After the intriguing encounter with Illya, I returned home only to be greeted with an unfriendly smile from Rin and an impassive look from Uraume. Rin crossed his arms, while Uraume, with his usual cool demeanor, gave a slight nod.
"Alright, Shirou." Rin clapped his hands together, getting his attention. "You've had enough of a break today. Now it's time to train seriously."
I let out a tired sigh. "Again? I'm already exhausted."
Rin rolled her eyes. "You don't have the luxury of complaining. If you want to survive this war, you need to be stronger, and faster. Besides, we have Uraume's help now."
I glanced at Uraume, who seemed more interested in observing the trees in the yard than in what Rin was saying.
"Don't worry, brat." Uraume finally spoke, his voice soft and cold as ice. "My training will be... direct and effective. There's no room for weakness."
That didn't comfort me at all. I knew that "effective" in Uraume's dictionary probably meant a series of brutal exercises that could very well kill me.
"Let's begin." Rin grabbed my arm and dragged me into the main hall, where the training would be held.
Uraume followed close behind, already starting to adjust her gloves as she calmly said: "First, I want to see how much you can endure. Your mental and physical endurance will be put to the test."
Rin gave a cruel smile. "Oh, yes, we'll start with some basic magical reinforcements, and after that, hand-to-hand duels."
"Hand-to-hand with who?" I asked, already dreading the answer.
Rin and Uraume looked at each other before answering in unison. "With us."
A few hours later...
And so began another intense training session. I was forced to channel my magical reinforcement while dodging Rin's rapid attacks and dealing with Uraume's cold, relentless strength. With each blow, I felt my body want to scream in pain, but I knew I couldn't give up.
"You're still hesitating!" Rin shouted, as she cast a series of spells to test her reflexes.
"Use your weaknesses as an advantage." Uraume said, as she quickly approached, forcing me to defend her calculated and brutal blows.
The training continued late into the night, leaving me almost passed out on the floor.
"That's enough for today." Rin said, wiping the sweat from her forehead.
Uraume, in turn, just gave a slight nod. "You survived, but this is just the beginning."
I struggled to my feet, my muscles aching, but in my mind, I knew I had to keep going. There was no other choice. If I wanted to protect those around me, I had to become stronger, even if it meant going through this hell every day.
When Tachie finally opened her eyes, I was sitting next to her, clearly worried. I leaned closer, relieved to see her awake.
"Tachie, are you okay?" I asked, genuinely concerned.
She blinked a few times, as if trying to get her bearings, before nodding slightly.
"I'm... just a little tired, but I'll be fine." Her voice was weak but determined.
"You scared me." I let out a sigh of relief, a small smile appearing on her face. "Rest. No need to force yourself to do anything right now."
Before we could continue talking, my phone began to vibrate. I quickly picked up the phone and saw Shinji's name on the screen.
"Shinji?" I answered, curious as to why he would be calling so late.
On the other end of the line, Shinji's voice sounded playful and sarcastic. "Oops, Shirou! What happened today? You didn't show up at school. I thought you were the good type who never misses a class."
"None of your business, Shinji," I replied impatiently. I wasn't in the mood for the usual teasing.
"Calm down, don't get so serious..." Shinji laughed. "Anyway, I have a little surprise for you."
"Surprise? What are you talking about?" I narrowed my eyes as my expression became serious. Something in Shinji's tone seemed off, as if he was having fun with something I didn't understand yet.
"Just come to school. You'll understand." Shinji hung up before I could answer, leaving me with a bad feeling.
I put the phone away and looked at Tachie, who looked worried with her expression. "This isn't good..."
"Something wrong?" she asked, her voice still weak, but full of concern.
"I don't know, but..." I answered, looking at the floor, thoughtful. "Shinji said he has a 'surprise' for me at school. But knowing him, that doesn't sound like a good thing.
I couldn't get the worry out of my head after Shinji's call. Deciding not to wait for the day to pass, I had an idea.
I went to Sakura's room, where she was sleeping peacefully. I carefully opened the closet, trying not to make any noise. There, I found what I was looking for: a girl's school uniform.
"I hope she doesn't kill me for this..." I thought as I picked up the piece.
With the uniform in my hands, I went back to the room where Tachie was resting.
"Tachie, put this on." I said, placing the uniform on the edge of the bed.
She looked at me, confused. "Why?"
"Because we're going to school now." I replied determinedly.
