Beta read by Shigiya, Gamercrusher55 and Paragon of Awesomeness.
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(A few years ago)
Pride.
If Liver were to summarize his old self, then 'pride' would be the most apt and closest thing to describe him. Having served the Empire from the moment he became a soldier all the way to a general in the span of several decades, not once had his devotion to his home and his people faltered. Even in the face of enemies that would've made most men flee , he stood his ground, no matter how dire the situation was. Against impossible odds, he managed to achieve victory at the cost of his body being battered and broken, brushing against death more times than he cared to count. But never once did he regret his actions, feeling proud of what he accomplished and wearing them as medals of honor.
Yet not everything went as he wished. Sometimes, the enemy that could hurt him was not the surrounding territories or the barbarians up north but those that he was protecting. Before the previous emperor's passing, he and Honest never shared the same view on everyday life and general politics. While on the same side, they couldn't have been more different. If he represented pride, then that obese man embodied pure greed and gluttony that took the form of a man.
With the child emperor taking the throne at an age where he could barely understand much, Liver's feud with the new prime minister became more volatile by the day. Bribes were sent to his doorstep, which he ignored, continuing to perform his duty as promised to the previous emperor. His loyalty had never been to the one currently on the throne or even to Honest. It was something that neither money nor wealth could buy.
Yet that man found ways to make a mockery of Liver's past, twisting facts and painting his image before those he had protected, altering history to turn his greatest achievements into embarrassments. And finally, when their confrontation had reached its peak, he had been labeled a traitor to the Empire.
"Was everything I did for them forgotten?"
He remembered saying those exact words as he awaited his death, chained within the dungeon where no light reached, rats creeping closer, drawn by the scent of his blood.
"All of my work, all of my past—turned to shreds, burned from history."
He muttered those words with extreme bitterness in his tone. Yet as he waited there, much to his surprise, a visitor arrived out of the blue. Not an old friend, one of his men who fought alongside him, or even Honest came over to mock his circumstances.
But rather the newest shining star of the Empire whose name even reached him far into enemy territory before his imprisonment.
General Esdeath.
He had seen her a couple of times during the academy's ceremonies, where he attended to greet the latest batch of soldiers and future leaders. Back then, she was just a young kid who had yet to face the reality of the world and only got recognition from many academic achievements with what he understood, but one who possessed plenty of potential, much like Nagumo's kid.
Yet the person who stood before him now gave him a different feeling now that he got a closer look at her.
Maybe he hadn't realized it back then, but the look in her eyes differed from that of foot soldiers who just joined the army or one of those high ranking officials who got their position due to their family's influence. She had grown older and matured from the person in his memories, but those eyes carried a sense of confidence he rarely saw.
"You will be executed tomorrow down the gallows by hanging."
Her tone wasn't laced with malice or scorn—just cold, detached honesty. A pathetic end, really. Not even the dignity of a clean beheading, just a slow choke in front of a rabid crowd who'd probably cheer as he gasped for air. One last insult from Honest.
"It's such a shame that someone with your talent and experience is being treated like this. You possess power and all the tools necessary to be among the strongest, yet you let your pride and naivety put you in such a situation when it shouldn't have been the case."
Had it been the Liver of a few weeks ago, he would have vehemently denied her statement. Pride and integrity had molded him to the man he is, and the notion that they were his weaknesses would have been unthinkable.
Yet here he was, rotting in the darkest pit, his achievements turned to dust, betrayed by the very people he had once sworn to protect.
"What do you want?" He asked with a raspy voice, having not taken a drop of water for days and refusing to touch the murky 'water' guards provided him.
It would most likely kill him first before he was excuted.
"Like I said, it'd be a waste to let someone of your skills die. It's no different from throwing away an army over some petty squabble with a man who's got an ego the size of the Empire itself. You don't deserve this. I've seen the records—wars you've won, hunts for super-class Danger Beasts, all of it. Those things can't just be erased, no matter how hard someone tries to bury them. You've earned my respect, and I'll make sure others feel the same. They'll respect you—or they'll fear you. Either way, your name won't be forgotten."
The clearest memory he had of that moment was the woman extending her hand to him, her words resonating with his very core, offering him something he had lost—hope.
"Join me. Become one of my swords, the deadliest weapon in all of the Empire, one that will make kingdoms tremble at your presence. Where no snake will ever dare to bare its fangs against you. Fulfill your true purpose as my first beast and hunt down all those I consider my prey."
Arrogance.
Arrogance in its purest form.
That was the first thought that crossed his mind back then. But, truthfully, perhaps he had already known—it was more than arrogance. It was absolute confidence. She trusted her own strength, just as she trusted him despite having never seen him in action, respecting him more than anyone else had since he got put here.
She had the conviction he lacked, the ruthlessness he had once mistaken for weakness, and the ferocity he wished he possessed.
At that moment, the old man found himself admiring her.
And without hesitation, a sense of loyalty bloomed in his heart as he reached out and clasped her hand.
A smirk formed on her lips, a feral grin of satisfaction.
"I, Liver, hereby pledge my eternal loyalty to you, General Esdeath."
Those memories had become the anchor of his loyalty toward the general, forming the foundation that grew stronger day by day as she continued to prove her strength and keep her promises. The very people who had once backstabbed him had retreated, some dying by his own hands and the Prime Minister, who had once mockingly declared his death, now smiled politely, showing not a hint of disrespect.
It was then that he realized just how naive he had been.
Pride… what a lie that concept was. A self-imposed weakness, the greatest mistake of his life.
He was meant to live and die as her weapon, even if she only wanted him to be her hound.
Yet fate had different plans for him.
"Once again, I have failed."
Under a darkened sky, heavy rain poured down upon the kingdom as Liver whispered those words, his voice filled with pure self-hatred. His fists clenched tightly, drawing blood as he stared at the pillar of his loyalty before him.
Barely able to contain the rage, he and several soldiers rushed towards the forest after realizing they had been tricked by Najenda. Shocked by the display of power when they drew close and finally happened to find the battered figure of their leader lying weakly against a boulder.
Embers of fire were still dancing in the air, not a single trace of ice remained anywhere. All of it was completely overwhelmed by the might of what was no different to the Sun.
"General Esdeath, we should get you treated immediately. These burns can be life-threatening if left unattended."
Even then, his words were an understatement. Her current state was beyond miserable—most soldiers, even the bravest, would not have survived such injuries, let alone remained conscious. But not her. Through sheer hatred, she stayed awake, forcing herself to gather enough strength to push herself back onto her feet. Slapping away his assistance when he tried to pick her up.
