章 2: Awakening to a Different Era
Strange voices whispered to him, their words a discordant symphony of balance, order, light, and salvation. Each utterance struck his mind like a hammer, sending sharp, splitting pain through his skull and deep into his very being. It was as if something ancient and formidable was being etched into his soul.
Each time the voices spoke, visions of fire invaded his mind—unlike the familiar blaze that haunted his dreams. This fire was different, otherworldly. He saw flames consuming a bush beneath a tree with an unusual intensity. Then, another fire emerged, a far more terrifying blaze that screamed in baleful agony, its very essence radiating malevolence.
The fire from the bush seemed to react to the malevolent flames, enraged by their existence. With a pulse of primordial light, the bush's fire surged, snuffing out the other flame in an instant. This fire was comforting, warm and reassuring, as though it were embracing him, soothing his pain.
But before he could fully grasp it, the vision shifted. The sky above transformed, and countless stars converged, forming a shimmering tapestry across the heavens. For a fleeting moment, he glimpsed a dream—a hazy vision of something long yearned for but never quite attained. A smile that always seemed just out of reach.
Then, the vision was marred by a grinding sensation deep within his soul, as though something was being torn away. Yet, with that pain came liberation, as if unseen chains had been shattered, setting him free.
He found himself standing in his Reality Marble once more, but everything was different. The familiar hill of swords was gone. Instead, he walked on a clear sky, clouds drifting beneath his feet. The swords that had once been embedded in the earth now hovered in the air, surrounded by an aura of fire. Each blade glowed with fierce intensity, as though imbued with new life.
Above him was a black sky dotted with a single star, its brilliance contrasting starkly with the darkness around it. It was as if light and darkness were reflecting each other—a sky and the cosmos hidden beyond it. Was this a message? A sign that he should reach for the star beyond the clouds?
Shirou took a step forward, drawn toward the sight. As he approached, he saw Excalibur, still embedded in the sky, its radiance even more brilliant than before. Beside it was another sword—its form hazy and indistinct, yet it called to him with an irresistible pull.
Just as he reached out to grasp it, his eyes snapped open, and the vision vanished. Disoriented, he blinked, his first sight being a wooden ceiling above him. The remnants of the dream clung to his mind, leaving him confused and unsettled.
What had he just witnessed? And what did it all mean?
Shirou tried to get up, but his body resisted, stiff and unyielding. Though his movements were locked, he felt no pain from his injuries. Instead, he experienced a curious surge of energy, accompanied by deep disorientation. It was as if something fundamental within him had shifted. The emptiness that once plagued him was gone, replaced by a burning purpose that urged him forward.
Slowly, he sat up, surveying his surroundings. Was he back at his place? The familiar lines of a temple were present, but the identity of the Ryuudou Temple was missing. As he rose to his feet, he noticed something odd—he was dressed in simple, worn farming clothes, garments he had no memory of owning.
His confusion deepened as he looked around. The room was small and rustic, its walls made of brick and stone, with a wooden roof overhead. The architecture resembled something from the Heian era. Had he somehow ended up in a different part of Japan?
Shirou moved toward the door, his steps uncertain. As he reached for the handle, he hesitated, trying to make sense of his situation. He pushed the door open, and the bright light outside nearly blinded him.
Blinking several times to adjust to the brightness, he was greeted by a lush, vibrant landscape. The air was thick with the scent of fresh grass. Above, the sky was dotted with fluffy clouds, and the sun shone brightly at its zenith. It must be high noon.
He also sensed a significant amount of Mana in the air, thick and rich as if it were the Age of Gods. He was startled by how he knew this. The memory of Archer resurfaced, souring his mood. Perhaps it was due to the memory transfer.
Suddenly, a clanking sound disrupted the serene atmosphere. Shirou turned to see a small child, no older than eight, standing frozen, having just dropped a metal bucket. The boy's clothes were tattered and patched, and he stared at Shirou in wide-eyed surprise.
Before Shirou could speak, the child turned and sprinted away, his small feet kicking up dust. Shirou opened his mouth to call after him, but the boy was already out of earshot. In the distance, Shirou heard the child's voice, faint but clear.
"Tsukuyomi-sama! The stranger is awake!"
The name struck Shirou like a bolt of lightning, sending a shiver down his spine. Tsukuyomi? He blinked, trying to process what he had just heard. Wasn't that the name of the Goddess of the Moon? A strange premonition stirred in his heart, a sense of foreboding that he couldn't quite shake.
What had he gotten himself into?
In a meeting room…
Shirou stared blankly at a woman who exuded an aura he recognized from Archer's store of knowledge—a divine spirit? No, a Goddess in flesh, smiling at him with an amused expression.
But something was different—something in him sensed that Archer's memories and warnings might not fully capture what he was seeing.
The Goddess was dressed in a kimono with patches, which did nothing to diminish her divine beauty. Why was she wearing such humble garb instead of the majestic attire typically worn by gods?
