Xeno Blade Works GPT Custom

Prologue: A New World, A Familiar Ideal

I always thought my path was clear. To become a hero of justice, a dream inherited, a promise to keep. The embers of that distant fire, the calamity that shaped my destiny, still flicker in the depths of my memory. But standing here, beneath the Ryuudou Temple, where the remnants of the Greater Grail lie dormant, I feel the weight of uncertainty. A shadow of doubt, as if the very ground beneath me is about to give way.

"Saber," I whisper, though she's no longer by my side. Her spirit returned to where heroes rest, leaving me with nothing but her ideals to guide me. I trace my fingers along the ancient stone, the remnants of battles fought and destinies intertwined. It's silent, eerily so, as if the world is holding its breath.

Then it happens.

A sudden surge, like a heartbeat from the earth itself, pulses through the chamber. The air crackles with unseen energy, the walls of reality thinning. I take a step back, instinctively reaching for the magic circuits within me, preparing for what's to come.

But I'm not fast enough.

A blinding light envelops me, a torrent of magical energy that drowns out my senses. I feel myself being pulled, torn away from everything I know. My last thought, a fleeting whisper, "Is this... the Grail's doing?"

Darkness fades to light. I open my eyes, greeted by an endless expanse of blue. A sea, but unlike any I've seen before. Clouds swirl beneath me, a sky above and below. Disoriented, I struggle to my feet, finding solid ground beneath a blanket of mist.

"Where am I?" The words feel alien, lost in the vastness of this new world.

I survey my surroundings. An open field, grass gently swaying in the breeze, a world untouched by the scars of Fuyuki City. But it's the structure in the distance that captures my attention. A tree, colossal in size, its branches piercing the heavens. It's unlike anything in my world, yet it feels... important.

I take a step forward, my mind racing. This isn't a simple displacement. It's a transportation, a summoning of sorts. But by whom? And why?

A rustle in the grass. I turn, hand reaching for an invisible blade, a reflex born of countless battles. But what emerges isn't a threat, just a small creature, its eyes wide with curiosity.

"Who are you?" I ask, though I doubt it understands.

It cocks its head, as if considering the question, then scurries away, disappearing into the mist.

Alone again, I start walking towards the tree, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. This world, it's different, alien. Yet, there's a sense of familiarity, a resonance with my own ideals. A world in need of a hero, perhaps?

I recall the legends Rin once told me, myths of other worlds and heroes who shaped them. A fleeting thought crosses my mind, "Could this be one of those worlds?"

The path ahead is unclear, but my resolve remains. To protect, to uphold my ideal, no matter where I am. This world, with its endless skies and mysterious tree, beckons with a promise of a new journey, a new purpose.

As I walk, the weight of the unknown bears down on me, yet the fire within burns brighter. For I am Emiya Shirou, and even in a world beyond my own, I will strive to be a hero of justice.

Chapter 1: Unfamiliar Paths, Familiar Ideals

It's been a few weeks since I found myself in this world of Alrest, a place as strange as it is fascinating. The endless Cloud Sea, the living Titans... it's all so different from Fuyuki, yet somehow, I've managed to find my footing. It's like adapting to a new rhythm, learning to listen to a different beat of life.

I've settled in the Argentum Trade Guild, working as a mechanic and fixer. It's not the path of a hero of justice I envisioned, but it's a start. Helping people with their problems, fixing things that are broken - it's not so different from what I've always done.

"Another day, another batch of repairs," I mutter to myself, wiping sweat from my brow. The scent of oil and metal is familiar, comforting in its own way. I've always found solace in the act of fixing things, of making them whole again. Perhaps that's why I've taken to this work so naturally.

As I finish up the last repair of the day, a commotion outside catches my attention. Curious, I step out into the bustling streets of the Guild. The air is filled with the usual cacophony of traders and travelers, but there's an undercurrent of excitement, something unusual.

I make my way through the crowd, following the source of the commotion. That's when I see him - a young salvager, not much younger than myself, with an air of naivety but a spark of determination in his eyes. He's surrounded by a group of people, all buzzing about some big job he's just landed.

"Looks like he's bitten off more than he can chew," I think, watching the scene unfold. It's clear from his expression that he's in over his head, yet there's a sense of excitement about him that I can't help but admire.

Without really knowing why, I find myself drawn to the young salvager. Maybe it's his enthusiasm, or maybe it's the way he reminds me of myself at that age - eager to prove himself, to find his place in the world.

"Excuse me," I say, approaching him. "You look like you could use a hand with whatever you've gotten yourself into."

He looks at me, surprise evident in his features. "Uh, thanks, but I think I've got it covered," he replies, though his uncertain tone suggests otherwise.

"I'm Shirou," I introduce myself. "I'm pretty good with machines and... well, fixing things. If your job has anything to do with that, maybe I can be of help."

