LOCATION: Unknown realm - Unknown
Seven hours of sleep felt like seven decades. The conscious mind that once inhabited the body of Shirou Emiya drifted through the endless tunnel that stretched into eternity, the sensation of warmth enveloping him like a gentle caress, and grounding him amidst the swirling chaos. The drone that filled the void was not merely sound; it was a symphony of existence, vibrating through the remnants of his consciousness. Memories flickered like distant stars, each one a reminder of who he was, yet feeling increasingly foreign. The invisible force guiding him felt both terrifying and exhilarating as if he were being drawn toward an unknown destiny. With every passing second, the boundaries of his identity blurred, leaving him suspended between the familiar and the unfathomable, caught in a dance between life and the vast expanse of the cosmos.
Shirou flew through blurry split-second snapshots of his own life like a spectator hurtling through a museum dedicated to his dreams. He flowed as a screaming cloud through a snowy forest he had walked on from his previous dream. The dead trees of the forest stood out more than usual, reflected by the pale moonlight like silver mirrors. It lit up the area bright enough for him to see groups of black ghostly silhouettes peeking out from behind the trees, some of them standing next to trees while others crouched on overhanging branches. The many shadowy faces stared at Shirou with burning blue eyes as Shirou's bodiless mind soared past.
Shirou's mind drifted in a haze, devoid of coherent thoughts, merely a collection of sensations swirling around him. In an instant, a single blink transformed his existence; he felt the searing heat of incineration, only to find himself reborn within the confines of an egg-like structure. The room was drenched in an otherworldly orange glow and pulsed with life as shadows danced along the walls, creating an eerie ambiance. Suddenly, the shell that encased him shattered with a resounding crack, unleashing a blinding light that pierced through his eyelids, forcing him to squint against its brilliance. As he gradually acclimated to the harsh radiance, the stinging pain began to fade, allowing him to cautiously open his eyes. It was then that he caught sight of a figure, their outline sharp against the luminous backdrop standing before him.
Shirou's gaze gradually traveled upward, tracing the contours of her thighs, then to her slender waist and gently curving bosom. His eyes continued their ascent until they met the enchanting face of a girl who loomed above him, radiating an aura of warmth and comfort. Her hair shimmered like spun gold, a single strand cascading delicately down to the right side of her chest, framing her features perfectly. The violet depths of her eyes locked onto his, filled with a mixture of curiosity and affection.
The brilliance of her presence enveloped him. Making it difficult to focus on anything else as her soothing smile illuminated his surroundings. With a gentle grace, she extended her arms, cradling him delicately in her palms. As she lifted him closer to her face, her smile blossomed into something even more inviting, accompanied by a tender tilt of her head that seemed to beckon him into her world.
He reciprocated her gaze when he felt an overwhelming sense of connection with this girl. Reminiscent of a long-lost familiarity. Her eyes sparkled with warmth, drawing him deeper into her enchanting aura, while the whisper of her breath brushed against his skin, igniting a flutter of emotions within him. It was as if time stood still, and at that moment, nothing else mattered but the silent conversation they shared, a language spoken through glances and gentle touches, creating an unbreakable bond that transcended words.
Shirou's world was suddenly enveloped in light. As quickly as it had, it cleared and he now found himself once again flying. He descended toward a cliff on the mountainside where the violet-eyed girl stood. She glanced up and saw him descending closer to her, instinctively causing her to raise her finger before landing on it. Her lips curled into a warm smile, and she extended her hand to rub her knuckles against his cheek. Followed by a giggle that escaped her lips whilst closing her eyes.
The faraway rocky field suddenly erupted akin to a volcano, plumbing fire and smoke in the air. Wind expanded outward toward where the pair stood and the trees bowed away from the explosion. The scorching wind roared at the pair, causing the girl to jump out of fright. Shirou and the girl shifted their gaze toward the direction of the explosion and saw another one exploding from one spot on the earth's floor to the other. Shirou turned back at the girl as she stared back at him. Gracing him with a sad smile before thrusting her hand up, propelling him away from her.
Shirou's world flashed in white. He found himself standing in a field, where small and huge craters dotted the earth's floor. He blinked in shock when two individuals encountered one another, causing the atmosphere to tremble as the immense power of the two warriors was unleashed, sweeping across the earth's floor from one area to another. The warrior grinds to a halt and Shirou is shocked when he sees that it is the ponytail girl from his past dream. She held a sword in hand, determination set in her narrowing eyes as she stared ahead.
