Tomoe was dreaming.
Clang!
In his dream he saw an elderly man sitting in front of the forge.
Clang!
In his hand a hammer and a piece of steel.
Clang!
As the elderly kept hammering the steel, it's shaped started to change.
Clang!
Clang!
Slowly but surely the steel is molded into the shape of a katana.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
And finally after the finishing touches, the katana is held in the old man hands
It was a beautiful katana, that was clear even to Tomoe amateurish eyes.
And yet
'Another Failure'
The elderly man sighed as he throw the katana to the side.
Looking to the side tomoe saw an unbelievable sight.
A mountain of swords discarded by the elderly, each with a quality surpassing a human can make.
But before Tomoe can admire the sight, another voice is heard.
'Its time to wake up, boy.'
And Tomoe world turns black.
Z
Tomoe's eyelids fluttered open, his vision still hazy from the remnants of the dream. The rhythmic sound of hammering lingered faintly in his ears before fading entirely.
His surroundings were familiar yet out of place—the bright sunlight filtering through the classroom windows, the rows of desks filled with his classmates, and the ever-imposing presence of Kazuki-sensei standing at the front.
Then it hit him.
He was in class.
And everyone was staring at him.
Tomoe blinked, his disoriented mind struggling to process the situation. He turned his head to the side and met the unimpressed gaze of Kazuki-sensei, who was staring at him with a face so devoid of emotion it might as well have been carved from stone.
"Ah..." Tomoe muttered, his voice hoarse from sleep.
A quiet murmur rippled through the classroom, and Tomoe could hear the faint sound of suppressed laughter from a few students. His cheeks flushed a deep red as he realized what had happened.
"Enjou," Kazuki-sensei said, his tone flat but laced with enough authority to send a chill down Tomoe's spine. "I assume the lesson was so riveting that you decided to take a nap to... process it better?"
"N-No, Sensei! I—" Tomoe stammered, struggling to come up with an excuse. But his mind was still foggy from the strange dream. The image of the elderly man forging katana after katana flashed in his mind, distracting him further.
Kazuki-sensei sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Since you seem so well-rested, perhaps you'd like to answer the question I just asked the class?"
Tomoe froze. "Uh..."
The entire classroom was silent now, all eyes on him. He felt the weight of their stares like a physical pressure, and the heat of his embarrassment climbed to the tips of his ears.
"Which is?" Kazuki-sensei prompted, clearly unimpressed.
Tomoe's mind raced. He hadn't even been awake to hear the question, let alone prepare an answer. Desperately, he glanced at his seatmate for help, but they only shrugged apologetically.
"I, uh... I'm sorry, Sensei. Could you repeat the question?" Tomoe finally asked, knowing full well it wouldn't earn him any sympathy.
Kazuki-sensei's expression didn't change, but his eyes narrowed slightly, a clear sign of his displeasure.
"Perhaps you'd like to spend your lunch break cleaning the blackboards while you think about paying more attention in class."
Tomoe slumped in his seat, defeated. "Yes, Sensei..."
The class erupted in quiet snickers as Kazuki-sensei returned to the lesson, and Tomoe groaned inwardly.
Great, he thought. First, I almost die fighting a Servant, and now I'm humiliated in front of the whole class.
As the lesson droned on, Tomoe couldn't help but think back to the dream. The elderly man, the mountain of swords, and those haunting words:
"Another failure."
What did it mean? Was it just a dream, or something more? Tomoe shook his head, trying to push the thoughts away.
For now, he had to survive Kazuki-sensei's wrath and the teasing of his classmates. Everything else would have to wait.
Z
The next period rolled around, and Tomoe could feel the exhaustion dragging him down like a heavy weight. His eyelids felt like lead, and his body protested even the act of sitting upright in his chair.
He raised his hand weakly, catching the teacher's attention. "Sensei, may I go to the school clinic? I'm... not feeling well."
The teacher, a kind and perceptive woman, paused mid-lecture to assess him. She frowned slightly, taking in his pale complexion and drooping posture. "You do look unwell, Enjou. Go ahead, but make sure you rest properly. Don't make a habit of overworking yourself."
