The world around Shirou moved in slow motion. Figures shrouded in shadows jumped out from all around them.
He couldn't move. He couldn't breathe.
Sakusei had been pulled away from him. He couldn't see anything except a mass of black.
What? What's happening?
He reached out his hands, grasping for some form of life, but didn't find anything.
It was as if he was being smothered.
He was encapsulated in black.
Shirou blinked, and his surroundings appeared around him.
He was in a pure white room, with a chair sat in front of him.
Wasn't I just in a forest?
He tried to move, but it was as though his limbs were solid stone.
He was completely bound in place, by some unseen force.
White. That was all he could see.
It was nauseating
Suddenly, a gap opened up in the endless white, and he peered through it as a man walked into the room.
The man walked towards Shirou, his eyes out of sight.
"Hello Shirou."
The man's gaze slowly moved upwards, until it met with Shirou.
"I'm sure you don't recognize me. I'm nothing special, after all."
He seemed to take pride in his normal appearance.
"But what if I said the word "Honshitsu."
Shirou recognized this word. He felt as though he knew it all too well.
His eyes widened. The group who had destroyed Sakusei's life.
To Shirou's reaction, he simply chuckled.
"It seems Sakusei has already informed you. You must be confused, so I shall simplify your situation. You're in my private prison."
Private prison?
"Quite extravagant, right? It's really quite offensive. To the gods, that is. You see, this world has been desecrated by us disgusting humans. And yet, we act as though we have some sort of importance to this world. We build cities, showing off our wealth. We wage war, to show power. But inevitably, we all die. Us humans have stolen God's creation, this Earth. We have sold away this beautiful existence all just for something finite. You see, once we die, our power disappears alongside us. We have no meaning in death, but in death, this world is given meaning. As a species, we are inferior in every way, except for our ability to create. We have created, created, created, created, and created until we couldn't anymore. We have used this privilege given to us as a means to destroy. But when we die, this curse disappears. So I shall save this world."
Shirou just stared, shocked by these words.
"W-who are you?! What do you want!"
"Me? I have no name. However, I am just like you."
"Just like me?" Shirou was confused by these words.
"These rooms are withheld for the most vile of the gods' creations. These rooms show you what you truly are. Look around you, Shirou! Pure white! Emptiness! You're insignificant, just like the rest of us! And yet, you seem to have convinced yourself you are special. That you can defy your creation! That you can defy the gods! You're quite the fool, Shirou. You see, you're nothing but a doll."
"I'm…a doll?"
Shirou realized something. All along, he felt nothing. He could only feel what he wanted to at the time.
Shirou stared lifelessly down at the man as he began to speak again.
"Yes, Shirou. You're a doll. A lifeless creature manufactured to the creator's liking. You knew it all along, Shirou. You have been used like a machine, over and over again, and you don't even know it."
Shirou's eyes widened.
"But you see, I am just like you. I have no name, no meaning, no identity. But you're lazy, Shirou. You've accomplished nothing, even after being shown the way, time and time again. I've done it all! I'm you and everything you lack! You're a violation in God's domain! And yet, you have been granted the Essence! Oh great gods! Please help me understand!"
Shirou was completely broken. There was no way to describe the emotion he felt.
"So, by the will of the gods, I shall remove you!"
Suddenly, the unseen bonds that held Shirou in the air were released, and he fell to his knees in front of the man.
"I have nothing personal against you, Shirou. I would kill anyone in your position."
Shirou didn't try to get away. He seemed to have accepted his fate.
"You're right about me, you know. I'm lifeless. I was already dead all along."
Shirou looked up at the man with a solemn smile.
"So you understand. Very well."
A red light appeared, and a sword formed in hand.
Creation…? Oh well…
Shirou closed his eyes, and prepared for his inevitable death.
This is right. I can't save anyone, so I don't deserve to exist.
He waited. And waited.
But he felt nothing. Nothing happened.
He slowly opened his eyes. The world around him had been painted grey.
To his surprise, a blade was centimeters away from his neck.
It was as though time had stopped.
"...Hey, Shirou."
No...why is she here?
Sakusei came into view.
She simply just stared at him.
"I should have told you sooner. I possess the essence."
He couldn't speak. He was too shocked.
"I'm sorry, Shirou. Please don't hate me…"
She took a long pause.
"All along...I have used you. Over and over. You've died countless times because of me, suffered over and over again because of me. All because of my selfishness. I was the one who revived you each time you died. I erased your memories. I've caused everything that has hurt you. I won't blame you if you hate me. But please. I need you to go back once more."
She walked towards Shirou, and placed a hand on his chest.
So warm, Sakusei though, You are alive, Shirou.
She gave him a light tap, and he fell back into time.
Shirou simply stared up as he fell away from her.
As he fell away into time, Sakusei's lips were moving.
He couldn't hear her. He didn't want to.
Why?
That was the only thing he could think.
Suddenly, he was back in that alleyway.
The cursed place that had put him in this position.