Fate/Stay Cursed: Cursed & Fated (FATE ROUTE)

I stood still for a few seconds, still trying to process Illya's presence in front of me. Time seemed to have stopped. Illya, the daughter of my former master, was now there in front of me, bringing up a whirlwind of old memories and feelings. I tried, but the words just wouldn't come out. All I wanted was to talk to her, ask her how she was, how she had survived so long alone... but my throat was dry, and my mind was in chaos. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could say anything, an evil presence took over the room.

A man dressed in an ancient kimono appeared, his cursed energy pulsing in the air around us. I felt a shiver run down my spine. The man's cynical smile was unmistakable, and his presence made the room tense. Choso was the first to react, immediately putting himself on guard, his blood starting to stir, ready to defend me and the others.

1*

"He... is here..." - I murmured, clenching my fists. - "Kenjaku...."

Shirou and Rin looked at each other, not understanding what was happening. Rin, always cautious, realized that there was something more to the presence of that strange and dangerous man. She took a step forward, narrowing her eyes at Kenjaku.

"Who is this man?" - Rin asked, her voice firm, but full of curiosity and caution.

"Kenjaku..." - Choso replied, still in a defensive position. "This man... It's not something we can talk about!"

Shirou, next to Rin, frowned, trying to understand the gravity of the situation. - "What do you mean? You know him, Choso?!" - he asked, concern evident in his voice. - "And what does he want with us?"

Kenjaku just smiled, his cold gaze sweeping the group. - "Ah, so one of these two is part of your family?... That's so beautiful, I'm so proud of you..." - he said, in a tone that bordered on disdain. - "And you, my son, seem to be at a crossroads, don't you? Meeting your loved one's daughter again... how ironic."

I felt my blood boil. The mocking mention of Irisviel filled me with rage. - "Kenjaku!" - I growled, taking a step forward. - "What do you want? What are you doing here?!"

Kenjaku laughed lightly, a cold laugh full of arrogance. - "Calm down, my son... I just came to pay my family a little visit... that's all." He glanced at Illya, who remained silent, observing the situation attentively. - "I just came to see up close... how the players move before the big show. And also to make sure my presence is felt. After all, it wouldn't be fair if you continued to not know who really controls the threads of this War."

Choso, without taking his eyes off Kenjaku, muttered to me. - "We can't let him leave here. He's too dangerous."

Rin, with his ever-sharp mind, approached Shirou and me. - "Is he by any chance one of the participants in the Holy Grail War?"

The weight of the moment fell on my shoulders as he considered his options. Illya was still there, and I didn't want to put her in danger.

Kenjaku, noticing my hesitation, spread his arms wide as if he was at peace with the situation. - "Well, it seems there's still a lot of indecision around here... maybe I'll come back when you're ready for a real challenge. Until then... try to survive."

Our group was silent for a moment, processing what had just happened. Illya, until then quiet, finally looked at me, as if waiting for some explanation.

"Who is that... man?" Shirou finally asked, breaking the silence, his voice full of confusion and concern.

I took a deep breath, trying to find the words. - "He... he's Kenjaku... It's a long story."

Rin frowned, realizing the gravity of what was happening. I still had my eyes on Illya, who was watching me with a mix of curiosity and emotion. - "...Illya..." - I was about to use one of my techniques, when suddenly I felt an intense pain pass through my chest, as if my heart was being squeezed by an invisible hand. My body froze, my muscles paralyzed by the pain, making any movement impossible. I tried to resist, but it was as if my own cursed energy was being distorted inside me, preventing me from moving forward.

"What... is happening?" - I murmured to myself with heavy breathing, trying to understand what was affecting me.

It was at that moment that Saber noticed my state and ran to me, catching me before I fell to the ground. - "Master! What happened?!" - her voice was full of concern, and she supported me tightly, feeling the weight of my body.

I gasped, trying to speak between the spasms of pain. -"I-I've been feeling this lately...." - an old memory came to me. - "Yuji Itadori, I cursed you!"

Kenjaku, still watching the scene with a serene smile, stepped forward, enjoying the sight of my suffering. - "Ah, you noticed, didn't you? Angra Manyu must have left a mark on you... a deep and unique curse."

Saber glared at Kenjaku, as she held Itadori securely in her arms. - "You are despicable!" - she shouted, but before she could move forward, I grabbed her arm, her hand shaking.

