I sat watching TV as news about the frozen forest area of Fuyuki dominated the channels. The reporter, with a worried expression, reported: — A large area of the forest near the Ryuudou Temple was found completely frozen. Local authorities are still investigating what could have caused such an abnormal event. So far, no scientific explanation has been found for the phenomenon. — I ran my hand over my head, a frustrated sigh escaping.
I looked at Uraume, who was sitting in a corner of the room, looking completely unconcerned as she drank tea.
"This is your fault, you know that, right?" I said, pointing to the screen.
Uraume looked at me with a calm smile, but there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice when he replied:
"My fault? Yuji, you were there too, fighting with all your might. Don't tell me you didn't expect everything to be unharmed after that." I rolled my eyes, irritated. "I know it was necessary, but look what happened! You froze half a forest! People are scared!"
Uraume shrugged indifferently. "That's not my problem. My focus was on defeating you, and now on collaborating. If a few trees and people got in the way, so be it."
I slammed my fist on the table, my tone becoming more serious. "Don't you understand the impact of this? This isn't just about us. The common people are being affected. They have no idea what's happening, and we're putting them in danger!"
Uraume narrowed her eyes, her smile fading. "I understand more than you know, Yuji Itadori. But tell me, would you have preferred to lose the fight? Or perhaps sacrifice more than just a forest? Sometimes, chaos is a necessary price."
I sighed again, feeling the weight of her words. "I just hope there won't be any more 'necessary prices' along the way. We need to be more careful from now on."
Uraume tilted her head, her enigmatic smile returning. "That's up to you, Itadori. But I'll try to be... restrained. For now."
As the tension hung in the air, the news on the television shifted to another strange event, but I no longer paid attention. I knew I needed to deal with the aftermath of what had happened and the complicated partnership I had formed with Uraume. I watched the room as Shirou trained with some basic combat moves, clearly in need of more refinement. I sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility fall on my shoulders.
Looking at Uraume, who was still in the corner, I made a risky decision. "Uraume, I need you to train Shirou. He has potential, but it's too early to mature."
Uraume arched an eyebrow, visibly disinterested. "Me? Train him? Are you serious?"
I crossed my arms. "You said you wanted to help, didn't you? Then prove it to me. He needs to learn how to defend himself better, and you have the experience to do so."
Uraume huffed, but stood up with an elegant movement, walking towards Shirou. "Very well, but if he doesn't survive the training, it won't be my fault."
"If you kill him, I won't hesitate to take your life, Uraume." I said before leaving the room, ignoring Uraume's provocative comment. I needed to find Arturia, who wasn't around. Searching the halls of the house, I called out to her a few times, but got no answer. "Arturia? Where are you?"
My search took me close to the bathroom. As I passed the bathroom door, I noticed the light on and hesitated.
"Arturia? Are you there?"
Without hearing an answer, taken by haste and inattention, I turned the doorknob and opened the door.
The scene in front of me made me freeze in place. Arturia was inside, wrapped in a towel, with her hair still damp. She turned to me, with surprise evident on her face, but maintaining a calm and dignified posture.
I quickly looked away, my face red as a flame.
"A-a-ah! Sorry! I didn't know you were here!"
Arturia just sighed, holding the towel tightly as she gave a slight smile. "Yuji, what happened? Why are you looking like that?"
"It's... it's just... You... Anyway, sorry!" I quickly replied, closing the door behind me and putting my hands on my face, trying to calm myself down.
As I walked back to the room, I was still embarrassed, I thought to myself: "Why do these things always happen to me?"
I tried to push the thought of the scene I had just witnessed away, but Saber's words echoed in my mind.
Before I reached the room, I heard quick footsteps behind me. Arturia grabbed my arm precisely.
"Yuji!" she said, her voice serious.
I tried to look away, but Saber seemed to notice my hesitation. "You're acting strange..." she commented, crossing her arms.
"Ah... it's just... about the bathroom... it was an accident!" I gestured, trying to explain myself, but my voice came out a little louder than I intended. I sounded like a 15-year-old teenager.
Arturia stared at me for a moment before snorting. "No need to apologize so much. Besides, you're my Master. I don't see a problem with you seeing me that way."
