Disclaimer: Don't own either Rwby or Type Moon. So enjoy or don't
Chapter 1: The Final Act
The remnants of the Holy Grail War battlefield lay in eerie silence, shrouded in a shadowy gloom. The air was thick with the remnants of powerful magic and the echo of past conflicts. In the heart of this desolate field, two figures stood opposed: Shirou Emiya and Kirei Kotomine.
The tension between them was palpable, their ideologies clashing as fiercely as their fists. Shirou, battered but resolute, faced Kirei with unwavering determination. His eyes blazed with the fire of his ideal—to become a hero of justice, no matter the cost. Kirei's twisted smile reflected his perverse joy in the conflict, the embodiment of everything Shirou opposed.
Their fight was brutal, a raw display of strength and conviction. Shirou's movements were fueled by the memories of those he sought to protect, every punch a step closer to his ultimate goal. The sound of flesh striking flesh echoed through the battlefield, a symphony of violence and resolve.
"You're stubborn, boy," Kirei sneered, dodging a fierce strike from Shirou. "But you lack the conviction to see your ideals through. You're just a naïve child, playing at being a hero."
Shirou gritted his teeth, his body screaming in protest as he forced it to move. The negative effects of Archer's arm and his Origin of Sword coursed through him, pain and power intermingling in a torturous dance. Every movement sent searing agony through his nerves, yet he pressed on.
"I won't let you corrupt the Grail any longer," Shirou panted, launching another attack. "This ends now, Kirei!"
Kirei laughed, a dark, hollow sound that sent chills down Shirou's spine. "You think you can stop me? You think your flimsy ideals can triumph over reality? You're deluding yourself!"
With a surge of strength, Shirou managed to land a solid punch to Kirei's jaw, sending the priest staggering back. "I don't care what you say! My ideals are worth fighting for, worth dying for!"
The battle intensified, each exchange more brutal than the last. Shirou's body screamed in protest, but his spirit burned with unyielding determination. The residual power of Avalon granted him a degree of healing and protection, but even its magic couldn't fully shield him from the damage he was taking. He could feel his consciousness slipping, the strain of using Archer's arm threatening to overwhelm him.
With a final, desperate effort, Shirou summoned all his remaining strength. His fist found its mark, crashing into Kirei's chest with the force of his resolve. The priest staggered, his smile faltering as he realized the end had come. Blood trickled from the corner of Kirei's mouth, his eyes wide with a mix of pain and disbelief.
Shirou stood over Kirei, breathing heavily, his hand throbbing with pain. "It's over, Kirei," he said, his voice hoarse but firm.
Kirei's eyes flickered with a mix of pain and something resembling admiration. "So, this is where it ends," he murmured, accepting his defeat with an unsettling calm. "Perhaps... there was more to you than I thought."
Shirou's vision blurred, the edges of his world darkening as the toll of the fight and the strain of using Archer's arm took their full effect. He dropped to one knee, struggling to remain conscious. The ground beneath him felt like it was shifting, a reflection of his faltering state.
Kirei, too, fell to his knees, a grim smile playing on his lips. "You... you really think you can save everyone, don't you?" he rasped, coughing up blood. "Such foolishness... and yet... such strength."
Shirou's gaze hardened. "It's not about saving everyone. It's about doing what's right, no matter the cost."
Kirei's body shuddered, his strength ebbing away. "You're... a strange one, Shirou Emiya. To hold onto such ideals in a world like this... perhaps... there is hope after all."
As Kirei fell, the battlefield seemed to exhale, the weight of his malevolence lifting. Shirou watched as the light faded from Kirei's eyes, a sense of grim satisfaction washing over him. It was over. Finally, it was over.
Shirou's strength gave out, and he collapsed beside Kirei, staring up at the darkened sky. The pain was excruciating, but a deep sense of peace settled over him. He had done it. He had stopped Kirei and ended the threat of the corrupted Grail. He could see the light fade from Kirei's eyes, and with it, the oppressive aura that had hung over the battlefield began to dissipate.
"It's over," Shirou thought, a wave of relief washing over him. "It's finally over."
With Kirei defeated, Shirou turned his attention to the ominous pillar in the distance. It loomed like a dark sentinel, representing All the World's Evils. Each step toward it felt like wading through a thick, oppressive miasma. The ground beneath him seemed to pulse with malevolent energy, throbbing in time with his own heartbeat.
The air grew colder as Shirou advanced, the temperature dropping sharply, each breath coming out as a visible puff of vapor. His body ached with every movement, the residual effects of Archer's arm a constant reminder of the power and pain it held. His muscles screamed in protest, but he forced himself to move forward, driven by the unwavering resolve to end the Grail's curse.