"Saber... wait..." - I asked, still fighting the pain that kept him immobile. - "I... I still need to know... how you brought Uraume back..."

Kenjaku laughed lightly, his voice full of arrogance. - "Oh, Uraume? She wasn't the only one who came back." - He took a step back, his presence beginning to fade as he spoke. - "There are others. Old friends, old enemies... you'll see. It will all be part of my first and greatest test, my son."

Before Kenjaku could finish speaking, a colossal presence began to manifest itself in the environment. The oppressive energy that took over the place was overwhelming, heavy, and the tension in the air increased abruptly. Illya, who had remained silent until then, finally took a step forward.

"Berserker..." - she said, her voice soft and firm, but with a tone that brought a premonition of imminent chaos. - "Attack them."

The monstrous and imposing figure appeared next to Illya. Berserker, a giant and ferocious entity, rose like a mountain of pure fury. His roar echoed in the air, and he advanced towards us with surprising speed, his presence dominating the space around him.

"Illya!" - I shouted, trying to get up, still weak due to the curse. - "Why are you doing this?!"

Illya looked at me with a cold smile, her eyes shining with a dangerous intensity. - "There is no room for mercy, Uncle Yuuji. I came to win this war, and Berserker will make sure of it."

Saber immediately got into position, raising her invisible sword before Berserker. - "Master, let me handle this," she said, her voice filled with confidence and determination. "We can't let him defeat us here."

Berserker advanced with his overwhelming strength, and Saber, though small in comparison, blocked his attack deftly, but the impact was devastating, causing the ground to shake around her. Saber felt the weight of the blow and took a few steps back, but remained firm.

"Do not underestimate my servant!" - Illya said, watching the fight impassively. - "Berserker is invincible."

But Saber was not shaken. She advanced again, her sword cutting through the air with speed, and the confrontation between the two servants intensified. Meanwhile, I tried to compose myself, fighting against the curse that still weakened me, my eyes fixed on Illya.

"Illya... this doesn't have to happen like this..." - I muttered, still struggling to find a way out of this situation.

Choso, who had remained on guard until that moment, watched the scene with concern. - "Itadori... this fight... we need a plan."

But before he could act, the clash of forces between Berserker and Saber became even more brutal, and the place around them began to practically disintegrate with the intensity of the combat. Saber fought with everything she had, but Berserker's overwhelming strength.

The tension in the air increased as the battle between Saber and Berserker continued in a brutal manner, the blows echoing across the field, with each impact creating shockwaves that destroyed everything around. Saber, determined and agile, blocked Berserker's attacks with her invisible sword, but the giant's overwhelming strength was immense, forcing her to retreat with each exchange of blows.

"Berserker is an unstoppable force!" - Illya said, her voice cold and emotionless as she watched her creation fight. - "No matter what you do, he will always prevail."

Suddenly, Tachie appeared next to Shirou, her posture firm and protective, ready to defend him against any threat. Her eyes were focused on Berserker's immense figure, but she knew that the priority was to keep Shirou safe.

"Master." - Tachie said, looking at Shirou, who was still trying to understand the whole situation. - "I am here to protect you. Don't worry."

Shirou felt a tightness in his chest. He knew Tachie was ready to fight, but Berserker's power was something immeasurable. However, he could not let fear take over. - "Thank you, Tachie..."

As Saber continued her fierce battle with Berserker, I began to call out to Choso, who was watching everything closely, trying to understand the complexity of the situation. - "Choso!" - I shouted breathlessly. - "P-please, don't hurt Illya!"

Chosto frowned, clearly confused by the request. - "But, Itadori... she's with Berserker!"

I nodded firmly, trying to calm my brother down. - "I know it sounds confusing, but the situation is more complicated than it seems. Illya... She's not... She's not an enemy. Please trust me. Don't hurt her."

Choso, with his protective brotherly instincts, hesitated for a moment, but seeing the seriousness on his face, he nodded slowly. - "Understood. I'll just focus on the Berserker. I'll leave the girl out of this."

I breathed a sigh of relief. I knew Choso was strong and capable of facing the Berserker, but I also knew that the fight was delicate, especially with Illya involved.

Meanwhile, Saber retreated, her agile movements dodging the Berserker's destructive attacks, but it was clear that the battle was wearing on her. - "Yuji!" - she shouted, as she blocked a devastating blow. - "We need a strategy! He's too powerful!"