"Thank you, Sensei," Tomoe mumbled, standing up and making his way out of the classroom.
The hallway felt eerily quiet as he walked toward the clinic, his footsteps echoing faintly against the tiled floors. He could feel the stares of a few students as he passed by, but he was too tired to care.
When he finally arrived, the nurse greeted him with a warm but concerned smile. "You don't look too good, dear. Not feeling well?"
Tomoe was tired but he still noticed the cross necklace she wore. 'She must be christian.' he thought.
"Just... really tired," Tomoe admitted.
The nurse nodded knowingly. "It's that season after all. I've seen plenty of students pushing themselves too hard. Go ahead and lie down on one of the beds. I'll check on you later."
Tomoe thanked her quietly and made his way to one of the small, curtained-off beds. He sank onto the mattress, letting the soft sheets and faint antiseptic smell lull him into a sense of calm.
As he lay there, his mind wandered back to the events of the previous night. The battle with Atalanta had dragged on until dawn, leaving him no time to go home and rest before school. He'd barely had time to change clothes and grab his bag before stumbling out the door.
No wonder I look like a mess, he thought, a wry smile tugging at his lips.
But despite his weariness, a sense of pride swelled in his chest. They had won. He and Shinji had taken down a rogue Servant, and he had played a part in it. Sure, he still felt like he was out of his depth, but at least he was starting to prove himself.
With that comforting thought, Tomoe closed his eyes and drifted off into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The nurse peeked in on him a few times, but seeing how peaceful he looked, she decided to let him rest.
The school day continued without him, but for Tomoe, this moment of rest was long overdue.
Z
The sharp sound of the lunch bell dragged Tomoe out of his slumber. Groggy but noticeably more refreshed, he rubbed his eyes and sat up on the clinic bed. The nurse noticed him stirring and approached with a small smile.
"Feeling better?" she asked.
"Yeah... thanks," Tomoe mumbled as he stretched. "I think I can get back to class now."
The nurse gave him a nod of approval. "Good. Don't push yourself too hard, alright?"
Tomoe nodded, grabbed his bag, and made his way back to the classroom.
When he slid the door open, he was greeted by an unexpected sight. The usually disciplined class was in chaos. Conversations buzzed around the room, and laughter erupted every few seconds. Some students were standing instead of sitting at their desks, and even the teacher seemed to be late in arriving.
What caught Tomoe's attention most, however, was the group of girls near the window who were stealing glances at him. The moment their eyes met his, they quickly turned away, giggling and whispering among themselves.
What the hell is going on? he thought.
One of his male classmates, who was still seated, noticed Tomoe's puzzled expression. "Hey, Enjou! You're finally back!"
"Uh... yeah," Tomoe replied hesitantly. "What's all this about? Did I miss something while I was out?"
The boy grinned and leaned closer, lowering his voice as if about to spill a juicy secret. "Man, you're not gonna believe this. During lunch, Tohsaka Rin came looking for you."
Tomoe froze. "What?"
"Yeah, Rin. The Rin. The model student. She came in here all calm and collected, asking if you were around," the classmate explained, clearly excited to be sharing the news. "Everyone freaked out, obviously. She's like the school's celebrity, you know? Half the guys here would kill to talk to her. And she was looking for you. What's the deal?"
Tomoe stared at him, dumbfounded. Tohsaka Rin? Looking for me?
"Anyway," the boy continued, "you weren't here, so she left after a while. But, man... you've got some explaining to do. Everyone's dying to know why she was looking for you."
Tomoe glanced around and noticed the curious looks being thrown his way, especially from the girls. Some blushed and turned away the moment he caught them staring, while others openly watched him, their expressions filled with intrigue.
"Well, damn," he muttered under his breath, ruffling his hair awkwardly. "Where's Shinji when you need him?"
The thought of facing Rin—or worse, explaining himself to the class—made him wish he could crawl back into the clinic bed and hide until the end of the day.