"Gather all of our troops around the empire. Order every single one of our men to track down Emiya Shirou and bring him back to me! Surround the southern trade road. Block off all paths leading outside or toward any of the surrounding regions. Now!"
A tall task, to say the least. Normally, he wouldn't have cared much and would have gone to the front lines himself to hunt down the traitors with glee. But at that moment, she desperately required medical aid more than anything.
"General, if we don't treat your wounds, then surely you will—"
His words halted as a cold sensation pressed against his neck. An ice rapier materialized in her grasp, the blade biting into his skin. He immediately noticed how sluggish the summoning had been, how much longer it took to manifest compared to her usual speed. The visible strain on her body only confirmed what he already knew—she was in no condition to continue.
"Did I ask for your opinion?" Esdeath growled, gritting her teeth with more blood trailing down her forehead. "You know what it means to ignore my command."
Defying her orders would mean death, he knew that and so did everyone who was under her orders.
Even with the looming threat of execution, Liver didn't budge — going so far as to get on one knee. He was loyal to his general and willing to die in her name at any time, but right now, saving her took priority.
"Then I shall accept my fate. Your life is more important to me than anything else. My duty is to keep you safe as it is to kill your enemies and the empire's."
"You were tasked to be my sword, not my shield." She argued back.
"I know. But a sword can also protect." He met her gaze with unwavering determination. "I will not budge and will prioritize your safety first. If you do not agree, then strike me down. I accept my death."
He lowered his head, closing his eyes, making no move to defend himself from the incoming blow. He would accept her judgment, having little to no regret so far in his life other than not having been fast enough to get here in time or wise enough to recognize a diversion.
"Tch…"
A heavy silence passed between them, stretching far longer than he expected.
Then, a dull thud.
Opening his eyes, he found the rapier on the ground—and Esdeath lying unconscious beside it. Having already pushed past her limit by just getting up, using her powers must have been far too much even for a power house like this woman.
"Quick! What are you all waiting for!? Get her to a doctor immediately! Any available troops, secure the breach and ward off any possible danger beasts! Kill any traitors that have remained behind!"
His orders were swiftly followed.
Even if death awaited him once she regained consciousness, he would accept it.
Looking toward the distance, his mind focused on the one responsible for putting her in such a state.
He had only seen Emiya's face a handful of times in the past, usually when visiting the late General Nagumo at his estate. Back then, he had thought nothing of the odd child the man had adopted—just another orphan, a victim of a brutal Danger Beast raid. Certainly a sharp and well-spoken boy from his first interaction and not as arrogant as those his age. However he mostly attributed that to how his step-father raised him just like Najenda. Most of Liver's attention had been on the eldest daughter, who showed potential akin to Esdeath.
Known rivals and friends.
"I made a mistake."
Who could have known that such a monster had been hiding within the capital all these years?
The kind of Teigu he wielded remained unknown.
But Liver would never forget the scene burned into his memory—the raging inferno clashing with the freezing tundra. A fire had overwhelmed what he once believed to be an unstoppable force. Left unchecked, it could have reduced the entire kingdom to ash.
No wonder Esdeath had taken an interest in him… she knew of his potential longer than anyone else but never shared that knowledge for some reason. He was just like her.
Yet, despite their similarities, Liver felt no admiration.
No awe.
Only wariness, bitterness, and fear are the most dominant of the three.
For Emiya represented the greatest danger to the one he had sworn his life to. He was the very thing a beast like him was meant to hunt.
"No matter where you go, we will track you down. And we will kill you before you harm her again. That boy needs to die."
From that moment forward, that became his sole purpose.
To grow stronger.
To become deadlier.
To sharpen his blade until the day he could finally end that boy's existence.
{Break}
(Present)
'So he finally came after me, huh.' Emiya thought as he stared at the two figures above.
The familiar face of the old man was perhaps the most loyal subordinate to Esdeath and one who posed a significant threat to Najenda and the others. A former general who had been stripped of his honor and title by Honest, someone he had never truly interacted with much, having simply greeted the man whenever he came to visit Nagumo in the past and a few ceremonies where Emiya accompanied Najenda.
If he recalled, Liver was present on the day Syura tried to assault Najenda. A few days before his imprisonment on counts of treason and colluding with the Northern Tribes. Regardless, the person before him differed from the likes of regular soldiers or even Honest's trained assassins — he was dangerous.
Yet above all else, his presence seemed odd.
Emiya was well aware that the current Prime Minister had his spies relay information, so his being here should have been shared with Esdeath and the other generals. For all her flaws, she was not one to blindly send her troops after him or make such a mistake after what happened to Nyau. For her to send them instead of coming herself could only mean one thing…
"You're disobeying her orders." He said calmly, watching as the old man squinted his eyes, making his guess seem even more valid. "That's a dangerous game you're playing here. If it's not dying by one of us, you are forfeiting your life if you go back to her."
Liver did not answer, merely looking at Chouri before raising his voice. "I am giving you another chance. Surrender if you wish to live another day."
"Bold words on your part, Liver," Chauri said with a darkened expression, standing behind Leone, who was already in a combat-ready stance, prepared to strike if they got too close. "You say that, yet we both know the truth. Even if I surrender now, you know better than anyone what my fate will be under Honest's rule. It would be no different from a death sentence — a public execution to make an example out of me to any opposing families."
The former general remained silent, his lack of response acting as an agreement to the old man's words. He too understood that for the former prime minister, there was no path to survival unless he pledged his loyalty to Honest.
"You don't have to do this," Chauri continued. "I have known you for many decades, and you have always been an excellent general. The Empire is but a shadow of its former glory, sick and corrupted from within. There is no future for this place unless something is done. While Honest may have plenty of allies within the capital, not everyone agrees with his rule, and many would be willing to join my side. Together, we can finally put an end to this. So put down your weapon and join me, and we can restore peace."
Honestly, in Emiya's opinion, the old man's strategy of swaying the enemy was commendable. His words made sense, even to the onlookers, as both Spear and Leone exchanged glances between him and the figure standing atop the cliff. If someone like Liver were to change sides, the ripples would be large enough to affect even Honest's grasp on the Empire.
But he knew better than anyone the kind of people Esdeath took in.
"Leone!"
"—!"
The blonde assassin reacted as soon as he shouted, grabbing the old man and jumping away just as the ground beneath her feet erupted with enormous pillars of water, destroying the area they had previously stood on.
"An underground water spring?" Emiya wondered before turning his attention back to Liver, whose outstretched hand bore a black ring that gleamed with an ominous light.
"Black Marlin," he muttered. Unlike many Imperial Arms, this one appeared inconspicuous, taking the form of a small ring. Yet, despite its modest appearance, it possessed a formidable ability—to control all sources of water, including the reserves hidden deep beneath the earth.
