Chapter 14, The Forest Predator.

They were both silent, looking at each other.

Finally, despite the possible danger posed by the girl in front of him, Shirou decided to take the risk, anyway, if what Altrouge had told him was true, then Manaka wouldn't kill him without thinking.

"Why are you trying to hide it?" The redhead began. I do not get it…

"Shi-kun, how much do you remember?" she asked interestedly; but calm, or at least, that's what it seemed, because deep down she was enormously worried.

If I had had this conversation years ago, he would have responded immediately and without much thought; but having lived with magus for several years had taught him a certain caution. I remember that you are part of a family of magi, and that I met you in this park almost a decade ago. I am right?

This was a lie, the only thing Shirou knew for sure was that he and Manaka had met in this park; that his younger version had caught his attention and, for almost a week, he had been trying to talk to her so that she would begin to open up to him. He knew that over time, they had become close and played constantly in the park together with Tachie and Ayaka, which, interestingly enough, was the name of Manaka's younger sister. This one had the same name as her classmate, which was not very strange.

However, both his survival against the black mud, as well as his claim that he had made his Od force him to walk when he had no strength during the accident, were more than enough evidence to let him know that Manaka was related to the Enlightened World by Moon.

"I see…" Deep down, she had calmed down. "Just remember that..." Then, she smiled again with her typical smile that denoted innocence. Yes, it is as you say. I guess the right thing to do would be to introduce myself again, my name is: Manaka Sajyou. You and I met in this park almost a decade ago, we became friends here, and we hung out together until the accident happened, and we've been together ever since.

"Sajyou!? Just like Ayaka!? But what is the probability that there are two families of magus with the same surname in the same country? Logic said that, considering the number of people in Japan, the odds were high; but, considering the pride of the magus, it was unlikely that they would agree to share their family name with another family; Besides, Ayaka hadn't told her about her hugely talented older sister?

"It should…?". He looked doubtfully at the girl. Mana-chan…

She smiled radiantly. Yes, Shi-kun?

"Ayaka, my partner in the Clock Tower, is she your little sister?

It was only for a few moments, Manaka's gaze showed a really worrying coldness; however, she returned to her usual attitude just as quickly as she snapped out of it. That's right, Shi-kun. I am also as surprised as you, our father was not very close to the Clock Tower, so seeing her studying there surprised me a lot.

—But that doesn't make sense, I didn't recognize her because of my amnesia; but why didn't she recognize me? the boy asked.

Manaka made a thoughtful gesture holding her chin. Perhaps she suffered something similar to what you suffered? Perhaps his memories of what happened before the accident have been erased...

If what he knew was true, he was the only person to come out of that fire unscathed, if Ayaka had been involved in the accident that spelled the end of the war, then wouldn't she also have been counted along with him as the only ones? who came out of the disaster unscathed? On the other hand, it is possible that she would not have been taken to a hospital and that her family would have taken over.

"I see... But why did you try to hide our relationship from me?" I don't see any reason to do it.

She looked down. I was hoping to spare you bad memories.

-Bad memories? he asked confused. It is… it is true that, to see everything that I have lost… It is something painful; but…" Shirou smiled. They are still a part of me, important memories that I treasure. I may never see my parents or Tachi again; but, at least I can see you and Ayaka. Remembering the times I spent with both of them, even if it brings some pain, is not something I can just ignore...

"Shi-kun…" Manaka smiled, even if he had lost his memory, he was still the same boy who helped others with a smile and was extraordinarily stubborn when he set his mind to something. You haven't changed much Shi-kun, even you're still chasing the same dream.

-Hey? The same dream?

Manaka nodded. After knowing each other for a while, you confessed to me that you had inherited the dream of your ancestors, the dream of creating the ultimate sword.

-Really?

-Yes Yes. And I promised you that I would help you achieve it.

"Is that why you were talking about fulfilling my dream?"

She smiled-. Exactly! I will help you fulfill your dream of creating the ultimate sword. After all, I'm a really amazing magus, you know?

"Ayaka said that you were truly a prodigy like no other.

She nodded happily.

"By the way, Mana-chan…?

-Yes?

He was careful not to implicate her directly with his next question, he didn't know how she would take it. Do you know anything about the holy grail war? Since your family was present in the city when the ritual took place…

She nodded. Yes, my father did a lot of research on that ritual; but he didn't tell me much about it.

"So it's like with Rin? Her family participated, but she stayed away? I guess it makes sense, by the time the war took place, she must have been just entering her teens."

"By the way, Shi-kun," she said as she sat on one swing and invited Shirou to sit on the other one.

He accepted the invitation. Yes?

—I was awake for a while before you fell asleep, so I could hear and see some things, tell me: How are you going to kill the Forest of Ainnash? You have a plan, right?

Shirou smiled a bit nervously— Yes, something like that.

Manaka narrowed her eyes. Shi-kun…? What is your plan?

"Well, the Forest of Ainnash isn't the apostle itself, is it?" That is to say, it is a marble of reality that is being controlled by the dead apostle in the center of it.

Manaka shook her head. You're wrong, Shi-kun, Ainnash was a magus who became a dead apostle. He was killed by the White Princess of the Dead Apostles, and she left his body near a bloodsucking tree. It took the blood from Ainnash's corpse, which transformed the tree, and later the forest, into a ghostly species, thus making it the second generation of the dead apostle.

-Really? This took Shirou by surprise. Still, the key to eliminating Ainnash, be it the forest or the apostle, remains the same: it is not to destroy the entire forest, but to destroy the original bloodsucking tree that absorbed the dead apostle's blood.

The girl nodded. But there are things you seem not to have taken into account, Shi-kun...

-Like what?

—The forest is a ghostly species, it feeds on the environment and magical energy, so it is almost impossible for sorcery and similar abilities to be used within its confines. Even if people possess magic circuits, they won't work because the magical energy of the ley lines is dominated by the forest. Only personal abilities can be used, while supernatural powers that rely on outside energy are sealed. Simply put, you can't use sorcery.

-I know; but I hope this makes a difference.

-This? He said as he swung around and looked at Shirou.

"Vorpal, it's one of my swords, and it's specifically strong against ghostly species. Shirou started swinging as did Manaka. I hope that carrying him will make a difference and weaken Ainnash's domain enough that I can use my magic circuits.

"Hmn, not bad, but there is still something else…

-Shoot.

"How do you plan to guide yourself into Ainnash?" Its core is impossible to find due to the constant movement of the forest. Its size is not incredibly large, but it is not possible to locate something that does not remain in the same place within the time it remains manifested.

—If I manage to use sorcery within the forest, I will be able to use Berkano and Raidho to guide me, as well as to hide within the forest; Also, I'll be able to use the rune I recently learned to improve my speed, I hope it won't take more than a few hours to get to the core.

-Not bad; but it all depends on that weapon working. Even so, I will teach you something else, use it in case you find yourself in danger..

