章節 25: Final Chapter: Fuyuki Incident: Gates closed

Kenjaku was in the distance just contemplating the chaos. The creature picked up a cursed object similar to Gokumonkyou. - "This cursed object.... Kagami no Yume, is a relic from ancient times, imbued with an extremely rare and powerful curse. Just like Gokumonkyou, Kagami no Yume possesses a unique power that defies the laws of reality. When awakened, it has the ability to record all the memories, thoughts and feelings of its holder, and then transport them to another reality."

Kenjaku kept Kagami no Yume. - "It is not just a transfer of knowledge or experience, but a true transposition of consciousness, allowing the bearer to live another life in a different world, maintaining all their memories and acquired skills. The process is extremely painful and risky , as it messes with the foundations of the soul and can result in a fragmentation of the mind if misused. Those who dare to use Kagami no Yume are playing with forces that not even the wisest Jujutsu sorcerers fully understand. in another reality, free from the limitations of the current world, it is a temptation that many cannot resist."

Kenjaku just laughed. - "Get ready, my son... Until the next Holy Grail War." - said the man who disappeared into the darkness.

About that...

The Holy Grail, a relic of immeasurable power, glowed with an ominous light in the center of an ancient altar. All around him, the forces of darkness and light collided.

Itadori Yuji, advanced determinedly towards the Cup. Beside him, Emiya Kiritsugu, maintained a stern expression, his gaze fixed on the objective ahead. They knew this was their last chance to destroy the source of so many calamities.

With a purposeful movement, Itadori began to recite the words.

"Domain Expansion: Malevolent Shrine" - Cursed energy began to emanate from him, forming a black force field that enveloped the Chalice.

The relic resisted, emitting pulses of energy in an attempt to free itself, but Itadori remained firm, further increasing the power of the ritual.

Kiritsugu, in turn, activated his Command Seal. A glowing mark appeared on his hand, and he directed his will towards his Servant, Saber. "In the name of Emiya Kiritsugu, I command you with my Command Magic. Saber, use Hougo! Destroy the Holy Grail!" His voice echoed with authority, and the legendary warrior wielding her sacred sword.

" Saber responded reluctantly. She raised her sword, which began to glow brightly with a divine light. She struck a devastating blow, directing all of her strength and mystical power against the Chalice.

The collision of energies was cataclysmic. Itadori's Malevolent Shrine and Saber's celestial assault combined into a unison attack. The Holy Grail, unable to withstand the combined pressure of the forces, began to crack. The dark light emanating from him became unstable, oscillating violently.

With one last effort, Itadori channeled all of his evil energy into a focal point, while Saber, guided by Kiritsugu's absolute command, delivered a final blow with her sword. The Holy Grail exploded in a wave of pure energy, fragments of its shattered form scattering through the air.

The explosion of the Holy Grail was a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions. The moment the combined energy of Itadori's Malevolent Shrine and Saber's divine strike reached the critical point, a wave of energy erupted from the Chalice with devastating force.

An intense, pulsating light, mixing celestial brilliance with malevolent darkness, engulfed the hill and expanded rapidly. The sound was deafening, as if reality itself was being ripped apart.

Itadori went to Saber who seemed to be desolate. - "Forgive me, Arturia.... It was the best thing to do..." - said the boy, approaching the woman.

Saber thought. - 'How could I have understood a man who gave me only three orders? I couldn't even understand the hearts of those who served me well by my side. Maybe this is all just punishment for a king who couldn't understand others...'

"I thought.... That we were the same..." - Saber looked into Itadori's eyes. - "But you betrayed me, just like everyone else..."

This scared Itadori. - "W-What? Arturia, I can explain!"

"Itadori... I will never forgive you." - Saber said after disappearing completely.

Those words finished Itadori. The pink-haired boy was extremely tired, he looked up at the heavens and saw that black eclipse again.

"N-NO, THAT'S NOT.....POSSIBLE!" - In moments, the destructive energy fell and reached the city of Fuyuki, which rested peacefully at the foot of the hill.

