Barely blocking Nameless's assault with the blades in his hands, Shirou quickly noticed something unusual about his body.
It was not a transformation brought about by some transfer of power, but rather that part of his five senses had returned.
This was actually ideal. For Shirou, it brought him closer to his original state, allowing him to better utilize his strength.
"Trace on—"
Discarding the damaged weapons, Shirou projected a fresh pair into his hands.
"Not bad, but still not enough."
As Shirou adjusted and created new weapons, Nameless did not press the attack. Instead, he observed his reactions.
Though the response speed was somewhat slow, considering his lack of maturity, it was acceptable at this stage.
Unfortunately, what Shirou sought was too much. At this level, he was still far from sufficient.
Separating the double-ended blade, the black-and-white swords fell into Nameless's hands. The hollow spaces within them mirrored his own emptiness.
Swinging the twin blades, Nameless launched another round of attacks.
"Guh—"
Struggling to block the assault, Shirou deeply understood how Chen must have felt when facing his attacks before.
This sense of being overwhelmed was truly unpleasant.
However, unlike Chen, who had to actively identify her own weaknesses, Shirou through resonance with Nameless's mana found his swordsmanship gradually becoming more natural.
If before he had merely imitated the form of Nameless's techniques, then now he was beginning to understand the purpose of each swing of the blade.
That was to abandon all defense for oneself, solely to cut down the enemy in front.
Just like Emiya Shirou himself discarding everything about himself, only to make others smile.
He chased an unattainable ideal with a madness greater than anyone else, yet at the same time understood more clearly than anyone what he truly wanted.
"Too slow! Too weak! And you think you can protect others like this? It is laughable!"
The twin blades in his hands surged forward like a violent storm, yet he still had the leisure to mock Shirou.
The effect was there. The person before him was already beginning to show proper form in both his counterattacks and the way he wielded the twin blades.
But a problem arose as well. Being hollow within, Nameless also began to absorb fragments of Shirou's memories in return.
Was that not a good thing? With so many people around him, he likely would not stray onto the wrong path.
Neither the path that led to the abyss, nor the other path that had already reached its Hellish end.
With that thought, Nameless seized an opening and delivered a heavy kick to Shirou's abdomen, sending him flying backward.
"Ugh—cough, cough…"
After being sent back a short distance and rolling twice across the ground, Shirou finally managed to steady himself.
Just that single kick made him feel terrible all over.
Fortunately, this was not his real body. Otherwise, he would probably have vomited everything he had eaten.
"You do not have much time left. Get up!"
Seeing Shirou's battered state, Nameless had no intention of giving him a moment to rest.
That kick had only been a natural follow-up. The twin blade technique was nearly mastered, it was time to change weapons.
"How very Spartan!"
Watching Nameless connect the hilts of his twin swords into a double-ended blade formed from Kanshou and Bakuya, Shirou felt as if he were facing the scythe of death itself.
Though he complained aloud, he followed suit, linking the ends of his own Kanshou and Bakuya to form the same weapon.
He already understood Nameless's intent.
This shortcut would allow him to grow rapidly, but it still required time to refine and truly make it his own.
And the urgency Nameless displayed… likely meant that the time he could maintain himself was running out.
Seeing the golden cracks covering Nameless's body spreading further, Shirou clenched his teeth and charged forward with the double-ended blade.
After all, there was no guarantee that he would ever encounter this mana again. It might turn out like last time, where only endless nightmares awaited him.
That might still strengthen him, but it would also be a tremendous burden on his mind.
The current clash between the two was a pure exchange and resonance of technique.
Those nightmares, however, would gradually reshape him into another Nameless.
And there was a real possibility that he would be destroyed midway by an uncontrollable backlash.
"Is this not what you wanted?"
Seeing Shirou take up the same weapon, Nameless said nothing, only baring a grim, almost feral smile.
His intention had already been conveyed. What remained was to see how long the person before him still clinging to unrealistic ideals could keep floating along with that foolish dream.
The double-ended blade spun in his hands as he launched another assault.
"…"
Watching the spinning black-and-red afterimage, Shirou responded in kind.
Clang—
The black-and-red afterimage collided with the black-and-white one, producing a sharp, resounding crash.
Their golden eyes reflected each other.
Two people of the same essence, who had made different choices, walked different paths, and ultimately became entirely different beings.
"Unlimited Lost Works"—what exactly had been lost?
This question had lingered in Shirou's mind countless times.
Only now, facing the person himself, did he finally understand what had been lost.
His memories. His past. He had abandoned moral boundaries, scorned human bonds, and constantly mocked the hollow shell he had become like a walking corpse.
Had it been lost, or had it been willingly discarded?
Shirou did not know.
The other's memories and past were shattered beyond repair, impossible to piece together.
He had abandoned morality, scorned connections, and despised himself.