It was at that moment that Tachie, with her red scythe in hand, stepped forward to help Saber. She jumped in front of Berserker, spinning her scythe in the air and striking with precision, hitting Berserker's arm that was holding his weapon. The impact made the giant take a few steps back, but it was not enough to stop him.

"This creature is very strong!" Tachie muttered, her eyes fixed on Berserker, evaluating his every move. "But I will not retreat."

Berserker, furious, roared with a deafening sound and advanced with even greater force, his red eyes shining with bloodlust. He raised his gigantic weapon and attacked with everything he had. Saber and Tachie worked together to block and deflect the blow, but the force of the attack was so intense that the ground beneath them gave way, creating a sort of crater in the ground.

"This strength... is absurd!" - Saber exclaimed, while keeping her sword raised to protect herself and Tachie.

Even with Berserker's incessant attacks, Tachie did not hesitate. Using her scythe skillfully, she tried to strike again, aiming at the giant's vulnerable points. However, Berserker, with his monstrous resistance, seemed practically immune to the wounds that Tachie managed to inflict.

I was still struggling against the effects of Angra Manyu's curse, but I felt the urgency of the situation increase. - "Saber, Tachie, we need a plan! We can't go on like this forever!"

At that moment, Choso decided to join the fight more actively. He stretched out his hands and began to manipulate his blood with precision. - "I'll create a distraction." - He then released a blast of piercing blood, which spread like a rain of blades towards Berserker. The attack caught the giant off guard for a moment, forcing him to retreat slightly.

"Now!" Choso shouted. "Take advantage of this opening!"

Saber and Tachie charged forward at the same time, their weapons glowing as they struck in unison. Berserker roared again, but his defense was momentarily weakened by Choso's distraction. Saber, using all his strength, slashed Berserker's chest with his invisible sword, while Tachie slashed with her scythe in a devastating attack.

Still, Berserker remained standing, his resistance still strong. "This monster won't go down easily..." Saber muttered, his eyes fixed on the enemy.

Saber and Tachie continued to fight fiercely against Berserker, while Shirou watched from a distance, eager to act. He knew that his Trace-On technique was still incomplete and his control over the cursed energy was unstable, but he couldn't stand still. With a determined look on his face, he decided to take the risk and charge forward.

"I have to help!" - Shirou muttered to himself, feeling the heat of battle on his skin.

With a shout, Shirou activated his Trace-On along with his cursed energy. A sword began to form in his hand, but it was unstable, shaking as if it were crumbling like a sand castle. Even so, he advanced, running towards Berserker, who was distracted by Saber and Tachie's combined attacks.

"Shirou, wait!" - I used all my lungs to scream.

For a brief moment, it seemed that Shirou might hit Berserker. He raised his sword, ready to attack. However, Berserker, with his monstrous strength and sharp senses, turned abruptly and unleashed a relentless attack with his enormous sword, hitting Shirou square in the chest. The impact was devastating.

"Master!" - Tachie shouted, seeing her master being hit.

The blow sent Shirou flying backwards, causing him to crash violently into the ground, where he lay motionless, his body unresponsive. The impact was so severe that he immediately passed out, the sound of his fall echoing across the battlefield.

Meanwhile, Illya, who had been watching coldly, gave a slight smile. Before anyone could react, Illya prepared to leave, clearly satisfied with the outcome of the fight so far. She took one last look at me, her gaze enigmatic, a mix of pain and abandonment, before gesturing with her hand to Berserker.

But, before they could disappear, the air around them began to distort, and a new figure appeared. A woman with a rather... imposing appearance, with long pink hair and her eyes were black and her pupils were white, appeared as if she had come out of another dimension. She was half-naked, was she one of the reincarnated?

"What...?" Saber muttered, surprised by the new arrival.

The impatient girl looked around, her cold and appraising eyes falling on Illya and Berserker. - "You two idiots, it's time for us to go!" - she said, her voice not at all calm, but full of power. - "and don't bother me..."

With a quick movement, she made a gesture with her hand, pulling Illya and Berserker, as if she were manipulating space and time. Illya, surprised, didn't try to resist, but her power was overwhelming.

"You're a pain, Takako-san..." - Illya said, her eyes narrowing.

"Shut up, brat!" - the pink-haired girl replied.

Without saying anything else, Takako moved her hand again, and in the blink of an eye, she disappeared, taking Illya and Berserker with her, leaving the battlefield silent and devastated.

I stood still, still processing what had just happened. The sudden appearance of this sorceress caught me completely off guard.

