21 These Ceaseless Changing Times - I
November 26th, 2135. Location: Unknown.
Nothingness.
A darkness that would not subside, a fugue that would not dissipate.
Entrenched in its depths, Shirou was lost. And so, he did what he only could – he marched onwards.
Where was he going? He did not know.
Why was he walking? He couldn't say for certain.
All he knew was that he had to continue forward. And so he ventured forth into the yearning abyss.
All he could do was walk, and so he did. He marched forward, even if the reason behind this ceaseless action eluded him. All within a dark abyss that stretched without end.
Once upon a time, this world was illuminated by an incandescent sun, one that shined bright and beautiful. And when the sun would sleep, stars decorated the skies, illuminating the night sky like a million candles on a canvas.
Shirou knew this...
How does he know this again...?
But long ago, they dimmed, cloaking the world in naught but a blanket of eternal night. There was no light, save for one.
Shirou's solitary companion, a small incandescent flame nestled within the palm of his hand. A guiding light that glowed softly and warmly with the sea of darkness. Yet, with every step he took, the fire flickered ever so simply. He continued on his aimless journey as the flames grew weaker and the shadows grew.
And so, he would walk, and walk, and walk without rest. Time and distance lost all meaning to him in this bleak and endless expanse, and he marched on without rest or respite.
His steps were slow, as if weighted by the world with every step. An invisible burden that only grew as he continued. As time went on, he slowly felt weary, tiring with every step he took. Despite his growing weariness, he trudged onwards with nary a thought or concern for himself.
But even his iron will could not stave off the inevitable forever. As his exhaustion deepened, his body began to falter, and the numbness spread until he lost all sensation in his arms, legs, and torso. Finally, his balance gave out, and he stumbled forward, tumbling to the ground in a heap.
For just the briefest of moments, Shirou caught a flash of something just before he fell.
A flash of steel...?
Shirou tried getting back up, but he couldn't feel his legs anymore. With the little strength he held, he crawled forward at mere paces, only for his arm to grow lame and drop then and there.
He tried mustering what little strength he could, but it was futile. So, there he remained, useless.
His eyes drifted back to the flame in his palm, only this time it was smaller than before. Ebbed away over his travels, it was nothing more than a faint glimmer within a blackened void.
Shirou's gaze remained mutely transfixed on it, watching as the flame flickered, struggling to hold back the encroaching darkness. However, it was a losing battle, and naught but embers remained, growing ever dimmer with each passing second. A state that mirrored his eye growing heavy with unfathomable exhaustion.
Finally, the flame was extinguished, snuffed out as total darkness descended on him.
Yet, he endured.
In those precious extra seconds, gained through his characteristic stubbornness, he was able to glimpse at something.
The barest shimmer of light, far beyond his reach and beyond yonder.
Shirou closed his eyes and his consciousness no more.
Within, unbeknownst to its owner, the spark of light in the yonder pulsed.
It withered and flickered, growing and shrinking, yet unable to expand.
Finally, it returned to its previous inert state while basking in a war-torn world devoid of life and with the tiniest of hopes.
It wasn't much, but it'd be enough.
For now, the world fell silent, as it waited for a brighter tomorrow...
[—][—][—][—][—][—][—][—][—]
November 26th, 2135. World: Helheim. Location: The Great Tomb of Nazarick
As quick as Shirou's slumber ended, his consciousness forgot about the dream, once again occupied with the waking world.
All that remained were vague emotions that faded until nothing remained, leaving him uneasy as his senses slowly returned to him.
Thankfully, the bark against his back was reassuring and comfortable, reminding him of his location.
Swathes of verdant grassland swept across the horizon, with cherry blossom trees dotting the land. Above, a clear blue sky shone brightly over the land, with an illuminant sun shining warmth and light upon the field. A gentle breeze blew across the field, leaving a wash of pink leaves flowing through the air as an ocean of grass swung to and fro as far as the eye could see.
The entire scenery exuded an ever-lasting tranquil atmosphere. Over in the distance, he spied a large shrine, easily the most impressive architecture around.
He was on the 8th Floor, more specifically – The Cherry Blossom Sanctuary. An area so majestic and soothing, it had become a favorite resting place for himself.
Shirou remained there for a few more moments, taking in the serenity of the land.
Silently, the virtual magus removed himself from his comfy spot and stood up, stretching out the kinks in his body. His mind lingered on the fading remnants of his dream.
Over the decades when he was alive, he stopped dreaming a long time ago. Something he was grateful for in his later years, as his dreams brought nothing but regret and unwanted memories. Of simpler times, happier times.
Even in the beginning, when Zelretch transported him into the virtual world, he still did not dream. Not that it bothered him in the slightest either way. In truth, he had forgotten all about it.
Until only recently.
In the beginning, they were few and far in between. Some were memories of times past, while others were vague and obscured, and for a time, Shirou thought little of it. As time went on, they became more frequent.
His dreams have always had a prophetic nature to them, spanning all the way back to the Holy Grail War. Knowing his luck, there was a meaning to these distant dreams. However, he was no closer to deciphering the meaning of the dreams now than he was all those times beforehand.
No matter how many times he tried, his dreams always remained fleeting. The more he tried to conjure up the remnants of the dream, the more they slipped away. It was like trying to grasp water as it leaked through his fingers.
A small headache pulsed as he once again failed to recall his dreams.
The projection magus closed his eyes and shook his head with a small sigh, dispelling the matter for the moment. Running in circles would do him no good. With his eyes still closed, he turned, only to run into an unexpected form.
It was his luck and instinct that allowed him to steady himself and catch his victim.
Eyes now opened, he saw what, or rather, who he ran into.
Shirou found himself holding onto a shrine maiden, dressed in a red hakama and a white haori. He instantly recognized her by the soft and gentle smile that graced her beautiful face.
One of the Guardians of the 8th Floor and the protector of the very domain he was standing in, the level 100 NPC – Aureole Omega.
One of his arms wrapped around her waist, his hand gently pressing against her back, and the other holding onto her outstretched forearm to keep her from falling. With a tug, he straightened her upright.
"Aureole... I'm sorry for bumping into you. I didn't see you there." Shirou apologized, his face flushed with a hint of embarrassment.
He knew that she was an NPC and naturally wouldn't respond, but he could neither help the hand that scratched his head nor the awkward energy that filled him in response to her ever-present smiling face. Still, it was the thought that counted.
Aureole remained where she was, still and content.
He quickly patted down her kimono, fixing any small wrinkles he may have caused along with her clothes. Lastly, he corrected her headpiece. Satisfied, he took a step back.
As he looked at the NPC, a sudden thought entered his mind.
'I thought Aureole was assigned to stand guard and wander around only the shrine. What's she doing over here?'
Shirou found it a bit curious that the NPC would be just waiting nearby instead of wandering around like it was programmed to. Doubly so when the thought of the NPC standing there, watching over him while he was resting all this time, crossed his mind. In the end, he shrugged and simply chalked it up to perhaps her settings and general coding.
Turning away from the NPC, he waved his hand and opened up his interface to check to see if anyone was online. Most of everyone on his friend's list, which included all members of Ainz Ooal Gown, showed gray circles next to their name. This indicated that they were offline. Only two were online, none other than Peroroncino and Bukubukuchagama.
He quickly sent a [Message], asking them where they were. A second did not even pass before he received a reply. They were lounging in the Throne Room. Nodding to himself, he turned back to the shrine maiden one last time.
"Take care, Aureole. And keep up the good work." Shirou bid farewell despite knowing it was a pointless gesture.
Using the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown on his finger, he teleported away from the 8th floor towards the 10th floor.
