I in no way shape or form own Fate/Stay Night or Overlord ( オーバーロード). They belong to their respective owner. Fate/Stay night is property of Type-Moon, and Overlord ( オーバーロード) belongs to Kugane Maruyama. And I in no shape or form make a profit of writing and publishing this.

With that out of the way, hello. Yes you, the reader that took time out of your day to click on this fiction. Thank you for being the first readers of my first ever story. I've been a massive fan of the Fate series and Overlord and now I'm trying my hand at writing. Hopefully I do both series justice.

An Author's note is at the bottom for more information.

Without further ado, please enjoy!

Edited: 2019

Prologue: The Death of a Hero

Shirou Emiya, participant of the fifth Holy Grail War and the second incarnation of the Magus Killer, was dying. Or rather, it was more accurate to say that Shirou has been dying for at least two decades now and is only now feeling the end approaching.

At the ripe old age of 146 Shirou has lived an adventurous life. Not necessary a good one, nor a fulfilling one but certain an adventurous one. Especially in a profession that saw many good die young. Despite his true age his body looked no older than someone in their late eighties. His once healthy and toned skin aged, it wrinkled and lost its luster. His hands, his pride, which once wielded great and power Noble Phantasms belonging to heroes of old were reduced to husks of their form self. Nothing but skin and bones. Innumerable scars and wounds littered his body, each one a tapestry with its own story and perils to tell. From a purely medical perspective, Shirou should not even be remotely alive with the injuries he's sustained in his career.

All in thanks to Avalon, the scabbard of Excalibur itself. Shirou has lost count of how many times the Everdistant Utopia has saved him from a life threatening injury. It was for this reason that was keeping his body from breaking down faster than it was.

Looking to the side of his bed a small window adorned the wall, the only source to the outside world. In the past, a favorite pass time of Shirou was stargazing. Simply looking upwards, towards the sky and above with beautiful stars lightening up the night sky. Nowadays, it was considered a miracle just to see anything besides smog and polluted gas. The last hundred years haven't kind to the world. During the late twenty first century, the rise of mega corporation and industrialization have nearly destroyed the Earth's vegetation and green life. It was only a matter of time.

It has gotten so bad that the populace needed breathing masks and goggles to prevent themselves from choking on the polluted air.

"I wonder what is so interesting about smoke covered sky that you're always looking outside that window, Emiya-san." A deep but familiar voice called out.

Shirou showed no reaction to the voice. Despite his age and the degradation of his magical circuits, and senses his sixth sense was as sharp as ever. Honed through years of life or death scenarios. That and the man in question radiated enough potency that even a none magical entity would feel a shudder.

"Zelretch." Shirou spoke plainly. Without taking his eyes away from the drearily scenery.

"Emiya-san!" Zelretch exclaimed with a positively cheery tone.

Stepping out of the darkened corner of Shirou's room, Zelretch casually made his way to the center of the room. Casting a casual glance towards the vampire Shirou noted that his appearance hasn't changed over these long years. Many, himself included wondered if the Dead Apostle Ancestor wore anything else but a form-fitting dark suit with gloves covering his hands, and a mantle over his suit. His ashen gray hair slicked back and combed. He held the appearance of a well-mannered old man betrayed only by his glowing crimson eyes that indicated him as anything but human.

"It's been a while hasn't it? How long have we last seen each other? A decade? Two? It would seem time hasn't been kind to you Emiya-san unlike me?" The vampire joked. Again, Shirou ignored him.

"Would you care for some pudding?" Reaching into his pocket Zeltrech pulled out a nondescript cup of pudding. Shirou showed no reaction to his question.

"I'll tell you Emiya-san, you would NOT believe how hard it is to find decent pudding cups now." With a pause, Zelretch opened the cup. Producing a spoon out of nowhere he quickly digs into his delicious treat. "Mmmm~, caramel. Delicious. Unlike that mass-produced guck that are sold now." Engaging in playful banter Zelretch continued. "Why, just this morning I was perusing this store and found spinach flavored pudding. Spinach I tell you! Healthy and natural they promoted, bullocks I say."

Again, Shirou kept his eyes on the window, choosing not to acknowledge the ancient magician. Zelretch quickly finished his snack and without care, tossed the empty plastic cup over his shoulder. Reaching into his pocket once more he finished out another pudding cup. This time Zelretch kept to himself as he enjoyed his treat. The only sound that broke the silence was Zelretch's smacking lips. This continued several minutes with him pulling out more cups of pudding whenever he finished. A small pile of trash accumulated behind him. Only on his eighth cup did Shirou finally spoke.

"What are you doing here Zelretch?" Slowly, Shirou turned his head towards the immortal mage. Finally giving him the attention that he wanted.

"Is it so wrong for me to meet up with an old friend?" Nonplussed, Zelretch nonchalantly answered.

"You and I are not friends." Shirou's eyes narrowed and lips twitched downward into a frown.

"You wound me so Emiya-san." Zelretch placed a hand over his heart and feigned hurt. It almost looked genuine was it not for a mirthful smile on his face.

Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, Zelretch of the Jewels, the Wizard Marshal, acclaimed mage and Wielder of Second Magic; Kaleidoscope. He was a man with many titles and it was well deserved. Zelretch was a man that was feared as he was respected; if not more so the former. With numerous titles and a fearsome reputation, he was known predominantly as an extreme prankster. There was a popular saying back in the day of the Clocktower, 'If Zelretch takes an interest in you, pray. Pray to whatever false god you may or may not believe in for mercy. For you will learn that Zelretch shall spare you none.' Something Rin and Shirou didn't learn until it was too late.

