Fate x Danmachi: The Sword Prince (eng)

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Shirou ran back toward where Finn and the others were, his mind filled with worry. He didn't know their current condition, especially Finn, who was severely injured. He quickened his pace, and before long, he spotted a group of adventurers resting in a corner of the labyrinth. Raul seemed to be talking to his companions.

"Shirou is truly incredible," Raul said in awe, gripping his sword with both hands. "Even though Aki and I are both Level 4, I'm sure even if we fought Valletta together, we wouldn't stand a chance."

Aki, sitting beside him and leaning against the wall, chimed in, "He's strong because of his Magecraft," she said with a slightly annoyed tone, "and also because he's too reckless for his own good."

Shirou appeared silently next to Raul, removing his skull mask. "It's not nice to talk about someone behind their back, Raul," he said teasingly.

Raul jumped in surprise, nearly dropping his sword. "Shirou! Stop sneaking up like that! You'll give me a heart attack!" he protested, his face turning red.

Aki, Lisa, and Lloyd burst into laughter at Raul's panicked expression. Even Finn, lying on Lisa's lap, gave a faint smile at the commotion.

Once the group calmed down, Aki looked at Shirou intently. "So? Did you manage to capture Valletta?" she asked hopefully.

Shirou shook his head slightly. "No," he replied curtly.

Everyone looked disappointed, assuming Valletta had managed to escape. They collectively sighed, but before anyone could say more, Shirou continued in a flat tone, "I killed her. Bringing her alive would have only been an additional burden for us." He cast a brief glance at Finn, who still lay weak.

Raul swallowed hard, feeling a chill from Shirou's matter-of-fact manner. "So... you really don't show mercy to your enemies, huh?" he muttered, almost to himself.

Shirou sighed. "I didn't do it for myself. If I'd brought Valletta as a prisoner, the risk of us being attacked would've been much higher. I wasn't willing to endanger all of you," he said earnestly.

His companions exchanged glances before smiling faintly. "Thank you, Shirou," Lisa said sincerely, echoed by the others.

Shirou simply nodded and sat down briefly to catch his breath. In his heart, he was grateful to still be able to protect them, even though he knew the road ahead would be full of danger.

Shirou stood before the group, looking at his friends, who appeared tense but determined. "We need to decide on our next move," he said, his voice firm yet calm.

Lisa turned to glance at Finn, who was lying weakly on her lap. "We have to take Captain Finn to Dea Saint, Airmid Teasanare," she said worriedly. "She's the only one who can heal his wounds. Regular potions won't work." Her face showed deep concern, but her steady tone reflected her sense of responsibility.

Lloyd, standing beside Lisa, nodded in agreement. "Then we need to get back to the upper floors as quickly as possible. The only exit is up there," he added, inspecting his sword as he prepared for potential threats.

Aki crossed her arms, her eyes scanning the dark corridor ahead. "But we need to be careful. We don't have a map of this place, and finding the staircase in this labyrinth won't be easy," she said seriously, warning the group.

Shirou pondered their words. He felt a little embarrassed because he didn't remember the exact route to the staircase he had used earlier. "How about we use a simple method?" he suggested, trying to sound confident. "We always turn right. That'll help us navigate the labyrinth and find the staircase faster."

Raul, who had been quietly listening, nodded enthusiastically. "That's a great idea! At least we'll have a clear direction," he said, trying to motivate the group.

Lisa gently adjusted Finn's position on her back. "Alright, I'll carry Captain Finn," she said, reassuring the others. Finn, being a Pallum, was small enough not to be too much of a burden for Lisa, who was Level 3.

Shirou took the lead. "Alright, I'll stay in front. I'll use Structural Analysis to check for traps along the way," he said, beginning to walk cautiously.

Their journey started with care. Shirou kept activating Structural Analysis to detect hidden traps or signs of danger. Behind him, the synchronized but careful footsteps of his companions echoed in the narrow labyrinth corridors.

"Stay alert, everyone," Shirou warned, his voice low but commanding. "We don't know what lies around each corner."

Lisa, still focused on carrying Finn, whispered softly to her unconscious captain, "Hold on, Captain. We'll get out of here together."

Aki and Raul exchanged glances, silently offering each other support. Despite their exhaustion, their determination burned brightly, driven by the resolve to protect one another and get Finn to safety.

In the silent journey, Raul's voice broke the stillness from the back of the group. "I hope we run into other Familia members along the way," he said hopefully, his eyes scanning the seemingly endless dark corridors.

Aki, walking in the middle of the group, sighed heavily. "If only we hadn't been separated by that Orichalcum door," she said, her tone tinged with regret. "If we had the key, everything would've been so much easier." She glanced at the walls as if searching for an impossible solution.