Aureole watched from the sidelines as his form shimmered and disappeared from the scenic Floor. There, she remained for only a short moment. Were anyone present afterwards, they would have seen Aureole Omega bow her head after he was gone. With a casual stride, she began walking towards the shrine, her dazzling smile a touch brighter than before.
As for Shirou, his entry into the 10th Floor was quick. A flash of bluish light, and he was granted physical form once more as he hurried down the decorated halls that led to his destination.
The hallways held a startling amount of detail and a possible obscene amount of invested wealth as well, but he paid it little mind.
Within a minute, he arrived at his destination, marked by the towering set of double doors that spoke of the importance of the incoming room.
The design was nothing short of stunning, with intricate patterns and carving engraved along its surface. A nice artistic quality, of the dichotomy between the angelic goddess and the vicious demon, depicting two creatures of opposing nature dominating their respective sides.
As he took confident steps forward, the gargantuan doors began to tremble in recognition of one of its masters. With a deep and sonorous rumbling, the doors slowly parted, granting Shirou entry into the inner sanctum of the Throne Room.
His eyes wandered around the room. Despite seeing it so many times, he was always left captivated by its sheer splendor.
Ainz Oown Gown's crowning jewel: The Throne Room.
The Throne Room, or Throne Hall as it would be more accurately called, was grand in size. Its beauty and architecture were nothing short of breathtaking.
Obsidian and golden carved stone columns flanked the sides of the room to hold up the extravagant ceiling above. The surrounding walls exhibited a regal white and gold theme. Up above, the ceiling was extravagant and adorned with glittering crystal chandeliers that bathed the room in a mesmerizing array of hues. All the colors imaginable were reflected off the crystal sheens of not only the chandelier but every reflective surface, basking the entire room in a beautiful spectrum of light.
The marble flooring was polished to perfection, so much so that one could clearly see their reflection in it, stretching onwards until the end. A luxurious red carpet extended from the doorway down towards the end of the room. Walking down the colossal hall, there was a row of flags, and royal banners that extended from the walls as one traveled inward. Each flag was emblazoned with a unique sigil that represented one of every member of Ainz Ooal Gown. Forty-two flags in total.
At the very end of the opulent chamber were a series of steps, as wide as the room, with a raised dais leading upwards. Everything led to this: a hunk of obsidian crystal at the end of the room, one fashioned into a majestic throne. Behind it was a large banner that proudly bore the symbol of the guild itself: the iconography of Ainz Ooal Gown.
While the room was beyond extravagant, his attention lies elsewhere.
At the steps that led to the Throne of Kings, two figures stood in place, idle banter and conversation flowing naturally between them.
Shirou couldn't help but feel his face crack into a smile. Their eyes were immediately drawn to him, and a certain avian Player started emoting heavily, flailing his arms in the air to grab his attention.
"Peroroncino-san! Bukubukuchagama-san!" Shirou called out, acknowledging his entrance and their presence as he walked towards them.
"Emiya-senpai!"
"Shirou-kun."
The golden archer happily greeted, halting his frantic waving, while his sister politely delivered her greeting with a small bow. Shirou joined the siblings at the dials that led up to the World Item.
"Is it just you two that are on? Strange, I thought there would be more of us online." Shirou commented, his eyes wandering around the room as if looking for anyone else.
His words drew a shared glance of amusement from the two siblings.
"Shirou-kun, you do know that it's very late at night now, right?" Bukubukuchagama pointed this out.
Shirou blinked. He pulled up his menu to see that Bukubukuchagama was indeed correct. The time read 11:45 p.m. So late into the night, it was only natural that there was rarely anyone online at this time.
His eyebrows furrowed as he pondered this. Thinking back on it, Shirou was certain that he had only planned for a short nap, yet his clock spoke otherwise. Evidently, what was supposed to be an hour of downtime, had turned into a several-hour rest. Appreciated for the energy and alertness that he felt himself brimming with, but the wreck that was now his schedule would need reworking. However, that could wait for later.
"Guess you were really tired, huh, Emiya-senpai?" He heard Peroroncino say.
"I guess so. It must have slipped my mind. I only intended for a short rest before I had to return to my duties."
"You've been keeping yourself busy, Emiya-senpai? We had planned to invite you to a small raid, but when we tried to contact you, we were told by Nishikienrai-san to let you rest. Seeing as how you've been keeping the guild afloat in our absence, we decided that it was best if we didn't bother you…" Peroroncino explained, saddened that they had missed their chance to play together.
"Don't say that. Neither of you are ever a bother, Peroroncino-san." Shirou shook his head vehemently at the idea that the sibling's presence could ever be unwanted. "We can always get together tomorrow for that raid, right?"
His only response was an awkward silence as the two siblings glanced at one another once more.
"Ehh, about that, senpai…" The winged Heteromorph began, and quiet uncertainty filled the avian's tone.
"We would love to do something together, but I'm afraid we're going to have to take a rain check on that. Me and sis will be booked for the next couple of days. You see, my girlfriend and I are planning some stuff for our upcoming anniversary together early this time around. Reina-chan has been all sorts of stressed and excited about our fourth anniversary, so I have to make sure it goes off without a hitch!"
"As for me, Shirou-kun, do you remember that job opportunity I spoke about a couple of weeks ago? Well, the manager of a new virtual idol group has been quite earnest in recruiting me as a voice actress. Apparently, he is a fan of some of my previous works, much to my displeasure. Thankfully, he is professional about the matter, so the next few days will be busy as he hashes out the details and agreements for the contract." Bukubukuchagama explained, her gelatinous body wiggling slightly. A frowning emoticon made her displeasure at the situation known.
"Oh... I see." Shirou quietly let out upon hearing the news.
The siblings stood awkwardly, fidgeting in place. The nervous cheer they had felt earlier was substituted by an almost somber regret. Their shoulders slumped as they could practically hear the disappointment in their friends' voices at the news. Their playtime together had already decreased in recent months, and now they would be gone for even longer. This only fueled their contrite consciousness.
"So, it's finally your two's turn, huh?"
Shirou's voice was subdued, so quiet was it that they wondered if it was just their ears playing tricks on them, but they heard it nonetheless. For a certain golden archer, he took it a bit further.
"We're sorry, Emiya-senpai! I promise we'll make it up to you as soon as we're finished with everything, and then—"
Before Peroroncino could go any further, the lone Humanoid Player raised his hand to call for a stop to his apology. Shirou softly shook his head.
"Sorry? There's absolutely nothing to be sorry about. If anything, this is great news all around!" He said, his previous tone all but erased.
His new cheerfulness, despite the emotional whiplash it inflicted, proved to be infectious. Peroroncino felt his body loosening up, happy that his senpai was back to normal, and smiled along. The same couldn't be said about Bukubukuchagama, who remained silent, almost contemplative, as she mulled over his words. To her keen ears, she detected something off in his voice. It was almost as if he mustered up the enthusiasm at the last second.
It was not his words, for they were true, but rather the sentiment behind them that she was attentive to.
A particular question came to dwell inside her, fueled by a suspicion that she has been having for a while now. Her thoughts would be on hold as the magus walked up to them and pulled the two siblings in a great big hug. His arms rested on one of their shoulders, keeping them close.
"Have fun and take good care of not only your girlfriend but also yourself, Peroroncino-san. Four years is a long time, and an anniversary doesn't come around often, after all. This is a momentous occasion, so take your time with it and enjoy it for all its worth. These are the moments you'll look back on and cherish, so make some memories. And try not to do anything too crazy." Shirou imparted, giving the avian Heteromorph a playful shoulder rub.
"You know it, Emiya-senpai." Peroroncino snorted playfully, bumping his fist into the magus's chest in return.