Tachie understood: "Okay... Do we need to call the others?"
I scratched my head, clearly embarrassed. "No need... No one will suspect if you look like a student. Besides, we need to find out what's going on before it's too late."
#01
Tachie sighed, but she knew I wouldn't give up on the idea. Slowly, she started putting on the uniform, although she was visibly uncomfortable with the situation.
"Let's go..." she muttered, as she finished putting on the clothes.
When she was done, I looked at her and tried to hold back my laughter. "It looks great on you," I said, trying to lighten the mood.
"This is no time for jokes, Shirou," Tachie retorted, crossing her arms. "Let's go."
The two of us quietly left the house, careful not to wake the others. The day was cold, but I was determined to get to school as soon as possible.
"Are you sure about this, Shirou?" Tachie asked, still reluctant.
"I am. Something is wrong, and I can't wait to find out what it is."
Tachie just nodded, trusting me. The two of us continued towards the school, ready for whatever awaited us.
When we arrived at the school, Tachie and I were greeted by an eerie, oppressive silence. The school gate was open, but there were no signs of life.
"This is so wrong..." Tachie muttered, tugging at her uniform uncomfortably as she looked around.
I advanced cautiously, sweeping every corner of the courtyard. I stopped abruptly when I saw something that made my heart sink. There were bodies of students scattered across the ground.
"What... what happened here?" Tachie asked, her eyes wide with shock.
I knelt down next to one of the students, checking his pulse.
"They're alive... but something is draining their energy," I said, feeling a momentary relief.
"Is this the work of a servant?" Tachie asked, assuming a defensive posture.
"It's quite possible. But why do this inside the school?" I said, trying to organize my thoughts.
Suddenly, a sound echoed through the empty hallways. It was like the clanking of chains being dragged across the floor, accompanied by a soft laugh.
"Shirou... we're being watched." Tachie said, his tone serious as he looked around.
"I know..." I replied, my fists clenched. "Stay alert!"
Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows in the main hallway. It was Shinji Matou, with a strange smile on his face.
"Shirou! You're finally here!" Shinji said, his tone of voice both excited and sinister.
I narrowed my eyes, taking a step forward. "What did you do, Shinji?"
Shinji laughed, shaking his head as if he were amused. "Me? I didn't do anything. This is just the beginning."
Shinji just shrugged and pointed toward the school building. "Why don't you figure it out for yourself? But... be careful. You might find something you don't like."
Before I could react, Shinji started backing away, disappearing into the darkness of the hallway.
"Shall we go after him?" Tachie asked.
I looked at the fainted students around me and then back in the direction Shinji had disappeared. I took a deep breath, trying to decide what to do. "We have no choice. We need to find out who's behind this. Come on, Tachie."
The two of us advanced toward the building, prepared for whatever was lurking around us.
I looked at Tachie sternly as I adjusted my fists.
"I'm going after Shinji. He knows more than he's letting on, and I need to figure out what he's planning." I paused, looking around at the bodies of the unconscious students. "Tachie, you take care of his servant. If you find him, protect the students first."
Tachie looked at him with a serious expression, but there was a hint of concern in her eyes.
"Do you want me to face the servant alone?" she asked, adjusting the uniform Shirou had given her earlier.
"I trust you, Tachie. I know you can do it!" I replied, trying to convey confidence.
She sighed, but nodded. "Alright. But you need to be careful with Shinji. He may not be physically strong, but he is unpredictable and can use tricks to gain an advantage."
"I know that. Don't worry about me. Take care of yourself too." I took a step forward, but stopped and turned around. "And Tachie... don't go taking unnecessary risks."
"You too..." she replied with a determined smile.
Without another word, the two of us parted ways. I entered the school building, where Shinji had disappeared, while Tachie headed towards the back courtyard, where she felt a strange energy.
---
I walked through the dark, silent hallways, hearing only the sound of my own footsteps echoing. I knew Shinji was somewhere in there, but what worried me most was the reason behind all this. I couldn't ignore the fact that Shinji seemed to be involved in something much bigger than simple school rivalries.
"Why Shinji doing this? And why does he seem so confident? Does he have allies besides a servant?" I thought as I continued to explore.
Suddenly, I heard a laugh coming from upstairs.
"Come up, Shirou! I'm waiting!" Shinji's voice echoed through the hallways.
I clenched my fists and started climbing the stairs, determined to find answers.
