Disclaimer: Don't own either Rwby or Type Moon. So enjoy or don't

Author's Note at end.

Chapter 48: The Abandoned Dust Mine and Kirei's Arrival

The cavern's air grew heavy, an oppressive silence falling over the group. A soft squelching sound broke through the stillness, drawing everyone's eyes to a strange disturbance in the ground. Black and red mud began seeping up, defying all logic. The puddle grew, bubbling and writhing as if alive.

From the center of the puddle, a figure began to rise. It was slow, deliberate, almost ceremonial. His hands emerged first, clasped together as though in prayer. His body followed, clad in dark priestly robes untouched by the vile substance from which he emerged. As his face came into view, the pale light of the Dust crystals caught the sharp angles of his features—a cruel smile, a glint of amusement in his eyes.

"Well, well," the man said, his voice smooth and resonant, echoing ominously in the vast cavern. He clapped slowly, mockingly, the sound sharp and deliberate. "What a spectacle this is. You've certainly kept busy, haven't you, Shirou?"

The mention of Shirou's name was like a lightning strike. The red-haired man's eyes widened in shock, his body stiffening as if paralyzed. He staggered back a step, his mouth dry.

"Kirei...?" The word barely escaped his lips, as if speaking the name itself caused him pain.

Kirei Kotomine chuckled softly, the sound low and menacing. "It's been quite some time, hasn't it? I must admit, I never expected our paths to cross here. Yet, life is full of surprises."

Shirou's breath came in short gasps, memories flooding his mind like a tidal wave. The fires of Fuyuki, the Holy Grail's corruption, the searing pain of betrayal and loss. His knees buckled, and he grabbed at his head as if trying to hold the memories at bay.

Blake was at his side in an instant, gripping his shoulders tightly. "Shirou! Look at me!" she urged, her voice firm but laced with concern. "You're here. This is now. Breathe!"

Shirou's chest heaved as he tried to ground himself. Blake's presence, her voice, became an anchor, pulling him back from the brink.

Kirei watched the scene with detached amusement, tilting his head slightly. "Still clinging to others, I see. How touching. You haven't changed at all."

Clover stepped forward, breaking the tense silence. His weapon gleamed as he leveled a steely gaze at the intruder. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

Kirei's smile widened as he spread his arms in a mockery of welcoming. "Forgive me, where are my manners? I am Kirei Kotomine, a simple servant of God." His tone dripped with sarcasm, the words practically oozing mockery. "And what I want... is a reunion with an old friend."

Ruby narrowed her eyes, her grip tightening on Crescent Rose. "He's lying," she said firmly, her voice filled with conviction. "He's no servant of God."

Weiss glanced at Ruby, her voice low but urgent. "He's the man we saw in Shirou's memories. The one behind so much pain."

Ruby narrowed her eyes, her grip tightening on Crescent Rose. "He's lying," she said firmly, her voice filled with conviction. "He's no servant of God."

Weiss glanced at Ruby, her voice low but urgent. "He's the man we saw in Shirou's memories. The one behind so much pain."

Kirei's smile remained, but the amusement in his eyes grew sharper, almost predatory. "Lying? No, my dear Ruby, I never lie. I merely speak truths you are unprepared to comprehend." He turned his gaze toward Weiss, his tone shifting to one of mock reverence. "Ah, you've seen glimpses of my handiwork, then. Tell me, how did it feel to witness such purity of purpose? Was it enlightening?"

Weiss's jaw tightened, her grip on Myrtenaster steady. "It was sickening," she spat.

"Ah, disgust. A predictable response from one so privileged," Kirei replied smoothly, his voice dripping with disdain. "But don't mistake your revulsion for righteousness. In the end, all of you are drawn to the same darkness—some of us simply embrace it."

Ruby took a step forward, her scythe poised. "You don't scare us. Whatever you're planning, we'll stop you."

Kirei chuckled, a low, mirthless sound that echoed in the cavern. "Ah, the naive courage of youth. It's almost endearing. But tell me, Ruby, what gives you the right to stop me? Do you truly believe you wield the moral authority to judge me—or him?"

His gaze shifted to Shirou, who remained kneeling with Blake supporting him, struggling to recover. "After all," Kirei continued, his tone turning cold, "you're trusting a man who's built his entire existence on denial. A hypocrite clinging to borrowed ideals."

Shirou clenched his fists, his voice hoarse as he forced out, "How are you here, Kirei? You should be—"

"Dead?" Kirei interrupted smoothly, his smile returning. "Ah, Shirou, you of all people should understand. Death is merely a temporary inconvenience when one has the Grail at their disposal. Much like yourself, I was granted a second chance. A wish fulfilled."

The words struck like a hammer blow. Shirou's face contorted with a mix of anger and despair, his mind reeling.