Shirou, at the front of the group, suddenly stopped. With a calm gesture, he projected a small metallic sphere—the Orichalcum door key. "Do you mean something like this?" he asked casually, holding up the key for everyone to see.

Raul's eyes widened, while Aki and the others looked at him in amazement. "Whoa, you actually have that?" Raul exclaimed, his voice brimming with admiration.

Aki furrowed her brow before breaking into a small smile. "Wait... don't tell me you copied this from Valletta's key earlier, did you?" she guessed accurately.

Shirou nodded with a faint smile. "Exactly," he replied. "At least she was good for something," he added playfully, before deftly tossing the sphere toward a scout flower hidden in a corner of the ceiling. The sphere shattered the flower with a sharp clang that echoed through the corridor.

His companions nodded in admiration as Shirou resumed leading the way. They continued their journey, encountering small traps and a few scout flowers, which Shirou easily destroyed. Despite the persistent silence, they remained vigilant, knowing danger could strike at any moment.

Eventually, their steps brought them to a staircase leading to the upper floor. Raul, looking slightly fatigued, exclaimed, "We finally found the way up! But I think the rest of our friends must be on another floor. That's why this place feels so empty."

Aki sighed deeply, scanning her surroundings. "You might be right," she said seriously. "But we need to focus on getting Finn to the upper floor before worrying about finding the others."

Shirou nodded in agreement, his gaze firm. "Exactly. The captain's safety is our priority right now," he said, starting to climb the stairs, followed closely by the others with determined steps.

As they ascended, a soft breeze suddenly swept past them from behind. It wasn't strong enough to disturb their balance but enough to make them pause with an odd feeling.

Shirou stopped in his tracks, narrowing his eyes. He recognized this breeze—it wasn't ordinary wind. "This is Aiz's power," he murmured to himself, barely audible. Shirou knew Aiz often used her wind in battle, but this time, it felt different—gentler, as though carrying a hidden message.

Raul scratched his head in confusion. "Why would Aiz use her power like this?" he asked, his puzzled voice echoing softly in the narrow corridor.

Aki, deep in thought, suddenly had a realization. "Maybe it's not for attacking," she said, her eyes lighting up. "It feels like Aiz is using this wind to guide us. Perhaps she wants us to meet her."

Lisa, carefully carrying Finn on her back, immediately protested. "But Captain Finn is still gravely injured! We need to get out of Knossos and take him to the Dea Saint right away. Time is of the essence!" she said firmly.

Initially, Shirou nodded in agreement with Lisa, but a growing worry filled his mind. "What if this isn't just a guide?" he thought. "What if Aiz is sending this wind as an SOS? If that's the case, she might be in serious danger."

Noticing the change in Shirou's expression, Raul stepped forward and gently patted his shoulder. "Shirou," he said, his voice steady and confident. "Trust us to get Captain Finn out of here. You should follow Aiz. If she's in danger, she needs you more than we do right now."

Shirou looked at his friends with hesitation, his heart conflicted. He dreamed of being a hero who could save everyone, but now he had to choose. What if they were ambushed by Evilus while he wasn't there?

Aki smiled faintly, despite her exhaustion. "You've already saved us earlier, Shirou," she said warmly. "Now it's our turn to finish this mission. You know we can do it."

Lisa, Lloyd, and Raul all nodded in unison, conveying their trust without many words. Finally, Shirou exhaled deeply, his gaze passing over each of them with profound gratitude.

"In that case, take these just in case," Shirou said, projecting several sphere-shaped keys and handing them to his friends. "Use these if you run into another Orichalcum door. Be careful and don't take unnecessary risks."

Raul accepted the keys with both hands, clutching them to his chest with a determined expression. "Leave it to us," he said with a warm smile, assuring Shirou they would be fine.

With a mix of relief and anxiety, Shirou nodded, then turned and darted toward the gentle breeze leading him to Aiz. Behind him, the sound of his friends' footsteps grew fainter, but their trust continued to fuel his resolve to protect everyone.

***

Aiz knelt in the center of a large, dimly lit room resembling a dark and gloomy laboratory, situated just below the floor Shirou was on. Her Orichalcum sword, Desperate, was embedded in the stone floor, serving as her anchor to keep her from collapsing entirely. Her breaths were labored, her body battered and bloodied, with crimson staining her shoulder.

Her eyes locked onto Revis, who stood not far away—a woman with fiery red hair wielding a massive black sword that seemed to pulse as if alive. The cursed aura emanating from the weapon was palpable even from a distance. "There's no point in resisting, Aria," Revis said coldly, her voice dripping with confidence. "You know this is the end."

