Beast VI thrashed violently against the thick, thorned vines that bound his colossal form. Each vine was a living conduit of mana, pulsing with the force of an ancient binding curse, digging into his monstrous flesh. The beast's growls reverberated through the shattered ruins, deep and primal, but there was a note of desperation beneath the rage, like a chained predator sensing the end.

Edward stepped forward, his boots crunching against the fractured stone, the air around him calm despite the oppressive weight of the Beast's presence. He stopped just short of the writhing monstrosity, his gaze fixed on the blackened horizon that loomed behind it—a vision of the end of humanity's story.

His voice, when he spoke, was soft. Almost too soft for a battlefield. "Despite it not being your fault," Edward said, his tone stripped of judgment, "I can't allow such a questionable end to exist, for now at least."

Beast VI's glowing eyes locked on him, unblinking and hateful, but Edward stepped closer still. Without hesitation, he reached out and laid a hand on the beast's head. His palm rested against the hot, trembling hide. The moment his touch connected, the monster froze—not in fear, but in a strange, sudden stillness.

"You have carried their sins for a long time, Beast of Babylon," Edward continued, his voice low and deliberate. "Now it's time to rest… until the day humanity reaches their inevitable end. Go in peace."

The great Beast let out a long, shuddering howl. It was not the sound of pain—no, it was relief, drawn from somewhere deep in its cursed soul. Its massive frame sagged slightly, as though the crushing weight it had borne for ages had suddenly lessened.

Edward smiled faintly, his expression not triumphant but quietly understanding. "I've taken on a little of your burden. After all," he said, his hand still resting gently against the creature's head, "a father should carry his children's sins, no matter how vile and numerous they may be. It is the duty of a father."

For a moment, Beast VI only stared at him, confusion flickering in its primal gaze. Then the massive form stilled, the hostility fading.

A sharp crack split the air above. The Gate of Skye shattered like glass, and Manaka burst free, landing on the rooftop of a half-collapsed building. Her form was disheveled, her clothes torn from her brief imprisonment in the Land of Shadows, but her poise remained intact.

She froze as her eyes swept across the scene. The mana in the air had changed—thick, almost tangible, but suffused with something unfamiliar. Peace. It washed over her senses in gentle waves, dampening the sharp edges of her thoughts. The oppressive connection to the Root that had guided her every action was slipping away, fading like mist under the morning sun.

"So that's Eden, huh?" She murmured, her usual calculating tone replaced with quiet wonder. "It is… beautiful." Her connection to root faded away gently.

A single tear traced its way down her cheek before she could stop it.

Edward's grip tightened on Rhongomyniad. Without hesitation, he drove the radiant lance straight through the core of Beast VI. The weapon's golden light pierced through the mass of darkness, flooding it with pure, cleansing energy.

The Beast's eyes met his one last time—not with malice, but with a strange, weary gratitude. Under the stunned gazes of everyone present, the titanic form began to dissolve, fragmenting into motes of faint light that scattered into the wind until nothing remained.

Edward exhaled heavily and allowed the power of the Noble Phantasm to fade. Rhongomyniad's glow dimmed, and the weapons that had hovered around him moments earlier dissipated into the ether. The battlefield quieted, though not all the changes vanished.

Large portions of the ruined city now bloomed with strange, otherworldly beauty—lush, verdant patches of garden that felt as though they belonged to some forgotten dream, existing impossibly in the middle of reality.

Edward sat down heavily on a broken slab of stone, his body trembling slightly. Burn marks and blood marred his arms and chest, evidence of Beast VI's earlier attacks.

Before the silence could settle, a crimson blur descended from above. Scathach landed lightly behind Manaka, her expression unreadable. Without a word or hesitation, she drew her spear back and thrust it forward with lethal precision, piercing straight through Manaka's heart.

Manaka's body jolted from the impact. Blood welled at her lips as she staggered forward, eyes locked on Edward. She raised a trembling hand toward him, her voice breaking. "I wish… I could have...summoned you in the beginning. Perhaps… I might have lived… a different life. Perhaps...I could… have… been… happier…"

Her arm dropped limply to her side. With one last, faint exhale, the princess of the Root crumpled to the ground. Her eyes dulled, and her presence vanished from the world.

