**Public Service Announcement:** I've decided that everyone is familiar with the USJ Arc, so it might not be very engaging to go over events that readers already know. Instead, I'm going to skip ahead and focus on Midoriya System's perspective. Is everyone on board with this? If anyone wants Astolfo's reaction to the USJ events, I can incorporate that as flashbacks later. Thanks!
Asterios was currently on his way home—or at least he thought he was. About ten minutes earlier, he had been sitting peacefully in his garden with the Gorgon sisters. Then, suddenly, he found himself in the outside world, his greatest fear. Now he was trying to find his way back, but he had no idea where he was.
Normally, by this time, one of the other altars would have tapped into his mind to remind him where he was, but something felt different. It was as if a predator was watching him, something was wrong. No one else seemed to notice, but Asterios could feel it—something hungry lurking in the shadows. This presence wasn't purposeless; it was intelligent and malevolent.
He sensed multiple pairs of eyes fixated on him, and a fear unlike anything he'd ever experienced washed over him. This was a threat that could genuinely harm him. Instinctively, he knew it was worse than his claustrophobia or his fear of the dark. It was a fear of the unknown, mingled with the terror of an ominous presence.
Desperately, Asterios tried to run back to his garden, to the safety of the Gorgon sisters. But no matter how hard he mentally struggled, he couldn't escape reality—both literally and figuratively. He was trapped, and something instinctively prevented him from dissociating.
Then Asterios saw him: the one who was watching, the hungry predator. Standing before him in a sharp suit was a man wearing a strange metal mask. Instantly, every hair on Asterios's body stood on end. This figure was no longer merely a man; it was something else—an amalgamation of dark concepts, embodying a sinister presence that filled him with dread.
It was as if he was walking through a play, performing for a captive audience. Every movement, every gesture felt rehearsed a thousand times, as if the world itself were enchanted by his presence.
But behind him, within the depths of his shadow, Asterios could see the truth—a thousand screaming shadows begging for release. They seemed hollow, lacking some essential aspect of their being, their cries echoing a silent desperation that sent chills down his spine.
Asterios was enormous—twice the size of any normal man—but this figure seemed to loom over him, casting an unsettling shadow. As he continued to stare, he noticed people disappearing, as if they were instinctively ignoring this street. The entire area felt cut off from reality—a reality Asterios desperately wished to escape. Yet, right now, he would choose that familiar place over this empty street any day.
"Don't be afraid; I just want to have a little chat," the deep voice of the creature said.
Despite its intimidating drawl, the voice had an odd pleasantness to it, as if the being were attempting to coax him out of hiding. But Asterios was frozen. He couldn't move, no matter how hard he tried.
"Come now, you know you can't resist me. Stop hiding behind this child," the voice of the man in the suit said, its tone laced with frustration, less composed than it usually was.
Asterios felt a cold hand land on his shoulder, and suddenly, he could move again. He collapsed to his knees, gasping for breath. When he finally looked up, he saw something just as terrifying as the man before him.
A white bone mask with flaming blue eyes stared down at him. Black armor encased the figure, and shadowy robes billowed in the wind. Yet, unlike the eldritch being in front of him, this entity felt oddly familiar.
Despite its sharp and frosty exterior, this being radiated a softness and care that brought him a strange sense of comfort.
"What do you wish to discuss, Shatter? Have you come to make another attempt on our existence?" The skull mask remained still, but Asterios knew it was directed at the figure behind him.
"Hm... not today. I was just here to ensure you're not getting tangled up in my... investments. Wouldn't want you interfering with my business," the man in the suit replied. Though his face was hidden, Asterios could feel the wide grin spreading across the man's demeanor.
The man in the suit suddenly paused, a shift in his demeanor making the air feel dark and heavy.
Something had clearly changed, but Asterios couldn't grasp what it was.
"Sigh, it seems our little get-together will have to be cut short," the man said before turning to walk away.
"Oh, and one more thing." Without warning, Asterios felt a warm hand grip his head. But this warmth was different—too warm. It felt searing, almost burning. In an instant, he felt as if he might explode as power rushed into his body. Then suddenly all the power he had gained drained away, leaving him weak and disoriented, until he finally collapsed into unconsciousness.
**Time Skip:**
Emiya woke up with a start, the remnants of a strange dream clinging to him. Asterios had been there, but none of them were helping him. The little guy felt lost and afraid… it had all felt so real.
As he blinked away the haze of sleep, Emiya looked around and realized he was lying face down on the sidewalk of an eerily empty street.
Sluggishly, Emiya stumbled to his feet, feeling drained as if all his energy had been wrenched from his body. He couldn't sense any of the other Alter's, They were asleep. It was strange—there was usually at least one of them active. The fragments were typically buzzing with energy, but now, they were silent.
Determined, Emiya struggled to make his way toward UA High. Something had happened, and based on that dream, it seemed serious. As he moved, people began to appear, yet no one stopped to help him. He wasn't in his hero outfit, and the dirt on his clothes certainly wasn't doing him any favors. He could empathize with Aizawa now; he probably looked like a homeless man wandering the streets.
As he passed by a fairly popular supermarket, he suddenly heard the sound of a plane overhead.
"that's strange planes shouldn't be flying this low to the ground, And definitely not near a city. Emiya Looked up and realized it wasn't a plane. It was a black meteor hurling towards the street.
As Emiya Studied it's trajectory he realized it was going to smash the Mini van right in front of him. A van that just so happened to be full of people.
He raced forward immediately... well attempted to. His body wasn't responding. He tried to project a sword! He tried to project a shield! He tried to project anything! but nothing happened. He was to exhausted. So, Emiya had to watch in horror as the black meteor smashed into the mini van.
The van exploded as fire engulfed the street. For a moment, nothing happened, but then out of the flames stomped a grotesque Abomination. A muscular monster with Dark navy skin A bird like head and an exposed brain.
It Seem to look around Like it was waiting for something. Then it looked directly at Emiya. It froze then released a Horrifying shriek. Roaring like a beast it charged towards him Like it hadn't been fed in weeks.
= authors note=
OK, kind of a dark chapter. And yes, if you couldn't tell the last 200 or so words weren't edited my editing software again decided to Die for some reason. I hope you enjoyed a little bit of foreshadowing. Anyway, have a good week. Good afternoon, good evening, and good night.