"Who was that woman?" asked Saber, still holding her sword, her eyes alertly around.

"She distorted reality?... Is she one of the sorcerers from the past that Yuta faced?... He told me he fought a sorceress with those techniques.." - I thought, clenching my fists. - "Probably a sorceress from the past, just like the ice woman we fought earlier, Saber...."

While Saber was trying to process what had happened, Tachie and Choso quickly ran to Shirou, who was still unconscious. The two knelt beside him, concerned about the severity of his injuries.

"Master... please wake up!" - Tachie said, her voice soft but full of concern.

I also approached, looking at Shirou unconscious on the floor. - "I have to explain a lot to you tomorrow...."

The next day...

He was at home, worried about Shirou still unconscious. Time passed slowly, and the wait for him to wake up seemed endless. To calm his mind, he went to the room where he usually trained. He knew that until Shirou woke up, he couldn't waste time on his own skills.

As he entered the room, the center of the room, I saw Saber sitting in a calm and serene position, with her legs crossed and her hands resting on her lap. her knees. Her impeccable posture revealed not only a warrior, but also someone with profound self-control and subtle elegance. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be meditating. The tranquility around her was almost palpable, as if time had stopped just for her.

"Arturia..."

I stood still for a few seconds, observing that scene. The soft sunlight that entered through the windows illuminated Saber's contours, creating an almost ethereal aura around her. Despite all the chaos that surrounded them, she maintained a posture of dignity and serenity. Her presence emanated a comforting calm, something I had not seen in years. I felt mesmerized.

Saber, even with her eyes closed, seemed to be fully aware of her surroundings. Her breathing was slow and deep, which suggested that she was focused on something beyond. But behind that gentle and peaceful posture, I knew that there resided an immeasurable strength and kindness.

After a few moments, when I thought she hadn't noticed my presence, Saber broke the silence. Her voice sounded soft and gentle, but full of discernment:

"Did you have a nightmare last night?" - she asked, without opening her eyes.

The question took me by surprise. I was momentarily speechless. I didn't expect her to know what was going on in my mind at that moment, but somehow, she had noticed. I hesitated before answering

"I... yes." - I admitted almost in a whisper. - "It was like a bucket of cold water..."

Saber then slowly opened her eyes, looking at me with that same gentle, but penetrating gaze. There was no judgment there, only understanding. Somehow, she knew the weight I carried, the memories of the battles lost and the mistakes that had been made.

"Despite being a calm person, I see that you've been quite stressed lately, Master." she said calmly.

I couldn't look her in the eyes. - "D-don't have to call me Master, you can call me by my name."

She stood up as gracefully as she had sat down, each movement flowing like water. Standing before me, she looked at me with a soft, almost maternal expression.

"I don't know what you're going through, but staring at a girl isn't going to help you." - she said, her voice as calm and playful as the morning breeze. - "If you keep focusing on the past, it will prevent you from seeing the opportunities that lie ahead."

Saber's words touched me deeply. I knew she was speaking from experience, as someone who had faced similar internal struggles. And in that moment, I felt a stronger connection with her.

"I'm sorry..." - The apology wasn't for that little incident, it was for something that not even she could remember. -"And thank you..." - she said with a slight smile, feeling a small wave of relief.

Saber smiled back, almost imperceptibly, but enough to convey her understanding. -"We're in this together, Yuji. Never forget that."

When someone knocked on the door, we looked at each other before heading to answer it. Rin opened the door, with her eccentric but curious expression. She gave a quick wave to the two of them before entering the house.

"Good morning, Rin... I believe you came here to understand what happened last night." - She said trying to maintain formality, while Saber gave a slight bow with her head, in respect.

Rin, without wasting time, looked around with typical curiosity. - "Where is everyone?" - she asked in her direct tone.

I answered. - "Shirou is still resting, he needed some time to recover after what happened last night. And Choso went out with Sakura to buy something. They should be back soon."

Hearing the name Sakura, Rin frowned, a look of confusion passing briefly across her face. - "Sakura? Who is this Sakura, exactly?" - The doubt in her voice was evident, which made me hesitate for a moment.

I exchanged a quick glance with Saber before explaining. - "Sakura is my... Daughter! Yes... She is my daughter..." - I said, blushing as i said those words.

Rin seemed to think for a moment, her gaze becoming more distant as she processed the information. It was clear that the name Sakura had awakened something in her, but she didn't react immediately.

