A man walked with his usual confidence, hunger for a challenge burning in his chest. The night was calm, until his eyes captured something that aroused his interest, a dark-haired boy, standing under a pole of light, with a serene but full of intensity.
The man with pompadour-style hair stopped for a moment, watching him. The boy seemed common at first glance, but something in his presence was not right. There was a strange, powerful and distinct energy radiating from it. The man felt the shiver of excitement through his body, a smile graduating slowly on his face.
"Hey, boy!" He called, with a voice full of a mixture of curiosity and fun. "You don't look normal ... this energy ... You don't seem to be a reincarnated, do you?"
The boy looked up at the eldest, his serious eyes, but without an evident fear. He seemed to evaluate the man before him, as if he was deciding if he was worth answering.
Pompadour took a few steps ahead, stopping at a safe distance, but still close enough to feel that boy's aura. He snapped his fingers, an almost unconscious gesture, as if preparing the body for the struggle that his mind was already anticipating.
"Well, whatever you go, your energy is interesting." The man's smile grew up, displaying the savagery of a predator who had just found a prey to the height. "How about having a little fun?"
He closed his fists, his muscles contracting like an animal ready to attack, but still expected an answer. Hunger for a worthy adversary grew every second, and he knew that boy could be exactly what he was looking for.
The dark blue-haired boy looked at the man for a moment, evaluating him with a mix of curiosity and distrust. He crossed his arms, slightly tilting his head to the side.
"My name is Shinji ... Matou Shinji." he replied, with a calm voice, but loaded with veiled arrogance. "And are you servant? Or a master?"
The man still with that confident smile on his face, relaxed his posture for a brief moment, but his presence was still overwhelming. He ran a hand over his dark hair and pointed to himself with his thumb.
"Servant? Master? ... Nah, I'm just wanting to taste good food ... My name is Ryu Ishiguro. Remember that name, boy. If you are smart, you will understand that you have just met someone special."
Shinji arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Ryu's attitude, but without showing intimidation.
"Special?" He teased. "You talk like some kind of Heroic Spirit or something."
Ryu released a short laugh, putting his hands in the pockets of his jacket.
"Hero? No no ... this is not for me." He stepped forward, leaning slightly to face Shinji more closely. "I'm someone who lives for the warmth of battle. Someone who wants to feel every blow and repay with everything I have."
Shinji fell half step, perhaps because of the weight of words or intensity in Ryu's eyes, but tried to keep the composure.
"Right, Ryu Ishiguro. And what do you want with me?"
Ryu snapped his fingers again, the sound echoing along the silent street.
"I want to see what you are capable of, boy. I feel like there is something different about you, something that makes me curious. So why we don't stop talking and do something more ... interesting?" Ryu said getting ready to attack.
Shinji hesitated for a moment, but something in Ryu's presence seemed impossible to ignore. He knew that somehow that meeting was not a coincidence.
Meanwhile somewhere ...
Tachie was looking out the bedroom window, her eyes attentive to the darkness that dominated the night. An uncomfortable feeling ran through her body, like a shiver that insisted on not passing. She knew something was wrong. The presence she felt was different from any other he had experienced: dense, almost suffocating, as if being observed by something beyond the human. "There's something strange happening here ..."
Without hesitation, she prepared herself wearing her servant clothes, took her scythe and near the door and left. Her steps were light but firm as she walked toward the gate. The cold air of the night made her breath out of small white clouds.
"This feeling ..." Tachie murmured to herself, her eyes fixed on the horizon. "Are you coming ... of a temple?"
As she followed the winding path that led to the temple, a figure watched her from afar. I was resting in the living room, I saw Tachie leaving the front door. I frowned, intrigued, and decided to follow her in silence, keeping a safe distance not to be noticed. As Yuji had told me, it is the older brother's duty to take care of the younger ones, I need to do that.
Tachie continued climbing the stone stairs of the temple, each step echoing in the emptiness of the night. The feeling of danger grew with every meter she got closer to the place. When she reached the entrance of the Ryuudou Temple, the presence became almost overwhelming, as if the air around her was charged with hostile energy.
"Who's there?" she asked loudly, wielding her staff tightly.
I watched her from behind a nearby tree, feeling the same unease. I narrowed my eyes, trying to identify the source of that unusual energy.