Z
The rest of the day passed in relative peace for Tomoe. Despite the earlier commotion, no one bothered him, and he managed to blend back into the routine of the school day.
Honestly, it felt like a miracle.
Now that he'd rested, he was able to focus—well, mostly. The hum of the classroom was background noise as he zoned out, occasionally glancing at the clock.
Just make it to the end of the day, he told himself.
It wasn't that he particularly cared about the lessons. No, skipping class wouldn't have bothered him under normal circumstances. But skipping club practice? That was another story.
Even if he wasn't the best athlete, there was something grounding about the routine of training. It gave him structure, a chance to burn off the stress of this bizarre double life he was now living.
So, he bided his time, barely acknowledging the lessons as they ticked by, until finally—the bell rang, signaling the end of the school day.
Tomoe grabbed his sports bag, slung it over his shoulder, and stood, ready to make a break for the clubroom.
That is, until he saw her.
Standing in the doorway of his classroom, arms crossed, was Tohsaka Rin.
The room fell silent as students noticed her presence. Her twin tails swayed slightly as she stepped inside, her confident stride making it clear she wasn't here for idle chatter.
Tomoe froze. Oh no. She's here for me.
Her fake sweet smile was unmistakable as she stopped directly in front of him.
"You have time now, right, Enjou-kun?" she said, her tone light but with an edge that left no room for argument.
Tomoe swallowed hard. He could feel the weight of the entire class's stares pressing on him. A bead of sweat trickled down his neck as he tried to come up with a response.
"I, uh... actually, I have club practice..." he started weakly, raising his bag as if it were some kind of protective shield.
"Practice can wait," she replied smoothly, the sweetness in her smile not reaching her sharp eyes. "This is more important."
"Uh, I don't think the coach will..."
"I will talk to him."
"But..."
"I.will.talk.to.him"
"Right," Tomoe muttered, already resigned to his fate. Well, shit.
The entire class erupted into whispers and giggles as Rin turned and gestured for him to follow her.
"Let's go," she said, already walking toward the door.
Tomoe hesitated for a moment, glancing longingly at the window as if it might offer an escape route. But he knew better.
With a sigh, he hoisted his bag higher on his shoulder and trudged after her, all too aware of the curious looks his classmates were giving him.
As they left the classroom, he muttered under his breath, "Where's Shinji when you need him?"
If Rin heard him, she didn't acknowledge it. She just kept walking, her pace steady and her presence commanding.
Tomoe followed, already dreading whatever came next.
Z
The walk to the rooftop was agonizing for Tomoe.
The silence between him and Rin Tohsaka stretched uncomfortably, each step echoing louder in his mind than it should have. It wasn't like he didn't have questions—he had plenty.
Why are you here? Why me? What do you want to talk about?
But none of them escaped his lips. Rin's presence, commanding yet distant, made it hard for him to muster the courage. They weren't friends, not even close. At best, she was an enigmatic acquaintance with an air of superiority that kept most people at arm's length.
The whispers and glances from passing students didn't help.
"Are they dating?"
"What's Enjou doing with Tohsaka-senpai?"
"Is this some kind of punishment?"
Tomoe sighed internally, already feeling the weight of the rumors that were bound to spread by tomorrow.
When they finally reached the rooftop, he was eager to get this over with. But the sight that greeted him made him pause mid-step.
Standing near the railing, with her signature golden curls glinting under the sunlight, was none other than Luviagelita Edelfelt.
Tomoe's jaw nearly dropped. What the hell is she doing here?
For a moment, the two girls locked eyes. The air around them seemed to shift, tension crackling like a brewing storm.
Rin's carefully composed expression slipped, replaced by a scowl as she muttered, "Of course it's you."
Luviagelita turned toward them, her elegant demeanor unshaken. She offered a polite, albeit smug, smile. "Why, Tohsaka, how lovely of you to join me. Though I wasn't expecting company."
Rin let out a sharp breath through her nose. "Company? This is my meeting, Edelfelt. What are you doing here?"
