Fate/Stay Night Fan Fiction ❯ Inevitable Decay ❯ Assemble ( Chapter 2 )

Inevitable Decay

Chapter 2: Assemble

 

A/N: Action should start picking up next chapter, enjoy.

 

 

It was a strange thing for Tohsaka to come to him and not the other way around. Shiro could only manage a weak nod as she took off for the school roof, the easiest place to get some degree of privacy among the students. How long she had waited there was not something he wanted to ask, all he knew was something was happening…and he wasn't the only one that could feel it.

 

The long creek of the roof door dyed away as both of them slipped past it, pressing it closed carefully to keep away ease droppers. It was only moments before Rin had taken her usual spot leaning against the fence, her eyes casually running over the various students arriving at school under the gentle rays of the morning sun. Everything looked so tranquil and untouched, the perfect calm before the storm.

 

“So Tohsaka…what's wrong? You don't usually come look for me after all” she made no motion to look at him, the only sign she even acknowledged he spoke was a soft sigh slipping past her lips. The silence enveloped them for a long period of time, until finally she decided to speak.

 

“Shiro…have you felt anything…different lately? With the city I mean” she was worried, that much was clear. Things had to be serious to take away her usual attitude. Those glowing teal eyes of hers locked with him, drawing his answer out in a minute.

 

“Well now that you mention it…” he crossed his arms tightly, staring up at the bright sky as he searched for the words to explain it. “I have felt kind of uneasy lately…and this morning, every sense in my body was completely paralyzed by this…dreadful force. I can't really explain it…”

 

“No…I felt it too. There's no need to continue…if a low class mage like yourself can, then there's no doubt about it.” Her hands hidden underneath the common red coat of hers appeared in an instant, gently clinging to the fence behind her as she peered over at the forest of buildings making up their trapped city, trapped within the will of something called a Holy Grail.

 

“No doubt about what? Your hiding something from me Tohsaka” surprisingly she nodded her head, completely admitting to the fact she hadn't told him what she needed to. How easy was it to say everything you had fought for and everything you had lost was for nothing? That the same thing you risked your very life for was coming back with vengeance?

 

“Look Shiro, the Holy Grail War is starting again” she noticed immediately the way his eyes glazed over in the memories. He saw every horrifying moment passing through him in an instant, forcing him to relive the worst of it like a movie reel. Both of them had blood stained hands even if no one could see it.

 

Frowning once again Rin left her spot against the fence in order to approach him, groaning softly at his extended drama. “Look snap out of it Shiro! We need to decide something now”

 

He seemed at least mildly aware of her presence for a moment before he was able to shake the memories from his mind, freeing him temporarily. His hands clenched tightly into fists “What do you mean the war is starting again…we ended it!”

 

She had to admit he was still rather naïve, despite the fact it was one of the things she liked about him it was also a rather annoying thing to work around. “Did you think it would be that easy? We were supposed to end it for at least another 60 years, that's it. I got a message this morning from an old friend that just confirmed my suspicions.”

 

The anger was building inside him too the point of boiling over, there was no hiding from the fact the war was coming but whoever had started it would definitely not want to come near him. “In case you didn't notice it hasn't been 60 years!”

 

Another simple sigh of annoyance left her as he continued to try and avoid something she had already made clear. “Look Shiro, there is an ancient ritual among magi that will allow a forceful start to the Holy Grail war. It takes a rather substantial amount of maryoku to complete…and a very high class of magus, but it can and has been done.”

 

A low growl forced its way through him…rattling every nerve in his body as he tried to conceive the kind of person who would do something like that. Arrogant, powerful and especially evil was the only description he could think of. “And what are you trying to say then…?” He knew what she was asking, of course he knew…but the small glimmer of hope that maybe things were not that bad kept flowing through him begging for him to ask.

 

“Don't play dumb Shiro…look you obviously understand this magus is way above our abilities…you also understand this war is starting right? Then obviously there is only one thing for me to ask you. Are you planning to participate? There will not be an overseer to this war…there's no where to hide in the city.”

 

“So you're saying my only choices are joining the war…again, or leave the city right?” She gave him a slow nod, and yet he could still see the small bit of hope in her eyes. “Your joining the war again…right Tohsaka?”

 

Her eyes glanced away momentarily before whipping back to him with determination “of course I am, it's my families duty to join the war when it starts no matter how much time is between them. I am not joining to get the grail this time though…I want to find a way to stop it all together”

 

There was a pause in her speech as she tried to delicately approach the next topic without giving too much away “look…it would be…nice if I had an ally to count on again. So I wanted to ask you in person if you're going to participate.”

 

How could he say no? She must have known from the very beginning he couldn't refuse her, it was impossible. She was planning to stop the war forever…there was no way around accepting. Without a second thought he agreed, even if it was against his better judgment “not much choice is there…?”