Liver's gaze hardened as he made his declaration. "If this is the path you have chosen, then I have no choice but to declare you a traitor to the Empire. You and your daughter will be executed alongside these Night Raid assassins."
Without another word, the surrounding soldiers immediately understood his command and charged forward with murderous glee in their eyes. "Spear!"
With Kanshou and Bakuya in hand, he called out to the woman behind him. Feeling her shift in place, followed by the sound of sharp whistling in the air, Emiya ducked right at the moment a powerful glaive sweep to pass overhead and cut through the closest soldier, slicing through armor and flesh with relative ease.
'She got stronger,' he noted while raising his leg and kicking the upper part of the cut torso, sending it flying like a projectile against the other soldiers behind who were momentarily taken aback by the blood and entrails splashing over their faces. Eyes widened in disbelief when a flash of white and black later, they felt a warm sensation filling their chests — looking below to find deep cuts that had managed to destroy any layer of protection with ease.
Yet more filled the void, replacing the dead with another wave of angered soldiers. "Ha!"
While he blocked several sword and spear attacks aimed at his vitals, keeping his distance and making sure to not get surrounded, his eyes continued to observe Spear and Leone.
The former moved with speed despite holding such a long weapon. Using its reach to her advantage several powerful speeds and thrusts, coating the blade in blood that splashed with each movement. The shaft, was flexible enough that it managed to hold in one piece even after being bent in several severe angles. "Don't underestimate me!"
She let out a cry of anger when several soldiers brought shields to block her attacks. Nothing major, just simple protections made of leather and iron. Something that after a few hits could get rendered eventually futile against a properly made spear let alone the mystic code he gave her. But the girl instead stabbed the weapon onto the ground firmly, using the momentum to pull herself up in the air, spinning once with more momentum pushed behind her strike as the spear struck the second wave of soldiers with a powerful strike.
Shattering the shields with ease the spear once again easily cleaved through them.
"What the," even Spear was taken aback by the sight, having not expected her attack to be so effective that she immediately looked once more at the weapon given to her. "Did… did you give me a Teigu!?"
"No," answered the white-haired Counter Guardian, blocking a few slashes, the married blades cleaving through their weapons with ease and killing two of the soldiers in a single move. "As long as you keep killing people, the weapon absorbs blood to become sharper for a small amount of time."
An effect similar to reinforcement but without increasing the durability. Perfect for the occasion, cost next to nothing for him to Trace and suited Spear's style more than anything in his arsenal. Even holding a similar shape to the weapon she used to frequently use in the past, same weight and length.
"That's a Teigu!" She shouted back, holding the weapon closer to her chest. Her eyes sparkled with excitment as she now looked at it under a completely different light. "A-Are you sure about this?"
Emiya gave her a dry state. "Don't go and start treating it like some kind of fragile vase. Use it as it should be used, and don't hold back. If it breaks, I'll just give you another one to use."
There was some hesitation and uncertainty on her face even after he said that, but she didn't have the luxury to dwell on his words for long. Spear continued to fight. Despite her appearance, the girl was a formidable fighter. Even against the soldiers who managed to get past her spear, as a disciple of the demonic arts, she could repel them with a few precisely executed strikes using her hands. Though not nearly at the level of Leone—who, on the other side, had to fend off even more soldiers while keeping the old man safe—she held her ground.
Leone's Teigu deployed, her hair growing longer into a mane-like appearance, her lion ears twitching with every move, and her powerful clawed limbs tearing through armor with a single swipe.
Despite Chouri being the main target, thankfully most of the soldiers were focused on him and Spear, giving Leone some room to smash their skulls without getting surrounded. Not that it looked like she was even having a hard time to begin with. Yet while he observed the woman, a weird sensation filled his gut, especially when he felt a faint shaking beneath his feat.
His eyes went over to a small puddle near them, looking at several ripples forming on the surface.
"Get out of there, Leone!"
His voice echoed across the battlefield, this time seeing a shadow approach Leone from above. Several swords projected around him, raining down on the surrounding soldiers and piercing them, giving him enough room to head toward the blonde assassin. A clang resounded as Kanshou blocked a giant axe that had almost reached Leone. Emiya gritted his teeth as the weapon pushed against him fiercely, pushing him onto the ground with enough force to drag his legs within the earth, making his back create a small trench onto the ground.
"Emiya!" Leone shouted his name, attempting to head towards him.
"Keep protecting Chouri, you idiot! I can handle this." Belvaac immediately went back to its owner as he got up, stretching his neck to relieve some of the soreness from nearly getting buried underground and dusting his shoulders with no injuries in sight. The armor took most of the brunt of the damage. "No wonder Esdeath contemplated taking that weapon in the past. She's probably the one who taught him how to throw like that."
Sharing a property somewhat similar to Hrunting, capable of seeking its target for a lethal hit when thrown. Under the right hand, such a weapon could prove to be fatal to anyone… The only unfortunate part happened to be its current user. "AAAAAAH!"
Clang!
By raising Bakuya, a shower of sparks flew everywhere as Belvaac came crashing at him with Daidara grinning at him with a feral grin. The same spiky dark blonde hair similar to Leone, pupil-less eyes and a headdress resembling horns — he hadn't changed since the first time he met him. "Hehehehe! If you're as strong as my boss, it makes me wonder how many experience points I will get from killing you!"
"You're still going with that nonsense," he said, unable to understand where this man got to learn such a term that sounded like it came from a video game from his world. Traveling across the entire continent, he never even saw a disk drive let alone a game console. "You've gotten better."
"Thank the boss!"
The man's muscles visibly bulged as he applied more force, with both hands grabbing onto the middle which instantly separated the weapon into two parts. "Let's even the playing field!"
"..."
He just looked at Daidara unimpressed, seeing how the latter tried to parallel their weapons. His response to that came in the form of several slashes and strikes from Kanshou and Bakuya, the first strike crisscrossing and already throwing his opponent off balance. The next two slashes are easily disarming with the Noble Phantasms overwhelming the frustrated beast who found himself on his butt the next moment with Emiya looming over him.
The exchange from the moment he blocked the attack and with him counter-attacking barely lasted a handful of seconds. There was nothing truly Emiya wanted to say to Daidara, so he just raised his sword intending to end the man's life swiftly.
"Hm?"
Only for him to halt when the ground around him trembled again, the earth around breaking apart when several pillars of water erupted, crashing down where he had been moments before and saving Daidara. "Tch." Forced to dodge each one while deflecting the axe that kept hounding him after his earlier opponent recovered from his trance.