---
Tachie, on the other hand, followed the feeling of energy emanating from the backyard. When she got there, she found a tall, imposing figure, enveloped in a menacing aura. It was Shinji's servant.
"Are you that boy's servant?" the servant asked, his voice resounding like thunder.
"And you must be Shinji's servant..." Tachie replied, assuming a combat stance. "Why are you attacking innocent students?"
The servant gave a low laugh and appeared, it was Rider, she was the first to move. With a swift movement, she threw her chains towards Tachie, who raised her huge shield in time to block the attack. The impact was brutal, making Tachie retreat a few steps as the chains wrapped around the shield.
"A big shield, but not enough to stop me." Rider pulled hard on the chains, trying to rip the shield from Tachie's hands.
Tachie planted her feet on the ground and held the shield with all her strength, resisting Rider's attempt to disarm her.
"I'm not that easy to take down!" Tachie shouted, advancing with the shield in front of her, pushing Rider back with a blow of impact.
Rider stepped back gracefully, his eyes shining with a mixture of interest and amusement.
"You're strong, I'll give you that. But let's see how long you can keep this up." Rider twirled his chains in the air, creating a dance of steel that seemed to cover the entire battlefield.
Tachie charged forward again, using her shield as protection against the chains that tried to surround her. Each blow against the shield made a clanging sound, but Tachie stood her ground. When she got the chance, she spun around Rider and tried to swing her sword, but Rider was incredibly agile, dodging the attack with an elegant leap.
"You're persistent, but... too slow." Rider said as his chain wrapped around Tachie's arm, pulling her closer.
Tachie felt the pain in her arm, but used the proximity to her advantage. With a swift movement, she raised her shield and slammed it into Rider, pushing her away. Rider staggered, but quickly regained her balance, wiping the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Not bad... but you're just defending yourself. When are you going to start fighting for real?" Rider teased, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Tachie took a deep breath, adjusting her stance. "I fight at my own pace. I won't let you dictate the battlefield."
With that statement, Tachie charged again, this time with a different strategy. She used her shield to create an opening, striking the ground and kicking up dust to make it difficult for Rider to see. Taking advantage of the moment of distraction, Tachie swung her sword in a well-aimed attack. Rider barely managed to block with her chains, forcing her to retreat for the first time.
"Interesting... you're more cunning than you look." Rider said, a thin smile appearing on her face.
Tachie didn't respond. She knew there was still a lot to face, but she also knew she couldn't lose. Not with Shirou and the others counting on her.
Meanwhile, somewhere else...
I, Choso, was sitting in the backyard of the house, reflecting on the recent events, when I felt something strange in the air. A growing discomfort settled in my chest, a feeling I couldn't ignore. I tried to shake the idea, but then I realized: it was Taiga's energy, and something was wrong.
"This isn't good..." I muttered, standing up in a hurry.
Wasting no time, I ran towards the school. Along the way, my mind was full of thoughts about what could have happened. Taiga was strong, but she was also a person who shouldn't have been involved with the Holy Grail. If something had gotten to her, it meant things were getting worse.
When I reached the school, the environment was eerily silent. The lights in the building were on, but there was no sign of students or teachers around. I entered the main building, feeling the strange energy grow with every step.
"Taiga... where are you?" I whispered to myself, his eyes alert to any movement.
As I explored the hallways, I finally found her. Taiga was lying in the middle of the gym. She wasn't moving, and I could tell something was wrong. The energy emanating from her was strange, as if it wasn't completely hers.
"Taiga? Are you okay?" I asked, slowly approaching.
When I finally arrived, Taiga was unconscious, lying near the main gate, surrounded by a strange aura that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She seemed to be in a disturbed sleep, and her lips mumbled something repeatedly. As I approached, I clearly heard:
"Choso... Choso..."
I knelt down next to her, holding her in my arms carefully, trying to wake her up.
"Taiga! Hey, it's me! Wake up!" I called out to her.
Taiga didn't respond. Her breathing was irregular, and her face showed suffering. I felt a tightness in my chest when I saw her in that state. For a moment, I lost myself as I looked at her. Her words calling my name still echoed in my mind, and the proximity made him consider something he would never have admitted out loud: I... wanted to kiss her.
But I pushed the thought away.
"No... now is not the time..." I muttered to myself.
