Fate: Gremory [Remake] (ENG)

Translation: Word (Microsoft), there are probably errors in the masculine and feminine pronouns.

Chapter 7

Despite the tranquility of the surroundings, inside the elegant Sitri residence, a lively group enjoyed a moment of rest and conversation.

In the main hall, Rias Gremory and his nobility – consisting of Kiba Yuuto, Shirone and Akeno Himejima – were gathered around a low table, where cups of tea and some finely prepared sweets had been placed. In front of them, the hostess of the day, Sona Sitri, shared the afternoon with her friend.

"Thank you for hosting us today, Sona," Rias said, gently lifting the teacup with a grateful smile.

Sona Sitri, always impeccable with her glasses and perfectly ordered uniform, nodded with a light but formal smile. "You don't have to thank me, Rias. It's always a pleasure to spend time with you and get to know more of your nobility."

Akeno, who was sitting with an elegant posture, smiled with her characteristic playful air. "I must say that your tea is delicious, Sona. You really have good taste."

"I'll make it myself," Sona replied with a slight pride, adjusting her glasses. "Attention to detail is important, even in small things like this."

Kiba, who had been silent until now, spoke in his calm and polite tone. "I suppose that attention will also be essential for what is to come. I've heard that both are starting to get involved in Kuoh's administration."

Rias put her cup down gently on the table and nodded, a hint of seriousness appearing on her face. "That's right, Nii-sama, you are organizing the transition of responsibilities. Cleria Belial will be stepping down from Kuoh's administration, and it looks like both Sona and I will be the new ones."

Sona, with her steady gaze, folded her hands on the table. "It's a great responsibility, but also an opportunity. Kuoh is important territory, and it is our duty to handle it with care. Both the Gremory and the Sitri families have to prove that we are up to the task."

Shirone, who until that moment had been quietly enjoying sweets, looked up curiously. "So... will we have to move there?" he asked softly.

Rias smiled and nodded, looking at her Tower fondly. "Yes, Shirone. Kuoh City will be our home. It will be a new stage for everyone."

Akeno, with his calm but playful expression, added: "And I was enjoying living in the Underworld. I'll be back home earlier than planned."

"Also, we'll work together, Rias," Sona said, giving her friend a serious look. "You with your nobility, and I with mine. We will have a lot to plan for in the coming days."

"I agree," Rias replied determinedly. "We will work hard for Kuoh to prosper. But..." He paused, his gaze softening as he looked at Sona. "It's going to be fun, too. At least we will be able to see each other more often."

For a moment, the seriousness in the conversation dissipated, and they both shared a sincere smile.

❅────✧❃✧────❅•

Sunlight softly streamed through the windows of the spacious Gremory Mansion in Kuoh City. It was a clear, calm day, typical of the Japanese spring, and the atmosphere was imbued with an air of renewal.

After settling into their new home, they began to adapt to a new lifestyle. The move had been quicker thanks to the experience of Akeno, who was already living in Kuoh and had made many things easier for his arrival.

In the main hall of the mansion, Rias was reviewing some documents about the administration of the city. Sitting next to him, Akeno drank tea elegantly and with a relaxed smile.

Kiba, always attentive, looked out the window calmly while staying alert. Near the couch, Shirone, the quietest of the group, flipped through a book while nibbling on a small piece of candy.

Rias looked up from the documents for a moment and let out a barely audible sigh. The transition to her new role as Kuoh's administrator hadn't been easy, but it was a responsibility she carried with pride. Although he wouldn't admit it out loud, he sometimes felt nostalgic for the days when his only concerns revolved around classes at Kuoh Academy or the occasional workouts he faced alongside his group.

"Are you worried about anything, Rias?" asked Akeno in his usual sweet tone, slightly raising his teacup and watching his friend with a mixture of curiosity and complicity.

Rias shook her head gently, tucking a strand of her bright red hair behind her ear.

"Not really. I was just taking a moment to think about everything that has changed. Being in charge of this city is... a great responsibility."

Akeno smiled, his usual calm expression.

"That's because they trust you. Not everyone could take on a role like this so quickly. Plus, you're counting on us."

