第二章 . . . 000
@/mxtsuro | AO3 & Wattpad
Myrddin Emrys © 2025

﹒  ◠  METEMPSYCHOSIS    ⊹    ﹒
— “ reincarnation ” !
We must reach out our hand in friendship and dignity both to those who would befriend us and those who would be our enemy.
★ . Arthur Ashe » +

೯⠀⁺ ⠀ 𖥻 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐈 ⠀ᰋ
── ★ ˙ the air hung heavy with the smell of pine needles and the undercurrent of tension, as new friendships were tested and new enemies emerged  ̟ !!

Fuyuki City
3rd of September 2004, 17:30 PM

           The golden hue of the late autumn sun draped over Fuyuki City like a warm, fleeting memory. The crisp, cool air rustled the amber and red leaves that fell softly to the sidewalk, creating a gentle, rhythmic crunch beneath the feet of passersby. Romani walked quietly beside Galateya, his long cloak swaying with each step, the fabric making soft rustling sounds as it brushed the ground. His amber eyes were distant, scanning their surroundings with sharp precision, always on alert for any sign of danger. The streets were peaceful, the city bathed in the soft light of the evening, but the traveler had learned not to trust such calm.

            Galateya clung to his hand, her small fingers wrapping around his much larger ones as they strolled through the quiet streets. The small girl bounced along with the natural energy of a child, her wide blue eyes taking in the city around her with awe. Every detail seemed new to her---every leaf, every storefront, every passing car. Her albino hair shimmered in the fading sunlight, and her face held a serene yet curious expression, one that contrasted sharply with Romani’s vigilant demeanor.

            Romani’s thoughts were elsewhere, preoccupied with the events of the past few days. The incident with Berserker still weighed heavily on him, though he maintained his calm exterior. His senses were on high alert, his magical intuition tingling ever since they had stepped foot into Fuyuki City. Though they had managed to remain relatively unnoticed, the city was crawling with hidden dangers. He knew that lurking just beyond the veil of everyday life, the Holy Grail War was unfolding, its players making moves in the shadows.

           As they walked, Romani glanced down at Galateya, her small form contrasting starkly against his own towering frame. Without turning his head, he gave her a soft, almost offhand warning, his voice calm but firm. "Galateya," he began, his tone carrying the weight of caution. "Do you remember what I told you earlier about the owl? And about talking to strangers?"

           The child pouted slightly, her innocent face scrunching up as she let out a small whine. Galateya tugged gently at Romani’s hand, her grip tightening as she tilted her head to look up at him. "Of course, but Romani," she began, her voice soft, pleading. "I want to play. Can we go to the park? You said we would go to the park."

            Romani's brow furrowed, his amber eyes narrowing as he contemplated her request. He had initially planned for them to stay low, to avoid any unnecessary exposure. Yet, Galateya’s wide, hopeful eyes pulled at something deep within him, something he could not quite suppress. He sighed, his resolve faltering. "Alright," he said, his voice laced with reluctant indulgence. "But only for a little while. No wandering off."

           "Yay!" Galateya cheered, her small feet already shuffling as she began to tug him toward the direction of the park they had passed by earlier. Her excitement was palpable, her energy infectious as she practically skipped along the sidewalk.

            They redirected their walk, heading toward the park by way of Homurahara Academy. As they neared the school, the familiar brick building loomed ahead, its presence somewhat ominous in the dying light. Romani's steps slowed, his gaze sharpening as he felt a familiar magical presence nearby. His eyes drifted toward the edge of the academy grounds, where the thick forest loomed just beyond the gate. A faint but unmistakable magical aura radiated from the trees, the signature of a Servant lurking nearby. His senses prickled, the air around him suddenly feeling heavier.

           Romani’s grip on Galateya’s hand tightened ever so slightly. He did not like this. He did not like involving himself in matters that did not directly concern him, and yet, this war had a way of dragging people in against their will. "Romani?" the little girl's soft voice pulled him out of his thoughts. She looked up at him with innocent curiosity, her head tilted slightly. "Why did we stop?"

          Romani's gaze lingered on the treeline for a moment longer before returning to Galateya. He gave her a reassuring look, though his senses remained on high alert. "Nothing," he muttered, though his tone suggested otherwise.

           Just then, his eyes caught movement near the academy's gate. Two familiar figures exited the building---Rin and Shirou. The brunette and the redhead were deep in conversation, their faces marked with seriousness. Romani's amber eyes narrowed as he recognized them---the same teens from the Berserker incident just days before. The redheaded teen's naive determination and the brunette mage's sharp pragmatism had left an impression on him, though he had no intention of involving himself with them any further.

           Galateya, however, had other plans. Spotting the familiar duo, her eyes lit up with recognition. She tugged eagerly at Romani’s hand, her voice filled with excitement. "Romani, look! It is them! Can we finally go say hi? Please?"

           Romani hesitated, his instincts telling him to avoid unnecessary contact, to steer clear of anything that could pull them deeper into the war. But Galateya’s childlike innocence was difficult to resist. She gazed up at him with those wide, pleading eyes, her lips forming a hopeful smile. He sighed inwardly, knowing full well he was about to give in. "Fine," he muttered, his voice tinged with resignation. "But we keep it brief."