I took a deep breath, controlling my emotions. I carefully laid Taiga on the ground, making sure she was safe, and stood up, with my fists clenched and my eyes burning with anger.
"Who did this to you?" I muttered, looking around.
The strange energy still hung in the air, indicating that the person responsible for this was not far away. I could feel a faint trace of the presence, something that pulsed like a provocation, inviting him to follow.
#02
"I will not let this go. I will make this person pay." I muttered to myself firmly before running towards the energy.
With each step I took, I felt more determined. I wouldn't let anyone hurt Taiga like that and get away with it.
I advanced through the school until I found the battle site. I heard the shrill sound of blows being exchanged, metal against metal, and saw, in the distance, Tachie fighting a woman with long, purple hair, who wore a blindfold and brandished chains with deadly precision.
Tachie used her huge shield to block the servant's devastating attacks, but it was clear that she was having a hard time. The girl was fast, agile, and her blows were fierce, almost impossible to predict. The chains moved as if they had a life of their own, attacking from unexpected angles.
I hid behind a column, watching the fight. I didn't know who this mysterious woman was, but I could feel the overwhelming energy emanating from her. She was no ordinary opponent.
Tachie jumped back, raising her shield to block another blow from the chains, which collided with the surface with a deafening impact. Despite her determination, she was clearly starting to lose ground.
"I won't lose, Rider!" Tachie shouted, charging at Rider and trying to knock her down with a thrust of her shield.
Rider dodged with a swift movement, her chains swirling around her like snakes, ready to strike again.
I took a deep breath. I knew I couldn't just stand by and watch. As much as I wanted to assess the situation, Tachie needed help.
I stepped out of my hiding place, revealing myself to both of them.
"Enough of this!" I shouted, clasping my hands together and drawing their attention.
Rider paused for a moment, tilting her head to observe the newcomer. Her face was expressionless, but her posture indicated that she was assessing her new opponent.
Tachie looked at me in surprise. "Choso? What are you doing here?!"
"That doesn't matter now..." I replied, taking determined steps towards the battle. "Whoever she is, you can't face her alone. I'll help."
Tachie hesitated for a moment, but she saw the determination in my eyes. She knew she couldn't convince me to back down.
Rider finally spoke, his voice calm but filled with cold authority:
"Interesting. Another human who dares to challenge me? This should be fun."
"You're a servant, aren't you?" I replied, assuming my combat stance. "If you're the one hurting people I love, then I'll end it now."
Rider gave a slight smile, raising his chains again. "Then come."
Without another word, Rider's chains advanced at high speed towards me. I dodged to the side nimbly, concentrating my cursed energy in the palms of my hands.
"Tachie, leave this to me for now! Protect the others if you need to..." I shouted as I prepared to face the powerful servant.
I glared at Rider as my cursed energy began to flow. I raised my hand, letting droplets of blood float around me before solidifying into sharp claws.
"For your information, I am far from human..." I said with a voice filled with conviction.
Rider tilted her head slightly, as if she were intrigued. "Interesting. So, what exactly are you?"
"Someone who won't let you get away with this." I replied, advancing quickly.
I attacked first, my blood claws cutting through the air at high speed. Rider reacted deftly, using her chains to block the attacks. The metallic sound of the chains echoed through the room as both of us exchanged fierce blows.
Rider retreated momentarily, assessing my fighting style.
"Your techniques are... different. But that won't be enough." She said, spinning her chains around her body and throwing them at him with force.
I dodged to the side, but one of the chains grazed me, ripping her shirt and leaving a shallow cut on my arm. I retreated a few steps, but stood my ground.
Meanwhile, Tachie, who had been watching, decided it was time to act. She held her shield tightly, but this time, instead of using it for defense, she stuck it into the ground.
"Enough of that." She muttered, pulling something from her back.
A curved, shining blade began to appear in her hand, enveloped in an intense crimson light. It was a scythe, a red as deep as freshly spilled blood.
I looked at her in surprise, but said nothing. Rider, on the other hand, seemed intrigued by the revelation.
#03
"So you have your secrets too," Rider said, looking at Tachie. "A scythe... interesting choice of weapon. Let's see what you're capable of."
Tachie stepped forward, spinning the scythe in her hands with surprising skill. "You'll find out soon enough."
She advanced with speed, attacking Rider with a powerful diagonal movement. Rider barely had time to raise his chains to defend himself, and the impact of the blow made the ground tremble slightly.
