Everything is burning.
Walking down a familiar path, Shirou traversed the hellish world towards his destination. Ash and burnt soil crunched beneath his feet, the sound of crackling fire and sizzling flames are the only sound around him.
Yet in this hell, they stood out.
Divine Weapons.
Each one is saturated with Divinity, pulsing with power and authority in their respective origins. In this hellscape, their divine radiance and existence contradicts this broken world.
Shirou's Reality Marble.
Unlimited Blade Works.
He doesn't know why but he knows that this broken world is his and his alone. Archer's Reality Marble is far too different to his. Not to mention, Archer's Reality Marble is a dead world.
Shirou's? It's coming alive and he needs to find out.
"Fucking finally! Here for a visit?!" Someone shouted behind him. Looking behind, he was greeted by his own visage.
It wasn't him.
Using his own face and body, Angra Manyu could be mistaken as Shirou's twin if not for some key difference. For one, Angra Manyu's skin is dark and covered with tattoos. His dark skin is the result of humanity's filth and the tattoos are not tattoos. They're all scars.
"Where's Archer?" Shirou asked, going straight to the point.
"What? Aren't you gonna greet your bro? For shame." Angra teases, mocking him.
"I don't have time to play with you, Angra." Shirou replied, eyes narrowing.
"We'll I do want to play. We got this entire city with a buffet waiting and you won't even let get a taste. Of course I'm gonna go crazy being teased like this!" Angra smiled. Even though he ate that guy, he's not satisfied. Magi is far more delicious as a meal and this new type aliens do look delicious. Too bad, Shirou is hogging all them for himself.
"...If you won't tell me where he is, then move aside."
"Your really no fun, Shirou. What would Sa-" Angra Manyu's head blew into pieces before he could finish his sentence. His body suspended for a second before collapsing in heap beneath the flames of the Reality Marble.
Shirou dropped Assassin's pistol and resumed his journey to find the person he needs answers with.
Tracing a Huginn Muninn, he stepped on the bike on its aerial form. Immediately, the drone began to scan the entire Reality Marble before flying to a direction, it found Archer.
"Of course, he would be their.
On the horizon, a titanic blade rests in the Reality Marble. It had pierced the soil, yet it size stretches further above the reaches of the Reality Marble.
Here lies Excalibur.
Surrounding the monolithic sword, are it's knights and various angelic weaponry.
Said weapons are currently being studied by a tanned man with white hair with features similar to Shirou. He could even be mistaken as his big brother.
If that happens, Shirou will kill him and kill him again after he reforms back.
"Oh, here for a chat?" Archer said as he landed behind him.
"I want answers. What's happening to my Reality Marble?" Shirou demanded. As much as he hated to ask for this guy's help, only Archer has the right expertise and experience in dealing with Reality Marbles.
Archer snorted, "The fucking usual."
"Medea happened."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The moment Yashima found grip on the weapon, her body immediately acted in reflex and muscle memory. With unusual dexterity and strength belying her appearance, she spun the massive hammer that appeared and smashed it on top of the attacking Sekirei.
The mist Sekirei, Taki, had enough enough time to dodge despite the initial surprise. She jumped back, avoiding a fate of being a pancake on the street as the massive hammer crushed the asphalt and made a crater on the street.
Then came the thunder after the lightning.
With a roar of thunder, electricity exploded all around the vicinity of the attack. Lightning danced, destroying the street and sending superheated dirt all around.
Taki wasn't so lucky.
"AAAAAAH!" A stray arc of lightning found her, electrocuting her fully and frying her entire nerves. She screamed herself hoarse in pain as every nerve in her body light up like Christmas tree. It was the most painful experience she had ever experienced in her life. By the time it ended, Taki had lost consciousness. Her body collapsed on the street, smoking and badly burned by the electrocution.
No.65 Taki
Termination level 3
Meanwhile, Yashima panted as she stared at the terminated Sekirei. She wasn't expecting to terminate the mist Sekirei in one strike nor sudden elemental ability. With the mist Sekirei terminated, the mist entrapping her began to disperse, allowing Yashima to regain her visual to her surroundings.
Looking down at the hammer in her grip, she can't help but admire at its craftsmanship.
It's a golden hammer with two heads. One head is flattened with layers of gold. The other head is shaped into a massive golden spike. It's main head had a dark hue with golden lines crawling at its seams. On its sides, a crest made of gold is inlayed. It's shaft is made of dark metal ending with a golden hoop at it's pummel.