Aiz moved her left hand, pressing against the wound in her abdomen as blood poured out. She gritted her teeth, recalling their earlier encounter. Back on the 24th floor, their powers had been evenly matched, both at Level 6. With Ariel, her wind magic, Aiz had been able to suppress Revis easily. But this time, Revis was different.

The power Revis now possessed far exceeded human limits. Aiz realized that the woman standing before her had reached a strength equivalent to Level 7. Even with Ariel, Aiz's attacks barely scratched Revis, and the injuries inflicted were short-lived as Revis' half-monster body rapidly regenerated, her wounds sizzling and closing as if mocking Aiz's efforts.

Revis stepped forward with steady strides, her green eyes filled with hatred. "You already know, no one is coming to save you," she continued. "Your companions are lost in Knossos. They won't arrive in time."

Aiz remained silent, her gaze softening momentarily as memories from her past surfaced. She recalled her childhood—the sacrifice her parents made to fight the One-Eyed Black Dragon, leaving her sealed away in slumber for millennia. She had waited, hoping for a hero to come and save her, but that hero had never appeared.

After being freed by the Loki Familia, Aiz resolved never to wait again. She vowed to take revenge with her own hands and seek justice for her parents' deaths. Yet now, she realized she wasn't alone anymore. The hero she had waited for had come—but in an unexpected way.

"You're wrong," Aiz said weakly but with unyielding determination. "I'm not alone." Her eyes glimmered with renewed resolve as she gripped Desperate with both hands, forcing herself to stand.

Revis frowned, momentarily intrigued. "What nonsense is this?" she mocked.

Aiz didn't answer. Instead, she drew a deep breath and summoned her power. With every ounce of strength, she chanted a spell that reverberated through the air around them. "Ariel!" Aiz shouted, her voice echoing through every corner of Knossos.

A powerful gale erupted from her body, forming a vortex that expanded with incredible force. The magic not only struck Revis directly but also spread throughout Knossos, as if summoning aid or sending a warning to everyone within the labyrinth.

Revis stared at Aiz with scorn, a mocking laugh escaping her lips. "What are you trying to do, Aria? Call for help? A desperate cry? It's meaningless," she said, advancing slowly with deliberate menace, her black sword pulsating like a living creature.

Aiz panted, her body growing heavier, but her spirit remained resolute. She tightened her grip on Desperate, preparing for a final attack, even knowing her body might not endure its toll. The winds of Ariel still swirled around her, though they began to wane.

Revis swung her sword to the side, its movement slicing the air with a sharp hiss. "It's over, Aria," she declared smugly, raising her cursed blade high, ready to deliver the final blow.

Before the strike could land, a figure clad in a black cloak leapt with astounding speed, landing heavily in front of Aiz. Two swords, Kanshou and Bakuya, crossed to block Revis' swing, producing a deafening clang that reverberated through the room.

Aiz's eyes widened in shock as she recognized the one standing before her. Shirou, wearing a skull-shaped mask and a flowing black cloak swayed by the winds, had placed himself between her and Revis. The force of the clash sent slight tremors through Aiz's weakened body, but she couldn't suppress the faint smile forming on her lips.

"Shirou..." Aiz murmured weakly but with immense relief. In her heart, she felt as though the hero she had been promised had arrived once more. Like a star shining in the darkest night, Shirou had come to save her.

Revis yanked her sword back harshly, retreating a few steps. "You again," she muttered in irritation. "You really don't know when to quit."

From behind his mask, Shirou's gaze bore into Revis with icy intensity. "And you don't know when to stop destroying lives," he retorted firmly. His hands gripped Kanshou and Bakuya with unshakable resolve, ready for battle.

Aiz, still kneeling behind Shirou, felt her thoughts drift to the past. The memory was vivid—Shirou, a mere Level 1 in Rivira, had stood with remarkable courage against Revis, who was already a Level 6. Even though they had barely known each other, Shirou had protected her without hesitation, risking his own life.

And now, the moment was repeating itself. Shirou once again stood before her, facing a deadly threat with the same courage as before. Aiz's eyes glistened with tears—not from pain, but from the overwhelming emotions in her heart. "He is the hero," she thought, strengthening her resolve to believe they could overcome any threat together.

Revis grinned triumphantly, her gaze fixed directly on Shirou. "Why don't you just take off that ridiculous mask... Emiya Shirou," she said mockingly, her voice echoing through the room.

Shirou froze, his body tensing. The name slipped from Revis's lips like a sharp blade, catching him off guard. How did she know? Without wasting any time, Shirou dissolved the black cloak and skull mask into prana, letting them vanish. Now he stood revealed, wearing Archer's iconic red attire and black armor that glinted dully under the laboratory lights.

Revis chuckled softly, pointing to Kanshou and Bakuya in Shirou's hands. "Those cursed swords—I could never forget them. The moment I saw them again, I knew who you were," she said confidently.