"This isn't normal..." she muttered to myself, clenching her fists. "Whatever it is, it's connected to the Chalice War."
Suddenly, a shadow passed quickly across Tachie's field of vision, like a figure that disappeared before she could identify it. She took a step back, taking a deep breath, trying to remain calm.
"There's no point in hiding..." Tachie said, trying to sound firm. "Show yourself!"
I was ready to interfere with my blood techniques if something happened, but I decided to observe for a moment longer. I knew Tachie was not weak, but the energy emanating from that place was something that could not be underestimated.
As Tachie stood at the entrance to the Ryuudou Temple, her muscles tense and her breathing controlled, a light sound echoed through the trees, like deliberate footsteps. Her vision fixed on a figure emerging from the darkness. A tall man with long hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a dark kimono that seemed to absorb the light around him. He carried a katana in one hand, the blade glinting faintly in the moonlight.
The man's eyes were fixed on her, cold and calculating. He did not seem surprised to see her there, as if he had already expected her presence.
"So, you came." His voice was calm, but filled with something that Tachie could not immediately identify. "You have courage, girl, but you should have stayed away from this place."
Tachie gripped her scythe in her hands, adjusting her defensive posture. Despite the man's warning tone, she did not back down.
"And who are you to tell me where I should or shouldn't be?" she retorted, determination in her voice. "If you're involved with the students' disappearances, I won't let it go."
The man smiled slightly, as if amused by her determination. He raised the katana slightly, pointing the blade in her direction.
"My name is not important to you right now. What matters is that you're in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Before she could react, the man advanced with impressive speed. The sound of the wind cut by the katana made Tachie's heart race, but she managed to dodge it by a hair's breadth, retreating a few steps while counterattacking with the staff. The wood met the metal blade with a shrill sound, sparks flying between the two.
I was still hidden among the trees, watching intently. I frowned, immediately recognizing that the man was no ordinary human. The energy emanating from him was unmistakable. "He's probably a servant."
"So that's it..." I muttered to myself. "A servant is involved in this."
As Tachie fought, I saw the determination in her eyes. Despite being at a disadvantage, she didn't back down. Every blow she landed was precise, every movement was filled with intent. But the difference in power was clear.
The man stepped back slightly, his expression still calm, but with a hint of interest.
"You fight well..." he commented. "But that won't be enough."
He raised the katana again, and this time the blade seemed to glow with intense energy. Tachie felt the weight of the aura emanating from him, but she didn't waver.
"I won't run!" Tachie declared firmly. "If you're the cause of the students' disappearance, I'll end you here and now!"
Before the man could attack again, I finally decided to intervene and emerged from the shadows, my presence immediately noticed by both of them.
"Tachie, stay behind me." I ordered in a firm voice.
Tachie looked at me for a moment, surprised by my appearance, but obeyed, stepping back slightly.
The ponytailed man tilted his head, assessing me with attentive eyes. "And you are...?"
"None of your business!" I replied, his eyes fixed on his opponent. "I don't know who you are, but if you're involved with the Chalice War and what's happening, I won't allow it to continue."
The man smiled, lowering his katana slightly.
"Interesting. Two against one, then?" This will be fun.
I adjusted my posture, preparing for the confrontation. I knew it wouldn't be an easy fight, but I was ready to protect Tachie and discover the truth behind this encounter.
The fight began with a burst of rapid movement. The ponytailed man seemed to dance with the katana in his hands, each strike delivered with lethal precision. Tachie and I attacked in tandem, trying to pressure him and create an opening, but Assassin always seemed to be one step ahead.
"You really do strike to kill, don't you?" I muttered as I dodged a swift strike. "That explains your ability to move so silently and the energy that emanates from you. A true assassin."
Assassin smiled slightly as he swung his katana, pushing both opponents away with a sweeping motion.
"So you've figured it out!" he said, his voice calm. "Yes, I am a servant of the Assassin class, summoned to protect this gate and everything within the Ryuudou Temple. My duty is clear, and I will not allow anyone to interfere."
Tachie breathed heavily, feeling the fatigue beginning to weigh on his body. Still, she maintained her fighting stance, her eyes fixed on Assassin.
"Why are you protecting this place?" she asked, trying to buy time while she searched for a strategy. "What's so important about the Ryuudou Temple?"
