Chapter 18

~Shinji Matou POV~

"[ORIGIN RELEASE!]"

The moment those two words escaped my lips, I felt a surge of power coursing through my veins. Time seemed to stretch and warp, as if the world was bending to my will.

My wounds healed in an instant, as my demonic energy flared up like a raging inferno, allowing me to survive Ea's devastating blast.

But I couldn't help but gasp in awe as I witnessed the aftermath of the attack. The mirror world had been obliterated, leaving behind nothing but a vast, empty void.

I barely spared a glance at Gilgamesh, who was floating in the distance, as my eyes were fixed on Kunzite.

He was silent and still, his metal casing cracked and scorched. With a sigh, I conjured a space ring using Arc of Embodiment, since my previous one had been destroyed by Ea, and placed Kunzite inside.

I wasn't really mad before, but now I was furious. Spreading my wings, I turned toward Gilgamesh, who was flying through the opening in the mirror world.

I followed him swiftly, just in time to see Luvia activate the magical charges in this place and blow the whole building to smithereens.

"Go! Don't worry about me, I'll make it out just fine!" I shouted, as I tackled Gilgamesh to the ground. As the rubble rained down on us, I lifted my arm and used Arc of Embodiment to spawn a giant hammer that I gripped and reinforced with all my energies. I then brought it down on Gilgamesh's face with a loud thud.

I lifted it up again, ready to smash his skull, but I was smacked in the face by a warhammer that sent me flying and then several swords pierced my body.

Sitting up, I grabbed my nose and snapped it back into place and pulled the swords out of my body. Looking up, I saw Gilgamesh was already sitting on Vimana, and shot swords at the rubble, clearing a way for himself as he soared into the air, leaving me behind.

Focusing demonic energy in my hands, I manifested my power of destruction into a small orb. "Boost! Transfer!" The orb grew to the size of a basketball, before I shot it above myself.

The orb of power of destruction obliterated all the falling rubble in its path, and anything that fell near me was dealt with by batting it away. Opening my wings again, I flew out of the opening, until I reached outside.

Looking around, the first thing I noticed was Gilgamesh, who was now completely ignoring my presence, as he sat upon Vimana's throne.

The second thing I noticed was the others standing below me, with Caren among them.

I guess I'll go down, since Gilgamesh isn't doing anything for now. Slowly, I floated down and landed in front of them all.

"The devil is trying to taint my eyes with his sinful body." Caren deadpanned, causing me to freeze.

Looking at the others, I saw that they were all blushing. Looking down, I was greeted by my naked body.

Using Arc of Embodiment, I made a pair of jeans. As I put them on, I finally noticed the black tattoos on my chest that were pulsing with cursed energy.

Before I could do anything else, Kuro walked up to me and, without mercy, projected Kanshou and sliced my cheek. The anti-monster properties cutting through all my resistances with ease.

"That was for scaring me, dummy!" She yelled at me, with teary eyes. "I thought you died! I thought I'd never see you again! And that scared me way more than that 'Sword' ever could. The thought of never seeing you again..." At this point, she was bawling her eyes out. But I didn't stop her, as she continued to cry. I only hugged her tightly, as well.

"Sorry, Kuro, while I would like to comfort you some more, we have important matters to attend to." I tried to disentangle myself from her, but I couldn't, as she was reinforcing her body. And I didn't want to hurt her.

"Are you saying this isn't important?" She said, her voice muffled by my chest. But I could still feel the edge in it. So I did the smart thing and shut the fuck up about it and began speaking to the others.

"Anyway, I know exactly who we are dealing with. It's the strongest Heroic Spirit in terms of pure firepower. The King of Heroes, Gilgamesh. And the first hero in recorded human history."

"What!" Rin, Bazett, and Luvia exclaimed, their eyes widening in shock at the implications of what Gilgamesh being the oldest hero meant.

"And he's heading for Mt. Enzou right now to complete the holy grail war from the world he came from."

Caren's eyes narrowed, as she walked up to me. "What do you mean 'the world he came from' Matou-san?"

"You already know that the holy grail war was never implemented in this world. As such, the fact that heroic spirits were even in Fuyuki was already suspect. And Zelretch getting involved should have tipped you that this had more to do with than just your world. Now we have to deal with that monster above us, before he gets even more powerful." I said, as I watched Gilgamesh fly off into the distance. "Me, Illya, Miyu,... and Kuro will fly after him, while you guys follow after us." I said, picking up Kuro, who refused to let go of me, as I opened my wings once more.

Oh yeah, I need to grab my stuff from the house too. Focusing my chakra, I created a simple clone, who I gave my space ring, before flying off. And then Miyu, Illya, and I flew in the direction of Mt. Enzou.

"Matou-san, how are we going to beat this Gilgamesh person?" Illya asked, flying next to me.

The knowledge now in my head flashed through my mind, and my instincts of how to do 'it' rang through every fiber of my being.

"I have a plan, but I'll need help from both Ruby and Sapphire."

"Wait, where is Kunzite?" Kuro asked, and I felt my face harden at the thought of my partner.