Rias's attention shifted momentarily to Kiba, who continued to stare out the window, fully immersed in his role as silent protector. His relaxed posture fooled no one: if something happened, he would be the first to react. Shirone, on the other hand, had finished her candy, and then brought another one to her mouth from the tray next to her.

"Rias-sama, do you want me to take care of anything in particular?" Kiba asked suddenly, not taking her eyes off the window.

"Not for now, Kiba. Everything seems to be calm. Although... Maybe you could coordinate a business district review. I want to make sure that local businesses are adapting well to our new guidelines."

"As you wish," Kiba replied with a slight nod of her head before leaving the room with a firm, confident step.

The silence in the room returned, broken only by the faint sound of Shirone's passing paper and the steaming tea that Akeno was still enjoying.

"Do you have plans for today, Rias?" Shirone asked suddenly, not taking her eyes off her book.

Rias turned her gaze to the young white-haired woman and smiled tenderly.

"I thought we could go for a walk around the city to see if everything is in order. It's important to make sure Kuoh is okay."

Akeno nodded, resting the cup on the saucer gently.

"It's a good idea. Also, a tour might help Shirone-chan become better acquainted with the area."

Rias let out a soft laugh.

"Exactly. That way we can also interact a little with the demons and see how they feel about the changes."

"And I'll be able to buy some extra candy," Shirone muttered in a barely audible voice, earning an amused smile from Rias and Akeno.

The atmosphere in the room became warmer, a sense of harmony enveloping the group. There was a new life waiting for them in Kuoh, a stage in which each one would have to adapt to their roles and responsibilities. But, as long as they were together, Rias knew she could face it all.

"So, let's go," Rias finally said, standing up with renewed energy. "Shirone, Akeno, come with me. Let's take a walk around the city."

"Understood," they both replied in unison.

As they left the mansion, Rias looked at the clear spring sky and allowed herself a smile. This was his city now, and he would do everything he could to protect it and make it prosper.

The streets of Kuoh were full of life. The spring sun fell softly on the city, illuminating the shops and parks with a warmth that invited you to stroll. Rias, Akeno, and Shirone walked calmly down the sidewalk, enjoying this moment of peace.

Shirone, with her usual stoic expression, stood out for carrying in her hands a small bag full of sweets, which she was eating slowly as they continued walking. At every step, he found a stall or shop window that caught his attention.

"Shirone, if you keep going at that pace, you won't have room for dinner," Akeno commented with a playful smile, watching as the young Tower stuffed another small manjuu into her mouth.

"This is no problem," Shirone replied quietly, chewing. "There's always room for more candy."

Rias couldn't help but laugh softly when she heard her. The tranquility of her group and the energy of the city comforted her more than she had expected. After so much time dealing with responsibilities, I felt that, for a moment, I could enjoy myself like anyone else.

"Everything seems to be in order," Akeno commented, looking around with an analytical but relaxed gaze. "I don't see anything that catches the eye."

Rias nodded. "It's true. Still, it never hurts to be cautious."

Although its purpose was to make sure Kuoh was free of any danger, the ride soon became a perfect excuse to relax. The local market was full of life: families, young students and shopkeepers exchanged laughter and chats while the air was filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread and the vibrant colours of the shop windows.

"Rias, look," Shirone said suddenly, pointing to a stall full of taiyakis, eyes that shone barely perceptible beneath their usual calm.

"Do you want one?" asked Rias with a smile, and before receiving an answer, she was already addressing the seller.

As the redhead exchanged a few coins for the sweet anko filling, Akeno looked around, bowing his head lightly.

"I'm surprised at how calm everything is. It almost seems like we came here for no reason," she commented in her usual tone, halfway between seriousness and fun.

Rias returned to them and handed the taiyaki to Shirone, who greeted it with a soft "thank you" before taking a small bite.

"Perhaps there was nothing to fear," Rias replied, his tone more relaxed. "But that doesn't matter. After all, we've enjoyed a good hike, don't you think?"

Akeno smiled broadly, nodding. "Definitely. Although Shirone seems to be the one who is taking advantage of the ride the most."

