Chapter 1: Man with the Red Cape

Time is eternal here.

In the graveyards of the brown sands and iron, he waited. Rest and wait until the time comes for duty. The red soil carried the weights of the world. Swords, spears, bows; weapons of all kinds of them were buried upright. Each a marker, a history, a grave of men who were once heroes. Each of them are relics and phantasms carried with great meaning. They are now his history. He stood in watch atop the hill of blades. How long has it been since he was standing here? Years? Decades? Time does not travel nor should it matter for he is in eternal service.

There would be occasional winds, drifting the sands across the red wasteland. They echo within his ears. Large gears in the air would spin and crank to meet the rules of this world. This is his place. This is his life. A voice whispered in his ears, melodic within the harsh red sea.

Do you want to be free?

Of course he wanted to be free. Fighting for countless times, facing adversaries that would wrought terror to the hearts of men. It was weary. Kill, kill and to always kill. Not only beasts nor monsters but the common folk of men. It would not always be a challenge for it would be slaughter. Why would not one want to be free?

He felt a call. The call to arms. It beckons him to return. Once more to fight in the battle beyond the commons of man. Alaya must have another mission for him. Another time for the killing. EMIYA closed his eyes to the broken wastelands of swords and gears. He answered it and the world around him vanished. For it is time for the Counter Guardian to rise once more.

Counter Guardian Shirou Emiya opened his eyes to the witness the new world. Skyscrapers, spires within the growing metropolis. The dark night with cold winds that gently billowed the red cloak he wore. Common rough smells of the city returned familiar to him. Far down below, the traffic was busy with both people and cars vying to reach their destination. It was quiet to his ears. Confusing, where was Alaya? This was another mission. There must be something that needed the intervention of the Counter Guardian. What atrocity is supposed to happen that would annihilate the world?

Nothing. No voice, no instructions. Nothing. Why was he here? Standing amongst the rooftops, he could find no purchase of reason. There is no panic. There are no screams. There is no fear. There is no death. There is no reason, for him to be here. It did not make sense as Emiya clenched a fist. He felt the strength in the muscles of his forearms. Magic Circuits filled with power. He is not a Servant this time. A Counter Guardian yet without an objective. Could it be, that he is misguided? The voice spoke of freedom. Could it be true?

It felt too good to be true. Alaya, the will of mankind would never allow it. There are questions to be answered. Beyond that would be even more that needed answering. He studied the view from the highest skyscraper in the vicinity. He recognised this place. Different yet familiar. It was not Fuyuki City, his place of birth. Tokyo, one of the common places travelled before his enlistment into the Counter Force. The time line felt similar, not too far from his own past. He leapt into the sky in search for answers.

No one paid any attention as the Counter Guardian walked briskly along the streets. Emiya appreciated being ignored despite his uncommon garbs. Hours went by but without results. Emiya scoured the city for ideas but there wasn't anything worth of observation. What kind of joke are you playing Alaya? He reached the edges of the Akihabara district. He would not get used to this part of Tokyo. Anime, manga and video games all compressed into this area. Obsessed is what he would categorise these people. The posters and artworks along the walls of the buildings displeased him compared to better arts that have been drawn in the past. He should be move on quickly towards Ueno district where the large park may have more clues. Wait, what's that? It was a small poster plastered on the windows. His sharp eyes read it easily.

Surely it can't be!

Daichi Hideaki fumed as the results scrolled in the small display of his cell phone. "Not another Black Key. Damn it Kirei." The Green Black Key of the Church, a commonly despised in-game item. He started off the game Fate Grand Order a few months ago but the struggle was real. He sighed while adjusting his glasses. "That's another wasted roll." Fortunately he hasn't been spending real money for more in game items but the temptation was growing difficult to resist. Can't be spending money on it or Shizuka would kill me. He had been saving up for the latest Manga due to be released within the week. That's a maybe provided if he doesn't spend it on something else first. Why am I here in Akihabara? He sighed again. Meeting up with Kazoku here is a bad idea and growing by the minute. He tapped a quick message into his phone. 'I'm here. Where are we meeting?'

'I'm at the maid cafe in the same street with Toshio's shop. Join us here.'Daichi tapped a quick reply before turning left onto the main street. A quick check of the clock and he cringed. Only an hour or two before going home. That's all you're going to allow yourself. He needs to study for the incoming college entrance exams. Third year of high school had been taking a toll on life. Once he graduated, maybe he'll be able to find a relief for a few weeks before moving on in education.

