I walked through the half-broken castle one final time. I've spent many days here, not ever fully exploring it, yet I couldn't bring myself to do so even now.
Neither of us seemed to care for this structure in our battle, it being an early casualty.
I wasn't looting, some things I had a small urge to grab, but my current emotions eroded any excessive greed I may usually contain.
No, I only took one item throughout the entire estate.
A painting of Scathach along with her family. How young she looked then.....
She never spoke much about them, but in the master bedroom, in her room, she had a single painting hanging over the mantle.
I figured she would appreciate this at some point.
The other item, I still kept in my hand, never letting it out of my grip once I sent her off on her final mortal journey.
Her cursed spear.
Gae Bolg.
There were many 'Gae Bolgs', the beast she crafted them from was rather large. The most famous one she gave to Cu Chulainn, while keeping the remainder for herself. I have no idea where the others are, at least one went into the making of my sword but other than that I had no idea.
I didn't know what to do with it…..I didn't want to leave it here for something to pick up and desecrate, so I took it as well. Even if it brought me more unpleasant feelings, keeping it so close.
With a sigh, I put it into my ring along with the painting.
I didn't want to stay here any longer, it was hurting too much.
With a thought, I pulled on the kaleidoscope and appeared at the spot from which I entered this realm. The tether was still in place, even if the obvious portal was gone. Don't want anything to leave that wasn't suppose to. While I doubt anything could survive for any meaningful time outside, something strong enough could still cause issues for a little bit.
With a wave of my hand, the portal reformed and I stepped through.
The harsh cold, the scent of death and decay disappeared. I didn't realize how used to it I actually was until I finally left.
No longer did it feel like something was looking over my shoulder constantly. No more did I feel a biting could into my skin every time I stepped outside.
Even if I was high up on a mountain, it was warmer than I had felt in…years at this point.
"How long was it?" I looked up into the sky, seeing the Sun had long disappeared and replaced with the moon. Both of which were something I hadn't seen in a long time.
[A little over two years If my guess is correct.] Ddraig answered. He had been…..quiet since the fight.
"How were you even able to keep track of time?" I asked in mild surprise.
[Experience.].
Oh…..right.
I turned my eye, seeing the familiar signs of the Kaleidoscope being used.
Zelretch stepped out, flanked by both Artoria and Rin.
There were several Bounded Fields around this area, several of them probably detected me and alerted him of my return.
"Hey old man, it's been awhile." I forced a smile, greeting my grandfather.
"You've changed." He stared at me intently. Similar to before yet….it felts less intimidating, perhaps even the pressure was something I could ignore now.
"Indeed." Artoria chimed in. "Your presence is significantly 'sharper' and much more calm."
"Well, I've had a productive time….how long as it been on your end?" I swept my gaze around, not noticing any major changes, so I don't think it's been that long.
"A little over two weeks." Rin stated, giving me a look. "Nice hair."
That got a small chuckle out of me. "Thanks, I kinda like it, what do you think, Artoria?" I eyed her with a small smile on my face. I didn't realize how much it would alleviate my current emotions to see her again.
"I-it is pleasant to see." She replied.
Oh gods, how I missed teasing her.
Rin just gave me a smirk and a quick thumbs up.
Was she rooting for me? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around, telling her friend that I'm not good enough, etc etc.
Or maybe I've seen too many teen dramas.
"What was the Land of Shadows like? How long were you there? Did you get anything good?" It seemed Rin finally started to bombard me with questions.
"Cold, a bit over two years, and yes." I said bluntly, much to her annoyance. She made a scrunched face that I couldn't help but smile at.
Teasing Rin was always fun too.
I walked over to my Staff, still sitting there keeping the spell from puttering out.
How I missed you, my beautiful.
I grabbed it from the ritual site, destroying the spell sequence in the process and allowing the portal to disperse.
"How's everything, anything exciting happen while I was gone?" I shifted the conversation away from the topic of the Land of Shadows.
Zelretch eyed me for a moment before answering. "Rin has been making great progress. In fact, I had been heavily considering your words regarding the world you mentioned before."
Rin seemed to brighten up, I guess she was aware of the situation. "I've been studying the underlining Thaumaturgical principals of the magecraft you gave me." She furrowed her eyebrows. "It's…..odd, but I guess that's to be expected, considering its from another world."
"They also don't differentiate between magecraft and Magic. To them, all of what they do is Magic, even something as simple as lighting a candle with a small flame." I Shot a look at Zelretch and his face told me he was keeping his hands out of Rin's research. Something I could agree with, allow her to venture out and learn from her own failures and successes.
"How dangerous is that world?" Artoria asked, her tone very protective. No doubt She intended to follow along, not that I had any expectations to the opposite.
Hmm, they seemed really excited about this trip, perhaps they've been waiting for my answers for awhile now.
"Fairly dangerous at the moment, apparently dragons have started to resurface for the first time in many centuries, and divine spirits are active here and there. Not to mention all the phantasmal species that still run about." I used terms they were familiar with to make it easier to understand. I would also give a more detailed explanation later, but this would suffice for now.
"I fear we're getting into a topic that may need to be discussed in a more leisurely setting." Zelretch interrupted. "Perhaps we should convene at a later date to discuss this more?"
"Fine, I can tell when I'm being shooed away." Rin sighed. "I also want to show you what I've been working on when you have some time." Rin directed her words at me. "The old man said you would be a better help with my project."
