Corrupted Dreams

Tangled in Chains

I eyed Emiya from across the room. Our partnership was an odd experience, to say the least. Like when something is blatantly denied you, you have an instant craving for it; with Emiya, the moment we'd officially teamed up in this war, the urge to punch him was irresistible. What for? No reason in particular, other than the fact his cheek was calling for my fist.

We'd discussed business civil enough, in fact, a smirk had never even graced his face once in the conversation. What could've been said was said, and we both agreed that the best course of action was to continue scouting the area. We wouldn't solve the problem shoved up in this school building but out there. Still, neither of us moved.

Emiya sized me up as well. It was as if we were both waiting for something to set in. I don't know what, but I was sick of waiting. I scrunched my eyes shut, kicking off from the wall. "Well, we can't just stand around all day."

"Agreed. After you," he gestured his head to the door.

I grunted a laugh. "Oh? Afraid I'll jump the moment you turn your back? Honestly Emiya, show a little trust. Goodness knows I've shown it to you."

Emiya raised his eyebrows. "Sorry, but as much as I know you won't try anything, I can't help but feel you want to."

"Hmph," a smile tugged at my lips as I walked through the doorway. "I suppose you're right there." Emiya's footsteps followed behind my own.

We left the building walking side by side down the street, piles of black goop and fire lining our path. It was silent other than the whispers of wind and flame. I glanced at Emiya, his stare was set on every fire, nothing but that amber light reflecting in those hollow eyes. He was completely unreadable; I couldn't tell whether his mind was blank or inscribed with a sea of words. My lips pinched tighter together, as my own eyes fixed on the road. I shouldn't ask... Why would I care anyway? Whatever he is thinking about, I don't want to know. Probably how to kill me after our truce ends if I know him well enough. Or other things...

"What do you think it is?"

I froze. Could he read my mind? "What...?"

"That black stuff, what do you think it is?" My heart released its grip on my breath. Of course, he couldn't read my thoughts! What a stupid thought. "Also why are you staring at me like that?"

My wide eyes probably did seem odd. "I— um, nothing, idiot!" I muttered the last part to myself, but he seemed to think it was for him.

"I know you don't like me, but that doesn't mean you have to insult me every time I ask a question."

My lips pulled taut and I rolled my eyes. "I do have a hypothesis." Pulling us back on topic, I walked over to one of the black piles. "My guess is it's some kind of polluted mana. As for what happened with those earthquakes? Haven't a clue." Crouching down beside the mud, Emiya came and stood beside me. I analyzed the way the black sunk into the ground, stretching into the earth like inky veins. It reminded me of what had happened to Emiya. My eyes went to that spot on his leg, then snapped back to the black. I still didn't know the effect that stuff would have on him. Studying it seemed like it would be a logical next step. "Hey," I knocked a knuckle against his knee. "You can create things, can't you?"

"What is it you need?"

"A vial, or any sealable container. I want to take some of this stuff."

"Oh, you want to take some as a keepsake, because we're not constantly surrounded by enough of it?"

"Shut up, and just make it!" I held out my hand expectantly. Speaking the words "trace on", he complied. My eyes moved up to meet his as he handed the newly formed vial to me. I realized there was something more than blatant sarcasm in his words. "Why do you sound so bitter about it anyway? I just want to study the stuff."