Emiya RoW 2011/08/16 (Tue) 15:04 No. 76 ▼ File 131350705289.jpg - (82.13KB, 640x480 , Blades.jpg)
I know I've read something like this, but for the life of me, I can't recall what it is. Not trying to plagiarize.
***
There stands a boy. Battered, but still unbroken. His body rejects him. Every move is like a creaking iron gate. Somehow, he weathers every last barrage of danmaku, the rainbow barrage of firepower and magical energy. It was such a barrage that the Gates of Babylon themselves would have knelt down in supplication.
Legs crossed, sitting on the borderline, is a woman. Borders and gaps are her power. An impossible task, one might call it Sisyphean. He stumbles falls and picks himself back up after every barrage peels skin from his body, searing his nerves with white-hot flames. His clothes are in tatters, a result of both danmaku and his very own body. The rejection of himself. Emiya Shirou destroys Emiya Shirou.
He pauses to look up. Still, he moves forward. Blood drips to the ground from the blades protruding from him. Steel is his body.
"I-I'll defeat you," he says. It starts out softly, but with every repition it grows louder until it goes into a roar.
"Not even all the evils of the world could stop me. Not the King of Knights. Definitely not you. I'll defeat you and save Sakura."
This is what he repeats. He even believes it, and for that, he is able to pick himself up after every barrage and push forward a few more steps.
The only response is snide laughter.
"Child, this is my domain. Here, you are my plaything. You only live here because I will it. But humans like you are such interesting things. The ability to reject your own nature has fascinated me as has the ability to continue even in a hopeless situation."
Though called a child by a creature beyond human laws and logic, the man looks up, grits his teeth takes another step. The thing wearing a woman's form applauds magnificently.
"But you, Emiya Shirou, are perhaps the most brave and stubborn of them all. That look of agony on your face every time you project a new weapon is beautiful. Every time a blade pierces your flesh and you press onward, my heart sings with joy. Show me, the Youkai of Borders, your humanity, Emiya Shirou."
The next barrage of beautiful danmaku arrives and he endures. Enduring is the only thing left for him. To project the Sword of Promised Victory, Excalibur, would mean death. To project Rho Aias, Shield of No Loss, would mean death. To project anything but those two blades means death. They are shattered in the barrage as he tries to hack down the danmaku thrown against him. Blades shatter and embed more shards of metal into him. The next pair of blades materializes with that same agony. But Emiya Shirou will always be Emiya Shirou.
"I..."
The mysterious monster smiles, licking her lips in anticipation. Yakumo Yukari will not leave unsatisfied. This is the moment. Emiya Shirou is Emiya Shirou.
"...am the bone of my sword..."
A simple poem, similar to one used by a nameless and forgotten hero.
"Steel... is my body and fire is my blood."
"Yes, Emiya Shirou. Know that Yakumo Yukari will preserve this memory for all eternity!"
Her joy is both divine and infernal, and her laugh is both beautiful and disgusting.
She extends a hand, preparing to declare a spell card.
"I have created over a thousand blades."
There is a power in the air, held taut by these words. These words that are the basis of a Magecraft bordering on Sorcery.
"Known only to one..."
His eyes close as he finds an inner peace.
"But still closed to all."
These words are his very soul. These words are Emiya Shirou. These words are the flawed, but nonetheless beautiful thing known as Emiya Shirou.
"Have withstood pain, creating many weapons."
The youkai watches. For her, it is the most beautiful display of human spirit she has ever seen.
"All for one. This is my path and I have no regrets."
The man pauses to draw breath.
"So as I pray..."
The youkai watching smiles and releases a breath she did even know she was holding. He smiles, peaceful and calm.
"Unlimited Blade Works."
Drying wind and scorching flame. And then.
A wasteland. It is a desolate wasteland. There is only dry, gritty sand. The Youkai of Borders, Yakumo Yukari, is no longer watching from overhead. Her feet touch the ground, and she understands. This is Emiya Shirou. This is who he is. No matter how much he changes, this wasteland of scattered blades will always be him. Gears grind in the bloody sky.
She finally declares.
"Bounded Field~Border of Life and Death."
The swirl of danmaku is brought into existence. Against it, is wall of swords. The danmaku fires and the swords do likewise. They meet in a no-man's land of exploding light and shattering steel. As fast as she can, she fires the danmaku, but the swords are faster. Now, she is out of spell cards, but the battle is not done. The rain of swords ends. He is at his limit.
She looks at him. A hand is raised above his head as a weapon forms into existence. Eyes hard as steel and thrice as sharp send her a message. It is a simple one, but it now takes a new meaning.
"Welcome to my world," say the eyes.
Yakumo Yukari can only smile. This what she wanted. Never before has she seen anything like this, and she knows that never again she will. The sword forms, sharper and more real than the ones from before. He charges, the desperate charge of a man on his last legs. Still, Emiya Shirou is unbroken. For the first time, Yakumo Yukari throws caution to the wind and charges.