I stand alone.
The ground beneath me is cracked and lifeless, charred black as if it has been burned over and over again. The air is thick with smoke and ash, suffocating, clinging to my skin like a second layer. Above me, the sky is split in two-blinding white on one side, endless black on the other-as if even the heavens can't decide whether it's day or night.
There is no wind. No movement.
Just silence.
Then I hear it.
A faint whisper, drifting through the air like a dying breath.
It's too quiet to make out at first, but as I strain to listen, the words slowly take shape.
"Why...?"
The Fire That Calls to Me
A sudden gust rushes past, kicking up embers that dance around me like fireflies. I turn, and that's when I see it-
A pillar of fire.
It erupts from the ground in the distance, stretching toward the sky. The flames are unnatural, twisting and writhing as if they are alive. They don't flicker-they pulse, like a heartbeat.
And for some reason, I feel drawn to them.
My feet move on their own. One step, then another. The closer I get, the clearer the whisper becomes.
"Why have you come here?"
I freeze. The voice is clearer now-a woman's voice.
Then, the flames shift.
And from within the inferno, a figure emerges.
The Burning Shadow
She stands tall, wreathed in fire, her form shrouded by black smoke and glowing embers.
Her presence is overwhelming. Not just powerful, but furious. Sorrowful. Betrayed.
I can't see her face, but the weight of her gaze presses down on me, like she's staring straight through my soul.
Then, she steps forward.
The flames burn hotter, the ground cracking beneath her feet. The air ripples with heat, forcing me to shield my eyes. But before the fire consumes my vision, I catch a glimpse of something-
A blackened flag, torn and scorched, held tightly in her grasp.
And for just a moment, I see her eyes.
Golden. Burning. Piercing into me.
My eyes snap open as sweat falls down my face, my heart rate has skyrocketed, I try to steady my breathing to slow my heart. As I sat up in my bed and threw my legs off the side of it, I pulled on the string of my lamp to illuminate my room.
I wipe the sweat off my forehead, and think about what I just dreamed, but all that I could think about were her eyes, the only thing that eminated from then was pure hatred.
I stood up and walked to the door of my room, opening it then stepping into the hallway, then I make my way to the kitchen. I pour myself a glass of milk and drink it hoping to calm my nerves, it's strange I've been having similar dreams to that one for 10 years now, although I don't really dream that much anymore, but when I do i'm always there in that lifeless world. I sit down on a chair and rest my head on my hand.
I look at my clock above the stove and see that it's 7:13 oh damn, I gotta get to school. I quickly get up and go get dressed in my school uniform, I then grab a banana and eat it throwing away the peel before leaving the house. I arrive at school 30 minutes later, thankfully I don't live to far from the school.
As I walk enter the school grounds I notice a distinct lack of people, as I enter the main school building I look up at the clock and see that it's 6:30, I arrived an hour early.
The metallic clang of my locker opening and closing echoed through the empty hallway as I stifled a yawn, grabbing my indoor shoes.
Shirou: You're here early, Ren.
I looked up to see Shirou Emiya a few lockers down, his red hair slightly messy like he'd rushed through his morning routine.
Ren: Yeah, my clock betrayed me. Thought I was late, but turns out I'm an hour early.
Shirou: Rough start, huh?
Ren: Understatement of the year. What about you?
Shirou: Issei asked me to help with student council stuff. Not much of a choice.
Issei: I heard that.
Issei Ryuudou approached with his usual composed look, adjusting his glasses as they glinted in the hallway light.
Issei: And for the record, you volunteered, Emiya.
Shirou: Did I, though?
Issei: You did. And Tsukihara, it's unusual to see you here this early. Finally considering joining the student council?
Ren: Yeah... probably never going to happen.
Issei: Shame. We could use someone competent.
Shirou and I exchanged amused glances.
Ren: I've got an hour to kill now. Guess I'll wander until class starts.
Issei: Try not to get into trouble.
Shirou: See you in class, Ren.
Ren: Yeah, see you.
As they headed off, I made my way outside. That's when I saw them-Rin Tohsaka and Ayako Mitsuzuri, deep in conversation near the archery range.
Great. Just what I needed-more curiosity to keep me awake.
I decided to sneak around a corner and easedrop, anything to pass the time.
Ayako: Man, I swear, mornings are getting colder. I could barely get out of bed today.
Rin: It's February. What did you expect?
Ayako: I expected not to feel like I was going to freeze to death the moment I stepped outside.
Rin: (smirks) Maybe you should invest in a thicker jacket instead of complaining.
Ayako: Says the girl who wears the same uniform year-round.
Rin: I have a strong tolerance.
Ayako: More like you're just stubborn.
Rin shrugs, her expression amused.
Ayako: Anyway, you're up early. Don't you usually show up right before class starts?
Rin: I had something to take care of.
Ayako: Huh. Mysterious as always.
Rin gives a small smile but suddenly tenses. Her gaze flickers toward where Ren is lingering.
