Chapter 25: Chapter Twenty: The Sword and The Stone
William POV
At the end of the day, I just gave up on chasing after Shirou letting him get to class ahead of me, I yawned softly entering the school only to be greeted by the sight of Rin glaring at me "...something wrong Tohsaka?" I asked.
Her brow twitches she huffs turning to leave I raised a questioning brow "geez what's got her panties in a twist?" I muttered watching as she paused for a moment then continued walking, I shrugged my shoulders well not like it was my problem I thought going to the classroom.
When I entered, I saw that most of the students looked dead tired something's not right here I thought suddenly having a sense of danger I checked around the room trying to spot anything that was off but found nothing "I guess it's probably just me acting to paranoid," I mutter going to my seat.
Today was just a study hall meaning I didn't have to do much work, so I took the time to catch up on some sleep.
Of course, I just couldn't just sleep like a normal person though I thought with a great amount of irritation seeing myself in front of a large crowd of people.
I walked right through the crowed might as well see what's up for these people to cheering when I finally made it to the center my eyes connect with a familiar woman or should I say girl at the current moment in front of a stone with a sword stabbed in the center of it.
I see now so this must be the moment when Saber pulls out the sword from the stone if I remembered correctly.
Beside her I can see another man he wielded a long wooden staff, had pink hair that went down till his back, and finally the rest of his attire consisted of plain white robes the man opens his mouth to speak I got up closer until I was standing side by side with the memory version of Saber.
"It's better if you think this through before pulling out that sword Artoria," the man whispered so that no one else could hear Artoria glances at the man "you surprise me Merin...this is the first time we meet outside a dream, isn't it?" she questioned.
The now revealed Merlin doesn't reply to her question "not to say anything bad about it but its better if you stop. After pulling out that sword you will stop being human," he says with a slight pause before continuing "not only that but you will be hated by all kinds of humans, and you will reach a horrendous death."
My eyes narrow at his words Merlin knows her future doesn't he I thought after all he was a mage of great power surely, he knows what will happen if she does pull out that sword, I thought subconsciously tightening my hands into fists.
"No..." she replied trailing off Merlin raised a brow at that "is that alright?" he asked Artoria shakes her head "many people were smiling...so certainly this path...I don't think is wrong," she said taking a step closer to the stone my own mind flashes to the smile of Kiritsugu the feelings I had when I was finally saved alongside Shirou.
Then I recalled that day when I took up his dream early on the faces and smiles of those whom I had saved appeared in my mind, but then when I was about to lose Fuji-nee it wasn't about the smiles anymore it was more about protecting what little I had of my family...but even so the subconscious desire to save others hadn't really left me had it I questioned now recalling the faces of those I had indirectly saved in my quest to make sure everyone else I cared about remained safe.
The being that was William Emiya was broken he wasn't or rather couldn't be a normal human being due to the constant guilt of that one night.
So, when he heard Kiritsugu's dream he took it upon himself to fulfill it hoping to feel that same emotion of happiness that Kiritsugu felt when he had saved both him and Shirou.
Yet when the bonds of those closest to him had gotten close to being cut off because of one single man he had discarded that dream or so he thought he never showed it, but he was still happy whenever he got to the save the lives of others even if they weren't on his top priority.
"Ah I see so you will pull the sword then and in the end, you will trade that for which is most valuable to you?" Merlin questioned this time Artoria doesn't even bother replying she reaches out to grab the sword only to pause "...you know that's hell you're walking into, right?" I called out.
"You don't have an obligation to these people you don't have to sacrifice your personal happiness for these people I know I am acting like a hypocrite for even saying this but that's only because I am just broken thing thats only pretending to be human...but you're not you have a choice in what you want to do no one is telling you that you have to pick up that sword that you have to be a hero for these random nobodies," I suddenly ranted my emotions taking the best of me.
I didn't know why though it wasn't my business it was her choice to be the King of her country to shoulder all of the burdens that came with it.
A choice yes that was it she had a choice to remain being that normal girl living happily with her family and friends without having to worry about anything.
While I...I didn't have a choice it was more of necessity for me because I couldn't live without that subconscious desire to save people to be that hero of justice.
Artoria turned her head looking at me straight in the eyes "because...there's nothing wrong with wanting to save people. If I can even, make a small difference as King then surely everyone can at least be happy and live peacefully. Then yes, I shall take on all of their hate and scorn till the very end," she replied with a gentle smile which was different from the normal emotionless one that I saw on Saber.
The tighten grip on my fists drop at her answer because there's nothing wrong with wanting to save people...that's right even if I couldn't really be a hero of justice like Kiritsugu so long as they were happy and safe then yes, I would continue to strive forward to make sure those smiles remained.
Images of Fuji-nee, Sakura, Raiga, Shirou, Issei, and Ayako all smiling happily as we ate and talked amongst ourselves filled my mind then I saw flashbacks of myself in my signature black hooded coat, visor like mask in the shape of a skull, and finally the Thompson Contender in my grip.
Each time my flashback self-shot someone with that Contender more blood covered my being, but I didn't care as long as they were safe and happy then I would do whatever it takes to ensure their happiness over my own I thought reappearing back in front of Saber who had now returned back to the stone.
"Every miracle has a price to pay," Merlin said as Saber gripped the handle of the sword the wind bellowed intensely causing my hair and coat to fly back.
Still my eyes remain on her gripping the sword until she finally unsheathed the sword from the stone a golden light exploded forth engulfing me completely.
I awoke with a groan a hand shook my shoulder "Oi William wake up its lunch time now," came the voice of Shirou opening my eyes slowly I rubbed the sleepiness away with my right hand.
"Lunch already? Time sure passed," I say packing my things away Shirou's eyes twitch "William don't tell me you were asleep the whole entire time! You could have at least studied a little even if you are a genius, you still shouldn't slack off," he continued to rant as we walked off the classroom a chuckle escapes my mouth causing Shirou to pause with a frown "what are you chuckling at I am being serious," he says.
I shake my head "nothing...it's just good day to be alive," I reply he furrowed his brows not knowing what I meant "w-what do you mean by that?" he questioned "it's nothing Shirou don't worry about it," I said waving off his question much to his confusion.
-end of chapter twenty-
Yes I finally made it to chapter twenty lets go!
Anyways the next chapter Rider attacks but it will be a while before I post that.
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