Assassin chuckled softly, but didn't answer right away. He charged forward again, his katana slicing through the air toward Tachie. I managed to intervene, blocking the blow with a strike of my own blood technique.
"You're just slowing us down..." she said, her eyes fixed on Assassin. "If your goal is to protect this place, then there's something here we're destined to find."
Assassin jumped back, his posture still impeccable, as if the fight was just a warm-up for him.
"I don't have to explain my reasons to you." he replied. "My master has given me an order, and that is what I will follow. This gate and what lies beyond it are not to be disturbed."
Tachie and I exchanged quick glances, understanding that there would be no negotiation with Assassin. He was bound by a command from his master, and fighting was the only way to get past him.
"Tachie, listen..." I said as I positioned myself beside her. "He is defending a position, which means he cannot afford to pursue us. We will press him with everything we have and attempt to break through his defense."
Tachie nodded, adjusting her stance as she gripped her scythe tightly. "Alright. Let's finish this."
The two of us attacked in unison, forcing Assassin to focus on defending in multiple directions. Despite his superior skill, the combined strategy was starting to create small openings.
"Interesting..." Assassin muttered, a smile appearing on her face. "You are no ordinary opponents."
He leapt backwards, landing on top of the gate.
"But I must remind you of one thing. My duty is to protect this place, and I will do so with all my might."
Assassin raised his katana, which began to glow with a dark light. The energy emanating from it made the air around them feel heavier.
"You will have to overcome this if you want to pass."
I gritted my teeth, realizing that the real challenge was just beginning. I exchanged one last glance with Tachie.
Tachie steadied her stance and glanced quickly at me, who was standing a few steps behind, assessing the situation. The message was clear: she would distract him so that I could enter the temple. I hesitated for a moment, but soon nodded. I knew Tachie had enough determination to hold Assassin off, but that didn't lessen my concern.
Assassin stood atop the gate, katana poised, watching his two opponents with calculating eyes. He noticed the brief exchange of glances between them and chuckled softly.
"An attempt to deceive me?" he teased, descending from the gate with a swift leap and landing gracefully. "You don't pass through here."
Without answering, Tachie charged forward at high speed, her scythe thrown into the air as she attempted to strike him in the side. Assassin dodged it with ease, moving like a ghost, her katana blocking the attack in one fluid motion.
"Are you underestimating me, girl?" he muttered as he twisted his body, trying to counterattack.
Tachie jumped back, dodging the blow. She smirked, trying to appear confident, even as she felt the crushing pressure of Assassin's presence. His strikes were fast, precise, and every mistake could be fatal.
She decided to keep the offensive, charging in again. This time, she focused on a series of unpredictable attacks, forcing Assassin to retreat to avoid being hit. Meanwhile, I began to move discreetly through the shadows, advancing towards the temple entrance.
Assassin noticed the peripheral movement and stepped to the side, adjusting his position so that he could face both of them at the same time.
"Oh, so that's it? Are you just trying to distract me?" He laughed. "Pathetic."
He turned quickly and launched an attack in my direction, but Tachie stopped him with a bold move, using her shield to block the blow of her katana. The force of the impact almost knocked him off his feet, but he resisted, being pushed back with all her strength.
"You will fight me!" Tachie shouted, trying to get his attention.
Assassin looked at her, intrigued by her determination, but did not let his guard down. He adjusted his stance again, holding the katana with both hands.
"You have courage, I admit. But courage without strength means nothing."
Assassin advanced, his movements now much faster and more relentless. Tachie could barely keep up with his blows, but she continued to dodge and block as much as she could. She knew she was at a disadvantage, but every second she could hold him off was a chance to infiltrate the temple.
Meanwhile, I moved stealthily along the side of the gate, using the shadows to hide. I glanced back briefly, seeing Tachie desperately fighting Assassin. I wanted to help her, but I knew her mission was crucial. I forced myself to keep moving forward, promising myself that I would return to help her as soon as possible.
Tachie, noticing that Assassin was beginning to lean forward in an attempt to track me, made a risky decision. She threw her scythe into the air, causing him to spin and land directly between her and Assassin. The moment he looked away from the moving object, she stepped in and launched a kick straight at his side, forcing him to retreat once more.
"You're annoying, girl!" Assassin exclaimed, now clearly frustrated.
"That's good to hear it.." she replied, smiling with effort, even as sweat dripped down her forehead.