-Hey? What...?

Manaka began to draw a rune in front of the boy. This rune is CWeorþ, the concept of which refers to the sacred fire that burns and consumes the body of the fallen. Under this approach, the CWEORÞ rune represents the purifying and reducing action of fire itself, in a very close relationship to Myspell or the primal fire of creation. Against the murderous forest that fed on those it murdered, this purifying fire was extremely effective.

"CWeorþ?" I don't think I've ever heard of this... —said the confused boy.

Manaka smiled. Didn't I tell you? I'm an amazing magus, now, I also want you to learn this one: Yr.

"Yr?" What does this rune mean?

Manaka began to explain to him. The exact meaning of this rune had not yet been precisely established, however, it is described as "part of the war machine", although there is no complete certainty to what it refers. For now, the rune had been given two possible aspects, the second aspect, and where the deepest meaning of the rune is heading, is the discipline and responsibility that carries and knows how to use any of these objects. Simply put, the rune helps to use the weapon more efficiently.

Shirou nodded. I understand, if I use it with Vorpal, it can be of great help.

"Exactly, but I suggest you use it when you're close to the original tree, if you use it early on, the forest will recognize you as a much bigger threat, and try to kill you harder." She then approached the boy, standing behind him. Now I'm going to show you how to record them, and more effects that they can have depending on how you use them...

—Y-Yes… —At this moment, Shirou felt a bit uncomfortable, Manaka was too close to him, and he was sure that she was doing it on purpose. This feeling was not only due to the fact of having a beautiful girl so close to his person, but despite everything, he still does not forget how dangerous she could be and yet he was sure that taking her away would only bring him harm. even more problems.

During the time that the dream lasted, which for Shirou seemed much longer than it should be, Manaka kept explaining everything about them, how to record them, their different meanings, their effects depending on how they were used, etc. To the boy's surprise, Manaka turned out to be an excellent teacher, making sure that he understood her explanations and adjusting her teachings to his learning pace, until the world began to whiten...

"Looks like our time is up. Moouu... I already want us to see each other again...

Shirou smiled. Well, it's not like we haven't been seeing each other lately...

She smiled-. That means I'm recovering. Soon we will be able to see each other in reality and not only in dreams, look forward to it, Shi-kun. I'll take you as mine when the time comes... Don't you dare die until then.

Those last words gave her a certain chill, they were too sweet for the meaning they contained; however, he could not answer her, because the world vanished in a matter of moments.

When he opened his eyes, an announcement was heard over the speakers:

"Dear passengers, much to our regret, this train entered the Predator Forest of Ainnash. While we fix the problem, please take care of your own safety."

Shirou got up knowing that was his signal.

Marie jumped out of bed and rushed to the window, there she could see it: A totally black forest, almost like a strange world shrouded in darkness, even in broad daylight. Everything gleamed with a dark reddish coloration that made the trees resemble the entrails of an animal. If a person looked closely at the trees, they could see that they were covered in snow due to the weather and, more importantly, the roots of the forest and the trees secreted blood as if it were sap. For a moment, growls seemed to be heard from within it.

Gray, meanwhile, got up confused muttering the word Faker...

"T-This is the seventh dead apostle? Marie asked terrified.

Even Rin, with her bad awakening, got up immediately and her reaction was no different from Lord Animusphere's. H-How the hell did we end up here?

Gray wandered over to the windows in confusion. This forest… there is something wrong with this forest—For a moment, the image of a certain magus and the monster she became appeared in his memory; but, by comparison, this was really worse. I-I'll see.

-Waiting! Marie yelled. Do you want to die!?

"Gray…" Rin said in a whisper. Look outside for a little longer...

Three magi had exited the train despite the warning. It seemed that his pride was too great to listen to reason.

— Embodiment of Desire, Noble Spirit! the three shouted.

Normally, this spell would summon flames that they would surely use to burn the forest. But no flame was generated... And, in a matter of seconds, the branches of the trees attacked the magus impaling them and devouring their blood in a matter of seconds.

"This is the Predatory Forest of Ainnash, sorcery is useless here," Altrouge said, as Shirou handed him what appeared to be some sort of amulet.

—I found it while we were looking for the head, give it to the professor when he wakes up, maybe it will help…

The Princess nodded.

"How are we going to escape?" Gray asked. Maybe if we work together...

Marie shook her head. It will not be enough, I understand that the Rail Zeppelin has a trump card; a projector with mystical eyes, but I doubt even that will be enough to free us from the forest —said Lord Animusphere worried about to lose his self-control—. Wh-what do we do?

—We can't do anything, the train has already been rooted by the branches of the forest, it won't let us go. The only thing we can do is wait for the driver and the auctioneer to give us a solution —the Tohsaka heiress spoke worriedly. What do you think, Shirou-kun? Rin turned to see her partner. What are you doing?

They all turned to see the boy. Shirou was taking his swords. Getting ready to go out…

-What? What the hell are you talking about!? Rin asked.

"Are you insane, Emiya!?" Didn't you see what just happened!? Lord Animusphere shouted. What about our contract!? You have to protect me! Or have you forgotten!?

"Of course not Lord; but, in this case, the only way to protect it is by eliminating the enemy itself; otherwise, it will be a matter of time before the forest consumes the Rail Zeppelin.

"And how do you plan to do it, Shirou-kun!?" Do you even have a plan!?

Shirou nodded. Yes, not the best; but i have one. I will go into the forest. Thanks to the tools I have, it should be possible for me to reach the core, once there, I just have to destroy the original tree.

"Original tree?" Do you know how insane that sounds!? Rin asked surprised and concerned.

-Yes; but it is our only option. I highly doubt that, even by mobilizing the Animusphere family and the El-Melloi family, we will be able to get out of this mess easily and, to be honest, this is the response of the train managers.

-What are you talking about? Gray asked.

"We were called in last night, hired to kill the Seventh Apostle," Altrouge replied.

This surprised those present. That's crazy! Marie said.

—Don't worry, let's say that the administrators have a backup plan in case I fail; but this is our only option, at least for now. He then turned to Marie. I will go inside Ainnash, meanwhile, Rouge will stay here to protect you, that way we will continue to fulfill our contract.

Shirou took both Vorpal and Neocaliburn, then looked at his third weapon: Black Barrel. He didn't know if he should carry it, unlike his swords which, while heavy, were still light when compared to the weight of his rifle. Shirou could clumsily use Neocaliburn with one hand, and Vorpal was easy to use that way; but the Black Barrel had to be used with both hands, it was bigger and longer than his swords, so he had to carry it on his back, and above all, it was heavier than a normal rifle, and this could slow him down; but on the other hand, he was facing the dead seventh apostle, he couldn't spare any expense or, rather, weapons.

He took the big rifle and loaded it on his back. See you later. —Saying this, Shirou left the room.