Many who have met him, Shirou included, would have described him as a sarcastic, and sadistic man (vampire technically.) His pranks would range anything from something like replacing all their clothes with bikini's that disintegrate upon contact with water. To his favorite, removing ones' conscious and implanting it into another body in an alternate universe via his Second Magic, and allowing them to live that life only to be ripped away back to their original time. Give or take anyway anywhere between a few days, months, or years depending on his mood.

Shirou knew he wasn't evil, not fundamentally evil anyways. Zelretch was unhinged to say it best. With the ability to view and travel to unlimited realities it warped his mind. A common theme around those that have stared into Root itself and has come out stronger than before.

Back to the matter at hand, Shirou had only meet Zelretch only a few times. All involving Rin and none of them were good. For him to go out of his way to meet Shirou, he was up to something.

"I'm not in the mood for games Zelretch. Tell me why you're here, now!" Shirou demanded, putting as much steel behind his world as he frail body could.

"Fine, fine." Zelretch waved away the threat. "I know a way for you to escape Alaya's grasp." He said, cutting right to the chase.

Shirou's eyes immediately widened, his mouth agape. "Impossible." Was his immediate answer. "You and I know that once a contract with Alaya is made it can't be taken back. It wouldn't allow it."

"True, true." The old man/vampire nodded. "If it were anyone else you would be 100% correct. However…" Zelretch turned to face him, his crimson eyes shined with glee, his smile stretching from ear to ear revealing his sharpened canines. At that moment the true personality of Zelretch was on full display. "… You've forgotten who you're talking to! I am Zelretch! Wielder and Owner of Operation of Parallel Worlds itself. It took a long time, but I found it. A way for you to escape your fate as Counter-Guardian Emiya-kun!"

Hearing this, his mind wandered back to the event that led up to the decision to make the deal with Alaya. As the years passed on magecraft was slowly declining like those of the Clocktower feared. Sometime during the mid-twentieth century, there was an eruption of industrialization not just in Japan but the entire world. As everything became more modernized, those on the magical side died down. Once powerful Ley lines dried up due to the landscape and earth becoming polluted from various dumping and chemical. Pollution sunk its teeth into everything, the air, water, and the earth itself.

As a result, the Earth was slowly dying, and by extension Gaia. In a last-ditch effort to wipe the slate clean, Gaia pulled in and used as much prana as she could to unleash various Phantasmal Beasts and conjured natural disaster on the world. Even enlisting the help of Dead Apostle Ancestors like Altrouge Brunestud, and Primate Murder to name a few. All to bring about the extinction of humanity. In the face of the coming apocalypse the Mage Association, Holy Church, and what remained of the Dead Apostle Ancestor that didn't wish for total annihilation joined forces. Executioners and enforcers working side by side. While clerics and magus providing support and covering fire.

Strangely enough, Alaya didn't intervene with any Counter-Guardian. At least, not at first.

The ensuing battle was perhaps the greatest magical war that to have ever taken place. Its impact reverberated throughout the world. A shame that it would be soon washed away time. For, while humanity won it was a Pyrrhic victory. Roughly 88% to 90% of the alliance died in the battle. For every creature they killed, some thirty or forty of their own forces perished. One memorable example was Merem Solomon who gave his life to take down fellow Dead Apostle Ancestor; Altrouge Brunestud. But, not just him, but many noble and powerful families were quickly snuffed out that day.

Not even the likes of Lorelei Barthomeloi, or Lord El-Melloi II escaped unscathed. Waver Velvet or Lord El-Melloi II died taking down Primate Murder along with some other high-ranking members of the Clocktower. Lorelei herself was left crippled after the battle. Her left arm gone, and she was paralyzed from the waist down.

Even now, Shirou could recall the battle with perfect detail. How his body ached and screamed from all the running and fighting. How his magical circuits burned his skin from constantly tracing and reinforcing his body. The smell of blood and ashes in the air from all the destruction. The sound of explosions and screams of those meeting their demises against the beasts. The sight of dead bodies, both human and otherwise that littered the ground, with blood coloring everything in sight. So much bloodshed, so much destruction.

He pushed his body to the absolute limit and beyond. To this day, Shirou still wondered how he simply didn't randomly drop dead from how much his body was exerting. Noble Phantasm after Noble Phantasm he traced. Spears, swords, knives, dagger, axes, halberds, shields, everything and anything he held stored in his Reality Marble. Either obscure to well-known legends, he traced them all and unleashed hell upon the monsters. Even going as far as to his reality marble, Unlimited Blade Works multiple times.

Even with the help of Zelretch and his Second Magic, it was still an uphill battle. Many died and those that survived were tired and injured themselves. Thus, the forces of Gaia mounted one last frontal assault knowing humanity forces were weak enough. It was at that moment that Alaya decided to make herself known to Shirou. For the longest time, Alaya has continuously contacted Shirou to try and form a contract with it. All to get her perfect attack dog. He was able to endure, all to avoid the future that was Archer. It knew that without her help Humanity was doomed if they lose. Thus, it waited and waited until Shirou was backed into a corner and would be left with no choice but to accept the contract. An underhanded method that sacrificed countless lives, all to acquire her perfect Counter-Guardian. Because the Will of Humanity knew of his dream, of his nature to help anyone and everyone even at the expense of himself.

Through trickery and manipulation, Shirou signed away his fate so that everyone else could live. With the power of the Counter Force at his side and Counter-Guardians to refill their ranks, they pushed the forces of Gaia back. They won the battle, but the war was lost soon after.