"For you, Bukubukuchagama-san, I suppose congratulations are in order! I always believed that you have an amazing talent, and now the world will finally get to see it as well! You deserve this and everything that comes after." Shirou praised her, patting her shoulder.
"T-thank you." Bukubukuchagama bashfully returned, the pink Elder Slime's body jiggling gleefully at his words.
"Careful sis, or else you might actually turn into a puddle of goop." Peroroncino snickered, which soured his sister's mood.
"Shut it, you." The sister snapped, throwing a punch at his gut, which he barely felt and only earned a chuckle from him.
"I'm just happy that you're finally moving on from the eroge industry. It's no place for a proper lady to work in." He said, almost as if lecturing her.
"Oh, please, don't pull the whole concerned brother card now." She rolled her eyes.
Peroroncino continued as if he didn't hear her.
"Now I don't have to accidentally walk in on you recording any moans or something lewd and getting my ass kicked for it just because you were being a bit too loud!" The younger sibling happily exclaimed.
"Boo-hoo, yeah, right! The only thing you're glad about is that now you can jerk off to your stupid eroge and hentai games without hearing my voice in them and not feel guilty about it." Bukubukuchagama added, a hint of mock disgust leaking in her voice.
"They are not stupid! Eroge is humanity's greatest gift to the world! The work of geniuses!" The Birdman argued back.
"I think you mean perverts that create self-inserts and wish-fulfillment games and visual novels so that they can live out their fantasy of ever getting any kind of action besides their hands." The gelatinous slime fiercely fired back.
Peroroncino gasped dramatically, clutching his chest as if he couldn't believe what she'd just said. "Sacrilege!"
"Ugh, despite having Reina-san, you're still sticking to those perverted works. How she can stay together with a pervert like you for basically four years is anyone's guess." The sister groaned, letting out a small scoff. Shirou could imagine her giving her brother a flat glare behind her amorphous character model all too easily.
From there, the two siblings descended into more bickering, A small quarrel broke out between the two, their voices echoing within the Throne Room as he watched on. Despite the insults flying at one another, there was no true heat behind them. The two siblings' shenanigans never failed to bring a small amount of entertainment to the guild and him as well. Seeing the two going at each other so affectionately, Shirou's lips curled into a soft smile. It helped to remind him where they had once been and where they now stood, showing just how far they've come along in these last few years.
Shirou watched from the sidelines with a small smile on his face as they talked about Peroroninco's girlfriend. As he continued to listen in, hearing more about Peroroncino's exploits and combined with what he already knew about his golden friend's relationship, a thought popped up in his head. One that left his lips faster than he had time to fully process it.
"Have you ever thought of marrying her, Peroroncino-san?" Shirou voiced, drawing wide-eyed stares from the two siblings.
The two paused and were taken completely aback by his words. Where exactly did such a notion come from?
"Woah, woah! Marriage?! That's still a bit of a long way away, don't you think so, Emiya-senpai? I mean, we haven't even had sex yet!" Peroroncino exclaimed, confused as to why his friend would ask him such a strange and serious question out of literally nowhere.
"Idiot!" Bukubukuchagama knocked him upside the head. "That typically comes after you get married, you perverted horndog! Ugh, and you wonder why you're still a virgin even after all these years."
"That's a low blow, sis." Peroroncino murmured, rubbing the back of his head. "But just you wait, I'll show you all! A day will come when I shall enter the domain of manhood and join my fellow brethren! It's only a matter of time before I get inside her pants!"
The golden archer bold declaration echoed through the Throne Room. With a raised fist in the air, he seemed to be making a sacred vow to the heavens. Bukubukuchagama fixed him with a long stare; no words were needed to express the disappointment and embarrassment she felt in that moment for her perverted brother. Slowly, she turned back to the faker, who was silent throughout this.
"Would you like to retract your earlier statement, Shirou-kun? You know it's not too late."
"Hey!"
Shirou openly laughed at the sibling's antics. Same old Peroroncino, passionate as ever. Yet, he had been invited to step in, and who was he to decline such an offer? After all, it was a senpai's job to guide their juniors.
"I see. Is that truly what you seek from that lovely young lass, Sir Pero? I must admit... I am disappointed!" Shirou spoke, shaking his head disappointedly.
Straightening his back to an uncomfortable degree and crossing his arms, the redhead's visage was endowed with the presence of an older figure, saddened by the depths their younger friend had fallen to. His eyes, however, shone with unmistakable mirth, and his voice was laced with playful undertones.
Something the two quickly caught onto and acquiesced, joining in on the fun.
Spurred by his friend's actions, the avian Player took a few steps away, swaying with a swagger common in hoodlums. With a sudden twist, he spun to face his audience and snapped his arms outward in a taunting gesture.
"My goals are beyond your understanding, old timer! I shall gaze upon the holy land and gain entry, through my smooth moves and awesome self! I shall not be denied my passage to paradise!" Peroroncino vowed.
"I see… Perhaps there is truth to your sister's words. I overestimated you. What a horrid sight, to see my protégé fall so far! I thought I had raised you to be better!"
His voice was thick with sadness, a sigh accentuating the lamentation he felt at the male sibling with whom he had shared his skills. However, Shirou would not allow for that tragedy to remain unchallenged!
"Buku! I believe a lesson is in order. Allow me to strike sense into your foolish brother!"
Unwinding his arms and donning a scowl that he had seen among his employers in his time as an Enforcer, an invisible tension saturated the air. The only dam stemming the escalation he sought was a single slime's silence.
"Hmm… who am I, to get in the way of a teacher and his student?"
Her words were paused, timed to portray a silent pondering that never took place. After all, she had no reason to stop Shirou's supposed actions.
"Traitor!" Peroroncino cried out at the betrayal, and by his own flesh and blood, no less.
The faker offered a solemn nod and approached the golden archer. With a grim resolution that he hardly felt, he grasped hilts that didn't exist, ready to engage in bloody combat. Opposed, yet undaunted, the pervert smiled ruthlessly. His hands moved with practiced grace, notching an arrow between blinks. He wouldn't give up on his ideals so easily.
Swords and arrows were drawn; they promised the demise of one another… and their ideals.
There, the two Players stood, facing one another. Neither party willingly made the first move as Bukubukuchagama watched in silence, as if as a mediator between the two. The silent tension was boiling by the second, rising and rising until, finally, it reached a crescendo.
And the silence was broken.
Bukubukuchagama's will was the first to break, her avatar giving away the unrestrained humor that coursed through her. Laughter filled the Throne Room.
"No... huff… No more! You two look ridiculous!" She laughed wholeheartedly.
Freed from their roles, both of the lead actors dropped their roles and indulged in the cathartic laughter and painful wheezing that followed.
"Do you have any idea… how hard it was to keep a straight face?" Gasping for air, the slime had difficulty speaking, yet she conveyed her question in full, showing how silly their speech had seemed.
Two sworn brothers, about to fight… over one's perverted antics. It was such a ridiculous standoff, that they couldn't help but laugh.
"Better… than you... it seems!" Peroroncino quipped, clutching his pained stomach, holding the small victory over her head.
"S-hut it!"
This only spurred more laughter from the trio. Together, they basked in the absurdity and familiarity of the moment, drawing comfort from the colorful atmosphere that had grown around them.
Finally, after their laughter had run its course, Shirou allowed himself to answer Bukubukuchagama's sarcastic statement from before.
"There is no need for that, Bukubukuchagama-san. I still stand by what I said. If I suggested such a serious step, it's because I believe he is ready. It may not be now, but maybe in the future. If he's willing to take the next step. It's true that he might be… more lustful than average, but underneath whatever vices he has, no one can deny the good heart within Peroroncino-san. And a good head on his shoulders, even if it's sometimes hard to see it."