The closer he got, the darker the surroundings became. The sky seemed to close in, a heavy blanket of shadow pressing down on him. The pillar itself exuded a tangible aura of malice, a dark energy that made his skin crawl. It was as if the very ground around it was tainted, a corrupted mass of evil that sought to consume everything in its path.
Shirou's mind raced with memories of those he had fought for and those he had lost. The faces of his friends and loved ones flashed before him, a reminder of what was at stake. He steeled himself, focusing on their smiles and their hopes. He couldn't afford to falter now.
With each step, the oppressive aura seemed to grow stronger, the weight of the evil pressing down on him like an unbearable burden. He could feel it gnawing at his spirit, whispering dark temptations and doubts. But he shook them off, his resolve unshakable.
"I have to do this," he muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper. "I have to end this once and for all."
Finally, he reached the base of the pillar. Up close, it was even more imposing, a towering monolith of pure darkness. The air around it was thick with a foul stench, the smell of decay and corruption. Shirou's hand trembled as he reached out, but he steadied himself, drawing on the last reserves of his strength.
Just as Shirou readied himself for the final confrontation, a soft, ethereal light broke through the darkness. It started as a faint glow, gradually growing brighter and more radiant until it pierced the oppressive gloom surrounding the pillar. The light was warm and soothing, a stark contrast to the malevolent energy emanating from the pillar.
Illya emerged from this light, her form bathed in a soft, celestial glow. She wore the Dress of Heaven, a gown that shimmered like stardust, its ethereal fabric flowing gracefully around her. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, glowing with an otherworldly luminescence. She looked like an angel descended from the heavens, a beacon of hope in the midst of despair.
"Shirou," she called softly, her voice filled with gentle authority. Her eyes, a deep crimson, shone with warmth and determination. She moved toward him with a grace that seemed almost unreal, her footsteps light and silent.
Shirou, barely conscious, tried to focus on her. Her presence felt familiar, stirring something deep within him. He struggled to remember, his mind foggy from pain and exhaustion. Flashes of memories surfaced—moments of warmth, laughter, and a protective embrace.
Illya's expression softened as she approached him, her gaze filled with a mixture of determination and tenderness. "You don't have to do this alone," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. "I've come to help you, to protect you."
Her words carried the weight of their shared history, a bond forged through trials and sacrifices. As his big sister, she was there to protect him, even from himself. She reached out and gently took his hand, her touch warm and comforting. The oppressive aura around them seemed to recede slightly, the malevolent energy momentarily held at bay by her presence.
"Illya..." Shirou whispered, the name coming to his lips as if by instinct. The warmth of her hand in his brought a surge of hope and strength.
Illya's gaze remained steady, her determination unwavering. "I've made my choice, Shirou. I'm here to help you, no matter the cost. Together, we can end this."
Her unwavering determination and the warmth of her touch filled Shirou with renewed strength. He nodded, understanding the depth of her resolve. Though he didn't fully remember, he knew he could trust her. He squeezed her hand, drawing strength from her presence.
Illya stepped forward, still holding Shirou's hand, and raised the Jeweled Sword Zelretch in her other hand. She began to chant, invoking the Second and Third Magic. The air shimmered with energy as the powers from different dimensions merged, swirling around the Grail's remnants.
The magical energies gathered around the pillar, forming intricate patterns of light that danced and intertwined. The spectacle was breathtaking, a vivid display of raw power and mystical forces. Illya's voice grew stronger, more authoritative, as she directed the flow of magic with precision and grace.
"With this wish, I will save you, Shirou," Illya declared, her voice resonating with power. The magic sequence reached its climax, a dazzling burst of light and energy that enveloped them both.
Illya's chant continued, the words flowing seamlessly, resonating with the very fabric of reality. The Jeweled Sword Zelretch acted as a conduit, amplifying her power. The air around them vibrated with raw energy, each syllable of her incantation causing ripples in the space around them.
The swirling lights grew more intense, forming a vortex that enveloped the pillar. The dark energy emanating from the pillar fought back, tendrils of malevolent force lashing out, but they were no match for Illya's magic. Her will was unyielding, her determination absolute.
Shirou watched in awe, his pain momentarily forgotten as he witnessed the display of power. The merging of dimensions created a kaleidoscope of colors, the boundaries between worlds blurring. He could feel the very essence of the Grail's corruption being drawn into the vortex, the malevolent energy being purified by Illya's magic.