He noticed a white haired man in a red coat staring at the building down the street. Ah, an Archer cosplay. Wow, he's really good. The red coat and black underarmour was well made and defined. The steel plated boots carried their weight. The dark skin tone, the hairstyle was perfect. He continue to study the cosplayer in midstride. Odd, the Fate series isn't in the current trend for cosplaying, not until the new movie coming out soon. He pulled out his phone for a photo. I shouldn't be taking a picture but its too good not to be shared out on Twitter. The camera clicked when he felt a chill down his spine.

His body froze, feeling claustrophobic and the squeeze of the chest. He blinked as the sensation faded as fast it struck. What the hell? He looked down at his phone, hand shaking. Looking back up, grey eyes drilled into his. The man was staring right at him. "Didn't anyone taught you manners boy?" Daichi felt the words hurt from the sharp harshness of his tone. Darn, he even sounds exactly like it. He screwed up badly.

"I'm very sorry Mister!" Daichi bowed in an apology. Head down, clenched fists, back stiff; the way this mess needed. "It's just that your Cosplay looks really good."

"Cosplay? I'm not." The man spat before he paused. "Well…shit." Daichi could felt annoyance sliding off his back. He looked up to see the man's frustration at the thought. "I need some answers. Come with me." His legs followed, too afraid to felt too close. Too is he? The man took him aside to a spare corner and spoke. "Do you know who I am?"

"Uh….no mister."

The grey eyes wouldn't budge. "Yes you do. Otherwise you wouldn't have taken a photo."

"Ah…" Daichi flexed his cold fingers. "You're Archer from the visual novel game called Fate Stay Night; or rather representing him."

"Visual novel?" 'Archer' piqued.

"It's a electronic book or e-book with pictures and sounds." Surely someone in Japan would know about them.

Daichi saw uncertainty in Archer's face. "This Fate… game is famous?"

"Not super famous like blockbuster movies but its quite popular. You've come out in anime, manga and even a movie; a few of them in fact! There's another movie due in a few months too." Shoot, he was supposed to be scared, not excited!

"You can't be serious." Daichi took a phone and showed it to him. Archer scowled. "I'll be damned."

His fear was gone. "You're an awesome character don't you know? With your tracing skills and fighting style, facing enemies beyond your level is beyond cool."

"What a joke." Archer scoffed.

"What joke? I mean that's why you're cosplaying as him isn't it? To be cool like him." Shivers flooded down his spine. Archer's eyes scared him. Another reminder. Dangerous. Too dangerous.

"I'm not." The shivers stopped, Archer's eyes remained sharp but the deadly glare was gone. "Maybe I am after all."

Daichi took deep breaths. Too many scary moments. "I don't know, who you are Mister but you really feel like him, the real Archer." He should walk away. He don't know anymore. This doesn't feel right. Getting worse by the moment. Maybe he-

"You, what's your name?" Daichi froze, he? "Never mind. We'll keep in touch." Archer turned around the corner. A breath of relief, Daichi turned to peek. The alley was empty. Another breath of relief, he is safe now. He should get moving now before seeing anything frightening. His feet raced across the pave walk in agreement.

Despite the horrifying vibes he had from the man, Daichi could accept it. That cosplayer could have become a real actor of Archer.

Emiya stared down the rooftop at the young boy walking hastily back to the streets. He might have been a bit harsh on the kid but it got what he needed. Results were all that mattered. More so better to let him not remember him by being afraid of him. Memory magic was unfortunately out of his repertoire. He didn't have the aptitude or ability to use it. Rin probably could. How long has it been since he met her? Too long.

Alone and in peace, he sat by the side as the sun began to set. He had time now to think. The evidence was leading one direction. I'm bloody fiction. He didn't exist in the real world. His entire world, a lie forged for the entertainment of others. His long perilous journey, the pain he endured, the broken hearts he suffered. The loss of his loved ones, the curse of the Counter Force, the killing for eternity. They were all for nothing. Fists squeezed tight, too tough to bleed from his strength. Did I need to know this? To know that everything was meaningless?

You may be correct but it doesn't mean you are right

He snorted at that memory. What the hell am I doing? This wasn't him to be the one brooding. How many challenges had he faced only? How many magus and monsters have he fought nearly to the death? How many times did he nearly end up dead yet would never persist. How could he just balk at only a statement about his life? That he was a lie? He tapped into his magic circuits. He whispered. Trace on. A sword appeared in his hands. It was a simple sword, one without any special abilities nor properties amongst the countless within his arsenal. It was just a sword. That was what he was, a sword. I am the bone of my sword. He willed the sword to vanish.