He hesitates for a moment, then extends his hand. "I'm Rex," he says. "Actually, there might be something you can help with. You see, we're about to embark on a salvage mission, and..."

As Rex explains the job, I can't help but feel a sense of adventure stirring within me. It's been a while since I've felt this way - the thrill of the unknown, the possibility of danger. It's a far cry from the life of a hero I envisioned, but maybe, just maybe, this is where my path begins in this world.

"Alright, count me in," I say, shaking his hand. "Let's see where this adventure takes us."

And so, I find myself embarking on a journey alongside Rex, a salvager with dreams as big as the Cloud Sea itself.

Chapter 2: Unseen Bonds, Unfamiliar Faces

The C.S.E.V. Maelstrom cuts through the Cloud Sea, a sturdy vessel carrying us towards the unknown. Beside me, Rex chats excitedly about the mission, his words a stream of optimism and determination. I listen, offering a smile here, a nod there, but my attention is elsewhere.

We're joined by others, a diverse crew, but two in particular catch my eye. Jin and Malos. There's something about them, an unseen aura that tugs at the edges of my senses. It's reminiscent of the sensation I feel when near Servants, yet different, more... subdued.

"Interesting," I muse inwardly. "What are they?"

As I ponder, a girl with feline features approaches. She's introduced as Nia, her gaze cautious yet curious. She's accompanied by a large creature, Dromarch, whose regal demeanor belies his animalistic appearance.

"Never seen a cat person before," I comment, more to myself than anyone else.

Nia raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her voice. "And I've never seen someone like you before. You're not from around here, are you?"

"Something like that," I reply, opting for vagueness. Best not to delve into the complexities of different worlds and lost Grails.

The conversation shifts as Rex explains more about Alrest, its Titans, and the Cloud Sea. I listen intently, piecing together this world's puzzle. It's a tapestry of lore and legend, so different from my own, yet certain threads feel familiar.

As the day wanes, I find myself in the company of Jin and Malos. There's a weight to their presence, a sense of hidden depths and untold stories.

"You two," I start, choosing my words carefully. "You're not like the others, are you?"

Jin's expression remains unreadable, but there's a flicker in his eyes that suggests I've struck a chord. "And what makes you say that?" he asks, his voice even.

"It's just a feeling," I admit. "Like there's something more to you."

Malos chuckles, a sound devoid of warmth. "Everyone has their secrets, don't they? What about you, Shirou? You seem... out of place."

I meet his gaze, unflinching. "I'm just someone trying to find his way, same as anyone else."

Jin nods, a gesture of understanding or perhaps acknowledgment. "We all have our paths to walk. Just be careful where yours leads you."

Their cryptic words linger in the air, a puzzle yet to be solved. I sense no malice from them, but there's a caution in their tones that I can't ignore.

As night falls, I find a quiet spot on deck, gazing at the stars that adorn the sky above the Cloud Sea. They're different from the stars over Fuyuki, yet they shine with the same distant light.

"Wherever this path leads, I'll follow it," I whisper to the night. "Not just as a mechanic or a fixer, but as someone who still believes in being a hero of justice, in whatever form that takes in this world."

Chapter 3: Echoes in the Deep

The descent into the Cloud Sea's depths aboard the Maelstrom's skiff brings a tense silence over us. Rex's usual chatter is subdued, replaced by a focused determination. Beside him, Nia watches the murky waters with a guarded expression, her companion Dromarch resting quietly at her feet.

"We're getting close," Rex announces, his voice echoing slightly in the confined space.

Nia leans forward, her gaze fixed on the dark waters below. "Let's just hope this job's worth the trouble," she murmurs, skepticism lacing her tone.

The ancient ship looms out of the darkness, a ghostly relic untouched by time. Its hull groans under the weight of centuries, a testament to a forgotten era. I feel a strange connection to it, as if it resonates with the stories of heroes and battles etched deep within me.

"We should be careful," I advise, feeling the need to voice my caution. "Old places like this can be full of surprises."

Nia smirks slightly. "You sound like you've done this before."

"In a way, I have," I reply, thinking of the countless battles and ruins I've encountered in my own world.

Jin and Malos lead the way into the ship, their movements precise and deliberate. I follow, keeping a watchful eye on our surroundings. The ship's interior is a labyrinth of corridors and chambers, each step taking us deeper into the heart of the vessel.

A skittering sound in the darkness makes me tense, ready to trace a weapon from my reality marble. But it's only a small creature, more scared of us than we are of it. Nia watches it disappear with a faint smile. "Not everything down here is out to get us, it seems."

We eventually reach a sealed chamber, marked with a crest unfamiliar to me. Rex's excitement is palpable as he gazes at the door. "This is it. This has to be it."