Shirou turned to his left when he heard a powerful thump, and the ground shook. Standing before the girl was an eight feet tall giant, carrying a massive sword as big as his head. Unlike the girl who glowed brightly akin to the sun, this giant illuminated in red as crimson energy crackled around his body.
The giant brought his sword down to his side and roared at his opponent. The girl assumed a battle stance, preparing herself for what was coming. The two warriors charged at each other and parried one another in a powerful clash.
Shirou's world flashed in white.
LOCATION: Tengu City - Itsuka Residence
Shirou Emiya shot his eyes open. He stared at the ceiling, its familiar patterns blurring in his mind, before slowly pushing himself up into a sitting position. A hand instinctively rose to his forehead, where a dull ache pulsed, echoing the chaos of his dreams. Fragmented memories began to surface, each one more vivid than the last: the fierce warrior, clad in armor that gleamed like the sun; the girl with violet eyes, her gaze piercing through the haze of his thoughts; and the thunderous roar of a giant that seemed to shake the very ground beneath him. He squeezed his eyes shut, desperate to hold onto these fleeting images, to decipher the cryptic scenes that danced just beyond his grasp, fearing they would slip away like grains of sand. The weight of the night's visions pressed heavily on him, urging him to uncover the truth hidden within the shadows of his mind.
Shirou lifted his bed sheets off and rubbed the morning crust out of his eyes. After straightening his bed, he took a moment to stretch, letting out a soft yawn. With a determined step, he walked toward the door, grasping the knob and twisting it before pulling it open. The familiar creak of the door echoed in the quiet house as he exited his bedroom, closing the door gently behind him. He ambled down the hallway, the soft carpet cushioning his footsteps, until he reached the stairs. As soon as Shirou's feet touched the cool wooden steps, the rich aroma of eggs and bacon wafted through the air, making his stomach rumble in anticipation of breakfast.
As Shirou landed at the bottom of the staircase, the aroma wafting through the air beckoned him closer, wrapping him in a familiar embrace of warmth and nostalgia. Upon entering the living room, he took a moment to absorb the scene before him. Yoshino and Tohka were cozily nestled on the couch, their laughter mixing with the sounds of the television, creating a lively backdrop. In the kitchen, Shido was diligently focused on his culinary task, the rhythmic clinking of pans punctuating the air. Tohka was the first to notice him from the corner of her eye and turned to him with a smile.
"Oh, good morning, Shirou," Tohka greeted.
Yoshino and Yoshinon waved at Shirou.
"Morning, Shirou," Yoshino greeted.
Shirou smiled at the trio.
"Good morning," Shirou returned.
Shido looked over his shoulder and saw Shirou standing at the hall's entrance.
"Good morning, Shirou. I was just about to ask Tohka to wake you up," Shido said, flipping the bacon. "But since you're awake, we can eat breakfast together now."
Shirou blinked. He saw that Tohka was wearing a uniform. Said uniform consists of a black, long-sleeved top, together with a blue skirt, and a pair of long, black stockings that reach up to half of her thigh.
"Is…is that school uniform?" Shirou asked, pointing at Tohka's clothing.
Tohka looked down at herself and then back at Shirou.
"Yes it is," Tohka replied. "Me and Shido are going to school together."
Shido approaches Tohka with a plate in hand.
"Here's your food, Tohka," Shido said, handing her a plate.
"Thank you, Shido," Tohka said, smiling happily.
Shido turned his gaze toward Shirou.
"Hey, Shirou. Can I ask for a favor?" Shido asked.
Shirou tilted his head. "What is it?"
"Me and Tohka will be attending school, and Yoshino is usually alone during the day," Shido explained. "So I was wondering if you could keep her company until we come back."
Shirou pondered the request for a moment before nodding his head.
"Yeah, sure," Shirou replied.
Shirou scratched his head.
"By the way, do you know where the bathroom is?" Shido asked. "I want to wash my face."
Shido pointed down the hallway.
"Just down the hall near the laundry, you can't miss it," Shido replied.
Shirou nodded his head. "Thank you."
Shirou turned away into the hallway. Shido watched him walk down the hall and disappear to the other side.
Shido's countenance transformed from a smile into one of concern.
