"So will you accept?

Those words sold his fate. Four simple words that promised him everything at the cost of everything. Those words were his chance to break the mold. They were his chance to finally leave the service of the World... but was it worth it?

The life of a Counter Guardian was horrendous. Archer was right in wanting to kill him before their dream led them to this. Everyday he died a little inside, and everyday he strived to find a way out of Alaya's grasp. The collective desire of humanity wanting to survive had enslaved him just like it did to his future self.

He had failed to heed Archer's warning, but that didn't mean it was over yet.

"I..." he took a deep breath, "Who are you?" he asked to the random voice that had appeared in head. It's sound was noticeable, but he couldn't make out any details of it. It was a voice, but he couldn't tell if it was male or female, young or old, good or evil... and yes, he had encountered enough evil people to be able to tell what they sounded like.

"I'll tell you if you accept!" it said, almost mockingly.

As much as he wanted to find the speaker and punch him... or her... it. As much as he wanted to punch it he couldn't. It offered him an offer so absurd, so unlikely, that he actually kinda believed it. No normal person, or even deity, could offer him such an offer so confidently.

The voice had offer him to reunite with her again. That stupid, condescending voice had actually offered, in full seriousness, to do something that even Alaya could never do. Something that he doubted Gaia would, maybe even could, do.

"There's a catch," he said. There was always a catch... that was how Alaya got him roped into the whole Counter Guardian business. The prospect of becoming a hero and saving people enticed him in, but he was never told he had to murder thousands of people in order to save millions. Even with Archer warning him that the grass was actually not greener, it still sounded too good to let up.

And this offer was even sweeter.

"I said it before. I will reunite you with your lost love, with Saber. All you have to do is say yes."

"And that's it? You reunite me with Saber and then we never talk again?"

"Of course not!"

"Then tell me what you expect from me." He promised Archer that he would be different, and he would. This was his chance to prove that he could actually change his fate.

"Fine... I'll tell you. A long, long time ago I created something powerful. It's nowhere near as strong as I am, but I can't interfere with that world despite how fun it is. My creation is going to try to destroy his world, and it'll be great to watch. I've been looking for pieces to make it more interesting, and that was when I stumbled upon both you and your loved one."

"If your creation will actually destroy the world then as a Counter Guardian I will run into him eventually."

"Oh, did I forget to mention that I'm talking about another dimension? And that she's already in there?"

"Another... dimension?" The only person he knew of who could do that was Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, the user of Kaleidoscope, the ability to travel between parallel worlds. Perhaps there was a timeline where Saber didn't go away and...

"Don't compare my power to the petty Second Magic. The world I am talking about is not a parallel of yours, it is a completely different universe with different properties and different worldly continuity."

"Wouldn't that mean Gods are different over there?" The concept of universes, while completely unproven by anyone, was that 'universes' were parallel dimensions that were created right before the Big Bang, the biggest concentrated blast of magic that created everything around them. The way the Big Bang played out was different every time, making each universe unique. Each universe had an infinite amount of 'worlds', which were the parallel timelines in which something did or didn't happen. Every single picosecond something different happened, spawning multiple different worlds.

The only thing that could possible do that was Akasha, the root of all in his world. Akasha was basically the bank of all possible events and thing in the universe. It was where things like Heroic Spirits resided. Zeltretch, in his prime, could easily traverse through worlds, but his power was a creation of Akasha, therefore nowhere as strong.

This voice said he could accomplish something that, theoretically, even Akasha couldn't do. Akasha was the universe, it was everything he knew.

"Akasha is the root of your universe. When you accept my offer you will be transported to a completely different tree with completely different roots."

"I... I haven't even achieved reaching the Root, so I cannot begin to comprehend how that would be possible. All I can make out is that, in order to do that, you are stronger than anything I have ever encountered. Are you even more powerful than Akasha?"

"...no," the voice said after a reasonable silence. "Normally, I cannot transport between universes. I am smart, however, and found a loophole that will allow me a little more enjoyment, so I am trying to take full advantage of it."

"That doesn't sound safe, in fact, it sounds like a death sentence."

"But then you will never reunite with her again. You're an interesting guy. Interesting enough that I decided to reward you for keeping me entertained. Is that not good enough?"

Well... when it phrased it that way...

"What loophole?"

"Will you accept my offer?"

"Yes," he said after a few moments, "I will, but I wish to know how."

The voice laughed. "I will tell you, but you must first make an official agreement. Denounce yourself of this world and accept being taken to a new one."

"I, Shirou Emiya, will allow myself to be transported by..."

"Ankhseram," the voice supplied, finally revealing it's name.

"...Ankhseram to a different dimension, as I renounce myself of this one."

"Fantastic."

"You still owe me information."

"Ah yes. Now Shirou, you won a contest a while ago, that's how!"

"A contest?" Shirou's brow scrunched in confusion. "The only thing I can think about is being the ten thousandth shopper at the Fuyuki Junes branch and... that's it."