Every second that passed seemed like an eternity, but Tachie knew that I should be almost inside the temple by now. She just needed to hold on a little longer. Even so, she could feel the weight of the fight increasing, her strength beginning to drain. But her determination remained unwavering. She would not allow Assassin to divert his attention to Choso.
Finally, I managed to reach the entrance of the temple, quickly passing through the doors as Tachie let out a sigh of relief. She was still in danger, but now she knew that her sacrifice would not be in vain.
Assassin noticed that I had disappeared, and for the first time, his expression darkened.
"Do you think you've achieved anything?" he said to Tachie. "He'll have to deal with someone much bigger than him in there."
"Not while I'm here!" she replied, raising her shield again, determined to hold him off for as long as necessary. "My duty now is to protect him!"
As I silently advanced through the interior of the Ryuudou Temple. The atmosphere was gloomy and the air heavy, with an aura that made you alert with every step. I could feel an unusual energy emanating from the depths of the temple, something that definitely did not belong in this sacred place.
As I walked through the silent corridors, I finally arrived at a large, empty hall. In the center, a hooded figure stood with her hands clasped in front of her. The moonlight streaming through the windows lightly illuminated the hood that hid the person's face.
I stopped immediately, taking in the situation. The woman didn't seem surprised by my presence. On the contrary, she stood absolutely still, as if she had already known I was coming. A sense of impending danger ran down my spine.
"So, you've finally arrived…" the woman said, her voice calm but full of authority. "I figured someone would be foolish enough to invade this place."
I narrowed my eyes, my instincts telling me to be wary. I tried to take in more details of her, but the hood and shadows surrounding her hid her identity.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice firm. "Are you the Assassin's Master?"
She didn't answer right away. Instead, she lifted her head just enough so that a faint smile could be seen beneath the hood.
"Master? Well... I am but a humble servant, but I am also a master. The protector of this place does my bidding. If you have come this far, I assume you have faced Assassin."
I gritted my teeth. My suspicion was true. She was Assassin's Master. Which meant she was directly involved in the strange events that had been happening, including the disappearances.
"If you are the Master, that means you are responsible for the disappearances in the vicinity." I took a step forward, maintaining a defensive posture.
"Disappearances?" She laughed softly, her voice full of irony. "Oh, don't tell me you believe yourself to be a hero of justice. These disappearances are just part of something bigger. Something you cannot comprehend."
I didn't back down. "I don't care about your plans. You're not only hurting innocent people, but also people I love... That's why I'm going to stop this!"
The woman finally uncrossed her arms and raised a hand, pointing at me. "How noble. But you're not prepared for what's coming."
Before I could react, she removed her hood, revealing a serene but cold face. Her eyes shone with a mix of mystery and superiority, as if she was completely confident that she had control of the situation.
"You've come this far, but now you'll face your downfall."
Suddenly, a dark energy began to emanate from her, filling the room. I clenched my fists, my instincts screaming that I was about to face something beyond my expectations. But I wouldn't back down. I knew I had to move forward, discover the secrets behind this place and save those who had disappeared.
The woman laughed disdainfully, the energy around her intensifying.
"You are brave, I will give you that..." she said, her voice echoing through the hall. "But courage will not be enough. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am the Caster of this Holy Grail War."
"And my name is Choso… that's all you need to know." I narrowed my eyes. The pieces were starting to fall into place. Not only was she the Assassin's Master, but she was also deeply involved in the Holy Grail War.
"A servant summoning another servant… that's against the rules, isn't it?" I asked, trying to maintain my composure.
"Rules?" Caster laughed, raising her arms. "There is nothing to stop that from happening. Summoning Assassin is only a fraction of my power. He guards the entrance while I take care of my work here. And now, you will be just another obstacle removed.
I felt a wave of powerful magical energy flood the hall. The floor began to crack beneath her feet, while runes glowed around Caster. The power she emanated was overwhelming.
"I am not an easy obstacle to remove... In fact, I am a pain in the ass!" her voice said firmly.
Caster smiled, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "Then let's end this."
Suddenly, Caster stretched out her hands and a golden magic circle formed in the air. From it, spears of pure energy began to emerge, shooting towards me with frightening speed. I dodged the first one, then the second, but the intensity of the attacks increased.