LOCATION: Fraxinus airship - The Bridge
A few minutes earlier…
Shido followed Kotori down the dimly lit hallway of the Fraxinus airship. The rhythmic sound of their footsteps echoed softly against the metallic walls, creating a subtle symphony of movement. Kotori, with her narrowed eyes fixed ahead, seemed to be deep in thought, her expression a mix of determination and urgency. In contrast, Shido's face reflected a sense of bewilderment, as if he were trying to piece together the puzzle of his sister's importance in bringing him here. Upon reaching the bridge, the double doors slid open with a mechanical hiss, unveiling a bustling control room. The air was thick with the hum of machinery and the focused expressions of her crew, each member engaged in their tasks, monitoring screens filled with data and coordinates.
"Okay, Kotori. Can you explain to me why you woke me up and brought me to your ship early in the morning?" Shido asked, glancing at her.
"Trust me, big brother, I wouldn't have woken you up if this new information wasn't really important," Kotori replied.
"What do you mean? Is there a new spirit?"
"No. Far from it. It has something to do with that Shirou guy you have in your house."
Shido blinked in surprise.
"Shirou..?" Shido muttered under his breath.
Kotori started toward her chair. She settled down on it and leaned back while resting her arms on the armrests. Her gaze swept over the crew, silently commanding them with a nod of her head. Her crew members returned the nod and began typing down the keyboard.
"Yesterday, our scanner detected a high level of energy radiating on the radar," Kotori explained, folding her arms. "We thought it was another Spirit like Tohka and Yoshino roaming around Tengu City. But after further investigation, we were wrong. Take a look."
Shido shifted his gaze up at the faraway screen. The screen displayed a detailed map, revealing the intricate blueprint of Shido's house, each line and curve meticulously drawn. Four objects pulsed rhythmically, with names neatly inscribed above them. The trio of names he recognized immediately—Tohka, and Yoshino—but it was the third name that stood out. Shirou's name hovered ominously above the pulsing dot, hinting at his presence somewhere within the confines of the residence.
Shido saw the pulsing object of Shirou was shrouded in an invisible swirling blue tornado. This tornado engulfed the entire Itsuka residence, its presence detectable even on the radar, akin to a storm brewing in the heart of calm. The energy radiating from Shirou was palpable, crackling in the air, a force that hinted at untapped potential. It was astonishing to witness such immense power emanating from one individual, especially one who was not a Spirit, raising questions about the source of this extraordinary phenomenon.
"What…what is that?" Shido asked.
"I don't know," Kotori replied. "But whatever it is, it's not Spirit energy, and it's surprisingly coming from Shirou. But that isn't the only thing that concerns me. What you see here was taken yesterday."
The radar flickered to life as the crew member pressed a cap on the keyboard. Revealing a detailed blueprint of Tengu City. Shido felt a rush of emotions surge within him, his breath hitching as memories flooded back. The tornado, looming large on the screen, had not only consumed his home but also twisted the very essence of the city he cherished. Each building, once a symbol of safety and community, now stood trapped within the invisible vortex. Shido's heart raced, a bit of fear igniting within him as he stared at the spinning vortex that had overtaken Tengu City.
"It's bigger than before," stated Shido breathlessly.
Kotori nodded in agreement.
"On the bright side, nothing bad has happened," Kotori said, sticking a lollipop in her mouth. "But that doesn't mean we shouldn't be cautious. Anything could happen if we're not careful."
Shido glanced at Kotori.
"What should I do?" Shido asked.
Kotori glanced back at him.
"You continue your routine and go to school with Tohka. But when you guys are hanging out in the city, I reckon you keep an eye on him. Watch him close," Kotori replied.
Shido shifted his gaze back at the screen.
Staring at the spinning tornado with a mix of worry and wonderment.
A/N: Hope you all enjoyed the fifth chapter! Originally I wanted to make this chapter long, but I as well as my family got hit with the flu so that plan got kicked out of the bag. I apologize for not delivering. I also want to give points to you guys for having a sharp eye for paying attention to the hidden details I place into these chapters. I didn't expect anyone to be looking into them, and analyzing each section word for word. But I was wrong. Anyway, I'm gonna be focusing on trying to get my health better so there won't be any updates for this story until I recover. Hope you all have a good day or night wherever you are.
See you all in the next chapter, my little shimmerings!