Bukubukuchagama snickered at the slight jab at the end and did so again when she saw her brother's pout, huffing indignantly at his friend's words. Shirou simply shrugged, a small, innocuous smile tugging at his lips.
Despite this, Shirou stepped forward and laid his hand on his friend's and junior's shoulders. The action garnered the attention of both of them as he allowed a full smile to bloom.
"All jokes aside, I want you to take my words to heart, Peroroncino-san. Time marches onward even if we're unable to keep up, and if my years of experience have taught me anything, it's that the way you talk about Reina-san, the way your mood brightens, and how I can feel the smile when you talk about her, is something special. It's rare to find a person who can make you feel that way, especially in this day and age. So I want you to consider one thing. Can you imagine a world without her? I want you to think about that, and if the answer is no, then I suggest you go to her and let her know just how special she means to you. Don't worry about me or anyone else, and take as much time as you need. This is your time and no one else's. So enjoy every moment of it, because one day you'll look back on it, and I want it to not be with any regrets."
Silence was all that met Shirou after he finished his speech, even as he let go of Peroroncino and returned to his original position. The sibling duo remained quiet and pensive, taken aback by the spontaneous but emotionally heartfelt speech that he shared with them. In the face of such overwhelming sincerity, just what could he say?
Finally, the brother responded, gathering his wits.
"I... Wow… I-Um... t-thank you, Emiya-senpai! I'm not sure if I'm ready, but I'll try my best." Peroroncino shyly muttered, a contrast to his normal rambunctious self. Pride swelled in his chest as he straightened his back at the sudden but kind praise, his talon rubbing just under where his nose would be in an idle gesture.
Smiling, the lone human in the room had but one thing to say in the face of his friend's newfound courage.
"That's all I can ask for."
Both of them were fully engrossed in the moment of trust they shared, so they failed to notice the uncomfortable shifting of the Elder Slime's movement. She appeared to be gathering strength, taking a shaky deep breath to calm her nerves. Shirou's speech to her brother carried with it a sincere and passionate timbre commonly associated with him. Yet, underneath his encouraging words, she sensed a layer of sadness in it all. Bukubukuchagama briefly wondered if her brother, or even Shirou, for that matter, had noticed it in the first place.
She watched the tender moment, unsure of what action to take. However, she knew she would come to regret it if she held her tongue out of fear. Finally, she spoke her mind.
"Is… Is everything okay, Shirou-kun?" Came the hesitant voice of Bukubukuchagama. One that was noticeably unnerved, unwilling to damage the amiable mood that had been so pleasant.
Yet she wouldn't allow herself to waver… even as an apology and hasty retreat seemed increasingly more appealing.
Startled out of his pensive state, Shirou's gaze focused on his other dear friend, whom, embarrassingly enough, he'd briefly forgotten about. Despite this, he still noticed Peroroncino stiffening out of the corner of his eye.
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" He returned, turning to face her.
"It's just… I... well..." Her slimy hands wriggled as she stuttered, trying to formulate her thoughts as he patiently waited for her.
"You seem not to be like yourself lately, Shirou-kun. N-not like in a bad way or anything! I... Maybe it's just me, but as of late, it's just... different." Said Bukubukuchagama, struggling to express her true thoughts on the matter.
His heartbeat hastened for an infinitesimal moment before Shirou reigned it under control.
"Really? You would think that I would be the first to notice, but I'm dense enough to miss something like that!"
The humor that he half-heartedly injected into his denial was supposed to divert their attention, but it seemed to only worsen it. Bukubukuchagama's tensed body told him as such.
"Well, I know we haven't hung out like we usually do since our schedules kept on changing. I don't know about the guild members, but even I can tell that you... don't seem all there. And just now, you seemed… sad when we mentioned we had to leave. Has anything happened when we weren't online? Is there something wrong, Shirou-kun?" Bukubukuchagama observed.
"You can talk to us, we're here for you."
Being insightful and having a sharp mind were valued in the chaotic mess that battles and raids often descended into. Unfortunately, it had more than its fair share of uses outside of it. Shirou felt Peroroncino's gaze on him and sensed the worry and concern for him wafting off of their avatars.
The faker knew a simple denial would only compound their fears and concerns. Thus, he opted for an alternative. He'd never been the best at lying, but he had picked up a useful skill for these situations.
Shirou took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh, his firm posture slackening ever so slightly.
"I'm fine, but I will admit that I've been feeling somewhat bored and tired lately. Since things have started slowing down and without you guys around, the days just seem to blend together. I'm also disappointed in myself for sleeping the day away while you two were on."
Half-truths. Incomplete statements. Words that could be left to interpretation. All methods of deflecting unwanted inquiries.
They likely expected another deflection or for him to deny the Elder Slime's words. It would explain why they flinched so suddenly before Peroroncino took over for his sister.
"W-well, if that's the case, then we'll just have to make it up! Heck, when we get back, let's gather everyone, and we can head out to try and do some adventuring. Or heck, we can do some PK stomping! Whatever you want to do, Emiya-senpai." Peroroncino jumped in, attempting to uplift the group's spirit.
"I appreciate the thought, but please worry about your lives first, Peroroncino-san." Shirou softly chided. "I can take care of myself."
"Besides, it's not like I'm going anywhere any time soon."
Despite Shirou's seemingly innocent words that were meant to be reassuring, they had the opposite effect. One that dredged up a level of uneasiness between the two siblings that came from his reassurance.
It served as a stark reminder of Shirou's reality, one that was completely digital.
The virtual magus quickly sensed the shift in the air, and before either of the siblings could add anything else, he spoke up one last time.
"It's getting late. You two have big days ahead, so it's best to get a good night's rest." Shirou urged.
They glanced at one another once more, unsure of what to do. He knew they weren't all too happy to leave on such a note, but despite their clear reservation, the brother and sister decided not to push on the matter, as he knew they wouldn't.
"Alright… Take care, Emiya-senpai. We'll be back before you know it!"
"Indeed. Once everything gets sorted out, we'll be back."
"No rush, you two, take all the time you need. Good night, Peroroncino-san, Bukubukuchagama-san." Shirou said, bidding them farewell.
Peroroncino and Bukubukuchagama reluctantly waved goodbye as they logged out.
And then, there was only Shirou.
For several seconds, all was quiet. A melancholic silence filled the air, persisting for several moments. The weight of melancholy lingered within him as he turned to take one final look at the splendor of the room. His gaze drifted down the hallway, settling upon the majestic flags that hung proudly on display. Among them, his own flag stood, encapsulated with a circular yin-yang symbol that was formed from the distinct black outline of his signature Noble Phantasm, Kanshou and Bakuya. It was positioned alongside the flags of Momonga and Touch Me, surrounded by those of his fellow guildmates.
Nostalgia coursed through him, a haze that muddled the mind and submerged it in pleasant thoughts.
For a moment, he lingered in place, savoring the atmosphere and warmth of what came before, reminding him of better times. Of more triumphant times, when they had earned the flags that decorated the heart of Nazarick and stood in unity, here in the Throne Room.
Yet, for all the rose-tinted glasses that obscured his vision, something broke through his cheer.
What had happened, to those carefree days?
A silent question to a nonexistent audience for an answer that never came.
Shirou had no idea just how long he remained there before he departed, wary of the answer and holding onto the warmth of this late-night encounter in the hopes it would abate the cold emptiness in the depths of his stomach.
With the Throne Room behind him, he traversed the 10th Floor in quiet rumination.
His feet led him to parts unknown, down the ever-increasing and expansive halls that dominated the 10th Floor. But, for all that he appeared oblivious to those who gazed upon his wandering form, his mind worked at paces often reserved for battle, struggling with the selfish desire that warred against his rational mind.