"He was almost destroyed by Gilgamesh, so he's in that ring I gave my clone earlier."

"You can fix him, right?" Miyu asked.

"I don't know about fixed, but I know for a fact that I'm going to save him." I then stopped talking, after that, as I could see Mt. Enzou in the distance. There I saw the small figure of Vimana floating above, and several swords shooting down on the mountain, easily blowing the cap right off it, revealing the cavern beneath it.

Gilgamesh then jumped off of Vimana, and grabbed a huge double-bladed sword, that he threw down at the altar-like structure, shattering it in an instant, revealing the greater grail matrix circle, that burst to life underneath.

"Hahahahahaha!" The distorted laugh of Gilgamesh rang out, as he was surrounded by a vortex of magical energy.

"Kuro, use this to run across the sky and back me up." Using Arc of Embodiment, I created a ring and slipped it onto her finger. It functioned like a mystic code, and made it so the air hardened under its user's feet. "Get your head out of the gutter." I flicked Kuro on the head, seeing her blush madly. "Now you guys support me. I'm going in."

Not giving them a chance to argue, I flew down toward Gilgamesh. A blast from Miyu and Illya, as well as an arrow from Kuro, cleared the vortex out of the way. And though it was already forming back, it gave me enough time to do what I needed.

Bringing my hands up in front of my face, I clasped them together, interlocking my fingers. I then raised my index and middle fingers up, as I unlocked my thumbs.

At this point, I was only a couple of feet away from Gilgamesh. Following my instincts, I said the words that hopefully won me this fight. "Domain Expansion!"

The surroundings immediately changed from the bleak cavern we just were in. Looking behind me, I saw the giant palace made entirely of water. No, not just the palace, everything was made out of water, from the ground to the very sky.

"Welcome, Gilgamesh, to the Radiant Palace of the Sea! Now begone from my kingdom!" From the ground, several aquabind chains shot forth and wrapped around Gilgamesh.

I closed the gap between us in a flash, as I pulled my fist back. I focused everything I had, from my energies to my soul itself. My fist was enveloped in all my energies, giving it a rainbow hue, as I struck Gilgamesh in the chest. "Rain-!" The cursed magical energy that surrounded Gilgamesh resisted me, as I pushed my fist forward.

But I wouldn't give up! Not until I win! And get everything I desire! "-bow!"

I would win, because I'm the one who envies all others! The one who will defy heaven and earth! Because I am 『 』. "Flaaaaash!" The energies in my fist exploded outwards, dyeing the world around me in a kaleidoscope of colors.

Once the colors faded, I was greeted by my once only blue world, filled with colors, before it shattered, bringing me and Gilgamesh back to the real world.

"So, King of Heroes, are you calm now?" I asked the naked kid before me, the black sludge covering his body now gone, revealing his red inhuman eyes and golden blonde hair.

"This is truly unexpected. I honestly didn't think things would come to this." Gilgamesh said with a shrug. "Anyway, it's a pleasure to meet you, star of- oops, I mean Shinji-san."

Yeah, cause that's not ominous in the slightest. Though I think I know what he's talking about, but it's hazy.

"Anyway, what do you plan to do now?"

"Well, I planned to not get involved, but seeing my other half fighting there, I guess there is only one option available." Gilgamesh said, as he began walking toward the giant mass of cursed magical energy that was fighting Illya and Kuro. "This war is already unstoppable, Shinji. You know that, as someone from beyond this world. So if you don't want to die, do your best and fight me with everything you have."

'Kuro, grab Illya and get over here.' I said to Kuro through our link, as I watched Gilgamesh walk away.

A couple of seconds later, Illya and Kuro landed in front of me, and Bazett arrived as well.

"I don't have time to explain, but Miyu was captured, right?"

"Um, yes, she got taken and we couldn't do anything to stop it."

"I see." Walking over to the floating Sapphire, I grabbed her by the handle. "Sapphire, help me save Miyu and make a temporary contract with me!"

"Understood, Shinji-san. I will form a temporary contract with you."

"Ruby, I'll also need a contract with you, as well, if I'm going to have a chance."

"Go, Ruby. Shinji-san is stronger than me, and while I want to save Miyu myself, I want it to be certain. So Shinji, please save Miyu!"

"Hai, Shinji-san. I'll make an amazing dress for you!" Ruby said, flying out of Illya's hand into mine.

"Now, Kaleid Liner!" I was covered in a blue and red light, and once it dispersed, I was wearing a red and blue magical girl dress, and in my hand was a combined magical girl stick, being blue and red, and two stars at the end. "Zwei form!!"

I then grabbed the Saber class card, before installing it. I now donned a stereotypical knight's armor, with the armor parts being silver, and a blue tunic underneath. And in my hand was a blue and gold two-handed broadsword.

I know I might not be worthy of using your golden light, but please help me save my friend. Perhaps in response to my thoughts, the blade pulsed in my hand.

I began walking forward, toward Gilgamesh, who released a hearty laugh, having already combined back with his other half.