"And so here I am," Kirei continued, his voice taking on a mocking lilt, "exploring this fascinating world. Such potential, such despair... and such delightful toys to play with."

Clover narrowed his eyes. "If you think we're just going to let you walk away, think again."

Kirei sighed theatrically, as if disappointed. "Walk away? No, no, you misunderstand. I have no intention of running. My purpose here is complete—for now." His smile turned predatory as his gaze flicked back to Shirou. "But don't worry. I'll be watching."

The silence that followed Kirei's arrival was suffocating, broken only by the faint, echoing drip of water from the cavern's ceiling. Kirei clasped his hands behind his back, adopting a posture of calm authority. His eyes scanned the group, lingering on each face, his gaze as piercing as it was unsettling.

"You must forgive my theatrics," Kirei began, his tone smooth, almost conversational. "But I've always had a taste for the dramatic. After all, what's the point of life if not to savor its intricacies? And I must say, this world... it is brimming with them."

He started to pace slowly, his boots making deliberate clicks against the stone floor. "When I first arrived in Remnant, I was... intrigued. Such a vibrant world, yet so fragile. Humanity here fights tirelessly, clinging to the light even as darkness nips at its heels. It's beautiful in its futility."

Ruby took a step forward, her voice trembling with anger. "What are you talking about? What have you done?"

Kirei stopped, turning his head toward her with an almost fatherly smile. "Ah, Ruby Rose, always so earnest. Very well, I shall enlighten you. For the past twenty-two years, I have been conducting... experiments."

"Experiments?" Nora echoed, her voice laced with disgust.

"Yes," Kirei replied, his voice unflinching. "The Grimm were my first subjects, of course. Such fascinating creatures—pure manifestations of destruction, driven by hate and instinct. Yet, I wondered... could they be more? Could they be... perfected?"

A collective shiver ran through the group, but Kirei continued, undeterred. "And so, I tested. I studied their essence, merged it with other elements. Some were failures, mere monstrosities doomed to collapse under their own power. Others... ah, others were quite promising."

"What are you saying?" Ruby demanded, her voice rising. "You're making Grimm?"

Kirei tilted his head, his smile growing wider. "Not making, my dear, enhancing. But the Grimm were only the beginning. Humans and Faunus alike proved equally fascinating test subjects. Did you know that the soul, when pushed to its limits, can produce extraordinary results? Pain, after all, is a powerful teacher."

Yang's fists clenched, her mechanical arm whirring ominously. "You sick bastard," she growled.

Kirei chuckled, a low, resonant sound that reverberated through the cavern. "Sick? Perhaps. But isn't sickness simply another form of change? And change, as you know, is inevitable."

Jaune's voice cut through the rising tension, his words sharp and accusing. "So it was you. All this time, you were behind it. The attacks, the monsters... that thing. You did this!"

Kirei's eyes gleamed with amusement as he turned to Jaune. "Ah, you've encountered one of my creations. Tell me, how did it perform? Was it... satisfactory?"

Jaune's fists shook with rage, but the words caught in his throat.

Kirei laughed softly, his tone mocking. "I'll take that as a yes."

Clover stepped forward, his voice steady but firm. "Enough. Whatever you've done, you're under arrest."

Kirei sighed theatrically, shaking his head. "Arrest? Such a quaint notion. I have no intention of submitting to your rules or your justice. My purpose here is beyond your comprehension."

"And what purpose is that?" Weiss demanded, her voice sharp.

"To create, of course," Kirei answered, his voice calm yet laced with malice. "To push the boundaries of what this world can endure. And perhaps, to guide it toward its ultimate end."

The words hung heavy in the air, the implications sending a chill down every spine.

"But for now," Kirei said, his tone suddenly light, almost cheerful, "I'm here for something simpler. To deliver a message... and a companion."

As if on cue, the sound of footsteps echoed from the shadows, growing louder. Kirei smiled, his eyes flicking toward the approaching figure. "Ah, speak of the devil."

The atmosphere shifted, growing heavier with every passing second. A faint clinking of boots against stone echoed through the abandoned mine. The sound was steady, deliberate, like a predator stalking its prey. Everyone turned toward the source, their weapons raised, the tension palpable.

From the shadows, a figure emerged, his outline growing clearer with each step. Adam Taurus, infamous and unyielding, stepped into the dim light. His crimson sash trailed behind him like a flowing stream of blood, and his white mask glinted menacingly, the slit-like eye designs appearing almost alive in the flickering light.

Blake's breath caught as she instinctively gripped Gambol Shroud tighter. Beside her, Yang tensed, her mechanical hand flexing. The rest of the group mirrored their reactions, their postures shifting into combat-ready stances.