There was nothing to gain from wallowing in these thoughts. In fact, he overlooked the most important fact. He was free. Shirou Emiya is no longer a Counter Guardian. There is no need to fight. No need to kill. The choice is his to make. He stood up to stare at the darkening sky. Had he been thinking that long? He took a deep breath of the cold air. Freedom was refreshing. A life without the killing, an oasis within the desert of swords. Perhaps its finally time. Decided, Shirou Emiya leapt down to start anew.

"What the hell happened? You looked freaked out."

Daichi had little to answer his childhood friend. He said with a finger scratching the cheek. "Uh…I guess I met someone that didn't go so well."

"Ain't that the truth. Chill out here bro." Kazuko Minamori said. Bright windows with cutely dressed maids, quiet ambiance was assuring. The friendly environment was helping to ease his mind from the encounter.

Daichi eased back into the chair. A little quiet for now. The Maid cafe wasn't crowded with the few available seats. His friend was enjoying the parfait that he always ordered from here. The girls are quiet today. On the few occasions he was here, they were showering Kazuko with attention being a handsome guy for his age. The waxed black hair and smile that always draw awe. Such contrast, how did they end up being good friends?

He took a sip from the tea. It felt much better. His hands stopped shaking. Daichi glanced left to his watch. Kazuko smiled. "Just chill. You've got enough time to study later."

A shrug was the answer. "I know, Bad habit." Another sip of tea soothed the mind. "Let's forget about it. Why did you call me out here today?"

"I've heard some interesting rumours. Thought I would share them for some opinion."

"Opinion? You usually have quite solid opinions on almost everything." Kazuko may have been laid back but he was intelligent.

"You're right bro. This stuff though is more to your expertise. Thought it was better to get an expert on it." Kazuko sent the picture to his phone. "See here. I've found some interesting pictures on the net." Daichi studied the image.A warehouse with two people fighting on the roof. The figures were too small for details. Wait, are those two floating in the air? It was puzzling.

Daichi scrutinised. "Aren't these pics usually fake?"

Kazuko nods. "I'm inclined agree but fake pictures don't leave markings on the road or walls."

Markings on the road and walls. "Wait, you went to the actual place?"

"Yea bro. My intuition said it was true and checked it out. It was real. There were many gashes and holes everywhere. That isn't just some poor shoddy work over there. Something happened and it ain't normal."

It didn't make sense though. He saw small shiny objects surrounding one person. How could that happen? "Then what you're trying to say is."

"Yes, these people very likely exist."

"It could have been a movie set." CG effects to top off the original setup of wires and so on. "No way people can float in mid air without some assistance."

Kazuko sent a few more pictures. "Like I said, there were gashes and holes everywhere. Nothing the kind a movie set would make. Big holes through the walls. Cracks that you need a truck for it. The people who worked there are confused. They ain't making a movie."

Daichi studied the images. The cracks into the asphalt and the gaping ceiling felt real. He read the first picture again. The hint of grey hair and dark cloak. He zoomed the picture until it was pixelated. Feminine looks, a girl. It intrigued. "One of them looked familiar." Too hard for anything else but it didn't feel like a local.

Kazuko leaned forward. "I was right. So, I need you to help me find out who they are."

"It could be coincidence."

"I don't think so. You're able to recognise them. People just don't recognise anyone out of the blue. I think you're on to something and that you will get to the answer faster than I would." Daichi met eye to eye with his friend. The surest conviction, rarely given.

Is Kazuko right? The implication would be deep. A paradoxic truth. "This looks like something dangerous. Shouldn't we just forget it? Nobody's harmed to anyone so far right."

He noticed a furrow of the brow. "Yes, no one's hurt, yet. I think there's some secret cover up for now." Kazuko clasped his hands. "I'm curious for the truth. Better to spill the beans before anyone really gets hurt. Are you going to not lift a finger and find out? That would unbecoming of you, Hero."

"Quit the nickname. That was years ago." Should he? The itch to find out was growing. Who was the girl in the picture? "Okay, I'll lend a hand." Daichi took a glance of his surroundings. The cafe was starting to get busy. Might be best to get moving. He should be careful too. Something really dangerous.

Kazuko smiled as he stood up. "Excellent." He offered a hand. "Shall we begin this story, partner?"

Author's Notes: It's been a while. I've been working on my original novel but I find a lot more work needs to be done. Thus I had an inspiration and might as well try it out with some practicing. Let me know what you think. Thanks.