            Galateya’s face lit up, her small form practically bouncing with excitement as she pulled him toward the two teens. As they approached, Rin's and Shirou's conversation came to an abrupt halt, both of them turning to face the approaching pair. Romani could see the brief flicker of recognition in their eyes, followed swiftly by wariness, especially in the female's sharp gaze.

           The two teens stood stiffly, their postures guarded. Romani’s reputation from their previous encounter seemed to precede him. But when their eyes fell on Galateya, their expressions softened considerably. Rin, the more cautious of the two, was the first to speak. "You again," she muttered under her breath, though her tone was less hostile than expected. Her eyes drifted from Romani to Galateya, her curiosity piqued. "And who is this little one?"

            Galateya beamed up at her, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the air. "I am Galateya!" she announced proudly. "And this is Romani." She pointed up at the cloaked traveler beside her, her smile never fading. "What are your names?"

           Shirou, who had been standing slightly behind Rin, stepped forward with a warm smile. "My name is Shirou," he said, his voice gentle and welcoming. "And this is Rin."

           Rin’s demeanor softened further as she bent down slightly to be at Galateya’s eye level. Her lips curled into a small, playful smile. "You can call me big sister Rin," she said with a wink. "And this guy can be your big brother Shirou."

           Galateya’s eyes widened with excitement. "Big sister! Big brother!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. "I like that!"

           Romani, who had been watching the exchange with his usual distant gaze, finally broke his silence. His voice cut through the lighthearted conversation, bringing a more serious tone to the moment. "There is a Servant nearby. One responsible for the mana drain on your schoolmate---Mitsuzuri."

          Shirou and Rin both froze, their expressions shifting from surprise to suspicion. The brunette's eyes narrowed as she regarded Romani carefully. "How do you know about that?" she asked, her tone sharp.

          Romani’s gaze remained impassive, his expression unreadable. "I have my ways," he said simply, offering no further explanation.

          Rin and Shirou exchanged a glance, silently communicating their shared thoughts. They were clearly uneasy, but they could not deny that Romani’s information aligned with their own suspicions. After a moment, the Tohsaka mage nodded. "We were just about to investigate," she said cautiously. "If you know something, it might be helpful."

          Before anyone could respond, Galateya tugged on Romani’s cloak again, her wide eyes filled with concern. "Can I come too? I want to help!"

          Both Rin and Shirou immediately shook their heads, their expressions serious. "It is too dangerous," Shirou said, his voice firm but kind. "This is not something a child should be involved in."

          Rin nodded in agreement, her tone more stern. "The Servant we are dealing with has been draining mana from innocent people. It is not safe."

         Galateya’s lower lip trembled slightly, her eyes welling up with determination. "But I want to help!" she insisted, her voice soft but persistent. "Rin and Shirou are my friends now!"

         Romani sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. He knew it was a terrible idea---bringing a child into the midst of a battle between Servants---but Galateya’s pleading gaze tugged at something inside him. He sighed again, this time with resignation.

         "Fine," he muttered, his voice heavy with reluctance. "But you stay close to me. No wandering off, no matter what."

          Galateya’s face lit up once more, her pout vanishing as she smiled brightly. Without hesitation, Romani scooped her up into his arms, holding her securely against his chest. "Stay with me, and do not ever let go," he instructed, his voice firm.

          She nodded eagerly, her small hands gripping his cloak tightly as they prepared to move. The group quickly split off to cover more ground. Rin moved to the left, her sharp eyes scanning the dense trees as she disappeared into the shadows. Shirou, despite his reluctance to leave Galateya’s side, took the path to the right, his determined gaze set forward as he began his search. Meanwhile, Romani took the middle route, his steps steady and sure as he carried the little child close to him. Though his exterior remained calm, his magical senses were on high alert, sweeping the surrounding area for any sign of the lurking Servant.

           The forest's peaceful ambiance seemed almost deceptive. The further they ventured, the more the air felt oppressive, heavy with latent magical energy. Romani could feel the presence of a Servant nearby, a faint but unmistakable signature that pulsed through the atmosphere like a low hum. The ground beneath his feet felt charged, the magic in the area growing stronger with each step.

           Galateya, sensing the tension, glanced up at Romani with wide, questioning eyes. "Romani, do you think my new friends will be okay?" she asked quietly, her voice filled with concern.

           Romani’s gaze softened slightly as he looked down at her. He was not used to comforting others---his life as a solitary figure had made him more accustomed to solitude and self-reliance. But something about  Galateya’s innocent worry tugged at him. "They will be fine, little one," he said, his voice quieter than usual. "They are strong, and they know how to handle themselves."

          She nodded, though her expression remained troubled. "But if something happens to them, we will help, right?"

          Romani did not answer immediately. His first instinct was to avoid further involvement---this war was not his main concern, after all. But Galateya’s earnest gaze made it difficult to stick to his usual detachment. He exhaled softly, giving her a reassuring nod. "Do not worry, we will help them," he said simply, his voice carrying more warmth than usual.

