11 Chapter 10: Reunion with Old Friend

Somewhere in the Netherworld

Nyx opened her eyes and was baffled. She was in the netherworld, but couldn't recognize where.

"Well, this is a first."

"Tell me about it."

It took Nyx a second to react to the sound of the voice due to the sensation of the voice itself. It was as if she knew it but couldn't place it. Like a word on the tip of her tongue.

Spinning around she was greeted by the vision of a woman. Or at least that's what Nyx thought on first viewing her. She experienced a sense of déjà vu as she once again felt like she should know the being in front of her.

So instead of being baffled by the feeling, Nyx focused on what she could confirm. The being in from of her was divine, and born from an unconscious desire at that. The wish for an "ideal beauty" but she was flawed. She could change and grow without being bound by the wish. Her form was a very long haired woman with black and pink clothing. She had a mark on her forehead that was partially blocked by a blindfold. In her hand was a weapon that looked like a spike attached at the end of a chain.

"Who are you," questioned Nyx after giving up on recognizing the being in front of her.

"I am your reflection. Another possibility. Another you." The being's voice was somehow hollow, devoid of any emotion at all, even calmness.

"I don't understand what you mean," was all Nyx could say.

The being held out her hand that wasn't holding the spike and spoke in the same tone as before, "see for yourself."

Nyx reached her own hand out, and upon contact with the outstretched hand, instantly understood.

"Another universe? One that the 5th Campione and his companions originate from. Fascinating."

All of Nyx's previous obsessions just vanished into thin air. She no longer cared about reclaiming her throne or her power. She even no longer cared about getting revenge on Zeus. She had a new purpose now.

"Oh, this is going to be such fun," Nyx commented as a massive grin was broadly displayed on her face.

The being in front of her displayed emotion for the first time, matching the grin of Nyx's face.

Her last statement contained the same emotion Nyx felt, undisguised anticipation.

"Once again, we agree on something."

A blinding flash enveloped the two.

When it faded, there was no sign of either one.

Cliffside in Japan

Shirou released Unlimited Blade Works and almost collapsed to the ground. He was virtually running on fumes due to maintaining Unlimited Blade Works, not to mention the authorities and Noble Phantasms he used.

"You okay?" Saber questioned Shirou.

"I hope we don't encounter anybody even half as tough as that every again. Somebody capable of remaining in one piece, even if only barely, after taking Vasavi Shakti, Rhongomyniad, and an anti-god weapon specifically tuned to the type of god in question is a pain to deal with." Shirou couldn't help but complain.

He wasn't exaggerating in the slightest. He had been forced to use multiple EX rank Noble Phantasms to their full power and a sword created using multiple godly authorities in the process and it hadn't been enough to put Nyx down. If his Reality Marble hadn't been strengthened by several authorities, it would have been broken in the first thirty seconds of the battle from the shockwaves of the god and Campione clashing.

"Good thing you have your Reality Marble, otherwise each of your fights would set records for all the collateral damage," commented Rin. Rin was far more correct than she knew. Shirou chose not to tell her that the fight between Nyx and him would have been enough to destroy nearly all of China if they fought there. What she didn't know couldn't hurt him, right?

"Uhhh, what's that?" Sakura's voice rang out as she pointed past Shirou.

Everyone else turned to look at what Sakura was pointing at. It looked like several fireflies were circling around a point roughly one meter off the ground. At least it would if fireflies glowed red and violet. Before any of them could react, the lights converged on the central point. A blinding flash of light was released, forcing everyone to look away.

"What is this?" Illya cried out.

"Keep your guard up!" shouted Saber in a commanding tone.

When they could one again face the location, the five all had the same reaction.

Their jaws dropped open as wide as they could go.

"You look surprised."

The appearance was the same.

The voice was the same.

But it was impossible.

She was long dead, in a different world entirely.

She had sacrificed herself to protect them.

"Well, it has been a long time."

"Ten years," Sakura responded.

Shirou managed to regain some semblance of control and asked the question that was consuming the five.

"How can you possibly be here, Rider?"

The woman with long pink hair grinned and said, "it's a long story."