Even in thought, his body moved forward through the beautifully decorated halls with ease. Having walked down the same path thousands, if not tens of thousands, of times before, he could walk through the entire 10th floor blindfolded if he wanted to.
Full of color and splendor, yet at the moment, the halls felt empty, with no one to traverse them but himself. The opulent floor was silent as a grave, with only his footsteps echoing through the halls.
Only his thoughts to keep him company.
Four years.
A blink of an eye, yet an eternity on itself.
Four years have passed since the newly reborn Ainz Ooal Gown completed their first official dungeon raid together as a guild, conquering The Great Tomb of Nazarick on their first attempt. Thus, they were rewarded with complete authority over the dungeon base and its surroundings.
With Nazarick under their ownership, the decision was quickly made to make the great tomb into their guild base. The fruits of their labor were evident in the countless hours, unwavering dedication, and vast resources they poured into customizing and fortifying their new home. Each member contributed generously to enhance and improve their guild base, knowing full well that nothing less than the best would suffice.
They spared no expenses in their efforts to improve their new home and their guild headquarters. Absurd levels of digital wealth, countless artifacts of immense power, and a few microtransactions were used during the massive renovation. Shirou himself had surely contributed almost half of the guild's currently obscene vault, but it was still a battle to meet the demand brought by their rapidly inflating numbers. Not to mention all the microtransactions involved...
Their efforts were concentrated on a dreary, six-floored dungeon that they sought to elevate to new heights of magnificence. One beyond in scale and comparison. The contrast between the original state of the dungeon and its current, transformed state was striking and dramatic. What had once been rough cobble floors now resembled the finest marble, and walls that had been plain and somber were now adorned with the guild's numerous achievements. The spoils of war that each member had collected were proudly displayed, lending a touch of grandeur to the surroundings.
The Great Tomb of Nazarick, which was initially a six-floor structure, has now grown to hold ten massive floors. Each floor has been expanded from its original size, with additions made to enhance its functionality. Moreover, each floor's design was tailored to meet the specifications of particular members. A domain that each member of Ainz Ooal Gown was proud to lay claim into creating a reality. All these aspects made the ten-floored guild base and its actual treasure even more valuable.
The crowning jewel of their investments would without a doubt be the countless numbers of NPCs and mobs that inhabit the tomb. These NPCs of various types brought life to the mausoleum that would otherwise be lacking.
It took several long months of continuous effort before it was finished—the culmination of all their blood, sweat, and tears—to bring to life a place they were all proud to call home.
This wouldn't be the only change Ainz Ooal Gown would go through. Along the way, the guild grew in size, taking in new Players - all of whom were Heteromorphic Players. They expanded their numbers, going from the original twenty-nine members to consisting of forty-two powerful Players with Shirou remaining the sole Humanoid Player amongst Ainz Ooal Gown's ranks.
Over the course of a mere four years, the name Ainz Ooal Gown had risen to unprecedented heights, making an indelible impression on the virtual realm of YGGDRASIL. The newly formed Heteromorphic guild had achieved so much, yet it never felt like a chore. The camaraderie among them infused vitality into even the most tedious of quests and raids. Their explosive debut was followed by a string of accomplishments, capturing the attention of their contemporaries and contenders alike.
During that time, Ainz Ooal Gown emerged as one of the most de facto Heteromorphic guilds across the nine worlds. They were a formidable presence, rivaling some of the most illustrious guilds in history. Their name was known by all, whether it was uttered in scorn or admiration.
Four long and adventurous years have passed, all within what seemed like the blink of an eye. Yet, Shirou could remember every day of it all with perfect clarity.
All the misadventures and quests they undertook, the dangers and challenges they endured against dungeon raids, boss fights, and against other Players and PKers. They all endured countless trials and tribulations in order to climb to the top. He enjoyed it all, through all the joy and frustration, grief and pleasure. He would never trade even a moment of it away for anything.
How he wishes those wonderful times could continue for just a little while longer.
Unfortunately, as the saying goes, all things must come to an end one day.
With a flick of his wrist, Shirou called upon his friend list, only to be confronted by a wall of gray text.
- 9 mins
- 9 mins
- 2 days
- 7 days
- 15 days
- 4 days
- 23 days
- 19 days…
And on it went, each denomination indicating a period of time from when they were last online. Some short, others long.
With the biggest perpetrator being… Touch Me - 35 days.
Staring at the virtual screen, Shirou couldn't help the pang of sadness he felt at the sporadic, but ever-increasing number. From a guild with daily attendance for years to one where members disappeared for days on end.
The pang of sadness he felt did not simply come from the fact that his friends were spending more time away from YGGDRASIL, but from the awareness that it was only going to continue.
Much like the passing of the seasons, time will inevitably bring about change in all. Such was the fact of life.
Everyone within Ainz Ooal Gown played YGGDRASIL for one reason or another. Whether it be a hobby they indulged in, a form of escapism from the harsh reality and immersing themselves in a fantastical world, or simply to satiate a curiosity or boredom that dominated their lives.
Whatever the reason, they all came together and were united under one banner—under one belief. And for four long years, Ainz Ooal Gown has carried that on without pause.
But ever so slowly, things have begun to settle down.
There was no doubt that, when looking back on these times, it would be considered the golden age of Ainz Ooal Gown. The twilight of an era. A time of transition where every member dedicated their hearts and minds to the guild. An era where they traversed the nine realms, and every day was a remarkable expedition in its own right.
But those days have quietly passed, and akin to summiting a mountain, the only direction left to go was down.
It was not the end, far from it. Merely the prelude.
It wasn't a matter of 'if' or 'how', but rather 'when.'
Four years was a very long time to devote oneself wholly to a game such as YGGDRASIL. This timeframe doesn't even take into account the additional playtime and years spent playing together beforehand, during their time as Nine's Own Goals, or the individual time spent playing before that. Some of them have played YGGDRASIL during the first year of its release, such as with Touch Me or Nishikienrai. Shirou himself was slowly coming up on his seven-year tenure in the digital domain.
Time passes, and life continues onward.
And of late, over the past several months of this year, Player attendance and activity have started to wane and dip within the guild.
Shirou couldn't pinpoint a date for when it all began, but it was a gradual process.
In the very beginning, it was the odd member here and there. Time and days spent playing fluctuated, and they only increased as the days and weeks passed by.
It wasn't uncommon of a sight that sometimes, only half of the members would be online for a few short hours before logging off. In other cases, they would be online at irregular intervals during the week. There were even times when a couple of them wouldn't be online for a few days at a time. The largest case before was Touch Me, where he was offline completely for a whole week and a half.
But now, slowly and with increasing regularity, his friends and fellow guild members were logging in fewer hours than they did before. Their playtime gingerly dwindled as time went on. These gaps in time were becoming a regular occurrence. They grew ever sparser with every passing week, leading to the difference in login and playtime.
Peroroncino and Bukubukuchagama's situation was but the latest of this. And if theirs were anything to go off of, then it would only continue further down that path.
And in many ways, Shirou anticipated it.
Playing YGGDRASIL was an enjoyable experience for the guild members of Ainz Ooal Gown. However, it was ultimately just a game - a temporary source of entertainment. As time passed, it wasn't too difficult to imagine a handful of the guild members feeling burned out or fatigued due to various reasons. Especially given the supar performance of the shitty devs and how they chose to run YGGDRASIL in addition to the overall player base.
In reality, the members had to balance their personal and professional lives with their gaming commitments. Every member of Ainz Ooal Gown was a working member of society and had responsibilities that demanded their attention. The delicate juggling act between their real-world lives and duties and their virtual gaming lives grew increasingly challenging. It was not uncommon for some members to miss out on gaming sessions due to their busy schedules. Even Touch Me, who was a prominent guild member, had to look after his family.