"Oh how can you forget?" The voice laughed, clearly very amused. "There was one contest that you, in a convoluted way, won. You were decided the true winner of the contest... despite destroying the prize."

Destroying the prize?

Shirou's eyes widened.

"No..."

"Yes! Shirou Emiya, this is your prize for winning the Fifth Holy Grail War! The World still owed you a wish for winning, but it can't grant the wish now that the Holy Grail is gone. It will, however, allow me to take you away without any issue as your repayment for winning! That's what happened with your servant, she wanted to start over so I took her to my universe!"

"But... but the Grail was corrupted, was it not?"

He was met with silence.

"Hello?"

"...the others didn't bring that up. You're smarter than I took you for, Shirou, and I don't appreciate that. I just dropped the girl into my universe and basically let her run her own destiny, only giving subtle pushes in a better direction. You, however, gave me a fantastic idea. Yes, the Grail was corrupted, and if you were to wish for something it would turn out horribly convoluted."

Like if one were to wish to be the smartest person on the planet then they would remain the same while everyone else became cavemen. If one were to ask to be the most beautiful, then everyone else would become horrible scarred or deformed. The Grail was evil, hiding under the ruse of holy.

"You deserve a corrupted wish since your prize is from a corrupted Grail. Yes... yes this will be much more interesting. I was never one for tragic love stories, but this will truly be the best entertainment I have had for a while..."

"What are you going to do?" he asked quietly, finally finding his voice.

"Oh, don't worry Shirou. Maybe one day you could reunite with her, but for now I have the perfect punishment for your annoying questions. I hope your new master treats you well, Shirou... or should I say Servant?"

It was suppose to be an easy mission, yet it was anything but.

Actually, Mirajane knew she was kidding. The mission was an S-Rank job that detailed killing the proclaimed 'King of Beasts' that was terrorizing the countryside. The mission seemed anything but easy, yet she still decided to take her family on it.

It was arrogance, no doubt. Erza was getting bigger gains in every department than her, and she meant bigger gains everywhere. It was no fair! Absolutely no fair! Where did that tomato even come from?

Erza was in contention to take this job, which was exactly why she took it as soon as she could and rushed out the door, her loyal siblings in tow. She wanted the glory so bad... so bad.

That, coupled with her arrogance, was her downfall.

How stupid of her... how so damn stupid...

The minute she laid eyes on the gargantuan beast the first thing she did was sneer. Was this the monster causing so many issues? It looked like a pushover. While she could see how it could cause some people problems (cough Erza cough), she was Mirajane Strauss, The Demon of Fairy Tail.

It was suppose to be easy.

She was demolished.

Well... she put up a decent fight, managing to do as much damage as she could. The damage did nothing more than enrage the beast, however, and make it numb to the pain. It was surprisingly fast, and it's size held no lie towards it's strength. It both hit and moved like a speeding train.

As she kneeled on the ground, she couldn't accept the fact she was going to die. Death was a known factor for this lifestyle, but the enchantment and excitement of being in a guild made her forget that she was, indeed, fighting for her life. Mage life was more than just the fun and adrenaline, it was actual life or death situations.

"Tch," she looked down as the beast approached, "looks like you win, Erza."

And then her sweet baby brother came to her rescue.

It hit her how horrible of a sister she was as Elfman struggled to control the beast he attempted to takeover. She was an S-Ranked mage, not them. What kind of sister was she? How could she willingly take her two younger siblings, the only family she has left, on dangerous jobs?

"Elfman!" Lisanna ran towards the monst... no, their brother.

"Lisanna stop!" she yelled.

Her sister paid her a single glance. "If we don't help we'll lose him forever. I can't lose you guys."

No...

No!

"Lisanna!" She could feel her breath intensify as her sister ran towards their feral brother, who looked upon them without a hint of recognition. "Please!"

How could she do nothing!? Elfman locked onto Lisanna, his massive claws rising.

How could she not help!? How could this happen!? Why wasn't it her up there!?

Elfman swung his claw at Lisanna...

But was knocked away last second. Something hit Elfman's massive form and sent him flying away into the forest.

Mirajane's eyes widened, as did Lisanna's.

"Mirajane," a stern female voice said, "I expected more from you."

She was stunning. Her height was below average, but the way she carried herself made up for than tenfold. Her blonde, braided hair was so beautiful it looked like it was sprinkled with gold. She had an undoubtedly dignified and attractive face, with her stern green eyes not even glancing towards the direction she had launched Elfman. She had a blue dress with armor plates on it and a Heart Kreutz logo, obviously custom made.

Flowing down her back was a majestic blue cape lined with fur, and onto of her head was an ornate golden crown signifying her status.

"It's... it's you," Mirajane stared at the person in front of her. "Arturia Pendragon Dreyar, Fairy Tail's King of Knights."