Now, with the two of us fighting side by side, the balance of the battle began to shift. Rider was being pressured by the coordinated attacks of both of us. The blood claws forced her to dodge and block, while Tachie's scythe followed with unpredictable blows.
Rider, however, did not seem intimidated. She retreated, spinning her chains around herself, creating an almost impenetrable defense.
"You guys are no fun at all." she said, with a slight smile. "But don't think you can defeat me so easily."
Tachie and I looked at each other, both panting but determined.
"Tachie!" I said, preparing another attack. "Let's end this together!"
"I'm with you." she replied, gripping her scythe even tighter.
And with that, the two of us advanced again, ready to face Rider's overwhelming power.
Rider was incredibly agile, easily dodging most of Tachie's attacks. Her movements were fluid and almost impossible to follow, as if she were in complete harmony with her surroundings. However, I was not someone who would be intimidated.
"You may be fast, but I will catch you, no matter what the cost." I said with a confident smile.
I manipulated my blood frantically, creating blades and projectiles that flew towards Rider. The ground around me began to stain red as I increased the intensity of the attacks, forcing her to focus on dodging and blocking with her chains.
Meanwhile, Tachie realized that her role in the fight had changed. She retreated momentarily, analyzing Rider's movement patterns. Her scythe glowed in her hands, but she knew she needed the right moment to strike.
Rider, who was focused on me, barely noticed the change in Tachie's posture.
"You fight well, damn it, but you're far from reaching me." Rider taunted as she swung her chains, creating a defensive barrier as she closed in on me with quick, precise strikes.
I, however, did not relent. I increased the pressure, launching a wave of bloody claws and spikes that Rider had to block. In the process, she was forced to open her defense momentarily. It was at that instant that Tachie saw her chance.
"Now!" Tachie shouted, thrusting her scythe in a downward arc.
Rider noticed the attack at the last second and dodged, but Tachie's strike passed so close that it cut off a lock of her hair. Rider retreated, now visibly more serious.
"Hm, it seems you're not as weak as I thought." She admitted, adjusting her fighting stance.
I took advantage of the distraction caused by Tachie's strike. With a quick movement, I condensed a massive amount of blood into a single pulsating sphere.
"Take this!" I shouted, launching the sphere directly at Rider.
Rider tried to dodge, but the explosion was too violent to be completely avoided. The impact partially knocked her off her feet, throwing her into a nearby room. The walls and floor shook from the impact, as dust and debris scattered.
I was panting heavily, my body showing signs of the intense exertion of my skills. I looked at Tachie, who was holding her scythe tightly, ready to continue the fight.
I entered a room with partially destroyed walls, only to be confronted by a strange energy that seemed to emanate from Rider's very presence. My posture was firm and my gaze was intense.
"Did you really think you could face me alone?" Rider asked, his tone of voice both seductive and threatening.
I narrowed my eyes, but before I could react, Rider's eyes glowed with a deep purple light. I felt a sudden wave of energy pass through my body, an overwhelming sensation that rendered him immobile in an instant.
"What... is this...?" I mumbled, desperately trying to move his arms or legs, but it was as if my entire body was bound by invisible chains.
"Mystic Eyes, dear. A gift given only to those who are above humanity." Rider replied, walking slowly towards her with a confident smile. "It's a waste to use this on someone like you... but I need to teach you a lesson."
I fought against paralysis, sweat dripping down my forehead. I tried to gather my energy to fight back, but my efforts were futile. Rider stopped a few meters away from me, analyzing me with a predatory gaze.
"You know, you're interesting... Damn." She said, tilting her head slightly. "Tell me, can curses feel fear?"
I didn't answer, I tried to break the hold of the Mystic Eyes.
"Nothing? What a shame." Rider said with a theatrical sigh. "Well, I guess it doesn't matter. You're in my way, and that's enough to give me a good reason to eliminate you."
She raised a hand, preparing her chains for the final blow. The chains began to spin, emitting a menacing sound as the air around them seemed to grow heavier.
I was motionless, still trapped by the paralysis of Rider's Mystic Eyes. I breathed heavily as I tried to understand what was happening. But then something made my mind begin to clear. I felt my energy pulsing inside my body, the blood in my veins clamoring for movement.
"You are Medusa..." I murmured to myself. I finally understood Rider's identity. One of the most dangerous figures in mythology, known for turning men to stone with a simple look. "So that's what you are."