"Aren't you going to do anything to stop him?" Rin asked the Princess. Even you must know it's crazy.

-I know; but it was he who decided it. Then she smiled. Also, just because I let him try, doesn't mean I'm going to let him die.

Rin felt like she was going to get a terrible headache. What do you think, Gray? But to his surprise, the girl was no longer in the room. Gray?

"He left shortly after Shirou left," Altrouge spoke up.

In the corridors of the train...

—¡Shirou!

"Gray?" What are you doing here?

The girl came and stopped behind him. If we both go, we have more chances to beat the forest.

Shirou shook his head. Yes you're right; But, if we both go, who will take care of the teacher?

This made the girl lower her gaze.

—If Faker attacks again, Rin won't be able to fight her alone, the only one who can face him is you. Shirou didn't doubt that Altrouge could crush Faker with his eyes closed; but he also did not doubt that, little or nothing, the safety of his master really mattered to the Princess.

-But…

"Don't worry, I'm not going to die yet. I wouldn't consider something like this if I didn't have a chance to achieve it." After saying this, the redhead opened the door, the icy wind entered the train. Okay, see you later.

Gray was about to grab her hand; but stopped at the last second. She could only watch as the boy entered the murderous forest...

"Insecure Gray!" Indecisive Gray! When will you step forward!?

Normally, Gray would shake Add's box to shut him up; but, this time, she believed that he had a point, again, Marie's words echoed in her head. Also, the image of Touko living as freely as she wanted, which she saw during the Iselma twins case, hit her head on... Still, she couldn't do anything anymore, Shirou was right, at this point, if Faker were to attack, she was the only one who had any chance of defeating her. Knowing this, she returned to her room.

By his side, Shirou entered the forest, once he took the first step, he felt a shiver run through his entire body and a feeling of apprehension enveloped him. The redhead tried to turn on his magic circuits; however, they did not respond.

"Well, as I imagined… Now let's hope it works as I hope it will."

Shirou unsheathed the Vorpal and raised it in front of him, suddenly, he felt a change, something inside him changed and the feeling that the forest had given him disappeared around him. Okay, let's try it again.

Once again, Shirou tried to turn on his magic circuits and unlike the first time, this time they turned on. Vorpal's weakening effect worked by nullifying the domain of the forest and allowing him to use his circuits, however it seemed that the power of the forest was so great that Vorpal's effect could only weaken the domain of the forest on him alone.

Suddenly, three branches launched themselves against him trying to impale him; but, using Vorpal, he quickly cut them down. Without delay, he picked up a small stone that had the Berkano rune carved on it.

Berkano, he remembered his investigations, about this, "The most obvious Truth is hidden in the depths, and only you will know it", it is a rune that could be used in various ways, among its uses, it can be used as a rune tracking, although this was not his most favored use.

Later, he wrote the rune, Raidho, to guide him, with his shoes. Raidho, "The journey is the destination", this is a more travel focused rune, and can also be used as a form of tracking along with Berkano, Raidho will expose hidden dangers along the way so that no new or strange places circumstance may stalk him during travel. Together with Berkano, they form a kind of protection that favors a safe journey to the indicated destination.

Then, with Ehwaz writing in front of his eyes, "The road is hard and lonely and there is no end in sight," Ehwaz is said to represent the flow of mental energy from the root (chakra) level to the spiritual level. head in mind, bringing cosmic consciousness; obviously, with his level of mastery of the runes, the most the boy could do, was to increase his vision even more, as well as give him some help in terms of spatial vision, increasing it.

After getting everything ready, he said the aria. Time alter, Double Accel.

The less time he spent inside the forest, the better. So he sped off into the depths of this...

Outside the dimension of the Rail Zeppelin…

Some "zombies" were dangerously approaching a "cook" dressed in white who, from inside his clothes, took out some pistols while saying: "Zombie cooking with Jean-Mario Supinerra!" He then proceeded to shoot the zombies in the head. Let's enjoy one more day of a good charred zombie. "All this while cooking a steak." Here ends the zombie kitchen!

—¡Corten!

The cook, Jean-Mario Supinerra, was a tall blond man. He had great charisma and a fine beard. He was wearing an all white suit.

Kairi clapped her hands at Mario's performance, while Luvia looked at him in surprise. Apparently they were filming a cooking show.

Kairi and Mario hugged each other, the first congratulating the second.

"Good job, Jean-Mario!"

"Thank you, Kairy.

Luvia looked at them confused. Does this man really have information about the Clock Tower?

-Of course. I present to you, Luvia, this is my old friend, Jean-Mario Supinerra.

Mario raised his hand in greeting. Nice, miss, I know all about gastronomy and the press," he said, bowing. While we talk, would you mind if we eat something?

Luvia, Kairi, and Mario sat at a table. Mario served each of them a steak.

-That's lovely! The meat is just right and the sauce gives it just the right flavor —Luvia said pleasantly as she tasted the food. But this served to remind him of something: "Now that I think about it, I still haven't tasted Shero's food…".

Mario was pleased by the praise. Thank you very much, the sauce contains Madeira wine and a little soy sauce.

—That's great; but can we cut to the chase? Kairi said.

-Ahead.

"I thought you were going to board the Rail Zeppelin, I don't think you abandoned the idea for a simple last minute recording, did you?"

Mario turned serious at the implication. Of course not; but, Kairi, do you know who is inside the Rail Zeppelin right now?

"I don't know all the passengers, but I'm working for one.

"Then let me enlighten you: Two Lords, an assassin of the Church, the boss of one of the most dangerous mafias today, the son of a magus assassin…" Mario smiled. Once I heard that all those names were gathered in one place, I decided that the mixture was too explosive for my taste and I preferred to let it go this time.

"I see, do you remember the case of the headless bodies in London from 10 years ago?

"I do, every press-related magus does.

"A similar case was repeated on the Rail Zeppelin," Kairi said as she finished eating her steak.

"I see… In the past there were seven victims. All of them were believed to possess a mystical eye.

"I don't recall ever hearing of such a case," Luvia said.

"The Clock Tower and the church silenced him. They only talked about it a couple of times on the local networks. And the Clock Tower keeps the recording tapes.

"Did they solve the case?"

'They investigated with the Church and solved it, a friend from Scotland Yard confirmed it for me. But…

-What happen? Kairi asked.

Mario placed a hand on his chin. It seems that this case is causing a furor… Recently a woman from Astromancy came to ask about it.

«A woman of Astromancy?». Luvia slipped Mario a check. Could you tell us your name?

Mario took the check and said. Trisha Fellows.

This made Kairi and Luvia look at each other in surprise.

Back on the train...

Marie and Altrouge had left the room.

"It's really cold…" Rin said sitting on one of the beds. I don't think the heating of the train is enough.

"How is the teacher?" Gray asked, she was sitting next to the bed.

—Okay, I don't know what you and Shirou did; but the damage disappeared in its entirety. You just need to wake up.