I rolled to the side, finding cover behind a temple column. I knew I had to think fast. Against a Caster who was an expert in magic, I needed to be one step ahead or I would be defeated.
"There's no point in hiding, fool." Caster's voice echoed, as more runes appeared around her. "I control everything within this temple."
She raised her hand, and the column I used for protection exploded into pieces, throwing me backward. I fell to my knees, but I got up quickly, wiping the blood from the corner of my mouth.
"Is that all you have?" I taunted, trying to buy time.
"This is just the beginning," Caster said coldly. "I'll show you the true terror of a Caster-class servant."
The energy around her began to transform into black tentacles, which snaked across the ground toward me. I backed away, realizing that I was at a disadvantage in this terrain. I needed to find a way to escape or turn the tables on her.
Caster advanced with a cruel smile, her every move bringing more power and destruction. I knew I was in trouble, but I acted strategically, waiting for the right moment to counterattack. I couldn't fail. Not when so many lives were at stake.
I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and looked directly at Caster, who was smiling confidently. My mind worked quickly, assessing the situation. She was a Servant, and that meant there was someone behind her, a Master. If I could find and deal with the Master, Caster would lose her strength.
"Fighting her here is suicide… It's like this is her entire domain." I thought, watching the runes around her pulse with magical energy. "She has the absolute advantage in this territory. I need to find her Master, or this won't end well."
"Are you running away already?" Caster scoffed, taking a step forward. "I expected more from someone who dared to invade my domain."
I didn't respond to her taunt. Instead, I took a few steps back, pretending I was still willing to fight. I knew I needed a plan.
Caster raised his hand again, and magic circles appeared around me. More energy spears began to form, ready to fire.
"Let's get this over with then." she said coldly.
I used my agility to dodge, rolling across the ground and taking cover behind the debris. I needed an opening to escape. "If she's so confident, that means her Master must be nearby, controlling her," I thought.
As I dodged another attack, I realized that Caster was too focused on her offensive, leaving gaps in her vigilance. I quickly scanned the surroundings and spotted a path leading out of the temple.
With a swift leap, I ran towards the exit. I felt Caster's energy behind me, but she seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Now that I know the magnitude of your power, I won't go back alone." I thought.
"Coward!" Caster's voice echoed, irritated. "Running away won't save you!"
I ignored the insult and kept running. I knew that facing her now would be a fatal mistake. As I walked away, I began to sense the presence of another person in the temple, weaker, but clearly human.
"That must be her Master." I thought. "I just need to find a moment to go back and deal with him directly."
I ran through the forest surrounding the temple, using the shadows to hide. My body was exhausted, but I knew I couldn't stop. Caster was powerful, Yuji had told me that every Servant depended on their Master. Finding that person would be the key to winning.
"Let's see who's really in control here." I muttered to myself as I planned my next move.
Meanwhile at Yuji's house...
I woke up with a feeling of uneasiness in my chest. As I reached to the side, I realized that my Servant Tachie wasn't here. I frowned, feeling a chill run down my spine. "She never leaves without warning..." I thought, standing up quickly.
I put on my jacket and grabbed my reinforced blade, which was resting in a corner of the room. It was an intuition, a mix of worry and something else, that made him focus on Tachie's familiar presence. "I can feel it... she's weak, but she's close."
With firm steps, I walked out of the house, crossing the silent night. The moonlight illuminated the way, but the tension in the air seemed almost palpable. I quickened my steps as I realized that Tachie's presence was becoming increasingly unstable.
When I reached the edge of a nearby clearing, my heart stopped for a moment. Tachie was lying on the ground, breathing heavily. Her body was covered in scratches and bruises, and her breathing was irregular.
"Tachie!" I ran to her, kneeling down next to her motionless body. I touched her shoulder gently, trying not to cause any more pain. "Hey, it's me. Can you hear my voice?"
She opened her eyes slowly, her lips trembling as she tried to speak.
"S-Shirou..." Her voice was weak, almost a whisper. "Assassin... Your strength... That finger... and the temple... I couldn't..."
I looked around, my eyes alert for any sign of danger. The place was empty, but the feeling of something wrong still hung in the air.
"What happened? Was it a Servant who did this? Why did you do this alone?!" I asked, trying to contain the anger and fear that threatened to overwhelm me.
Tachie tried to sit up, but her body was shaking from exhaustion. I gently helped her, holding her against me.