 

There was a hint of a smile on Tohsaka, a clear sign she was glad to have someone she could trust. They were going to go into this war together from the very start, none of the old temporary truce ideals. “We should summon our servants soon then, I have already felt the presence of at least two magi in the city. I'm summoning mine tonight…so” she carefully removed a book from her jacket, despite the fact Shiro had learned a bit more about magic since the last war she knew he didn't know how to summon normally. “Here, everything you need to know about summoning should be in here.”

 

Her hand briefly trailed over his shoulder in some sort of attempt at comfort just as she strolled past him, stopping at the roofs door “I'm moving in tomorrow so prepare a room for me okay?” Smirking slightly her footsteps echoed up to his ears on her way down.

 

By the time he had realized what she had said Tohsaka was completely gone. Sighing slightly he moved towards the stairs with a slight smile “guess loneliness won't be as much of a factor now…” was company worth the price this war might bring? Would more masters sacrifice innocents to further their goals? He didn't want to know…but would find out.

 

 

After School

 

Shiro had been completely incapable of concentrating for the rest of the day, causing several teachers to express concern for his well being. Thankfully his rather depressed look served equally as useful for the excuse of unable to sleep. It worked rather well but he would have to keep his spirit up from now on.

 

The trip home had proposed little problems, seeing as Mirya wasn't in her chair as she normally would be. Although she was rather sweet he wasn't in the mood to help out…but he would have.

 

Unlike his slow approach to school he practically rushed his way home, smiling happily as the large building came into few. Sliding the front door open he moved inside “I'm home!” Ilya quickly came into view, a polite bow from the aristocratic girl showing her proper upbringing “Welcome home onii-chan.”

 

“Oh hey Ilya how was your day” he passed by her in an instant, her snow like hair gently floating back as she spun to follow him. “It went very well; I even cleaned up a bit. Is something wrong onii-chan?” He never had figured out why she never gave up her title for him, not that it was a problem.

 

“Huh? Oh you noticed…? It figures.” He purposely was avoiding answering the question, moving himself rapidly into the kitchen for something to distract his mind. “I'll have something to eat ready in no time.” Shiro avoided her gaze at all costs, knowing she was standing behind him expectantly while he worked over the food left in the house. It wasn't until he finished preparing the basics of it that she finally spoke up “You noticed to?”

 

Jumping up a bit he quickly emptied the small noodle dish into a bowl “noticed…? Noticed what?” Why was he so horrible at lying? He didn't have much practice but even so. Well I guess if she knows already anyway…

 

A long pause followed his thoughts as he held the meal out towards her “yeah I did…so what do you plan to do about it Ilya?” Would she be an ally upon joining or just another enemy? How would things work out with things so hectic?

 

A gentle shake of her head caused him to smile while her own look mirrored his “I have had enough of the Holy Grail” her hands gratefully accepted her meal just before strolling over towards the table. Without a second thought Shiro left the house, opening the door of the shed…the place he originally met saber. I wonder if I will be lucky enough to summon her again…if we still have the same wounds...and the same desire for justice then we should see each other again right?

 

It took over a half hour to fully slip through the small book he had been given, but he felt he knew what he was doing this time around. “No more accidental summoning” within moments he had drawn the seal on the ground, soon leaning back to admire the soft sketch.

 

“Well…here goes nothing” he took a moment to memorize the small universal chant within the book, and immediately pictured Saber in his mind. His little guide mentioned having a strong picture of the servant you wanted could help your chances. Clearing his throat Shiro stood directly in the white circle and immediately concentrated his mind on transferring maryoku into the seal. His chant was short and too the point, the seal below him flashing and glowing until the very end.

 

By the time he was done and the reaction had ended his eyes peeled open to reveal…nothing. “H-huh…? No saber…no nothing?” He groaned slightly unable to see exactly where he had gone wrong, was he that bad of a magus? Sighing he opened the door to leave, deciding to try again another time. Just as the door slid open he noticed a kid standing there “oh hello, excuse me but this is my house”

 

He smiled so innocently towards Shiro that it actually unnerved him, reminding him way too much of Ilya. “Oh I know that, I am looking for a…Emiya Shiro.” Blinking several times Shiro gave a slight nod “well that's me…”

 

The kids smile was replaced by a slight smirk “oh so you're the dimwit from the last war! Great! My name is Clyde, just Clyde”

 

Last war….that means…a magus? “Excuse me do I know you?” He ignored the dimwit comment so he didn't end up arguing with the kid, a simple name like that wouldn't anger him.