After such a confrontation the world's natural source of mana suddenly dwindled and dried up. No one was prepared for such a situation. The drain was so massive that it was calculated to be impossible to replenish, especially with the growing pollution and degradation of the earth. This caused what little of phantasmal beasts to die off one by one. The same could be said about the surviving magus'. Those that survived were severely crippled and weakened. With most of their proficient founders and leaders dead and gone, alongside the decline of magecraft as a whole; the magical community was left in ruins. What they feared came to pass; magecraft died on that day.

In fact, the only one left that could use magic/magecraft was Zelretch himself. Even then, it was strictly limited to his Kaleidoscope.

Many magical families were left in shambles over what to do. Without their magecraft, they were just regular humans. Their knowledge, prestige, and skill were now worthless. Of course, as traditional with magus they couldn't accept such a reality. Where they were no different from everyone else in the world; powerless and weak.

Many sought to hold onto their old glory and fame, but like grasping water it slipped through their fingertips. Many sought to experiment in order to find a way to bring magecraft back into the world. Most, as expected, failed and their family line died off. Unable to adapt and move on. Others reluctantly accepted this and tried to move on. Tried being the keyword as many magus were extremely technologically inept with the modern world and technology as a whole. Lorelei, herself moved on, moving to the alps of Switzerland and lived the rest of her life there with what remaining servants and family she had left.

The wounds he sustained during the battle were mitigated thanks to the Counter Force giving a much-needed boost in strength. But they were still crippling to a degree. Shirou slowly loss sensation in his hands and legs due to burning out his magical circuits too many times. It only got worse throughout the year. Resulting in him being bed-ridden for the last decade. No longer can he activate his circuits without white-hot pain flaring to his arms and legs.

And thus, Shirou Emiya; The 2nd Magus Killer was no more.

"Spacing out Emiya-san? Is your age catching up to you? Don't worry, it happens to the best of us." The mage took another jab at the faker's age.

Snapping his head towards the Dead Apostle Shirou shook his head to clear the cobweb that was his memory of that day. Going back to what he said, Shirou couldn't help but feel skeptical of it all. If he was being honest Shirou fully believes Zelretch does indeed have something to escape Alaya's contract. If half the stories that Rin told about her mentor was true it wouldn't be surprising. No. What he really wanted to know is why?

"Why? What do you gain out of this?"

"Oh, don't be like that. Like I said before you're a friend! It's only natural that friends help each other out."

'I don't believe that for a second.' He immediately voiced in his head. Zelretch, while crazy was still a magus. Magus didn't do anything for free as Rin would constantly beat into his mind. They were selfish and scheming, always trying to get something out of a deal. The question now was, what does Zelretch gain by helping Shirou?

"Answer the question Zelretch! I'm no mood for a prank."

"Hmph. I see that you've gotten crankier with age Emiya-san." The vampire pouted. Seeing that the faker was still maintaining his glare he got down to business.

"Fine. There are three reasons why I wish to help you." Zelretch emphasized by holding up three digits. "The first, it's because I like you Emiya Shirou. I really do." His voice sounding more grounded than before.

Shirou blinked. 'Huh, that sounds honestly genuine. I wonder…'

"You've provided me with so much entertainment over the years, it shouldn't be a surprise that I've taken a liking to you!"

'Ahh…there it is.' Shirou deadpanned at the gushing mage.

"You'll be surprised just how boring it can be sometimes as a magician. It's always the same thing with maguses, always experimenting with their magecraft and magic crests. Borrrring~. Seeing a magus doing something as reprehensible as cutting up a twelve-year-old is shocking the first time. The next thousand or so morally bankrupt acts, it gets stale. I dare say I've enjoyed watching your life unfold than any televised work put out nowadays. The Drama! The Suspense! The Action! Truly, I will never get bored of watching your life play out."

As the vampire prattled on and on Shirou gritted his teeth and glared with all he had. If he could Shirou would trace every weapon he had in Unlimited Blade Works and send toward the Apostle with the intention of skewing him. His life was not some play or movie to viewed as such!

Chuckling at the death glare he was getting Zelretch moved on. "Point numero dos." He flicked his hand out, holding two digits this time. His smile shifted to something more mischievous "I get to pull one over on the broad. Not only am I taking away her favorite toy, but I'll be ensuring that even after you kick the bucket Ayala won't be able to get her grubby hands on you." He explained with a smile on his face.

Huh… Shirou, to a certain degree, could make sense of that. Zelretch has always taken some twisted pleasure when playing pranks on his victims. "As a prankster, one must always strive to reach for greatness!" Or at least, that was what the trolling vampire proclaims anyway. By denying Alaya her prize, he was effectively pranking the collective will of humanity itself. At least, that what he assumed the Apostle was after.

"And the third." He asked.

Like a switch was flipped Zelretch entire expression changed. His playful smile that he had throughout the conversation thinned into a fine line. His eyes loss its mirthful shine, replaced with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia. The playful air around him evaporating completely. If Shirou was being honest, it creeped him out just how fast the change happened. While he was no expert on the ancient mage it was a shock to see him so...human.

"Rin." He answered. Hearing her name caused Shirou's heart to lurch and his fist tightened their grips on the blanket.

"What about her?" Shirou questioned. For a few seconds, the vampire remained silence.

"...Despite what many of those idiots in the Clocktower believe True Magic isn't the end all be all as one might think." Zelretch began and ignoring Shirou's question. "Sure, wielding true magic might be neat for the first several decades but it quickly loses its luster rather quickly. Unlike the others like Denial of Nothingness or Heaven's Feel, Second Magic took time and practice before I fully reigned in my control. Can you even begin to fathom it? Seeing and learning not just your own but every single possibility. Every decision ever made, every 'what if'? I dare say that kind of knowledge would drive any man insane!" Zelretch cackled at the last part.

"What does this have to do with Rin?" Shirou finally asked.