Luviagelita raised a delicate eyebrow. "Your meeting? I believe you misunderstand. I was simply taking advantage of the tranquility up here before someone decided to intrude."
Tomoe stood frozen, glancing between the two. The atmosphere was suffocating, and he could already see where this was heading.
"Tranquility?" Rin scoffed, crossing her arms. "Please. You knew I'd come up here."
"And if I did?" Luviagelita replied, her tone light but laced with challenge.
Tomoe cleared his throat, hoping to defuse the brewing argument. "Uh, not to interrupt or anything, but... why are we all here?"
Both girls turned to him simultaneously, their contrasting gazes making him shrink slightly.
"I brought you here to talk," Rin said firmly, glaring at Luvia. "Privately."
"And I stayed because it's a public rooftop," Luvia countered, flipping her hair with a flourish. "I have every right to be here, Tohsaka."
"Why, you—" Rin clenched her fists, taking a step forward.
Tomoe groaned inwardly. Great. So much for privacy.
He hesitated, then tried again. "Should I, uh, come back later?"
Rin turned to him with an exasperated sigh. "No. You're staying. She's leaving."
Luvia laughed softly, the sound grating on Rin's nerves. "Oh, Tohsaka, how very predictable. Unfortunately for you, I'm not going anywhere."
"We'll see about that."
And with that the fuse of war is lit on fire.
Tomoe looked at the sky, wondering if this was karmic punishment for something he'd done in a past life. Shinji, where the hell are you when I need you?
After all, who's best to deal with girls other than the resident womanizer.
Z
The rooftop echoed with the sounds of Rin Tohsaka and Luviagelita Edelfelt's heated battle for what felt like an eternity. Tomoe, crouching behind an air conditioning unit, watched with a mix of awe and despair as beams of energy, gusts of wind, and glowing magical glyphs filled the air. The sound of each impact shook the roof, and Tomoe—ever the realist—clung to his hiding spot for dear life.
What am I even doing here? he thought, suppressing a groan.
He peeked out just in time to see Rin leap into the air, her palm glowing with energy, while Luvia deflected her attack with an elegant but equally deadly counter. The resulting shockwave sent debris flying everywhere.
Tomoe ducked back behind cover, cursing his decision to come up here.
"Why couldn't this just be a normal day?" he muttered.
He thought longingly of the track field, his teammates, and the simple satisfaction of running laps. Hell, even running drills would be better than this chaos.
Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, the sounds of battle subsided. Cautiously, Tomoe peeked out again to find both girls worse for wear. Rin's twin tails were a mess, and her uniform was torn in several places, but her glare remained as sharp as ever. Luvia's golden curls were frizzed and disheveled, her normally pristine posture slightly slouched, but she still carried an air of elegance.
Both girls dusted themselves off, muttering complaints under their breaths, before turning to face Tomoe.
"Fine, you can stay." Rin said, her voice sharp as she smoothed her skirt. "Now, we can get back to business."
Luvia crossed her arms, her gaze equally piercing. "Indeed. Though perhaps next time, Tohsaka, you could exercise some restraint."
"Restraint?" Rin snapped, whirling on her. "You're the one who—!"
"Ladies," Tomoe interrupted weakly, raising a trembling hand. "Can we... not?"
The girls exchanged a brief glare but ultimately nodded, their rivalry momentarily set aside as they both focused on him.
"Fine, I guess I can be magnanimous and let this one go."
"Very mature, Tohsaka." Luvia said, making Rin fumed.
"Why you... tch." She then turned towards him.
"Enjou, by the authority as the second owner of this land, I command you ti tell me your identity." Rin began, her voice firm. "Who are you really?"
Tomoe blinked. "Uh... what?"
Rin sighed, clearly exasperated. "Your identity. Your real identity. Which magus family are you from? Your crest? Your lineage?"
"My... what?" Tomoe repeated, feeling his stomach twist into knots. "I—I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just a high school student. I run track. That's it!"
Rin frowned deeply, suspicion flashing in her eyes. "That can't be all. You're involved in the Holy Grail War. A civilian wouldn't be chosen to participate. You must be connected to a magus family."