The fact of the matter was that there were times when they couldn't simply afford to log in to YGGDRASIL for one reason or another.
YGGDRASIL was merely one chapter in their lives, and with the passage of time, a new one will undoubtedly replace it.
Ainz Ooal Gown, they'll move on.
However, the same couldn't be said for Shirou's case.
Before he could continue further down that particular dark road, he quickly caught himself. Stopping in the middle of the hallway, he shook his head.
"It's ok... It's ok..." He repeated it like a mantra.
As he stood there, he sensed a presence up ahead, multiple in fact, coming his way. Shirou raised his head to see an entourage of maids being led by a butler rounding the corner and walking towards him. Recognition instantly dawned in his eyes as the crimson-cloaked Player looked upon the group of NPCs.
How could he not when Shirou had a hand in helping his guildmates bring them into this world.
The Pleiades Six Stars, led by none other than the head butler himself, Sebas Tian. The creator of whom was none other than the valorous World Champion himself, Touch Me.
Sebas Tian stood tall and firm in his archetypical butler attire, with broad shoulders and a commanding presence. From what he remembered, Touch Me modeled the butler's appearance after himself, albeit with some aging to give the iron butler an air of authority and sophistication. Sebas had an immaculate beard and suave white hair, and his firm expression showed that he was ready to serve whenever he was called upon.
Just behind him were the Pleiades, a name that was associated with a group of six NPCs that comprised the group.
Yuri Alpha, the deputy leader of the group, and the creation of the healing brawler herself, Yamaiko.
Lupusregina Beta, the creation of the king of the jungle himself, Beast King Mekongawa.
CZ2I28 Delta, or Shizu Delta, as she was often called, was tinkered into existence by none other than the proud mechanic himself, Garnet.
Narberal Gamma belonged to the grand assassinator of Ainz Ooal Gown, Nishikienrai.
Solution Epsilon was designed from the mind of the great programmer himself, the slime monk Herohero.
Lastly, Entoma Vasilissa Zeta, who was created by the ever-reliable and organized Genjiro.
Despite their general humanoid appearance, they were in truth all Heteromorphs, following Ainz Ooal Gown's manifesto. Each maid possesses a charm and a perilous beauty that help distinguish them from one another.
As the NPCs approached him, they immediately kneeled in his presence, much like a peasant would prostrate to a king. An action no doubt set in place by the programming of one of his friends.
"There's no need for that, stand." Shirou was quick to say.
The NPCs immediately stood up, obeying his command.
"You know, you all don't have to kneel whenever one of us just happens to walk by." Shirou found himself conversing.
Much like with Aureole Omega, the NPCs did not respond to his words. The NPCs remained where they were, standing with their backs to the wall and giving him a wide berth, silent, with their heads dipped in respect.
A silence that persisted for a few more seconds.
'It's a good thing no one's here, or else the others might start to think I'm losing it...' The faker briefly mused.
As of late, Shirou had developed a habit that he found himself indulging in quite frequently. Whenever he was alone in the Tomb of Nazarick, which was quite often, he would spend time with the NPCs that kept him company. This particular idiosyncrasy had started as a whim, but as time passed, he grew accustomed to their presence and began treating them more like individuals with personalities and emotions, rather than mere mannequins with lines of code. Sometimes, he even struck up conversations with them, if only to break the monotony and silence that surrounded him. Their exquisitely detailed and lifelike appearance only added to his ease of falling into the role of conversing with them.
With the massive amount of points allotted to Ainz Ooal Gown upon their victorious raid, they had carte blanche to spend it however they wished on the creation of NPCs for the great tomb.
One of their greater undertakings was an idea proposed by the guild's resident mangaka and maid connoisseur himself, Whitebrim, and endorsed by the fashion consultant herself, Yamaiko, of having numerous level 1 homunculus maid NPCs roaming around the 9th floor - The Royal Suite. They wanted to give the illusion of hospitality and spark some much-needed life into the dreary tomb.
Many would've deemed such a thing to be wasteful, to spend their previous points on creating a host of level one NPCs that served little in the way of defending their base and more for decoration and aesthetic purposes than anything else. But for Ainz Ooal Gown, such an endeavor didn't matter. Especially since many of the members were on board with such an idea.
"Maid uniform is justice!"
Shirou could all too easily hear Whitebrim's excited voice and catchphrase whenever he talked about maids. A novelty that he championed with all his heart.
Following the general theme, these six specific NPCs were modeled to be maids, but not just any ordinary maids. They were battle maids, or more specifically, battle maiden knights.
They were all dressed in distinct maid uniforms that complimented their natural beauty. The frilly gowns were unique to each one of them and suited their appearance and body. Their uniforms were adorned with metallic plates that served as armor, creating a combination of fashion and function.
A smile crept its way onto his face as his eyes traveled from one to the next, briefly admiring the sheer detail on them. He reminisced fondly back on the discussion that led up to the conception and eventual creation of Pleiades today.
It was a general project that all the members contributed to, first, by throwing various ideas into the ring and seeing which one stuck. Eventually, the conception of the NPCs that would be known as the Pleiades evolved from that.
It went something like this: What was better than maids? Combat maids! What was even better than simple combat maids? Combat maids that were knights!
And thus, the Pleiades Six Star Knights were born.
It also made thematic sense since the Pleiades and Sebas were designed to be one of the last lines of defense should any invaders reach the 9th and 10th floors. Their purpose was to slow down any Players that managed to penetrate deep within the tomb and allow time for Ainz Ooal Gown to mount a final stand within the Throne Room.
It was too perfect of an opportunity to pass up. They had a throne room and even a king with his very own crown, no matter how many times Momonga tried to dissuade them from saying otherwise. It seemed only appropriate.
After all, who better to protect a king than a set of knights, dedicated to giving their lives to the very end?
For Shirou's contribution, he provided the Pleiades with weapons from his Excalibur series. For what was a knight without their valiant swords?
It seemed only fitting with the Greek alphabetic surname of the NPCs, and he thought it would be a cute idea and connotation. Plus, it was doubtful that he was going to ever use them, so the virtual magus figured he might as well put the weapons to good use rather than have them collect digital dust on a mantelpiece.
Of course, due to their levels and job classifications, the Pleiades couldn't properly wield them in their original forms. So, he, along with the help of Amanomahitotsu and Warrior Takemikazuchi, modified them for the NPC's usage. The modifications made them considerably weaker when compared to their original forms, but that didn't make them any less of a threat in the hands of the NPCs.
Entoma was given the simple but powerful Excalibur Zeta (ζ), in the form of a longsword. It was better suited for her specialty as a tailsmancer and as a secondary means of defense and attack.
Solution was gifted the swift and deadly Excalibur Epsilon (ε), taking the form of two thin-bladed stilettos. A weapon perfect for piercing strikes and backstabs and well suited for her job class as an assassin.
Narberal received the multipurpose Excalibur Gamma (γ), a blade bowstaff that doubled as a catalyst for her. Much like with Entoma, it served as a secondary means of defense or attack while also amplifying her spells as a magic caster.
Shizu was handed the deceptively but nonetheless lethal Excalibur Delta (δ), which was composed of several combat knives due to her primarily job class as a gunner. They could be wielded in close-quarter combat or thrown.
Lupusregina was bestowed with the destructive and massive Excalibur Beta (β), a giant zweihänder that complimented the NPC's strength and abilities.
Lastly, among all the Pleiades, only Yuri possessed her own Excalibur Alpha (α) in its original form, due to Yamaiko choosing to create her as a full-fledged knight with the appropriate classes. Because of this, she was the only one of the Pleiades that was capable of using her Excalibur to its fullest potential.