Rin: ...You know, eavesdropping is kind of rude.
Well shit. Didn't think I'd be found out, this is kinda awkward. Oh well might as well reveal myself, didn't really want a Tohsaka to be on my case.
I step out from behind the wall, raising a hand in mock surrender.
Ren: Alright, alright, you got me. Guess I need to work on my stealth skills.
Rin crosses her arms, giving me a sharp look.
Rin: Or you could just not eavesdrop in the first place.
Ayako: (laughing) Relax, Tohsaka. It's not like we were sharing state secrets.
Rin sighs, shaking her head, but her gaze stays on me for a second longer than I'd like. I get the feeling she's sizing me up, trying to decide if I'm worth pressing further.
Ren: I was just killing time. Didn't mean to intrude on your early morning gossip.
Ayako: See, now you're making it sound way more interesting than it was.
Rin: Hmph. Just try not to make a habit of lurking around corners.
Ren: (grinning) No promises.
Rin rolls her eyes, but Ayako just laughs as the tension eases.
Ren: Alrighty I'll be going now, don't be stranger Tohsaka, Mitsuzuri.
We exchange our goodbyes, Ayako waves as I leave, and I wave back. Although I feel Rin's glare at my back as I walk away, which results in my spine shivering, she's one scary woman.
The school hallways are still mostly empty as I make my way to class. I've got time to kill-a lot of time, actually. Well, nothing I can do about it now.
As I round a corner near the stairwell, I suddenly collide with someone.
???: "Ah-!"
I stop myself easily, but the girl I bumped into takes a quick step back, blinking up at me in surprise.
Sakura: "Oh, Tsukihara-kun!"
I exhale, rubbing the back of my head.
Ren: "Man, I gotta stop running into people today. You okay, Sakura?"
She nods, giving me a small smile.
Sakura: "I'm fine! I wasn't paying attention either."
There's a brief pause before she tilts her head slightly, studying me.
Sakura: "You're here really early."
Ren: "Yeah, my clock decided to screw me over. I showed up an hour ahead of schedule."
Sakura: giggles "That sounds like something you'd do."
I raise an eyebrow.
Ren: "Wow, you make it sound like I show up ridiculously early all the time."
Sakura: "Well, you do tend to have bad luck."
I sigh dramatically.
Ren: "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up."
She chuckles again, clearly amused. It's not a big conversation, but it's easy. Sakura's one of the few people I get along with at school-not as close as I am with Shirou or Issei, but we talk now and then. She's easy to be around.
Her gaze shifts slightly, and for a moment, it looks like she wants to say something else. Instead, she just gives me another small smile.
Sakura: "I should get going. Club activities start soon."
Ren: "Right, archery practice. Shirou's probably waiting for you, huh?"
She nods, but there's a flicker of something in her expression-just for a second.
Sakura: "Yeah... I'll see you later, Tsukihara-kun."
Ren: "Yeah, see you."
As she walks away, I let out a breath.
...Something about that moment felt off. Maybe I'm just overthinking it.
I watch Sakura head off toward the archery range before sighing and stretching my arms over my head.
Ren: "Welp, nothing else to do..."
I glance around the hallway. There aren't many students here yet-just a few early birds heading toward their clubs or chatting in small groups. It's too early for anything interesting to happen.
I consider wandering around a bit, maybe even stepping outside for some fresh air-but honestly? That sounds like too much effort.
Ren: "Might as well just head to class."
With that, I make my way toward the second-year classrooms. My homeroom is already unlocked, but completely empty. No surprise there. The place has that weird stillness you only get when a room is meant to be filled with people but isn't yet.
Shrugging, I walk over to my desk and drop into my seat.
Ren: "Alright, time to kill an hour the easy way."
I cross my arms, resting my head against them. My body relaxes almost immediately. I've pulled this off plenty of times before-just a light nap, nothing deep, but enough to pass the time.
My breathing slows, my eyelids grow heavy, and before I know it...
Darkness.
Then-a dream.
At first, there is only darkness. A comforting, endless void.
Then, the world shifts.
A chill runs down my spine as I become aware of something-a presence looming just beyond the edge of my vision. I try to move, but my body feels sluggish, like I'm wading through water.
Then, a spark.
Fire.
Flames erupt all around me, licking at the air like hungry beasts. The sky is painted in hues of deep crimson and black, thick with smoke. The heat is suffocating, yet there is no pain.
I stand in the middle of a battlefield-no, a graveyard. Weapons of all shapes and sizes are impaled into the scorched earth, stretching far beyond the horizon. Some are shattered, broken beyond repair. Others gleam ominously under the blood-red sky, waiting for a wielder.
The air is heavy with something I can't name. Expectation? Despair? Fate?
Then, I see her.
A lone figure stands amidst the sea of flames, her back turned to me. A woman clad in dark armor, her long, silver hair flowing like smoke. A massive flag, tattered and worn, is gripped tightly in her hand.