It was a beautiful hammer compared to her last one.
"TAKI!!!" A scream of despair broke Yashima's admiration to the weapon. Not far, Mitsuha is lifting Yomi, supporting the girl by her shoulders as they arrive at the scene. The blonde is looking at the terminated Sekirei with tears in her eyes, disbelief and anguish stuck on her face. Yomi grimaced at Taki's termination. The scythe wielder's top and bra has been shredded by Yashima's punch, leaving her topless with her entire torso exposed. Mikogami-sama will not like this development. It was supposed to be an easy capture.
Yashima felt bad but hardened her resolve. It's either this or her servitude. She choose freedom. Now without the mist Sekirei's mist, Yashima can now avoid combat by running away. That will stop this conflict.
All she have to do lose the MBI helicopters and hide for a while.
Hefting the new hammer on her shoulder and making sure to cover her exposed breasts, she ran away from the scene.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"We'll that's an interesting development." Karasuba muttered, smiling as she watch the girl leave in her haste, leaving behind her broken opponents. With one Sekirei terminated and the other injured, the last remaining one would be forced to retreat and recuperate for a while.
Serves that brat right. The Director has been complaining about that brat for winging a lot of Sekirei, stifling the variety of Ashikabi for the game. Mikogami or also known as the Ashikabi of the South do have a valid strategy in collecting many Sekirei on his side.
The more you have, the better your chances in winning.
Too bad the quality is so pitiful. The boy only ensnared or captured weak variety of Sekirei. The strong ones? They are more than capable of evading such paltry tricks. So seeing this three in shambles are quite entertaining for her.
Now if only Shirou-kun didn't left her out.
Eyes trailing to the side, she observed the redhead currently meditating. He was leaning on a wall, resting as if asleep but he did say he needs to meditate to find answers.
Like how did one of his interesting weapons found it's way to No.84?
Oh she knew about his arsenal. For the last month and so, she's been hounding him for sparring matches ever since he scarred her. Her abdomen where he plunged his blade still pulsates in pain whenever the memory resurfaces, making her heart skip a beat and fluster her. Oh that fierce look when he is fighting her seriously always flips the right buttons.
What would he look like when he actually wants to kill her? Karasuba could only wonder.
Returning back to the matter, Shirou's weapons are by far the most terrifying collection of weaponry she had encountered. From swords to guns, the redhead had them in spades with varying quality and mystery, each one being unique on their own.
So how? How did No.84 managed to steak one of his arsenal from him?
(She is definitely not jealous. Nope, she is not.)
"Where is she?"
"Oh!" Karasuba jolted at Shirou's sudden appearance, looking down below to see the aftermath of the fight. Two broken Sekirei and a terminated one, the suspect long gone.
"Got some answers now?" Karasuba asked a hint of venom.
(Definitely not jealous)
"Perhaps." Shirou replied without a beat, turning around to jump below.
"Where are you going? Fights over." Shirou stopped, looking the woman crossing her arms with a huff.
"What else? Seeing this through the end. Don't wanna find out what's gonna happen next?" He didn't wait for her answer before leaping down into the alleyway.
Landing on foot, he heard the screech of his motorbike. Huginn Muninn arrived not soon after, having called the copied Noble Phantasm by his mental command. Picking up the helmet, he fastened it immediately as he step on the bike.
Right now, the girl is still not far away. With the weapon still in her grasp, he can simply track her down by following the Noble Phantasm's presence along with her scent.
"Aren't you forgetting someone?" Karasuba suddenly appeared in front of the bike, blocking the exit. She stared at him, crossing her arms and tapping her foot.
"Get your own ride."
Shirou had no qualms leaving her behind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A crack of thunder and once again, Minato Sahashi wished he wasn't here as Homura kicked him to the side to avoid the lightning strike.
They had found No.84 and she didn't look happy.
Let's rewind for a bit.
After him and Musubi arrived back to Izumo Inn and unpacked their luggage, Kagari or Homura as his real name came in and asked for help to rescue a Sekirei. Of course Musubi immediately triggered her fight response at the male Sekirei and challenged the other guy. Unfortunately for all of them, Miya is still in the house and wasn't amused that they woke up Sakura from her nap.
Why did it have to have bleeding eyes?!!!
