To love a sword

Chapter 46: Awakening Part 2 + Extra Story Part 1

Beta read by Paragon of Awesomeness, Shigiya and FabledLife

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-Sainan-

Having been both a Counter Guardian and a Heroic Spirit summoned across countless instances, whether the reason for such being a Holy Grail War or a deployment from Alaya, it wouldn't be false to assume that Emiya had encountered so many scenarios to the point that very little could actually surprise him.

In this case, this wasn't the first time allies had been turned against him. He'd fought through wars where friends were twisted by curses, where Masters betrayed their Servants, where mind control magecraft turned comrades into enemies. While not exactly a rarity, it still remained an annoying problem to deal with. But this was different, for in this particular case, his enemies weren't hardened warriors or magi; they were his friends, his classmates, people who were not made to fight at all, aside from possibly Ren.

It didn't help that the one pulling the strings was doing it with a cruel, mocking flair.

"A pathetic human like you gave so much trouble to Golden Darkness. You defeated her, and so when I defeat you, it will mean I'm stronger than her, right? Already you are brought to your knees, my victory is already assured," Azenda's voice dripped with smug satisfaction. "I know your reputation and your prior actions against the deceased Prince of Gaama, Lacospo. But you won't harm your own friends, will you? Left alone, kill them. You're too soft for that."

"..."

Emiya's answer was silence. He simply stood there, his gaze sweeping over the faces of Oshizu, Ren, Nana, and Haruna. Their eyes were vacant, making it hard to tell what was going through their mind or if they were even aware of their surroundings. The lack of a response seemed to infuriate Azenda more than any retort could have.

"Humph, silence? Fine!" she screamed.

The first to move was Haruna, the closest to him. She lunged forward, her fist flying toward his face in a straightforward punch. Emiya moved to block, his plan simple: catch her arm, restrain her without causing unnecessary pain, and try to wake her from this trance.

"-!"

But the moment his forearm met hers, a shock of pain shot up his arm.

'Reinforcement!?'

He was pushed backwards, his feet skidding across the dirt from the force of the impact. What he'd expected to be a simple yet deceptively strong punch ended up being far more powerful than Haruna should ever be capable of.

'Can't be reinforcement, Haruna doesn't even possess inert Circuits, much less the ability to use magecraft. Doesn't seem like it's Azenda pushing her body alone to use so much strength, or else her arm would have snapped from that kind of strain-!' That flicker of surprise was all the others needed. He felt a gust of wind and then a sharp impact as Oshizu's foot connected with the side of his head. The world spun for a second before his body crashed through the trunk of a nearby tree, splintering wood and sending leaves flying.

"Did you really think I would have them fight you with their normal human strength?" Azenda's laugh echoed through the clearing. "My telekinesis power isn't just to take control. It's to enhance. I've turned them into the perfect weapons, and you have no way of winning!"

Her triumphant laughter was cut short. A figure emerged from the dust cloud. "Hn!" Emiya walked out, his clothes dirty and torn, but his body otherwise unharmed. "I see, so it's your doing after all. I know Haruna is strong with her punches, but nothing that crazy. Still, using telekinesis to control and make someone stronger and more creative. No way Oshizu can move that fast; she can't even run away with such speed with a dog nearby," he said while casually brushing the dirt from his shoulders.