Scathach pulled back her spear and regarded the body for only a brief moment before stepping away. She leapt down to Edward's side, her eyes taking in the state of his wounds. The skin across his chest was scorched, the burns deep and gashing wounds.

"That girl is dead," Scathach said simply. "So the battle is over, I assume. Are you alright?"

Edward winced, forcing a smirk despite the pain. "I've been better. What a pitiful girl… It seems humans only realize their folly at the end, when it's too late to change anything."

His gaze lifted to the night sky, the starlight faint beyond the drifting remnants of mana. "Have you ever wondered, Scathach—does a shooting star, falling from the sky, ever feel sorrow or regret?"

In other moments, Scathach might have dismissed the question with her usual dry humor or ignored it. But now, she simply lowered herself beside him, sitting so their backs touched as she sighed softly. "No. I have been stuck in the shadows for too long to think such things."

Edward closed his eyes. "I think they feel an overwhelming sense of sorrow as they are about to fade away… realizing they can never return to the sky. They can never go back home." His voice grew quieter, almost fading at the end.

For a brief instant, Scathach felt an unfamiliar urge—to turn around, to hold the man beside her, to tell him it was alright. But she didn't.

Instead, she exhaled softly, her own eyes closing.

"For all our fame and being revered as heroes and such," she murmured, "we hold more regrets and mistakes than ordinary humans. How ironic."

Edward spoke softly. "Perhaps, that's why we are heroes. Heroes never get a happy ending after all."

The two sat there in stillness, leaning against each other, the battlefield's eerie peace wrapping around them.

But the moment didn't last. A sudden bloom of flower petals swirled into existence nearby, bursting outward in a cascade of pink and white. Merlin stepped out of the swirling magic, Ritsuka close behind.

"Adam-san! Scathach-san!" Ritsuka's voice carried both relief and worry as she rushed toward them. "Are you both okay?"

Edward chuckled, "Could be better."

Scathach rose quickly to her feet. "Yes, I'm fine. But we should head back for the night. We need to rest." She started walking away without looking back, her mind full of thoughts.

Ritsuka asked hesitantly, "Do you want to come with us, Adam-san?" Scathach paused for a second but kept walking.

Edward smiled and replied, "Nah, you guys go on ahead. I'll be fine."

Ritsuka nodded, smiling apologetically, and turned to follow her. She waved at Edward as she moved away. "Take care of yourself, Adam-san." Edward waved back lazily at her.

Merlin lingered back for a bit. He stepped up beside Edward, his usual smirk tugging at his lips. "So… Are you cheating on Eve, Adam-san? Can't blame you though..."

In an instant, Rhongomyniad was in Edward's hands, the point of its gleaming tip pressed just shy of Merlin's face. Edward's expression was cold, his eyes narrowed.

Merlin swallowed audibly, hands raised in mock surrender. "Ahahaha… it was a joke. A Merlin joke. Sheesh, you really lack humor."

Edward's voice was sharp. "You'd be in no mood for humor if you had to say edgy things like that and remember… certain bad memories. But I guess that's the abyss for you. Now talk. What did Root tell you before sending you here?"

Merlin's smile faded instantly. His tone shifted to something more serious, more grounded. "Your existence has changed things a lot. But the end is still coming. The Perfect King has found another way of salvation. He has gotten stronger after absorbing the demon pillars."

"Salvation huh? " Edward shook hishead lightly. " True Salvation doesn't exist. It is just a fleeting dream we humans tell ourselves is real , to find some solace in our mistakes."

Merlin smiled wryly. "Be that as it may, it has something to do with you."

Edward's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me… he wants to use my Noble Phantasm to take humans back to Eden, erasing their entire history of mistakes?"

Merlin's eyes widened slightly. "How did you know that?"