Jin places his hand on the seal, and the door slowly opens, revealing its secrets. Inside, a sword rests in a pedestal, its blade emitting a faint glow. Behind it, a figure, as if in eternal slumber.

"This is incredible," Rex breathes, stepping into the chamber.

Nia's eyes widen as she follows. "That's no ordinary sword..."

I step closer to the weapon, intrigued. This sword, it's unlike anything I've seen before. I reach out with my mind, attempting to use structural analysis, to understand its makeup, to add it to my Unlimited Blade Works. But I can't. There's a resistance, a barrier that I can't penetrate. It reminds me of Excalibur, a blade so unique and powerful that I could never fully replicate or store it.

"It's... different," I say, more to myself than anyone else. "There's something about this sword. It's not just a piece of history."

Nia looks at me curiously. "You seem to know a lot about swords."

I give a small shrug. "You could say they're a big part of my life."

Jin and Malos exchange a glance, their expressions unreadable. There's a story here, a mystery that's slowly unraveling. And somehow, I feel that we're standing at the precipice of something much larger than any of us realize.

Stepping forward, I can't resist the pull of the ancient sword. Its presence is overwhelming, radiating a power that I can't quite comprehend, yet it feels almost familiar. "This sword..." I murmur, reaching out to it hesitantly.

Rex watches, his eyes wide with a mix of excitement and concern. Nia, on the other hand, seems apprehensive, her gaze flicking between the sword and the rest of us.

Before my fingers can graze the blade, the air shifts. Jin moves with a swiftness I hadn't anticipated, his hand shooting out to stop me. "Don't," he commands, his voice cold.

Malos steps forward, his demeanor changing, his eyes hardening. "It's time," he says, and in that instant, I realize their intent.

Betrayal.

Nia's eyes widen in shock. "What are you doing?" she demands, stepping back.

"It was never about the salvage," Jin states flatly. "We needed the Aegis."

The Aegis? The name echoes in my mind, unfamiliar yet filled with significance.

Instinctively, I reach within myself, tracing the familiar form of Kanshou and Bakuya. The twin blades materialize in my hands, their weight a comforting assurance.

"Where did those come from?" Rex exclaims, his surprise evident.

Nia looks at me, then at the swords, her expression a mix of confusion and awe. "Who are you?"

"No time to explain," I say, my focus on Jin and Malos. "We need to defend ourselves."

Jin's blade, drawn in a blink, gleams coldly in the dim light. Malos, too, readies himself, an aura of danger emanating from him.

The chamber erupts into chaos. Rex, caught off guard, scrambles to find his footing. Nia, though clearly shaken, stands ready to fight.

Jin lunges at me, his movements precise and deadly. I parry with Kanshou, deflecting his strike, then counter with Bakuya. Our blades clash, the sound ringing through the chamber.

Malos joins the fray, his power palpable, his strikes heavy and relentless. I dodge, weave, and parry, my swords a blur. Each movement is a memory, a trace of battles fought in another life, another world.

Rex and Nia work together, trying to fend off Malos. I catch glimpses of their struggle, Rex's determination, Nia's agility.

"This isn't just a fight," I think to myself. "It's a struggle for something much greater."

I switch tactics, tracing another weapon, Caladbolg. Its curved blade slices through the air, forcing Jin back.

"How many weapons do you have?" Malos snarls, his frustration growing.

"As many as I need," I reply, focusing on the fight.

The battle rages on, a dance of steel and survival. With each clash, I feel more connected to this world, to its struggles and its mysteries.

The clash of steel continues to echo through the chamber, a symphony of conflict that resonates deep within me. As I parry another of Jin's strikes, a part of me reaches out, attempting to read the history behind his blade, to analyze and record it within my own mind. But his weapon, like him, is shrouded in mystery, its past obscured and out of reach. The only thing clear to me is Jin's lethal proficiency – he could easily overpower us all if he chose to.

I glance at Rex and Nia, fighting desperately against Malos. They're strong, but this is a battle unlike any they've faced before. A plan begins to form in my mind, a way to get them out of this, even if it means risking my own life. It's a familiar calculation, one I've made countless times before.

"Rex, Nia!" I shout over the din of battle. "You need to get out of here!"

Rex looks at me, determination etched on his face. "And leave you here? No way!"

"Nia, take him and go!" I insist, blocking another of Jin's swift attacks. "I'll hold them off as long as I can!"

Nia hesitates, torn, but there's a sense of trust in her eyes. "Come on, Rex!" she yells, grabbing his arm.

Turning back to Jin and Malos, I lower my swords slightly. "Why are you doing this?" I ask, hoping to understand their motive, to find some reasoning behind their betrayal.

Jin's expression is unreadable, but there's a hint of sadness in his eyes. "You wouldn't understand," he replies coldly. "Our goals are beyond the comprehension of someone like you."