"I see." - she said finally, her voice colder than usual. She crossed her arms and sighed. - "I'll meet her when I get back, then."

Saber, always observant, noticed the slight discomfort that was taking hold in the room, but chose not to comment.

"Well..." - said Rin, abruptly changing the subject. - "While we're waiting, I want to know more about what happened yesterday with this Kenjaku guy and that fight..."

I nodded, my gaze becoming serious. - "Yes, Kenjaku mentioned that he brought back sorcerers from the past. But... there's more to it. It seems like he's planning something bigger, and I don't know exactly what it is yet..."

The atmosphere between us was tense for a moment, but then Rin relaxed a little, although she still maintained her resolute air.

"Rin..." - I began to speak with a slight hesitation in my voice. - "I didn't get to comment due to the circumstances at the time... but, what's your full name?"

Rin arched an eyebrow, as if she were surprised by the question. But seeing no reason to hide it, she answered casually: "Tohsaka. Rin Tohsaka."

When I heard the name Tohsaka, I was visibly surprised, although I tried to hide it. My mind quickly returned to memories of another era, to the time when I remember Tokiomi Tohsaka, one of the mages who fought in the fourth Holy Grail War. Tokiomi was the man who sold Sakura to the Matou family... - "Kariya..." - I whispered to myself.

Remembering the frustration and contempt I felt when I saw such a cruel decision, treating children like tools. I clenched my fist discreetly, trying not to let my feelings show, but the name Tohsaka would always be a bitter reminder of a dark time.

"Tohsaka, huh?..." - I murmured in a controlled manner, but my thoughts were in turmoil.

Rin, however, seemed not to notice my discomfort and continued talking about the next steps they should take. She was focused, as always, on the present and the future, without realizing the past that still weighed on Itadori's shoulders.

At that moment, Shirou finally woke up. He slowly opened the door and saw us talking together.

"Good morning..." - he murmured, his voice still a little weak. - "What's going on?"

I turned around immediately when I heard Shirou's voice. - "You're finally awake!" - he said with relief. - "We were discussing what to do next."

Saber, who maintained her serious posture, approached Shirou. - "How are you feeling, Shirou?" she asked, with her typical kindness and concern.

Shirou, still recovering his thoughts, looked at the three of us, noticing the seriousness in the air. - "I'm fine... I guess." - he answered, trying to get up with some difficulty. He looked at Rin, who was watching him with a firm expression, and then back at me. - "What did I miss?"

Rin, with his direct tone, answered before Itadori had the chance. - "Not much... Sit here."

Shirou nodded, understanding that the situation was more complicated than he initially imagined. He sat down next to Rin. Shirou, still feeling a little dizzy, looked around, realizing that someone important was missing.

"Where's Tachie?" - he asked, with a slight concern in his voice.

Before anyone could answer, Tachie appeared silently behind him. - "I'm here, master."

"AAAH! Tachie!" - Shirou exclaimed, almost knocking over the table with his racing heart. - "Y-You scared me!..."

Tachie, keeping her calm posture, just slightly bowed her head in apology. - "Sorry, master. I didn't mean to scare you."

Rin, who had been watching everything attentively, decided it was time to get concrete answers. Her serious expression showed that she was getting tired of secrets and mysteries. - "Okay, enough beating around the bush..." - she began, turning to me. - "I want to know exactly what's going on in this war. Who is this Kenjaku guy? Who is this Illya girl? And what do you mean by 'reincarnated'? There are a lot of missing pieces here."

I took a deep breath knowing that I would have to explain the chaos behind this new Chalice War. I tried to organize my thoughts before speaking, aware that my words would bring even more shock.

"Kenjaku... is an ancient sorcerer, who has been possessing bodies throughout history..." - I began, looking directly at Rin. - "He was responsible for many catastrophic events in the past..."

Rin continued to stare at him, absorbing the explanation, but visibly eager for more. - "That still doesn't explain everything..." - she said. - "What is your connection with Kenjaku to this war?"

I hesitated for a moment, before dropping this bombshell. - "Kenjaku is... my mother."

The entire room fell silent, a palpable tension filling the air. Everyone's eyes widened in surprise.

"W-What?" - Rin was the first to speak.

Shirou, still seated, also looked confused, while Tachie watched with an unchanged expression.

"Y-You meant... father, right, Sensei?!" - Shirou said visibly incredulous.