"Has my beauty captivated you, stranger?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
Shirou snapped out of his stupor, a blush rising to his face. He shook his head, trying to focus.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. I was just surprised to see an esteemed goddess like you in such attire and in this place. I mean no offense; I thought gods were usually in their domains, rarely interacting with mortals."
"Hmm, is this your first time meeting a divine being?"
"Ah, yes. I didn't expect to meet a generous goddess like you. I'm deeply grateful for your assistance."
Shirou bowed deeply, his thoughts in a whirl. He was indeed in the Age of Gods, wasn't he? If Rin knew, she would be furious about how badly things had gone. Would counter-guardians come to remove him as an anomaly?
"Think nothing of it. It is my duty to care for lost souls like you. When my children first found you, they saw you burning in flames—flames that are not only divine but primordial."
A shift in the air made Shirou sweat under the Goddess's intense gaze.
"What are you? I have never seen a mortal bathed in primordial flames, much less divine ones. It almost felt like I was staring at the origin of fire itself! You are no god, but you possess an origin close to the divine, yet magical and foreign to this world."
Shirou's breath hitched at the confrontation with a goddess. His luck seemed to have taken a turn for the worse. He had no chance of winning in a direct confrontation. He needed to be cautious with his words and approach. Based on the dreams, he might have a clue about what she was referring to, but he had no idea how he ended up here. Truth was the only option, as nothing escaped a goddess's sight.
"I—I don't know. Before I woke up, I was fighting in a war to stop someone from destroying the world with a tool called the Holy Grail. In the final battle, I was absorbed by the Grail, and everything afterward was hazy."
Tsukuyomi's divine gaze pierced through him, confirming that he spoke the truth. A war that nearly destroyed the world? And the Grail from the story of Gerahald—a tool made by a primordial god? It was intended to banish flood, famine, and disease, not for destruction. She had heard of this tool but had not expected it to be used in a war.
Tsukuyomi recalled a time when gods discussed humanity's fate. She had been one of the most vocal about supporting humanity. She had nearly clashed with Shiva over this, and the intervention of Vishnu and Brahma had prevented further conflict. But why would such a healing artifact be used in war?
"Are you a child of Yahweh or Vishnu?"
Shirou was appalled and horrified. The suggestion was bizarre.
"No, I am not a child of any god. I arrived in this world due to the Grail. I don't know anything about the Biblical God or Vishnu."
Tsukuyomi's suspicion was confirmed. The sudden shift in the world to accept a foreign existence had not gone unnoticed. She was sure others would be intrigued by the alteration in the world's laws. Was this child blessed by Yahweh, a guide for humanity? Had the Grail sent him to the future?
One conclusion remained: An ancient hero was sent to the future due to a divine artifact.
Tsukuyomi massaged her temples, reflecting on her thoughts. She had always believed it was a bad idea for gods to bestow artifacts upon mortals who couldn't handle them. Many gods twisted mortal lives, and she condemned it.
"I see. It seems you've been caught up in the whims of the gods, like many mortals before you. I would like to return to Tenkai and have words with the one who gave you such an artifact, but my divine powers are restricted. I can only find someone who is returning to Tenkai, which is rare. Now tell me, mortal, what did you do with the Grail?"
Shirou swallowed hard, knowing she wouldn't like the answer.
"It was destroyed."
Tsukuyomi shot to her feet, looking at Shirou in shock. It was reminiscent of a tale from the Argonauts—a fool who destroyed a divine artifact to save a princess. An artifact used by a god to command mortals, twisted by old kings to ensure royal monopoly over divine protection.
Tsukuyomi sighed, perhaps this mortal was destined to destroy the artifact.
"I see. It must have been difficult to act against a god who chose you as his guide. Now, tell me your name, mortal."
Shirou hesitated but then revealed his name.
"E-Emiya Shirou."
"Hmm. I see you are from the Far East, like my chosen children of old. Now tell me, old hero, what do you plan to do after completing your perilous journey?"
Shirou was confused. Old hero? He wasn't a hero, but he aspired to be one. Had the goddess misunderstood him as someone summoned by the Grail? Did she know about the Grail? Most importantly, was there a Holy Grail War in this world?
Images of the arrogant king flashed through his mind—despair and struggle to save those who would be victims of his purge. He wasn't sure he could face him again. But if Gilgamesh was here, he needed to become stronger to counter his twisted vision. He needed to be a hero to protect the innocent.
"I—I want to become a hero."
Tsukuyomi raised an eyebrow.
"I see. If that is your wish, it seems our meeting has reached a truce. I welcome you, ancient hero, to my abode. Feel free to spread the light that heroes have brought with them. I pray for your journey of salvation."
Shirou opened and closed his mouth, unsure if he should correct the misunderstanding. It seemed he was in a world far different from what he had imagined. He had only begun to discover what lay ahead.
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