Rider's smile widened, but before she could answer, I began to gather energy. With a tremendous effort, I channeled my power into the blood globules that circulated inside me.
"Do you think you can trap me with this?" I said, cutting through the silence of the room.
Suddenly, globules of blood began to emerge from my hands, glowing with a menacing intensity. The small orbs danced in the air around me, forming a barrier as they pulsed with energy. The blood seemed to take on a life of its own, fighting against Rider's control over me.
Rider narrowed her eyes, realizing something was wrong. "Do you really think you can break free from this?" She teased.
"It's not a matter of thinking..." I replied full of determination. With a sudden movement, I exploded the globules around me, creating a shockwave that broke the control of the Mystic Eyes.
I felt freedom take over my body again. Without hesitation, I advanced. In a single movement, fast and precise, I delivered a devastating blow with my blood claws.
Rider didn't even have time to react. The attack hit directly, piercing his body against the wall with a deafening impact. The entire room shook, chunks of concrete falling from the ceiling. Rider fell to the floor, dead, her body slowly dissipating into particles of energy that shone like dust.
"That was... too easy." I muttered, frowning as I looked at where Rider's body should have been. Something didn't feel right.
Suddenly, I heard soft footsteps behind me. I turned around quickly, my claws ready to attack again, but stopped when I saw who was there.
"Taiga?!" I exclaimed, surprise evident on her face.
Taiga stood there, with a confused and worried look, as if she had just arrived. She looked tired, but at the same time determined.
"Choso... what are you doing here? Are you okay?" She asked, her voice thick with concern.
I stood still for a moment, trying to process what was happening.
"Taiga, I'm the one who should ask this... are you okay?" I asked more softly now.
But before she could answer, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. I looked again at the spot where Rider had fallen, but there was nothing there. No evidence that she had actually been defeated.
"I'm... I don't know what's going on, all my students passed out in the classroom..." I felt Taiga's embrace like a comforting warmth amidst the confusion that surrounded me. She wrapped me tenderly, her soft voice murmuring words that I longed to hear.
"Choso..." she said, her voice sweet as honey. "I've wanted to tell you this for a long time... I love you."
I stood still, surprise had taken over me. My eyes searched hers, seeking some confirmation that this was real. Taiga's face seemed so sincere, so full of emotions that I had never seen before.
"T-Taiga..." I whispered, not knowing what to say. Something inside me wanted to believe that it was true, that finally the feelings I had carried in silence for so long were being reciprocated.
She smiled and tilted her head, her eyes shining with a softness that made my heart race. Suddenly, she came closer and kissed me. The touch of her lips was soft, but... strange. It didn't feel like I had imagined.
I tried to ignore the nagging feeling that was rising in the back of my mind. I wanted so badly to believe that it was real, that she finally loved me as I loved her.
But something was wrong.
She kept murmuring:
"I love you, Choso. I've always loved you..."
The words were repetitive, almost mechanical. The tone of her voice seemed artificial, as if someone was trying to imitate the real Taiga, but failing. I began to remember what she was really like. Taiga was energetic, spontaneous, a little clumsy. She had never displayed this kind of idealized behavior.
I frowned, my eyes narrowing as I looked at her.
"Taiga... Something's wrong..." My voice gained strength, cutting through the moment like a blade.
Her smile faltered for a moment, but soon returned. "What's wrong, Choso? Don't you like me?" She tried to hug me again.
"You would never act like that... you would never say those things like that." I began to concentrate, searching inside myself for the energy that still pulsed through his veins. And I realized that I was being manipulated.
I closed my eyes for a moment and channeled his energy, feeling the blood cells around him begin to respond. With a scream, I broke the illusion in an explosion of power, as if I were tearing an invisible veil that kept him trapped.
When I opened my eyes again, I realized that I was still standing in the same place. My body was still paralyzed by Rider's Mystic Eyes, but the illusion had disappeared. I saw Rider standing before me with blood in his mouth, watching me with a predatory gaze, satisfied that he had manipulated me.
"Impressive... Few can see it." Rider murmured, with a dark smile. "But that won't change anything. You are still at my mercy."
Before I could try to move, a loud sound echoed through the room. A bright glow lit up the space, and suddenly, a familiar figure appeared before me.
"TACHIE!" I shouted at the sight of her.
Tachie appeared with her shield raised, blocking a blow from Rider that was about to hit me. She forced Rider back with a powerful movement, holding her red scythe with determination.