Seeing that everyone looked at me strangely, I tried not to prolong this story too much. - "Well... That's just a minor detail..."

Saber tried to hide her discomfort. - "W-well, it's not that strange at all..." - she said while stuttering a little, for some reason she remembered a certain knight of the round table.

Rin seemed to process the information, but her frustration was evident. - "T-This is crazy!..." - she muttered, crossing her arms. - "So... Kenjaku is involved in this, bringing back people from the past, like Uraume and... who else? Who is this Illya?"

I looked down, as if the mention of Illya brought an emotional weight to her. - "Illya... she's the daughter of Irisviel von Einzbern. My former Master." - I paused briefly. - "I failed to protect her, and now... her daughter is here, involved in all this."

"The Einzberns, huh... Someone familiar then." - Rin said with her hand on her chin.

Shirou frowned, trying to keep up with the complexity of the situation. - "So, Illya is here for the Cup too? And these reincarnated ones... are they servants like Tachie and Saber?"

"It's something quite similar... they are brought back by entering a vessel..." - I replied.

Rin let out a heavy sigh, her head spinning with all the information. - "So we are fighting an enemy that can bring back the dead..." - she summarized, her voice thick with frustration. - "None of it makes sense. But I'll believe you."

I admitted. - "But we need to keep going. If Kenjaku is involved, he has a bigger plan in mind, and it will probably affect all of us in one way or another."

Tachie stood beside Shirou, silent, as he took it all in. The war he thought he understood now seemed much more complex and dangerous now.

"Whatever..." - Rin said, her determination visible in her eyes. - "We need to stop this Kenjaku and find out what he really wants with the reincarnated."

I nodded. - "Yes. He's probably after Sukuna's fingers too." - After mentioning that Kenjaku was probably after Sukuna's fingers, everyone in the room fell completely silent, their expressions of confusion and concern visible. It was difficult for them to understand the complexity of the situation, and the mention of Sukuna only made everything darker.

"Sukuna's fingers?" Rin asked, frowning. - "What are those fingers?"

I looked to the floor for a moment, fighting internally to explain the whole truth. - "Follow me ..." - I got up slowly and walked to a corner of the room, where there was a small box locked. The atmosphere was heavy as everyone watched him. Knowing he kept his eyes firmly on me as if prepared to react to any sign of danger.

With a soft click, I opened the box and removed an object wrapped in an old and worn cloth. I developed the cloth, revealing something that everyone in the room observed with apprehension: a mummified finger, with a palpable malice aura around him.

"This ... is one of Sukuna's fingers ..." - he said with a knot in his throat, lifting him so that everyone could see.

Rin's expression became even more serious, his eyes fixed on his finger with a mixture of curiosity and revulsion. - "What ... exactly is that?" she asked in a tense voice.

"I never entered this room before..." - Shirou still recovering, stared at his finger, not understanding the nature of his energy, but feeling something dark emanating from him. - "That looks ... dangerous." - He murmured.

"Dangerous is little to describe." - I answered with a dark tone in his voice. - "Sukuna, the king of curses, was sealed a long time ago. He was a powerful and cruel wizard who, even after being dead, his body was divided into twenty fingers. Each finger contains a fraction of his evil essence, and if anyone consume these fingers ... "

I stopped feeling the weight of the situation.

"Sukuna can be reborn ..." - added Rin, finally understanding. - "So Kenjaku is trying to bring him back?"

"Exactly." - Said nodding slowly. - "Kenjaku is cunning and knows how to manipulate situations in his favor. By gathering all fingers, he can free Sukuna from his seal. And that is why these fingers are so dangerous."

Knowing he looked at Itadori with an inquisitive look, as so far I didn't know everything that involved Sukuna. - "So you carry a part of this monster?"

I gave a bitter smile. - "I ... I carry more than that ... I'm practically one of Sukuna's fingers .." - I took a deep breath before continuing. "But he's completely sealed. Part of him has been inside me since I was born, it is no wonder I always had a superhuman force. Later I consumed some of their fingers in the past, to prevent them from falling into the wrong hands. But she no longer resides in me ... but her skills are still with me.

The shock on Rin's face was evident. - "What? You ... you consumed Sukuna's fingers? That's ... Suicide!" His voice was full of unbelief and anger.

Shirou was confused, trying to sue the situation. - "So you ... Have you been carrying this Sukuna inside you?"

"Yes ... but that was years ago ..." - I nodded.

