he would return back to his own world, but this was what confused him.
Why was it here, and why was he seeing it from within a dream?
Did he have a subconscious desire to return back to the Clock Tower just to be studied by fanatic magi? Obviously not.
He'd much rather continue what he was doing in this new world and help as many people as he could without too many limitations.
If he went back, then the restrictions placed on him may even be more binding considering the Gate leading to another world in his Reality Marble.
Out here in this new world, such restraints didn't exist especially with Reines's considerations.
Shirou knew that he was naïve at times, but it didn't mean he didn't notice how patient or amicably Reines was treating him. If she had really cared that much about him, she would have pulled strings in House Elmelloi to mitigate the degree or severity of his Sealing Designation so as to maintain sole custody of him.
With this in mind, she could have 'technically' granted him freedom to continue venturing around conflict zones; saving as many people as he could from strife by reasoning that he was out on orders under supervision of the Elmelloi family of the Lords.
Obviously, this didn't happen, and only Waver tried to help in his disgruntled manner from house Elmelloi, but it didn't work out. After all, the interests of the Clock Tower's fellow Lords were piqued at the concept of a modern-day Reality Marble not belonging to anyone that they viewed as significant.
Reines was part of this group.
Her previous attitude like many in the Clock Tower had been curious indifference.
She'd wanted to see from the background what qualified him to receive a Sealing Designation, and only now that she saw the benefits was, she actively remaining cordial.
He didn't blame her, as she was in fact better than most magi with no morals to speak of. Although she reminded him of Rin's deviousness, at least there was a line she didn't yet cross that would turn her into an inhuman monster.
He was deviating from the issue at hand, granted, a part of him felt a headache while thinking about it and may have consciously been trying to ignore it.
In any case, the Gate.
Yes. This Gate.
Why were there two?
He glanced a short distance away to see a less decorated Gate in the far horizon of this ephemeral world of white clouds. Different from the one in front of him, he felt no connection with it whatsoever, but could already infer where it likely led to.
His pupils dilated at the thought before curiosity got the best of him and he began making his way forward.
Barely two steps in the direction of the other gate, and he found himself slowing down as he caught movement at the corner of his eye.
Sitting at the top of the gate leading to his Reality Marble was an indistinct figure of a child absently swinging his or her legs while clearly staring at him. It was difficult to make out any features as its form was entirely covered in a bright yet warm glow.
"You shouldn't be here," the figure hummed in thought. "Ah, it was the old elf man's blessing."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Shirou asked out loud. "What's with these gates, and why did one suddenly appear in my soul? Did you have anything to do with it?"
The indistinct and child-like figure pouted, blowing up his or her cheeks and huffing.
"…It was a favour, alright?" The indistinct figure hopped onto its feet and placed its hands over its hips. "I wasn't supposed to connect to your inner world, but the elf geezer insisted that some lady living in Avalon felt that you were in danger and then some pansy of a Wizard who hasn't kicked the bucket yet pulled some strings. The Wizard lives off of dreams, so I suppose this is something of a gift to you after the elf geezer gave you a blessing. The Wizard must have added a few extra things."
Avalon?
Shirou let out a long breath. He knew of only one woman who resided in Avalon's vaunted utopia.
So, even now she was still trying to protect him?
"How?" He couldn't help but ask.
"How did she know you landed a bad-bad?" The indistinct figure interpreted what he really wanted to ask, though it took him a moment to understand what it meant by 'bad-bad,' but Sealing Designation could be what it meant.
Shirou waited for an answer as the indistinct figure tilted its head and fell in thought.
"Ah! I know! It's because of the Wizard man's bad hobbies! He likes to spy on the lives of interesting people from his white tower, and it just so happens that the woman's been watching too. There! Look wave at them!"
The indistinct figure pointed childishly at a floating pink flower petal within the clouds.
It took all of Shirou's composer not to reveal his confusion while doing as instructed and waving at the flower.
A second later, and the flower was gone, motes of golden sand drifting in the wind.
"I am your sword. I will protect you, always."
The words were spoken softly in his ears, as old memories came to mind.
"Saber," he murmured while extending a hand out and palming a handful of the golden sand which then gradually disappeared.
"Alright, alright!" The indistinct figure clapped before appearing in front of him. "Gift or not, you're not supposed to be here yet until you understand how to use the Gate and become qualified. Bye bye mister! Hurry before it's too late!"
His breath hitched for a second as he realized what was going on.
"Wait, what about the second Gate-"
He didn't even get to finish before the indistinct figure tapped a tiny finger on his forehead, and the world began to spin as the dream ended.
Too late for what? He couldn't help but lament.
Shooting up from a prone position, he instantly woke up from where he'd been sleeping in the Demi-Human Base camp much to the mortification of the two elves stealthily standing before him.
Last he recalled, he was sleeping in his own designated room away from these two, so why were they here?
Tuka and Caila were barefoot, reducing the silence of their steps to a minimum. Both were in light layers of elven wood clothing, and by the looks of their hands, they had been trying to touch his ears.
No, scratch that. From the heat on their faces, they probably already had.
"M-My apologies," Caila appeared uncharacteristically flustered while withdrawing her outstretched arm. "This was unbecoming of me." She played with her hair, a finger twirling her bangs to hide the blush on her reddened cheeks.
"I, I knew you were an elf!" Tuka was less reserved in her own excitement. "I touched them. Those ears are real! Why did you hide your ears with magic? We have to tell the elder!"
"No, they're fake. It's magecraft," he tried to correct them, ignoring the fact that they'd breached the sanctity of his room for such a trivial reason.
"No, it's not! We already checked the other guy!"
"Waver, I think his name was." Caila blatantly admitted to her and Tuka intruding into Wavers room to feel the man's dog ears. "Waver's ears had the distinct feeling of magic, but yours don't."
What?
"They don't?" He asked dumbly.
Both Tuka and Caila nodded their heads while Tuka's excitement had yet to recede.
"They don't!" Tuka said in earnest, clasping his hands in her own.
Okay, fine. Say he accepts that the elf ears may be real. Why did that matter?
"A child of the forest who is also an elf blessed by the elder tree…" Caila spoke with a tinge of awe.
"An Apostle of the Elf God!" Tuka couldn't hide the fervor in her twinkling eyes.
Of course, Shirou had no idea what this title meant, or the fact that in this world were certain entities blessed by their faith known as Apostles akin to Demi-Gods. However, that didn't mean that Tuka and Caila were ignorant of the stories they'd been listening to since young.
Shying away from Tuka and Caila's radiant gazes, he found himself more and more confused regarding the mysteries of the Gate and his current predicament.
So, what should he do?
In standard Emiya fashion, he'd save it for later and focus on those that need saving in the present.
Come first light, they'd march to the aid of the Warrior Bunnies-
"Could you two leave now?" His brow twitched while glancing at Tuka and Caila who were making themselves comfortable by the foot of the makeshift bed in the room.
"It's fine," they both seemed to agree with him.
For a second, he thought that these two elves were going to be reasonable, but what did he honestly expect?
"We'll just watch you sleep."
…Morning couldn't come any sooner.
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