"I'm getting there." Zelretch assured the third-rate magus. "Imagine yourself as me for just a moment. You're bored, so you decide to drop by the Clocktower and on your merry way you bump into an interesting little magus on the way. I saw something in her that I haven't seen in a long, long time. Conviction. Fire. And a hint of fear from bumping into me." His voice laced with nostalgia.

"You know the story. On a whim, I decided to make her my apprentice. Just to see what would happen. Would that fire I saw in her be snuffed out like those before or would it continue to burn bright? To this very day, I don't regret offering her that deal. It was refreshing, she wasn't like those sycophants in the Clocktower. No, no, no she was a feisty little girl that held nothing back and expressed exactly how she felt, consequences be damned. Not even the old bat Barthomeloi would dare insult me to my face. If she did, I would have respected her a lot more."

Shirou, at this point, was starting to get irritated. The conversation has veered off course already and he was about to demand the vampire to get to the point. Only for him to do just that next.

"Just before she died, I decided to pay her one last visit. You know, a master saying goodbye to their pupil one last time. You know how it goes. I barely closed the door behind me before she begged me to save you."

"W-wh-what?" Shirou chocked out.

"On her deathbed, she begged me to save you." Zelretch bluntly repeated.

"But…but, why? She hates me…"

"Do you honestly believe that for a second Emiya-san." His voice cutting down Shirous'. A lone skeptical brow raised. "Even after everything you went through. We both know that girl is basically the embodiment of tsundere itself." he huffed.

Biting his lower lip, he met the Dead Apostle's eyes. Shirou's thoughts wandered back to the incident. What caused the rift between the Tohsaka mage and the faker and how it splintered them.

Zelretch continued, paying no mind to Shirou's internal conflict. "During her life as my apprentice, I have heard her ask, or demand something of me. But she never begged. Whether it be for an answer to a theory or advice on performing a certain ritual. She never begged me for anything, until that moment." Zelretch turned his sight away from the window and looked Shirou straight in the eye. A terrifying chill crawled up his spine seeing the wizard's face set in stone. Those maleficent crimson eyes and stoned cold expression. It was almost as frightening as his pranking face. Almost.

"She begged me to find a way to save you." With a steady pace, he walked forward towards the bed-ridden magus. "I promise her that I would." He stopped at his side, staring down at him. "And I will."

With a heavy sigh, Shirou leaned back, pressing his back against the bed frame, casting his eyes downward to get away from the sharp gaze of the vampire.

Closing his eyes to the outside world, an image quickly formed in his head. One that was all too familiar to the magus. A hill with the backdrop of a setting sun. A young and petite blond woman standing there on a hill. Dressed in a simple white blouse and a blue skirt that reached for her ankles. Her beautiful golden hair unbound and flowing, reaching past her shoulder. Her emerald eyes sparkling as she gazed into the distance. Next to her stood a slightly taller girl. She too wore a blouse, this one colored red and had long sleeves. A cross shaped design lie in the sternum area of her blouse. A black skirt and thigh high stocking completed her look. Black ribbons fashioned her long hair into long twin-tails.

Saber and Rin.

His allies. His friends. His lovers. His greatest failures and regret.

With the fake hero accepting the contract with Alaya, he wallowed in shame and guilt knowing that he would never see them again. To never apologize and beg for their forgiveness. Not unless he did what Archer did and implemented himself into the Throne of Heroes to be summoned as a Servant in some alternate parallel world. Even then, that wouldn't lead him to his Saber and Rin. But who knows how long that would take, or if Alaya would allow it. Shirou resigned his fate knowing that there was nothing left he could do.

But now…

Now. There was something that could be done!

Raising his head to meet Zelretch's piercing gaze, his once dull eyes burning with a fire that was long extinguished, he asked one simple question.

"Will I be able to see them again?"

The vampire's answer was immediate. "Of course."

"Ok."

Just like that Zelretch's face did a 180. A massive grin stretched across his face and his eyes crinkled into slits. Another chill ran down his spine. Shirou recognized that face. That was the face that haunted the nightmares of so many magus before. The face of a man in on a joke and whoever his victim was, was the punchline.

"Excellent!" The elder mage joyfully shouted. Multicolored confetti exploded from his hands as he applauded. Damn Second Magic. "I knew I could convince you."

Rolling his eyes at the vampire, Shirou ignored the bone chilling feeling just so he could get this over with. "How is this going to work?"

Hearing this Zelretch grin only stretched further if that was possible. His instinct suddenly blared to life, telling him to escape now!

"Simple. Just hold still for a moment. This'll only hurt for a second."

"W-wha—" Shirou was abruptly cut off with a gurgle. The familiar taste of copper filling his mouth. Why did his chest suddenly hurt?'

Looking down he found his answer. There, impaling his chest but more specifically over his heart was a weapon. Not just any weapon, the Jeweled Sword itself. A myriad of light began to emit from the crystal dagger, flooding the room with all the colours of a rainbow. Shirou felt his eyes growing heavy. The last thing he saw was Zelretch smiling visage.

"Take care Shirou."

For the briefest moment, Shirou felt weightless. Darkness enveloped him, and he could see nothing. The magus didn't even have time to ponder on the situation before a flash of light blinded him.

Television often over-dramatized the awakening process. A sharp gasp, a sudden start, or even a surprise lurch. Something to signal that a person is fully awake. For Shirou, more time than he could count, it was always the awareness that got him. His eyes opened and his senses registering everything around him.

He was lying down that much he could tell. His fingers feeling something soft, grass maybe? Trees and foliage filled his vision of above. His ear twitched, picking up the sound of running water.

