Author: me
Type-Moon (Nasuverse)
Chapter 16. Gold, bound by fate
"To unite dreams under the banner of conquest. I praise your efforts. But, warriors... don't you understand? That all dreams must disappear when the sleeper awakes. Every last one. So it was inevitable that I would stand in your way. King of the Conquerors, know the end of your eternal dream. I myself will show you the harsh reality" - The Eldest King of Mankind
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Upon exiting the Inner World, Sora was greeted by the morning sun. Rest, he had not known that word in any of his lives. And now, when he should miss a day of training, he felt discomfort. His body felt like it was itching to stretch, and his mind was demanding a new dose of endorphin.
Knowing that Taiga would be awake soon, Sora went to make breakfast, hoping it would help distract him.
Silently pacing around the kitchen, Sora was sure that his cooking would not be criticized by Skatah. It was safe to say that Sora was more talented in cooking than in magic, and that his magical talent was unimaginable.
- Good morning, Sora. - Taiga wheezed sleepily as she entered the kitchen.
- Good morning, Fuji-nee, breakfast will be ready soon. - Sora cheerfully greeted his older sister.
Taiga grudgingly mumbled. - How many times do I have to tell you, call me one-san.
- But… - Sora stammered in embarrassment, continuing. - It's embarrassing to call you one-san. - Sora answered in a timid voice.
He used Synergy to turn his face red. This made Taiga's heart skip a few beats. Seeing the cutest picture in the world in front of her, she spat in frustration the next second.
- Sister fell for it. - Sora laughed merrily.
Kiritsugu's death brought them closer together. Sora wouldn't lie if he said he was willing to give up Magic for Taiga. Having truly become brother and sister, they knew each other well and had developed a kind of empathy, and little pranks like this gave them an energy boost for the day.
- Itadakimas!
- Itadakimas!
Taiga occasionally glanced over to the third, empty seat at the table. Some days Taiga is painfully drawn to see his face, almost panting with pain in her chest. One misfortune: he's dead. Noticing Taiga's melancholy look, Sora decided to distract her with conversation, and it didn't take long to think of a topic.
- I think I'll take a break from my training today. - Under Taiga's dumbfounded stare, Sora said.
- Are you sure you're not sick? - Taiga asked worriedly, causing my eyebrow to twitch irritably.
- Is that so surprising? I'm ten years old, by the way, I think I can afford to rest once in a while. - You couldn't argue with those words if they weren't said by Sora.
- Of course it's amazing! I've been asking you to take at least one day off a week since I started. - With an incredulous sniffle, she began to complain. - But you ignored me, even Kiritsugu, whom you always listened to, couldn't convince you. Then I suggested one day off a month. A month! - Taiga shouted nervously. - Well... having learned zen, I've come to terms with the fact that you will die in your future job.
- Don't exaggerate, it's not that bad. - Sora made embarrassed excuses, but under a skeptical look, he just accepted it.
Sora didn't understand the laws by which this world worked. He'd been plowing twelve hours a day since he was seven, and Taiga only gave him a strange look at first, only to ask for a couple of days off. In what the hell kind of world do grown-ups act like that! And now when he said he'd take the day off, she reacted as if Jesus had made wine out of water in front of her, that is, super-emotional.
Although, let's be honest, if Lucy had seen this, he would have been first in line for circumcision. Of course, if he hadn't died of bigotry. For the sake of a good drink, he's willing to forget everything, even what he calls pride.
- I should probably go for a walk in Fuyuki. - In an uncertain tone, he wondered aloud what to do with himself.
- Are you really my Sora? - Taiga almost had tears flowing. - I am so proud of you. But I can not go with you, my father invited me to visit. - She sadly muttered.
Honestly, what's the matter with this world. A grown man in his right mind allows a child to go walking in the big city, and even if Fuyuki has little crime, but for God's sake, he's ten years old! Once again convinced of the insanity of this world, even the usual side of it, Sora continued to eat breakfast in silence.
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- Bye, Fuji-nee. Say hello to Grandpa Raiga for me. - After finishing his chores, Sora quickly ran outside to avoid Taiga's teasing.