"There was a Servant... Of the Assassin class... He was protecting the temple. I tried to distract him... But his strength... I think he's..." Her eyes closed for a moment, as if she was reliving the fight in her mind.
I clenched my fists, anger burning inside me like a flame.
I held her in my arms, feeling the weight of my responsibility. I knew the situation was getting more and more dangerous, but I couldn't allow anyone else to get hurt. As I walked home with Tachie, my mind was already plotting the next step.
"If Assassin and his Master are protecting the temple, it means there's something important there. I need to find out what it is... and put an end to it."
I moved forward cautiously, my footsteps silent in the thick undergrowth of the forest. Tachie was in my arms, still weak, and I knew I had to act quickly.
Suddenly, I froze. I saw a figure moving, rushing out of the temple. Choso's silhouette was unmistakable, but he seemed to be running away from someone. "What happened in there?" I thought, concern growing in my chest. Choso was moving quickly, his eyes scanning the shadows, probably looking for some way to get away from the temple without being noticed.
I didn't hesitate. I crouched down, still holding Tachie, and quickly approached Choso, being careful not to make any noise and alert any enemies to my presence. When I was close enough, I called out in a low voice: Choso...
Choso stopped abruptly, his eyes widening for a moment in surprise, but then he recognized me and slowed down. He looked exhausted, his movements slower, as if he were injured or in a state of total exhaustion.
"Shirou... are you okay?" Choso asked, his voice deep and tense.
"What happened in there? Is there anyone else there?..." I asked, looking at Choso with a serious expression.
Choso took a deep breath, as if trying to recover some of his energy.
"There was more than I expected... Servant Caster was there... and Servant Assassin was protecting everything. I had to get out before it was too late. I didn't know what to do."
I looked back at Tachie, still in my arms, and then fixed my eyes on Choso.
"Where is the threat now? Have you managed to learn anything important about the temple?"
Choso seemed hesitant for a moment, but soon took a step forward.
"No... but Assassin's Master... is Caster, she had a strange aura. She was stronger than we imagined. We couldn't risk facing her without more information."
I nodded. I knew the situation was getting more complicated by the moment.
"Then we need to get out of here, now. Tachie needs to be taken care of. We can't let them find us."
Choso looked at Tachie, who was visibly weakened, and then at me. He nodded, understanding the need to act quickly.
"Alright... let's get out of here and reassess things in a safe place."
I started to walk away, still with Tachie in my arms. Choso followed me, alert for any movement in the shadows. We knew we were far from out of danger, but at least we were together, which gave us a slight sense of security. The night continued, but now the tension in the air was palpable.
Some time later...
Choso and I carried Tachie quickly to the house, the silence between us only broken by the sound of heavy breathing and hurried footsteps. Tachie was still unconscious, but she seemed to be breathing regularly, although she was pale. As they approached the entrance, the sight of Yuji and Rin waiting at the door surprised us.
Yuji, with his arms crossed, looked I looked at us with a worried expression. Rin was standing nearby, looking uneasy. As soon as she saw me carrying Tachie, Rin stepped forward.
"What happened to her?" Rin asked, her tone firm but clearly worried.
Yuji narrowed his eyes, watching Tachie carefully before looking at me and Choso.
"You guys went to Ryuudou Temple, didn't you?" Yuji asked directly, his voice heavy with gravity.
I hesitated for a moment before answering, feeling the exhaustion weighing down on my shoulders. "Yes. There was something strange there... Assassin was guarding the gate, and Caster was inside. We tried to investigate, but things got out of hand."
Rin put her hands on her hips, clearly displeased. "Why did they do this without telling us?"
Choso stepped forward, her expression stern. "We needed to find out what was going on. The disappearances at school and the presence of curses are connected to the temple. We had no choice."
Yuji sighed, shaking his head. "I understand that you wanted to help, but this could have ended very badly."
I adjusted Tachie in my arms, still looking at Yuji with determination. "We made it out alive, and that's what matters now. She needs to rest."
Rin opened the door, indicating for us to enter.
"Put her in a comfortable place. Then, we'll talk about how to proceed from now on."
We entered the house, the atmosphere not exactly calm. I took Tachie to one of the bedrooms, placing her gently on the bed. I looked at her for a moment, a mixture of guilt. "I think I understand what you told me now... This about acting alone..."