"I told you I wouldn't leave you alone, Mr. Choso." Tachie said with a firm tone, but there was a spark of tiredness in her voice. She hadn't fully recovered from the previous fight yet, but she was still there to protect me.
"Tachie... you..." I tried to speak but I was still paralyzed.
"Don't say anything. I'll take care of this." She replied, spinning her scythe masterfully as she advanced towards Rider.
Rider, realizing that the situation had changed, retreated slightly, but her eyes still shone with that menacing light. She gave Tachie a cold look.
Rider was preparing to attack again.
As Tachie struggled to keep Rider at bay, I began channeling energy again. I knew I needed to break the paralysis once and for all.
Tachie continued to press Rider, her defensive skills with the shield being essential to blocking the enemy Servant's quick and precise attacks. However, Rider didn't seem interested in a prolonged fight.
Suddenly, Rider retreated.
Tachie let her guard down for a moment, taking a deep breath, and ran over to me, who had finally regained some movement.
"It's okay now," she said, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I nodded slowly, still processing everything that had just happened.
"Thank you, Tachie," I said, gratitude evident in my voice.
She smiled slightly.
"Let's not let her get us again. Let's get out of here before she comes back."
Tachie and I exchanged a quick glance, both understanding that we needed to end this fight now. Rider had already demonstrated her strength, but it was worn out after the previous clashes. If we attacked together, we could defeat her once and for all.
Tachie adjusted her stance, holding her red scythe tightly, while I made my blood boil with energy, creating sharp claws and blood blades around me.
"Let's finish this, Tachie." I muttered, staring at Rider.
"Alright. I'll open a gap, and you finish it off." Tachie replied, spinning her scythe at high speed.
Rider sensed the danger and prepared to counterattack, her Mystic Eyes glowing once more, trying to cast another illusion over them. However, I was already prepared. I closed my eyes and felt my energy pulse, activating my control over blood to create multiple floating globules around me. As soon as I opened my eyes again, Rider's illusion had no effect.
"Now!" Tachie shouted, charging at Rider.
She charged at speed, using her shield to block a blow from Rider's dagger and at the same time spinning her scythe to try to cut her opponent. Rider dodged nimbly, but was forced to retreat several steps.
It was at that moment that I sprang into action. I fired multiple spears of condensed blood, forcing Rider to jump to the side to avoid them. Each time she dodged, Tachie took advantage to pressure her even more.
Rider tried to counterattack, throwing her chains towards me to immobilize me, but I dodged at the last second, jumping to the side and sliding across the ground.
"I got you!" I muttered.
I gathered everything together, causing the blood around me to concentrate into a single massive spear. I fired the spear directly at Rider, who tried to jump to avoid the blow, but Tachie was waiting for that moment.
Tachie threw her spinning scythe at Rider, forcing her to change course in midair. Just as Rider tried to reposition herself, Choso's spear struck her squarely in the chest.
The impact was devastating. Rider let out a muffled scream as her body was pierced by Choso's energy. The spear glowed brightly before exploding, knocking her backward.
She fell to the ground, her form beginning to dissipate. Her body glowed faintly before transforming into particles of light.
I looked at Rider as her body began to disappear into particles of light. Despite everything, I felt no anger towards her. There was a melancholy in her eyes as I approached and knelt beside her.
"I may have been born cursed…" I said in a calm but firm voice. "But I chose to love my family."
Rider smiled faintly, her gaze still filled with mystery and sadness. She let out a small, almost imperceptible laugh and sighed.
"You're lucky... I never had that choice..." Her voice was soft, almost whispered.
I watched her for a moment, feeling that behind that fierce warrior mask, there was someone deeply hurt.
"I envy you..." She continued, closing her eyes for a moment. "And... I hope you weren't mad at me for stealing your kiss." Rider said with a slight smile.
I looked away for a second, remembering the illusion I had fallen into. It wasn't real... but, somehow, there was still a weight to it.
"That doesn't matter now..." I replied, looking back at her. "You fought until the end. I respect that."
Rider opened her eyes one last time, staring at me as if she wanted to memorize that moment. Then, with a last sigh, her body completely vanished, disappearing into thin air. "See ya... Bloody man..."
I remained kneeling for a moment, observing the empty space where Rider had been. I didn't know if I should feel relief or sadness. But one thing was certain: I would not forget this battle.