 

“No! But I know you! You gave up the chance to make a wish for some stupid reason right? Anyway that's not the point…I'm afraid I have to get rid of you before you can summon a servant…I don't need your ideals in the way of this war”

 

That same smile crossed the kids face, completely overshadowing the killing intentions within him. “W-wait! You can't come in here and just say you're going to kill me…why don't we just talk about this.”

 

Sighing softly Clyde at least seemed to think it over a moment before shaking his head “it's much easier to just eliminate you, too bad you're kind of nice.” Without warning two beams of pure white light soared from the sky, Shiro just barely dodging by throwing himself too the floor. He noticed two still smoking holes burnt into the ground from the attack.

 

“Oh my you dodged…” chuckling softly the boy seemed to be having fun, like it was a child's game. Pulling himself up Shiro quickly began running, pillars of fire erupting from the ground behind him, instantly burning through the dirt and rock while attempting to catch up. He ran blindly with eyes closed, concentrating on his maryoku he quickly pictured the first weapon that came to mind. Within moments the form of a simple long sword appeared in his hand, just in time to reflect a large blue orb of energy hurled at him.

 

“Oh…? You do have some magic ability huh…” he quickly jumped back as hundreds of black pellets flew towards him, pelting the ground he once stood on into oblivion “what the!?” He noticed the form of a rather angry young girl standing at the front entrance of the home “don't hurt onii-chan”

 

“Ilya you shouldn't be out here!” She only smiled at him before running over, forcing him to remember once again that she had more ability with magic then he ever would.

 

“Humph well this is hardly fair…Assassin!” Shiro barely flipped around in time to block the strike of a sickle, causing him to fall backwards from the powerful impact with the servant's weapon. It was definitely dressed as a ninja, the dark blue robes covering all but the eyes. The sickle it carried was connected to a chain as well.

 

“Ilya you take care of the kid, I'll handle the servant” although she seemed reluctant to do so she quickly pursued the equally young Clyde who was already running down the street. The servant towering above him leaped back, easily balancing atop a thin piece of the wall surrounding his place. Pulling himself back onto his feet Shiro let out a low groan.

 

“Yeah come and get it!” Holding his sword firmly Shiro knew from experience the chances of beating a servant were pretty much zero, but that didn't stop him from trying time and time again. The servant leaped at him again, the rattle of the chain sounding as the sickle flew towards him, smacking him off balance as the distance was closed between them. Shiro was able to block another swift strike just before assassin slammed the back end of his sickle into his neck, toppling him instantly.

 

“Foolish…” the servant spoke calmly with a tone that almost seemed to respect him for his valor. The chain wrapped tightly around his neck, the lack of air forcing him to drop his sword in place of attempting to pry the cold metal from crushing his windpipe.

 

Suddenly the servant in front of him jumped backwards, the chain dragging Shiro forward as assassin used his sickle to block the force of a sword. Releasing Shiro from his choking grip only let him slump forward to catch his breath.

 

Metal scrapped against metal as the sparks of battle flew above two servant's heads, the blade of one crashing down upon the more agile assassin with blow after blow. Rolling under a sword strike assassin threw his sickle towards the swinging warrior, who dodged only enough to get a minor cut along their side. Within seconds the sword wielding servant had recovered, swinging their sword against the chain and following up with a strong kick to the assassin's chest. The quick ninja went flying through the shed, smashing through the wood with splinters of it falling around his body.

 

Rising slowly he managed to pull himself out of the man sized hole, pieces of broken wood still clinging against the light clothing. Blood ran from several minor injuries along his body, but that would not stop a servant.

 

Soaring upwards assassin threw his chain downwards, wrapping it firmly around the sword before dive-bombing. The sickle closed in and just barely missed the servant's neck as the form dodged to the left, grasping the chain and yanking the assassin forward without mercy. Just as the blade was about to plunge into the servant's chest it disappeared into a puff of smoke, leaving for its master as the once easy battle turned sour.

 

Having finally caught his nonexistent breath Shiro was able to look up to see a hand being offered to him, his eyes setting upon the form of what he would still say was one of the most beautiful forms he ever layed eyes on. The battle maiden Saber…a soft smile crossing her lips as she spoke “Shiro…are you alright?”

 

With a slow nod he attempted to find the words to speak, his hand gently clasping hers before being yanked up to his feet. “Yeah…I think so, thanks to you” how she got here after his botched up summoning he didn't care, all he knew was he was alive and Saber was back. With some small degree of doubt still plaguing his mind he quickly drew his hand up, noticing the all too familiar reiju proudly displayed.

 

“I ended up across town…” she avoided mentioning the fact it was due to his imperfect summoning even if it was implied, but she noticed rather quickly she at least had a maryoku connection with him this time around and even could turn herself into a spirit at will.

 

To say the reunion was a bit awkward would be an understatement, but neither one of them could deny the fact they were happy. “Saber….Welcome back”

 

 

The end