Fate/Magus Path

Suddenly, I awoke from a dream.

Above me was the pitch-black expanse of night, and within the empty house, there wasn't a soul to be found.

I inhaled softly, catching the familiar scent of tatami mats and the bedding around me.

The canopy of the heavens was profound, the starlit sky adorned with celestial beauty, as if crafted by an artisan's hand.

Yet, in the shadowed corner of this old, dimly lit room, a faint silhouette seemed to huddle.

Death? No, it was something quieter... a profound stillness.

In this silence, a boy who had appeared unnoticed in the room began to reminisce about the past.

The night deepened.

The indistinct figure of the boy stepped out through the garden gate.

The house, silent and desolate, was devoid of life.

Alone, he felt fear; isolated, he was consumed by unease. So, he wandered into the courtyard in search of others.

"Father, Mother…"

He called out, but no response came.

Under the pale moonlight, the cold in the courtyard stung his fingers.

The frozen stars in the sky, the pitch-black night, and the icy glow of the moon surrounded him.

The mansion's courtyard was vast, the darkness enveloping its surroundings.

The blackness of the night, the empty courtyard, and the dense woods nearby all seemed like a stage shrouded by curtains.

Rustling sounds... the curtains began to part.

Screams... the performance commenced.

Starlight scattered, mingling with the crimson that sprayed into the air, transforming into the theater's illumination.

It was as though the red streams had become festive ribbons, celebrating the play unfolding before them.

Cries of agony, endless and varied; the sight of vivid crimson filled his view.

Under this tranquil night sky, there was no peace to be found.

The curtains had yet to fully open.

Unable to bear the abnormal cacophony, the boy dashed toward a certain direction.

The night remained dark; neither the starlight nor the crimson could dispel it. Even the moon's cold light could not pierce the dense forest.

He ran, and he ran…

Far and long, passing by countless figures. He could no longer recall who he had brushed past.

Fear in his heart?

Perhaps. It propelled him forward into the darkness ahead.

As he ran, he seemed to hear someone calling his name.

"…Shiki."

Ah, that's right... his name was Shiki. But his surname?

He couldn't remember.

So, he continued running, deeper into the shadows.

When he finally broke through the forest, he saw everyone waiting for him in the clearing.

Their appearances were strange; each of their bodies was incomplete, marred by gaping wounds.

The clearing was drenched in a crimson liquid, thick and vivid like tomato sauce.

The smell was pungent... this was no tomato sauce. He had smelled it before while slaughtering boars, though this scent was somehow different…

His fingers grew colder, and his legs began to tremble uncontrollably.

It was then that the sound of footsteps echoed across the clearing.

From the opposite side, a figure approached... a stranger.

Their eyes were awash with crimson, the red liquid seeping into their eyeballs.

As his consciousness began to blur, the approaching figure seemed eerily familiar. Where had he seen them before?

A stranger? No… it was Father. He was walking toward him.

It seemed this time, it would be his turn to be torn apart.

Fragments of hazy images and memories, ones that didn't seem to belong to him, flickered through the boy's mind, leaving him confused.

He stretched his hand toward the full moon above.

Why hadn't he noticed until now?

The crimson hue tonight…

How beautiful it was.

...

Awakening from the dream, or perhaps returning from death.

Shiki Tohno's hair was damp with sweat, and bloodshot veins crept across his eyes, the aftermath of nightmares and restless struggle.

"Was that… a dream?"

No, it wasn't a dream. It felt far too real... unbearably real.

That wasn't just a dream. The figure wandering amidst the bodies strewn across the blood-soaked clearing… was his father, Makihisa Tohno.

Nanaya. Tohno…

Two entirely different sets of memories flooded his mind.

One was the life of Shiki Nanaya, living in seclusion with his family deep in the mountains. The other, is Shiki Tohno, the eldest son of the Tohno family.

These two distinct timelines corresponded to the first and latter halves of his life, and the sharp contrast between them was unbearable. Clutching his head, his eyes widened in pain.

Anger, sorrow, despair... an endless stream of fragmented whispers spilled from his lips.

It was already ten in the morning.

This was long past Shiki's usual time to head to school, but no one came to wake him.

Seeing Shiki's pained thrashing on the bed, Roy could guess what he was going through and chose not to disturb him.

"Awake now, Shiki Tohno?"

Roy sipped his coffee before rising, observing Shiki's disheveled appearance and bloodshot eyes.

"It's already ten?"

Shiki glanced at the clock in the hotel's living room, his voice hoarse and weak.

After a night trapped in a loop of nightmares, his condition was dreadful. He looked like a sleep-deprived gamer on the verge of collapse.