"I'll have to do something about this."
The axe was becoming more of a hindrance, coming at him from several angles each time. Rather than continuing to deflect them, he dismissed Bakuya with one hand and prepared to grab the oncoming weapon as it spun toward him again. But just as his instincts flared in warning, he was forced to dodge as several sharp water spikes shot in his direction.
Aimed at his hands more specifically with Liver frowning at his actions, knowing what he was about to do.
"Idiot, I told you to stay back and handle the other Night Raid assassins first! Also, don't let him take hold of your weapon at any cost!" The former general's voice cut through the battlefield. The massive, hulking man stiffened at those words, glaring at Liver with defiance.
"Oi, you want me to back off and let you have all the fun yourself?"
All he received in return was a deep, cold tone.
"You do not know him or what he is capable of. People like you are his specialty and you almost died back there! He will strip you of your power before you even realize it. Do not ignore my orders—remember what we agreed upon before coming here."
Even though Liver spoke with certainty, Daidara still hesitated, his eyes shifting between Liver and Emiya, his grip tightening around his Imperial Arm. Veins bulge on his forehead as his face reddened, locked in some fierce internal struggle. Then, with a roar of frustration, he swung his axe against a nearby boulder, shattering the latter into pieces.
"Damn you! This isn't over!"
And just like that, he left, leaving the two of them alone near the vast expanse of water.
Emiya scoffed. "Bold of you to send reinforcements away. Do you plan to kill me all by yourself? Maybe old age has made you senile, old man. You couldn't have forgotten what happened last time…" His voice carried a mocking edge, but his taunt did nothing to change Liver's expression. He remained silent, observing him.
"Daidara, while powerful, is still a prisoner to his battle lust and has not finished his training with General Esdeath." Liver finally said. "The last thing I want is for you to steal another one of our Imperial Arms."
To that, Emiya merely shrugged. "It's not like I can wield every single Teigu. Some things are beyond my reach—things I'm not compatible with." A certain living sword appeared within his mind as he said that, sending an uncomfortable sensation across his body at the idea of wielding that weapon. That thing had yet to hurt its user like Bulat, but he still preferred to never use it.
He supposed even Lionel would not be that compatible with him, Leone was the perfect user for that thing.
"And the battle axe is not one of those things, unfortunately." Liver took a deep breath, closing his eyes and clenching his fists. "How many years has it been since that day you left with your sister? That memory has never left my mind—haunting me to this day. I have a lot of things to settle with you, boy, and I swear on my honor as a former general, as a soldier, as a Beast, and as everything that I am today... I will kill you today and remove the one thing that threatens General Esdeath's safety."
There was clear anger in his tone, rage seething beneath his words. Killing intent oozed from his very being as several whips of water began forming around him, taking the shape of wyrm-like constructs—dozens of them, all writhing in anticipation.
"That day... it should have been me who died. Not Nyau." His voice was calm, but his hands moved forward, commanding the serpentine water constructs to charge at Emiya, aiming to crush him.
The former Servant of the bow reacted immediately, raising his hand as several greatswords materialized in the air before descending like meteors. They struck the ground with thunderous force, creating a towering wall of steel that blocked the initial assault. A few water serpents still managed to slip through, but he was already in motion. His twin married blades were thrown as he leaped into the air, a black bow forming in his grip. In less than a second, multiple arrows were loosed, detonating on impact and shattering the remaining water constructs.
"Are you angry that I hurt your general? Or is it that the only one who made a move in time to protect him was someone like Nyau—a pathetic monster known for carving off people's faces and wearing them as his own for amusement?" Emiya taunted, his voice laced with mockery. "Is this really just revenge... or jealousy? A bit odd if I'm being honest."
He fired more arrows at Liver, forcing the old general to retract his water and absorb more from the sea, forming a massive sphere of liquid around himself. The construct managed to block most of the projectiles, but a few arrows slipped through, piercing the shield and breaking it apart. The impact pushed Liver several meters back, though he remained standing, only sporting a few cuts and scratches.
"You can blame me for all I care, it doesn't change what happened. But you shouldn't let your emotions take control, which leads to a lot of mistakes. Like this one. So much for your loyalty to Esdeath if this is enough for you to disobey her."
Dismissing his bow, Emiya projected Kanshou once more, the black blade gleaming under the sun as he brought it slashing down toward his opponent.
"Your words hold no influence over me, boy. I know better than to fall prey to your taunts! Serpent of the Abyss!"
Liver roared with anger as the water around him condensed, forming the massive shape of a snake's open maw beneath Emiya's feet, intending to swallow him whole. But before the serpent could close its jaws, the entire construct froze solid within seconds.
""What!?" Liver's eyes widened in disbelief.
Trying to process what had just happened, he caught sight of a new weapon embedded in the center of his water construct. However, before he could get a proper look at it, Emiya's foot slammed into his face with brutal force, sending him hurtling across the battlefield.
"Urgh!"
With droplets of blood falling onto the frozen ground, his body crashed against a thick tree trunk, more blood and saliva spilling from his mouth as his vision blurred for a moment. Yet, even as his body screamed in protest, he refused to fall. Gritting his teeth, he raised Black Marlin once more, preparing to summon even more constructs.
"Enough."
Liver's breath hitched. A moment ago, he hadn't gotten a clear view of the weapon Emiya had used, but now he saw it clearly—a short sword, seemingly crafted by his general herself at first. Only for him to finally find an unassuming short sword covered in layers of ice. Even from a distance, he could feel the cold radiating from it, frost spreading across Emiya's surroundings, reaching all the way to Liver's hands and face.
"How long will you keep this up?" Emiya questioned.
With a single swipe of the blade, the serpents shattered into ice, their frozen remains falling to the ground like brittle glass. Even those who managed to evade the attack found themselves frozen instantly.
"I'll give you this—your loyalty to Esdeath is impressive," Emiya said, his tone flat, almost bored, as if the fight had been nothing more than a mild inconvenience. "I can't tell if it was out of pride or the need for revenge, but you should've taken Chouri's deal."
"Do not speak to me as if you understand me!" Liver roared.
He could feel the strain on his body, his Teigu demanding more of his stamina, more of his very life force as it drew twice the amount of water from the nearby groundwater. Swirling around him and growing in size by the second.
"I have served General Esdeath for years! To betray her now would make me no different from Honest... no different from you, who also betrayed her! I shall not rest till you are out of the picture even if I have to pay with my life. Water Dragons Divine Conquest…"
"Then you are a fool." That was all he said as he gazed at the large body of water, now shifting and twisting into dozens—if not half a hundred—dragon-like constructs.