Without making a sound he stood up. Shirou's eyes first drifted to his hands. Gone was the barren hands to weak to even pick up a spoon, replaced with smooth toned skin and muscle. His body running on auto-pilot he knelt to the creek next to him. A face stared right back at him, one that he hasn't seen in a long, long time.

Archer. The face of his future self stared right back at Shirou. Slowly Shirou ran his hand against his new face. "Zelretch wasn't kidding…" he muttered. Taking a moment to compose himself Shirou took his new appearance in.

His new face resembled Archer's closely, nearly identical. Gone were the wrinkled skin, replaced with creamy and toned skin of his prime. Sharp jawline, strong cheekbones, and full complexion were among the first he noticed of his rejuvenated youth. His once ashen gray hair taking a more healthy and shining silver. Finally, his eyes. Interestingly enough they were heterochromatic. One of steelish silver and the other of molten gold.

The magus's body followed a similar trend. The clothing was identical to that of the Counter-Guardian. He wears a near black bodysuit, consisting of a sleeveless shirt with silver accents on the front, and black pants with black leather straps attached to his thighs and shin. Ending with metal closed tips boots. The signature bright crimson cloak and mantle were worn on top of it. The red cloak covered Shirou's arms but left his torso and midriff open. An agemaki knot tying everything together. The second part of the crimson attire was purely aesthetics as it took the form of two long red cloth attached to his waist with a silver-plated buckle.

The outfit was comfortable, reminding Shirou of his old hunting uniform. The form-fitting clothing pressed against his skin, more effective at outlining his chiseled pecs and abs than it did for actual protection. Clear and distinct biceps on his arms and powerful leg muscles showed. Along with broad and strong shoulders that could carry mountains.

Shirou felt great. No. Not just great but amazing. Not even in his prime did he feel so rejuvenated or powerful. So, lost in thought was Shirou that he didn't immediately take notice of a couple of discrepancies. Such as the tingling of his skin with the mana rich air, or how his new face was set in a perpetual frown that the original EMIYA was known for. It wasn't until the distant sound of an explosion knocked out of his stupor.

"What?" Shirou heard it. A familiar sound.

"Agghh!" A loud cry of pain was heard.

His instinct immediately took control. Everything didn't matter anymore. All that mattered was the burning desire to save someone.

"Trace on!" Shirou chanted. The thrumming of his magical circuits firing up, better than ever before. Two weapons appeared in his hand. One of concentrated black and the other of pure white and both sporting a ying-yang symbol near the handle. The all too familiar Noble Phantasm: Kanshou and Bakuya. The magic circuits in his legs flared up, pumping prana into his legs.

[Reinforcement]

With a single step, he launched himself a dozen or so meter forward. Shirou was surprised. Never in his previous could he reach such speed even with only a simple reinforcement boost. This concern was secondary compared to the blackened text that read out his magecraft. A display of his skill for him to visibly see, lasting only a second before disappearing. Unfortunately, another explosion rocked him from his musing. Refocusing his effort on finding the source his form blurred.

Shirou quickly noted that his sight and hearing were extremely fined tuned, easily picking out the direction of the source. His eyes with crystal clear vision taking note of everything. Strangely enough, he felt his sense of touch and smell rather muted.

"…As…Hit…T…"

His ear twitched. Voices! The magus could make out voices. Doubling his effort, the voices got louder and clearer.

"Hahaha, eat this you freakshow."

"Arrggh." Cried a voice.

The sound of clanging metal was clear in his ear. A foot or fist? Whoever it was, it was clearly enjoying itself if the clear jubilation in its voice was any indication. The forest and trees recede to reveal a stone cliff edge. A younger and immature Shirou would have rushed in and consequences be damned. After decades of fighting monsters, heroic spirits, insane magus and cultists, it taught him that rushing in blind with no idea who or what he would be facing was the epitome of stupidity.

Halting, Shirou crouched and carefully made his way to the edge and peeked over. He needed information. Who or what was he fighting? How many? How dangerous are they? Could they sense Shirou from here? Information was key and if he wasn't careful then there was a possibility of him failing and losing not just his life but also the one he wishes to save.

"Come on, that all you got freak?"

"Yeah. You could have at least made this interesting!"

Two different voices called out. More tormentors?

"Easy for you say!" There it was, the victim. He honed in on that particular voice.

"Acting all high and mighty because you're beating up a level 2 player."

Level 2? What?

"Why don-" The voice was abruptly cut off by the sound of a metal boot smacking the victim.

"Whatever Skeletor." The voice scoffed.

Finally, Shirou got a good view of the situation. An undead being, a skeleton if the milky white bones were of an indication in robes and four separate humanoid individuals. This was something Shirou has seen a thousand times. Undead harassing and killing any and all humans they come across.

However, this was anything but normal.

It was the undead being that was on the ground and if his hearing was correct it was the voice of the victim. The undead was backed up against a tree. Four humans encircled it. A female dressed in white robes that reminded him of the Church. One in full plated armor with a sword resting on his shoulder. Another that dressed in fine leather armor and held two small daggers. Lastly, an archer if the bow and quivers were anything to go by.

If that wasn't strange enough, text flooded vision.

PwnSlayer213 – Lvl: 90

LuckyLoveLucy – Lvl: 88

Killershoooot – Lvl: 84

TheAssAssin – Lvl: 83

Momonga – Lvl: 2

Names and numbers were assigned to the human and lone undead. Next to their name was a bar. Everyone but the undead was full and green. The robed skeleton had only a tiny fraction remaining and coloured red.

'W-what?' While his face didn't change one can easily imagine Shirou blinked owlishly. His brain was a storm of activity. His mind trying to process and make sense of it all. With hundreds of questions bounced back and forth in his mind. 'How am I seeing their name? What kind of names is that? What do those numbers mean? Should I interfere? What's going on?!' were but some examples.