Illya's voice reached a crescendo, the final words of her incantation echoing through the battlefield. The Jeweled Sword Zelretch blazed with light, a brilliant beacon that outshone the darkness. With a final, decisive gesture, Illya directed the full force of the magic at the pillar.
The pillar shuddered, cracks forming along its surface as the concentrated energy of the wish bore down on it. The corrupted essence within it screamed in defiance, but it was no match for the combined power of the Second and Third Magic. The pillar began to disintegrate, the darkness within it being torn apart and scattered to the winds.
As the pillar crumbled, the oppressive aura that had permeated the battlefield dissipated. The air felt lighter, the darkness giving way to a sense of peace and tranquility. The remnants of the Grail's corruption were gone, banished by Illya's wish.
As Illya's wish reached its climax, a radiant light enveloped Shirou. He felt a serene calm wash over him, mixed with a profound sadness. He floated into a dimensional void, unconscious but safe.
The light surrounding Shirou intensified, wrapping around him like a protective cocoon. He could feel the warmth of Illya's magic enveloping him, a gentle but powerful force that shielded him from the chaotic energies of the collapsing pillar. The world around him began to blur, the battlefield fading into a swirl of colors and light.
Illya's grip on his hand tightened for a moment, conveying a silent farewell. "Goodbye, Shirou," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Live on, for both of us."
Shirou's consciousness began to slip away, the pain and exhaustion melting into a sense of profound peace. He felt weightless, as if he were floating in a gentle current. The light around him grew brighter, the colors more vivid, as he was drawn deeper into the dimensional void.
The sensation was both strange and comforting. He could feel the magic of the Jeweled Sword Zelretch guiding him, the pathways between dimensions opening up before him. He drifted through the swirling vortex, the boundaries of reality shifting and warping around him.
For a moment, he glimpsed other worlds, fleeting visions of places and people unknown to him. The colors and shapes danced around him, forming patterns that were both alien and familiar. It was a journey through the very fabric of existence, a transition from one reality to another.
As he floated through the void, Shirou felt a sense of anticipation. He was leaving behind the world he knew, but he was also moving toward something new, something unknown. The magic currents carried him gently, as if cradling him in a tender embrace.
The light around him began to change, the swirling colors giving way to a softer, more consistent glow. He could feel the pull of a new world, the dimensional void guiding him toward his destination. The whispers of the magic currents grew fainter, replaced by a sense of quiet and stillness.
Shirou's unconscious form drifted through the final stretch of the void, the transition nearly complete. The anticipation grew stronger, mingled with a sense of readiness. He was about to embark on a new chapter of his journey, one filled with unknown challenges and possibilities.
Shirou drifted in the boundless void, surrounded by swirling colors and ethereal whispers. The magical currents carried him gently, a transition from one world to another. He floated through the serene expanse, the chaos of the battlefield far behind him.
As he moved through the void, the swirling colors began to coalesce, forming a pathway of light that guided him forward. The whispers of the magical currents grew more distinct, echoing with ancient knowledge and untold stories. It was a realm beyond time and space, a place where realities converged and diverged.
The colors around him shifted, creating intricate patterns and shapes. He could sense the presence of other dimensions, their energies brushing against him like gentle breezes. Each brush brought a fleeting glimpse of distant worlds, some vibrant with life, others desolate and silent. The variety of experiences and possibilities was staggering, a reminder of the vastness of the multiverse.
As he drifted, Shirou felt a profound connection to the magical currents, as if they were alive and aware of his journey. The currents seemed to guide him with purpose, their whispers offering comfort and encouragement. They carried the echoes of countless voices, each one a testament to the lives and stories that had passed through this realm.
Gradually, the swirling colors and patterns began to converge, forming a tunnel of light that beckoned him forward. The tunnel was lined with shimmering threads of magic, each one pulsating with energy. The threads seemed to reach out to him, wrapping around him in a protective embrace.
The sensation of floating intensified, the tunnel drawing him deeper into its embrace. The light grew brighter, the colors more vivid, as he neared the end of his journey through the void. He could feel the pull of a new world, its energy resonating with his own.
As he approached the end of the tunnel, the whispers of the magical currents grew louder, their voices blending into a harmonious chorus. The echoes of their wisdom filled his mind, imparting knowledge and strength. He felt a sense of readiness, a calm acceptance of the challenges that awaited him.
With a final surge of light, Shirou was gently pushed out of the tunnel, the void behind him fading into a distant memory. The new world awaited him, its presence a promise of new adventures and relationships. The anticipation of what lay ahead filled him with a sense of purpose and determination.