Liver saw his opportunity. Without hesitation, he let all of his attacks loose at once, launching them from every angle. Even if that unknown sword could freeze his creations, their sheer numbers would crush him under a mountain of ice before he could escape from it.
"I am the bone of my sword."
Unfortunately, his plans hit the wall face first as soon as his ears twitched while hearing those words. His eyes widened in disbelief as the sky above filled with dozens of identical short swords, all descending in an instant. The moment they touched the water, everything froze, all his access to water from the nearby sea was completely blocked off by It freezing up with a gust of icy wind sweeping across the field. His meticulously crafted water dragons, his strongest constructs, all turned into statues of ice before they could even reach Emiya.
"You truly are a monster…" Liver muttered between haggard breaths, his stamina draining and his strength waning. Yet, despite the odds, he did not relent, he could not give up Even with the odds stacked against him, so he stopped moving, catching up his breath while his ears picked up the sound of footsteps walking closer and closer.
"HAAAH!!"
With a loud war cry, he lunged forward with a sword in hand, slashing swiftly toward Emiya's waist. Yet his attack was met with a sharp clash as it was blocked by the shortsword. A freezing wind coiled around the weapon and continued onto his skin, forming layers of frost and turning each exhale into a mist of white smoke.
"You are too stubborn for your own good."
Liver barely caught the movement—Emiya's hands blurred for a brief moment before a sudden pain spread across his arm. He turned his gaze downward, only to see a thin red line forming along his forearm. No blood spilled from the wound. Instead, whatever power this artificial Teigu held had frozen it solid, the ice quickly spreading toward his upper shoulder.
"Ngh—!!"
Without hesitation, Liver reacted. Gritting his teeth, he grabbed his sword with his other hand and, with a swift motion, sliced through his own shoulder. His severed limb hit the ground with a heavy thud, completely encased in ice. Blood sprayed into the air, but his suffering did not end.
"Agh—!!"
Emiya's knee crashed into his stomach, forcing more blood from his mouth, splattering onto his opponent's coat. Before he could recover, the sword's pommel slammed into the side of his head, leaving him momentarily stunned. Another swift movement and Emiya spun, driving his leg into Liver's chest. A sickening crack echoed through the battlefield as several of his ribs gave way under the force.
He could feel it now—his death creeping closer, undeniable. Bitterness and anger burned in his heart at the realization. He refused to accept it. He couldn't. He had to win. He had to… "Had you just taken her side that day, the Empire wouldn't have fallen into its current state with so many bloody wars across the world." Liver whispered with barely any strength left in his hoarse voice. "Countless lives could have been saved if you had agreed instead of running away and joining Night Raid."
Emiya raised an eyebrow. "And for you to say such a thing… there is no reality where Esdeath would have brought on a peaceful era. I myself am not a ruler in any sense of the word. If I remember correctly, Bulat used to be your subordinate, the current user of Incursio, he would have been very disappointed to see what you've become."
At that, Liver chuckled weakly. "Bulat? I have no doubt. He is a formidable soldier and a prodigious fighter, despite some of his strange quirks… but he is still naive to the ways of the world. Peace cannot be achieved with just words, you need absolute power that the royal family possesses. But unfortunately, it is controlled by a child used as a marionette by the Prime Minister."
His voice was laced with both exhaustion and conviction. "Bulat… he… he is a slave to his pride and honor—serving a cause that would eventually chew him up and spit him out the moment he lost his usefulness or the moment he made an enemy of the wrong person. No matter his achievements. No matter the lives he saved."
Liver took another deep breath, his body trembling from the effort. "That is the kind of world the Empire will return to even if Night Raid wins and takes control of the city. But under my General… under her rule… that future would have never come to pass."
"You truly are equal parts blind and loyal to her. But, I agree with you to some extent."
That was not something the old man expected to hear. His weary eyes widened in disbelief as he lifted his head.
"Pride can be someone's downfall if left unchecked. I've seen it too many times to ignore, and it has no purpose on the battlefield," he answered calmly. "But you did not come here to kill me because I am a danger to your general. You came here to kill me because, on that day, you were not the one who ended up sacrificing his life to save Esdeath. I wounded the pride you so adamantly deny."
Emiya raised his sword, the gleaming edge descending toward Liver—only for the old soldier to act in desperation.
"Blood Sword!"
With a fierce shout, the very blood coating his body and pooling on the ground surged toward his palm, twisting and solidifying into the shape of a blade. With one final effort, he thrust forward, aiming straight for Emiya's heart.
Sparks flew as the crimson blade clashed against Emiya's sword, pushing forward with every ounce of strength he had left. But just as the tip inched closer, it suddenly halted—Liver's grip still held onto his weapon firmly but could not advance an inch.
A sickening sound echoed through the battlefield.
His remaining arm fell to the ground, severed at the elbow. Blood dripped from Liver's other hand, fresh from the cut he had delivered. Liver barely caught the movement, Emiya's hands blurred for a brief moment but halted right as he was about to pierce the old man's heart. Changing strategy midway, he delivered a deep cut to both Liver's arms and legs — the wounds forcing the old man to the gound with his back pressed against the tree. He breathed haggardly, while Emiya stood in front looking at him from above without saying a word. the next few seconds until he finally sighed. "I cannot understand the source of your loyalty, honestly I don't even want to try and understand it anymore. You made it clear enough on where you stand currently."
With a quick swipe of his sword, another pain cry escaped Liver's mouth as he saw his finger with the ring fall off his hand with a clean cut.
"What… what are you doing… "
"At the end of the day, you are still a beast and hold plenty of information the revolutionary army can use. They can decide your fate after that, I am done with you." his words seem to create a sense of panic in the old man's face."
"What… hah… what nonsense is this…If you have the guts… kill me now."
Part of him started to wonder if the old man came all this way just to die, had his actions in the past truly shaking him to that extent? He couldn't tell If his rage and regrets became so overwhelming that a suicide mission became his next choice. Not even Esdeath would ever agree to such a thing, for all her cruelty she valued her subordinates.
"... Just stay put, or else you will lose too much blood." He turned his back, walking away regardless of how many times Liver shouted his name after that. Only taking a few steps ahead before he heard a desperate shout coming from behind and turned around just in time to deflect a throwing knife aimed at him.
"—!"
Yet he was unprepared to see Liver rushing ahead in front of Kanshou, the blade plunged deep into his chest while a dagger tried to pierce through his armor but only going halfway through. The armor stopping it from going any deeper, but it had pierced his flesh. Liver's legs gave up on him, his body now leaning even further against Kanshou. Coughing up a mouthful of blood, "I… I made up my mind the moment I left my post to come and hunt you. Death… was the only outcome for me and nothing else."