It was difficult to say he was wrong, but perhaps there could have been a better way—
That self-deceptive thought lingered in Shirou's mind only briefly before fading.
After all, the person before him was also Emiya Shirou. Perhaps he had already struggled for that better outcome, only to fail in the end.
A perfect ending that satisfied everything existed only in fairy tales.
Reality was cruel and merciless whether in that world of magecraft or on this land.
Without the strength to achieve it, everything remained empty words.
Shirou was fortunate, because many people had helped him.
Nameless was unfortunate, because he had to stand against everyone.
The man before him had already died long ago. What Shirou saw now was merely a shell and lingering remnants.
"Cast aside that meaningless mercy! The moment you show mercy to an enemy, you will pay an even greater price!"
After a long exchange, their state of mana resonance reached a terrifying level, and Nameless could see what Shirou was thinking.
Mercy was the most useless thing. Rather than spending time pitying or sympathizing with others, it was better to act directly.
"Meaningless sympathy will only drag you into even greater hardship. Meaningless hesitation will only leave you with fewer choices!"
With every word, the black-and-red afterimage in Nameless's hands grew faster, even dragging long streaks of red mana behind it.
Clang, clang—boom—
As his speed increased, on the third collision, the weapon in Shirou's hands shattered completely.
"Yeah… of course I know that!"
Even though his weapon had been destroyed, Shirou did not lose heart.
What the other said was correct. It was the answer Nameless had reached after devoting his entire life.
He could understand it. Sometimes, a person did need to be decisive. Mercy and sympathy should be reserved only for those who needed it.
Just like… right now!
Mana gathered in his hands once more, and the double-ended blade formed from black-and-white swords reappeared.
The black-and-white afterimage clashed again with the black-and-red one, pure white intertwining with bloodstained red.
This time, Shirou was no longer as disheveled as before. In fact, he was beginning to gain a slight upper hand.
Understanding something was one thing. Whether he agreed with it was another.
After all, the man before him though he constantly claimed such emotions were useless still sought to protect others.
What a contradictory person.
"Not bad at all."
Even as he was being suppressed, Nameless showed no sign of panic. Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face.
It was enough. This was enough.
The "himself" before him was no longer the Emiya Shirou who merely spoke lofty ideals about being a hero of justice. He already had his own thoughts and people he wanted to protect.
Perhaps there had been some detours along the way, but at least he had grown well.
Even as cracks spread across the double-ended blade in his hands and it began to break apart, Nameless did not step back. He allowed Shirou to carve a long wound across his body.
"You… what are you doing?"
Seeing this, Shirou looked confused.
There was a wound, yet no blood flowed. Instead, golden patterns spread across it, wrapping around and sealing it.
Perhaps that blood had already run dry long ago.
"Time is about up."
Facing Shirou's question, Nameless replied calmly.
There had never been much mana left to begin with. Using it so recklessly, it was only natural that his end came sooner.
But it was enough. This remaining mana had allowed him to see another possibility for the Shirou before him.
To fight for something beautiful… what an enviable ideal.
"I see…"
Only after hearing that did Shirou truly notice the abnormalities covering Nameless's body.
"This is the most fitting exit for someone like me, is it not?"
Seeing the reluctance in Shirou's expression, Nameless mocked himself.
"…"
Shirou had wanted to say something, but seeing the other's indifferent expression, he swallowed all his words.
"Hmph. You have learned to read the situation? That is quite an improvement."
Seeing that Shirou held back his words, Nameless let out a faint scoff.
Shirou could only endure the mockery silently, watching him act so arrogantly.
After all, he still had his sense of courtesy.
Turning around, Shirou walked toward the edge of the rooftop.
Just moments ago, he had trembled at the thought, yet now he was completely calm.
Seeing this, Nameless made no move to stop him.
People grow. At the very least, Shirou no longer showed fear.
He was trying to understand the most fundamental truths of how this world operated.
"So… that is the 'evil' you have always sought to destroy?"
Looking down, he saw a woman's corpse lying quietly below. The blood spread around her like a blooming flower.
Although most of her face was hidden by her hair, Shirou could faintly make out the slight curve of her lips.
What a twisted sense of humor.
"Give my regards… to the people of Rhodes Island. I do not remember much, but any organization that could keep me there for so long must be a good one."
Watching Shirou stand there in silent thought, Nameless finally spoke when he felt his time was nearly up.
This might be their last meeting. Unlike the red version of himself, his own sense of self was already on the verge of collapse.
This encounter with Shirou had simply allowed him to finally be set free.
Looking on the bright side, at least after returning this time, what awaited him was eternal sleep rather than continuing to stain his hands with blood like before.
That really was… not a bad ending.
"Hey!"
Hearing Nameless's words, Shirou turned his head and saw the other beginning to crack apart.
Like porcelain, he shattered bit by bit, gradually becoming unrecognizable.