Suddenly, a bloody hand stained the window.

The two girls were surprised, however, Gray calmed down a bit when he saw that it was Melvin who, for some reason, was outside the train.

"Why is there someone outside...?" Rin asked as she watched Melvin bleed to death.

After a few minutes, the tuner was drinking hot chocolate inside the train.

"When I heard Waver was here, I came by helicopter. But suddenly this forest appeared and knocked him down and engulfed him, for a moment, I thought I would die, but I managed to survive the crash and luckily I was close to the train and still the branches attacked me and I almost died several times.

"Wow…" exclaimed the tomb keeper.

"It's surprising that the master knows the legendary tuner," Rin said.

"Yeah, we've known each other for years." Melvin got up and walked over to where Waver was. What a fool you are, really, you're still as foolish as ever. You could choose to live a much easier life." Melvin put a hand to the Lord's forehead. Gray, can I ask you a question?

-Yes.

"Who left Waver in this state?" Melvin flashed a rather aggressive grin. If it wasn't me, who?

-You'll see…

However, there was a knock on the door...

Melvin opened it and, outside the room, they were: Karabo, Yvette, and Rodin.

They asked them to accompany them to one of the wagons...

"Do you want our help to free the train?" Rin asked.

—Not exactly, it is impossible to free the train, the forest has already trapped it in its entirety. Soon, the Rail Zeppelin will be consumed within the domain of the forest, and even within the train we will not be able to use our sorcery," explained Rodin.

-Then?

"We're looking to move the domain of the forest away from the train, if only momentarily," Yvette spoke up.

"But how are we going to do it?" Young Tohsaka asked.

"I have some knowledge of the Ainnash Forest, it is sometimes talked about in the Holy Church.

"In the Holy Church?"

Karabo nodded. We have tried to destroy it for centuries. Ainnash, the forest itself, is a living being that thinks and devours. He is said to be a reality marble that has mutated and is controlled by a dead apostle with the same name. Karabo took several of his black keys. If we mark several points of the ley lines near the train, we can reactivate them and momentarily move the domain of the forest away from the train.

—We ask the rest of the passengers for help; but they have all shut themselves in," said Rodin.

—The snake lady and Lord Animusphere also refused to help. How uncooperative they all are...

"It's better to have backup," Karabo spoke up. Will they help us?

Gray and Rin looked at each other for a few seconds and, seeing that they had no other choice, they both nodded.

"We will…" Gray said.

"Would you allow me to join too?" Melvin asked.

"No," Rin said. Someone has to take care of the teacher, it's better to be his friend, don't you think so? Melvin nodded, albeit a little depressed. Then she turned to Rodin. How are we supposed to fight the forest if we can't use sorcery?

"I think I can help you with that…" Melvin took a small case he was carrying and took out a violin, he began to play it.

-This is? Rin asked as she felt her magic circuits activate.

"My body is heating up…" Gray said as his circuits also activated.

"The sound resonates with our magic circuits and activates them," Yvette said as her circuits activated as well. How nice. Are you Melvin Weins? The legendary tuner?

"Wow…" Karabo spoke as he watched as the circuits of all the magus became "tangible".

"I attuned your circuits to the forest domain and increased their power, the effect is temporary and will only last a few hours. But I hope it is useful.

-Thanks a lot; but why does he do it? Gray asked.

"I do whatever it takes to see things that are entertaining," Melvin replied with a smile.

Thus, the group got out of the train and saw how it was almost completely covered by the branches of the forest.

"Be careful, it is likely that when we least expect it, it will attack us. We are lucky that, despite being inside the forest, being in the vicinity of the train, its domain is not absolute.

"What if it was?" Rin asked Karabo.

"The entire forest wouldn't let us see anything." We would have to improve our eyesight or we would enter a world of perpetual darkness.

The group moved a little away from the train until they reached a tree, Karabo threw a black key near the tree, without touching its roots, because if he did, the forest would attack them immediately. At that moment, the line was reactivated and the tree shone with a white light for a few moments.

"I'll look for the other lines," Yvette said as she made a peace sign as various spirits surrounded her.

—I thought your sorcery was based solely on your mystic eye, when did you decide to learn Spiritual Evocation? Rin asked.

"A magus must try everything, so I decided to give it a try." The spirits began to point to another place. Come on, they say the forest is beginning to notice us; but he seems to be concentrating on something else more important, we must hurry.

"It would be nice to find two more points, let's continue," Karabo said as they all followed Yvette.

—Gray…

"What's wrong, Add?"

"This is bad, besides the forest, another terrible thing is watching us. Run away right now!

-Hey? Do not tell me!? Gray exclaimed, stopping.

"What's wrong, disciple?" Yvette said as she and the other two members of the group stopped.

"Sorry, go ahead."

-Why? Leaving you alone in this forest while it's snowing is a death sentence! Rin said.

"Please, I assure you I will catch up with you."

-What do we do? Yvette asked.

Karabo nodded. In agreement

Rin complained. They are both just as stubborn when they want to be! Then she was firm, but worried about Gray. Listen, don't go too far from the train, if the forest starts to react, run there.

Gray nodded.

With that said, Gray separated from the rest of the group. Then, she turned around and, a few meters away, was Faker.

She smiled-. That could be the dumbest thing you could do, did you manage to perceive me on your own?

—Add.

Add sighed. I figured we'd end up like this.

Add took his scythe form and Gray prepared to face the Servant.

"From what I see, the eccentric didn't come this time.

"Why did you attack my master?"

"Because I don't like it, just like I said," Faker replied.

"There has to be another reason you made him come."

"Well, try to make me talk to your weapon, that's how warriors understand each other."

"I told you, that's not my style.

"So you fight with your lips and not with your fists," he said with a smile. So why do you carry that gun?

Gray looked at his scythe. I... I can't bow down to you, I just want you to return the relic to my master by speaking.

"I see, so you're only up for that..." Faker not only thought twice, he unsheathed his short sword and attacked...

On the other hand, Rin, Yvette, and Karabo were battling against the branches and roots of the trees.

Karabo cut everything that came near with great and enormous speed for a man of his age. Rin shot Gandr rapidly at any branch or root that came near him. Yvette, for her part, cast powerful elemental spells with fire-based sorcery to burn down the trees, such as the noble spirit spell the magi had tried to use earlier.

"It seems that reactivating the previous line made the forest consider us a threat!

"Let's keep running, the moment we stop, they'll finish us off!" Karabo yelled.

"The next ley line is to the right, at one o'clock, under a giant rock!"

Karabo saw the rock and threw the black key.

Meanwhile…

Gray and Faker exchanged attacks in the middle of the snowy field.

Faker was smiling. I thought that in this era there were no longer warriors, I'm glad I met you two. Although they are still children, they have potential.

-Potential? Who is it? Gray asked.

"You and the boy. They walk between life and death while clinging to the former, and unlike mages, they fight directly as warriors.