Buildings began to shake violently before being engulfed by the explosion. Glass was blown out, cars were thrown like toys, and entire streets were torn apart by the uncontrollable power. The night sky was illuminated by an unearthly light as shockwaves scattered debris everywhere.

Entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble in a matter of seconds. People, taken by surprise, tried desperately to escape the impending destruction. Chaos reigned, with panicked screams echoing as the city was consumed by the cataclysm.

At the epicenter of the explosion, the Holy Grail finally succumbed. His already fragmented form completely disintegrated, releasing the last wave of energy that swept everything around him. The ground cracked and collapsed, forming craters where buildings and streets once stood.

When the explosion finally ceased, a dead silence took over the area. The once vibrant city of Fuyuki now lay in ruins. Thick, gray smoke rose into the sky, carrying with it the smell of destruction and despair.

Itadori and Kiritsugu, still stunned by the impact, stood up with difficulty. They watched the devastation spread before their eyes. The victory had been won at immense cost. The destruction of the Holy Grail had brought not only the eradication of its threat, but also the annihilation of a significant portion of the city.

"Fuyuki..." - muttered Kiritsugu, his heart heavy with the weight of guilt and sadness.

The boy couldn't comprehend what just happened. Itadori slowly rose from the rubble.

Kiritsugu did the same thing, he climbed out of the rubble and looked around him... And the scenery they saw was destructive.

Itadori saw the entire disaster that happened in Fuyuki. - "N-no..... It's not possible....."

The boy had his eyes wide open, it seems that what happened in Shibuya started to repeat itself

Itadori had been broken. the pink-haired boy just watched the chaos while being astonished. He put his hands on his face, seeing if it was all real.

"This... It can't be happening again..." - Itadori started walking through the rubble.

About that...

Kirei would wake up and his first sight was the full moon, it was especially full on this fateful day. - "Where am I?"

"You're a complicated man to take care of." - said a familiar voice. Kirei turned to the side, it was her Servant, Gilgamesh, who was....Naked.

Gilgamesh sat in the rubble as if he were a king. - "Getting you out of the rubble was quite problematic."

"Gilgamesh, what happened?" - Kirei asked.

"I don't know. The mud spat me back. It seems to be the will of the gods that I return to this age and rule the world." - said Gilgamesh, humming his nonsense.

"So you have achieved true incarnation?" - Kirei asked.

"Unfortunately, yes. I can't believe we fought for that thing and believed it would grant wishes... This act was a farce to the end." - said Gilgamesh, contemplating the place.

"I took a punch that should have disfigured my face and a shot in the back..." Kirei puts his hand on his chest. - "My heart is not beating... Did you heal me in any way, Gilgamesh?"

Gilgamesh closed his eyes. - "Who knows?... It really seems like you were dead. You and I are no longer bound by the contract."

Kirei looked at his hand. - "Are you saying she gave me life?"

Gilgamesh caught her attention. - "Kirei, see the results... If the Cup truly fulfills the victor's wish... Kotomine Kirei, this vision is what you have desired most."

Kirei looked around and realized the truth.

He started to laugh.

Laughing uncontrollably.

"Are you satisfied, Kirei?" - Gilgamesh said, piquing Kirei's curiosity.

Kirei stopped laughing. - "No!... That's not enough..... Angra Mainyu. I'll catch up with you again and see you through to the end next time."

About that...

Itadori walked through the places where the destruction of the Cup reached. At least it wasn't as chaotic as Shibuya, but that was far from good news.

The boy found Kiritsugu walking through the rubble, he seemed to be desolate too. Itadori ran to him with blood in his eyes.

Itadori Yuji, his jaw clenched and his eyes burning with hatred, tightened his grip on Emiya Kiritsugu's neck, his fingers sinking into the flesh. - "You... how could you do that?" - he growled, his voice shaking with emotion. - "How many lives have you destroyed, how many dreams have been shattered because of you?"

Kiritsugu, struggling to breathe, stared at Itadori, the pain and fatigue evident on his face. Despite the desperate situation, there was a grim acceptance in his gaze. He knew that his actions in the Holy Grail War had left deep scars, both on others and on himself.