In the living room, Yuji, Rin, and Choso were waiting for me, and the air seemed heavy with the words that needed to be said.
When I finally returned to the living room, I found the three of them silent, the atmosphere charged with a palpable tension. Before I could say anything, light footsteps echoed in the hallway, and Saber entered, her expression serious, but curious. She looked around, quickly assessing the situation.
"What's going on?" Saber asked, crossing her arms.
I sighed, running a hand through my messy hair as I sat down on one of the chairs. "Tachie and I went to the Ryuudou Temple. Something strange is happening there, and we wanted to investigate. Assassin was guarding the place, and apparently Caster was too."
Saber narrowed her eyes, her posture becoming stiffer. "So you guys faced two Servants alone? That was extremely reckless."
Choso, who was leaning against the wall, stepped forward, his expression firm. "We had no choice. The clues we have about the disappearances at the school point to that temple. But Caster is more powerful than we expected."
Rin, who had her arms crossed and was clearly irritated, finally spoke up: "You knew it was dangerous, but you decided to go anyway. Now Tachie is injured, and we're dealing with an even bigger problem."
I stared at Rin, she was right. "I know it was risky, but we couldn't just sit around. Choso found out that Caster was the one who summoned Assassin to protect the temple. That means she has bigger plans."
Yuji, who had been sitting with his elbows resting on his knees, finally intervened. "The important thing now is how we're going to deal with this from now on. If Caster and Assassin are involved, we can't act impulsively anymore. We need a plan."
Saber, who had remained silent, tilted her head slightly, as if pondering something. "Shirou, you said Caster was inside. Did she mention anything about her Master?"
I shook my head. "Not directly, Choso told me she seemed to be protecting something or someone. He couldn't confirm it before he had to retreat."
Choso nodded. "Unfortunately, that's true..."
Yuji nodded slowly, his gaze distant as he processed the information. "That complicates things. Caster isn't acting alone, so her Master is involved in these disappearances as well. And if the Ryuudou Temple is being used as a base, we need to be careful."
Saber stepped forward, her presence almost luminous. "Then we need to prepare ourselves. Fighting two Servants at once requires strategy and combined strength."
Rin looked at everyone, her gaze firm. "I agree. But before that, we need to make sure Tachie is okay. She's an ally of ours, and we won't leave her behind."
I frowned as I remembered Tachie's words before she passed out. She had mentioned something about a finger, something that seemed crucial to understanding what had happened.
I crossed my arms, looking at Choso and Yuji. "Tachie said something about a finger. That's why she lost the fight against Assassin. She's probably talking about Sukuna's Finger."
Yuji immediately tensed, his eyes narrowing. He looked away for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts.
"A finger..." he muttered, more to himself than to the others.
Before he could say anything else, light footsteps echoed in the room. Everyone turned to see Hana, who had entered silently, almost like a shadow. She seemed hesitant, her small hands gripping the hem of her shirt as she watched the group.
"Hana?" I asked, surprised to see her there.
Hana didn't say anything right away, but her gaze fell on Yuji, who was staring at her with a mixed expression of curiosity and concern.
"Do you know anything about this, little girl?" Rin asked, leaning forward slightly.
Hana finally broke the silence, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I... I heard something when I was with Sakura... about a finger. It just... it seemed important."
Yuji clenched his fists, his body clearly tense now. He knew exactly what it meant, and it only increased his concern.
"It's probably one of Sukuna's fingers. Isn't it, Hana?..." he finally asked, looking directly at Hana.
Hana hesitated, but then nodded slowly, confirming what Yuji feared.
"That explains a lot..." Yuji muttered, rubbing his face with his hands.
Rin, Saber, and I exchanged confused looks, clearly not understanding what that meant.
"One of Sukuna's fingers?" Rin asked, frowning. "What does that thing have to do with all of this?"
Yuji took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts.
"Like I said before, these fingers are fragments of Sukuna's cursed energy. They are incredibly powerful and dangerous. If Caster and Assassin have one of them… It means their powers have grown stronger somehow, almost like a cursed Amulet.
The group was silent for a moment, processing this new information. Hana remained quiet, but there was something in her expression that indicated she knew more than she was saying.
I looked at her, leaning in slightly. "Hana, is there anything else you know?"
