44 - Rho Aias

Shirou played around with his essence, as he tried to figure out how to obtain the fourth step of [Fleshforge]. This was the first time he actively tried to develop it, as the previous times were all due to necessity.

He looked down at the black flame in his hand, he came up with an idea. He transformed his arm into a sword, and allowed [Furnace] to enhance it.

By using the black flames of his soul to enhance both [Living Sword] and [Fleshforge], he attempted to use his body to create the [Cruel Sight], and replicate it's enchantments.

Shirou grinned, as he created a perfect replica of the sword, connected to the stump of his arm by the pommel. He completely removed the [Cruel Sight], and analyzed it for a moment.

Although he couldn't see any runes, Shirou was completely sure that the sword was an exact copy of the original. It had the exact same enchantments, and was of the same rank and tier.

He turned the sword back into his arm, as he stitched it back to the stump of his elbow. Shirou opened his runes, and was glad to see that he had succeeded.

By using his essence, [Living Sword], and [Fleshforge], he was able to perfectly replicate a weapon. It seemed that the amount of enchantments he can apply to himself can be increased by [Furnace].

First Relic: [Claimed]

Second Relic: [Claimed]

Third Relic: [Claimed]

Fourth Relic: [Ready to Claim]

Fifth Relic: [Locked]

Sixth Relic: [Locked]

Seventh Relic: [Locked]

Shirou claimed the Legacy Relic, and watched as new runes appeared.

[You have received a Noble Phantasm: Rho Aias.]

…Huh?

Shirou had never gotten a Noble Phantasm for himself. He checked his runes and found that he had a new portion for Noble Phantasms, right under his Blades.

Name: Shirou

True Name: Forged In Hell

Rank: Ascended

Class: Titan

Forge Core: [7/7]

Sword Fragments: [7000/7000].

Attributes: [Ember of Divinity], [Lord of Swords], [Mind of Steel], [Anomaly], [Karmic Eye], [Clairvoyance], [Chronos Rose(Blade Works)], [Abysswalker], [Kingslayer].

Memories: [Washing Pole], [Rebellion], [Shroud of Justice], [Gandiva], [Ghost Consumer], [Bountiful Bed], [Gargoyle's Blackblade], [Bubble Pendant], [Daemonic Forge], [Bottomless Box], [Rotbone Lance], [Drang Armor], [Ashen Estus Ring], [Obsidian Locket].

Echoes: —

Blades: [Ingvild of the Storm], [Cerise, Heir of War], [Lumen Draconis].

Noble Phantasms: [Rho Aias].

Aspect: [Sword Incarnation]

Aspect Rank: [Divine]

Aspect Description: [You are a sword who was forged in the depths of hell and quenched with the divine blood of the War Goddess. You were the greatest creation of the greatest blacksmith of them all, which makes you a sword above all the rest. All types of weapons recognize you as their master. The blacksmith created you in his own image, and left behind one simple, yet daunting task. Destroy Fate.]

Innate Ability: [Bloodstained]

Ability Description: [The blood of the War Goddess does not flow through you, as swords are not alive. When stained with the blood of the War Goddess, you are able to perform at your fullest potential.]

Aspect Abilities: [Living Sword], [Blade Alter], [King of Fakers].

Aspect Legacy: [Fleshforge]

Fleshforge Description: [The War Goddess accepted an offering of humanity from the heroic Forged In Hell. In respect of his sense of Justice, and value of life, she bestowed upon him the ability to truly become the sword itself. This was only possible due to his ability to abandon his humanity for the sake of others.]

Legacy Relics:

First Relic: [Claimed]

Second Relic: [Claimed]

Third Relic: [Claimed]

Fourth Relic: [Claimed]

Fifth Relic: [Locked]

Sixth Relic: [Locked]

Seventh Relic: [Locked]

Shirou checked the runes for the Noble Phantasm.

Name: [Rho Aias]

Noble Phantasm Rank: Ascended

Noble Phantasm Tier: VII

Noble Phantasm Type: Tool

Noble Phantadm Description: [The Seven Petal Rings that Cover the Burning Heavens is the ultimate shield. It holds the concept of blocking, and will grow alongside it's wielder. However, any damage done to the shield will be inflicted upon the user.]

Shirou walked out into his backyard, and focused on summoning the shield. A large barrier of seven pink petals expanded from his hand. Whenever he moved his hand, the shield moved along with it.

He dismissed the shield, and decided that he should stop for today. He had accomplished quite a bit after all.

He looked towards the porch of the mansion, and saw Illya and Miyu sitting there, silently watching him.

Shirou's brow twitched. The girl had decided to live here for some reason, which would have been strange if she was actually trying to kill him. He didn't really refuse, but that was only because Miyu seemed to want her to stay.

Illya blurted out, "I can do much better than that."

Why is she always trying to show off to Miyu?

She stood up and weaved a shield using strands of hair. He guessed that she must have had an Attribute or Aspect Ability that allowed her to never run out of hair, since that would have been a major weakness.