"You are a madman." Emiya said with genuine frustration in his tone as he dismissed the blade and watched as the man fell onto the ground, his face looking up in the sky.
"Per…haps so," He answered, his voice getting weaker by the second. "But… I made a promise to… to never be used against her… in any way. To protect her… even at the cost of my own life. Being a prisoner for the Revolutionary Army… I cannot allow that."
"..."
The next sound that came out of him sounded like a chuckle, but the blood pooling within his mouth made it sound more like a gurgle. "M-May… be, you were… right. My pride… is still there."
The Blood Sword in the distance lost its shape, melting back into liquid as the light slowly faded from his eyes.
Even as his life was only held by a thread, a few words left his lips, using the last remaining strength.
"You… will not… win… against her… boy."
Slowly but surely, he stopped moving and finally succumbed to his death, the ring around his finger sliding off until it fell onto the ground. The entire area around them is now soaked with several large puddles of water and giant holes leading deep underground. Many trees had long been destroyed because of those water dragons, leaving the once beautiful sight completely devastated and turned into the aftermath of a battlefield.
Even the fights in the distance had come to a stop, he saw Leone, Spear, and Chouri looking pretty much alive and exhausted. His partner had not gotten any serious injuries from the looks of it, though he suspected it being mostly due to her imperial arm granting an increase in overall durability as well.
"Holy shit! You got stabbed!?" Leone shouted with disbelief, watching him pull out the dagger stuck to his armor. "Quick, we need to get you help in case it was poisoned!"
"Calm down, The blade was just made with the bones of a Danger Beast making it sharper than an ordinary dagger. But that's about it, it did not touch any vitals." The attack itself was not even meant to kill him, Just serving as a way to make him react and use his swords.
"Good, still… can't believe you actually killed him," Leones said, walking closer to the corpse and searching its pockets, momentarily stopping her hands from going anywhere near the black sword. This went on until she retrieved the ring from the small puddle of blood beneath. "Nothing important to him except for this huh? I guess I'll count that as a major win for us."
"Did Daidara escape?" Emiya asked, leading Leone to point in a particular direction in the north.
"He fought with me for a bit—annoying as hell, but not exactly a threat. Kept getting distracted by your little show over here. Once it was clear you weren't about to bite the dust, he bolted." She shrugged, scratching the back of her head in confusion. "Weird, though. I figured he'd be one of those types who'd fight to the death just for the thrill of it. You know, the kind of guy who gets off on swinging swords and breaking bones."
Odd, to say the least. For someone who enjoyed fighting powerful opponents, Daidara's decision to retreat was an unexpected but wise choice. Still, letting him escape would be a mistake.
With his black bow materializing in his hand, Emiya leaped onto a boulder, Leone following close behind. "Um… while I do understand it's not in our best interest to let him run off, it'll be hard for you to spot him with so many trees in the distance, even with eyesight as sharp as an eagle's. I can use Lionel to track his scent."
"There's no need for that," Emiya replied, his eyes already locked onto the traces of Daidara moving through the dense woods. The man's blonde mane stood out against the dark background.
Despite what he said, Leone still felt skeptical about the entire thing. "Are you sure? Not saying anything bad about your skills, but that guy is fast, and the trees will get in the way. You should get some rest and let me handle it, I saw your fight against Liver."
Was she worried about him? He appreciated the sentiment, but the battle hadn't drained his reserves as much as she seemed to think. Retrieving the sword that had pinned Liver to the tree, with blood still oozing from its surface, he placed it over the bow, much to the group's confusion.
"Hey, I don't think shooting a short sword with a bow from this distance is a good idea. Why not just use those arrows from before?"
Rather than answering, he just continued to move through the motions. Energy surged into the ice sword, causing it to crack and screech, the noise sharp enough to make those nearby flinch. Their eyes widened in shock as the blade twisted and elongated, shifting from a short sword into a long, thin arrow with glowing fissures running along its body. A chilling gust of wind swept through the area.
"Wait a minute…" Leone's eyes widened as a memory surfaced—a mansion belonging to a sadistic family who kidnapped and tortured unsuspecting civilians exploding the day she first met him. The color and intensity were not the same but it still gave her the chills in more ways than one!
"Get back!"
She yanked the others away. The next moment, Emiya released the arrow, sending the projectile soaring at incredible speed. A powerful shockwave rippled through the air, and before anyone could fully process what happened, a big explosion erupted in the distance. The ground trembled, trees were uprooted, and a towering iceberg formed at the blast's center.
"Holy shit…" Squinting, Leone barely made out Daidara's frozen body, his expression locked in sheer disbelief. He had died without ever realizing what had struck him. "Remind me to never spar with you when using a bow."
"There. It's done." He dismissed his weapons and turned back toward the main road. "We should find a nearby village. We'll need another carriage to reach the capital as soon as possible."
Leone's mouth hung open in disbelief, while the former prime minister burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!" Chouri wiped a tear from his eye, still shaking with laughter. "I've seen Imperial Arms do remarkable things, but that ability of yours? It's something else entirely. One moment you're holding a sword, the next you're turning it into an arrow that creates an iceberg. Tell me honestly—were you actually born human, or are you some secret Teigu that learned to walk and talk? I wouldn't be surprise if you were a Teigu, but it would be the first time meeting one in person."
"I told you years ago to drop that theory, old man. I'm human." Answered the former Counter Guardian with a slight scowl.
While the two conversed naturally, Leone scrambled toward him and grabbed the man by the collar.
"So back then, when we first met—that thing you shot—was actually a sword that you twisted into an arrow!?"
"Yes, it was," he answered honestly.
"That's so damn coo—humph!"
This time, it was Spear who pushed Leone aside with a small frown before grabbing Emiya in the same manner.
"Can I see it? Can you turn my spear into an arrow as well?"
"The arrow would be ridiculously long, but in theory, it's possible—not that I need to use a spear."
"Hey, I was the one asking questions first!" Leone interjected, yanking Emiya's head into an embrace while glaring at Spear. "Don't get any weird ideas, Missy. You already had your shot and failed, so give someone else a chance to work their magic. I just need to get him to drink a few beers and we'll be breaking beds and furniture!"
Highly unlikely since her alcohol tolerance was worse than his, making her pass out cold in the past before him.
The younger girl's face turned beet red, both from embarrassment and anger.
"Excuse me!?"
"You heard me.."
Meanwhile, Emiya remained silent, knowing it would be easier to not get involved in their bickering. Instead, his attention drifted to Chouri, who had lost his usual smirk, his gaze fixed on the road ahead with a faint frown. He didn't need to be a mind reader to know what was on his mind.