          As they continued forward, a sudden sound broke the stillness---a sharp, metallic clash echoed through the trees, coming from the direction Shirou had taken. Galateya tensed in Romani’s arms, her small body going rigid as her wide eyes darted toward the source of the noise.

          "Shirou!" she cried, her voice filled with panic. She squirmed slightly in Romani’s arms, her instinct to rush toward the sound clear in her every movement.

         The traveler cursed inwardly. He had expected trouble, but not this soon. Without wasting another moment, Romani adjusted his grip on Galateya and dashed toward the sound of battle, his cloak billowing behind him as he moved with swift, almost unnatural speed. The forest blurred around them, the trees passing in a rush of green and gold as they raced toward Shirou.

          Ahead of them, Romani spotted Rin, who was also running toward the noise. She gave him a sharp glance as they met eyes, her expression serious but determined. It was clear she had heard the same clash of metal and was just as concerned for Shirou’s safety.

          As they reached the clearing, the scene before them made Galateya gasp in horror. Shirou was bound tightly to a large tree, thick, shimmering chains wrapped around his body, pinning him in place. Blood trickled down his side, staining his shirt as he struggled weakly against his restraints. He looked pale, his breath shallow, as though the very life was being drained from him.

           Before them stood a tall woman with long, magenta-colored hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall. She wore a sleeveless black outfit, her blindfolded eyes giving her an eerie, otherworldly appearance. In her hands, she held two silver daggers, each connected to chains that shimmered ominously in the fading light. Then, a crimson serpent, etched onto her forehead, coiled across her skin. The woman’s presence exuded danger, her magical aura crackling in the air like electricity. Rin’s breath hitched as she recognized the figure.

         "Rider." Rin muttered under her breath, her voice laced with tension.

         Without a moment’s hesitation, the enemy Servant lunged toward the brunette mage, her chain-linked daggers flashing in the air with deadly precision. But Romani, reacting faster than most would have expected, raised his free hand and unleashed a pulse of his own magic. A shield of shimmering light materialized between Rin and Rider’s attack, the impact of the daggers clanging loudly against the barrier.

         Rin took advantage of the brief moment of respite to ready her own magical defenses. Her fingers danced through the air, tracing sigils as she muttered an incantation under her breath. A bolt of energy shot toward Rider, forcing the Servant to retreat a few paces, though the attack had only momentarily deterred her.

          Romani, keeping a watchful eye on Rider, flicked his fingers toward the chains binding Shirou. In an instant, the chains unraveled, loosening their grip on the boy and falling away like discarded threads. The redheaded boy collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, but alive. The cloak-wearing traveler glanced at Rin, who immediately rushed to his side, her hands glowing faintly as she began to heal his wounds.

         "Shirou!" Galateya cried, wiggling out of Romani’s arms and running to his side. She knelt beside him, her eyes wide with concern. "Are you okay? Please be okay!"

           Shirou, still breathing heavily, managed a weak smile. "I am okay," he rasped, though his voice was strained. "Thanks for coming."

          Rin shot Galateya a reassuring look as she continued to work on Shirou’s injuries. "He will be fine," she said, though her voice was tight with concentration. "Just needs a bit of healing."

           Romani stood back, his eyes locked on Rider, who had now retreated to a safer distance, watching them with cold detachment. He could feel her power, her presence like a looming shadow over the clearing. Though she had been momentarily pushed back, it was clear she was not done. Her posture remained poised, ready to strike again at any moment.

           Before another attack could begin, Romani spoke, his voice cutting through the tense silence. "This is not over," he said, his tone matter-of-fact but firm. His amber eyes flicked toward Rin and Shirou, then back to Rider. "But we do not need to fight here. Not now."

          Rin glanced up at him, her brow furrowed. "You are suggesting a retreat?"

          Romani nodded. "For now. You have seen what Rider can do. But we can regroup and strategize. Fighting blindly won’t help us."

         Rin hesitated for a moment but then nodded in agreement. "Alright. Let’s get out of here."

         With that, the group began their retreat, moving swiftly but cautiously. As they made their way back through the forest, Galateya clung tightly to Shirou’s hand, her expression filled with a mixture of relief and lingering worry. Once they were out of immediate danger, Rin turned to Romani, her expression more serious than before. "We need to talk," she said bluntly. "You clearly know more than you are letting on, and if we are going to survive this, we need to work together."

          Romani regarded her with his usual impassive gaze but gave a curt nod. "Fine. We will talk, but not here."

         Rin nodded, her sharp eyes gleaming with determination. "Come to my manor. We can discuss our next steps there."

         Galateya, still holding Shirou’s hand, looked up at Romani with wide, hopeful eyes. "Can we go, Romani? Please?"

         Romani sighed but gave her a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Alright. Let’s go."

         As they left the forest behind, the weight of what had transpired hung in the air. The battle was far from over, and Romani knew that the Holy Grail War was only just beginning to show its true danger. But for now, they had a moment of respite---and the beginnings of an alliance.

𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ 𓈈 metempsychosis