The Princess and Her Archer

Chapter 1: His Final Stand and Her Wish

His world was dying, and the boy knew it. Yet what lay between saving himself and millions more was a single life the boy cherished—his sister, and she had a gift. A powerful gift that others wanted, whether it was for saving the world of humanity—or taking it for self-preservation. The boy wanted to use the gift, not for himself and not to preserve humanity, but for the happiness of his little sister.

Shirou Emiya wished for his sister Miyu happiness in another world.

The redhead was in a large cavern, and a large stone altar stood in the center. The small figure of a black-haired little girl lay on top, the boy's little sister, Miyu. Shirou was kneeling, leaning against the altar as seven cards floated above him and his sister. Grasping the girl's hand, the male magus spoke.

"I wish upon the Holy Grail."

"Big Brother...?"

"I pray you find a world where you won't have to suffer any longer. I pray that you meet kind people. I pray you find friends you can laugh with. I pray you find a warm, small— share of happiness."

The sad smile Shirou gave wasn't lost on Miyu, and she had an idea why.

He wasn't going with her.

He was staying here to give her time to escape.

He was saying goodbye.

"No... Big Brother..." tears were forming in the young girl's eyes, "You can't!" Miyu felt herself floating away from the altar, and her brother's caring grip on her hand continued to slip away as she rose higher. Her head felt light and her eyes felt heavy, but the girl barely fought off the nagging of falling unconscious.

Miyu's eyes were brimming with tears when she could no longer feel the warmth of her brother's hand. Blinking them away, the girl saw her brother walk away toward a blond girl in gold armor.

"Sorry, but my little sister is working her hardest right now," Shirou said with pride as he spoke to the newcomer. "Could you wait a little bit longer?"

"I cannot," Angelica Ainsworth began, her voice neutral but containing hints of anger. "Your wish will not be granted." The blond's brows furrowed as the pressure around her seemed to increase.

"A faker who slipped into the Holy Grail War by accident," several motes of golden light circled Angelica, "shall not seize the miracle!"

Several Noble Phantasms shot out of the golden lights at Shirou. While the weapons barely grazed him, the force behind them blasted the magus off his feet a few meters away.

"Big Brother!"

"So that's the true Archer card— Gilgamesh, huh?" Shirou struggled to stand.

"For a mere flesh and blood human to stand against the King of Heroes with no card, it's the epitome of foolishness," Angelica continued in her cold tone. "Whether it is western or eastern, ancient or modern, all of humanity's treasures are this Heroic Spirit's power."

"I see. So that's why Sakura called it the 'Strongest Card,'" Shirou spoke as he found the strength to stand, though hunched over as his hair cast a shadow over his eyes. "Saving humanity, huh? That's a bigger responsibility than words can express. It must be an enormous burden you guys carry. But you know what?" The redhead finally stood tall, his golden eyes revealing resolve. "I've got someone I'm responsible for too."

"Be it personal feelings or sentimentality," Angelica began as familiar golden lights appeared and stored the Noble Phantasms previously fired back into the Gate of Babylon, "both are completely worthless in this world." The same ethereal lights appeared around Angelica as she fired the same volley of projectiles at Shirou.