The journey ahead was unlikely to be more dangerous than facing Esdeath's beasts—unless misfortune led them across the path of a Super-Class Danger Beast or one of the Empire's generals. Regardless, wasting time wasn't an option, they needed to reach the Capital safely.
As for the battle today, I did not treat it as a victory. Liver's final action mawed in his mind and made him feel even more annoyed than before.
"Are you feeling okay?" Chouri asked with his hand on Emiya's shoulder.
"It's… it's nothing."
{Break}
-???-
It was dark. He could barely see more than a hand's length in front of him in this cramped space, which barely gave him enough room to walk properly. If he had been claustrophobic, this would have been a nightmare. Yet, the longer this went on, the more uncomfortable he felt—especially when he remembered who was walking behind him.
"You're not looking anywhere you shouldn't, right?" Tatsumi asked wearily, feeling very uncomfortable at the idea of Bulat walking behind him. Especially after the man had joked about him having a nice body not long ago after Leone mentioned he was gay. He couldn't tell if Bulat was joking or not!
"Hahaha! Do not worry, my friend! Your behind is safe with me! No one shall touch it. And if you get stuck, I shall give you a proper push!"
"That's exactly what I'm worried about! Also, keep your hands away from my butt, and don't touch it under any circumstances!" he exclaimed pitifully, only to be met with a louder laugh from the man behind him.
"Keep your voices down. We are almost there," a stern voice cut in from behind, making him flinch. That was none other than Najenda, who had tagged along. "Walk another ten steps, and you will see two different paths. Take the right one. The left leads to a pitfall that will break your legs before getting swarmed by a colony of vicious rats if you fall into it."
A shiver ran down Tatsumi's spine at the idea. Why the hell did they even build such a thing in here!? Unfortunately, he couldn't voice complaint and had to follow her words, focusing on the mission above all else.
"You don't need to be this tense. Our job today is not to engage in any combat. Just find our target, rescue them, and get the hell out," Bulat said calmly, trying to reassure him. Tatsumi was grateful for that, but honestly, it was hard to stay relaxed—especially when he knew the kind of people stationed on the other side.
"I'll do my best."
He couldn't afford to get cold feet now. He couldn't cower after everything his friends had gone through, after everything Night Raid and Emiya had done for him. This was the least he could do. His right hand held Shambhala tightly in his pocket, focusing on the sensation. He could feel the markings he had left back in the hideout—it was a strange feeling, almost like a book within his mind, the coordinates marked for him to recall only when in contact with his weapon. Unfortunately, given the time constraints, his mastery over the Teigu was limited, and it wasn't ideal for combat. But that wasn't the main goal. They needed to get in and out as fast as possible—nothing else.
"There, I can see some light!"
A few minutes later, he finally saw the faint glow at the end of the tunnel, his voice nothing more than a whisper in fear that someone might hear him on the other side. Carefully, he looked back and saw Najenda and Bulat hunched behind him, signaling for him to proceed forward. He lightly stepped ahead and pushed a stone slab on the wall. The floor above him shifted, bricks grinding as the small traces of light grew wider until the hole opened completely, revealing what appeared to be a staircase leading upwards.
All three of them climbed through, emerging inside an old, dusty room filled with cobwebs and covered furniture. It looked like some kind of storage room that hadn't been visited for years.
"Woah…"
Despite its old, unkempt state, the young boy couldn't help but marvel at the sheer luxury presented before him. His eyes drifted over cups made of gold and several cupboards filled with abandoned jewelry. Any one of these pieces could feed his village for weeks—if not months.
"My family was not particularly known for displaying our wealth through extravagant clothes, expensive jewelry, or giant mansions, but we were still an old lineage that accumulated enough riches to be among the wealthiest back then," Najenda said, looking around with a nostalgic, saddened gaze. "Too bad none of it made a difference in the end."
Both of their eyes landed on a painting on the wall, depicting a middle-aged man who shared many of Najenda's physical traits. Beside him was a young girl, perhaps in her preteen years. But what caught Tatsumi's eye was the third person in the painting—a young child with vibrant red hair, wearing the same scowl he had seen on Emiya.
"Didn't I tell you? He hasn't changed since the beginning. My brother has always been… special, to say the least," Najenda said with a small chuckle, her fingers tracing the surface of the picture. "It's a shame things couldn't stay the same. Sometimes, I miss being his older sister."
The room went quiet. Tatsumi didn't know what to say or how to console her, unsure if she was feeling down or simply reminiscing. Before he could speak, Bulat grabbed his shoulder and shook his head.
They stood in silence for a few seconds before Najenda sighed and turned her attention back to them.
"In any case, we didn't come here to dwell on the past. The old granny, Shio, should be locked up in the dungeon above. Unlike this room, that place should still be in proper condition and well-guarded, so be on your toes."
Both men nodded seriously. Just as Najenda prepared to follow them, Bulat, already clad in his gleaming armor, stepped forward and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks.
"Sorry to say this, boss, but it'd be wiser if you left this mission to the two of us," he said, his tone firm yet respectful.
Najenda narrowed her eyes. "What?"
He sighed, folding his arms. "Look, I'm not saying you wouldn't be useful or that it's too dangerous for you. But Tatsumi has barely gotten a grasp on Shambhala. The kid only had a few days to train with it—that's nowhere near enough time. Teleporting four people at once? That's a huge risk."
Tatsumi clenched his fists, shame flickering across his face. As much as he hated to admit it, Bulat was right. His control over Shambhala was still shaky at best, and they couldn't afford mistakes.
"We already ran tests back at the hideout," Najenda countered, her sharp gaze locking onto Bulat's.
"I know," he admitted, "but not over this kind of distance. You, more than anyone, understand the risks. If something goes wrong, this whole operation will be for nothing. And you know damn well what kind of reaction that would get from Emiya."
That last remark hit home. Najenda's expression faltered, hesitation flickering in her eyes as she lowered her gaze, her hands clenched into fists.
Bulat offered her a reassuring smile, giving her shoulder a firm pat. "Hey, it's not like you to be this uncertain. I've known you for years—I can tell you're still carrying guilt over what happened in the last mission." His voice softened. "But no one blames you for that, boss. If it weren't for your leadership, a lot of us wouldn't even be alive today. Just like we trust you, we need you to trust us too."
Silence stretched between them for a moment before Najenda exhaled heavily, nodding. "Fine. I'll leave it to you two. But don't screw this up."