Edward turned away, his voice heavy. "I know him better than anyone else. This is his rational conclusion after watching the sealed garden. Guess I should prepare for him." He stood up, his movements sluggish, and began walking away, his steps carrying no clear destination.

Merlin watched him go, shaking his head with a faint sigh. "This guy really needs to chill. I can't even mess with him like the others. Neither do I feel like it. He already bears a greater burden than anyone."

He paused and looked up at the sky. "A star that can never return to the sky, huh? Sounds rather sad. But a small Magus of Flower like me has no business with that."

With that, his form scattered into a cloud of petals, dissolving into the night wind.

*****

The night after the battle, Edward had wandered into the quieter edges of the war-torn city, far from the ruins where Noble Phantasms had clashed hours earlier. His body still carried the soreness of that confrontation, but his expression was calm, even content.

After some searching, he found a small abandoned house on the edge of a forest—a structure that was weathered but still intact enough to serve as shelter. He stepped inside, scanning the dusty rooms, and with a few practiced motions began tracing faintly glowing wards along the doors and windows. His hands moved with the confidence of someone who had done this countless times—layered defensive barriers, each tuned to trigger with the slightest magical or physical disturbance.

Once the protections were set, he lowered himself onto the creaky old bed and lay on his back, eyes half-closed as the quiet of the forest outside filled the air. The absence of clashing steel and roaring mana felt strange, almost foreign. Still, the silence held, and the night passed without intrusion.

When dawn came, a warm light broke through the cracks of the wooden walls. Edward stirred with a quiet yawn, stretching his shoulders as the first sounds of life filtered in, gentle chirps from a cluster of small birds perched on the windowsill. The creatures tilted their heads, watching him without fear. From beyond the treeline, a fox emerged, its cautious gaze softening as it stepped closer. A few rabbits peeked out from under the undergrowth.

Edward sat up slowly, his voice low but warm."Thank you for watching over me, little ones," he said with a faint smile. "Now go on. It's a beautiful day."

The birds gave a few bright chirps as if in reply before fluttering away. The fox and rabbits retreated back into the forest, their movements light and unhurried.

He rose from the bed and stepped outside into the crisp morning air, walking to a nearby lake. The surface reflected the pale gold of sunrise, and he splashed water onto his face, letting the coolness wake him fully. His reflection rippled—blonde hair, blue eyes, sharp features softened by a faint trace of weariness, and eyes that seemed to carry both quiet resolve and a lingering sadness.

After drying his face, he turned toward the distant city skyline. He had errands to run, a list in mind. Battery-operated electronics like a walkman and a portable video player, perhaps some modern clothes to blend in better, and a few other necessities.

The streets were lively when he arrived. Vendors called out from their stalls, and people moved between shops with baskets and bags in hand. Though he was a stranger, many smiled and waved to him. He returned their gestures with ease, his expression genuine.

An elderly woman behind a fruit stall caught his attention. She held up a basket of apples, their skins a bright red."Take these, young man," she said warmly. "You should eat well. You're too skinny."

Edward started to reach for his wallet, but she shook her head. "Consider it a gift. You remind me of my deceased father somehow."

Her voice carried a mix of fondness and loss.

Edward paused for a moment before bowing his head slightly."…Thank you."

He continued down the street, the apples tucked under his arm, taking in the simple peace of this morning. As he went from shop to shop, he noticed a pattern—storekeepers offering him discounts without being asked, and in some cases outright refusing payment. He politely tried to decline, but they insisted. Perhaps it was his appearance, perhaps something else, but they looked at him as if he were someone they had known and trusted for years.

After completing his shopping, he stopped by a small restaurant for lunch. The scent of grilled meat and steaming rice greeted him as he entered. He ordered modestly, but when the food came, it was enough for two people. The elderly manager, smiling broadly, insisted on adding extra portions "on the house."

As Edward ate, a few young women approached his table one by one. Some asked for his name, others for his phone number. Their cheeks were flushed, and their words stumbled over themselves. Each time, he smiled politely and explained that he had lost his phone, his tone soft but final.