The wind blew around them, stirring up dust and debris, as if the environment itself was mourning their losses. The battlefield of the war was desolate, with the marks of destruction everywhere, buildings in ruins, the smell of burning in the air, and the heavy silence after the conflict.

"I did what needed to be done." - Kiritsugu whispered with difficulty, each word an effort. - "To a future... where no one else has to suffer like we did."

Kiritsugu's words, despite his intention, only fueled Itadori's fury. - "Future? You talk about the future, but all I see are the consequences of your merciless acts!" - Itadori shouted, his eyes shining with a mixture of tears and anger.

For a moment, time seemed to stop. Itadori and Kiritsugu stood there, locked in a confrontation filled with hurt and regret. The young sorcerer felt the weight of each life lost, each sacrifice made in the name of a greater good that seemed increasingly unattainable.

Finally, something inside Itadori began to give way. He loosened his grip, allowing Kiritsugu to breathe a little easier. - "You may have done what you thought was right." - Itadori said, his voice now filled with sadness. - "But that doesn't justify the pain it caused. Nothing can."

Kiritsugu, with what little strength he had left, nodded slowly, accepting Itadori's words as a bitter truth. - "Maybe... maybe you're right." he muttered, as the shadow of guilt and remorse passed across his eyes.

The confrontation between them, full of pain and redemption, left a mark on that battlefield, an eternal reminder of the consequences of their choices and the sacrifices made in the name of a better future.

"I'm going to end all of this...NOW!" - Itadori pressed his fist, imbuing cursed energy into the fist.

Itadori was about to say something else when a faint cry for help cut through the air. - "HELP!" -He immediately released Kiritsugu, throwing him to the side as if he were dead weight, and ran towards the sound.

Itadori's heart pounded as he approached the rubble, his eyes frantically scanning the devastated site. Among the wreckage, he found a young girl, partially buried, with an expression of panic and pain on her face.

"I'm going to get you out of there." - Itadori promised, his voice firm despite the urgency. He began removing the rubble with hands shaking with haste, each movement calculated to avoid causing further damage. With each piece of concrete he moved away, the girl's vision became clearer, but also more desperate.

When he finally managed to free her, he picked her up in his arms, immediately realizing the severity of her injuries. - "Stay with me." - he begged, trying to remain calm. - "You'll be fine, you just need to hold on a little longer."

The girl looked at him, her eyes full of pain and fear, but also sad acceptance. - "It hurts so much." - she whispered, her words coming out with difficulty. - "I... I don't want to die."

"You're not going to die." -Itadori insisted, although his voice betrayed uncertainty. He tried to use his powers to heal her, but he knew his healing abilities were limited. He pressed his hands against the most serious wounds, channeling his energy, but time was not on his side.

As he fought to save the girl, he felt her life slowly slipping away. His frantic attempts began to wane, the cruel reality of the situation bearing down on him. The girl's breathing became weaker, and her eyes began to lose focus.

"Please." - Itadori whispered, his voice choked. - "Just hold on a little longer."

But it was in vain. The girl took her last breath, her eyes slowly closing. Itadori remained there, holding her, an overwhelming feeling of helplessness washing over him. Tears ran freely down her face as he murmured an apology, feeling the weight of the tragedy.

He slowly stood up, still holding the girl's body, his gaze lost on the destroyed horizon. The hatred he felt for Kiritsugu was now mixed with deep sadness and a sense of hopelessness. He knew that the scars of the Holy Grail War would haunt him for a long time, each life lost a bitter reminder of the choices made in the name of the greater good.

Itadori picked the girl up and took her out of there. The boy didn't seem to be thinking about anything else, maybe he's just getting used to it all.

As he walked alone looking for some living soul, he encountered someone undesirable.

It was Gilgamesh, the King of Heroes. The man was wearing a cloak that only covered his body. He apparently had a glass of wine in his hand.

Itadori looked at him with a frown, as if Gilgamesh was making fun of the situation.

"It's going to be a great challenge to find any living souls in this place," said the man with golden hair.

Itadori didn't say anything, just watched the man.

