Chapter 11: A home
As Eden trained with a spear, his movements fluid and precise, he felt a strange detachment, as if watching himself from afar. He observed his own actions with a sense of curiosity, noting the way his muscles flexed and his stance shifted with each strike.
But then, something shifted. A flicker of recognition crossed his mind as he realized he had been here before. This wasn't just a scene unfolding in front of him; it was a memory, playing out before his eyes like a forgotten dream.
As he watched himself train, a sense of unease settled in the pit of his stomach. He knew he had experienced this moment before, though the details were hazy and fragmented.
Suddenly, a voice cut through the haze, calling out to him with love and longing. It was a voice he recognized, though distant and ethereal. "Eden," it whispered, its tone filled with a depth of emotion that stirred something deep within him.
Startled, Eden turned towards the source of the voice, only to find himself engulfed in darkness. The scene shifted rapidly, morphing into a blur of colors and shapes as he struggled to maintain his grasp on reality.
With a gasp, Eden's eyes flew open, his heart racing and sweat beading on his forehead. He sat up abruptly, breathing heavily as he realized what had just happened. It wasn't just a dream; it was a memory, a fragment of his past that had been buried deep within his subconscious.
He took a breath trying to calm his breathing."What was that? Who was that? That spear, that field I know it. I know it. But where have I seen it before!" He shouted slamming his fist on the bed.
"A dream, was that all it was...No . It can't be that voice was familiar. I know it was." He said his voice barely a whisper.
Tears started to stream down his unconsciously. "Huh?" He questioned touching his face .
As Eden wiped his tears, he became aware of a familiar presence nearby. Turning his head, he saw Lancer materialize from his astral form.
"Master, are you alright?" Lancer asked as he approached.
Eden nodded slowly, still trying to make sense of the jumble of memories and emotions swirling inside him. "I... I think so," he replied, his voice hoarse. "It was just a... a memory, I think."
Lancer's brow furrowed . "A memory? What do you mean?" he inquired, his eyes searching Eden's for answers.
Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Eden recounted the events that had led up to his sudden awakening. He described the strange detachment he had felt, as if watching himself from a distance, and the haunting voice that had called out to him from the depths of his subconscious.
As he spoke, Lancer listened intently, his expression growing increasingly solemn. "So, you believe it was a memory from your past?" he mused, his gaze thoughtful.
Eden nodded, a sense of clarity beginning to emerge from the fog of confusion. "Yes, I think so," he affirmed. "But there's still so much I don't understand."
Lancer placed a reassuring hand on Eden's shoulder, offering him a comforting smile. "We'll figure it out together, Master," he said, his voice filled with unwavering loyalty. "But for now, rest. You've been through a lot."
Eden nodded taking a deep breath," You're right. No point in worrying about it now. Thank you Lancer." He said lying back down and folding in on himself seeking a false sense of security.
[Lancer pov]
Something was up. He could feel it. They way his demeanor changed, there was something about him that now made him wary. He had fought Caster to a standstill with magecraft alone. Distraught as she might have been that was no easy feat. And what was going on? He knew there was something off about him from when they first met but this. This wasn't what he was expecting.
"Of all the things to have happened." He sighed as his hand went through his hair.
"What are you doing here?" He asked to the person standing behind him.
Archer's eyes narrowed as he faced Lancer, his voice low and edged with suspicion. "Why did you let him rest, Lancer?" he demanded, his tone accusing.
Lancer met Archer's gaze with a steely resolve, refusing to back down. "Because he needed it," he replied evenly, his voice firm. "He's been pushing himself too hard, and it's starting to take its toll."
Archer's jaw tightened as he took a step closer, his posture tense with frustration. "What if he's not as trustworthy as you think?"
Lancer bristled at the implication, his fist clenching, "He isn't a liar," he retorted, his voice laced with a hint of anger.
Archer's eyes flashed with defiance as he squared his shoulders, refusing to back down. "I'm just saying you need to be cautious," he insisted, his voice sharp with determination.