He finally left the restaurant, without having paid a coin, despite his protests. He stepped into the sunlight and made his way down a side street. His put on his new headphones and played one of his favorite songs from his past life as he walked down the street. The music played softly as he passed by the people absent mindedly.

"Tonight the sunset means so much

The one thing that you know, you'll never touch

Like the feeling,

the real thing I reach out for

the sweet dream

But somehow the darkness wakes me up

And I've felt this emptiness before (I've felt this emptiness before)

But all the times that I've been broken

I still run right back for more

You'd think that I'd learn my lesson by now

You'd think that I'd somehow figure out

That if you strike the match

You're bound to feel the flame

You think that I'd learn the cost of love

Paid that price long enough

But still I drive myself right through the pain

Yeah, well it turns out I haven't learned a thing"

He hummed with nostalgia while he closed his eyes in peace.

That was when the collision happened.

A young girl rounded the corner quickly and bumped into him. She was dressed in a striking red dress with black skirt, her long black hair tied into neat twin tails. The subtle flare of magical energy around her was immediately apparent to Edward; this was no ordinary civilian.

Edward steadied her with a hand, his voice calm."Sorry there, young miss. Are you alright?"

The girl had been ready to snap, her pride pricked by the collision, but when she looked up at him, her expression froze. Inside her head, her thoughts went into a frenzy.

(Oh my god! How can such a handsome and perfect guy exist?! He's exactly my type!)

Her cheeks flushed red. She coughed once, regaining some composure, and spoke with deliberate politeness."Thank you, I'm alright. But…" She tilted her head slightly. "…I wouldn't mind if you bought me a drink as an apology."

Edward's smile widened slightly."That should be fine, miss…?"

She straightened and gave a small, polite bow."My name is Rin. Rin Tohsaka." Her voice then dropped lower, her eyes narrowing slightly as she listened to her servant's words. "I assume you have no problem interacting with a Master of the Holy Grail War, Ruler-san?"

Edward gave a small shrug."I have no problem with that. I guess your Servant told you about me?"

A flicker of mana pulsed through the air. In the space beside Rin, a tall man with tanned skin and short white hair materialized—dressed in a red and black coat with metallic guards along his limbs. His posture was relaxed but ready, his sharp eyes taking in Edward with a mixture of recognition and respect.

"Archer," the man said, inclining his head politely. "At your service. Thank you for last night, Ruler. Although I hate to say it, you have rekindled some hope within me… though it may fade away in time."

Edward stepped forward and placed a hand lightly on the man's shoulder, his touch steady and reassuring."No need to thank me. It's my duty to lessen the burden others may bear."

His voice softened, and he leaned closer, lowering his words so only Archer could hear. "…Emiya-kun."

Archer's eyes narrowed slightly, but then he gave a wry smile and stepped back."I hope you don't spread the word."

Edward's reply came with a playful glint in his eye."No promises."

Rin watched the exchange with a red face. 'No way! Don't tell me.....he's into men!' Her thoughts were treading into some dangerous territories.

****

I have mentioned before, each heroic spirit spirit alter Edward's Personality when equipped. But I forgot to mention the sync rate and the aftermath.

Each hero has a certain synchronization rates at which, Edward can freely use their abilities without equiping them. Like the Gate of Babylon, Anairesis Theon, Garden of Eden etc. Currently only Adam, Kratos, Karna, Caster, Ruler, and Gilgamesh qualify.

Adam is the first soul that existed before the heroic spirits, so when they merged completely, It physically changed him. The Blonde hair happened because Adam's soul was awakening.

There is also a full equip mode, where Edward let's the hero take control of movements , but the thoughts remain his. he can take back control at any time. Like when Kratos fought the Olympians. In these scenarios, I'll use the hero's name rather than Edward.

This is not a regular grail war, and some backstory will be explained next chapter.

And as always, don't forget to comment and let me know if you like development, and direction of the story.

How did you feel about the noble phantasms? For non nasuverse characters, it's fun to design these concepts, and I hope it remains true to the original source.