Tachie approached, placing her hand on my shoulder.
"We need to go." She said, with an understanding tone.
I nodded, standing up. Without saying anything else, we both left the room, knowing that the war was far from over.
I walked down the silent hallway, the metallic smell of blood still permeating the air. I found the room where Taiga and the other students were unconscious. Some were already beginning to wake up, with confused and frightened expressions, trying to understand what had happened.
Taiga opened her eyes slowly, blinking a few times before slowly sitting up. She looked dazed, as if she had come out of a long nightmare. When her eyes met mine, genuine relief took over her face.
"Ch-Choso…?" Her voice was low and hesitant, as if she couldn't believe I was there.
Without thinking twice, I walked over to her and pulled her into a tight hug. Taiga's eyes widened, surprised by the sudden action, but she soon relaxed, burying her face against mine.
"Are you okay?" I asked, full of concern.
Taiga took a moment to respond, feeling the comforting warmth of my embrace.
"Yeah… I think so." She whispered, closing her eyes for a moment.
She still didn't fully understand what had happened, but knowing that I was there. That was enough.
The other students looked at the two of us, some still confused and others simply grateful to have woken up. The tension of the battle had passed, but the feeling of danger still hung in the air.
I pulled away slightly, looking into Taiga's eyes. "I thought I was going to lose you..."
Taiga smiled softly, touching my face with a lightness that made me hold my breath. "But Choso... I'm still here..." - Taiga said with a gentle smile.
For a moment, the two of us stood like that, as if the world around us had disappeared. But then, reality called them back.
"We need to get everyone out of here... I don't know what happened, something dangerous happened." Tachie said, approaching.
I nodded and helped Taiga to her feet. Despite her exhaustion, she seemed determined to continue.
Change of perspective...
After defeating Shinji, I arrived where everyone was. "Tachie... I defeated him..."
Tachie turned to me. "You didn't kill him?"
I laughed. "No, there's no need, after his command seal disappeared, it was quite easy to defeat him... I just didn't expect him to be the one who caused all this mess..."
Tachie watched me closely, absorbing my words in silence. Shinji's Master seal had disappeared... That meant he was officially out of the War. However, that information couldn't be shared with the others at the moment. Tachie and I exchanged a knowing look before turning our attention back to the chaos around us.
A few hours later...
A few hours passed and the ambulance finally arrived. The paramedics quickly began tending to the unconscious students, checking their vital signs and questioning those who were already awake. Everything seemed like a big blur, the sound of the sirens, the questions of the paramedics, the confused murmurs of the students trying to understand what had happened.
I saw that Choso, however, was silent. He didn't care about the confusion around him. His gaze was fixed on Taiga, who, despite being weak, was trying to help the students near her.
Without hesitation, Choso approached her, his expression serious. Taiga noticed his presence and looked at him with a mixture of relief and surprise.
"Choso…"
He didn't say anything. He simply held her face gently, leaned forward and kissed her.
Taiga's eyes widened, completely taken aback. Time seemed to stop for a moment. His touch was warm, intense, but also filled with something deeper, a silent confession.
When Choso pulled away, he kept his gaze fixed on her eyes for a brief moment.
"Be well…" That was all he said before turning around and walking away, disappearing into the night without looking back.
Taiga remained still for a few seconds, bringing her fingers to her lips, still feeling the heat of the kiss. Her heart seemed to be racing, and she didn't know how to react.
One thing was certain: Choso wasn't someone who expressed his feelings in words. He had made his feelings clear through that sudden action... and now, all Taiga could do was try to understand how he felt about it.
Taiga opened her mouth to say something, but no words came out. Her face was red, and she could feel the curious gaze of some awakened students around her. Her heart was still beating fast, and she clenched her fists, frustrated with herself for not being able to say anything at that moment.
She wanted to call him back. She wanted to ask him what that kiss meant to him. She wanted to say something, anything... but the words just wouldn't come out.
"Idiot..." she thought, not knowing if she was cursing herself or Choso.
She looked in the direction he had left, but he had already disappeared. The warm feeling on her lips was still there, as if it were a memory impossible to ignore.
"Sensei? Are you okay?" I asked, approaching her, bringing her back to reality.
"W-What?! Ah, y-yes! I'm fine!" she answered quickly, shaking her head and trying to hide her embarrassment.
"I-I think..."
End of Chapter 11