As the tension between them reached its peak, Lancer took a deep breath, he can't be dealing with right now. "Why do you care anyway? As far as you're concerned he's going to be an enemy after this is done."
Archer held his gaze refusing to reveal his intentions and left in motes of blue light. "I can't stand that guy." Lancer grumbled to himself. He shot a glance at Eden and disappeared in blue light as well.
[General pov]
As the first light of dawn filtered through the windows, Shirou made his way towards Eden's room. He had risen early to help Sakura prepare breakfast for their small group, eager to start the day on a positive note.
Pushing open the door to Eden's room, Shirou stepped inside, his footsteps echoing softly in the quiet morning air. He approached the bed where Eden lay, still lost in the depths of slumber, his breathing steady and calm.
"Hey, Eden, it's time to wake up," Shirou said gently, reaching out to shake his shoulder.
Eden stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he slowly emerged from the embrace of sleep. Blinking away the remnants of dreams, he focused on Shirou's familiar face with a small smile.
"Morning, Shirou," Eden greeted, his voice still heavy with sleep.
Shirou returned the smile, a warm glow of their growing friendship passing between them. "Good morning, Eden. Breakfast is ready, so whenever you're ready, come join us in the dining area," he said, his tone cheerful.
With a nod, Eden stretched his limbs, banishing the last traces of drowsiness. "I'll be there in a minute," he replied, pushing himself upright in bed.
As Shirou turned to leave, Eden called out after him. "Hey, Shirou, have you seen Lancer this morning?" he asked, a note of curiosity in his voice.
Shirou paused, considering the question. "No, I haven't seen him yet," he replied, "But he's probably around somewhere. Maybe he went out for an early patrol."
Eden nodded, a sense of unease gnawing at the back of his mind. It had been a few days since he had last spoken with Lancer, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. But for now, he pushed aside his concerns.
Eden could be seen making his way towards the dining area after freshening up, his thoughts on how calm the last few days have been, he turned a corner and nearly collided with Sakura, who was carrying a tray of breakfast dishes.
"Oops, sorry about that," Eden apologized quickly, taking a step back to avoid bumping into her.
Sakura looked up in surprise, her eyes widening slightly as she registered Eden's presence. She quickly composed herself, offering him a polite smile. "No problem at all," she replied calmly, adjusting her grip on the tray. "I should have been paying more attention."
Eden couldn't help but notice the serene composure in Sakura's demeanor, a stark contrast to the nervousness he had sensed in her during their first encounter. "Are you alright? Do you need any help with that?" he asked, gesturing to the tray she was carrying.
Sakura shook her head, her smile growing warmer. "Thank you, but I've got it under control," she assured him, her voice gentle.
Eden nodded, a sense of curiosity piqued by Sakura's calm demeanor. "I don't think we've formally met," he said, extending a hand towards her. "I'm Eden."
Sakura hesitated for a moment before tentatively accepting his handshake. "I'm Sakura," she replied, her tone polite but reserved.
As their hands briefly met, Eden couldn't help but sense a flicker of recognition in Sakura's eyes, as if she were trying to place him. But before he could dwell on it further, she withdrew her hand and offered him another smile.
"It's nice to meet you, Eden," she said softly, her gaze meeting his for a moment before she turned to continue on her way.
As Eden watched her walk away, a nagging sense of curiosity lingered in the back of his mind. There was something about Sakura's calm demeanor that intrigued him. But for now, he pushed aside his thoughts, resolving to focus on the present moment as he continued on his way to the dining area.
As Eden entered the dining area, he was greeted by the welcoming sight of Shirou and Sakura setting the table together. The two of them were laughing and chatting animatedly, their closeness evident in the way they moved around each other.
"Eden!" Shirou called out, flashing him a bright smile as he approached. "Glad you could join us for breakfast."
"Thanks for preparing breakfast." Eden replied, returning the smile as he took a seat at the table.