Tomoe's mind raced. Crest? Magus family? Lineage? He felt like he was spinning in circles, drowning in terminology he barely understood.
"Are you saying you're not aware of your own heritage?" Luvia asked, her voice calm but curious. "Unlikely. Even the most untrained magus would know their family background."
Tomoe's heart sank. He opened his mouth to reply, but no words came out. Instead, doubts began to flood his mind. What if they were right? What if he wasn't just an ordinary student? Could there be more to his identity than even he knew?
He slumped against the railing, suddenly questioning everything. Am I really just... me?
"Hey!" Rin snapped, pulling him out of his spiraling thoughts. "Don't space out on me! Answer the question!"
"I—I don't know!" Tomoe finally burst out. "I'm just an ordinary guy! I'm not from some magus family or anything. I didn't even know magic was real until, like, yesterday!"
Rin opened her mouth to press further, but a new voice interrupted her.
"He's telling the truth."
All three of them turned toward the staircase, where Shinji stood, casually leaning against the doorway.
"He's a civilian," Shinji said, walking onto the rooftop with a smug expression. "No fancy bloodline, no family crest, nothing. Just a regular guy who got dragged into this mess."
Rin's eyebrows shot up. "A civilian? That's impossible! A normal person wouldn't survive in the Grail War!"
"Yeah, well, here he is," Shinji replied with a shrug. "Alive and kicking, no thanks to you."
Luvia raised an eyebrow. "And you are...?"
"Shinji Matou," he said, his tone nonchalant but carrying an edge. "And unlike you two, I don't waste my time grilling people who don't have answers."
Tomoe, still shaken, shot Shinji a grateful look. Finally, someone who wasn't interrogating him like a criminal.
Rin, however, wasn't satisfied. She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Then why is he involved? The Grail doesn't just pick random civilians."
Shinji smirked. "Maybe it just likes him. Ever think of that?"
Tomoe groaned inwardly. Great. Now he's making it worse.
Rin's sharp gaze cut through the tense silence like a blade. "The Holy Grail War participants have always been the Three Founding Families and four outsiders. Among those outsiders, at least one is selected by the Mage's Association, and the remaining outsiders are always magi with known capability and ambition. A civilian has no place in this war."
Her tone was that of a teacher explaining basic arithmetic to a slow student, firm and unyielding.
Shinji didn't so much as blink. Instead, he gave an exaggerated shrug, his ever-present smirk firmly in place. "Oh yeah? Then what about the Fourth War's Caster?"
That single question landed like a thunderclap. Rin's lips parted as if to retort, but no sound escaped. Her confidence wavered, and for the first time since the confrontation began, she seemed unsure.
"Yeah, thought so," Shinji continued, the smugness in his voice grating. "The Fourth Holy Grail War's Caster was summoned by a civilian. Not a magus, not some heir to a prestigious family—just some guy with zero credentials. And guess what? That little 'anomaly' caused more chaos than half the so-called proper participants."
Tomoe blinked in confusion, looking from Rin to Shinji. He had no idea what they were talking about but figured it had to do with the supernatural nonsense he'd been dragged into. Still, Shinji's words gave him the unsettling feeling that his lack of understanding wasn't just a matter of ignorance—it might be a deliberate blind spot.
Rin's jaw tightened, her frustration visible as she processed Shinji's rebuttal. "That was an exception," she said sharply. "The Fourth War Caster was a special case. It doesn't mean the rules have changed."
Shinji chuckled, a smug glint in his eyes. "An exception, sure. But it proves the Grail isn't as rigid as you think, Tohsaka. History repeats itself in strange ways. Just because something's unlikely doesn't mean it's impossible."
Rin opened her mouth to argue but stopped short when Shinji pressed further.
"And let's not forget the state of the Grail right now," he said, his tone more serious. "It's far from perfect. Who's to say what criteria it's using to choose participants this time? You can't rely on precedent when the system itself is breaking down."
