Shirou hesitantly approached the Main Shrine. The Shrine was still being rebuilt with many scaffolding lying around. But the main building with the statue of the God of Eldritch Terror had finished its renovation.
Shirou stepped inside and was at awe to see the high ceiling of beautiful wooden patterns. The silver statues of the Zodiac Guardians stood tall on heightened platform on either side of the hallway. They guarded the only entrance to the Shrine and acted like protectors for the place.
A maiden in a white Hakama approached Shirou. "Please follow , Master Shirou."
Shirou scratched his head in embarrassnt. He really didn’t deserve that master title but he was too shy to deny it also.
He followed the maiden through the ceremonial structure and entered the back of the Shrine, where the maiden, monks, and the Holy Maiden resided.
It had a beautiful courtyard with a lush green garden.
The Shrine Maiden sat at a stone table in the middle of the place. In contrast to what Shirou believed, the people in the Giyaku Shrine lived extrely minimally. The temple was simple and plain, without anything to show off. The Holy Maiden, the second person only to the King, wore simple ceremonial uniform just like the other maidens.
One would not expect her to be the Chancellor.
"Please sit, Master Shirou." Carter said.
He was playing the roll and not the Doll.
Shirou nodded and sat down.
"So you saw my card after all." The white-haired maiden said.
"I did. You healed , right? But what happened to Kane?" Shirou said.
Kitsune approached them and placed the tea tray down. She wore a Fox Mask and a unique uniform signifying that she was a Guardian. Her glowing fox tail dangled behind her.
It was common knowledge that the Holy Guardians would appear in Giyaku. Another proof for their miracle and faith.
Kitsune poured tea for Shirou and Carter then stood behind the white-haired girl like an obedient servant.
"You know your state at that ti, right? Disabled. Blind. Deaf. And Mute." Carter held the tea cup and gently caressed the rim of it.
Shirou sighed and nodded. "I did. I didn’t expect she would be that cruel."
Shirou was referring to that noble woman that hard him. He didn’t even want to ntion her na.
There was rage within him but it was obvious that he didn’t care that much. He cared for the well-being of Kane, the ugly innocent Tofu girl that needed his help.
"What is the price... You would say. For soone to heal all of that injuries?" Carter continued.
Shirou’s expression changed. He understood the implications.
"What did you do to Kane?"
"A life for a life." Carter said plainly.
Shirou clenched his fist. His face distorted in pain and despair. He had anger, yes, but not at Carter or the woman that hard him. He only pissed at himself.
If he was stronger. If he was smarter. Things would have been different.
"Where is her grave?" Shirou said.
"I’ve never said that she died." Carter smiled faintly.
Shirou’s pupils dilated gently. A weight was lifted out of him. Then he rembered what he had seen in the Card of Destiny.
"I... That is our future?" Shirou said.
"Yes." Carter said.
"I don’t want it."
"I’m not the one who decided, Murasaki Shirou. I only showed you what is ahead of your path."
"Then tell how to change it."
Carter raised a finger and flicked Shirou’s forehead.
"Only one person can change your fate, Shirou."
"Who?"
"You."
Shirou widened his eyes. He imdiately stood up and bowed.
"Please accept as your disciple. I need more power. I need to find her." Shirou said.
"If you want to see her again. And you want to pick your own Fate..."
Three Destiny Cards fell on the stone table. One glowed red. One glowed blue. And one glowed white. Three cards represented three aspects.
Fire red for violence.
Water blue for resources.
White wind for journey.
"These are the paths available to you. But know this, you can only pick one of them. The mont you see it, the other paths would never be possible anymore and disappeared forever."
"I... I can’t decide. Tell more."
The white-haired maiden placed her hand on the red card.
"The path of violence. This would change your Fate the quickest but you shall beco sothing you don’t even recognize. Not even her would."
Then she placed it on the blue card.
"The path of materialistic. This would be the slowest and calst. You shall see her again. But only one more ti. On the last day of your life."
And finally, the white card.
"This path... is difficult. You will go many places. You will et many people. You will beco sothing more, facing demons within you. But you shall remain as yourself in the end."
"And her?" Shirou said.
"You will et her again. And you two shall be together. Forever more."
Shirou inhaled deeply. "It seems like you want to pick the white card."
"I am, Murasaki Shirou. Between a path of total destruction, a bittersweet ending, and the journey of a hero. I prefer the last."
"Hero?" Shirou felt the shivers on his spine. There was sothing that calling for him. Sothing that this world had arranged for him.
He cald himself down. His eyes lost all the uncertainty and nervousness. He stared straight at the white mask of the Holy Maiden.
"Lord Chancellor of Shingo would not lie to , right?"
"In the na of the God of Eldritch Terror, I didn’t lie to you." The white-haired maiden said.
That sentence alone worth more than any promises and it successfully convinced Shirou.
He picked up the white card. Instantly, he was guided to where he needed to be.
"Enzan..." Shirou mumbled.
Kitsune held in her emotions. But her tail kept moving without stop.
"I see. There is soone there that can help find my path. I need to find him."
"Good luck on your journey, Master Shirou. We will see you soon."
Shirou stood up and bowed at Carter before leaving. Carter had set him up on becoming sothing that Shirou could never imagine.
Carter didn’t just save him for no reason. He saw in him the Seed of a Champion.
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