"Sweets are important," Shirone muttered earnestly, eliciting a new laugh from her companions.

As they continued on their way, the sky began to be tinged with soft orange and pink tones. The day was coming to an end, and with it, the certainty that the city was at peace, at least for now. Rias looked at her companions and felt a warmth in her chest. Despite the challenges they knew they would face in the future, at times like this, everything seemed simpler.

"Let's go home," Rias said softly, leading his nobility through the quiet streets of Kuoh.

The sound of their footsteps was lost in the murmur of the city, leaving behind a trail of laughter and aromas of spring.

❅────✧❃✧────❅•

The clanging sound of hammers echoed through the air as sparks lit up the divine forge. Each blow of the hammer seemed to shape not only the metal, but also fate itself. Hephaestus' workshop was a place where the boundaries between the earthly and the divine were blurred, and it was here that the traveler had arrived, carrying the weight of vengeance in his heart.

Hephaestus looked up from his work, his eyes shining with a mixture of weariness and curiosity. His muscular arm put the hammer aside as he assessed the stranger who had interrupted his loneliness. Although he was a god, the scars on his face and body spoke of the battles he himself had fought, even against forces that surpassed Greek deities.

"What are you looking for here, mortal?" asked Hephaestus, his voice deep and resonant, like the echo of a volcano about to erupt. "This is not a place for ordinary humans."

The traveler, with a firm gaze but marked by the pain of his past, took a step forward. His eyes reflected determination, a fire that had not been extinguished even in the face of utter loss.

"I came to get weapons, Hephaestus. Something that can pierce the flesh of a monster. A being that not even the gods could stop."

The name was not mentioned, but Hephaestus knew immediately who he was referring to. His face tightened, and his normally confident posture seemed to wobble slightly. The god sat on a bench by the forge, as if the weight of the past compelled him to seek support.

"You're talking about [Demon Lord] King Oni Sengo, right?" Hephaestus asked, although he already knew the answer.

The traveler nodded silently.

Hephaestus sighed deeply and, after a moment, began to speak, as if each word had torn a thorn in his soul.

"That being..." Hephaestus continued as he rubbed his hands together, his tone laden with bitterness. "It's something that shouldn't even exist. Not only does he possess unimaginable power, but he also belongs to that infamous community... the 『Absolute Evil』. I don't blame you for wanting to face it, but what you're looking to do is practically suicide."

The traveler did not answer, but his gaze remained fixed. Hephaestus sensed something in him, a spark of determination that reminded him of the heroes of old.

"Good," Hephaestus said after a long silence. "If you've made it this far, the least I can do is give you a chance."

He got up and walked to a metal box in a dark corner of the workshop. As he opened it, the light from the forge illuminated two objects: a deep black helmet that seemed to absorb all the light around it, and a golden sword, covered in intricate inscriptions that emitted a faint glow.

"This sword," Hephaestus explained as he raised it with both hands, "is imbued with the cosmology of Zoroastrianism. It was specifically designed to face beings like Sengo and Azi Dahaka. If you manage to pierce his heart with this, he will die."

The traveler reached for the sword, but Hephaestus did not let go immediately.

"Listen well. This weapon requires more than physical strength. It needs you to have an indomitable will. If you allow doubt, fear, or hatred to take hold of you, the sword will not obey you, and your mission will be doomed from the start."

The traveler nodded seriously, showing that he understood the god's words. Hephaestus let him take the sword and then raised his helmet.

"This is Hades' Invisibility Helmet. It's a replica of the original, but with added power: it can hide your presence even from Sengo and his allies... although only for a limited time. Don't waste that advantage."

The traveler took both objects, feeling the weight of fate in his hands.

"Thank you, Hephaestus. I will make sure that these artifacts serve their purpose."

Hephaestus watched him for a moment, before adding in a somber tone:

"Remember something. These weapons will give you a chance, but they don't guarantee victory. Sengo isn't just strong, he's cunning. If you fail, the consequences will be terrible, not only for you, but for everything left in this world."

The traveler did not answer, but inside he swore that he would not fail. With helmet and sword in his possession, he turned and left the forge, leaving the heat of the workshop behind to face the cold and merciless fate that awaited him.