"Yes, this is exactly what I expect from you, Shinji-san! Now come at me with everything you have!" He bellowed, as he lifted Ea, which began to rotate faster and faster.

"Yes. Let's put an end to this, Gilgamesh." Lifting Excalibur, I placed it in front of my face. "Seal Thirteen──Decision start!"

A soothing female voice then rang in my ears. "───Approved. Bedivere, Lancelot, Mordred, Gareth, Agravain, Kay, Gawain, Percival, Tristan."

"This is a battle to save the world." In a flash of light, Excalibur Proto revealed its true form, as a golden blade of light that holds the hope of humanity itself.

"Arthur!"

Stepping forward, I raised the sword above my head, before swinging it down with all my might.

"Enuma Elish!"

"Ex-calibur!!"

Immediately, I was almost blown away, as the raging winds of Ea fought against the blast from Excalibur, but I dug my feet into the ground, to keep myself steady.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I won't lose!" My dragon core went into overdrive, pumping more and more magical energy into Excalibur.

Use everything, Shinji! Your nerves can be rebuilt! Your body can be rebuilt! And your soul can be reforged! So forget everything else and just win!

[****]

~Miyu POV~

... The sound of water. A gentle splash, a soothing trickle, a rhythmic drip. Even though there are no other sounds. Why? Why is it that I can hear just this sound?

Black... nothing but darkness. That's right... this was my original world. A world where I had no form, no voice, no choice. In exchange for the power to grant anything, I lost everything.

Sometimes I wished that I hadn't been born. But... since I was born to grant wishes as the holy grail, my wishes don't matter.

My purpose is to be a vessel of light. A vessel that fills the desires of others, but never my own. I don't need light for myself... and yet. The images of all the people I met in this world flashed through my mind. There were people who gave me light. There were people who gave me a place to stay. Even being what I am, a tool, a weapon, a curse, it was a world in which I was able to be a little more human.

But... that sweet lie is also already over. This is the way it was meant to be. It's not possible for me to have something like that. I spent three months in that world, surely I was allowed to have one last look at that dream.

There's no sorrow, I'm just waking from a dream. I've simply... returned to my original state.

But... if there was one thing that I regret. "Onii-chan..." I'm sorry, I couldn't fulfill your last wish, onii-chan. In the end, there really was no escape from fate.

"I hope the world will become a better place and you won't have to suffer any more."

The last words from my onii-chan echoed in my ears. Even though that was your wish, the only thing I could do was flee to a different world... Ah... but

"And meet kind people."

I was able to meet them! Very, very kind people. And finally...

"Make friends you can laugh with."

Yes, I was able to make two very dear friends. One of them has beautiful silver hair that shines like the moon.

"Warm and modest."

And the other has beautiful blue hair that flows like water. And their names are Illya and-.

Suddenly, light flooded my eyes. I couldn't help but gasp, as I took in the figure who was standing in front of me.

"So you can grasp happiness."

"Shinji?" He was still shirtless, but he was also bleeding profusely, though those flames of his seemed to be healing him.

"Come on, Miyu, what are you crying for? Not happy to see me?" He said, with his usual smirk.

"Huh?" Reaching up to my cheeks, I felt the tears running down them.

[****]

~Shinji Matou POV~

"Miyu-sama!" Sapphire cried out, as she flew from beside me toward Miyu.

"Matou-san, are you alright!" Rin asked, helping me stand up straight.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just give me a minute." Once I got myself together, I walked up to Miyu, with a smile on my face, as I put my hand out toward her.

"You're not alone anymore, Miyu. We're your friends. Now come on, let's go home."

Miyu's eyes widened in shock, before a smile graced her face.

Suddenly, every instinct in my body went haywire, as the space above us seemed to rip apart.

Dammit, I thought I mitigated the damage done to the mirror world!

Without warning, lightning bolts rained down, and I felt myself be shocked down to my very core.

Dammit, so this is what divinity does to me! Crap, I can't move my body, and my demonic energy isn't responding, so I can't even regenerate.

All I could do was stare at the two figures dropping out of the crack in the sky. I recognized the users of the berserker and archer class cards immediately. The main attack force of Darius, Angelica and Beatrice.

"Who are you!?" Kuro yelled up, while lying on the ground, as well.

"Ha? You finally caught sight of us, or did you think freebies came in bunches?" Beatrice asked sarcastically.

"Ignore them. We're only interested in collecting the target." Angelica said emotionlessly, as she picked up the knocked out Miyu.

How dare she touch what's mine! I felt anger like never before take over me, as I began crawling over to Miyu.

"Your vacation is over, Miyu-sama."

"Jeez, didn't you say not to drag this out?"

"Don't handle it roughly, you fool. What would you do if you spilled the contents?"

"Yeah, yeah, well it's worth the lecture when we get back. Look, there's the after shock."

A huge wall of light manifested, enveloping Angelica, Beatrice, and Miyu.

"Give her back! Give me back Miyu!" As I yelled, my vision was filled with white, and I lost consciousness.