I froze, staring at her in disbelief. "W-what do you mean you 'don't see a problem'? That's... it's... too personal!"
Saber raised an eyebrow, as if trying to understand the reason for the confusion. "As a knight, I don't see the need to worry about such actions, since I've never seen myself in this... way. You're my Master, the one leading this fight by my side. There are much more important things than worrying about such a trivial situation, Yuji."
I was speechless, and my mind tried to process Saber's simple but straightforward logic. Finally, I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "I think you're right, but... it's complicated."
Arturia stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder, looking directly into my eyes... STILL IN THE TOWEL. "Then trust me, Yuji. I'll fight by your side, and nothing will change that."
I took a deep breath, avoiding her gaze. I tried to pay attention. "O-Okay, I'll trust you."
She gave a slight smile before turning around. "Now, if you've gotten over your shame, I think we have some work to do."
I nodded without looking at her, still a little embarrassed.
Meanwhile... Change of perspective
I was in the backyard, watching the sky that was starting to darken. The environment was peaceful, but I felt that something was different. I noticed a presence that wasn't part of the house. When I turned my head, I saw a tall man, with short white hair, wearing a red and black outfit. He was leaning against the fence, with his arms crossed, as if he was waiting for something. "You're Choso, I believe..." The man answered me.
"Who are you?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
The man looked up, his face serious and slightly arrogant. "I'm Archer, servant of the girl with the braids... or, as you know her, Rin Tohsaka."
I kept my posture calm, but my mind worked quickly. Archer, on the other hand, seemed unconcerned, as if he didn't see me as a threat.
"Archer, huh?" I commented, crossing my arms. "You look like someone I know..."
Archer arched an eyebrow, interested. "Really? And who would that person be?"
I hesitated for a moment before answering. "I can't say exactly. Maybe it's just an impression. But your posture, your energy... reminds me of someone..."
Archer tilted his head, as if he was analyzing me. "Interesting... How did you assume that?" Archer asked, changing the subject. "What exactly are you? You don't have the same presence as a normal human, but you're not a servant either."
I narrowed my eyes. "I manipulate blood... I can sense my fellow humans."
Archer gave a small smile, almost challenging. "It seems we're more alike than we think..."
I didn't answer right away, but the tension between the two of us seemed to ease. Archer, however, stepped forward, gesturing disinterestedly. "Anyway, I'm just here to make sure Rin is safe. I have no interest in fighting you..."
I didn't back down, but I didn't advance either. I knew there was no need to get into a fight right now, especially against someone as experienced and confident as Archer seemed to be.
"Alright, but be warned. If you or your Master do anything that puts my family in danger, I won't hesitate."
Archer gave a short, almost sarcastic laugh. "Family, huh? Interesting. Well, I'm not the type to attack without reason."
With that, Archer turned and began walking back into the house. I remained where I was, watching the man disappear into the darkness.
I didn't know why, but I felt like he looked a lot like a certain someone.
Change of perspective...
Meanwhile, I was sitting in a corner of the room, with my arms resting on my knees and my eyes fixed on Tachie, who was still unconscious in the room. I blamed myself for the situation, believing that I should have done more to protect her. The look of concern on my face was evident, but I knew that I couldn't let these thoughts consume me.
When Uraume entered the room, she looked at me with a mix of curiosity and disdain.
"Are you worried about this girl?" Uraume asked, crossing her arms.
I nodded without taking my eyes off the direction of the room. "She risked a lot... more than she should have. And I wasn't there to help her."
Uraume let out a sigh. "That kind of guilt won't help at all. If you really want to protect her, you need to strengthen yourself."
I finally looked up, staring at her. "And how exactly do I do that?"
Uraume smiled sinisterly, taking a few steps towards me. "Then I will train you. But don't expect it to be easy or comfortable. My method is direct and brutal. If you survive, you will be much better prepared to face whatever comes your way..."
I hesitated for a moment. I knew Uraume wasn't someone I could trust completely, but at the same time, I didn't have many options. "If it helps me protect the people around me, I'll take it!"