Rin crossed his arms, seeming to ponder the situation. - "All this ... It's insane. But what are these incubated things ... they seem to be ... fetuses."

I took a deep breath. - "They ... are Kenjaku's dark legacy." - I was clearly uncomfortable when talking about it. - "Apparently, Kenjaku has used the bodies of several women over the centuries, and I am the result of one of these possessions. But ... I'm not the only one. These fetuses you mentioned are ... my brothers. These are failed experiments of Kenjaku, other bodies created to be cursed containers. They were abandoned or sacrificed, but ... still there, waiting to be used ... that's what my brother Choso told me. "

Shirou already knew about my cursed brothers, but about Sukuna's fingers was something I never even mentioned in all his life.

The shock took over everyone in the room. - "So these fetuses are ..." - Rin started, but Itadori interrupted her.

"Yes, they are cursed beings, created by the same being that brought me to life. They are not like me, they are not yet complete. But I was not the only one who survived ..." - I said as I remembered the Choso, Esu and Kechizu.

The room was silent. The revelation was too heavy for everyone to sue at once. Shirou, sitting next to Tachie, was clearly shaken, trying to understand how someone could support such a big burden.

"Master .... No, Yuji, you are unbreakable" - He said knowing muttering to herself.

Rin frowned, absorbing the dark story. - "So Kenjaku created you to be a container, but now he wants to free this Sukuna, using the fingers you are trying to keep sealed."

"Yes." - I said - "And if he gets all fingers ... Sukuna can completely break free. It's not just a fight to prevent Kenjaku, it's a struggle to prevent the king of curses reborn."

Rin sighed, crossing his arms again. - "This is much bigger than any other chalice war I have ever heard. We are dealing with many threats, Kenjaku, Sukuna and maybe ... Kirei?"

A few minutes later ...

After the intense conversation, Rin felt that he needed a moment alone to process everything that had happened.

"I'm going ..." - Rin said, throwing one last look to Shirou, and the others. - "We need more information, but I'll be back soon."

Itadori and Saber remained by Shirou side, keeping his posture serene and vigilant. Rin gave a slight reverence and went out the door, his body tense with the amount of things he needed to solve.

As she walked the almost deserted streets, the cold morning breeze hit her face, the sun starting to climb the horizon, gently illuminating the city streets. Her step was firm, but his mind was full of thoughts about what would come next. He was so immersed in his reflections that he hardly noticed two family figures walking in the opposite direction.

As I approached the house, I recognized that it was Rin, the girl yesterday. Sakura and I were coming back from the fair.

I was carrying a bag with some shopping, and Sakura, with her light and kind smile, seemed to be quite quiet. As they saw her approaching, Sakura was the first to notice and waved softly as I kept a more neutral expression.

"Good morning!" - Rin said, his polite and calm voice, trying to hide any remnants of tiredness or confusion.

Sakura smiled and returned the greeting in a sympathetic way. - "Good morning, Rin." - she answered, keeping her sweet and welcoming look.

I simply gave my head a brief nod, saying nothing, but keeping my eyes alert, as I always did. Although Rin was curious about who exactly was Sakura, after the strange mention of Itadori, she was not carried out by her questions at that time.

The three of us exchanged brief compliments before they followed their ways. With this in mind, she rushed the step, determined to find out more about those involved and the forces they would face in the chalice war. The morning was just beginning, but Rin knew that day would bring new revelations and perhaps new alliances.

Meanwhile, I noticed a small change in Sakura's expression right after the brief meeting with Rin, I tried to get closer to better understand what was happening. Sakura who always looked calm and kind, showed a slight discomfort, which did not go unnoticed by me

"Sakura..." - I started with a calm and low voice, but before I could continue, I was surprised by a warm and sudden hug from behind.

"Choso!" - Taiga's lively voice filled the atmosphere. She wrapped her arms around me with her obvious joy. - "You left so fast yesterday, I didn't have time to thank you for everything."

I was a little surprised by the gesture, but soon relaxed, knowing that this kind of behavior was typical of it. Taiga always had a vibrant energy around him. I gave a slight smile, though his expression remained more contained.

"It was nothing." - I answered turning my head a little to look taiga over my shoulder. - "I just wanted to make sure you were well."

"Well? I was more than well! You saved me from another delay. Thanks to you, I arrived at school in time! Well ... more or less." - Taiga said, with a touch of gratitude in the voice, but also of joke. She gave a small jump and faced me, putting her hands on her waist. - "You're a hero, you know?"