"What did Zelretch dragged me into…"

In all his experience as a freelance enforcer and executor, this was perhaps the first time, he has ever seen this something like this before. The undead was cowering. Normally it was the supernatural being that was the one in control, hurting and killing humans without a single care. It was the monsters that tormented the weak humans. Their strength and abilities far exceeding an average human. Fostering the sense of superiority, believing that humanity was nothing but insects and food for them. Rarely has he seen such a bizarre situation where it was the inverse instead.

Until now that was.

Shirou felt conflicted, to say the least. On one hand, it wasn't the humans that were being hurt. That he was glad for, but he didn't approve of their behavior. They were needlessly tormenting the undead, very similar to how Apostles would treat a human. Taunting and looking down on them. Too closely for Shirou's liking. On the other hand, it was an undead being. On principle alone, he should just up and leave especially with his past experiences with monsters and undead. Shirou knew that not all undead or magical beings are evil and see humanity as a pest. Zelretch was a prime but albeit loose example.

"Look, I just want to play this game alright. I'm not even a threat to you guys for god's sake." The undead begged. Beg. Strangely enough, he noted that its voice sounded very human-like, lacking the gravel tone that was attributed to such unnatural beings.

"Not our business creep." The image of an evil smirking emoticon popped up.

"Yeah, blame your shit luck. LoL." Another pop-up appeared with 'LOL' displaying.

The armored warrior delivered another kick to the skeleton, knocking him back against the tree. The small red bar shorting even further. This earned a round of laughter from his companions.

Shirou's grip on his weapon tightened. This type of behavior wasn't uncommon amongst the executors of the church or enforcers of the clocktower. Human supremacist that wanted to cause them pain when they could, just like those they hunted. The irony wasn't lost on the faker.

Two minds waged within him. His mind telling him to leave, that it was another undead. Move on and figure out what was going on. His heart meanwhile told him otherwise. Just as not all magical beings or undead are monsters, not all humans are saints.

"Any last world bonesy?" The warrior questioned, his sword poised to strike.

"Damn it… I just…I just wanted to live a while longer."

The debate in his head only intensified.

Shirou recognized that tone of voice. The undead voice soft, he would have missed it if it weren't for his enhanced hearing. A forlorn tone of one that has resigned to their fate, knowing there was nothing they could do. He'd seen it many times before, on fathers who lost their families and couldn't go on, or a woman in an abusive relationship unable to escape the pain. And he had seen it on himself when he accepted Alaya's contract.

The voice of someone that a needed hero!

"Maybe that'll teach you to play a freak!" With a roar, the blade descended.

In that singular nanosecond, a decision was made.

Closing his eyes, Momonga suppressed the desire to release every profanity known to man to curse the PKers. Players like them were sadists, they would enjoy hearing him scream and rage. He won't give them the satisfaction.

Momonga spent the better part of his weekend, the only time away from his shitty job, to relax and perhaps grind. Instead, he was hunted down for the better part of an hour by a group of bored players. His once level 32 character now reduced to a mere level 2. As a heteromorphic player certain starting towns were impossible to go into because of his character race. As a result, the number of respawn points was limited so they just camped around until he fully revived.

'Looks like I'll have to make a new character, again.' He thought sadly.

Momonga could already hear the voice of the main menu of Yggdrasil claiming that his character model died and "encourage" him to make a new one.

Yet, that didn't happen at all.

Instead….

"What the hell!" The warrior shouted.

Momonga's eyes snapped open and his sight returned. He wasn't dead was the first thing he noticed. The second was that someone had intervened. Standing in between him and his tormentors was another player.

EMIYA – Lvl: 100

'I'm…saved?'

If his avatar could, it's jaw would be on the floor. Momonga held no illusion for anyone to help him. Unless you were in a party, clan or guild, it was every man for himself. What shocked him even further was that he was a humanoid player. At least, that's what he's assuming seeing as this EMIYA lacked any racial characteristic that would identify him as a heteromorph or demi-human. He held in his hands two weapons, Dao swords if Momonga was remembering the classification correctly. There was little to any armor on his saver. He could only assume that it allows EMIYA freedom of movement and speed but sacrifice any suitable protection.

Considering his attire and weapon Momonga assumed that he was a [Rogue] or perhaps [Ranger]. But if that was true then why would he expose himself? Those that specialize as [Rogue], [Ranger], or [Assassin] would completely lose in a head-to-head fight. Classes like those prefer to attack unseen and getting the drop on anyone. Was he reckless or perhaps arrogant thinking he could take on a party? Does he have some friends with him to back him up? What if—

"Are you alright?" A deep and baritone voice cut Momonga thought process short.

Ahh…I-I'm fine." He stammered.

"That's good…"

"Hey!" The Pk'ers shouted. Their surprise replaced with confusion and anger. "That's our kill, no kill-stealing! You find your own." An angry face emoticon hovering above the warrior.

"…I wasn't planning on killing it anyway." EMIYA said.

"What? You serious?" The archer of the group spoke up.

"I do not wish for any more trouble. Walk away and you won't have to see either of us again." Hearing this, the four-party players looked to one another before bursting out into laughter. Not that Momonga could really blame them. During this EMIYA remained still and waited.

"…How about this?" Recovering from their hysteria the leader addressed EMIYA. "Seeing as you got in our way, we'll kill you first AND that freak!" With a battle-cry, the warrior charged forward. The rogue following him up, his daggers gleaming. Their cleric stuck back, ready to provide support if necessary, with the archer taking off to the side, to get a vantage point for sniping.

"So be it…" The skeleton mage heard EMIYA muttered. Then, he moved.