Shirou exhaled slowly, realizing his mistake. His mind flashed back to their previous mission when he had pursued Aiz to the 24th floor with Filvis, Bete, and Lefiya. Back then, he had used Kanshou and Bakuya without wearing his mask. From those weapons alone, Revis had pieced together his identity.

"So that's how," Shirou said flatly, though inwardly he was slightly annoyed with himself for his carelessness.

Revis raised her sword arrogantly. "I don't care why you've been hiding, Emiya Shirou. But now, you'll pay for the wounds you inflicted when we met in Rivira," she said with venom.

Revis lunged forward with incredible power, her black sword slicing through the air with speed. Shirou quickly raised Kanshou and Bakuya, parrying the blow. The metallic clash rang out across the room, but each time Shirou blocked, he was forced back several steps. The gap in their strength was immense.

Revis's relentless assault came like a raging storm, her strikes unceasing. Shirou held his ground, his focus trained on every movement of his opponent. Still, he knew he was being cornered. His energy was draining rapidly just to keep up with her overwhelming strength.

Aiz, still kneeling behind Shirou, watched anxiously. Her fingers gripped her sword tightly, but her injured body couldn't move to assist him. "Shirou..." she whispered faintly, her heart pounding with a mix of hope and prayer. He couldn't lose. He was the hero who always came to save her. Please... win.

Shirou heard the sound of Revis's sword slicing through the air once more, tightening his grip on Kanshou and Bakuya. "I won't lose," he said in a low voice, firm with determination. "Not now."

Shirou hurled Kanshou and Bakuya with all his strength toward Revis. The swords shot through the air like flashes of light, aiming straight for her.

But Revis had learned from their previous encounter. With extraordinary agility, she leapt to the side, dodging the attack that had once injured her in Rivira. Revis knew the danger Kanshou and Bakuya posed. As a half-monster, the wounds inflicted by those swords were difficult to heal, like a curse that bypassed her regeneration.

Revis quickly glanced back at the swords, aware of their ability to return to Shirou's hands. She prepared to counter their return. But something unusual happened.

Shirou stood his ground, showing no signs of recalling Kanshou and Bakuya. His eyes shone with intense focus, revealing that he had another plan. He had intentionally used Kanshou and Bakuya as a diversion, buying himself enough time to project a new Noble Phantasm.

"You really are full of tricks," Revis said with a small laugh, though her tone betrayed a growing wariness.

Shirou could feel the prana within him dwindling, especially after using Caladbolg to break through the Orichalcum door earlier. He decided to project Monohoshi Zao, the legendary sword of Sasaki Kojirou. The long nodachi materialized in his hands—sleek, elegant, and its blade gleaming faintly under the laboratory's dim light.

Monohoshi Zao was longer than ordinary swords, its slender blade radiating an aura of deadly tranquility. Though its appearance was unassuming, Shirou knew the extraordinary technique it could unleash.

Revis narrowed her eyes, studying the new weapon. "So, you've got a new trick? Interesting," she said with a sneer before charging forward, her sword ready to strike Shirou down.

Shirou remained calm, stepping lightly as he gripped Monohoshi Zao with unwavering concentration. He knew the technique he was about to use wasn't perfect, as he couldn't fully replicate the legendary moves of Sasaki Kojirou. But it would suffice to counter Revis.

As Revis closed the distance, Shirou measured the range with precision. When she was within striking distance, Shirou moved the nodachi, executing his imitation of the legendary technique.

"Tsubame Gaeshi," Shirou whispered, unleashing the famous sword technique of Sasaki Kojirou. In an instant, three simultaneous sword slashes appeared, each attacking from a different angle—creating the illusion of an impossible movement.

Revis's battle-hardened instincts allowed her to block the first slash with her sword and leap back to evade the second. But the third slash was unavoidable. Monohoshi Zao's blade sliced cleanly through Revis's right arm, severing it completely and eliciting a scream of pain.

Revis staggered back against the wall, leaning heavily on it as her breathing became labored. Her face contorted in pain, but a grin still tugged at her lips. "Impressive, very impressive! I've never seen a technique like that," she said, sounding almost entertained despite losing an arm.

From the severed limb, white smoke began to rise, signaling the start of her body's regeneration. As a Creature, Revis's regenerative abilities were still remarkable, even after Shirou's attack.

Aiz, still injured, watched the battle in awe. Her eyes widened at the swordsmanship Shirou displayed—something she had never imagined before. "Shirou..." she murmured softly, her heart trembling as she witnessed the hero standing before her, fighting to protect her.

Shirou kept his gaze on Revis, saying nothing as he lifted Monohoshi Zao with a steady hand, prepared to continue the battle. "I won't let you touch Aiz again," he thought with unshakable resolve.