Lost in thought, he found himself fully immersed in the fond recollection of the lively banter that the guild members indulged in after they had successfully completed their task. The playful teasing from the likes of Luci*Fer and Peroroncino about their esteemed Guildmaster and king's supposed harem of alluring women was met with jovial banter and good-natured ribbing. Meanwhile, the mischievous threats and joking reprimands from the creators themselves, such as Yamaiko, Nishikienrai, and Herohero, were always in good humor, should Momonga ever decide to get handsy with their "daughters." And of course, the hilarious and exaggerated reactions from Momonga himself, who did his best to deny any accusation thrown his way, no matter how outlandish it seemed, were a source of great amusement for all.
Shirou internally chuckled, remembering the flustered state his undead friend was in at the constant ribbing and jokes.
'Honestly, we probably wouldn't be making so many jokes about him being a king if he didn't get flustered every time we brought it up. Oh well.' He mentally shrugged, smiling at all the fun memories at their Guildmaster's expense.
After all, that was what friends were for.
For a few brief moments, Shirou felt his spirits lifted, enjoying those once nostalgic days. However, as swiftly as it came, so too was it replaced by an all-too-familiar mood.
On the topic of his undead friend, an errant thought quickly settled in as he came to a sudden realization.
"That reminds me, Momonga-san never did log in after all. If he did, he would have sent a [Message] my way." Shirou commented aloud.
The matter in question was regarding his friend coming to him to ask for some advice—dating advice, to be exact, surprisingly enough.
Not one to be deterred, he lent his ear to Momonga's plight and offered whatever advice he could for his longtime friend.
The two talked for minutes on end before coming up with a plan. Knowing that Momonga's girlfriend too played YGGDRASIL, the magus suggested the idea of giving her a tour of the entire Tomb of Nazarick. Momonga was hesitant at the idea at first, not because she was an outsider and not a full-fledged member of the guild, but rather because he was worried that she wouldn't enjoy what amounted to a glorified field trip. It took a bit of encouragement on Shirou's part before his friend finally agreed and saw the merit behind it.
Momonga didn't remain online for long, logging out mere minutes after they were done talking. The Guildmaster of Ainz Ooal Gown promised to log in the very next day to make up for lost time.
A quick check of the logs showed he never once logged in or anything.
Despite this, Shirou couldn't find it within himself to muster any anger or disappointment at this, far from it. This was far from the first time something like this happened, where Momomga's free time was taken up by one thing or another. Similarly, he couldn't find fault in Peroroncino or Bukubukuchagama for prioritizing their personal lives and interests first, nor Touch Me's wishes to spend more time with his family, or even Ulbert's sudden attention outside of playing YGGDRASIL. The same sentiment was shared with the rest of the guild.
They all have their lives ahead of them, and if it comes to pass as a cost of spending less time online with him.
Then that was fine.
It would be fine...
And just like that, his mood quickly grew dour as before. His smile creased into a frown as a deep sigh left his lips. A hand pressed against his forehead, rubbing it to nurse the small headache that formed.
All but unnoticed by Shirou, the NPCs were looking at him, their expressions set and impassive as before. Yet, behind their stoic expression, there was a sense of concern lingering behind their vacant eyes. It was almost as if they could sense his plight but were unable to show their support for their liege lord. And it would continue unnoticed, as he was all too wrapped up in his thoughts.
Even Shirou recognized just how sporadic his thoughts were of late, a constant whiplash of back and forth between pleasant and melancholic reflections of the past.
"This is fine... It's fine..." He repeated, but it all rang hollow in his ear. Much like the weak whimpering of a child afraid of the dark, seeking a reprieve.
The virtual Player's body moved forward, propelled by instinct as he sought to rid himself of the dark thoughts. A feat easier said than done.
Unbeknownst to him at that moment, Sebas and the Pleiades were following right behind him in a dutiful line. Much like a duckling waddling after its mother.
It seemed that no matter how hard he tried, he could never rid himself of those dark thoughts that plagued his mind. They linger within the dark recesses of his mind, always ready to leap out in his moment of peace. Compounded by not only the forethought of an uncertain future but also by the admission that he had a small helping hand in all of this.
It was the nature of time, really. To change, some things had to be lost. There will come a day when his guildmates will log out for good. It could be in a year or two from now, or it could happen within the next couple of weeks, but whenever it may be, there was little doubt in his heart that it would come to pass.
Walking down the windy road known as life, Shirou, in his long life, has seen the backs of every single individual he ever called a friend, or something more, depart from his side. For one reason or another. Ainz Ooal Gown would soon add their names to that long list.
A time will come when they will arrive at a crossroads. Slowly, but surely. And when that time comes, his guildmates, his cherished friends must make a choice going forward.
They'll move on. And Shirou? He'll remain static, ever trapped in limbo.
It was a somber realization. Knowing that they would leave him all one day. One that kept him awake for days on end as he mulled over the uncertainty of it all. One that gave way to a much darker conclusion.
Ultimately, he made a choice. He could sit back and simply wait for the inevitable, or he could take matters into his own hands and prepare.
Forced between two unavoidable paths, Shirou chose the one that guaranteed the happiness of at least one party.
He couldn't ask for them to devote more of their time to this game, simply to soothe his wants and worries. Not when they all had their own lives to live and were as hectic as they were. His friends were moving forward, how could he possibly think of slowing them down? It would be simply unfair and beyond selfish of him.
For all his strength and prowess in the game, he was truly powerless outside it. He could not turn back the hands of time or hope to extend the present. The one thing he could do was prepare for the future. Not only for all of Ainz Ooal Gown but for himself as well.
It was why he had been as proactive as he could, trying his best to be a positive force in his friends' lives. He advised, taught, and comforted his friends in their times of need, with the understanding that time was limited. There was only so much time afforded to him, and Shirou planned to impart as much wisdom and support as he could. After all, it was the duty of the old to pave the road for the youth. All in the hopes that they would outgrow him so they could move on to better things.
To use a certain phrase from a certain cynic, life outside of YGGDRASIL was a "shit reality," but it was the only one they've got. And if he could somehow help them, no matter how insignificant it was, then he would.
A gentle nudge here, a soft suggestion there. All in the service of pushing them forward.
It was why he encouraged Bukubukuchagama to send resumes and ask around for jobs outside of her niche, and it seemed to be working wonders. For someone as talented as her, she deserved better.
It was why he helped both Peroroncino and Momonga gain the confidence they needed to not crumble under the weight of a serious relationship and all of its commitments. Maybe one day they will forge a family of their own.
It was why he had pushed the likes of Touch Me to open up to his family, so he no longer had to bear the burden of his failures alone. On and on, he poured every moment he could spare into helping and improving the lives of his fellow guildmates.
From lending some advice to the likes of Yamaiko in her career as a school teacher to offering an ear whenever one of them needed to vent such as Herohero, or even offering suggestions and general life advice in the case of Tabula. He did what he could, all so they would not require escapism and, by proxy, YGGDRASIL and himself.
Ever so slowly, but noticeably, it was working. Or at least, that was the faker's hope if the increasingly longer login dates were anything to go by.
He would see them on their way, to move forward and enter that new chapter of their lives with their heads raised high and ready for what the future held for them.
However, much like with his E-ranked luck in life, not everything was smooth sailing. Then again, it was arrogant and folly of him to think they wouldn't notice the changes in his usual attitude and demeanor, no matter how slight or insignificant they may appear to be. They've been together for years now. It would be more shocking if they didn't notice anything unusual.
Subtlety, it seemed, was still something that the magus was far from perfecting even now.
Just like the case with Bukubukuchagama, some of the members of Ainz Ooal Gown have noticed or suspected that Shirou wasn't acting his usual complete self. That he seemed almost withdrawn or aloof compared to before, that, and a sudden interest in their personal lives. The more astute members have even gone to him and asked if there was something wrong.