Bulat grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Tatsumi took a deep breath, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. There was no room for failure. With Shambhala in one hand and his sword in the other, Tatsumi followed Bulat's lead as they navigated through the castle. Along the way, the latter whispered silently. "Sorry you had to hear that, I didn't mean to belittle your effort."
"No, I agree with you. I just got this Teigu, Even though I am not so certain of my ability to properly use it. The last thing I want is for something to go wrong because of my lack of mastery."
To that, the armored assassin shook his head.
"That was not the reason why I told her to go back." His admission caught Tatsumi off-guard, looking at him with visibly widened eyes. "I'm sure you noticed, but Najenda and Esdeath have a history together. She is not in the proper headspace right now and I want to avoid her doing crazy if she sees that woman."
"You think she would go off on her own to kill Esdeath?" He was having a hard time imagining this woman who carried herself so professionally would take such a drastic measure and put herself in danger without a proper plan.
"I admit, the chances of it happening are very low, but they still exist. The Night Raid and the Revolutionary Army need her, we cannot afford to lose her and if it were me that was going to die then the damages would be negligible."
"Don't say that," Tatsumi answered with a frown on his face. "No one is going to be dying today. I'll make sure of it."
"Hahaha, I like your spirit! Trust you on that." After saying that, he took the lead, moving swiftly through the halls first. Tatsumi waited for his signal, keeping an eye on every corner of his vision to avoid any surprises.
"Coast is clear."
Hearing those words, Tatsumi moved forward, spotting a few guards lying unconscious on the ground.
"We'd better hurry. Patrols will be passing through here in a few minutes. Even if I hide the bodies, they'll notice their men missing and sound the alarm. The dungeon should be this way."
Along the way, they encountered more guards, which both he and Bulat took down simultaneously—the latter using sheer strength to choke his targets into unconsciousness, while Tatsumi struck them in the head with the pommel of his sword with expert precision. Thankfully, there were fewer than a dozen guards stationed here, and soon, they made their way into a dark room filled with several cells.
"Wow, that was easier than I thought."
He had to agree with Bulat's words. He had expected a small army or at least stronger resistance, with tighter security measures in place. It seemed their target truly wasn't that important for the enemy to expend many resources on her.
Finally, while searching through the cells, they came across one illuminated by a single torch. In the corner, an old woman sat huddled, her face resting against her knees. She stirred awake at the sound of their voices, slowly lifting her head. Her wrinkled face gave her the appearance of someone in her eighties.
"Visitors from Night Raid? How unusual." Her voice was calm, not that of someone who was only hours away from public execution. "Has my time come earlier than expected?"
She let out a sigh.
"If so, then get it over with quickly. I've grown bored of this place."
"No, we are not here to harm you!" Said the brown-haired boy quickly, hoping to avoid any misunderstandings. "Emiya, do you remember him? We were sent by him to save you. We're on the same side, so you don't have to worry about being killed."
He spoke as clearly as possible, hoping to ease any tension. However, all he received in return was a look of confusion from the old woman.
"Emiya?"
"Ah… he means Archer." Bulat corrected, making Tatsumi remember that not everyone knew about that man's real name.
"Archer? How… no… why did you come here…" she muttered before letting out a soft sigh. "Leave… before it's too late. That boy shouldn't… be here."
"He's on another mission and couldn't make it," Tatsumi explained. "Please stand back. We need to get you out of here as soon as possible."
With that, he gave Bulat a nod,
"I'll open the cell. Stand back. Do you have your Teigu ready?"
"It is!"
Once again, Tatsumi visualized the book within his imagination, his connection to the marking at headquarters clear and waiting for activation.
"I'll ask this again, Tatsumi. Are you ready?"
"I am. We practiced, after all, right?" Tatsumi said, repeating the same thing Najenda mentioned before, receiving a nod from his partner, who effortlessly sliced through the metal bars with his weapon as if they were paper.
"As expected from the Empire under Honest. Even their so-called 'well-maintained' cells are just rusted garbage," Bulat muttered, stepping inside to help Shio to her feet.
"Alright, Granny," Tatsumi said with a small smile, "just a warning—you'll be teleported back to our headquarters. It might make you nauseous, and you may or may not end up vomiting."
Shio scoffed. "Oh, please. I haven't eaten in days. My stomach is as empty as a noble's conscience, so nothing's coming out." She paused, looking at him more closely. "You look familiar, boy. Have we met before?"
Tatsumi chuckled. "I probably begged you for food or directions in the past." He shook his head, reminiscing about how naive and lucky he had been to meet trustworthy people back then.
"Now, let's get you somewhere safe."
With that, he raised Shambhala and focused on the marking at headquarters—only for a sudden, dreadful chill to run up his spine.
"That's a nice smile you have there."
"—!"
Both men froze mid-step, their heads snapping forward as the air around them shimmered like a mirage. The walls, once solid, wavered and shifted, revealing an illusion masking the true scale of the room. The space was far larger than it first appeared, and at its center stood a lone figure.
She was calm, and poised, her ice-blue eyes studying them with curiosity before finally settling on Tatsumi. Though he had never seen her before, an undeniable instinct screamed at him—this woman was dangerous. His survival instincts flared, urging him to act.
Without hesitation, he reached for Shambhala, but a sharp, searing pain shot through his waist. Looking downwards, he watched in disbelief as the person they were trying to save was now holding onto a dagger and piercing it right through his side. "Shit!" His body moved on his own, kicking her away and pressing onto his side to stop the bleeding.
"That hurt!" her voice changed, sounding like that of a young woman. He watched as she grabbed onto her face and ripped it away showcasing What appeared to be a young child with blonde hair reaching her neck but a vicious smile but not belonging to someone her age. Especially when she started to lick the blood from the blade. "Still, you look cute."
"A trap!"
Bulat shouted, making Tatsumi realize that they needed to leave right now. But before he could react, Esdeath closed the distance between them in a blur—faster than he could process.
A crushing grip seized his wrist, the pressure so intense it felt as if his bones might snap at any moment. He grits his teeth, glaring up at the woman towering over him. Her gaze, however, wasn't filled with malice—rather, it was laced with… confusion.
Her voice was calm, almost eerily so, as she finally spoke.
"I won't be fooled by the trick again. Now, I'll ask you once. Why isn't he with you?"
------------------
The next 5 chapters of Snafu, and my other Fate fics (Fate Coiling Sword with 3 chapters, A Fake Familiar Reborn with 3 chapters, Steel Eyed Faker soon to be 3 chapters, Hound having 3 and To love a sword having 4 chapters) are already available on my P@treon. With 4 more Broly chapters at /NimtheWriter. Also, I post commissioned arts on each story, already posted a few on an Archer's Promise, Broly and Snafu.