No. That wasn't correct.

Moving implies that there is motion, for one thing to have visibly traveled from point A to B.

It was more accurate to say he disappeared. One moment he was standing in front of Momonga the next, he was in front of the female cleric. The rogue and warrior fumbled to a stop as their target disappeared in front of them.

What made it more frightening was that Momonga didn't hear a skill being used.

The surprise didn't end there. EMIYA unleashed a barrage of slashes, his hands practically becoming blurs. Momonga felt his jaws unhinged at the display before him. He didn't hear any skills being activated, which meant it was completely physical. Was it even humanly possible to reach such speed? If he had any more doubt of the mysterious player's ability, it died as he looked at her health bar. Her health bar was firmly in yellow. She lost practically half of her total HP without any skills being used!

'Those weapons must be maxed out Divine class at least!' He numbly thought.

"Ahh!" The lone female player cried out. He wasn't finished as he spun on his heel and kicked her, hard. Resulting in her slamming into a tree and a small chunk of HP disappearing.

"[Shadow Strike]!"

The rogue was the first to recover, activating a skill he blinked away and reappeared behind EMIYA. With insane reaction time, he twisted his arm and upper body to parry the rogue's sneak attack. Twirling, he righted himself and knocked the daggers away. He silently unleashed another barrage of slashes capitalizing on the opening. The HP of the rogue was diminishing just as quickly as the clerics.

"[Heavy Slash]!"

The warrior rushed forward, his sword shinning from his skill. The rogue managed to jump away to allow a path for his teammate to strike. The warrior brought the sword down with the intent of cutting the man in front of him in half. EMIYA raised his arms, bringing his weapons to intercept the attack. Yet again Momonga was meet with a shocking sight. Not only did his rather small blade blocked the warrior's massive sword but he also halted it completely. There was a bit of a struggle with both players locking blade but EMIYA remained untouched.

"[Heavy Bolt]"

EMIYA quickly let go and sidestepped. Any later and an arrow would have hit him. Instead, the arrow hit the warrior. It came from none other than the forgotten archer, who originally watched dazed but quickly spurred into action.

"S-Shit!" He cursed. "[Quick Shot]" The archer notched another arrow and it shot towards the dual-wielding player. Noticeably faster than his previous attack. With ease, EMIYA dodged the speeding arrow and closed the distance between the two. He rained down slashes on the ranged fighter, his HP reducing into the yellow in the blink of an eye. "G-get away! [Shadow Roll]" With one more skill used the archer crouched down and rolled backward. His body turning into wisps for just a moment to distance himself from the dominating player. EMIYA must have figured out his plan as he predicted the archer's course and intercepted him. Resulting in him standing behind the archer as he became tangible again.

With a roar, EMIYA raised his two swords and brought them downward in an X-motion against the unprotected archer's back. His HP reached zero and the sound of glass shattering accompanied his death. The player's body breaking into shards of light. His bow dropping as the prize.

"He got Shooot!"

"C-crap!"

"What the hell kind of rogue does that much damage!"

The once four-party team now reduced to three began to panic.

In just a minute of fighting, he killed their range support, reduce two players to half-health and did so without a single skill! Momonga silently took back every doubt he had of the man. To be that skilled, it was no wonder he didn't appear afraid of a balanced party. At this point, Momonga was completely forgotten from their minds. During their moment of panic, Momonga noticed that EMIYA was completely still. He was staring at the spot where he killed the archer.

"What happened?" Despite no facial animation, Momonga could easily hear the surprise in his voice. Why would he be surprised? Was he perhaps surprise that his attack did that much damage? But why would he? From what he remembered classes like those of the assassin or rogues have additional damage multipliers if they target the back of players.

"Calm down!" Momonga snapped out his musing from hearing the warrior raising his voice. "He just got lucky. We still outnumber him! Lucy revive Shoooot quickly!"

The party was organizing itself again. Momonga snapped his head back to EMIYA.

"You need to stop her or else she'll revive him!"

EMIYA head jerked back to him. A second later his body was already moving. A magic circle appearing at the caster's feet.

"Like we'll let you!" The warrior and rogue rushed him towards him.

Momonga clenched his fist. He wanted to help, truly wanted to. But as a lvl 2 his spells were more likely to bounce off than doing anything significant.

But yet again, EMIYA showed that he had it under control.

"Triple-linked Crane Wings!" Calling out the name of a skill he threw his swords.

What happened next would forever be ingrained in Momonga's mind. The weapon sailed passed the warrior towards the cleric. The rogue catching this re-positioned himself in front of the cleric and knocked away the weapon. The weapons continued to spin pass the cleric. The warrior let out a cry of excitement as in both their and Momonga's mind he just threw away his only weapons. And perhaps it would have been their victory if the two Dao blades didn't spin back around and attacked the backside of the cleric.

Caught off-guard her resurrection spell was interrupted and was canceled. The surprise didn't end there as EMIYA produced an identical copy of his thrown weapon back in his previously empty hands. With great finesse, he parried the warrior oncoming strike and slipped by him. Not stopping at that he threw his second pair of swords at the rogue. The two blades spinning towards the player slashing him. Producing a third pair, he blinked in front of the two. With a dramatic flair, EMIYA twisted his body and spun like a human top, his blades lashing out at the cleric and rogue, reducing their HP to zero. Their bodies shattering like glass, and now there was only one left.

"Fuck!" He cursed. The warrior, after seeing the rest of the party wiped out thanks to only one player made the only rational decision. Running away. Cursing the man that wiped his party the warrior ran away with his tails between his leg.

For a moment none spoke. Momonga because he was in disbelief at everything that had happened. EMIYA was once again staring down at the ground where the two players died.