"The teacher's pain is worth more than that!"

Faker laughed. I see, they are both motivated by different things; but it leads to the same result. Whether it's your desire to rise above figures from the past like me, or your loyalty to your precious master. If so, give it your all to prove yourself!

With the other group...

"There are too many!" Rin yelled.

—Something is wrong, the spirits are telling me that the forest is getting even more impatient…

-Fast! Let's slide! Karabo yelled.

The two magus and Karabo dashed down a hill momentarily avoiding being impaled by the branches.

"In the center of that hole!" There's the last ley line! Yvette yelled.

Karabo threw the last black key and, like the last two places, the area glowed before the atmosphere changed slightly to momentarily push away Ainnash's domain.

—¡GGGGGGROOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!

-What's that? Rin asked.

"Ainnash, we must flee quickly! Karabo said.

"But hadn't we liberated the environs from his domain?"

"We have only released Ainnash's influence on the surrounding ley lines, that doesn't mean that the entire forest stops serving him," Karabo said as he ran with the rest of the group to the Rail.

The trees shook violently and attacked twice as furiously as before, the roots shaking the ground with force and the snow falling more fiercely.

"There it is, quick!" Yvette yelled.

But before they could reach the train, the branches of the trees, as well as their trunks, surrounded them creating a kind of wooden cage bathed in blood. Karabo tried to cut the branches and Yvette tried to set them on fire; but they were too robust and replaced each other once removed.

"T-The air, it's getting heavy..." Rin said.

"Are they planning to drown us before they eat us?" Yvette asked.

Various branches shot out from all angles and Karabo tried to block all of them; but he couldn't and several branches dug into his body. Ahh…!

Little by little, the cage was closing and it was more difficult to see the outside.

"We have to get out, fast!" shouted the envoy of the Church.

Yvette had to jump back to avoid being impaled. For a moment, she began to whisper. turn around...

However, all was hushed up as a large amount of mana began to gather into a blade that Rin was displaying.

"A sword of Azoth?" Yvette asked.

The flow of mana increased and turned into a torrent of flames. Intensive Einäscherung! Rin shouted, a magic circle appeared in front of the blade and the flames launched like a great flamethrower against the wooden walls of the cage, passing through it, and creating a huge opening.

-Let's go! the Church member yelled.

A few minutes ago, in another part of the snowfield...

¡Clink!; ¡Clank!

Gray and Faker traded attacks; but unlike Faker, Gray was panting with exhaustion.

"I'm surprised you can fight at my level. You are not an ordinary girl, you really are worthy of admiration!

—¡GGGGGGROOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!

-The forest? Gray asked. An avalanche? —A huge avalanche of snow was approaching towards both of them.

"It's just the monster's rage." By losing his control over the ley lines, his dominance has been disturbed. Faker turned and walked away from Gray; but, feeling that it did not move away, she turned around again and asked him: "What are you doing?" If you don't run away, you will die.

"If I let you escape, the master will suffer afterwards. I wont allow it.

-Wow…

—Add, cancel limit, first level! Gray stopped holding his scythe as Add transformed into a large hammer. You will not approach the master!

The heroic spirit smiled. Well said!

With this exchange of words, both of them charged towards each other while being covered by the storm.

Meanwhile, even deeper into the forest…

Shirou was running at full speed while being chased by the branches and roots of the forest, at first not many were chasing him; but, the closer he got to the center of it, the more branches and roots activated to hunt him down. At this time, he had used Anzus on Vorpal covering the blade of the sword in flames, in this way, Shirou tried to push away any branch or root that came near him.

-Demons! Shirou had to turn at high speed because a tree appeared out of nowhere. Really this forest is totally against me.

-Actually yes. Although, what did you expect? You are trying to kill him.

A disembodied voice resounded throughout the place. The one who spoke was none other than another of the 27 Dead Apostles: Merem Solomon. He and Shirou had met a few minutes ago, and it seemed that Merem wasn't really in the forest, but was nearby, projecting her voice to where the redhead was.

"So you're just here to feed your demons?"

-That's how it is. Believe it or not, the soil in this forest works well as food for my demon beasts.

Shirou slid dodging some branches heading towards his head. And isn't approaching the forest too dangerous to just feed them?

"Yeah, that's why I let them go and eat, while I stay outside. By the way, Shirou-chan, do you know that Ainnash is dead?

"Shirou-chan?" I thought you would hate me...

-Why? Because of your relationship with Altrouge? It's true I hate her, and I'll probably kill you if you ever try to stop me from killing her; but your relationship with her attracts my curiosity more than anything else.

Shirou shook his head. Yes, I know about the death of the first generation. But what does that matter at this point?

"Nothing, nothing, it's just that I plan to take you to the core if you tell me how he died."

Roots rose from the depths of the earth; but Shirou managed to dodge them just before they could go through him. Afterwards, he threw multiple stones with the Sowilo rune engraved on them and set the roots on fire to prevent them from following him.

"I already have a way to guide myself.

"Oh yes, I see that." But that shape won't tell you things like, if you keep going in that direction, you'll enter a part of the forest where the air has turned poisonous. Turn right, by the way.

-What?

-Turn right.

Shirou followed the apostle's advice and avoided having his arm torn off by a branch.

"Okay, I'll tell you. Ainnash was killed by the White Princess; but she left her corpse near a bloodsucking tree and it absorbed her, that is the origin of the forest.

"Ohhhh, so that's about it. Ok, mystery solved. Then he laughed. What is promised is debt, I will guide you to the center. If you keep this up, you won't be long in coming.

-Thanks. But I don't think I can maintain this speed for very long.

"Don't worry, there is an area with fewer trees where the ley lines are momentarily released from Ainnash's domain if you continue this way." You can slow down there.

-I understand…

Back inside the Rail Zeppelin…

In the world of the unconscious...

-Wake up…

-What?

—Despierta, Waver Velvet.

-Hey? —A younger version of Waver opened his eyes to find himself in the El-Melloi classroom.

"My classes are so absurd that you can't even listen to them?" Kayneth asked. He is an older adult, with light blonde hair and bright green eyes. He was wearing a navy blue coat with white gloves, black pants and shoes of the same color.

-It's not that...

"In that case." Kayneth pounded on the table in front of her. Why do you want to participate in a new holy grail war? What do you wish to obtain with the relic you stole from me?

"I... I want to see him again!"

"Fool, the servants are mere pawns. The next time he shows up, he won't remember you.

"Even so… still I want to prove that I was the incompetent one. That he, that Rider should have been the winner.

"Do you still think that?" You lost the relic, and that servant did not recognize you as a vassal of the King of Conquerors. Still… Will you fight?

Waver clenched his fists. Of course!

Suddenly the whole room disappeared...

"I'll ask you something else." What is a victory for a magus?

"Achieving a goal while freeing yourself from all prejudice," Waver answered.

