28 Chapter 27: Not What I Expected

After exiting the plane, locating Aisha was easy. Her authority, [Charm or Curse] was always active due to her inability to control it, so Shirou and Rin just went for the greatest concentration of magic. Shirou and Rin recognized her on first sight. She looked exactly as everyone described her: a teenage Indian woman dressed in robes that resembling a nun's outfit.

She was seated at a cafe of sorts drinking coffee. As the two approached her, she turned to look at them, "welcome, I've been expecting you. Please, sit."

Shirou moved forward and sat while Rin chose to remain standing next to Shirou. Shirou spoke, "you know who I am?"

Aisha nodded, "you're the fifth Campione."

"Do you know why I am here?"

"To meet with me and attempt to bring an end to my time traveling."

"Incorrect on the attempt part. I am going to do so. The only question is how this is going to happen, with your cooperation, in which case you should be fine by tomorrow morning, or without your cooperation, which will cause your recovery to take much longer."

"And how can I be sure that you're telling the truth?"

"I'd tell you to ask our mother Pandora or our elder brother Voban, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. I'm just going to have to ask you to take it on faith. If I don't hurry, two Campione, two Gods of Steel, and two Divine Ancestors are going to clash in the land under my protection. The situation can be handled if I get back in time, but that is a factor that will be entirely dependent upon you. So, what say you?"

Aisha stared at Shirou silently for a while before speaking, "assuming that I cooperate with you, what will be required?"

Shirou remained impassive as he responded, "a private room with either a section of ground or a piece of furniture that you find comfortable enough to sleep upon. We don't want others to interfere with removing the authority. It will hurt a bit, but a good night's rest will leave you perfectly fine, minus the Fairy Corridor authority."

Aisha finished her cup then stood up, "follow me. I know of a place that fits the criteria."

After walking for several minutes, the trio arrived at a hotel and after booking a simple room, Shirou began the process to safely remove an authority.

"Please position yourself comfortably where you would like to rest."

As Aisha positioned herself on the bed, Shirou traced Rule Breaker and showed it to Aisha.

"This is Rule Breaker. After using this to cut her own brother to pieces, Medea's dagger gained the ability to interfere with magic, particularly binding types, whether it be contract, geis, or compulsion. The powers of authorities are not truly ours, they're just bonded to us via the power of Pandora. By nullifying the bond between Fairy Corridor and yourself, the authority will leave you for its original owner, preventing you from traveling through time. Focus on the authority and distance yourself from it. I will cut you and in doing so sever the bond. When you wake up, it will all be over."

Aisha closed her eyes and a look of focus appeared on her face. Several minutes later, she spoke, "I'm ready."

Shirou made a small cut on Aisha's arm with Rule Breaker and just like with Voban, a ball of light exited, this time with it disappearing shortly after. Aisha's eyes flickered open and she muttered weakly, "I feel so tired."

Shirou nodded, "that is to be expected. Just get some rest and you'll be right as rain."

Aisha's eyes fluttered shut and she surrendered to sleep embrace almost immediately. Shirou to one last gaze at Aisha, then turned to leave after a parting remark, "until we meet again, onee-san."

After exiting the hotel, Rin spoke for the first time in a while, "that was too easy. I hope that this isn't a bad sign for how things are going back home."

"Don't tempt fate Rin," was Shirou's reply, with him desperately hoping it wasn't the case.

But knowing his luck, it likely was.