Uraume raised an eyebrow, as if surprised by my sudden determination. "Fine. We'll start now."
She left the room, indicating for me to follow her. We walked out into the backyard, where Uraume snapped her fingers, creating a small icy patch around us. The ground became slippery and the air sharp. "First lesson, boy: learn to fight in adverse conditions."
Without warning, Uraume threw a shard of ice at me. I narrowly dodged it, the ice missing my face by inches.
"Hey, W-Wait a minute!" I protested.
"Exactly. The world you're entering is dangerous. If you can't handle it, die now and save everyone the trouble." Her words were harsh, but I got the point. I took a fighting stance, my fists clenched.
Uraume continued to attack, creating icy obstacles on the ground and throwing sharp fragments from every direction. I stumbled and fell several times, but I got up each time, determined to continue. "Remember, Shirou, battle is not just about strength. It's about adaptation, about finding a way to win even when the odds are against you."
I began to understand the rhythm of her attacks, dodging with more precision and even using obstacles to gain an advantage.
Uraume smiled again, but this time, there was a hint of respect in her expression. "Maybe you have potential after all."
The training continued into the night, and although I was exhausted, I knew I was getting stronger. I would do whatever it took to protect Tachie and everyone else.
A few hours later...
After a long and exhausting training, I decided to take a break and went to the market to buy some tayakis. I needed something sweet to relieve the tension and regain some energy. The sun was already setting, dyeing the sky orange, as I left the market with a bag in my hands.
On my way back home, I stopped when I felt a strange presence. My heart raced when I saw a figure standing on the other side of the street. It was a girl with snow-white hair, bright eyes and a curious expression. She was wearing an elegant dress that seemed out of place in the casual environment.
I stopped in place, surprised and suspicious. I recognized the girl immediately: it was the Berserker's master. "You..." I began speaking, the tension quite clear.
Illya smiled innocently, as if the situation was nothing alarming. "Hello!" she said, her voice cheerful and childish. "What a coincidence to meet you here!"
I narrowed my eyes, keeping my guard up. "What do you want? To fight here?"
Illya took a few steps forward, swinging her arms slightly, like a child who wanted to play. "Nothing much, I just wanted to talk! No need to be so tense."
I didn't know what to think. Despite her tone and attitude, I knew she was no ordinary child. She was dangerous, both for what she represented and for the monstrous servant she had under her command.
"Talk? About what?" I asked, trying not to show my nervousness.
The girl tilted her head, and watched with a look that mixed innocence and cunning. "You look tired. You're training to get stronger, aren't you?"
I was surprised. How did she know that? "It's none of your business." I replied, clenching my fists around the bag.
The girl laughed softly. "You don't need to worry about me right now. I just wanted to see you. Did you know we're like family?"
I was even more confused. "Family?"
Illya put a finger on her chin, thoughtful. "Well, more or less. Maybe I'll tell you more about it someday..."
She took a step back, her innocent expression giving way to a slightly mischievous smile. "Enjoy the tayaki. And... take care, Shirou."
Before I could respond or react, the girl turned and started walking in the opposite direction.
I stood still, my thoughts confused. The unexpected encounter made him uneasy, but one thing was certain: She was not someone he could let his guard down around, no matter how kind she seemed to be.
As she walked away, I decided to call out to her, still suspicious: "Wait! What's your name?"
The girl stopped, looking over her shoulder with an excited smile. "My name is Illya... Illyasviel von Einzbern." Her voice was sweet, but carried a strange authority. "And yours?"
I hesitated for a moment, but decided to answer. "Emiya Shirou..."
"Emiyashirou?"
"No, Emiya Shirou."
"Emi...Yashirou?"
"No... Emiya Shirou."
"Emimiyashirou?"
"...."
Illya's smile grew.
"Just call me Emiya, it's better..."
I remained alert, but curiosity got the better of him.
"Like I said, I just wanted to talk." She pointed to a small park nearby, where there was an empty bench and a few trees creating a peaceful environment. "How about over there?"
I assessed the situation. Being alone with the Berserker's master was dangerous, but I could tell that if she wanted to attack, she would have done so already. With a cautious nod, I agreed and followed her to the park.