"Yeah, it's ten. Here, drink this water first."

Roy poured a glass of water and handed it to him, a small gesture of care.

"Ah… thank you."

Shiki accepted the glass and drained it in one go.

The cool water soothed his parched throat, clearing his mind and bringing a semblance of clarity to his gaze.

"Want some breakfast? Akiha and Kohaku just went out to grab some."

"No… no, thank you. I'm not hungry."

Shiki quickly declined Roy's offer.

Even now, his mind was still trapped in the vivid recollection of that crimson-soaked clearing, the shattered corpses, and his slain family. The mere thought churned his stomach, obliterating any desire to eat.

"Alright, but make sure you drink plenty of water. Take the day off... go to school like this, and you'll just worry your classmates."

Seeing Shiki's troubled state, Roy understood the cause.

The restraints left in Shiki's mind by Makihisa had been lifted, replaced by an illusion Roy had learned from Merlin. Like the visions a Master sees of their Servant's past, this spell forced Shiki to relive memories he had deliberately forgotten.

But those memories… they weren't kind to him.

It must have been the horrific massacre of his family.

"What's wrong, Shiki? Nightmares?" Roy asked, though he already knew the answer.

"…Yes, a nightmare. A terrible, terrifying nightmare…" Shiki nodded, his face pale and grim.

"Really? What's your take on it?"

"My take…? I don't know."

Shiki's response was filled with uncertainty, his voice faltering. His gaze darted, unfocused, and his spirit seemed unmoored.

"Should I feel anger? Grief? Or just pain…? I don't even know how to face Akiha anymore."

Not surprising…

Roy placed a comforting hand on Shiki's shoulder and said, with measured warmth, "Don't rush it, and don't force yourself to decide. Take your time. One day, you'll remember everything. You'll come to terms with it all, and then you can make your choice."

"I…"

"Your story may not have started with happiness, but that doesn't define your entire life."

"Who you become is entirely up to you."

Those simple words were like a key, unlocking a door in Shiki's heart.

His dazed eyes sharpened as he slowly raised his head, meeting Roy's outstretched hand.

The memories of his slaughtered parents, their bodies torn apart… the shame and anger of years spent obeying a false father… his sister Akiha… and everything he had endured until now swirled in his mind.

"But what am I supposed to do?!"

In his confusion and pain, that outstretched hand was his lifeline. He grasped it tightly and cried out, "Please, tell me!"

"No, that's an answer I can't give you."

Faced with Shiki's desperate plea, Roy shook his head slightly.

"Now that you've remembered everything, the choice of what comes next is yours alone."

"Mine alone…"

...

About half an hour later, Touko Aozaki and Shiki Ryougi returned to the base after finishing their breakfast outside.

Touko stretched lazily. After a quick tidy-up, she prepared to head back to her room for a well-deserved nap.

Roy had informed them earlier that the Tohno family would handle investigating the Dead Apostles' movements today. This meant they wouldn't need to scour the city's alleys... or worse, its sewers... in search of those monsters as they usually did.

She agreed with this plan. The Dead Apostles, driven underground by the local leyline overseer's efforts, were now as elusive as rats. It made sense to leave the search to the Tohno family, who were far more familiar with Misaki Town.

For now, only the most suitable individuals... Kiritsugu and Alice's Song of Sixpence... remained on patrol in the city. The others took this rare opportunity to rest, avoiding any unnecessary disruptions that might alert their enemies.

"Here's your breakfast. Don't starve to death."

The moment Shiki Ryougi stepped into the living room, she spotted Roy sipping coffee early in the morning. A trace of exasperation crossed her face.

"Drinking coffee on an empty stomach will upset your stomach, you know."

"I know."

Though his body wouldn't suffer no matter how much coffee he drank, Roy nodded with a smile at her earnest expression. Accepting the sandwich Shiki had brought, he began eating with evident enthusiasm, much to her satisfaction.

"Slow down. Don't choke, idiot."

"Aren't you going to eat?"

Shiki Ryougi glanced at Shiki Tohno, offering him an extra portion of breakfast she had brought along.

"N-No, thank you…"

Shiki Tohno hesitated, waving off the sandwich. The sight of the ketchup on it was enough to make his stomach turn.

"Afraid of sandwiches? What a strange guy…"

Noticing his awkward expression, Shiki Ryougi didn't press further. She tucked the sandwich back into her pocket and continued watching Roy eat.

"By the way, where's Arcueid? Didn't she go out with you?"

Having finished his breakfast, Roy looked around, noting Arcueid's absence.

"She went shopping with Aoko. They'll probably be back soon."

If Arcueid was with Aoko, there was no need to worry about her safety.