Hana pressed her lips together, as if deciding whether or not to speak. Finally, she whispered, "They want to use their fingers to open something… something very bad. Something for the man with the scar on his forehead…"
The tension in the room grew, and everyone knew they were dealing with something much bigger than they had imagined.
Rin stared at the child in disbelief. "How does she know all this?"
Rin took a step back in surprise as a mouth began to form on Hana's hand. Everyone, except Yuji, froze, their eyes wide. The voice that came out of the mouth was calm, almost divine, but it carried an authority that seemed to weigh down on everyone.
"Because this child is not alone, mortal." someone's voice reverberated through the room. "I am with her."
Hana looked embarrassed, hiding her hand as the mouth on her right hand continued to speak. Rin frowned, trying to process what was happening. "I am the Angel."
"A-Angel?" she muttered.
Before she could elaborate further, the door creaked and Uraume entered the room, seemingly completely oblivious to the tension in the air. She looked at the scene with a slight smile.
"It looks like you're having fun, huh?" Uraume said sarcastically, before crossing her arms and watching Hana's mouth on her hand with an interested expression.
Yuji stood up quickly, looking at Uraume. "Uraume, what's wrong?"
Uraume shrugged.
"I felt an energy from someone peculiar. I thought it would be interesting to investigate. And it seems I'm not wrong." She looked directly at Hana's hand. "So it's you, Angel. It's been a while..."
The Angel didn't answer right away, but her voice finally rang out again, this time harsher. "Uraume. You're a relic of a corrupted past. Stay away from that child."
Uraume chuckled, but didn't come any closer. "Still as overbearing as before. But don't worry, I'm not here to hurt you. On the contrary, perhaps our interests will align."
Yuji narrowed his eyes. "Align? What are you talking about?"
Uraume stepped forward, but kept a respectful distance from Hana and the Angel. "If the Angel is here, it means something much bigger is at stake. I want to bring Sukuna-sama back, and the Angel wants to as well, but for other reasons..."
"And you want to help us? You don't seem to have a good energy..." Rin asked, clearly suspicious.
Uraume smiled, but didn't answer directly. Instead, she looked at Yuji. "The question isn't whether or not you trust me... It's whether you're willing to survive what's coming."
The Angel finally spoke again, her voice cutting through the silence. "Uraume's presence is unfortunately a necessary evil, for now. But be warned, his loyalty cannot be trusted."
The room fell silent, tension rising as everyone pondered the implications of this new dynamic. Rin crossed her arms, looking from Uraume to the Angel. "This is getting more complicated than I expected..." she muttered.
Yuji just sighed, feeling the weight of responsibility grow even more.
Rin frowned, clearly suspicious, but decided not to press any further at the moment.
"So that's it?" Rin asked, crossing her arms. "Are we going to collaborate with two reincarnated beings as unstable as the Angel and Uraume?"
Yuji sighed deeply, running his hand over his face. "We don't have much choice, Rin. What's coming is bigger than any of us. If they can help, we'll use them only to our advantage."
The Angel, in Hana's hand, spoke again, his voice filled with serenity and power. "My presence here is temporary, human. Once Sukuna is completely eliminated, I will leave this child alone. She will be able to live her life as she wishes."
Hana looked at her own hand, seemingly torn between fear and relief.
Rin looked at Uraume, who was watching the conversation with an enigmatic smile.
"And you? Why are you so willing to collaborate?"
Uraume shrugged, her tone lighthearted. "Because Kenjaku is a threat to us all. And besides, I want to make sure my existence has a purpose, like serving Sukuna-sama. Don't worry, black-haired girl, I'm not your enemy... Not yet..."
Rin remained suspicious, but Yuji placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down.
"I know it's hard to trust, Rin, but right now we need to focus on surviving and preventing things from getting worse."
Rin sighed reluctantly, but relented. "Alright, Yuji. But if something goes wrong, I won't hesitate to act."
The Angel spoke again, addressing everyone in the room. "Be warned, the fight against Kenjaku will not be easy."
Uraume nodded in agreement. "Yes, and the Holy Grail War will be no small challenge either. Prepare yourselves."
The group was silent for a few moments, the weight of the situation becoming clearer. Yuji took a deep breath, determined.
"Then let's get ready. Whatever is coming... We'll face it together!"
End of Chapter 9