Chapter 48 -:48 Copenhagen
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However, as he had said countless times before, Emiya Shirou was a poor example of a Magus, and would likely never advance beyond the rank of Third-Rate Apprentice. This was not entirely the fault of his lack of training, degraded circuits or the limitations of his Magecraft, but also because he lacked the proper mind-set to ever truly be considered a Magus.
To a Magus, the results of their research were all-important, so important that anyone stupid enough to die without passing on the fruits of their labors to the next generation was typically considered 'No True Magus' to begin with. Provided their research bore promising results, a First-Class Magus could get away with genocide so long as doing so didn't reveal the existence of Magecraft or trespass on forbidden ground.
As a human being, Emiya Shirou's thoughts were far removed from those of the cynical Counter Guardian EMIYA. As one whose life had been saved, and had at one point endeavoured to become a 'Hero of Justice' to save everyone, such sacrifices could never be accepted. Now, as a man who had cast aside his desire to save everyone in favour of protecting those important to him, those who perpetrated such crimes should never be forgiven.
"Everyone..." Kiba whispered, snapping the redhead out of his thoughts to see the Gremory Knight kneeling down to pick up the dimly glowing crystal the sole remnant of his comrades' Holy Element that Valper had so casually discarded as 'dregs', tears streaming from the handsome devil's eyes as he held it reverently in his hands "I'm so sorry..."
As if in response to his words, the crystal began to glow, softly at first, then increasingly brighter, the light spreading out until it covered the entirety of the field, though Shirou somehow instinctively knew that whatever was going on, it meant no harm to anyone here.
From the ground beneath Kiba, orbs of light, like fireflies, rose and coalesced, taking the shape of several people clad in the robes of acolytes of the church. Boys and Girls, ranging from their early teens to as young as four, all clad in the same white robes, all gazing upon Kiba with saddened, downcast expressions.
"They must be Yuuto-kun's comrades..." Akeno noted from the side-lines, her tone solemn as she watched the phantoms converge on Kiba "They must have reacted to his heart and drawn upon the various powers present to manifest."
"Everyone...!" Kiba choked, tears streaming from his eyes as he clutched the gem that held his friend's essence to his chest "I've always...always wondered...was it right...that I was the sole survivor?" his shoulder shook with emotion "Many of you had grander dreams than I ever did...There were certainly those who wanted to live more than I..." he hunched over "Did I truly deserve...to live in peace?"
With each word, Shirou's felt his understanding of Kiba and his fury for Valper grow. Like Emiya Shirou, Kiba Yuuto had 'died' in a crisis, only to be 'Saved' through the actions of others. The difference, however, is that while Kiba had been turned into a devil, he retained all the memories of his past life, whereas Shirou had cast aside everything that he'd been prior to the fire, even his name, so while both had been 'Reborn', Shirou had lost any and all attachment to 'who he'd been before'.
Kiba hadn't lost anything when he'd been revived as a Devil; indeed, the memories of what he'd lost had remained festering within him to this day. As such, while Shirou would continue to envy Kiritsugu for the joy he'd expressed at saving him, all Kiba could do was pray that his comrades had not resented him.
As if to dismiss such thoughts, the spectral hand of a little girl reached up to grip Kiba's sleeve, the Knight looking down to find her smiling up at him, a sentiment shared by all the gathered spirits as they reached out to touch their friend, their lips moving as if in tandem.
"Don't worry about us anymore." Akeno translated, her eyes never leaving the spirits lips as she apparently translated what they were saying for all to hear "You are alive at least."
Tears of relief burst from Kiba's eyes, the Knight looking around him in wonderment as his friends bodies dispersed, the lights that composed them swirling around him as a low, rhythmic humming began to play, Kiba slowly, almost hesitantly, began to sing.
Shirou was never the most religious sort, but being acquainted with Ryuudo Issei and working at Bar Copenhagen meant he'd been exposed to various religious events, Sutras and Hymns over the years, and so he could tell even without Asia's tearful whispers that the song that flowed from Kiba's lips had been something precious to him once, the sole relief afforded to the subjects of Valper's research, embodying their hopes and dreams of being able to wield the Legendary Excalibur.
As they all looked on, Valper in horror and Kokabiel with intrigue, the lights gathered around Kiba, moving too fast for Akeno to make out their words before slowly gathering around Kiba's form like a shroud, his body glowing with the same Holy Aura that had exuded from the stone as he turned to glare at the dumbstruck Archbishop of Genocide.
"I can never forgive you...for what you've done." He stated, his features lined with loathing as he stepped towards the cowering Valper "No matter how hard I tried I could never rid myself of the hatred I felt for you and your Holy Sword Project..." he clenched his fist "For so long I thought of nothing but tracking down everything associated with that project and destroying it as a tribute to the comrades who gave their lives for me."
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