Once upon a time, Shirou Emiya had been just an ordinary high school student, enjoying his school days and peaceful family life.
But that sudden battle shattered his happiness.
To save Miyu, he willingly stepped alone into the ritual known as the Holy Grail War.
In the end, when questioned by the enemy, he decided that even if it meant becoming "evil," he would save Miyu.
Simply because she was his sister.
"It's a painful memory. It happened so long ago, yet every time I recall it, it feels as if it happened only yesterday."
Watching Finn charge toward the corrupted spirit — Gareth, Bete, Tiona, Tione, Ais, Lefiya, and the others right behind him — Shirou clenched his fists tight.
Hearing the beautiful voice of Riveria as she began chanting beside him, Shirou couldn't help feeling a faint tremor of emotion.
Her graceful melody echoed in his ears.
Watching Riveria, staff in hand, unfolding a massive magic circle beneath her feet, Shirou wondered what his own magic would be like.
With a faint smile, he stretched out his palm. A pulse of magical energy later, a white staff appeared in his hand.
It was the very same staff Riveria used.
One of the most powerful magic staves in all of Orario.
Shirou was holding a staff for the first time. He gave it a few experimental spins, familiarizing himself with its weight and balance.
Since projecting a weapon allowed him to replicate its owner's experience, increasing his magical proficiency by projecting Riveria's staff was the natural next step.
Recalling Riveria's teachings, magical energy surged through his body. Raising the staff, Shirou began his chant:
"[I was once a messenger of justice, yet I failed to uphold it, betraying my own ideals.]"
His clear voice resonated through the battlefield as a magic circle gradually unfurled beneath his feet.
Shirou Emiya's unique magic had begun.
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—xXx—
"Stay close to me! I'll clear the way!"
Leading the charge, Finn dashed forward relentlessly. He knew full well that in his normal state, he would never be able to break through the corrupted spirit's offensive defense.
Those endless tentacles were the greatest obstacle to their advance.
Which meant he needed to unleash every ounce of strength he had to tear through the enemy's barrage.
"Lefiya, start parallel casting. You choose the spell!"
"Yes!"
"Everyone else, we're using offense as defense! Only if our assault is overwhelming will the enemy fail to disrupt Riveria's and Shirou's chanting behind us!"
"Yes!"
"Ais, Bete — keep your eyes on the surrounding caterpillar monsters. Don't let them interfere with Shirou or Riveria."
"Yes!"
With everything set, Finn grinned and charged fearlessly toward the Fallen Fairy.
Then he began his chant.
"[Magic spear, I offer my blood.
Pierce into this brow.]"
As he recited the short chant while sprinting, a crimson magical light gathered in his left hand.
Closing his eyes, he pressed his blood-red fingertips to his forehead, and the light immediately sank into his body.
"[Hell Finegas]"
In the next moment, the captain's sharp blue eyes flared into blazing scarlet.
"RAAAAHHH!"
The usually calm, composed leader of the Loki Familia let out the roar of a raging berserker.
Hell Finegas — a spell that ignites one's will to fight, heightens the desire for battle, and dramatically amplifies the user's abilities.
But the price was madness.
In other words, at that moment, Finn, captain of the Loki Familia, abandoned command and became a berserker whose sole purpose was to carve open a path for his comrades.
Unleashing his full power, Finn tore into the monster horde, swinging his spear mercilessly.
The unbreakable Rolan Spear, specially forged by Tsubaki, swept aside everything before him.
In front of Finn, none of the new-type monsters stood a chance; nothing could halt his advance.
Not even the corrupted spirit's tentacles could restrain him.
Under Finn's lead, the tendrils that had blocked the Loki Familia's progress shattered before his onslaught.
Blood and flesh splattered everywhere as Finn rampaged forward; Tiona and Tione, following after him, couldn't help feeling fear.
Even though this was not the first time they had seen such carnage, it terrified them every time.
Finn was truly fearsome.
Brandishing his long spear, Finn roared endlessly, eyes dyed red as he pursued the monsters' blood like a mad beast.
Even the corrupted spirit faltered at the sight of him.
Its tentacles, directed toward Finn and the others, were pushed back again and again.
Finn now held two spears: the Rolan Spear forged by Tsubaki, and his original weapon, the golden-tipped Fortia Spear.
This supreme weapon continuously held back the corrupted spirit's attacks, allowing the Loki Familia to come ever closer.
"But this is where it ends!"
Having completed its magic gathering, the corrupted spirit declared doom upon them all.
Facing the Loki Familia, who continued to advance, the corrupted spirit began chanting once more.
"Rise, flames.
Rage, rage, rage.
Fire vortex.
Crimson wall."
"Roar of hellfire.
Let the fury of the tempest plunge the world into pain and misery.
The heavens shall burn."
"The earth will blaze.
The seas will boil.
The springs will erupt.
The mountains will explode."
"All life shall become ash.
May the lives of the mighty serve as atonement for the wrath and sorrow to come."
With rapid chanting, the colossal spell was completed in an astonishingly short time, its massive magic circle engulfing the entire battlefield.
"It's coming!"
Though they advanced under Finn's lead, they were still roughly a hundred meters from the corrupted spirit.
But even at that short distance, countless monsters formed a wall of flesh, halting their approach.
Watching the magic about to take form, their expressions twisted in dread.
"Thy messenger entreats thee, Salamandra.
Incarnation of fire.
Queen of flames."
As the magic power swelled, everyone — from the front-line fighters advancing behind Finn to the supporters guarding the rear — except Shirou and Riveria, who continued their chants, gasped in panic.
But in that same instant, Finn gripped his golden spear tightly. Without thought — guided by sheer instinct — he clenched his teeth and hurled the spear with all his might.
At that moment, as the spear pierced through the spirit's mouth, its chant collapsed, triggering a magical misfire.
In an instant, a massive explosion erupted within the corrupted spirit's body, engulfing it entirely in flames.
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(End of Chapter)