"Sure." I said happily, turning my gaze towards Artoria. "So…"
"Erm." She coughed lightly into her hand, steeling her face. "Would you like to get coffee with me sometime?" Her words sounded extremely rehearsed and I saw her glance at Rin while she said it.
"That would be lovely." I couldn't help but genuinely smile for the first time this evening. One way or another, she deserved some answers and explanations.
Artoria quickly caught up with Rin who walked through a portal Zelretch opened, only giving me a quick look before departing again.
"Well, I hope you don't drag your feet with her." He spoke up after they disappeared.
"Yeah….I hope I don't do something stupid." I sighed.
Zelretch raised his eyebrow at me, a small smile rising on his face. "It seems you've grown in a few ways."
I was about to respond, until he waved his hand and we were then in his office. I only rolled my eyes, taking a seat in the familiar chair. "Showoff."
"Well, what's the point in being this powerful if I can't show it off?" He looked at me smugly, I could tell he was just being flamboyant on purpose, he usually isn't this flippant about his 'strength' unless he gets pissed off. "Now, why don't you tell me what's really going on?"
"What do you mean?" I said evenly.
"Boy, do you think I'm blind?" He expression turned serious. "You may not be me, but that doesn't mean I don't see enough of my own mannerisms in you. I can count on one hand the amount of times I've had that look, and none of them are good."
"You….really are an asshole sometimes." I snorted. "Can't you just leave it well enough alone?"
"I suppose I could. Next time I get stabbed in the chest, why don't I just leave that alone as well, I'm sure nothing will –" He paused, watching me flinch at his words. "Oh my child, I am so sorry."
He didn't say anything anymore, going to his cabinet and retrieving some glasses and a bottle of scotch. We sat there and drank in silence, until the bottle was almost empty.
I really can't hide anything from him....
"I want a Holy Grail." I finally spoke.
The look on his face seemed to relay that he understood what I was asking for. "The one here isn't…..suitable." He chose the words carefully.
"Still corrupted?" I was aware of that leech that original inhabited in the past centuries.
"The systems are heavily contaminated, even if the thing is gone, they were corrupted for so long….i'm trying to see what's salvageable." He shook his head. "Frankly, I'll be happy if the summoning function still persists when I'm done."
That means no command seals, no wish, and no failsafes. Neither of us would care about the 'wish' but it was more than that. It was the ability to use the magical energy stored for more malleable intents. The 'Wishcraft' that was imbedded and powered by an almost unlimited amount of magical energy, it allowed the grail to do almost anything, even punch a hole straight to the Root.
"There are other worlds, other grail wars."
"Indeed, that is an option. But it is unlikely I can just wave my hand and cancel those huge events to present you the grail."
"I don't need it handed to me." I resolved myself. "I will take it, servants or not."
Zelretch raised an eyebrow, a smile formed. "Well, if that's the case, I have a few things I can look into. Some places that would be better off without a grail."
"Really? You're not going to give me another speech about taking things when I shouldn't?"
"I never said you can't take things." He shook his head. "I just told you to take responsibility. The debts you owe will continue to accumulate, if you wish to even the scales more actively, so to speak, I won't say anything in opposition."
"I know." I sighed. "I guess….I just wanted the words to be said."
He looked thoughtful, tapped his chin for a moment. "I do have a lot on my plate right now, and it will take some time to find a suitable world-line, unless you want to do that yourself."
I couldn't help but scowl at the thought. "Your nature makes it substantially easier to do that. It would take me years to find what I'm looking for, you can probably do it in days."
"That is true." He agreed. "Regardless, it seems you can't do anything for the time being, what are your plans?"
"I wanted to stay around for a few more days…clearing the air with Artoria is probably one of the priorities, see where we go from here." I sighed again, looking up at the ceiling. "I'll give Rin any help she needs, maybe point her on certain paths if she's going to explore Skyrim." Keep myself preoccupied with something.
"I only took a cursory glance at this Skyrim you mentioned, I've already started prepping her a bit but I was thinking about having her attend that college you mentioned."
"Yeah, that's probably the best bet. The Archmage there is a good man, I would trust him with my life." I nodded, a small smile on my face as I recalled my time there. "I know you're worried, but I have some people there that can give her some protection, not to mention I'll also give her a hand." I hesitated for a moment, rubbing my hands together. "I can lend her my staff for an emergency." I practically winced at my own words.
I hated the thought of parting with my staff again, but at least that's for the future. And it was for a good cause, Rin was family, I would make sure she's safe, not to mention Artoria who would be beside her the entire time.
"That is appreciated." He gave a genuine smile, making me feel better. "Though I'm sure Ruby will be…..not pleased." He let out a small laugh, before evening himself. "But until then, what do you plan to do?"
"I...will probably head back to my birth world for a bit." I frowned, running a hand through my hair.
"Do you think it's wise, you don't have particularly fond memories of that place, adding on…." He trailed off, but I know what he was asking.
"Well…." I could only smile bitterly. "I can't exactly feel any worse than I do now." Maybe some closure over there will help me in every aspect.
****
Not much happened, setting up the future through some plot points and what-not. As I said before, DxD is next, and wouldn't you know, he's already there over on my pat.reon if you want to support me or read 5 chapters ahead.
Pat.reon.com/Astoryforone