I looked at her, seriousness in her eyes softening a little. - "No ... I'm someone just attentive ..."

Taiga laughed, her laugh illuminating the moment and taking a little of the weight she hanged over Sakura's thoughts.

Sakura, who was closely observed our interaction seemed to relax a little with the lightness of the situation. She also smiled, though more contained.

"Good." - Taiga started, with a more relaxed tone. - "What do you think of going to your home? I think after all that happened, we all deserve a good meal!"

Realizing that Sakura had reassured, I nodded. - "It's a good idea. Food always helps."

Sakura agreed, her soft voice. - "Yes, let's go. I would also like to help when possible."

With this, our group began to walk towards Itadori's house. Taiga and I continued our light conversation as Sakura followed them, absorbing the most relaxed mood. The atmosphere seemed lighter than before, and the brief discomfort she felt with Rin seemed to have dissipated.

About that...

After finishing the discussion, I moved away from the table with a particular look, although my body still showed signs of tiredness due to previous events. I needed to train. Even with the risks and pain I felt, I couldn't simply rest as I felt the pressure of the war weighing on me. The responsibility to protect others, especially now that I have a servant like Tachie.

As I moved toward the place where I used to train, preparing mentally to use my trace-on techniques and reinforce my cursed energy, a calm but firm voice, interrupted me.

"Shirou." - Tachie's voice sounded through the environment, cutting the silence that wrapped me. His tone, as always, was straightforward, but carried a depth that made me stop at the same time.

I turned slowly to face her. Tachie was there, with her impeccable posture, the serene expression and the same unshakable look she always carried. However, there was something more in his expression at that time. It was not just his usual seriousness, there was a contained flutter, something that made me hesitate for a moment.

"You're going to train, aren't you?" - Tachie asked, although she didn't need confirmation. She already knew the answer.

I tried to smile, as if I wanted to relieve the situation. - "Yes, I just need to improve a little. I know I'm not even better, but ..."

Before he could continue, Tachie step ahead, cutting my words with his silent but firm presence.

"You were reckless, shirou ..." - she said, the calm tone, but with a force that crossed my determination. - "What happened to you yesterder... almost cost you life. If it wasn't for me and Choso, you would have died."

I felt weight of her words, but did not go back. I knew Tachie was right. The previous fight, especially Berserker's brutal attack, had left scars in my body and mind. However, I still believed that I could not just stand still.

"I know ..." I said trying to keep the composure. - "But ... I can't just stop now, Tachie. If I don't keep working, I won't be able to protect anyone. I need to get stronger."

Tachie watched him for a moment, his face remaining neutral, but there was a slight oscillation in his eyes, an indication that perhaps she understood the weight I carried.

"Strength is not everything, shirou ..." - she said, her voice a little softer now. - "You are already strong. The problem is that you do not know when to stop. Today's battle ... You fought with everything you had, but your technique is still incomplete. No matter how much you want, you will not get Strengthen yourself at once. You need time ... you need to rest. "

I looked away for a moment, feeling the conflict within myself. I knew Tachie was right. But at the same time, there was a sense of urgency in my chest that pushed me to move on, even if my body was exhausted.

"If I rest, and something happens while I'm standing ... I don't know if I'm going to forgive myself ..." I admitted. - "I need to be ready for whatever comes, tachie. I need."

Tachie took another step toward me until she was very close. His face still kept that serious countenance, but now there was a kindness in his voice. - "And I'm here to fight by your side. Eus or your servant. You're not alone, Master. I was invoked to protect you. This is my mission."

I looked directly into the eyes, realizing what she was saying. She was not just being my protector on the battlefield, she was taking care of me more broadly, something she had not realized until then.

"I understand ..." - I said finally accepting her point of view, although there was still reluctance. - "I just ... I just don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me."

"And that's why you need to be at your best." Tachie stated, her voice firm again. - "If you keep forcing yourself beyond your limits, you will end up getting further. Rest is also part of the preparation for the fight."

I took a deep breath, absorbing her words. Finally I nodded silently agreeing with what she said. - "You're right ... I'll get some rest."

Tachie kept his gaze fixed, but for the first time that day, a slight, almost imperceptible smile appeared on his lips. - "Good choice."

I smiled back, finally giving in. - "Thanks, Tachie."

She took a step to the side, making room for me to come back.

"I'll be here ... just trust me."

End of Chapter 3