Gilgamesh seemed to be reflecting. - "It seems that we both have gained physical bodies now... Interesting, isn't it? Now we don't need to depend on a master. I didn't imagine that being immersed by the Chalice, we would have managed to reincarnate with this feat."

Itadori remembered that it was Gilgamesh who killed Skandar. -"Do whatever you want." - Itadori said as he started to walk

"But of course.... You don't even have to ask." - said Gilgamesh smiling. The golden-haired man just walked away.

Some minutes later

Itadori, seeing that he wouldn't find anyone else, decided to leave. While carrying the girl on his lap, Itadori found Kiritsugu who was holding a boy on his lap.

"Who is this boy?" - asked Itadori.

Kiritsugu looked at the boy. - "I found him in the rubble... We need to take them to the hospital..."

Itadori was still kneeling among the rubble, holding the young girl's limp body, when he heard footsteps approaching. He looked up and saw two familiar figures emerging from the dust and destruction: Choso and Sakura.

Choso held Sakura in his lap, with his imposing presence, he quickly approached, his eyes full of concern when he saw his brother's condition. Sakura, with her usual gentleness, ran to Itadori's side, her face marked by compassion and sadness.

"Yuuji..." - she whispered, seeing Itadori's almost pale face. He was in shock, his shoulders shaking as he held the deceased girl. - "I... I couldn't save her." - he murmured, his voice broken with despair. - "I can't save anyone."

Sakura didn't know what to say at that moment, she knelt down next to him, wrapping him in a loving hug. - "Mom always told me that it was never good to hold back crying..." - said Sakura

"I couldn't...do anything!..." - said Itadori.

Sakura continued to speak. - "She said that a hug always calms the heart." -she said softly, trying to comfort him.

"Sometimes, even when we do everything we can, it's not enough. But that doesn't diminish the value of your efforts." -Sakura was just a kid, but she was smart.

Itadori started to cry. The pink-haired boy laid his head on Sakura's shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably. He felt helpless, overwhelmed by the enormity of the loss and the devastation around him. Sakura's words offered some comfort, but the pain was still deep.

Choso walked over and placed a firm hand on Itadori's shoulder. - "Let's get out of here." - he said with determination. - "This place... there's nothing else we can do here. We need to take care of each other now."

Carefully, Choso helped Itadori to stand up, still holding the girl in his arms. He took a few seconds to compose himself, still feeling the weight of the tragedy but finding some strength in the support of his friends.

Sakura stayed by Itadori's side, holding his hand as they walked together across the destroyed battlefield. Her presence was an anchor for Itadori, a reminder that even in the worst circumstances, he was no longer alone.

Choso turned around and saw the man carrying a boy. - "Who are you?" - Choso asked.

"Let's talk later... We don't have time for that." - said Kiritsugu. Was he right.

Choso led the way, vigilant and protective, making sure his brother and Sakura were safe. They slowly walked away from the devastating scene, carrying the scars of their experiences but also a promise to care for each other in the future.

As they walked, Itadori felt the pain begin to melt into a silent mix. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with Choso and Sakura by his side, he felt a little more prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead.

"After that, we tried to visit the Einzberns several times. But since we didn't return with the Cup, Jubstacheit never opened the magical fields in the forest."

"We didn't see Illya again... Kiritsugu had told me that Maya had died the day before the Holy Grail war ended. Another death I couldn't prevent."

"But... Illya was the last person I would lose." - Itadori and Kiritsugu returned to the old base to rebuild that old and worn-out environment.

Itadori and the boy Kiritsugu adopted, Shirou, picked up the heavy equipment and took it out of the house.

Taiga was having a little chat with Choso who just wanted to work a little in peace, while his brothers Eso and Keshizu helped their older brother.

"It wasn't easy to explain that I had about ten brothers, it was a long conversation, but it seems that Kiritsugu, Shirou and Sakura understood everything, as the house was big, all my brothers could live with us."

"My life was supposed to be full of losses... But everyone is still here, just like the first time we met."

"That day, I adopted a girl, Sakura, who I saved that day."

End of chapter 25