After some explanation and some many apologies to the landlady, both him and Musubi accepted the request but moreso on Musubi's part. The girl had declared that the helpless Sekirei deserves a chance to find their destined Ashikabi instead of being forcibly winged.
Forced winging, that's a new whole can of worms Minato couldn't stomach.
To think Sekirei could be so vulnerable while unwinged despite their powers and abilities. One wrong kiss and they would be forced to serve an Ashikabi they didn't react to. Aren't Sekirei supposed to find the person they love? They're destined one as Musubi told him.
It feels sick!
As such, they're backing up Homura in this rescue mission. The plan very simple; Find No.84 and escort her back to Izumo Inn.
Why the Inn?
It's because the landlady knows about the Sekirei and the Inn is remote far up north. The Inn is also very safe with as MBI never comes to the area as Homura said. They just have to hide the fact from Emiya-san and Uzume-san.
Finally after some several buildings (and some near heart attacks to Minato), they found No.84 and she doesn't look good.
She's practically naked in her panties and footwear, covered in bruises and welts while hefting a massive hammer. Minato can't but be impressed at the feat. Sekirei are really strong.
Then the hammer began crackling, a sound he was so familiar with in his first meeting with Musubi.
Lightning surged from their spot.
And now back to the present.
"Wait! Calm down! We are friendly! Remember me?" Homura shouted from afar after kicking Minato like a football, waving his arms in surrender as he tried to talk sense to the girl. Meanwhile, Musubi is guarding her fallen Ashikabi who's nursing a sore back.
They are currently on one of the rooftops at the eastern section of the city. MBI helicopters are no longer in the sky but they can be seen patrolling not far. It looks like No.84 escaped the ground forces monitoring her.
"Homura? Sekirei Guardian, I remember you." For a long time, Yashima finally sighs in relief upon seeing a familiar face. She had met the Sekirei once upon her initial release from MBI. He basically gave her pointers around the city before going on their separate ways.
Then Junichi happened.
"Good to see that you remember me." Homura nods to her before taking off his jacket. Approaching the girl, he offered it to her. Luckily, he's wearing an undershirt and his mask is separate from the jacket.
"Ah! Thanks." Yashima muttered and accepted the offer. At least the jacket covers everything up top.
"But why are you here exactly and who's that?" Yashima asks as she wore the jacket. She stared at Musubi and Minato suspiciously.
"Don't you know?" Homura asks.
"Know what?"
"Minaka announced to all Ashikabi that you have escaped MBI labs and now free to be winged. Your location is currently being broadcast by MBI to everyone part of the game." Homura reveals to her, making Yashima suck her breath in shock and fear.
"All of them? Him too?" She shakily pointed at Minato.
"No." Homura shook his head, "I actually asked for their help. We're here to rescue you and escort you back to safe place until this little game blows over." He explained.
"How could I trust them?" Yashima asks, gripping her hammer tightly.
"You don't. Trust me instead." Homura said, not sugarcoating it.
It's the truth. Even him, he still doesn't Minato completely. They just met yesterday and his roping him to this risky situation out of necessity. He didn't like it but it's the only way he could survive this scenario.
Yashima huffed. Homura's honesty is appreciated but she's still not convinced. But as she was about to open her mouth, multiple Sekirei began to appear from all sides.
"Well, well, well. I commend you two for stopping No.84 for us to enclose the area. My thanks to you both." Yashima and Homura stiffen as an Ashikabi step forward, dressed in sharp suit as they adjust their glasses with a mocking smirk.
"No.84, I would kindly ask for your surrender and follow us to your future Ashikabi. As for the rest, feel free to leave or you will forced to." They continued, looking at them down like ants.
"Minato-sama, there's too many of them." Even Musubi had turn serious at the sudden ambush. All around them, there are plenty of Sekirei covering the area. Minato gulped, looking at the wall of bodies surrounding the rooftop they are on.
"This is far too many for one Sekirei." Homura growled. This not simply an ambush, this is a joint ambush. Multiple Ashikabi are working together and this glasses is the mastermind.
Yashima didn't say anything, only hefting her hammer with both hands in preparation for combat.
This will get ugly.
~~~~~~~~~
A/N
I have started to crosspost this fix in Archiveofourown.org.
Still the same username and fix title.
Check it out, it had some Highlight notes with images that I can't post in Webnovel.