"And what is your objective?" Respond, Lord El-Melloi II!

-Yes! I will answer, master! What I want now is...

Rin, Karabo, and Yvette had gotten back inside the train and had just opened the door to the cabin where Waver and Melvin were.

Melvin got up from his chair. And Gray?

"We parted ways in the woods, she said she'd come back on her own."

Melvin smiled. I hope he brings an interesting story when he comes back.

On the other hand, returned within the forest of Ainnash. Inside a cave...

Gray and Faker were inside it, sitting around a campfire.

For a moment, Gray looked at Faker. Why did you save me?

"Because you are a warrior," the servant replied as she watched the fire.

—Hmn?

"Warriors must die on the battlefield.

"In our next fight, I will kill you," Gray declared.

To the girl's surprise, Faker smiled. Yes… In a way, you look like me.

-What are you talking about?

"Your weapon is based on the heroic treasure of a great hero, right? And you too… You are the copy of a distant ideal. Faker laughed. Human beings never change. Then she looked at Gray. But, even a copy has wishes and can fight for itself, we are the same.

"I… I still don't know what I want.

"You won't be able to reach your full potential without knowing it." Faker tossed more wood into the fire. I guess that's what separates you and the boy.

—¿Shirou?

Faker nodded. Both you and he are related to the past; but in a different way. He clearly knows what his goal is... His sword, when we met again in that magus workshop, he called it Neocaliburn.

This surprised the girl. Neocaliburn? Shirou's sword?

Faker nodded. You don't have to be a wise man to know why the name of the sword, the recreation of a legendary sword. I guess it makes sense that he wanted to be the one to defeat the specter of King Arthur, even if it was crazy to do it on his own.

"Ghost of King Arthur?"

"The leader of the Wild Hunt…" Faker smiled. It is normal that the new warriors want to surpass the old ones. Overcome the legend, that is his goal.

Gray shook his head. It is not, Shirou's goal is to create the ultimate sword.

-Y? What changes that, surpassing the King and surpassing his sword, are not mutually exclusive things. They follow the same path, but with a further distance. He then turned his gaze back to the girl. You must find your wish, or you will die on the battlefield sooner or later.

Gray lowered his gaze. I want to continue with my teacher, although I don't want him to put himself in danger. I want to fulfill your wish! I want you to finish your journey with the King of Conquerors so you can move on!

"That contradiction could cost them their lives." Faker added more wood to the fire. That's it?

—Hmn?

"I'm asking you: what will you do when you both have to part?"

-Separate us?

Faker nodded. I followed Iskandar to the end of his days; but that was because vassals cannot live without their King; but your master is not a King, and you are not his vassal. If he really is a good teacher, there will be a time when he has to let you fly on your own, what will you do then?

"I... separate...

—Do not be afraid of separation, be proud of it. It means that your teacher believes that you are ready to walk your own path. Just like he wants to end his journey with my King so he can continue his.

"My own path... What did Iskandar mean to you?"

Faker smiled, recalling old memories. The King is like the sun, his warmth embraces everything. There was no other King like him, he said we should move forward, even if we got sick. That we would see the end of the sea, it always encouraged us to give more, I cannot describe how resplendent it was. I was his right hand, I will not allow anyone to deny that.

"But if that's true, why did you blame Iskandar?"

-Hey? Suddenly the woman's attitude changed. You… what did you see? Faker used his mystic eye of compulsion to take control of Gray's body. Reply! What did you see!?

"I-I saw you in a dream. Y-You asked him if that was what he longed for. You asked him why he didn't get rid of it, you wanted an answer.

Faker stopped using his mystic eye and Gray fell to the ground gasping.

"I should have noticed, you're a priestess." An expert in possession.

—¡GGGGGGROOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!

The servant stood up. It stopped snowing, it seems that the monster is busy with something else. When you can move, leave, before I regain control of the magic lines...

Out of the forest and out of the Rail Zeppelin dimension. At the Fargo house...

"I'm Mary Lir Fargo.

Luvia and Kairi were having tea at the Fargo house.

As Kairi sniffed at the tea, Luvia asked. Can you tell us about Trisha Fellows? We understand that they both studied at the same college and that their families are affiliates of the Animusphere family.

Mary lowered her gaze. She's an old friend of mine. Mary took a breath. He passed away, didn't he? I still can not believe it.

'I was investigating some murders from ten years ago. Do you know anything about mobile? said the mercenary as he drank his tea.

—The abandonment of Olga Marie. That's what Trisha said...

"Olga-Marie?" She's the youngest Lord of Astromancy, isn't she?

Luvia asintió.

"Last time I saw her, it was a month ago. She told me, "10 years ago, Lord Animusphere was investigating the holy grail war."

"The former Lord Animusphere participated in the last holy grail war, did he not?" Kairi asked.

Mary nodded. He was investigating her before it started, around that time, the murders began. Somehow, Lord Animusphere got information about the ritual." Mary took a sip of tea. I didn't understand why the Lord cared so much about a minor eastern ritual, so what Trisha told me surprised me.

"What was it?" Luvia asked.

"After researching the ritual, the Lord lost all interest in Olga Marie, passed on his crest to her, and prepared to take part in the war.

—But that doesn't make sense, after researching about the war, didn't the Lord find out that the grail was corrupted?

-It should be like that; but still decided to participate. Trisha wanted to know: why did you decide to participate in this ritual? Why did you abandon your daughter? And was he somehow linked to the murders?

"Trisha investigated the holy grail war and that caused her to board the Rail Zeppelin," Luvia concluded.

Kairi placed a hand on her chin. All the victims had a mystic eye, including Trisha. Do you know anything else?

"The man without a heart.

-What? Luvia exclaimed.

—Someone named like that, researched the war for Lord Animusphere. That is what she said.

Luvia got up. Thanks, you were very helpful.

Luvia and Kairi left the Fargo mansion and got into the car.

"What's up, miss?" You're very serious," Kairi said.

"The man without a heart... I heard rumors of a dangerous magus whose heart was stolen by fairies," Luvia answered.

"Fairies?"

"If she is who I think she is, she has a stepsister in Legislation. And she is on the train.

"Do you mean that…?"

Back, inside the train...

Melvin and Rin were in the last car of the Rail Zeppelin.

—Really the Rail Zeppelin is amazing, as long as there are spirit lines, it can hold up against Ainnash's domain.

"Don't look outside too easily, remember the branches are still covering much of the train." Also, why are you so happy?

"I'm sorry about Gray, of course. But she seems like a very tough girl," he said with a smile.

Rin looked down. It's not just her, at least she's near the train.

This caught Melvin's curiosity. What are you talking about?

"Shirou, he is another member of the El-Melloi classroom.

—Ohhh! The son of the magi killer! It's not like that!?

Rin nodded. He was hired by the train managers to kill Ainnash.

