Chapter Twenty-Four: The World's Punishment

William POV

"The hell do you mean that you sort of are my Dad and not at the same time?!" I demanded not knowing if this was some sort of illusion or trick casted by the enemy.

'Kiritsugu' shook his head "This is real William it's not an attack from a servant...when I said that it's because the real Kiritsugu Emiya is really dead I am merely a reflection created from your memories we all are," he explained pointing at the group behind him. 

My eyes slowly widen these people I knew them all Saber, Shirou, Lancer, Archer, Berserker, Rin, Kotomine, Illya, the rageful dark knight, the nameless knights that served under Artoria, and finally all the instructors that I've ever trained with throughout my life. 

I take a step back "how...what?" I muttered out in a lost tone 'Kiritsugu' turns back to face me "turns out your more than what you already are son your affinity and origin didn't just let you copy our moves. 

It took those moments along with any other memory associated with the person and stored them here in your inner world or rather I should say your reality marble," he continued his tone turning more serious. 

A reality marble is something considered to be a taboo amongst magi it allowed the user to deploy a forbidden bounded field that temporarily replaced one space the user's own. 

Kiritsugu briefly talked about it when he was teaching me how to create a time alter bounded field since the two concepts have a couple of similarities except time alter was more of an artificial one that was incomplete. 

Anyone having a reality marble would also be hunted down by the mage association should they be discovered "great just what I need...so what exactly can this reality marble of mine do?" I question turning to face my father's duplicate. 

He gives me a smirk similar to the one that he usually gave when he talked about how magi were incompetent with modern technology "when the field is deployed the magecraft you specialize in gets a boost for you it would be copying.

 In this world your movements would have no flaws you would be in one hundred percent synch with whoever's move set your using. You can also deploy us copies outside the marble much like a heroic spirit should we die then we would come back here automatically," he said listing everything off one by one. 

"This...wow incredible I could probably use you all for a lot of things can't I," I muttered already thinking about how I could use this new asset to win the grail war "of course you can't really do anything like right now until you figure out how to do it," the Kiritsugu copy interrupted. 

"Of course, I should have known it wouldn't be so easy..." I grumbled and then silence soon followed "hey Dad?" I suddenly asked making the copy look at me. 

"Am I the hero of justice that you wanted me to be?" I couldn't help but ask even if he was just a copy, I had to know but the copy only sighed "I can't really answer that question for you son it's like I told you I am not the real Kiritsugu only a copy created from your memories I don't really have the complete answer that you're trying to look for," he somberly replied. 

"Th-then just tell me what the you of now thinks?" I question again in a firm tone I didn't care if he was a copy or not, I just had to know. 

A soft look settles on his face "I could probably give you a speech on how I am 'feeling'...but I 'd say that I am proud of you son," he finally replied after a contemplative pause. 

Relief that's all I feel "I am glad...just so glad that what I've been doing so far hasn't been wrong then," I whispered. 

The glass world begins to glow again until a bright light begins to engulf me "remember the key to manifesting this is your own inner reflection," were the last words I heard from the fading copy of Kiritsugu. 

My eyes open with a startled gasp "cough cough!!" I began to cough intensely until I felt something wet cover my hand "shit..." I whisper seeing the blood on my hand.

 This was the backlash of using reverse chronos the worlds punishment to those who mess around with its laws. 

It would normally kill a person, but my body has always been rather quick with healing not fast like Shirou but still it was something. 

 I need to get up and find out what happened I thought only to collapse back down on the floor with a groan of pain the ache in my body was too intense while my nerves felt like they were on fire.

The door opens "William!" came the shout of Saber who quickly dragged me back to the futon "S-saber where's S-shirou and R-rin are they alright? H-have they found the e-enemy master," I mustered out through the pain. 

"I will tell you once you've recovered so just rest for now William," she said pushing me back down with a concerned face. 

"N-no I need to find Shinji and save A-ayako," I gasped out trying to push myself out from her grip, but her hands remained on my torso keeping me down with her unnatural strength "I am afraid that I must insist William, I'll inform you of everything, but you need to stay here and recover." 

My cough comes back even worse while the temperature of my body increased my hands weakly fall down to my sides in response. 

Saber places a hand on my forehead it was cool and soft I groan feeling the dull ache in my head grow worse "master your burning up just stay here I'll be right back," she said exiting the room. 

A minute passed when she finally returned with a small pot filled with cold water along with a wet cloth quickly, she placed it onto my head. 

I close my eyes feeling really tired I am not even sure how much time has passed with Saber replacing the wet cloth every so often. 

The feeling of sleep crept into my body "his temperature has gone down I'll need to refill the bowl though," Saber muttered. 

She gets up to leave I didn't know what I was thinking but I weakly grabbed her hand stopping her "William?" she questions with a puzzled tone "st-stay please," I mutter out without thinking. 

A momentary pause soon follows "...very well I shall be right here by the side keeping an eye out," she replied laying down besides my prone form. 

No reply is given as I had fallen asleep (with my hand still wrapped around Saber's hand unknowingly) 

-end of chapter twenty four-

Decided to post early instead of the usual time since I didn't post at all these past two week.