The air between them grew tense. Rin's lips pressed into a thin line, her silence indicating she had no immediate counterargument.
Luvia, who had been watching the exchange with a mix of amusement and exasperation, took the opportunity to interject.
"If we're done debating the Grail's decision-making process," she said smoothly, her gaze narrowing, "I'd like to know why you're so adamant about protecting this boy, Matou."
Shinji smirked, his confidence unshaken. "Simple. Tomoe's my ally. And as far as I'm concerned, that puts him under the protection of the Matou side."
The declaration was met with visible annoyance from both girls.
"An ally?" Rin repeated, her tone dripping with skepticism. "You've barely known him for a day, and now you're claiming him as part of your faction?"
"Why not?" Shinji shrugged nonchalantly. "An extra hand in the war is always useful. And unlike some people, I don't waste time interrogating my allies to death."
Rin bristled, her irritation palpable. "This isn't a game, Matou. Forming alliances for the sake of numbers alone will only backfire when the war truly begins."
"Spare me the lecture," Shinji shot back. "The fact that you're this worked up about it just proves you see him as a threat. Otherwise, you wouldn't care."
Luvia crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful but wary. "It's not the alliance itself that's troubling. It's the imbalance it creates. If the Matou side has two participants, that gives you an unfair advantage when the war resumes."
"Unfair?" Shinji said with a sly grin. "I didn't realize fairness was a priority in a death match for the ultimate wish-granting artifact. But sure, if it makes you feel better, call it what you want."
Rin and Luvia exchanged a brief glance, their mutual dislike momentarily overshadowed by the strategic implications of Shinji words.
Shinji, sensing the shift, decided to end the conversation on his terms. "Well, if that's all, I think we're done here." He turned to Tomoe, who had been standing awkwardly on the sidelines the entire time. "Let's go, Enjou. No point wasting more time."
Tomoe hesitated, glancing between the girls and Shinji. Part of him wanted to stay and clear up the misunderstandings, but the other part—the part that valued his sanity—knew it was best to leave before things escalated again.
"Uh... sure," he said finally, slinging his bag over his shoulder and following Shinji toward the staircase.
As they left, he could feel Rin and Luvia's eyes boring into his back, their unspoken questions lingering in the air.
The moment they were out of earshot, Tomoe couldn't help but whisper, "You're surprisingly good at this whole diplomacy thing, Shinji."
Shinji snorted, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Diplomacy? Please. I just know how to shut people up."
"Still," Tomoe pressed, "you really seemed like you knew what you were talking about back there."
Shinji glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, smirking. "Don't get used to it, Enjou. I'm not running a charity here."
Tomoe sighed, shaking his head. "Great. Just great. So now I'm officially part of the Matou side? What does that even mean?"
"It means," Shinji said, his tone dripping with faux patience, "that as long as you're with me, you don't need to worry about those two. They won't touch you—not while I'm around."
Tomoe frowned. "And if you're not around?"
Shinji stopped walking and turned to face him, his smirk fading just slightly. "Then you run. Fast."
Tomoe groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fantastic. Just what I needed."
Shinji's smirk returned full force. "Hey, it's not all bad. At least you've got me on your side. That's worth something, right?"
Tomoe wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry at that. "Sure. Worth something…"
As they reached the stairs, Shinji suddenly stopped walking, his gaze fixated on something—or someone—below.
"What's wrong?" Tomoe asked, looking back at him.
Shinji didn't respond immediately, his lips barely moving as he murmured, "Sakura..."
Tomoe followed his line of sight and saw a girl standing at the base of the stairs. She had long, lustrous violet hair tied with a red ribbon and a pair of matching violet eyes that seemed to carry a quiet softness. She stood there as if waiting for someone, her posture poised but hesitant.
"Do you know her?" Tomoe asked, confused by Shinji's reaction.
"She's... my sister," Shinji said, his voice barely audible.
Tomoe blinked in surprise. "Your sister? Then why do you look like you just saw a ghost?"
Before Shinji could respond, the girl noticed them and offered a polite bow. "Nii-san," she greeted softly, her voice as gentle as her appearance.