-Really!? Melvin put his hands on Rin's shoulders and, in a serious voice, he said. If he comes back alive, how much do you think he'd charge me to tell me what he lived through in the woods?

" You... " Rin said as she clenched her fist.

¡Slash! ¡Slash!

They both watched as several branches were quickly cut down as someone came out of the forest.

Gray jumped from it cutting down all the branches that tried to cut or impale her.

"Open space!" Melvin and Rin stepped aside as Gray walked quickly in and closed the door behind her. "Ahhh, we made it."

"You made it back!" Rin approached, followed by Melvin.

"This gets more interesting as time goes by!" It was worth wrecking a helicopter.

Taking a deep breath, Gray said, "How's the teacher?"

"Well, you should wake up soon.

Gray sighed. I see…

"Did you run out of strength!?" You used me like a gardener's sickle! That is exploitation! You should treat me better!

To shut Add up, Gray took him in his hands and shook him hard.

— Stop it, Gray! Enough! ¡Gray!

Suddenly, the door of the car opened, on the other side, was Adashino. huh? They're here, meet in the lobby please. Since the usual manager is still sleeping, this time I will be the one to play the detective.

Melvin and Rin went to the lobby car, Gray decided to go first to the cabin where Waver rested. Several of the train passengers were in the car, however, most of them were still locked up, those present were: Karabo, Rin, Melvin, Yvette, Leandra, Rodin, Adashino, Fernando Lee; Lord Fargo's old friend, and a girl with a raven.

"Why have you gathered us here?" Ferdinand asked.

-As part of Legislation, I want to talk to you about the recent murder, specifically, about the person responsible.

"Well said, Detective," Melvin said as he applauded from his seat.

"There were similar serial murders in London ten years ago," the Legislation envoy continued.

"Excuse me, but I don't remember a case like that," the girl spoke to the raven.

"The information was regulated by legislation," Adashino answered.

"And you reveal it yourself?" Melvin said.

—But we were not the only ones to intervene, the Church also intervened. Adashino then turned to the Church agent. You were the one in charge of investigating, weren't you, Karabo Frampton?

-That's how it is.

"If you knew something, you could have said it," Melvin spoke up.

"It was confidential, I did what I had to do."

"I understand." Adashino began to move around the car. Although he can see the past, he was unable to observe the crimes.

"And Trisha couldn't protect herself despite being able to see the future.

"I see, they couldn't see the crimes in the past or in the future," Yvette said.

"So the answer is clear. It's simple, the crime scene was different.

Yvette clapped her hands together. Sure, it makes sense.

—Despite having mystical eyes, the vision of the present and the future only affects time, to use it effectively, they must be present at the scene.

"Are you saying she wasn't murdered in her cabin?" Rin asked.

"So who killed Trisha?" Melvin asked.

Adashino smiled. Let's welcome a new witness.

Saying that, Marie entered the car carrying the container of Trisha's head, she was being accompanied by Altrouge with Fou on her shoulder. Marie stopped in front of Adashino and she removed the lid of the box...

-What does this mean? Karabo asked.

"He hid his head using a pocket of imaginary numbers," Adashino replied. The one who hid it was Trisha herself.

"Did he hide his own head?"

"He must have seen that she would be decapitated in the future and created a pocket where her head would fall. The key is that, inside that pocket, time stands still, which is why his head was alive when we pulled it out.

-She was alive?

The envoy from Legislation nodded. What do you think he said with his last breath, it was just one thing: Karabo.

-What?

Adashino adjusted his glasses. Your mystic eye allows you to measure the past, right?

Karabo put his hands to his face looking worried.

"Measure the past?" Melvin asked.

"It serves to see the past, the eye recognizes something that happened," answered Yvette.

"But seeing the past doesn't allow you to kill anyone."

-What? Yeah, well…" Yvette didn't know how to answer.

—Among the most powerful eyes, there are some capable of reflecting something in reality. Like the mystic eye of death perception, for example.

"That legendary eye?" Yvette asked. But it would be rainbow rank or jeweled.

Adashino smiled. If the rumors are true, yes. He then turned to Karabo. But his mystic eye is similar. Adashino grabbed an apple from a table, took out a knife and 'cut through the air' leaving the cut etched in place, then passed the apple over the spot and it split. Record the cut and leave it in one place, then, it is enough for the possessor of the eye to observe it, and the cut is reproduced as it was recorded.

"I understand," Ferdinand said.

Adashino pointed his knife at the Church agent. Wasn't it you, Karabo?

Karabo covered his mouth with an arm. Are you accusing me?

She slid the knife over the apple. His plan counted on the train moving on fixed rails. If it cut into the void; in the front car, his vision in the past would let him know where the seats were. Adashino sliced ​​the apple. When the body was found, the train had stopped and you were outside, you just had to look out the window. The place would be dragged into the past and the cut would replay, taking Trisha Fellows's head with it.

"The murders ten years ago too...?" Melvin asked.

"I doubt there's anyone else with such a specific mystical eye," Yvette said.

"So the person responsible worked on the investigation," Fernando said.

—Wait! I do not…! Karabo tried to object.

"I will not claim that you are guilty." But that is reason enough to take action.

"Wait!"

Adashino turned her gaze towards the origin of the voice and smiled seeing Lord El-Melloi awake accompanied by Gray. Wow, you wake up at last, Lord El-Melloi II.

—Waver! Melvin exclaimed.

"I didn't expect you to come too, Melvin."

"It's natural to run when a friend is in danger," smiled the tuner.

-I do not need your help! Waver walked toward the rest of the group. Miss Adashino, your deduction raises some doubts for me.

She put away her knife. Will you delight us with one of your brilliant deductions?

—Yours is missing a cell phone.

—¿El famoso, Why done it?

—Yes, there is no such thing as a crime without a motive.

Adashino looked at the apple. If a motive is so important, it's possible his mystic eye made him compare himself to the killer.

-What?

"Watching the murders ten years ago, his ego began to mix with the killer's. If he lost control of his mystic eye, it's not unthinkable.

-Are you serious?

"What's the difference between being serious or joking?" We are wizards.

"Is that the scenario you envision?" But is Karabo's mystical eye really capable of such a thing?

-What do you mean?

—Who demonstrated that he has the ability to transport to the present what he recorded in the past?

Adashino narrowed her eyes. Are you implying that it's just a theory of mine?

—It cannot be called deduction, nor substantial proof, it is an illusion. Are you going to judge him based on that alone?

"Don't worry about it, just have Rail Zeppelin appraise his mystic eye."

Yes, that would be possible.

Everyone present turned their eyes to where the voice came from. This included Altrouge who, ever since he entered the car, had paid little or no attention to the matter and kept looking into the forest.

"It is possible to project a slice of the past into the present," Rita's emanation spoke.

Leandra got up from her seat. I present to you, this is the acting manager.

"It's time, so I'm here to pick up the mystic eyes for the auction.