The sky was obscured by gray clouds, rain was coming. Milky steam came out of his mouth with every exhalation, thus showing that winter was not yet over. Walking through the quiet town, he saw a quiet, measured life. In such a small town, life was in full swing. Various stores lined the streets. The joyful cries of children could be heard, and the everyday conversations of adults. Old men played segues, and old women talked sweetly by the river. Sometimes a dog or a cat might run out from around the corner and start cuddling at their feet. The cozy atmosphere of family life pervaded Fuyuki, so you wouldn't know that this Japanese town regularly held a secret competition between magicians, called the "Holy Grail War," for ordinary townspeople.
It has been exactly three years since the Fuyuki Fire. By pure chance, Sora decided to take a walk on the anniversary of the tragedy. Since that fateful day, the city's infrastructure has long since been rebuilt and the only reminder of that horror is the monument that was built in the local park. Without realizing it himself, Sora came to this very spot.
Artfully carved stone figures of children and adults engulfed in tongues of fire. This statue did not convey a tenth of what was going on there. Sora is much more pleasant to admire the nature around her. Even though it was winter, even this "dead" state of nature was somehow fascinating.
Sitting on the bench in the park he was thinking in his head until he was brought back to reality by the presence of someone nearby. Sitting next to him was a man in his mid-twenties. He was special. Worthy, towering above the world, he sat on a throne. His golden strands fell across his face, and his red eyes burned with pride and dignity. But most striking of all was his Soul, tainted with filth, it still hadn't lost its luster.
- A mongrel dares to look at this King like that, who do you think you are? - An arrogant voice stopped Sora from watching this soul.
- Forgive me, I have no control over this. - Without realizing it himself, he began to make excuses.
This man's aura was made up of gold, dirt, and charisma. Yes, charisma. It had become his very nature. But in the midst of it all, he sensed a slight trace of something sublime. Something out of this world.
- Not in control. - he laughed at the top of his lungs. - A mongrel like that deserves to die twice as much. - As if in retaliation, the man looked at the boy's soul.
- I never thought I'd find someone like you in this time. - As if he had learned everything there was to know about the boy, he spoke in a more concerned tone.
Noticing the boy's uncomprehending stare, the man did not pursue the subject further. It was insulting for him, for the King, to have to explain anything.
- Mongrel, what do you think of this place? - he commanded an answer, leaning back on the bench. His speech had a strange manner, as if he didn't belong in this world.
A cold stream of Synergy brought Sora out of a state akin to hypnosis. No, this King was doing nothing of the sort, Sora understood that perfectly well. The very presence of this man made him bow his head and tell the truth. The young mage was uncomfortable with the fact that this annoying type had such an effect on him. "Am I the Larva of the Creator?" asked Sora himself, but does it really matter whose larva you are if you are a larva in the presence of a worthy one.
But sensing some hidden meaning and wondering who it was, Sora decided to swallow his resentment.
- All feelings for this place burned in that fire. - He spoke more freely and consciously than before, which surprised the man slightly.
- One of the survivors... young, too young. - He spoke to himself, and the mongrel's answers were of secondary importance. - This King hasn't met one in a long time. - His third-person manner of speaking annoyed Sora.
He was talking to himself and as if he was constantly changing his mind. It was as if every time he opened his eyes, he saw much more and farther than anyone else.
- Mongrel, you can be proud of yourself. You have the King's interest. - An arrogant voice rang through the world, proclaiming the Truth.
Apparently losing interest in this encounter, he stood up. Even in such a simple action, he exuded the majesty of a king.
- This age has lost its dignity. And one day this King will take what belongs to him, and then, the mongrel will meet this King. - As he walked away from Sora, he was saying goodbye, if you can call it that.
- What a strange meeting. - Sora muttered under his breath.
He had already guessed who it was. His father's diary recorded all the servants summoned in the Fourth Grail War, and this annoying type fit the description of one perfectly. Gilgamesh. Humanity's first hero. A worthy King, created by the Gods themselves. He towered over the Earth and looked down on Heaven with contempt.
But how could it be him, since so much time had passed since the last war?
Remembering the words of the Scathach, he stopped to think about what was beyond his power. Taking one last look at the monument and looking around, he hurried home, for it was beginning to rain.