Shinji hesitated for a moment, then gave her a stiff nod. "Sakura. What are you doing here?"
"I was... worried about you," she said, her tone uncertain but reserved.
Her words hung in the air, carrying an undertone that Tomoe couldn't quite place.
Shinji frowned, his expression conflicted. "I'm fine. You don't need to..." He trailed off, his usual sharp demeanor subdued.
Sakura took a small step back, bowing slightly. "I see. If you're fine, then I'll be going now."
Before Shinji could say anything more, Sakura turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing softly down the hallway.
Tomoe watched her leave, his confusion deepening. The interaction felt... off. There was a tension between the siblings that he couldn't understand, and it left a strange weight in the air.
"That was... weird," Tomoe said, scratching the back of his head. He turned to Shinji, who was still staring at the spot where Sakura had stood. "Are you coming, or...?"
"You go on ahead," Shinji said abruptly, his voice tight.
Tomoe frowned. "What? Why?"
"Just go," Shinji repeated, not meeting Tomoe's eyes.
Tomoe hesitated, but the look on Shinji's face told him this wasn't up for discussion. With a resigned sigh, he adjusted his bag and started down the stairs.
"Alright." he said, glancing back over his shoulder.
Shinji didn't respond, and Tomoe couldn't help but feel like he was leaving behind more than just a conversation.
Z
That night, the stillness of an empty field was shattered by a scream of pure horror.
"Ahhh!!!"
The desperate cry echoed through the cold darkness, its source a middle-aged man in a police uniform. His flashlight trembled in his grasp, the weak beam barely cutting through the oppressive shadows.
There had been reports of disturbances in the area, strange noises and fleeting shapes that unsettled the local residents. Responding out of duty, the officer had ventured out alone to investigate, thinking it was just another wild animal or a group of delinquents causing trouble.
Never in his life did he imagine he would face something that could endanger his very existence.
Well, no actually, when he takes this job, he knew he might face danger in the future.
But he expect to have a surviving chance and not this!
His breath came in ragged gasps as he ran, his heavy boots crunching against the frost-covered grass. Panic overtook him, his mind racing for a solution that wouldn't come.
I just need to make it to the road... Someone will see me... Someone will hear me...
But no matter how fast he ran, his pursuer was faster—far faster. The creature was human-shaped, but something about it was all wrong. Its movements were too fluid, too unnatural, and its presence radiated an aura of primal malice.
The officer glanced back, and his heart sank. It was gaining on him effortlessly.
"No! No, no, no!!!" he shouted, forcing his legs to move faster, his body screaming in protest.
But it was hopeless. The creature's hand shot out like a viper, grabbing him by the shoulder and yanking him off his feet. He crashed to the ground, his flashlight skittering away into the grass.
"Please... let me go!" the officer begged, his voice cracking as tears streamed down his face.
The creature loomed over him, its face partially obscured by the dim light. A cruel smile twisted its lips, and its eyes gleamed with a predatory hunger. It said nothing, only tilting its head as though mocking his pleas.
"No!!!"
The scream cut short as the officer's body went limp, falling to the ground with a dull thud. His lifeless eyes stared blankly at the starless sky above.
The only figure left standing was his assailant.
The creature wiped its bloodied hands against its tattered clothing and looked up at the dark horizon. Its grin widened, and without a word, it melted back into the shadows, leaving the field as silent as death.
Z
A.N
First thing first, happy new year, even if it's a bit late.
Second, I would like to thank you to niammohammad78 for his criticism, I've already made some adjustments to my story.
Thirdly, I would like to apologize to everyone that got mislead by me, that was not my intention, once again I apologize.
The concept of the story was having a named OC to act as alternative world Shirou Emiya, I was only using the named Tomoe Enjou as a pretext, because I think it's cool.
I was so fixated to this concept that I forget that my character is basically an OC, it's a mistake that hopefully won't happen again later.
So once again, I thank everyone that pointed this mistake to me and I apologize for everyone that felt slighted.