"Adam," Blake whispered, her voice barely audible.

He paused a few steps away, tilting his head slightly as though savoring the tension he caused. "Blake," he said, his tone cold and devoid of warmth. "It's been too long."

"Not long enough," Yang growled, stepping forward protectively. Her eyes burned a fiery red, the glow of her anger cutting through the gloom.

Adam ignored her, his masked face fixed on Blake. "Did you really think you could run forever?" he asked, his voice laced with bitter amusement. "No matter where you go, no matter who you hide behind... I will always find you."

Blake tried to steady her breathing, but the memories of their past encounters surfaced unbidden, each one a sharp reminder of his cruelty and the pain he had inflicted.

"You won't touch her!" Yang shouted, positioning herself directly between Adam and Blake.

Adam chuckled softly, his voice echoing ominously. "Protective, aren't you? You've always been a thorn in my side, Xiao Long. Maybe it's time I finally pluck it out."

"Enough." Clover stepped forward, his weapon at the ready. His tone was authoritative, a sharp contrast to the hostility that crackled in the air. "Adam Taurus, you're under arrest for terrorism, murder, and countless other crimes against the people of Remnant. Surrender now."

Adam tilted his head, his amusement evident even through the mask. "Surrender?" he repeated mockingly. "You've clearly misunderstood the situation."

Kirei, who had remained silent until now, let out a low, dark chuckle. "Patience, Adam," he said, stepping forward slightly. "There's no need to rush. You'll have your moment, but first... the tools I promised."

From the folds of his robes, Kirei produced a small black case. He opened it with an almost theatrical flourish, revealing two items nestled within: a syringe filled with an ominous black and red substance that shimmered with unnatural energy, and a glowing card etched with the silhouette of a warrior holding twin blades.

Adam's gaze shifted to the case, lingering on the items. Without a word, he stepped forward and reached for the syringe. He held it up, studying the corrupted liquid inside.

"Do you trust this... stuff?" he asked Kirei, his tone skeptical but intrigued.

Kirei's expression remained unreadable. "Trust is irrelevant. Power is all that matters, and this will give you what you need to crush your enemies. No one will stand against you."

Adam rolled up his sleeve, revealing scarred, battle-worn skin, and plunged the needle into his arm. He pressed the plunger, injecting the Grail mud into his bloodstream.

The reaction was immediate. Adam staggered back, his free hand clutching his arm as his body convulsed. The corrupted substance coursed through him like living fire, visible beneath his skin as black and red veins pulsed violently. His aura flared, crackling and sparking with raw, chaotic energy.

Blake's heart pounded as she watched in horror. The Adam she knew was already a nightmare, but this... this was something else entirely.

"What's happening to him?" Jaune asked, his voice filled with panic.

Shirou, still recovering from his earlier encounter with Kirei, looked up with dread in his eyes. "It's the mud," he said, his voice trembling. "It twists and corrupts... even the soul."

Adam let out a guttural growl as the transformation began to take hold. His breathing grew ragged, his body shaking as his aura intensified. Then, his trembling ceased. Slowly, deliberately, he reached for the glowing card in Kirei's case.

With a firm grip, Adam activated the card. A surge of energy erupted around him, a vortex of crimson and black light that engulfed his body. The cavern quaked, and the oppressive weight of his aura grew, pressing down on everyone like a physical force.

When the light finally dimmed, Adam stood transformed.

His attire had changed completely, now resembling Archer Emiya's iconic garb—a sleek, crimson coat with black accents that exuded an air of authority and menace. Silver vambraces adorned his arms, engraved with faintly glowing runic patterns that pulsed with energy. His horns, once modest, had elongated, giving him an even more demonic appearance.

But it was the weapons in his hands that drew everyone's attention. Kanshou and Bakuya, the twin curved blades of Archer, gleamed in the dim light. Their edges shimmered with deadly brilliance, a testament to their craftsmanship and lethality.

Adam smirked beneath his mask as he raised the blades. "Feel that?" he said, his voice colder and more menacing than ever. "This power... it's intoxicating."

Behind him, more weapons began to materialize, floating in midair—perfect replicas of Kanshou and Bakuya, as well as other swords forged through tracing. The sight of the growing arsenal left the group momentarily frozen.

"Blake," Adam said, his tone steady but venomous. "You ran from me for so long, but you can't escape anymore. Not now. Not ever."

Yang stepped forward, her mechanical arm whirring as she activated Ember Celica. "You're not laying a finger on her," she growled.

Adam tilted his head slightly, a smirk evident in his posture. "Then you'll die trying to stop me."

With a flick of his wrist, Adam launched a volley of swords at the group. The heroes scattered, narrowly avoiding the deadly projectiles as they struck the cavern walls, leaving deep gashes in the stone.