-It's time? Karabo asked.

"They should have been told that we would hold the auction half a day earlier to calm the passengers," the emanation spoke.

"Were you thinking of letting Rail Zeppelin back up your theory?" Waver asked.

Adashino smiled. Correct.

-Wait! Not yet…AAAHHH!

The emanation put its fingers into Karabo's eye sockets and took them in its own hands. The pain was so great that the Church agent passed out.

"Acting manager," Leandra said as she handed him a glass container.

The manager left the mystical eyes in the container and they stayed floating inside it. Afterwards, she disappeared.

-Magnificent! They do not reach rainbows; but if jeweled, without a doubt.

"Then is it true?" Rin asked.

"It can make a vestige of the past appear like foam, the transient mystic eye.

Adashino clapped her hands together. I'm sorry I took up your valuable time. Please keep waiting for the last auction.

Saying this, everyone left the hall...

...

...

Melvin, Gray, Waver, and Karabo were in the same cabin.

"Did you have to follow me?" Waver asked.

-Of course! We are soul friends. Don't be cold to me or I'll cry," Melvin said while imitating as if he were crying. Or I'll cough up blood!

Waver sighed.

"Do you think Karabo killed Trisha, master?"

Waver shook his head. There is a wide gap between possibility and reality.

Karabo was sitting on the floor, he woke up and, instinctively, he touched his eyes that were covered by a bandage, then he felt something on his leg, he directed his hand towards it and discovered that it was a shackle.

"I'm sorry, we had to immobilize him," Lord El-Melloi said.

"I understand," the Church agent replied.

"Were you really involved in the murders ten years ago?"

-I do not know. Karabo touched his forehead with one hand. I forgot I was related to them until a year ago.

"It's an effect of the mystic eye...

"I could see the past, whether I wanted to or not, whether my eyes were open or closed, memories come at me like an inevitable avalanche and at the same time destroy my own memories, that's how that eye works.

"In other words, I couldn't control it.

-That's how it is. If I had it now…" Karabo touched the blindfold as if he could still feel the mystic eyes, his hands trembling. Perhaps he would have revealed the truth.

"So if we buy them at auction…" Gray said.

'Could be useful; but I can't afford it.

"So you have to buy them," Melvin said.

—¿Melvin?

"It's probably the most expensive, so I'm not guaranteeing anything." Melvin got up and put one of his hands on one of Waver's shoulders. But I can try to get them, as long as I gain some fun… What do you say, Waver?

Waver removed his hand from her shoulder. I will not sell my soul to the devil.

Melvin shrugged. Pity. Isn't there anything that makes the case more exciting?

"By the way, when I ran into Trisha…" Gray looked down sheepishly. This… She was wearing an indecent amulet.

-What? Waver asked Gray in surprise. Repeat that! What did you see!?

"They were… a man and a woman intertwined! the embarrassed gravedigger shouted.

'There's nothing unusual about her having it. I also prepared to defend myself; but we found nothing like it at the scene, and it was not a reliable mystic-eye canceller. That means it has another use.

—¿Maestro?

"This is not a deduction; but, if my imagination approaches reality, the culprit is my enemy. I will solve this case!

-Good! A master detective's struggle to uncover a mysterious killer and at the same time, on the other hand, his student's struggle to defeat a murderous forest, was really worth destroying a helicopter!

-What? What are you talking about, Melvin?

Melvin looked at him strangely. Haven't you noticed, Waver, we're inside the Predator Forest!

Waver nodded. I know, Gray filled me in on this. I understand that the train administrators are working on a way to free us.

Melvin nodded. Yes, they hired your student… As it was… Or yes! Shirou! They hired him to assassinate the dead apostle who controls the forest.

-What!? Waver turned to Gray. It's true!?

Gray looked down; but he nodded. Yes, he left early in the morning.

"Hey Waver?" Where are you going!? Melvin asked.

I have to talk to that girl...

On the other hand, inside the forest…

"You're almost there, Shirou-chan!" Ainnash's throne is up ahead.

"HA, ha, ha, Throne?" the boy gasped.

—It is what the center of the forest is called, since people believed that Ainnash was alive, they believed that she had her throne in the center of the forest.

-I see.

-Watch out!

Tree branches launched towards Shirou, he projected Ascalon. This was a peculiar sword, as its power does not come from the ability to defeat enemies, but from the ability to defend itself from all harm. However, by reversing its protective power, it becomes a sword that cuts through any type of armor.

"Ascalon!" —Feeling that its wearer was about to be attacked by an evil power, Ascalon reversed its protective power destroying all the trees in front.

"Oh, Ashkelon! Can you copy legendary swords, Shirou-chan!?

-Something like that…

Ascalon opened a path for Shirou to reach the center of the forest.

"By the way, Shirou-chan, that's Vorpal, isn't it?" Did you steal it from the Louvre?

"I took it after defeating his sons.

Merem laughed. First you kill his children, then you steal his treasures, if he wasn't so weak, he would probably try to take your head.

-It does not bother you?

"Not at all, I hated the idea of ​​triplets from the start.

"Triplets?"

Merem sounded disgusted. Louvre only had a power similar to one of the twenty-seven when he was by his children's side, without them, he is really weak. Furthermore, he lost much of his brood in the assault on Atlas.

"Assault on Atlas?"

-Yes. He coordinated with Tatari to have the institute's principal away during his attack, so he had an easier time attacking Atlas while he was without him. Although the numbers of his Ghouls and Dead were greatly diminished, rumors say that he managed to steal one of the weapons sealed within Atlas; however, for some reason, he doesn't brag much about it, so maybe it's just a rumor.

"Who is Tatari?"

"Oh, don't you know?" Tatari is a phenomenon created by Altrouge hundreds of years ago, he now holds the position of the dead thirteenth apostle.

"I see…" Shirou didn't have much time to process the information he had just received, as he finished crossing the path and reached the core of the forest.

After the trail ended, the boy came to a large clearing.

-That's it?

"Yes, the Throne of Ainnash. Lately the forest has been active for much longer, perhaps it has begun to have difficulty feeding...

A huge, totally blackish tree that exhaled blood as if it were sap was in the middle of the clearing. It was the size of a six or seven story building, its shape was twisted and elongated, it had no leaves on its branches, and a single reddish fruit hung from its highest branch, when Shirou stepped into the clearing...

—¡GGGGGGROOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!

The tree roared like a beast, its trunk split in two showing a huge circular "mouth", this was adorned with countless fangs that made it look like a large crusher and, inside it, a large red sphere could be seen that beat like if it were a heart

"Well, the bad: it's bigger than I thought. The good thing: if I burn him, I'll wipe out the entire forest." Shirou prepared to face the original bloodsucking tree of the forest, with Vorpal in one hand and Ascalon in the other. He wasn't going to draw his ace up his sleeve until he was sure he knew how this enemy attacked.

With everything ready, the real fight began...