As Eden settled into his seat, he couldn't help but notice the easy familiarity between Shirou and Sakura, the way they exchanged glances and shared inside jokes as they worked together. A thought occurred to him, and he couldn't resist asking.
"Are you two dating?" Eden blurted out before he could stop himself, his curiosity getting the better of him.
Shirou and Sakura both froze, their faces flushing crimson as they exchanged startled glances. "W-what?!" Shirou stammered, his eyes wide with surprise.
Sakura's cheeks grew even redder, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "N-no, we're not dating," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shirou nodded vigorously in agreement, his own cheeks still tinged with color. "Y-yeah, we're just friends," he added hastily, his tone slightly flustered.
But despite their protests, Eden couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their relationship than they were letting on. He could sense a certain giddiness in Sakura's demeanor, a subtle spark of excitement that belied her shy facade.
As Shirou and Sakura recovered from their initial embarrassment, they quickly resumed setting the table, their movements a bit more hurried than before. Eden, sensing their discomfort, decided to change the subject, hoping to ease the tension.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?" he asked casually, taking a sip of his tea.
Shirou glanced at Sakura, silently grateful for the change in topic. "Well, after breakfast, I was planning to go over some training exercises," he replied, his voice steady.
Sakura nodded in agreement, her smile returning as she joined in the conversation. "And I'll be helping with some chores around the house," she added, her tone cheerful.
Eden nodded, genuinely interested. "Sounds like a busy day ahead," he remarked, trying to keep the conversation light.
Shirou hesitated for a moment before speaking again, his expression guarded. "What about you, Eden? Do you have any plans for today?" he asked, his tone casual but his eyes betraying a hint of curiosity.
Eden shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Just taking it one step at a time," he replied vaguely, not wanting to reveal too much about his own agenda.
As Eden sat at the dining table with Shirou and Sakura, enjoying their conversation and the delicious food Sakura had prepared, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the house. Moments later, the door swung open, and in walked Fujimura Taiga.
"Good morning, everyone!" She exclaimed cheerfully, her energy infectious as she practically bounced into the room. "I hope I'm not too late for breakfast!"
Shirou chuckled at her enthusiasm, standing up to greet her. "Not at all, Fuji-nee. We saved you a seat," he said warmly, gesturing for her to join them at the table.
She practically skipped over to the table, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the spread before her. "Wow, this looks amazing, Sakura! You've really outdone yourself!" she exclaimed, her excitement palpable.
Sakura blushed at the praise, her smile widening. "Thank you, Fujimaru-sensei. I'm glad you like it," she replied modestly, her tone pleased.
As she settled into her seat, her gaze fell on Eden, and her eyes widened in recognition. "Oh, who do we have here?" she exclaimed, leaning in closer with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Another friend of Shirou's, I presume?"
Eden nodded, offering her a polite smile. "Yes, I'm Eden. It's nice to meet you." he greeted, trying to match her level of enthusiasm.
Fuji-nee beamed at him, seemingly undeterred by his reserved demeanor. "Nice to meet you too, Eden!" she chirped, her voice cheerful. "Now, tell me, how do you know Shirou? Are you one of his classmates? Or maybe a fellow martial artist?"
Eden chuckled at her barrage of questions, finding her relentless curiosity endearing. "Actually, I'm just a friend passing through," he explained, keeping his answer vague.
Fuji-nee nodded, seemingly satisfied with his response. "Well, it's always nice to meet new friends of Shirou," she declared, her smile bright. "I hope you'll stick around for a while!"
As Eden watched her interact with Shirou and Sakura, he couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and belonging wash over him. Despite the chaos of their lively household, there was a genuine sense affection that filled the air, and Eden couldn't help but feel grateful for the chance to experience it firsthand. With a smile, he dug into his breakfast, feeling certain that he had stumbled upon something truly special in Shirou's home.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Pandapasta
Pandapasta Trying to create a home vibe here don't know if it worked though
don't pay close attention to the title couldn't come up with one so I used this
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