"Is this the new helper you found?"

After a brief conversation, Shiki Ryougi turned her attention to Shiki Tohno, who was sitting on the sofa.

He seemed frail, his health apparently in poor condition... a stark contrast to her expectations. To her, he looked like nothing more than an ordinary high school student.

But she didn't let appearances fool her. If Roy had brought him here, there had to be something exceptional about him, even if she couldn't see it yet.

"Um…"

Feeling uneasy under her persistent gaze, Shiki Tohno scratched his cheek awkwardly and asked cautiously, "Is there something on my face?"

"No, Shiki just finds you interesting."

"Shiki.... Interesting?"

"Yeah." Roy interjected with a nod. "Shiki enjoys fighting, so naturally, she's curious about the traits you possess."

"You mean… my eyes?"

Shiki Tohno touched his eyes reflexively.

"Exactly. Shiki also has eyes just like yours."

"Their name is… the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception."

The words hung in the air, evoking different reactions from the two.

Shiki Tohno was startled, while Shiki Ryougi's expression lit up with excitement.

Someone else with eyes like hers?

Their gazes locked, each examining the other with newfound intrigue.

Before either could speak, Roy, smiling warmly, proposed, "It's rare for two wielders of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception to meet. Since we have free time today, why don't you have a sparring match?"

A sparring match?

Hearing Roy's suggestion, both of them froze momentarily.

"Shiki Tohno, Shiki here also comes from one of the Four Great Demon Hunter Families. Her name is Shiki Ryougi, while you are the last surviving heir of the Nanaya Family. Both of you have foundational skills, so why not have a sparring match? It's a good opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with the power you possess, just in case you ever need it."

Familiarize with my power… for future necessity…

Shiki Tohno, who had initially been prepared to decline, withdrew his words. He nodded slightly, agreeing to Roy's arrangement.

Indeed, he needed strength. He couldn't afford to wander aimlessly anymore.

The memories he had recovered weren't just of his childhood in the Nanaya family. They also included his time with the Tohno family, the period when he was adopted and his memories were sealed by Makihisa Tohno.

Should he seek revenge? He wasn't sure.

Makihisa Tohno had killed his parents and family, and Shiki's fury toward him was immeasurable. He would gladly cut him into pieces if he were alive. But Makihisa was already dead. Who would he take revenge on now?

The Tohno family?

Akiha... his younger sister, who had truly seen him as her older brother? Or the other members of the Tohno household?

He didn't know. But he didn't want to stand against Akiha, nor could he bring himself to harm her.

His confusion and pain churned within him, unresolved and overwhelming. Perhaps this battle could serve as an outlet... through the swing of his blade and the cries of his heart, he might find a temporary reprieve.

Shiki Ryougi, sensing the turbulent emotions and the strange aura emanating from him, looked slightly surprised.

The frail and unremarkable impression he had initially given off had vanished, replaced by an air of sorrow and lethality, akin to that of a professional assassin.

It was exhilarating.

She glanced at Roy, who responded with a simple nod. With that reassurance, she cast aside any reservations and prepared herself to fight this boy, who also possessed the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.

Seeing that neither of them objected, Roy transported them to a more open area where they could fight freely.

Before long, the two stood at opposite ends of the field, ready for the duel.

They stared each other down for several minutes. Shiki Ryougi quickly noticed something about Shiki Tohno... while he appeared focused, his conflicted gaze betrayed him.

It wasn't the look of someone eager to fight or kill. It was more like the calm before a release, as though he sought to vent his suppressed emotions through this battle.

She understood. She had done the same in the past... fighting Touko's puppets or practicing with her blade whenever frustrations or dangerous impulses overcame her.

But this wasn't how one should approach a real fight. This was indulgence, not combat.

If that's your mindset, then you're underestimating me. Fighting isn't child's play. If you lose, it could cost you your life.

Let me teach you a lesson.

With her decision made, Shiki Ryougi sprang into action. Since this was a sparring match, not a life-or-death duel, she refrained from using her Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. Instead, she relied on the techniques she had honed through rigorous training.

Standing firm, she raised her katana horizontally across her chest. Her stance, steeped in the traditions of the Ryougi family's swordsmanship, was poised and elegant.

On the opposite side, Shiki Tohno also refrained from activating his Mystic Eyes. Instead, he assumed the standard combat stance of the Nanaya Family. He crouched slightly, his posture mimicking a hawk ready to strike.

Once both were prepared, Roy raised his hand and announced the start of the match.

The moment his words fell, the two figures... one lithe and graceful, the other sharp and predatory... lunged at each other with astonishing speed.

Clang!!

The sharp clash of blades rang out as steel met steel.

___

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