To which he would often deflect and downplay the entire matter to mix success. Most he had managed to dissuade their concerns, others not so much.
Shirou knew the only reason the more inquisitive members, such as Bukubukuchagama, Momonga, or anyone else for that matter, hadn't fully pressed him on this issue was due to the members' conflicting schedules and personal affairs. The faker placed a measure of faith in the fact that each member's personal affairs were more important than his own, and they would dismiss it as an idle issue and eventually forget about it. Their own lives and concerns took precedence over someone like him, thus aiding him in stalling the matter.
He and Ainz Ooal Gown were worlds apart. Literally.
In addition, Shirou knew better than anyone that none of his friends would try to press the issue if it came down to it and would fold with some coaxing. After all, they seemed to believe it was a mostly minor issue, or they trusted him to be capable of fending for himself. They trusted him. And he was using that trust against them.
He felt a tinge of anger at himself for putting them in such distress, making their questions and good nature clash, creating a conundrum he could exploit for time. All because of his selfishness. But it would only stall them for so long.
He could only hope he could continue this dance of theirs long enough that they'd be able to move forward and put him behind them. But if push came to shove...
Shirou stopped for a moment, pausing to allow his resolve to catch its breath. The turmoil of it all had produced a nasty headache. It was far from the first time he suffered through these tumultuous times, and it was doubtful it'd be the last.
Massaging his forehead to ease his nasty headache, he looked up to see where exactly he was, having been completely lost in his thoughts, wallowing in his desolation.
Since his aimless departure from the Throne Room, Shirou has found himself circling back near it. More specifically, he was standing in the middle of the Lemegeton, a hall that stood before and led up to the great entrance of the Throne Room itself.
The domed hallway was massive in size, with rows of niches lining the wall of the circular room. Each one was filled with a golem in the appearance of demons. The room took inspiration from the legend of the Lesser Key of Solomon, with each golem modeled after one of the seventy-two pillars.
"It's better this way." Shirou muttered to himself. It was a simple truth, even if he wished otherwise.
No matter what, he would continue on the path he set for himself. For his friends' wellbeing, he would encourage them in their endeavors and support their dreams. They would be the ones to build their road to heaven, brick by brick. They were sturdy survivors and would continue to be, even after he was gone.
Peroroncino was on his way to becoming an artist and was part of a healthy relationship. While he never personally met this 'Reina-chan', the fact that she was someone who accepted him, pervert and all, meant that Shirou could rest easy knowing that he was in good hands. From the way things were, they might eventually move up from just boyfriend and girlfriend and become some more, and he wished him the best of luck in his future.
Then there was Bukubukuchagama. She had been a fairly successful voice actress, despite the risqué genre she typically worked in. Now, she wasn't only that, but also a possible idol. True, that position was still in the air, but it had already done wonders for her confidence and mood. He hadn't heard anything regarding romantic developments, but he was sure that whoever she ended up with would be a lucky individual.
The two siblings will be just fine, they've got each other to depend on.
Just like with Momonga, who, in a twist no one in the guild saw coming, managed to snag someone for himself. And if the stories the undead Player had shared with him held any truth, then the faker knew his timid friend was in capable hands. Over the years, Momonga had grown and improved, and his girlfriend would be there to provide him with comfort where Shirou could not.
Touch Me was already set for life even before YGGDRASIL, so there was little to worry about on that front. Perhaps he'll finally have that second child he once admitted to wanting to Shirou that one time. While Ulbert and he never talked that much, the magus knew he was a survivor and could no doubt take care of himself as he'd always done.
And so forth for every other member.
Shirou found himself cracking the slightest of smiles, his body untensed, and he closed his eyes, imagining the future held for his guildmates. A budding hope to replace the somber dread.
The virtual magus was confident everything would work out for everyone in Ainz Ooal Gown, one way or another—they'd be fine without him.
But what about you…?
He choked back a gasp, his eyes snapping open as a voice he thought long gone whispered in his ear. Rin, his better half, who had saved him from becoming Archer... for a time.
But, as much as he wanted to ignore the words, they rang true. In the recesses of his mind, his near non-existent self-worth called out.
His guildmates, his friends, would be fine, but what about Shirou himself? What would happen to him? Did he not deserve a chance at happiness after all he'd been through?
Was it not cruel to have him rekindle what he thought was once lost, only to have it ripped away once more by the world at large? To waste away within this digital domain alone.
Could one truly even call that living?
How ironic that now the roles were reversed. In the beginning, it was he who refused to slow down, striving forward with his selfish ideals, uncaring of companions that couldn't keep up. Now, he was the one lagging, unable to tread the road of life, tired as he was. In comparison, his friends were energetic. Even the oldest among them, Touch Me, seemed to bounce off the wall when it came to matters of his family, acting like the most common age demographic YGGDRASILL tended to attract.
Before, he walked alongside his friends, and when Momonga took charge, leading Ainz Ooal Gown to new heights, it was Shirou that kept to the background. He would be the arm around their shoulders, the helping hand ready to support them and push them forward whenever needed.
He was behind them every step of the way, but ever so slowly, as they marched forward, Shirou was slowing down. Eventually, he stopped while they surpassed him. Disappearing forever into obscurity as their shadows blanketed him. Never once looking back.
It was only a matter of time before these once lively halls would grow silent and vacant. Where the merry laughter and banter of his friends would become nothing more than a faint memory, an echo of what once was. Until only he remained to walk along these once hallowed grounds. Where only the lifeless NPCs would be left to keep him company in the distant, murky future.
He'll only have himself to keep himself company, but for how long? Days, weeks, maybe months, perhaps even years?
He would be well and truly alone once more, and this time around, there will be no more second chances.
You save everyone, but, who saves you?
Shirou's breath hitched, panting under his breath. The shadows cast by the crystal lamps on the ceiling of the Lemegeton stretched and grew, dancing as the lugubrious dimmed all around. Darkness fostered and spread from every corner, entrapping the Fake Player. Tunnel vision slowly took over his sight. The golem's demonic visage grew sharp, all but sneering at him as if judging his actions and mocking his motives.
How fitting it was that their guild base, their home, was that of a great tomb.
A reminder of ages past and a monument to everyone's efforts that would remain after they no longer would.
Shirou, he was present at the beginning of it all, and at the end, he'll be the one to put up the chairs, turn off the light, and lock the door behind him. He would be the one to bring it all to a close.
In the end, it seemed Shirou was destined to be alone one way or another.
"I-I... need some fresh air..." Shirou muttered, despite the validity of that statement being quite dubious in his circumstances.
In the deep silence, his voice was thunderous as it reverberated through the empty chamber, with none to challenge or accompany his words. Shirou's footsteps echoed as he ran out of the room and put everything behind him. The massive double door leading to the Throne room, the great hall itself, everywhere seemed all that much larger, closing in on him.
Shirou needed a distraction, something, anything.
Back within the Lemegeton, Sebas and the Pleiades remained stationary within the center of the hall, having followed him all this time. There they stood, watching as Shirou sprinted out of the cavernous room before disappearing in a ray of light, having used the Ring of Ainz Ooal Gown to teleport away from the floor.
The NPCs remained unmoving, but that was far from the truth. A closer inspection revealed tiny trembles that racked their frames, almost as if they were struggling against some unknown force keeping them at bay. Soon, they began walking again, out of the Lemegeton and into the various halls of the 10th floor, resuming their patrolling as they were programmed to do. However, there was a marked difference in their demeanor. Where before they held their heads high and proud, they walked with their heads lowered, imbued with a solemn air that seemed to weigh heavily on them.
It was as if they were consumed by a deep sense of shame.
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