Malos laughs, a sound devoid of humor. "Let's just say we have our reasons. Reasons that have nothing to do with the likes of you."

I grit my teeth, frustration mounting. "You can't have the Aegis. Whatever your reasons, I can't let you take her."

Jin studies me for a moment, then nods slightly. "So be it. But know this, you stand in the way of something much greater than yourself."

The fight resumes, a desperate struggle against overwhelming odds. But I refuse to back down, to give in. For even in this strange world, amidst Titans and mysteries, I will fight for what I believe is right. And right now, that means stopping Jin and Malos, no matter the cost.

The battle rages on, a relentless storm of steel and will. I push my magic circuits to their limits, tracing and projecting weapons in rapid succession. Each blade is a memory, a relic from my world – Kanshou and Bakuya, Gáe Bolg, Rho Aias – all manifestations of my resolve. Yet, with each projection, I can feel the strain on my body, the magic circuits protesting the demand.

Jin's skill is undeniable. He moves with a grace and precision that makes every strike lethal. Malos, on the other hand, is a force of raw power, his blows heavy and destructive. I deflect and dodge as best as I can, but it's clear I'm outmatched.

In a desperate bid, I trace Caladbolg, the fabled sword from Irish mythology, its curved blade designed for devastating strikes. I swing, putting all my remaining strength into the attack, but Jin anticipates it. He counters effortlessly, his own blade slicing through the air with deadly intent.

Pain explodes across my chest as Jin's sword finds its mark. I stagger backward, gasping for breath, my vision blurring. The wound is deep, critical. I can feel my strength ebbing away, my body on the brink of collapse.

"No... not yet," I gasp, my voice barely a whisper. "I can't... fall here."

With the last of my willpower, I reach for the Aegis, the mysterious sword that started this all. My fingers brush against the hilt, a surge of energy coursing through me. It's unlike anything I've felt before – powerful, ancient, and overwhelming.

As I grasp the sword, a flash of light envelops me, a warmth that seeps into my wounds, stalling the cold grasp of unconsciousness. The pain subsides, replaced by a strange sense of clarity.

Jin and Malos pause, their expressions a mix of surprise and wariness. They sense it too – the change that has come over me.

"I... won't let you have her," I manage to say, my grip on the Aegis tightening. The sword feels alive in my hands, a beacon of hope in the midst of despair.

I don't understand what power I've just awakened, what secrets the Aegis holds. But in this moment, it's my lifeline, the only thing standing between me and defeat. With newfound determination, I ready myself for the next onslaught, prepared to fight until my very last breath.

INTERLUDE

As Jin's blade strikes true, a searing pain spreads across my chest, and the world around me fades to black. I brace myself for the end, but instead of darkness, I find myself in a place of tranquility, a grassy field under a clear blue sky. This must be Elysium.

Standing before me is a figure with fiery red hair, her presence both calming and commanding. She must be the one connected to the Aegis, the one they call Pyra.

"You're hurt," she says softly, her voice carrying an empathetic warmth. "I can save you, but it will require sharing half of my life with you."

Her offer is generous, selfless even, but it gives me pause. The life I've led, the path I've chosen – it's been anything but gentle. The relentless pursuit of an ideal, the sacrifices made, the pain endured. It's a burden I wouldn't wish on anyone, let alone someone I've just met.

"Pyra," I begin, my voice echoing in this serene dreamscape. "You don't understand. The way I live, the lengths I'll go to achieve my ideal... It's harsh, unforgiving. I've seen where this path leads, and it's not a future you should be part of."

She looks at me, her eyes reflecting a depth of understanding beyond her years. "I may not fully comprehend your struggles or the scars you bear," she admits. "But I, too, have a difficult mission, one that's hard to explain. Maybe, in our own ways, we can find common ground."

Her resolve is clear, unwavering. In her, I see a reflection of my own determination, the same unyielding commitment to a cause.

"I can't promise an easy journey," I warn, the weight of my own experiences heavy in my voice. "Following my ideals... it's led me to places darker than I ever imagined."

"And yet, you still stand for what you believe in," Pyra responds, a hint of admiration in her tone. "That's something I can respect, something I can share."

The dream begins to fade, the field of Elysium dissolving into the ether. As the reality of the battle returns, her voice follows me, a lingering echo. "Let's face this together."

I find myself back in the chamber, the pain in my chest subsiding, replaced by a newfound strength. My hand is on the hilt of the Aegis, Pyra's presence a comforting light in the midst of chaos.

"I... won't let you have her," I say, standing against Jin and Malos with renewed determination. There's a bond now, unspoken but as real as the blade in my hand – a shared mission, a shared life. Together, we'll face whatever comes our way, for the ideals we both hold dear.