Illya stared at him expectantly, causing him to sigh as he shot a Transcendent sword at the shield.

It tore right through.

She seemed quite shocked, "Huh?"

Illya turned to Shirou slowly, a confused look on her face. She suddenly started to stomp away like a child, entering the mansion. However, Shirou had heard her shout from inside:

"It should have blocked anything of the Ascended rank!"

Heh.

Shirou glanced towards Miyu, who was looking at him in awe. He decided to make up a philosophical statement, to cement his victory over Illya.

"Uh… Great power comes with great responsibility, I think."

Miyu nodded, completely believing everything that Shirou said. It reminded him of how the victors in war were the ones to write history.

————————————————————

[You have defeated a Corrupted Beast, Fell Ravager.]

[Your sword cannot grow sharper.]

The Corrupted Beast was being engulfed by pink flames, slowly being burned from inside.

Shirou had been seventeen for a few months now, and had a firm grasp on his fighting style. He was now trying to implement his Blades into it, mainly Cerise and Ingvild.

Draconis was the equivalent of a nuclear bomb, so he was the exception.

Shirou was practicing with Cerise's [Blood Manipulation] and [Blood Inferno], which gave him new options in combat.

For example, Cerise could compress the blood, before shooting it out at the speed of sound. She could also splatter it upon an enemy, before setting it on fire.

Thanks to [Blood Thief], they didn't have to worry too much about blood loss.

Shirou had also tried to implement Ingvild as well, by using the [Storm Ruler] to control water, and [Galebreathe] to enhance his speed.

He hadn't fully mastered it yet, but he was able to use his Blades effectively.

He decided that using [Soul Storage] was much more convenient than the [Bottomless Box], so he sent the entire corpse of the Nightmare Creature to his soul sea.

Shirou summoned Draconis, as they flew into the sky at rapid speeds. It would have normally taken a couple of hours to cross this distance on foot, but his Blade had shortened that time to fifteen minutes.

Once they had reached the Chain Breaker, Shirou dismissed Draconis, falling down towards the ship. He summoned swords to act as footholds for him, as he landed onto the Chain Breaker.

He saw Sunny suddenly rise out of a shadow, handing him a letter, before disappearing again.

…Isnt he almost three years older than me? He should at least explain what he's handing over. So irresponsible.

Shirou opened the letter, skimmed through it, and narrowed his eyes.

It seemed that Valor was inviting him to a ball.

He later asked the rest of the cohort if they had also gotten invitations, and it seemed that they did. However, Shirou's was the only one that was specifically for him. Cassie had received a message for the entirety of the Changing Star cohort, yet he was the only one to get his own seperate invitation.

They must really want me.

Unfortunately, Shirou was going to use this opportunity to announce the return of the Emiya Clan. Once he did, the Great Clans would have to be careful about how they approach him, if they decided to do so at all.

Shirou sat at the edge of the Chain Breaker, looking down at the endless abyss. He was able to see the stars at the bottom, which were actually orbs of divine flames.

Shirou felt a presence behind him, so he turned around to see Cassie. She didn't seem to react to him looking at her, which meant that she wasn't using her Aspect to see through his eyes. However, she was constantly mumbling about something, which somewhat creeped him out.

Shirou stood up and walked over to her. Somehow, even with the Ability to see into the future and look through the eyes of others, she still hadn't noticed him. He decided to try to eavesdrop on what she was saying.

After a few seconds, Shirou paled.

What do you mean you're going to let him walk in on you naked?! Who's him?! Who could possibly corrupt my sweet and innocent Cassie?!

Shirou was about to crash out, before Cassie suddenly froze. Her face went completely red, as she turned towards Shirou with an awkward smile.

"…You didn't happen to hear that, right?"

It seemed that she had finally noticed that he was there.

"…Yeah. Anyways, who's this guy that you're talking about. Not for any particular reason."

Actually, Shirou really wanted to publicly execute this person.

Cassie started to giggle for some reason, "Oh, you don't have to worry about him. You know him quite well after all."

It couldn't be Kai. At least, I don't think so. Sunny? Is this a love triangle situation?! A Square?! He's mine!

Shirou shook his head, "It's not Sunny, is it? I mean, if he was a girl, I'd like him too. Don't think too deeply about that though."

Cassie's blush deepened, imagining something… interesting. She snapped out of her perverted thoughts, before answering his question.

"…It's not Sunny. Before you ask, it's not Kai either. Just… don't worry about it."

Shirou tilted his head, "If you say so."

————————————————————

He's so weird.

Cassie thought about what he had just said about Sunny, and saw Shirou in a new light. She wondered if it was normal to wish that your friend was of the opposite gender.

As she thought about Nephis, she suddenly shivered. She didn't quite like what she just imagined.

Anyways, Cassie had to set up a perfect plan that involved a certain sword lover walking in on a naked oracle.

She chuckled menacingly, as she recalled what she had once heard from a manipulator from a TV show she had used to watch.

Every battle you have fought, was all apart of my plan, Shirou.

She didn't notice Shirou watching her walk away with a disturbed expression on his face.