The black fire spread around the town at an alarming rate. People screamed as they were killed all around. Nobody was safe from the slaughter.

Ultear didn't particularly love it, but it was necessary. Zancrow could burn as many people as he wanted into ash as long as they found what they were looking for. The death was acceptable as long as they could acquire the means to Zeref.

He was the goal of Grimoire Heart, and they would stop at nothing to achieve it.

"Kain," she said to a massive man behind her. "I want you to prevent anyone from escaping. There might be a chance someone will run with the artifacts we're looking for."

The large man stuttered something in response, but he honestly meant so little to her that she didn't bother to listen. He would do what he was told or face death at her hands.

Ultear approached the middle of the village, where the town hall stood. She launched a teal orb around the size of a volleyball at the wooden doors, tearing them off the hinges and revealing two startled guards.

Her orb smashed into one's head, sending him to the ground. The other one charged at her with a spear extended. As he got near she twisted away from a thrust and wrapped her hand around the man's throat. She held him up and stared deeply into his eyes as she choked in, taking in every emotion that ran through his eyes.

Pain, fear, agony, desperation, defeat, regret and then acceptance. It was the same for so many other people she killed.

She dropped the corpse to the ground and continued to walk towards the building, stopping only to end the other guard with her foot. She frowned at the blood and brain on her soles as she entered the town hall and gracefully walked up towards the mayors office.

As she opened the doors the mayor, a pink haired man with bright, almost teal looking eyes, fired a revolver at her. Ultear's eyes glowed as the bullets quickly started to age hundreds of years until they were nothing more than dust flying past her. The mayor's eyes widened as she walked towards him, and he fired more bullets that only met the same fate.

She stood right on the other side of his desk as he continued to pull the trigger. The empty clicks of the gun made her smirk as she watched the man desperately scramble into a drawer to find more ammunition.

"The struggle is cute," she said as one of her orbs smashed the man in the side of the head, sending him flying to the side.

Ultear walked over to the picture of the village's founder on the side of the room and knocked it to the side, revealing a safe.

Her eyes shone as she placed her hand on it. The safe started to age and rust before her eyes. She rose her other hand and magic started to visible form in it, creating a glowing sword. She slashed at the safe, cutting the door clean off.

Inside was a old wooden box.

The black fire Zancrow had created was shining through the windows, illuminating the box almost too perfectly. Ultear lifted the box and walked over to the Mayor's desk and sitting in his chair. She placed the box on his desk and slowly undid the single latch keeping it shut.

There were only two things inside of it. One was an old, folded piece of paper, but she set it aside as the other thing it contained caught her attention much more. It was a beautiful chain pendant that led down into a ornate silver piece with a cross on it that held a red gem that was simply stunning. Ultear couldn't stop staring at it as it glowed in the limited lighting.

She grabbed the paper and opened it. There was only two parts to it.

The first half was a drawing that was in a dark red that was unmistakably blood. It was, in a simplified description, a circle with a six pointed star and multiple symbols inside of it. The other half had a long string of words on it with the heading 'SUMMONING RITUAL' labeled on the top.

Ultear stared at it, and then the jewel, before something in her mind just clicked.

The mayor had enough blood to make the summoning circle, luckily.

This was it. This must be the summoning of Zeref.

She was finally going to see the target of all her dreams and desires.

Ultear stared at the circle and started to chant.

"Let silver and steel be the essence.
Let stone and the archduke of contracts be the foundation.
Let black be the color I pay tribute to.
Let rise a wall against the wind that shall fall.
Let the four cardinal gates close.
Let the three-forked road from the crown reaching unto the Kingdom rotate.

Let it be declared now;
your flesh shall serve under me, and my fate shall be with your sword.
Submit to the beckoning of my call.
Answer, if you would submit to this will and this truth.

An oath shall be sworn here.
I shall attain all virtues of all of Heaven;
I shall have dominion over all evils of all of Hell."

A blinding blue glow and a raging wind started to erupt from the circle as she chanted. Ultear gritted her teeth but continued, feeling the power culminate all around her.

"From the Seventh Heaven, attended to by three great words of power,
come forth from the ring of restraint, protector of the holy balance!"

The light blinded her for a moment, and when she regained her sight a man stood in front of her.

He was tall, just above six feet. His hair was red, but there was a noticeable streak of white in it. His skin was a light color, but there was some small streaks of a dark tan on his arm and neck, just barely avoiding his face. He had black, sleeveless body armor with silver trimming and black pants with multiple straps tied around it going down to combat boots. There was a red robe tied around his waste that went down to below his knees. His right arm was bare, but his left arm had a red sleeve going down to his wrist.

Ultear stared.

"I ask you," he stared straight into Ultear's eyes with his dark golden brown eyes, "are you my master?"

Ultear looked at her hand and saw an intricate red tattoo glowing.

She smirked.

"Yes... I am your master."

In a barren wasteland, filled with nothing but swords, it slowly started to snow.