Emerging Troubles
Shirou found himself in the Batcave, surrounded by advanced technology that far surpassed anything he had seen before. The cavernous space was filled with computers, vehicles, and equipment, all meticulously organized. Batman led him to a central area, where a massive screen displayed data about Gotham's criminal activity.
"Start from the beginning," Batman said, his tone firm and brooding, leaving no room for hesitation. "Tell me everything you know about how you got here."
Shirou took a deep breath, carefully choosing his words. He spoke of the Holy Grail War and the battle with Gilgamesh, but he omitted details about Alaya and the true nature of the First True Magic. He described the moment he had achieved the Denial of Nothingness and how the world had distorted around him as he was pulled into the void between realities.
As he spoke, the fragment of Alaya's voice echoed in his mind once more.
["Do not reveal the full extent of your power or the system's workings. This world is not ready for such knowledge. You do not know who might be listening, or what consequences your words may have in the future."]
Shirou nodded subtly, continuing his explanation while carefully avoiding any mention of Alaya or the deeper mechanics of the system.
Batman listened intently, his expression growing darker with each detail. When Shirou finished, he remained silent for a moment, his gaze piercing.
"If what you're saying is true," Batman finally said, his voice low and measured, "then the multiverse is more unstable than we realized. And if there are others like you out there, we need to be prepared."
Shirou nodded. "I don't know how long I'll be here, but while I am, I want to help. This city... it feels like it needs protecting."
Batman's eyes narrowed, his tone cold and unyielding. "Gotham is my city. I don't need outsiders interfering. But if you're as powerful as you claim, we might be able to use your abilities to deal with a bigger threat."
"What kind of threat?" Shirou asked.
Batman turned to the Batcomputer, pulling up a series of files. "There's a new player causing trouble—not just in Gotham, but across the multiverse. They call themselves Nihilith . They've been manipulating criminal organizations, destabilizing governments, and leaving a trail of destruction wherever they go. The Justice League and the Teen Titans have tried to capture them multiple times, but they've had little success. Nihilith is always one step ahead, and their abilities are... unlike anything we've seen before."
Shirou's eyes widened slightly. "Even the Justice League couldn't stop them?"
Batman's expression darkened. "The Justice League is one of the most powerful groups in existence. Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash—they're capable of feats that defy logic. But Nihilith doesn't fight directly. They manipulate, deceive, and vanish before we can get close. They've been using advanced technology and strange energy signatures to carry out their plans. Even with all our resources, we've barely scratched the surface of what they're capable of."
As Batman spoke, a sudden notification appeared in Shirou's mind, accompanied by a faint chime. It was a system message, clear and unmistakable.
---
[System Notification: New Quest]
Quest: Defeat Nihilith
Objective: Nihilith, a servant of a greater power, threatens the stability of the multiverse. Work with Batman and his allies to locate and neutralize this threat.
Rewards:
- Restoration of 15% of your magical energy reserves.
- Unlock a new ability: Reality Anchor (temporarily stabilize unstable realities).
- Information on returning to your original world.
Failure: The multiverse will continue to destabilize, leading to catastrophic consequences across all realities.
Accept Quest? [Yes/No]
---
Shirou's eyes flickered as he read the notification. The system was giving him a clear objective, but it also emphasized the stakes. He didn't hesitate.
"Accept."
The notification faded, and Shirou felt a faint surge of energy as the quest was logged into his system. He turned to Batman, his expression resolute.
"I'll help you stop Nihilith," Shirou said, his voice firm. "But I need to assess my current capabilities first. I've been through a lot, and my energy is running low."
Batman nodded curtly. "Do what you need to do. But don't take too long. Nihilith doesn't wait for anyone."
As Batman returned to his work, Shirou found a quiet corner of the Batcave to focus. He closed his eyes and accessed his system interface, a mental construct that displayed his current stats, skills, and abilities. The screen appeared in his mind, glowing faintly.
---
[System Interface: Shirou Emiya]
Name: Shirou Emiya
Class: Magus / Guardian of Humanity
Level: 89
Magical Energy Reserves: 23% (Low)
Health: 82% (Minor Injuries)
Status Effects:
- Dimensional Fatigue: Reduced magical energy regeneration due to interdimensional travel.
- First True Magic: Denial of Nothingness (Active, but unstable).
Skills:
- Unlimited Blade Works (Reality Marble): Rank EX
- Ability to project and replicate weapons with near-perfect accuracy.
- Current Limit: Hundreds of thousands of weapons across humanity's history, including legendary and divine armaments.
- Examples:
- Caliburn: The Sword of Selection, wielded by King Arthur.
- Gáe Bolg: The cursed spear of Cu Chulainn.
- Kanshou and Bakuya: Twin swords of Yin and Yang.
- Structural Grasp: Rank Ex
- Ability to analyze and understand the structure of objects.
- Reinforcement: Rank Ex
- Ability to enhance the physical and magical properties of objects or self.
- Projection Magecraft: Rank Ex
- Ability to create temporary magical constructs.
Abilities:
- First True Magic - Denial of Nothingness:
- Allows the creation of matter from nothing.
- Current Stability: 62% (Unstable, risk of backlash).
- Guardian of Humanity:
- Grants enhanced resistance to mental and physical corruption.
- Passive ability: Regenerate 1% magical energy per hour.
Quests:
- Defeat Nihilith:
- Objective: Neutralize the threat posed by Nihilith.
- Progress: 0%
Shirou frowned as he reviewed his stats. His magical energy reserves were dangerously low, and the instability of the First True Magic was a concern. He needed to find a way to replenish his energy and stabilize his abilities before facing Nihilith.
As he closed the system interface, Shirou felt a renewed sense of determination. He had faced impossible odds before, and he would do so again. But this time, he wasn't alone. Batman and his allies could provide the resources and knowledge he needed to succeed.
- - - - -
Shirou leaned against the cold stone wall of the Batcave, his mind racing. The weight of his situation pressed heavily on him. He was in a world far removed from his own, facing a threat that even the Justice League couldn't handle. But despite the odds, he couldn't afford to falter. His ideals—his promise to protect others—demanded that he keep moving forward.
He thought of Saber, Rin, and Sakura, the people he had left behind. They had shaped him, challenged him, and given him the strength to keep fighting. Even now, their memories fueled his resolve.
"I won't let this world fall," Shirou whispered to himself. "No matter what it takes, I'll stop Nihilith and protect this reality."
As he stood there, Batman approached, his expression as unreadable as ever. "Are you ready?"
Shirou nodded. "I am. Let's get to work."
Batman's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't press further. "Good. We'll start by gathering intel. Nihilith's movements are unpredictable, but they always leave a trail. If we can find it, we might be able to anticipate their next move."
Shirou followed Batman to the Batcomputer, his mind already racing with strategies. The battle ahead would be difficult, but he was ready. With his abilities and Batman's resources, they stood a chance.