Parallel Story: Fourth Quote

The night of December 31, 1982, was cold, with the icy air caressing the illuminated streets of Kyoto. The New Year's festivities were already making themselves felt: the ringing of bells in temples, the scents of street food, and the occasional fireworks streaking across the night sky.

Senji adjusted his dark coat as he waited, leaning against a lamppost near one of the city's most famous temples. His expression was serene, although inside he could feel the slight discomfort that always accompanied him in these situations.

"I always arrive early..." He muttered to himself, watching as people passed by around him, many dressed in traditional kimonos as they made their way to the temple for the first prayer of the year, the hatsumōde.

But before he could get lost in thought, a familiar voice roused him from his reverie.

"Senji-chan~! I made you wait a long time!"

He turned his head and saw her. Serafall walked towards him with an energy that contrasted with the calm of the night. Her kimono was a vibrant blue color with white flower patterns, highlighting her figure while her dark hair was pulled back into an elegant bun, decorated with a small crystal ornament that glistened in the light of the lanterns.

"You weren't late," Senji replied in his calm tone, though his eyes couldn't help but stare on her for a moment longer than usual.

"Sure?" she asked with a mischievous smile as she adjusted the white scarf she wore around her neck. "Because I don't want you to think that I don't take our date seriously, especially being New Year's!"

He shook his head softly. "You're here. That's enough."

Serafall smiled broadly, crossing her arm with his without warning. "So, let's go! There's a lot I want to do before the night is over."

Senji sighed, but didn't protest. The warmth of Serafall's arm intertwined with his was comforting in the cold night.

The first stop was the temple, where the crowd was already gathering to offer their prayers. The bells rang, one for each of the 108 earthly sins that Buddhists believed humans should purge in order to start the year with a clean heart.

"Let's make a wish together, Senji-chan!" said Serafall, pulling him excitedly into the line for prayers.

"I'm not exactly someone who does this kind of thing..." He began to say, but stopped when he saw her determined gaze. "Good. Just this once."

When they reached the front, they both bowed slightly, following custom. Serafall closed his eyes, clasped his hands, and offered his prayer, his playful expression now calm and serious. Senji, for his part, watched Serafall for a few moments before closing his eyes and muttering a silent wish.

"What did you ask for?" she asked as they left the temple, her eyes shining with curiosity.

"It doesn't matter," he replied evasively.

"Ah, don't be so reserved, Senji-chan! I asked for something special!"

"What did you ask for?"

Serafall looked at him, her smile now softer and more sincere. "May this be a year full of happy moments... with you."

Senji was silent, but something in his expression softened, a slight curve in his lips almost imperceptible in the dim light of the temple.

Later, they found a small food stall where they shared a bowl of hot soba, the traditional New Year's dish. Serafall, with her inexhaustible energy, talked endlessly about the things she wanted to do next year, while Senji listened attentively, interspersing short but meaningful comments that kept the conversation alive.

Finally, when it was a few minutes before midnight, they both reached a small viewpoint from where they could see the city stretching out below them. The twinkling lights of Kyoto competed with the stars, and the excitement of the crowd preparing for the countdown filled the air.

"It's beautiful, don't you think?" said Serafall, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"Yes," Senji replied, though his gaze was more focused on her than on the landscape.

As the countdown began, Serafall turned to him, his expression mixed with excitement and nervousness. "Senji-chan... Thank you for joining me today. And thank you for being someone so special to me."

"You always do special things," he replied, his tone calm, but his words carrying a weight that she immediately understood.

As the clock struck midnight and fireworks began to light up the sky, Serafall took a small step towards him and, with a mixture of daring and tenderness, leaned over to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"Happy New Year, Senji-chan!" she said, her face slightly flushed as she looked back at the fireworks.

Senji touched his cheek where he had kissed him, his eyes shining with unusual warmth. "Happy New Year, Serafall."

At that moment, as the sky lit up with colors and the city celebrated, something changed between them. An unspoken promise, a quiet understanding that this was not only the beginning of a new year, but also the beginning of something deeper between the two.