When we arrived, Illya sat down on the bench with a relaxed air, while I stood, crossing my arms. "So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked directly.
Illya looked up at the sky, as if in deep thought. "Do you know what it means to be a master, Emiya?" She turned to me, her eyes shining with something that seemed to be a mix of curiosity and sadness.
I frowned. "It's to protect those around me and win this war."
She laughed softly. "So typical. Do you really believe you can protect everyone?"
I hesitated for a moment, but answered firmly, "I'll try."
Illya tilted her head, studying me as if trying to figure me out. "You remind me of someone, you know?" She gave a melancholic smile. "Someone who also believed he could save everyone, even if it meant sacrificing himself..."
I remained silent, unsure of how to respond. "You're interesting, Emiya. Don't worry, I won't hurt you... This isn't the time for us to fight." She stood up, smoothing her dress. "Thank you for listening to me."
"Is that all?" I asked suspiciously.
Illya chuckled. "Yes."
And with that, she turned and started walking out of the park, leaving me with more questions than answers. I watched as she disappeared into the distance, feeling like there was a lot more to this girl than she was letting on.
As Illya started to walk away, I couldn't help but be curious and asked, "Wait, where's your Berserker?"
Illya slowly turned around, her mischievous smile still present. "Oh, he stayed home." She shrugged as if it were completely normal. "It's not good to take him out, he can be... tricky."
I narrowed my eyes, still trying to read her. "Where's your home?"
Illya laughed softly, but there was an enigmatic tone to it. in his response. "In a castle, in a forested area. It's a peaceful place, perfect for me and my Berserker."
I was surprised. The idea of someone living in a castle seemed like something out of a fairy tale, but considering the nature of this war, perhaps it wasn't so strange. "A castle, huh? It's... near the temple, right?"
"Yes, it is." Illya seemed pleased with my reaction. "You should visit sometime. Maybe I'll even make you some tea?"
I felt uncomfortable with her tone. Even though Illya was clearly an enemy, she displayed a gentle and almost innocent demeanor. Elu knew he couldn't let his guard down, but at the same time, he couldn't associate this smiling girl with the brutality he would expect from a master of the Holy Grail War. "You don't really act like someone who wants to kill me."
Illya chuckled. "And you don't really act like someone who's ready to go to war." She tilted her head, assessing him with a playful look. "But that's good. It makes you... funny."
I crossed my arms, still suspicious. "Why are you being so friendly with me?"
She took a step back, holding out her arms as if she were saying goodbye. "Because I liked you, Shirou. That's why."
Before I could answer, Illya turned around and started walking away. I stood there for a moment, feeling torn between the need to confront her and the strange friendliness she exuded.
"She's an enemy..." I told myself. But at the same time, I couldn't ignore the feeling that there was something more behind that girl.
Before Illya walked away completely, Illya stopped abruptly, as if something had crossed her mind.
"Ah, before I forget..." She turned to me with a mischievous smile. "How is Uncle Yuuji?"
I was surprised by the question.
"'Uncle' Yuuji? Is he... okay?"
Illya chuckled, placing her hands behind her back. "I met him a long time ago, you know? He was quite... cheerful back then. A shame, isn't it?"
I frowned, trying to decipher the meaning of her words. I knew Yuji had told me a bit about his past, including the times he faced situations related to curses, but he had never exactly talked about what his relationship with Illya was like. And that... Irisviel.
"Why are you interested in Yuji-Sensei?" I asked, crossing my arms. "What exactly happened between you two?"
Illya tilted her head, her eyes shining with a mix of mystery and amusement. "That doesn't matter right now. I was just curious."
She took a step forward, insisting. "If you're here because of him, I want to know why."
Illya just laughed again and shook her head. "Ah, Emiya, you're so curious. But don't worry. If it's something important, you'll know in due time."
She turned around and started walking away again, leaving me with more questions than answers. As I watched her disappear into the distance, I couldn't shake the feeling that Illya knew a lot more than she was letting on.
"Yuji is going to have to explain this to me properly when I get back home..." I thought, feeling the weight of yet another mystery surrounding the Holy Grail War.
End of Chapter 10