Watching Shirou run toward him, Nameless felt a little dazed.
"Is this not good? A hero of justice… for some reason, it makes me want to cry."
Reflected in his pupils was Shirou's figure. For a moment, Nameless seemed to see his past self, the version of him who had not yet met that woman, who had not yet been forced into making those choices.
That ideal of being a hero of justice… perhaps it would cling to Shirou like a curse in the future as well.
But even now, he had never regretted pursuing that ideal.
If there was anything he regretted, it was probably not killing that woman the moment he realized her true nature.
"...!"
Rushing forward, Shirou reached out but grasped nothing.
Where Nameless had stood, only faint golden fragments remained.
As those fragments dissolved into particles of mana, the surrounding scene began to change.
The sudden shift, combined with a burst of bright light, made Shirou shut his eyes in discomfort.
When he opened them again, what came into view was… Unlimited Blade Works.
Unlike the versions he had seen before, the gears suspended in the sky were tightly bound by chains. The ground, aside from broken swords and blood, remained barren.
This place was filled with overwhelming despair except for one spot.
In the sky, there was a golden hue, like straw, that gave off a faint sense of hope.
The next moment, a strong wind swept through the Reality Marble.
The wind carried thick yellow sand, completely enveloping Shirou and obscuring his vision.
When the sand dispersed, Shirou's figure was gone, leaving only countless intact swords standing in place.
The golden hue in the sky shifted into a dusk-like orange-red. The gears and chains disappeared as well.
On the ground, however, a few black crystals had appeared.
No one witnessed these changes before the wind once again swallowed everything in sand.
"…"
After his consciousness returned, the first thing Shirou felt was the heaviness of his body.
Unlike with Emiya Kuro, this time he had truly communicated and fought with the other. His magic circuits had been affected through the resonance.
He did not yet understand the specifics of those changes, but the techniques were engraved deeply within him, as if carved into his body.
Still, he was exhausted. He had only wanted to rest, yet was dragged into this again, making his already strained mind even more fatigued.
Right now, all he wanted was to sleep. Everything else could wait.
But unfortunately, things rarely went as planned.
"Sigh kitty, is it really okay for you to just lie there? Shirou's face looks pretty pained. His physical condition is kind of weak."
A familiar voice reached his ears, stimulating his mind. But he was too tired, and his thoughts moved sluggishly.
After a few seconds, Shirou realized something important.
Was he not supposed to be sleeping in his room? Why were there other people?
And judging by the voice and tone… was that Blaze and Rosmontis?
At that thought, Shirou suddenly opened his eyes only to be met with Blaze's face right in front of him.
"Whoa! Do not suddenly scare people like that!"
Seeing Shirou's glowing golden eyes, Blaze covered her own and stumbled back a few steps.
She was startled and dazzled.
Seriously, how did Shirou even do that? His eyes were glowing in broad daylight.
If she could learn that, could she use it to scare people in the future?
"…Who exactly is scaring whom? How did you even get in here?"
Ignoring Blaze's dramatic reaction, Shirou looked around, then noticed a lump of white on his body.
No wonder he had felt so heavy…
He felt a headache coming on.
"Mm… Shirou? Why are you here?"
After being lightly tapped by him, Rosmontis immediately opened her eyes.
Still half-asleep, her gaze was hazy and unfocused.
"This is my room…"
Shirou replied helplessly, then reached out to pick her up and place her on the floor.
Clink—
Something slipped from his hand, hitting the ground with the sound of metal striking the floor.
All three of them turned their attention toward the source of the sound. What had made the noise was a pitch-black bullet, with faint red patterns on it that gave off an unsettling feeling.
"Is this yours?"
Crouching down and poking it, Blaze asked.
Having gone through many battles, she did not feel much about it. She only thought that this engraved ammunition looked rather refined.
Under the dormitory lighting, those red patterns pulsed like human blood vessels, as if they were alive.
"Yeah, it is mine."
After placing the still-drowsy Rosmontis aside, Shirou crouched down and picked up the bullet.
It was the same kind as the one he had used to destroy the catastrophe before, just with slightly less mana contained within. It likely could not shatter a catastrophe like last time.
But it was still more than enough to kill enemies.
However, Shirou would not use it that way. Through analysis, he could obtain far more from this single bullet.
This was the last thing that person had left behind. Even at the very end, with time running out, he had still managed to create this bullet.
"Then you should keep it safe! If engraved ammunition explodes, it is very dangerous!"
After hearing Shirou's answer, Blaze gave him a quick reminder.
After all, if this thing exploded, the Originium inside would disperse and could turn people into the Infected.
"…It is indeed quite dangerous."
On Shirou's side, he briefly recalled what it looked like when the bullet detonated before responding.
It really was dangerous. If it contained just a bit more mana, it could even destroy a catastrophe.