I try to step closer, to call out-but the moment my foot moves, she turns.
Golden eyes pierce through me like fire, burning with fury, sorrow, and something else I can't place.
???: "You called for me."
A gust of wind howls through the battlefield, kicking up embers. Her presence is overwhelming-both regal and terrifying. I don't even know who she is, yet something deep inside me knows that this moment is important. That she is important.
I try to speak, but the words never come.
Then-
A flash of white. A surge of pain.
And I wake up.
I jolt upright, gasping for breath. My heart is hammering in my chest, and my skin feels clammy with sweat.
Ren: "God why do I keep having this dream...?"
I run a hand through my hair, exhaling slowly. My classroom is still empty. The sun has risen a little more, casting a warm glow through the windows. It feels too normal compared to what I just saw.
A dream. Just a dream.
...Then why does it feel so real?
I shake my head, trying to push the lingering unease away. There's no use dwelling on it.
The school bell rings, signaling the start of the day.
I sigh. Time to pretend everything's normal.
The classroom fills up quickly after the bell rings. Students filter in, chatting and laughing about whatever nonsense high schoolers care about this early in the morning. I barely pay attention, still shaken by that dream.
I rest my chin on my hand, gazing out the window. The warmth of the sun against the glass does little to shake the cold feeling in my chest.
Shirou: "Yo, Ren."
A familiar voice pulls me back to reality. I glance up to see Shirou Emiya standing beside my desk, looking as casual as ever. Beside him is Issei Ryuudou, our class rep, who is already giving me a disapproving look.
Ren: "Oh. Morning, you two."
Issei: "Tsukihara, you look like you just came back from the dead. You didn't stay up all night doing something pointless again, did you?"
I smirk at his typical scolding tone.
Ren: "Nah, just had a weird dream. No big deal."
Shirou raises an eyebrow, curious, but Issei just shakes his head.
Issei: "Hmph. You should be more responsible. A proper routine is important for a student's health, especially someone as lazy as you."
Ren: "Hey, that's just how it is."
Issei sighs in exasperation, while Shirou chuckles.
Shirou: "Anyway, you coming to lunch with us later? Sakura's making food again, and you know how she gets when there are leftovers."
I roll my eyes. Sakura Matou, Shirou's childhood friend, is always pushing food on people. Not that I'd ever complain about free food.
Ren: "Yeah, yeah. I'll be there."
Before the conversation can go any further, the teacher walks in, calling the class to attention.
The usual school day begins.
Hours pass without much excitement. Just the usual lectures, assignments, and half-hearted note-taking. When the lunch bell rings, I stretch my arms and make my way toward the rooftop, where Shirou and the others usually eat.
As expected, I find Shirou, Sakura, and Issei already there.
Sakura smiles when she sees me.
Sakura: "Oh, Ren! You actually showed up today. I thought you'd disappear like last time."
Ren: "I'd never skip out on free food."
Sakura giggles and hands me a neatly packed bento box.
I take a seat beside Shirou, glancing around. The atmosphere is calm, the breeze is nice, and for once, it feels like a normal day.
But then-
A strange feeling washes over me.
Like a shift in the air. A faint pulse of something unnatural.
I freeze for a second, scanning my surroundings. No one else seems to notice.
...What the hell was that?
I shake off the strange sensation and focus back on my food. Maybe I'm just overthinking things.
Sakura: "Ren? You okay?"
Her voice pulls me back. I blink, realizing I've been gripping my chopsticks a little too tightly.
Ren: "Yeah, just spaced out for a second."
Shirou: "You sure? You look a little pale."
I force a smirk.
Ren: "Don't worry about it. Probably just hungry."
Shirou and Sakura exchange a glance but don't push further. Issei, on the other hand, just sighs.
Issei: "Perhaps if you actually went to sleep at a reasonable hour, you wouldn't be experiencing these lapses in awareness."
I roll my eyes and return to eating. But the feeling doesn't go away.
Even as we chat, even as I listen to Shirou talk about helping out at the archery club, even as Sakura nags him about overworking himself-
That presence lingers at the back of my mind.
It's like a whisper in the air, something unseen brushing against my consciousness.
The rest of the school day passes without incident. By the time the final bell rings, I'm more than ready to head home.
I sling my bag over my shoulder, stretching my arms as I step out of the classroom. Shirou is heading toward the archery range with Sakura, while Issei has some student council duties to handle.
That leaves me alone.
I start walking, planning to take the usual route home. But then-
That feeling hits me again.
Stronger this time.
I stop in my tracks. The hall is nearly empty now, just a few lingering students gathering their things. But something feels... off.
Like something is watching me.
A sudden chill runs down my spine.
I glance around, but nothing seems out of place.
Ren: "...Tch. Maybe I really do need more sleep."
Shaking my head, I push forward.
As I step out of the school gates, the sun beginning to set behind me, I can't shake the feeling that this is just the beginning.