"Hey, are You alright?" EMIYA asked, raising his head. The silver haired player cast his gaze towards the undead player and slowly made his way over. He stopped just short of a couple of steps. His arms lowered but still in position for any possible deception or attack.

"I-I…thank you." Momonga mentally chastised himself. He should at least thank his benefactor correctly. Standing up he looked the other player straight in the face. "I'm eternally grateful for your help. Thank you EMIYA-san!" The undead bowed.

"How do you know my name?!" EMIYA suddenly shouted. Immediately his body tensed and he raised his swords in an aggressive manner. This caught Momonga off-guard. Who held up both hands, quickly to placate his benefactor. "Answer me." EMIYA demanded.

'Did I do something wrong? Why is he making a big deal out of his name?!' Momonga panicked. It didn't help that EMIYA's player character face maintained a powerful heated glower.

"I will ask you again. How do you know my name?"

"…I can see it. Just like you can see mine." He shakingly answered back. With a bony finger, he pointed up above EMIYA and towards his own character nametag. EMIYA shifted his head upwards.

"Momonga?" He called out the undead name. Nodding, EMIYA slowly relaxed. "Sorry. I didn't expect you to know my name that's all." He respectfully apologized.

"Apologies accepted." Momonga immediately accepted.

"I do have another question. Do you happen to know where we are?"

"Umm…We're in the Tall Plains."

"What?"

'Perhaps he asking for something more specific?' Momonga reasoned. "It's an area near the starting town Luotenburg. In Vanaheim."

"Luotenburg? Vanaheim?" It seemed that the names went over his head as well. At this point, Momonga was feeling confused as well.

"Yes, Vanaheim. One of the nine playable worlds in YGGDRASIL."

"…Yggdrasil? As in the World Tree of Norse mythology?" EMIYA said.

"Yea, the main inspiration for the game."

"…I'm sorry but could you repeat that?" EMIYA said, his voice no louder than a whisper.

"Err… YGGDRASIL, the video game." Momonga helpfully replied.

EMIYA said no more. The silence that followed turned awkward as Momonga fidgeted in place. Did he say something else that displeased him? What was it that rendered him speechless. Whatever it was Momonga—

"ROOOOOOTTTTT-DAMN YOU ZELRETCH!"

—didn't expect EMIYA to suddenly scream at the top of his lung.

'Did he say Zelretch? Where have I heard of that name before? ... Oh! That's right. Is he talking about the founder and CEO of the company that made YGGDRASIL? That Zelretch?' Momonga mused as he watched his savior collapsed to his knees… and cry?

Author's Note:

My first published fanfic. And practically 9k words in the prologue alone. I've always been one that enjoyed writing narrative more than I do dialogue, so hopefully I found a perfect balance with this. So you can expect at least 6k chapters at the minimum. But no promises. I've seen enough heart-breaks as it is on this website, and I'm not about to contribute to it! (Rest in peace all those great novels you've read but never ever updates. You all know the ones.)

Theatrics aside, what do you all think? Good? Bad? Was it enjoyable? Or was it so awful you now need bleach for your brain because I've effectively ruined both Fate and Overlord for you?

Do review, there's nothing like a nice review that motivate me to try and pump these out faster and faster.

My thoughts:

1. One of the things when I first planned this chapter was how to connect the two different world of Nasu universe and that of Overlord. The answer was obvious, Zelretch. However, I also wanted to add my own spin on things. Many Overlord fics I've read usually skipped over the game of YGGDRASIL. Which is a damn shame as the world building and idea from a purely gamer point of view has so many potential. Hence why I started Shirou off in YGGDRASIL first before reaching the New World.

Of course it will reach that point, but I wanted to have the first few chapter establishing and laying the ground work for my future chapter. The ending being a prime example. Maybe no more than 4-5 chapter before embarking in the New World.

2. A second idea I had of combining the two different worlds was the issue of Gaia. With Overlord's world taking place in the twenty second century and from how the light novel describe a near dead earth I wanted to integrate that with the Nasu verse magical world. I did take some liberty with creating that back-story, in regards to Gaia, Alaya, and among other things in the Fate universe. I tried to make it important enough as backstory content and a catalyst to connect the two different worlds together. Basically I wanted the World of Overlord and Fate to make some sense, and I didn't simply wave it off like some authors would. Apologies if I stubbed some toes with my interpretation of the Fate universe and lore.

3. Zelretch. When I first came up with the idea, I immediately thought of the 'shitty devs' mentioned in light novel of Overlord. How they were massive trolls and sadists to their players. How fitting would it be for the biggest troll in the Nasu-verse to be the same one owning the company that develop the game. A game well known for screwing with their players. I couldn't pass up such an opportunity as it just make too much damn sense if so. I also hoped I did a job with my portrayal of everyone's lovable badass trolling vampire.

4. Shirou/EMIYA. Picking which Shirou to use was rather easy all thing considered. I don't much enjoy Fate!route Shirou as I see UBW!Shirou was a better version of that route. HeavensFeel!Shirou was actually my first choice when brain storming. I had plans to include characters like Sakura, Illya, Rin, and so on. I ultimately decided that, that idea was a bit too ambitious for a new writer like myself. For now, I'll keep it in the back of my head. I did consider alternate Shirou from Fate/Kaleid but didn't mesh well with my Zelretch idea so I scrapped it. By trial and elimination, UBW!Shirou won.

For his new virtual body, it basically the same appearance as EMIYA as Archer. I would think a man like Zelretch find it funny in the irony of it all by placing Shirou into a body with the same appearance of his future and hated self.

See you in the next chapter.

Next Chapter: The World of YGGDRASIL