"I've waited for this moment," Adam declared, his voice echoing with twisted satisfaction. "And I intend to enjoy it."

The cavern was a cacophony of chaos. Swords clashed and shattered against weapons and aura shields, and sparks flew like fireflies in the dim, suffocating space. Adam, now wielding the power of Archer, was relentless, cutting through the combined might of Team RWBY, Team JNR, Qrow, Oscar, and the Ace Ops. His movements were precise, his strikes lethal, and his ability to trace weapons turned the battlefield into his personal armory.

Amid the chaos, Shirou struggled to push himself up. He leaned heavily against the cavern wall, his breathing ragged and his limbs trembling. His mind raced with fragmented memories: the Holy Grail War, Archer's endless torment, and the despair of walking a path of sacrifice. The familiar weight of his failures threatened to crush him.

"Useless," a voice echoed in his mind, deep and cutting.

Shirou froze, his head snapping up. Before him, faint and translucent, stood a ghostly figure. Archer, his future self, manifested in the midst of the chaos. His black and crimson coat fluttered in an unseen breeze, his expression a mixture of disdain and pity. One arm hung limply at his side—severed, a grim reminder of the price he paid in their shared existence.

"You're pathetic," Archer said bluntly, his voice devoid of sympathy. "Cowering in the corner while your friends fight for their lives. Is this the resolve of the man who calls himself a hero of justice?"

Shirou clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. "I'm... I'm trying—"

"Trying?" Archer interrupted with a derisive laugh. "You're failing. Look at them." He gestured toward the battlefield. Yang and Blake were locked in a desperate battle against Adam's blades, their movements frantic as they narrowly avoided being skewered. Ruby darted through the chaos, firing bursts of energy at Adam, only to have them deflected by his traced shields. Jaune, Nora, and Ren coordinated strikes but were repeatedly forced back by Adam's unrelenting assault.

"You promised to protect them, didn't you?" Archer continued, his tone biting. "Yet here you are, wallowing in your own self-pity. How long are you going to let others bleed for your ideals?"

Shirou's breathing grew heavier, his heart pounding in his chest. "I don't... I don't want to become you," he muttered, his voice shaking.

"Then don't," Archer snapped, stepping closer. His eyes bore into Shirou's, filled with both anger and a glimmer of something unspoken—hope. "Stand up. Fight for them. Prove to me—and to yourself—that you're capable of something more than failure."

The words struck a chord deep within Shirou. He looked around the battlefield, his gaze settling on each of his friends. Blake, deflecting a sword aimed for Yang's head. Ruby, her determination unwavering despite the odds. Jaune, stepping in front of Nora to shield her from a barrage of blades.

His chest tightened as he remembered the countless people he had failed to save, the lives he couldn't protect. But this time, he could still make a difference.

"I won't let them die," Shirou whispered, his voice growing steadier with each word.

Archer's lips curled into a faint smirk. "Then prove it."

The ghostly figure dissipated, fading into the air like mist. In its place, a faint glow began to emanate from Shirou's hands. His trembling ceased as a familiar warmth spread through him—a clarity born from resolve.

Shirou gritted his teeth and pushed himself to his feet, his legs steady beneath him. His voice, though quiet at first, grew stronger with each word.

"I am the bone of my sword."

The aria flowed from him like a mantra, a declaration of his will. Energy crackled in the air around him, the cavern trembling as his aura surged.

"Steel is my body, and fire is my blood."

Kanshou and Bakuya materialized in his hands, their weight a familiar reassurance. He raised his head, his golden eyes burning with renewed determination.

"I have created over a thousand blades."

The battle seemed to pause as the intensity of Shirou's presence drew everyone's attention. Adam turned, his expression obscured by his mask but his stance betraying intrigue.

"Unknown to death, nor known to life."

Shirou stepped forward, the swords in his hands humming with energy. The air around him shimmered as traces of countless weapons began to form, their shapes flickering like mirages.

"Withstood pain to create many weapons."

Blake's eyes widened as she saw Shirou walking toward the fray, his aura unlike anything she had seen before. "Shirou...?"

"Yet, those hands will never hold anything."

Adam smirked beneath his mask, readying Kanshou and Bakuya. "You think you can stop me?"

Shirou's voice rose, his words a declaration to the heavens.

"So as I pray, Unlimited Blade Works."

With a final burst of energy, the cavern around them dissolved, replaced by an endless field of swords rising from the ground like a metallic forest under a sky of swirling fire and ash. The heroes and Adam stood within the Reality Marble, the sheer scale of Shirou's power taking their breath away.

The battlefield had shifted, and the fight was far from over.

Author's Note: Shirou will not have complete access to Archer's Unlimited Blade Works this is only a one and done and will be the last time Archer helps him.